Tanzania is quickly becoming one of the hottest tourist destinations in the world. And it is not a surprise to see why. After all, this beautiful country has so much to offer! From amazing parks to natural attractions like Mount Kilimanjaro, you would definitely find yourself lost in a wonderland that is Tanzania. The reason why so many visitors prefer spending their vacation in the country is because of the wildlife and safari-related adventures.
There are also some beautiful beaches that you can visit to just unwind and relax. On top of that, you can find the Mafia and Pemba islands that are two of the favorite spots for scuba divers who come there to experience clear water, coral gardens, and of course, the colorful fish.
With so much excitement for the explorations to come, many travelers experience stress when figuring out what to pack for Tanzania. Luckily for you, we have broken it down and provided all of the Tanzania packing essentials — covering everything from clothing to electronics, as well as what to leave at home.
When you say Tanzania safari, the most obvious interesting thing that you wish to see is wildlife. The best areas to visit Tanzania for safari is obviously the most famous parks in Tanzania and Africa like Serengeti National Park, the Ngorongoro Crater, Tarangire, Lake Manyara in the Northern Tanzania Circuit.
If you are just interested in visiting less visited and less crowded parks in Tanzania then the Southern Tanzania Safari Circuit is the best for you. Visit the Selous Game Reserve, Mikumi National Park, Ruaha National Park or venture in the far flung parks like Katavi National Park or visit the Gombe and Mahale National Parks for Chimpanzee trekking.
In Tanzania you have the opportunity to see the Big 5: the lion, elephant, leopard, rhino and buffalo. Here the two largest national parks are Ngorongoro and Serengeti, and you can also visit the popular Masai Mara - which is part of the Serengeti. For the most authentic cultural safari in Tanzania, visiting the off the beaten path destinations like Lake Eyasi and Lake Natron are the best areas to visit.
Complete a safari for the most important reserves such as Serengeti or Ngorongoro and ending on the Zanzibar island, a paradise bathed by the Indian Ocean with magnificent beaches of white sand and turquoise waters.
 | Tanzania Travel Guide |
If you are planning to visit Tanzania soon then do check out the following places!
1. Mount Kilimanjaro National Park
If you are someone who likes to explore nature and its attractions, Tanzania is home to some of the most amazing natural attractions, one of which is the Mount Kilimanjaro. Because of that the most popular thing to do are wildlife-related adventures as well as going on safari road trips.
Your visit to Tanzania would be incomplete if you didn’t go to this iconic site. Mount Kilimanjaro National Park is one of its kind in north Tanzania. You can go to the spot and enjoy the fascinating sight of the snow-capped mountain. If you are feeling daring enough then you can even climb the summit. This mountain can be climbed whenever you like.
However, the ideal time to do that would be from June - October. This site was created more than a million years ago thanks to the volcanic movement. It has three volcanic cones, Kibo, Shira, and Mawenzi. The Tanzania-Kenya border, which is otherwise fairly straight, swerves unusually so that Mount Kilimanjaro is in Tanzania. This is because of a 19th Century agreement between Britain and Germany - British Kenya got the port of Mombasa, while German Tanganyika got the mountain.
2. Zanzibar
Zanzibar island is one of the most famous places among tourists mainly because of its wonderful beaches. You can find white sand and clear shallow water on the beaches. Plus, there will also be traditional boats that would be lining the shores. You can relax on the beaches and can even go surfing. In addition, you can also find the historic city of Stone Town that is known for its narrow alleyways and Arabian townhouses in Zanzibar.
Here we find beautiful cities such as Jambiani within the Unguja island, between the towns of Makunduchi and Paje. In the region we also find Stone Town, the most important city of the place. Stonetown is also a highlight with its winding streets in narrow alleys. The nights in Jambiani are very calm and the views of the starry sky are unforgettable.
You can walk calmly along the beach. There are many small bars and hotel restaurants where you can dine.
3. Serengeti National Park
It is a vast treeless plain that is occupied by animals. It is popular for its annual wildebeest migration. You would be amazed to know that almost 500 species of birds were spotted in Serengeti National Park. If you are planning to visit this place then the best time would be between December and June.
The annual migration of wildebeest along with gazelles and zebras takes place during the summer. It is what draws tens of thousands of tourists to the spot every year.
Even tourists accustomed to safaris in Africa will be surprised by the Ruaha National Park. This national park in the center of Tanzania is the second largest in the country, after the Serengeti. The fauna is very wild and the savanna landscapes are incredible. It is known for its population of elephants.
First of all, because in Tanzania, the size of the parks is unique, there are no barriers of any kind and the space is really wild and afterwards, for the richness of its fauna. Specifically in this park, you can see the migration of the elephant, not hindered by barriers as in other African countries.
The valley of the Ruaha River, which gave its name to the park, is the only source of water in the region, attracting 10,000 elephants. Enjoy seeing the diversity of antelopes like the sable antelope. All these prey attract many predators. You will see big cats everywhere! Above all you will see groups of hyenas, cheetahs and leopards. It is a perfect habitat for them, as they have unobstructed views.
