Tanzania is an East African country situated just south of the Equator. Tanzania was formed as a sovereign state in 1964 through the union of the theretofore separate states of Tanganyika and Zanzibar. Mainland Tanganyika covers over 99 percent of the combined territories’ total area. Mafia Island is administered from the mainland, while Zanzibar and Pemba Islands have separate government administration. Since 1974, Dodoma has been the designated official capital of Tanzania, and it is centrally located on the mainland. Dar es Salaam is the largest city and port in the country.
Tanzania mainland
The Tanzania mainland is bounded by Uganda, Lake Victoria, and Kenya to the north, by the Indian Ocean to the east, by Mozambique, Lake Nyasa, Malawi, and Zambia to the south and southwest, and by Lake Tanganyika, Burundi, and Rwanda to the west.
Serengeti National Park
One of the top tourist attractions in Tanzania, Serengeti, is where the world’s most astonishing phenomenon—the annual migration of millions of wildebeests and zebras, followed by their predators—takes place in an intact ecosystem.
Besides, this place where humans have been living for the last 4 million years, and its savannahs, kopjes, rainforests, and rivers, referred to as the Serengeti plains, house rare species like the Nile crocodiles, patas monkeys, lions, African leopard, ground pangolin, etc. This is where you can enjoy safaris to see the Big Five Game animals, the Masai holdings, etc.
Location: Seronera, Northern Tanzania, East Africa
Timings: Year Around.
Ngorongoro Conservation Area
One of the most fascinating natural wonders in the world, Ngorongoro Conservation Area is bestowed with the unimaginable beauty of vast savannas, ancient tropical rainforests and lakes, and incredible natural wonders. This is one of the few places where ancient hominid fossils dating back 3 million years were found.
This is where threatened animal species like wildebeests, lions, and others coexist with elusive Masai tribes. The highlight is the world’s largest unbroken caldera, which dates to the late Tertiary period.
Location: Arusha, Tanzania.
Timings: Year Around.
Lake Manyara National Park
Owing to its population of elusive tree-climbing lions and migratory pink flamingos, Lake Manyara National Park is a haven for wildlife lovers and one of the best places to visit in Tanzania. This park also houses many impalas, warthogs, waterbucks, Dik-Dik, klipspringers, spoonbills, waders, and other animals.
Besides wildlife viewing, you can enjoy fun activities like tree-top canopy walks, forest walks, bike tours, canoe safaris, etc.
Location: Arusha & Manyara regions, Tanzania.
Timings: Year Around.
Mafia Island
Also known as Chole Shamba, a property of the Sultan of Oman, Mafia Island is part of the Zanzibar Archipelago and was an important trading spot for Omanis, Turkish, and Chinese traders. The island is nothing short of a dreamy beachside destination, loved for its remote location and one of the most beautiful tourist attractions in Tanzania.
It houses outstanding marine life, comprising 450 fish and 50 coral species. Its mangroves house rare African birds like Western reef egrets and Terek sandpipers. The high cliffs here are excellent diving sites, allowing you to see groupers, rays, turtles, and sharks.
Location: East coast of Tanzania.
Timings: Year Around.
Tarangire National Park
Considered one of the top places to watch the game, this national park is an absolute must-visit. Its marshes, thickets of ancient baobab trees and Elephants, and vast grassy fields protect rare African wildlife, including wildebeest, Grant’s gazelle, leopard, and almost 550 bird species.
Don’t miss seeing dwarf mongooses hiding in the vast termite mounds strewn all over the park. You can see these either through walking and jeep safaris or, more fun, hot air ballooning.
Location: Manyara, Tanzania.
Timings: Year Around.
Zanzibar Stone Town
One of Tanzania’s most enticing tourist attractions, this old town area is famous worldwide for its artistic architecture influenced by Indian, European, Persian, and Arab elements. The buildings here are made with coral stone, giving the place a warm brownish-red hue.
It consists of several long and short alleys that house shops selling spices, jewelry, artworks, etc. Don’t miss seeing the House of Wonders, the stone-made Old Fort, the 18th-century Persian hammams, and the Palace Museum here.
Location: Unguja Island, Zanzibar.
Timings: Year Around.
Zanzibar Island
The astonishingly beautiful Zanzibar beaches are where the balmy sun, sand, and sea meet, making them the best tourist attractions in Tanzania. So many scenic beaches offer so many super fun activities that it is difficult to choose.
You can visit Bwejuu, which is loved for its seclusion and solitude and offers activities like diving, dhow boat trips, etc., or Michamvi Beach, which houses coral lagoons, or Nungwi Beach, which is loved for its nightlife, fantastic coral reefs, dolphins, and turtles.
Location: The best Zanzibar beaches are Nungwi, Paje, Nakupenda, Pongwe, and Jambiani.
Timings: Year Around.
Arusha National Park
Visiting Arusha National Park is the experience of a lifetime because it houses the world’s largest giraffe population, making it one of the most exciting places to visit in Tanzania. Its stunning landscape of ancient rainforests, acacia scrubs, and moors also houses diverse African wildlife.
This includes turacos, trogons, blue monkeys, cape buffalo, and more. In addition to enjoying game drives, walking safaris, canoe safaris, and more, you can see thousands of pink flamingos at Lake Momella, visit the Ngurdoto crater and museum, and explore the naturally created fig tree arches.
Location: Near Arusha town, northeastern Tanzania.
Timings: Year Around.
Ruaha National Park
One of the largest national parks in Tanzania and East Africa, Ruaha consists of several other miniature ecosystems, such as the Rungwa Game Reserve and Usangu Game Reserve.
