Tanzania is a booming tourist spot with endless national parks. It’s a cultural hotspot with about 120 different tribes living in peace and harmony! It’s home to wonderful beaches, diverse wildlife, picturesque landscapes and pristine islands.
Here are the top 10 Tanzania tourism destinations:
- Serengeti National Park
Serengeti National Park is Tanzania’s gem. It’s one of the most popular tourist attractions in Tanzania, and for good reason. The Great Migration of Serengeti, the largest mammal migration in the world, takes place in the Serengeti National Park every year. It’s a magnificent event that’s considered one of the “New Seven Wonders of the World” by USA Today.
Apart from the Great Migration, you can also spot the Big 5 of Africa here! The landscape of the park is also very stunning. It’s a must-visit if you’re in Tanzania!
- Kilimanjaro
Mount Kilimanjaro is also called the “Roof of Africa” because it’s the tallest mountain in Africa and also the highest free-standing mountain in the world! If you’re not up for climbing the mountain, you can just hike up to the base camps of Kilimanjaro and enjoy the spectacular views from up there!
As you climb up the mountain to reach the summit, you go through 5 different ecological zones. It’s like going from equator to the North Pole!
- Zanzibar beaches
Zanzibar is home to beautiful, pristine white sand beaches that offer interesting and adventurous water sports activities. Here are some of the best Zanzibar beach activities for you:
- Snorkeling
- Scuba diving
- Swimming with the dolphins (at Kizimkazi beach)
- Kitesurfing
- Kayaking
- Fishing
Nungwi, Kendwa, Stone Town beach, and Paje beach are some of the most beautiful Zanzibar beaches that you should visit. Don’t forget to dine in at The Rock Restaurant while you’re there!
- Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Ngorongoro Conservation Area is one of the most scenically splendid and beautiful areas in Tanzania. It’s home to the largest intact volcanic caldera of the world, the Ngorongoro Crater.
Ngorongoro Conservation Area is home to diverse wildlife species, including the Big 5 of Africa. You can take a crater rim walk and you can also go on highland and lowland game drives here! The Conservation Area is home to over 500 bird species, making it a paradise for birdwatchers.
- Lake Manyara National Park
Lake Manyara National Park is a scenic national park that’s home to the unique tree-climbing lions. It’s also known for the huge herds of elephants you can find here along with the lesser flamingoes that give a pink hue to the Lake!
- Ruaha National Park
Ruaha National Park is a hidden gem in Tanzania. It’s a beautiful tourist destination that’s highly under-rated! Ruaha is known for being home to unique wildlife species like the African wild dogs, sable antelopes, striped hyenas, greater kudus and lesser kudus!
Other wildlife species you can spot here include lions, leopards, cheetahs, elephants, giraffes, buffalos, hippos and zebras. It’s a predator’s paradise where you’ll get to see many kills! In fact, Ruaha contains Tanzania’s largest lion population.
Ruaha is also a rewarding place for birdwatching with over 450 bird species!
- Stone Town
Stone Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located on Zanzibar Island. It’s home to interesting historical landmarks! Here are some of the places that you must visit in Stone Town:
- Old Fort
- Palace Museum
- Darajani Market
Don’t forget to taste delicious Swahili food at the Forodhani Gardens Food Market in Stone Town that’s a garden by day and a food market by night! Make sure you try Zanzibar pizza, mishkaki and Chipsi Mayai!
- Selous Game Reserve
The Selous Game Reserve is a splendid game reserve that gives you a real safari experience because it’s unaltered by man. You get to truly spend some quality time with nature. Selous is also home to interesting wildlife species including African wild dogs, giraffes, elephants, lions, hippos, zebras, buffalos and wildebeests!
You can also take a canoe safari on the Rufiji River and explore the area while paddling through water!
- Katavi National Park
This untouched National Park is great for those who enjoy privacy and time away from the crowds. It contains many wildlife species including hippos, crocodiles, lions, elephants, giraffes, leopards and zebras.
It also contains over 400 species of birds!
An interesting spot to visit in Katavi National Park is the Katabi Tree. Legend has it that the spirit of Katabi lives in the tree. Therefore, people offer things to the tree in the hopes of getting blessings from the spirit. In fact, that’s how the park gets its name too!
- Mafia Island
Mafia Island is a beautiful, pristine island with a lot of activities to offer. Here are some fun things to do on Mafia Island:
- Swim with the whale sharks, which are the largest fish of the ocean! (don’t worry, it’s safe)
- Go scuba diving – The Chole Wall and Kinasi Pass are excellent scuba diving spots!
- Have a great time kayaking!
- Go windsurfing
- Go fishing
- Observe turtles while they hatch!
So, what are you waiting for? Head over to Tanzania and have a great time at these wonderful tourist destinations!
Don’t forget to check out the Arusha Food Guide while you’re in Tanzania!