Where to go in Tanzania
Where to go in Tanzania : Tanzania is a destination which offers many unique experiences across the country and is located in East Africa.The different destinations across Tanzania are found on the mainland and also on the islands or coastal area. The places to visit around Tanzania during safari include northern Tanzania, western Tanzania, southern Tanzania and the coastal and island areas.
- Northern Tanzania
The northern part of Tanzania is known for safaris and is visited by tourists interested in wildlife viewing experiences. Some of the destinations in the northern part of Tanzania include the following;
- Serengeti national park
Serengeti national park is home to the big 5 such as elephants, lions, leopards, rhinos and buffalos and is also the oldest national park of Tanzania.
The national park is also known for the great wildebeest migration which is the movement of over 1.5 wildebeests which takes place between the Mara-Serengeti ecosystem. River crossings along the Mara river and Grumeti river are also part of the wildebeest migration experience.
Many wildlife species can be seen during safaris around Serengeti national park include and they include wildebeests, zebras, gazelles, hippos, giraffes, elands, kudu, hyenas, impalas among others. Different bird species can also be seen around the national park.
Serengeti national park consists of central Serengeti or Seronera area, western Serengeti, northern Serengeti and southern plains. The national park is made up of vast savannah plains, acacia woodlands, rock outcrops or kopjes.
The different activities are carried out during safaris in Serengeti national park and they include game drives in the morning, afternoon or evening and also full day game drives, hot air balloon safaris, guided nature walks and also bird watching.
- Ngorongoro crater
The Ngorongoro crater is also another destination in the northern part of Tanzania where the big 5 can be seen.
The world’s largest inactive volcanic unfilled caldera is found in the Ngorongoro conservation area. Numerous wildlife species can be seen around the crater floor where game drives are carried out after descending 600 meters into the crater.
The Ngorongoro crater was formed as a result of volcanic activity as a result of collapse of a volcano over 2 million years ago. Some of the attractions in the Ngorongoro crater include Lake Magadi where flamingos can be seen along the lake shores.
Wildlife species which can be seen around the Ngorongoro conservation area include zebras, buffalos, black rhinos, elephants, waterbucks, hippos, antelopes, kudu, impalas, gazelles among others.
The Ngorongoro conservation area is also home to the Maasai people who can be seen around the grassy plains as they graze their livestock like cattle, goats and sheep. During safaris, tourists interact with the Maasai and get to know more about their way of life and their unique culture.
- Lake Manyara national park
Lake Manyara national park is another wildlife viewing destination in the northern part of Tanzania which is known for tree climbing lions.
The national park is also known for its diverse habitat and a big part of the national park is covered by Lake Manyara which is a shallow alkaline lake found in the national park. Flamingos are among the wildlife species which can be seen along the lake shores. Lake Manyara national park also consists of woodlands, floodplains as well as forest.
Night game drives are among the safari activities carried out in Lake Manyara national park. Other activities include morning game drives and afternoon game drives, guided nature walks, canoeing, canopy walks along the treetop walkway.
Wildlife species which can be seen around Lake Manyara national park include elephants, hippos, buffalos, lions, zebras, baboons, giraffes, leopards among others.
- Tarangire national park
A safari in Tarangire national park is an amazing experience that involves looking out for wildlife species like elephants which can be seen in big numbers at the destination.
Tarangire national park also has over 600 bird species and during a safari, baobab trees can be seen around the destination. Some of the activities carried out in the national park include game drives, nature walks and bird watching.
This national park is located close to Lake Manyara national park and Ngorongoro conservation area.
- Mount Kilimanjaro
Mount Kilimanjaro which is the highest mountain in Africa is also found in the northern part of Tanzania.
Many tourists visit the northern part of Tanzania to engage in hiking on Mount Kilimanjaro across different routes such as Lemosho route, Marangu route, Machame route, Rongai route, Umbwe route, Shira route and the northern route.
The mountain is part of Kilimanjaro national park and safaris on Mount Kilimanjaro begin in neighboring towns such as Moshi which is at the foothill of Mount Kilimanjaro or in Arusha which is a starting point for safaris in the northern part of Tanzania.
- Western Tanzania
There are different destinations in the western part of Tanzania and they include the following;
- Katavi national park
Katavi national park in the western part of Tanzania is made up of woodlands, open grasslands, forests and lakes.
Different wildlife species can be seen during safaris around Katavi national park and they include hippos, buffalos, zebras, lion, leopards, elephants, giraffes among others. The dry season is the best time of the year to engage in a wildlife viewing experience around the national park.
- Mahale national park
Mahale national park is a remote national park which is located on the eastern shore of Lake Tanganyika.
The national park is made up of montane forest, and is home to different wildlife species like chimpanzees, colobus monkeys, vervet monkeys, blue monkeys, red tailed monkeys, duikers, antelopes among others.
Many fish species can also be seen during safaris around Mahale national park. Activities which are carried out during safaris in the national park include sport fishing, bird watching, snorkeling among others.
- Southern Tanzania
The different destinations which are found in southern Tanzania include the following;
- Selous game reserve
Selous game reserve is among the safari destinations located in the southern part of Tanzania and is the largest protected game reserve in Africa.
The game reserve is made up of northern Selous and southern Selous and is divided by River Rufiji. Selous game reserve consists of grassy plains, forests, and woodlands and is also home to different wildlife species.
Wildlife species which can be spotted during safaris around Selous game reserve include buffalos, lions, wildebeests, waterbucks, elands, giraffes, zebras, hippos, bushbucks, impalas, leopards among others.
Activities carried out around Selous game reserve include bird watching, walking safaris, game drives, boat rides, hot air balloon experiences among others.
- Ruaha national park
Ruaha national park is another destination in the southern part of Tanzania where different wildlife species can be spotted such as buffalos, giraffes, kudu, lions, leopards, cheetahs, kudu among others.
Activities which are carried out during Ruaha national park safaris include guided nature walks, bird watching, game drives among others.
- Coastal and island areas
Zanzibar is among the coastal areas which are visited around Tanzania. This destination is famous for holidays to relax along the white sand beaches and enjoy views of the Indian ocean.
The island is found along the Indian ocean and many beaches can be visited on Zanzibar island and they include Pemba, Paje, Mafia, Nungwi, Kendwa, Matemwe, Kiwengwa, Jambiani, Pongwe among others.
Different activities are carried out during safaris to Zanzibar and they include swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving, kite surfing, boat rides on traditional dhows, visiting stone town, Prison island and other destinations on the island.
Tanzania is a must visit destination with a lot to offer ranging from wildlife viewing to hiking and relaxing along the beaches of Zanzibar and so much more.