4. Ngorongoro Conservation Area
If you are interested in wildlife then add this location to your list! The Ngorongoro Conservation Area is situated between Lake Manyara and Serengeti. It is home to Ngorongoro Crater. It has a never ending supply of water which is what compels the animals to remain in the area. Tourists come here to see large and impressive animals.
One can easily spot different kinds of animals at the location including rhinos, elephants, lions, zebras, buffaloes, and gazelles. You can also come here for bird watching. This Tanzanian preserve is nestled within a huge basalt crater, the Ngorongoro Crater, which is what makes it so unique. This caldera is the remnant of a huge volcano which has since been eroded away into a shallow bowl.
5. Mafia Island
Are you someone who enjoys exploring the underwater world? Then come to the Mafia island when you fly to Tanzania. If you are someone who is more interested in being active in the sun, there are truly breathtaking beaches. One of the islands is the Mafia islands which have natural wonders. There you will be able to explore them while diving and snorkeling.
You will be able to see colourful fish and coral gardens like you haven't seen before, all in crystal clear waters. It is a dream destination for snorkelers and divers. October to March is the best time for you to visit the place. Here, you can find different types of fish, coral gardens, and countless birds along with a relaxing atmosphere for diving. It is also a traditional site for the green turtles to breed. You can also do fishing here!
6. Dar Es Salaam
No matter what you choose to go with you will have to make your way down the Dar es Salaam to reach all the amazing destinations and breathtaking wilderness areas. Most tourists would like to go to Dar es Salaam before they set out to explore the wilderness areas. 480 km from the capital Dodoma, located on the Indian Ocean coast, Dar Es Salaam is the most important city in Tanzania.
Dar Es-Salaam is a truly legendary name, which by evoking it simply, generates an irresistible desire to travel. For most tourists, Dar Es-Salaam represents the first stop on a trip to Tanzania.
Although now Dodoma is the official capital and Arusha is the natural starting point for tourists heading towards the big parks such as the Ngorongoro, the Serengeti and the Kilimanjaro, Dar Es-Salaam is the mythical city. From there you can get on a bus, plane, boat, bicycle, or whatever, to reach places like Arusha and Zanzibar.
7. Lake Natron
The path or rather the forest track that leads to Lake Natron is great and worth the torment of traveling for a few hours between the jolts of a dalla-dalla, a truck or a 4x4 from the city of Arusha. Across the Great Rift Valley, the track crosses the Maasai territory, formed by endless plains and hills that accentuate the greatness of the landscape.
Although the space has remained quite wild, apart from some Masai shepherds along the way, at most you will cross with some zebras. In the second half of the journey you will possibly see lions. You will pass through the towns of Selela and Engaruka. After having traveled half of the 80 kilometers from Mto Wa Mbu to the lake, there is not much alternative.
But all that is quickly forgotten when you reach the shore of Lake Natron. It has surprising colors due to the composition of the water, and an extraordinary population of dwarf flamingos. The lake also has a horrible name - Soul breaking lake. Why does it have such a horrible name? It turns out that the animals here will become "stones".
Here, the temperature in the lake can reach 60 ° C, and the water is salty. All animals entering the lake end up dead. Many dead birds and bats can be found here, so it has become a death trap for animals. It calcifies any animal trying to enter its waters. Lake Natron is isolated from the Serengeti-Ngorongoro route and accommodation possibilities are limited.
Ol Doinyo Lengai is the sacred mountain of the Masai. And its ascent, which takes place at night, becomes one of the most special experiences of the trip.
8. Kitulo Plateau National Park
If you decide to get away from the classic tourist circuits that usually take you from the Serengeti National Park to the beaches of Zanzibar passing through the Ngorongoro protected area or the Kilimanjaro peak, you can, for example, go directly to the south, towards the region of the plains. After crossing the whole country, you will probably reach the city of Mbeya.
Mbeya is a city in the middle of different roads, a necessary step on the road to Zambia and Malawi. Before becoming the economic capital of the region, it was born in the 1920s in full gold rush. Botanists do not miss the opportunity to visit the Kitulo Plateau National Park. It is known as the Serengeti of flowers.
In the rainy season, from November to April, the flowers bloom and the landscapes are wonderful. Many consider it to be the greatest floral show in the world. Sixty miles from Mbeya, you can admire the Mbozi meteorite, which is one of the largest in the world.
Finally, hiking enthusiasts will put on their sneakers and embark on magnificent walks in the heart of a sumptuous nature. The Loleza mountain, the Mbeya peak, discovering small towns, the Poroto mountain are beautiful goals to reach in a day or something else.
9. Mwanza
On the other hand, if you are interested in exploring Tanzania wildlife, there are many islands that have become sanctuaries. You can go birdwatching, go on fun boat trips, take some of the most beautiful hikes around Lake Victoria.
Conclusion
Tanzania is indeed a country where beauty lives. There's so much to do in this lively country, and so many astounding places to visit like the ones mentioned above. Apart from these, you can also check out Tarangire National Park, Pemba Island, Stone Town, Selous Game Reserve, and Lake Victoria.
One important thing to take care of is your vaccination! You don't want to catch any traveling diseases and ruin the whole trip. So take care of yourself and make lots of great memories in Tanzania!
