Tom Lithgow invites guests to his 130-acre island on Lake Tanganyika. Thirteen thatched-roof bungalows guarantee privacy; scuba gear and helicopter trips to Kalambo Falls guarantee fun. From $2,200, all-inclusive. (800) 524-7979. Photo courtesy of Tanzania Firelight Safaris. This appeared in the June/July 2013 issue.

Zanzibar, an archipelago off the Tanzania coast, has long attracted travelers to its capital city, Stone Town. Visitors come to cap off a safari, dance to taarab music, and snorkel among dragon moray eels—all in the historic birthplace of the Swahili language. The cotton kanga (pictured above), worn as a wrap dress, skirt, or shawl, is the principal item of clothing for East African women. Named for the dappled feathers of the guinea fowl, the kanga is not complete without a Swahili maxim printed along its border. One favorite: Kupata na kukosa kwangu, wewe kunakuhusu nini, or “Whether I succeed or fail, it’s not your business.” Available at the Darajani Bazaar off Darajani Street. Photo courtesy of Alvaro Leiva/Age Fotostock. This appeared in the May/June 2011 issue.

Climbing to the summit of Mt Kilimanjaro in Tanzania was a highlight of my life. In honor of my dad's 60th birthday, my family and I hiked up the Machame Route to Uhuru peak (19,341 ft). This is the highest point in Africa, nicknamed the Roof of Africa. Our route took us from Moshi, where the mountain looms large over the city below and where you can explore the local markets, up & down Kili in 10 days. Listening to the stories and songs of our guides and porters was as much a highlight as the stunning vistas in every direction. On the 2nd night we slept near Shira Plateau (12,480 ft). This was the view from my tent, and the structure pictured above is an outhouse. At each camp I was struck by the juxtaposition of these buildings of necessity perched precariously on the edge of awesome natural scenery. Something about the fresh air, sunrise glowing off the distant peaks, and striking color of the outhouse roof made me stop to capture the moment. I couldn't take my eyes off the outhouses! This trek isn't for everyone, and that's why it is so special. We went with Tusker Trails because of their safety record, gear standards, and that they helped organize the union for porters on Kili. There are lots of operators, but we were thrilled with our experience (3 hot meals/day and hot water to clean up with at the end of each dusty day!). To arrive, you fly into Arusha Intl airport. Truly a trip of a lifetime in a country of natural beauty.

A feast of enormous octopus tentacles, colossal lobster claws, and gaping fish are laid out on table after table every night in Stone Town's Forodhani Gardens. The names and origins of less recognizable treats, smashed together in generous portions on kebab sticks, will be (very) eagerly explained to you by the vendors at each table. A kebab of tandoori lobster accompanied by fresh-pressed sugarcane juice is a quintessential treat, but if you feel iffy about sampling the seafood on the tables, there are alternatives: grilled sweet potatoes, savory bananas, and puffy coconut bread complete the Swahili suite of tastes. Negotiate your price and wait for the vendor to heat up your choice on an open fire stove in the middle of the gardens.

In Stone Town’s labyrinthine alleyways, see the city’s carved wooden doors. These massive works of art are detailed with benedictions from the Koran and augmented with brass spikes. Only a few hundred of these entrance ways—some from the 17th century—remain. The best preserved examples are in the Bhagani and Shangani districts. Photo by Emir Ibrahimpasic. This appeared in the May/June 2011 issue. 

This is where I love to stay when I am in East Africa. Sabora Tented Camp - one of the Singita Grumeti Reserves Lodges on the beautiful and breathtaking Serengeti. During the migration wildebeest and springbok surround the tents. It can get a little noisy at night, but the feeling you get living on the plains among the animals is unforgettable.

I just returned from a safari in Tanzania. What an amazing trip. We saw so many animals and were lucky enough to see the Big 5. Lions, Leopards and Hippos are exciting, however I really just loved watching the zebras. They were pretty common and all over but, I just couldn't get enough of them. In the Serengeti, the zebra seemed skittish when they saw or heard a vehicle. Not so in the Crater...they could almost care less about us. We stopped to watch a herd in the plains and noticed that they were all sort of hugging. Of course my friend and I thought they were in love but, our driver told us that they are resting in each others shade. It was a perfect day and I couldn't believe how nice this photo came out after I returned home and saw it developed. My favorite photo out of 598!

I just returned from several days relaxing on the beach in Zanzibar after a safari. What a completely unique island! You feel like you are in the Middle East, however you really are still in Africa! The colors of the water were amazing and I have never seen tides going in and out as much as I did here.

Visiting Zanzibar during the "long rain" month of May means a few things: less tourists; lower rates; and, yeah, occasional downpours. My friend and I were enjoying a leisurely walk down the pristine beach at Kendwa, on the north coast of Zanzibar, when we were caught under a menacing storm cloud. Thankfully, the coral caves that lined the strip of sand provided some atmospheric shelter. After the rain had passed, the beach walk resumed and became even more exciting with the sudden abundance of sea urchins, crabs, and other creatures that had previously just been lounging out of sight in their tidal pools. If you don't mind swimming in a storm, it's a great time of year to visit!

