Top 10 Places to Visit in Tanzania

Top 10 Places to Visit in Tanzania

As an African country, Tanzania reveals its true beauty through wildlife, vibrant cultures, towering mountains, the Great Rift Valley, and more. Here, you can explore the Serengeti migration, marvel at the majestic caldera of Ngorongoro, or relax at the exquisite beaches of Zanzibar. There are plenty of the best places to visit in Tanzania. We’ve rounded up 10 places to visit in Tanzania.

Serengeti National Park.

The Serengeti truly represents the vast wilderness and high wildlife density. Home to the Big Five and the wildebeest migration, this park never disappoints. Lying in the famous northern safari circuit, it’s highly connected to major airports like Kilimanjaro, Dar es Salaam, and Zanzibar. Visit it any time of the year to see resident wildlife, including the Big Five. For wildebeest migration, January-March is perfect for the calving season, and July-October is best for dramatic river crossings.

• Trek the Great Migration—from January to October.
• Search for Africa’s Big Five
• Embark on heart-pounding balloon flights.

Ngorongoro Crater.

Venture off into the world’s largest unbroken caldera. Formed over 2.5 million years ago, this breathtaking volcanic bowl boasts over 25,000 animals. Enjoy the views of the misty highlands in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. And you can search for the Big Five and more.

• Explore the Big Five.
• Ride to the Maasai villages in the conservation area.
• Explore Olduvai Gorge—the cradle of mankind.

Mount Kilimanjaro.

Rising higher than the rest in Africa, Kilimanjaro displays its natural beauty. On its cap is white snow, which can be seen from as far as Kenya. Though it’s not a technical climb, climbing this tallest freestanding mountain is no easy feat. You will go through five distinct zones—from tropical rainforest to the Arctic zone at the top.

• Enjoy beautiful views of the sunrise.
• Put your hiking skills to the test.
• View the white snow at a higher elevation.

Tarangire National Park.

A true “elephant paradise” in Northern Tanzania, just 80 miles from Arusha. This 2,850 km² expanse harbors some of the highest concentrations of wildlife. You can spot even 300-strong elephant herds roaming around the Tarangire River.

• Tarangire is untouched wilderness.
• View over 500 bird species: Tarangire is a birder’s paradise.
• Witness a “mini” wildlife migration—from June to October.

Lake Manyara National Park.

The park is about 330 sq km in size, but a soda lake (Manyara) covers about 75% of the total area. Here, you will watch pink flamingos on the shoreline of this beautiful soda lake. Or, you can stare at the tree-climbing lions napping on an acacia tree branch.

• Walk on a treetop canopy walkway.
• Watch flamingos and other birds.
• Enjoy the views of unique tree-climbing lions and elephants.

Zanzibar

This idyllic archipelago boasts some of the best beaches in Africa. Known for some historical touches with Portuguese, Arabs, and Persians, the island is home to Stone Town, a fascinating ancient town built for trade and administrative purposes. People come here to relax on top beaches like Kendwa and Nungwi. If you want virgin and quiet beaches, you can head to Pemba, Misali, and Mafia. Enjoy diving and snorkeling at the famous dive sites in Mnemba Atoll.

• Catch some interesting festivals like Mwaka Kogwa and the Zanzibar International Film Festival.
• Walk in the labyrinthine alleys of the Stone. Visit the home of Freddie Mercury, etc.
• Enjoy local cuisines of spiced rice and fresh seafood.

Ruaha National Park.

This park spans 20,226 km², making it the second largest park in Tanzania. You can spot wild dogs, Lichtenstein’s hartebeest, and sable antelope in its rugged, untamed wilderness. You can also see hippos and crocodiles in the Ruaha River, not to mention a myriad of birds.

• Enjoy boat cruising on the Ruaha River.
• Embark on a night drive or sleep under the stars in a fly sheet.
• Enjoy photograph opportunities with a background of baobabs.

Gombe National Park.

This one lies in the far west of Tanzania. Known for its tropical rainforest, Gombe harbors the last remaining species of chimpanzees. Jane Goodall echoed this park during her groundbreaking research on chimpanzee behavior. Today, people go there to watch these beautiful primates. Gombe is small (35 sq km), and you can only explore it on foot. This brings a close-to-nature wildlife experience.

• Trek the chimpanzees in the dense forests.
• Swim, snorkel, and dive in Lake Tanganyika.

Nyerere National Park.

Boasting pristine forests and rich wildlife, Nyerere (Selous) offers unique photographic opportunities. From the Big Five to rare animals like African wild dogs (or painted dogs), there’s more to see in Nyerere. A boat ride in the Rufiji River is another perspective to watch wildlife and the landscape.

• Secluded drives because the park never gets crowded.
• Exclusive offers from top camps and lodges.
• Offering fly camping is an opportunity to sleep in the African wilderness.

  

Katavi National Park.

Known for big buffalo herds and large pods of hippos, this 4,471 km² expanse is untamed. It lies in the southwest of the country, where only curious explorers go. Here, you can spot lions, elephants, giraffes, impalas, and more.

• Pay tribute to the legendary tamarind tree hosting the spirit of Katabi, the hunter.
• Enjoy secluded game drives.
• Embark on a boat safari through the Katuma River.

The bottom line.

This is just a rundown: Tanzania has plenty of the best places to visit. We help explorers on solo travel or families to discover the beauty of this East African country. Let’s start planning your next adventure.