10 Best Places to Visit in Tanzania being the biggest country in East Africa, boasts a plethora of attractions for tourists. Its vast wilderness and diverse wildlife are the main highlights, making it a perfect destination for safari enthusiasts. While places like Mount Kilimanjaro and Serengeti National Park are globally renowned, there are several other hidden gems such as conservation areas, lakes, and mountains that are equally captivating. Here are some of the top-rated places to explore in Tanzania:
Arusha National Park
When you plan your trip to Mount Meru, make sure to include a visit to Arusha National Park where the mountain is located. Apart from the mountain, the park offers a plethora of activities for outdoor enthusiasts. Unlike other national parks in Tanzania that are mainly for safaris, Arusha is a perfect destination for hiking, climbing, and canoeing. For those who want to experience both exercise and wildlife, Arusha National Park is an ideal place to embark on a walking safari.
Lake Manyara National Park
When envisioning Tanzania’s national parks, many individuals typically imagine expansive savannas. However, the Lake Manyara National Park presents an entirely distinct landscape. As implied by its name, the lake itself is a prominent feature.
Comprising over a third of the park, Lake Manyara’s size varies throughout the dry season. Being a significant water source, the lake serves as a prime location for observing wildlife. During the dry season, spanning from June to September, numerous animals gather at the lake for hydration. Consequently, spotting these remarkable creatures becomes effortless during a day safari.
Ruaha National Park is one the 10 Best Places to Visit in Tanzania
Ruaha National Park, the largest national park in Tanzania, boasts an impressive population of elephants and giraffes. It is renowned as Giraffe Park due to the abundance of these majestic creatures. If your primary interest lies in observing these graceful animals, but you also wouldn’t mind catching a glimpse of the elusive lion, then embarking on a safari in Ruaha National Park would be an excellent decision.
One of the reasons why many visitors cherish Ruaha National Park is its lack of large crowds. Situated in the heart of Tanzania, this park offers a more genuine and immersive experience, allowing you to truly explore the wonders of Tanzania.
Stone Town
Off the coast of Tanzania lies the island of Zanzibar, with its primary city known as Stone Town. In Stone Town, you will encounter a distinct facet of Tanzania. Stone Town serves as a fusion of Swahili, Arab, and Persian cultures.
Numerous buildings in the town were erected during the 19th century, a time when Zanzibar thrived as a prominent trading hub. This flourishing trade brought about prosperity, resulting in the construction of palaces, mosques, and exquisite houses. During your visit, you can explore the 17th century fortress and discover the hidden architectural marvels nestled within the labyrinth of narrow streets that meander through Stone Town.
Mount Kilimanjaro
Mount Kilimanjaro, an inactive strato-volcano, towers over the surrounding area near the border with Kenya. As the tallest peak in Tanzania and the highest free-standing mountain in the world, it is a must-visit destination for adventure enthusiasts and seasoned climbers alike.
The Kilimanjaro National Park encompasses the area around the peak, consisting of forests, highlands, plateaus, and a few smaller peaks. There are seven officially approved routes leading to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, each varying in terms of popularity and level of difficulty. It is worth noting that numerous visitors choose to only ascend a portion of the mountain, as even a few hours of hiking can offer breathtaking vistas of the park below.
Ngorongoro Conservation Area
The Ngorongoro Conservation Area in Tanzania is a remarkable destination for observing wildlife. Its most prominent feature is the Ngorongoro Crater, a geological wonder that is the largest intact volcanic caldera on the planet.
The crater is home to the highest concentration of lions in the world, making it an ideal location for lion sightings. Additionally, the conservation area is renowned for its population of black rhinos, as well as frequent sightings of leopards, hyenas, and cheetahs. To fully experience the wonders of this area, it is recommended to embark on a guided safari through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
Serengeti National Park[SEE MAP]
The Serengeti National Park, located on the border with Kenya, is referred to as the Masai Mara on the Kenyan side. This vast conservation area in East Africa is renowned worldwide as a top destination for safari enthusiasts. Its claim to fame lies in the mass migration of animals, particularly the wildebeest, with over one million of them traversing the park during the rainy season.
In addition to the remarkable wildlife spectacle, the park boasts a population of more than 2,500 lions, making it an exceptional place to witness these majestic creatures up close. To fully experience the wonders of the park, guided safaris and overnight stays in lodges and cabins are highly recommended.
Mount Meru
Mount Meru, located in the northern part of Tanzania near the Kenyan border, often goes unnoticed despite being the country’s second tallest mountain. While Mount Kilimanjaro steals the spotlight, Mount Meru remains a hidden gem. Situated within Arusha National Park, this area is abundant with wildlife. For those who find climbing Mount Kilimanjaro too daunting, ascending Mount Meru can serve as a viable alternative. Although still a formidable challenge, it promises an unforgettable adventure. As you trek, you will traverse craters and be rewarded with awe-inspiring vistas from the mountain’s summit.
Mikumi National Park
Mikumi National Park forms part of the renowned Southern Circuit, a cluster of renowned tourist attractions located in the southern region of Tanzania. The majority of the park comprises vast expanses of flat grassland, facilitating the easy observation of approaching wildlife from a distance. Primarily a safari destination, visitors are required to explore the park in authorized vehicles.
Among the fascinating creatures that can be observed at Mikumi National Park are the dwarf elephants, characterized by their slender and short tusks. These unique physical attributes render them less appealing to poachers, sparking a debate regarding the potential evolutionary advantages of their smaller tusks.
Lake Natron
Lake Natron is a unique and fascinating destination that boasts of its distinct features. The lake’s high pH levels, chemical composition, and intense evaporation give its waters a striking dark red hue. Due to its saline nature and hot temperature, the lake is not home to many animals. Interestingly, when birds accidentally fall into the lake, their bodies calcify instead of decomposing. However, lesser flamingos thrive in this environment and visit the lake every three to four years to breed, creating a stunning pink spectacle.