Each evening as the sun sets, Stone Town’s Forodhani Park transforms into an open-air food market. Skip the fish kebabs and head straight to the vendors selling urojo, a thick mango and tamarind soup served alongside chickpea fritters, boiled potatoes, cassava flakes, chutney, and as much hot sauce as you dare. Follow it up with hand-pressed sugar cane juice with ginger and lime. Between Mizingani Street and the beach. Photo by Georgia Popplewell. This appeared in the May/June 2011 issue.

Baboons around every turn, zebras and wildebeests grazing on the savannah, lions lounging in trees above your head, and elephants strolling around. This is the animal kingdom at its best.

the tarangire treehouse lodge is beautiful set in the trees above Tanzania wildlife. you feel you are immersed in the animal life of Africa. about 150 km from ngorogoro crater. lost in Africa!

photo of our trekking group on an acclimatization trek up the flanks of Mawenzi. Our assistant guide Musa is on the left. Sitting is a collection of Englishmen, an Irish honeymooner couple, a group of Swiss friends. The Swiss spoke mostly French so, of course, it fell to us Canadians to be the translators. English had a hell of a time with the altitude, but the Swiss seemed dauntless and did the entire trek on a diet of muesli and dark chocolate.

“Birdwatching” and “extreme” are not usually two words you’ll find together. But when you're birdwatching in the severely threatened rainforests of Tanzania's Uluguru Mountains, the pastime trades its dull reputation for something more befitting a suspense-filled, high-altitude mission. Hiding in the dense vegetation of the Uluguru are species that exist literally nowhere else on the planet. A hiker with a sharp eye (and a stiff neck) might spot flashy red-breasted Trogons or clumsy-looking hornbills; but the most elusive prize is the thrill of finding the endemic Uluguru bushshrike in your binoculars. A critically endangered species, the bushshrike was finally spotted in the Uluguru South Forest Reserve in 2007. Its presence hadn't been recorded in that region since its call was last heard in 1981. To explore the Uluguru’s rainforests and try your luck at locating one of Africa's rarest birds, arrange a hike with one of the great guides from the Chilunga Cultural Tourism Center in Morogoro; visit their website at www.chilunga.or.tz. (I am a birdwatching success story: I was fully prepared to spend the whole day rolling my eyes as my friends lost their minds over glimpses of feathers, but after this hike, I'm now the one screaming things like "STOP THE CAR! THAT'S A RED BISHOP!")

The east coast of Zanzibar is known for stunning beaches and fickle tides. When the water's out, it's way out; when it comes back in, arrange a sailing trip on an outrigger canoe to skim along the shore. The lower tides reveal the hangouts of the ocean's monsters (only about as gruesome as particularly spiny starfish); but as the tides push you higher above the sand, the jewel tones of the water become even more spectacular. It's win-win. Any hotel will be able to put a traveler in touch with a boat or captain, and prices are negotiable; expect to pay around $15 for a an hour.

I expected to witness the great migration, determined by the availability of grazing, of herds of Wildebeest and Zebra while visiting Serengeti National Park in Tanzania during the migration season. As the larger animals blanketed the vast African plains in search of food, I captured this bird who was along for the ride.

We booked our trip with Into Africa, & took the Machame route. We lived in Colorado at the time so most of the hiking was fairly easy & we weren't too bothered by the altitude. Summit day was the hardest thing I've ever done. In fact if I'd known how hard it was I probably wouldn't have tried, because I wouldn't have believed I could do it. So glad I did. I learned my limits are much higher than I thought!

Captured in the abandoned train station in Moshi, Tanzania. A weathered wooden box which once collected anonymous input, now swings uselessly from a rusty anchor. A small, thought-provoking relic of a bygone colonial era. When I saw it, I imagined the human faces of foreign powers who descended one-by-one in a "please take a number" fashion upon this corner of the world. Vying for resources, installing systems and casting steel, stone and tile symbols of what they believed life should be like in this place. This train station stands as a preserved example.

Floating just off shore of Tanzania’s economic capital, Dar es Salaam, this fisherman talks business. While computers remain out of reach to most Tanzanians, ubiquitous cell phone service is transforming how business is conducted.

Ngorongoro Crater is one of the worlds greatest natural spectacles, its magical setting and abundant wildlife never failing to enthrall you. However the crater is just a small part of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area which offers a whole range of attractions for the adventurous traveler. Superb accommodation facilities, from excellent campsites to luxury lodge-ensure that you can relax at the end of each day in style. Everything about the Ngorongoro experience is designed to make your visit a real authentic and memorable African journey. Set in the nothern Tanzania, sharing part of the serengeti plains to the north-west and with the towns of Arusha, Moshi and Mount Kilimanjaro, to the east, Ngorongoro forms part of the unique Serengeti ecosystem. The terrain embraces several distinct habitats from open grassland to mountain forest, and from scrub bushland to highland heath. The area contains sites of international paleontological and archaeological importance. Around 25,000 animals live in the crater throughout the year