Places to visit in Tanzania
Places to visit in Tanzania
Places to visit in Tanzania: Tanzania is an East African country that is known for wildlife viewing and vast wilderness where safaris take place. Tanzania is bordered by countries such as Kenya, Uganda, Malawi, and Rwanda. Many tourists visit Tanzania and its different wildlife viewing destinations and also to interact with the different cultures. They also engage in various activities and explore various destinations around Tanzania.
The different places which are visited around Tanzania include the following;
Serengeti national park
Serengeti national park is a popular wildlife viewing destination which is located in the northern part of Tanzania. The national park is known for the wildebeest migration where over 2 million wildebeests can be seen moving across the savannah plains in their herds.
There are a variety of activities which are carried out during visits to Serengeti national park and they include game drives in the different parts of the national park, guided nature walks, community visits or cultural tours, bird watching as well as hot air balloon safaris.
The parts of Serengeti national park which are visited during safaris include the western Serengeti, Serengeti plains and the northern Serengeti. Wildlife species which can be seen in the national park include the big 5 like elephants, lions, buffalos, leopards and rhinos and other wildlife species include wildebeests, zebras, hippos, antelopes, gazelles, impalas, waterbucks, giraffes, cheetahs, hyenas, hartebeests among others.
Serengeti national park also has over 500 bird species which can be spotted during a safari and they include both the endemic bird species and migratory birds.
Tarangire national park
Another place to visit in Tanzania is Tarangire national park which is known for having big herds of elephants as well as over 600 bird species. Tarangire national park is also part of the northern tourist circuit which includes some of the popular wildlife viewing destinations of Tanzania.
Tarangire national park is also made up of baobab trees and acacia trees as well as savannah where the different wildlife species can be spotted during a safari.
Lake Manyara national park
Lake Manyara national park is located about 2 hours drive from Arusha and is home to tree climbing lions. other wildlife species in the national park include buffalos, elephants, leopards, hippos, waterbucks, baboons and many others.
The national park also has a shallow alkaline lake which covers a big part of the national park. among the activities which tourists engage in during their safaris to this destination includes nature walks on tree top walkway, bird watching, canoeing as well as game drives.
Game drives in Lake Manyara national park include morning game drives, afternoon game drives as well as night game drives.
Arusha national park
Arusha national park is located close to Arusha town and is another wildlife viewing destination located in the northern part of Tanzania.
Wildlife species which can be seen during a visit in Arusha national park include black and white colobus monkeys, waterbucks, buffalos and many others. There is also a variety of bird species in the national park.
Activities which are carried out during a safari in Arusha national park include game drives, bird watching, guided nature walks, hikes and horse riding. Among the attractions which can be spotted in this national park are Mount Meru and the Momella lakes.
Mount Kilimanjaro
Mount Kilimanjaro is the highest mountain in Africa at 5895 meters which is located in the northern part of Tanzania. This mountain is known for hiking and is visited by many tourists from different parts of the world.
The mountain is found in Kilimanjaro national park and safaris to the mountain start in the neighboring town of Moshi. Mount Kilimanjaro has 5 climatic zones which hikers go through as they attempt to get to the summit of the mountain.
Ngorongoro conservation area
Ngorongoro conservation area is a safari destination which is also located in the northern part of Tanzania. The big 5 such as elephants, lions, leopards, rhinos and buffalos can also be seen during a safari to this destination.
During safaris to the Ngorongoro conservation area, visits can also take place to the crater where various wildlife species can be seen while on safari and they include wildebeests, zebras, hippos, cheetahs, warthogs, waterbucks, kudu, elephants and many others.
Lake Magadi is an attraction which can be seen during a visit to Ngorongoro crater.
Olduvai gorge
Olduvai gorge is an archaeological site which can be visited during a safari in Tanzania and at this destination evidence of human evolution was seen. The site is found in the boundaries of the Ngorongoro conservation area.
The destination is made up of a steep ravine as well as volcanic rocks. Dr Louis and Mary Leakey discovered the fossils and other discoveries at Ol duvai gorge include tools, bones as well as teeth.