The park highlights the Big Five Game animals, endangered elands, African leopard, sable antelope, impala, bat-eared foxes, agama lizards, etc. Besides, it has more than 1600 plant species and 500 bird species.
Location: Iringa, Tanzania.
Timings: Year Around.
Gombe Stream National Park
Made famous by the primatologist Jane Goodall, this is one of the best places in Tanzania to track chimpanzees. You can see these primates in their natural habitat displaying almost close-to-human behavior! Besides the chimps, you can also spot red-tailed monkeys, blue monkeys, olive baboons, hippos, etc.
Besides chimpanzee safaris, you can enjoy hiking, swimming in Lake Tanganyika, and forest walks.
Location: Western border of Tanzania.
Timings: Year Around.
Katavi National Park
One of the best places to visit in Tanzania and the remotest national parks in Tanzania’s Central African Rift Valley, Katavi National Park is a secluded expanse of raw wilderness. Its incredible wildlife includes the Big Five Game, crocodiles, antelope, giraffe, and almost 400 bird species.
Named after a local spirit, the locals still worship this national park’s grounds. Enjoy game drives and walking safaris for a fantastic bush experience. This park offers an out-and-out rustic expertise due to the lack of showers or flush toilets. But it’s great being out in the open, watching the stars, and listening to the night calls of animals.
Location: Western Tanzania.
Timings: Year Around.
Lake Victoria
One of the most famous of the Great African lakes and the largest lake here, this almost four-year-old lake tops the charts. This tranquil expanse of shimmering waters is where rare Cichlids, hippos, African clawless otters, cane rats, bohor reedbuck, and other animals are found.
Here, you can’t miss super fun activities like hiking, fishing trips, bird watching, swimming, etc. The surrounding cotton and coffee plantations are also worth a visit.
Location: The lake lies in Tanzania and Uganda and borders Kenya.
Timings: Year Around.
Rubondo Island National Park
Rubondo Island is an extraordinary example of wildlife conservation in the southwest of Lake Victoria. It’s Africa’s largest island national park, 26km long and up to 10 km wide. More than 75 percent of the island is covered in pristine equatorial rainforest. Since the 1960s, the island has been a haven for wild chimpanzees, sitatunga antelope, elephants, and giraffes.
Arusha
Located just below Mount Meru, Arusha is one of the most ethnically diverse Tanzanian cities. It comprises indigenous Africans, Indians, and Arabs. Established in the 1830s, it significantly contributes to Tanzania’s economy and is known as the ‘safari capital.’
The beauty of Arusha lies in its chaos of busy streets, bustling markets, and colonial-era buildings set amidst lush expanses. Arusha’s landscape is dotted with high peaks like Mount Meru, lakes, and vast plains that let you experience the best of the African wilderness.
Admire the exotic wildlife at the Arusha National Park, one of the top places in Tanzania, as you see the Big Five Game animals, flamingos, hippos, and zebras. The exciting Cultural Heritage Center and its mask museum, spice center, etc., are not to be missed. Tanzania’s famous hominid fossils and insect displays can be seen at the National History Museum.
The serene countryside of the place can be enjoyed on a canoe safari on the Small Momella Lake in the Arusha National Park. Challenge your limits and try a hike to the 14 961 ft. high Mount Meru. Those who love to collect mesouvenirsust shop for crafts and jewelry at the Masai Women’s Fair Trade Center.
Dar es Salaam
Dar es Salaam is Tanzania’s largest city and former capital. Founded in 1862 on the East Coast, it was an obscure port until Germany established the East Africa Company. Now, it is among the fastest-growing cities in the world and the epicenter of Tanzanian fashion, arts, and films.
The beauty of Dar es Salaam’s landscape is incomparable to any other Tanzanian city. Sprawled over a picturesque harbor and miles of lush, fertile lands, the town has pristine beaches, mountains, humongous wildlife parks, and stunning lakes.
No trip to Dar es Salaam is complete without exploring its scenic beachside beauty and trying the famous seafood. Mbudya Island and Kivukoni Fish Market are great places to do this. Those interested in architecture cannot miss visiting the 18th-century St. Joseph’s Cathedral, famous for its stained-glass paintings and Gothic architecture. People interested in war history must visit the Askari monument dedicated to World War I Tanzanian soldiers.
Dar es Salaam is one of the best places to visit in Tanzania. It is a haven for those who love to shop and eat. You can enjoy beachside dining at places like The Slipway Stretch and browse the chic boutiques here. Nature enthusiasts must see the Hawksbill turtle breeding at Masaki and snorkel to see coral reefs here.
Due to its equatorial location, the city experiences a hot and humid climate with a lot of rainfall. The best time to visit is in June-March, the drier months.
Mount Kilimanjaro
This is one of the few places in Tanzania with a rainforest, moorland, alpine desert, and Arctic summit ecosystem. Its forested slopes and the nearby game reserve protect elephants, blue monkeys, duikers, Abbot’s starlings, and other species.
Location: Kilimanjaro region, Northeast Tanzania.
Timings: The best time to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro is December to March and June to October.
People Also Ask About Tanzania
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What are the best cities to visit in Tanzania?
1. Dar es Salam: Here, you can experience the country’s modernity intertwined with history. Glitzy malls stand alongside historical monuments, cathedrals, and many pristine beaches.
2. Moshi: No trip to Tanzania is complete without visiting this city where Mt. Kilimanjaro stands. A haven for adventure enthusiasts, Moshi is the best city for hiking, rock climbing, plantation trails, waterfall viewing, etc.
3. Mwanza: The best city to let you explore the stunning Lake Victoria, Mwanza is also loved for its traditional markets, dancing rock formations, etc.
Explore at the pace of the wild, sync your pulse with the earth, and discover true freedom.
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