17 of The Best Things to Do in Tanzania

17 Unforgettable things to do in Tanzania

This East African destination is known for its wildlife and national parks. The Serengeti and the Big Five can both be experienced in this vast country. The coast boasts marine parks, whale sightings and sharks. And, visitors who want to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro can do so on a visit to Tanzania. This country has some of Africa’s best, and is a place to visit if you love adventure and natural scenery. If you’d like to plan a visit to Tanzania, here are 17 unforgettable things to do.

Mount Kilimanjaro

Mount Kilimanjaro National Park is the home of Africa’s tallest mountain. It differs from most of Tanzania’s national parks as visitors come for the snow capped mountains, not the wildlife. It’s a World Heritage Site that sees thousands of visitors every year. Climbing this mountain is one of the top things to do when visiting Tanzania.

Lake Natron

Strikingly red and barren, this salty lake is one of the least habitable places on the planet. The water is about 120 degrees but the conditions are perfect for cyanobacteria that turn the lake red. Surprisingly, this salty lake is a popular breeding ground for flamingos.

Serengeti National Park

This vast plain is one of the most famous in Africa. It’s home to millions of animals, including the Big Five. Visitors can see the yearly migration of wildebeest and zebra. Wildlife can be seen during most of the year though.

Selous Game Reserve

Selous Game Reserve is a World UNESCO Heritage site, and home to thousands of species. It was dedicated as a conservation area and still remains quite remote. It’s not as popular as the other game destinations, but is one of the most secluded. Visitors who like adventure tend to enjoy their time here.

Tanzania-Selous-Sand-Rivers-Selous-Bush-Walk

Visit The Zanzibar Beaches

Located right off Tanzania, Zanzibar is a paradise known for its beaches. It’s the ultimate destination for beach lounging, sailing, and exploring the bustling capital of Stonetown. The white sand is an added bonus.

Ol Doinyo Lengai

This volcano stands at 10,000 feet and can be found in the middle of a vast plain. It’s the only volcano in the world that spits out carbonite lava instead of the usual silica. Instead of spewing out hot lava, this volcano emits a much cooler flow. In fact, the lava is almost twice as cold as normal volcanoes. Because of the cool temperature, the lava is a grey and black color instead of red. Since it cools so quickly it often shatters in the air before making it down to the plain.

Ngorongoro Conservation Area

This is one of the most popular wildlife viewing areas in Tanzania. It’s also the home of the Ngorongoro Crater. There’s a supply of water in this area the entire year, making it a popular place for wildlife. Bird watching and large game viewing are the main attractions. The crater is around three million years old and was once the largest caldera in the world. This is a great place to see rhinos, elephants, lions, and buffalo.

Olduvai Gorge

Located in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, this gorge is also a significant archeological site. It was in 1911 when a German professor first discovered human remains in the gorge. Since then, other archaeologists have uncovered bones and skull fragments.

Gombe Stream National Park

This area became famous due to Jane Goodall and the work she did here. This is a popular destination for those looking to see chimpanzees. Hire a guide so that you can wander down the best routes for seeing these adorable creatures.

Lake Manyara National Park

This is a prime spot for flamingo sightings as much of the park is covered with water. The park is also covered in forest, woodlands, and grasslands, making it a great location for diverse wildlife. Tree-climbing cats, elephants, and hippos are some of the highlights for visitors. Take a canoe tour, wildlife drive, or mountain bike tour.

Kuza Cave

Carved out by underground rivers, this cave is one of the most mysterious places in the country. There are multiple tunnels and caverns that haven’t yet been explored. Bones of giraffes, waterbuck, zebra, and humans have been found inside, proving that it was once a prominent watering hole. It’s also a place of religious worship that can be visited on private tours.

Mafia Island

Visitors make sure to spend time at Mafia Island Marine Park for snorkeling and diving. There are coral gardens, more than 400 species of fish, and an abundance of birds in the area. It’s also a prime location for deep sea fishing, and anglers have been known to bring in marlin and tuna.

Tarangire National Park

A visit to Tarangire National Park between July and September will yield one of the largest concentrations of migratory animals. This is the time to see gazelle, impala, zebra, wildebeest, and eland. They tend to gather during the dry season and crowd around the lagoons for a drink. With 300 species of bird, it’s a top choice for bird watchers and Balboa tree viewing.

Shifting Sand Dunes

Located near the Olduvai Gorge are two sand dunes that are magnetized by volcanic ash. Even when separated by the wind, they come back together again. Over the years, they’ve been traveling the desert, blown apart and then reconnected.

Stone Town

Packed with culture, Stone Town is one of Zanzibar’s top destinations. It is the oldest running Swahili city and most of the homes were built during the 19th century. Make sure to visit the central market, old dispensary, old fort, and the Freddie Mercury house (Zanzibar is where he was born.)

Pemba Island

Part of the Zanzibar archipelago, Pemba Island has some of the best scuba diving in the entire Indian Ocean. The waters are full of coral gardens, and the main city is a hub for scuba divers from all over the globe. Pemba is also a hub for voodoo and traditional healing methods.

Ruaha National Park

Most of the landscape here is untouched, making it one of the most difficult parks to reach in Tanzania. If you’re willing to make the journey you’ll be met with stunning trees, watering holes, elephants, and plenty of buffalo. The Ruaha River is the main attraction, along with one of the largest concentration of elephants in the country.

Tanzania is blessed with natural scenery. From desert and plains to roaring rivers and forests, this country has it all. If you love adventure, wildlife, and the outdoors, Tanzania is the African destination for you.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Rachel