From snowcapped Kilimanjaro to wildlife-rich savannahs to idyllic islands, Tanzania has it all. Wondering where to go in Africa’s hottest safari destination? Below are 10 of the most beautiful places to visit in Tanzania.
1. Serengeti NP
Serengeti National Park is the cornerstone of Tanzania’s Northern safari circuit. It is the arena of one of the world’s most amazing wildlife spectacles, the wildebeest migration comprising 2 million wildebeest, zebras and gazelles. Big cats are never far off and there are few safari destinations where lions and cheetahs are so obvious. While the Seronera area can feel a bit busy at times, a safari in the Western Corridor or Mara River region offers a more exclusive experience.
2. Ngorongoro Crater
Once a massive volcano, the Ngorongoro Crater is the largest intact caldera in the world. The 260km2/100mi2 crater floor, hemmed in by towering crater walls, teems with wildlife. All of the Big Five are easily seen including the endangered black rhino. This unique refuge is home to the world’s highest concentration of lion and spotted hyena. The latter can sometimes be seen hunting flamingos at Lake Magadi. And then there are the enormous elephant bulls carrying oversized tusks, a rare sight elsewhere in East Africa.
3. Lake Manyara NP
Lake Manyara National Park is home to an amazing variety of habitats, including its Rift Valley soda lake, grassy floodplains, lush groundwater forest, dense acacia woodland and steep mountainsides. Blue monkeys and olive baboons are a permanent presence in the forest, elephants are plentiful and if you’re lucky you might see tree-climbing lions. The birdlife is prolific and big flocks of pink flamingos regularly feed in the lake.
4. Mt Kilimanjaro
Mt Kilimanjaro is Africa’s tallest peak and the world’s highest freestanding mountain. It towers almost 5km/3mi above the African savannah below. No wonder that climbing to the summit (5,895m/19,340ft) is one of Africa’s top bucket-list experiences. If you’re fit enough, the five- to eight-day trek to Uhuru Peak is highly rewarding. But if this isn’t your cup of tea, you might still be able to see this famous landmark in all its glory when staying in Moshi or Arusha. Although mostly covered in clouds, the snowcapped peaks are often briefly visible at dawn and dusk.
5. Zanzibar
Set in the Indian Ocean off mainland Tanzania is East Africa’s legendary Spice Island, Zanzibar. This is the perfect post-safari retreat where you can chill for a few days on an idyllic beach with a good book or a refreshing cocktail. Protective reefs create perfect swimming conditions in the balmy warm waters. Zanzibar is more than just a beach holiday destination though. Head out to Mnemba Atoll for world-class diving, learn about Swahili culture in the historic Stone Town, explore rural Zanzibar on a spice tour and look for Zanzibar red colobus monkeys in Jozani Forest. To meet the locals and sample delicious seafood, visit the night market at Forodhani Gardens.