Zanzibar stone town
Stone town is one of the coastal towns and is a part of Zanzibar which is known for diverse culture and also spectacular architecture as well as winding streets and alleyways.
Some of the attractions which can be seen during a visit in the stone town include the old Arab fort, house of wonders, the Zanzibar doors among others. The Stone town used to be a slave town.
Ruaha national park
Ruaha national park is located in the southern part of Tanzania and is named after the river which flows in the national park. The national park is made up of savannah as well as baobabs and hills.
Wildlife species in Ruaha national park include elephants, waterbucks, impalas, kudu, hartebeests bushbucks, impalas, hyenas, jackals, cheetahs among others. Over 570 bird species can also be seen during a safari to this national park.
The Great Rift Valley
During safaris around destinations in Tanzania, tourists can enjoy views of the Great Rift Valley which has features such as Lake Natron, Lake Tanganyika, Lake Victoria, Mount Kilimanjaro, Empakaai, Lengai among others.
Some of the national parks which are found in the rift valley include Lake Manyara national park which is part of the northern tourist circuit.
Dar es Salaam
Dar es Salaam is the largest city in Tanzania and is also the second busiest port in East Africa. there are different cultures which can be encountered during a tour to Dar es Salaam and they include African, Arabic as well as Asian cultures.
It is also the main port of Tanzania with different attractions such as Mbudya island, Bongoyo island, fish markets, Oyster bay, water park, monuments, botanical gardens, as well as the state house.
Dar es Salaam is also known for its beautiful hotels where tourists can stay during their safaris in Tanzania.
The Maasai people
The Maasai of Tanzania are known for their unique culture and way of life as well as their nomadic nature. They also have a unique way of dressing such as shukas as well as beaded jewelry like necklaces and earrings which are made in different colors.
Livestock which are kept by the Maasai people include cattle, goats and sheep. The Maasai can be encountered during safaris to different destinations of Tanzania as they graze their livestock in the savannah plains such as in the northern parts of Tanzania.
Visits to the Maasai villages and towns are also part of the experience during safaris around Tanzania. Tourists can also visit the traditional homesteads of the Maasai during their cultural tours.
Craft shops
Tanzania as a safari destination is also known for its beautiful art and crafts which are made by the locals and can be bought as souvenirs during visits to these shops. There are many shops and malls around Tanzania with original products of the Masai as well as other products.
The artifacts include paintings, sculptures, clothing, handbags, and jewelry among other products made by the locals.
Arusha
Arusha is another place to visit during a safari around the northern part of Tanzania. Arusha town is also referred to as the safari capital of Tanzania where safaris to the northern tourist circuit start.
There are also various activities which tourists engage in during their visits to Arusha. The airports in Arusha include Kilimanjaro international airport and Arusha airport which offer flights to different destinations of Tanzania.
Attractions around Arusha include Arusha central market, coffee shops, restaurants, Arusha national park among others.
Museum
There are also different museums to visit around Tanzania with displays of Tanzania’s history as well as artifacts. The museums also offer the visitors a way to experience the culture of the people of Tanzania and these museums include the national museum, palace museum, the national museum of Tanzania, Dar es Salaam national museum among others.
Selous game reserve
Selous game reserve is a wildlife viewing destination which is located in the southern part of Tanzania. The national park is made up of grassy plains, woodlands as well as forests as well as scenic views.
A variety of wildlife species can be seen during a safari round Selous game reserve include rhinos, hippos, reedbucks, antelopes, zebras, elephants, hyenas, warthogs and many others. Selous game reserve is the largest game reserve and also the oldest.
Katavi national park
Katavi national park is another wildlife viewing destination of Tanzania which is located in the western part of the country. Among the wildlife species which can be seen during a safari to the national park include herds of buffalos, elephants, rhinos, reedbucks, giraffes, zebras, and many others.
Mount Meru
Mount Meru is a volcano which is found in Arusha and is the second-highest mountain in Tanzania after Mount Kilimanjaro. Activities that are carried out on Mount Meru include trekking, guided nature walks, wildlife viewing as well as bird watching.
Zanzibar
Zanzibar is an island that is famous among tourists for its beautiful white sand beaches and it is found on the Indian ocean.
