Top 10 Best Things To Do In Tanzania

Top 10 Best Things To Do In Tanzania On A Vacation

Here are the top 10 best things to do in Tanzania on a vacation and they include; game drives, diving and snorkeling , birdwatching, boat cruising, mountain climbing, cultural tours, chimpanzee tracking hot air balloon safaris, great migration and cycle tours.

Tanzania cover s over 947,300 square kilometers and its the largest country in East Africa neighboring Kenya and Uganda to the north, Rwanda, Burundi and Democratic Republic of Congo to west, Zanzibar, Malawi and Mozambique to the south. Tanzania is well known for its vast wilderness areas that includes national parks, waterbodies such as lakes and rivers, mountains, forests among others.

Tanzania is one of the leading tourism destinations in Africa with various attractions for different tourism activities. Here are the top 1o best things to do in Tanzania;

1. Game Drives In Tanzania

Game drives are among the top 10 best things to do on a vacation in Tanzania. With game drives, you will be  exposed to various species of wild animals in there natural habitats.

In Tanzania, the best time for your vacation should be planned between June to October in order to target the wildebeests migration in Serengeti and this is repeatedly from June to July. Game drives in Tanzania are done in several national parks and they include;

• Serengeti National Park, it is the most commonly known and most visited national park among the Tanzanian national parks. Serengeti national park is well known for the great migration of wildebeests and calving seasons and it is also a home to the big five animals.

• Nyerere National Park, formerly known as Selous Game Reserve, the largest National Park and a UNESCO World Heritage Site is one of the game parks in Tanzania best for game drives. The park is a home for a good number of wildlife species including lions, zebras, giraffes, wildebeests, African wild dogs, hyenas, rhinos, antelopes, hippopotamus, African wolves and elephants. You will have a wonderful experience in Tanzania incase you pay a visit to Nyerere National  Park.

• Ruaha National Park, formerly the largest National Park in Tanzania before Nyerere was recognized to be largest in 2019 is one of the national parks suitable for game drives in Tanzania. The park has a good number of natural attractions that would suit every adventurer’s needs. Ruaha river is also one of the major attractions together with numerous wildlife species such as Elephants, lions, the rare antelopes including the sable antelopes lesser kudu among others.
• Ngorongoro National Park in Tanzania also a UNESCO World Heritage site is one of the most visited destinations with various wild animal species including the Africa’s Big Five. A number of wild animals can be spotted in the game park some of which include leopards, bull elephants, and it is the only place in Tanzania where you can spot black rhinos during your game drives
• Gombe Stream National Park well known for a variety of monkey and chimpanzee species. If you are interested in trekking and seeing various monkey species, this could be the ideal location for your vacation. The park is one of the national parks that receive very few visitors and therefore if you’re a person that needs a conducive environment with minimum noise, this is a very nice place for your vacation.
• Mikumi National Park, Its the only national park in Tanzania that competes with Serengeti for having a good number of wildlife species some of which you may not easily see in other national parks. Here are some of the animals that you will spot during your game drives in the national park on your vacation, hippos, zebras, lions, wildebeests, giraffes, hyenas, elephants and Impalas all of which can be easily spotted during the dry season.
• Arusha National Park, its one of the small national parks in Kenya but full of abundant natural features such as swamps, waterfalls, lakes, craters, waterfalls, mountain Meru, and some species of wildlife such as the black and white colobus monkeys, giraffes, elephants, cape buffalos, hippos, zebras, lions and leopards, that attract tourists from different parts of the world favoring a wonderful game drive for your vacation in Tanzania
• Katavi National Park one of the remote and less visited national parks in Tanzania is also among the national parks where you shall enjoy your game drive while on a vacation in Tanzania because you wont expect to hear noise since it is not over crowded. It is also a habitat for large herds of cape buffalos, elephants, giraffes among others.
• Lake Manyara National Park, its one of the national parks in Tanzania with fascinating sceneries such a soda ash lakes where you can find a great number of pink flamingo birds. The national park is a habitat to several animal species such as tree climbing lions, elephants, giraffes antelopes among others.

2. Diving and Snorkeling In Tanzania

Diving and snorkeling are among the 10 things to do in Tanzania on a vacation. You will have the best, fun and memorable experience if you choose Tanzania for your diving and snorkeling activities as you will catch sight of various marine species like in the Indian Ocean, humpback dolphins, bump head parrotfish, blacktip reef sharks, four species of sea turtles, among others. There are good numbers of waterbodies in c Tanzania where diving and snorkeling can take place and they include;

• Mafia island marine park is one of the islands that must be at the top of your list for a fantastic vacation. It is at this park that u will see multiple water mammals such as Angel fish, Fusilier, Butterflyfish, Flatworms when you’re nearing Chloe wall.
• Pemba Island, for an adventurous vacation in Tanzania, one must not miss out Pemba Island because of it’s beautiful vegetation and crystal clear water. Like Mafia island, Pemba is also one of the islands in Tanzania with numerous fish species that are spotted at any time of the year.
• Lake Malawi, this is a freshwater lake with a huge number of colorful fish species some of which cannot be spotted in any other country other than Tanzania. The lake has got over 2000 species of fish swimming at every part of  the fresh water lake.
• Michamvi Peninsula is another diving and snorkeling destination where picturesque white sand beaches are found. Diving and snorkeling can be done at this peninsular as well as enjoying beach holidays in Tanzania.
• Mnemba Island, one of the most famous islands in Tanzania with various fish species such as moray eels, sea turtles, lion fish, stingrays among others that will make your diving and snorkeling activities perfect. The beach is also filled with colorful water and the beautiful plantations that will perfect your beach holiday in Tanzania.
• Chumbe Island park, one of the islands known for coral diversity and numerous marine species. It is one of the islands in Tanzania considered by most vacations for scuba diving and snorkeling activities.
• Tumbatu island, also known as Ujungu is the third largest island in Tanzania. It has an impressive coral reef allover the coast of the island. It is a nice place for beach lovers mostly those that are more interested in having some good time on beaches, snorkeling and scuba diving.

3. Birdwatching In Tanzania

Tanzania is among the countries on the planet with a large population of  birds making it one of the best places for birders. These birds are found in many parts of the country and they can easily be spotted in various tourism destinations such as mountains, forests, lakes and rivers among others. Birding spots in Tanzania include;

• Selous National Park, the largest in Tanzania is, one of the destinations for a good number of bird species. the park is located alongside river Rufiji which exposes it to most bird species that live around water bodies. Birds that can be spotted around the park include, malachite kingfisher, fish eagle secretary birds among others.
• Amani Nature Reserve, located in southern Tanzania is one of the prominent destinations for a good number of bird species. If you’re more interested in viewing Tanzania’s endemic species, visit this place and fulfil that dream.
• Rubombo Island, located in the southern part of lake Victoria is a conducive destination particularly due to the forest and fresh water habitats.
• Mountain Meru, apart from being good for hiking, it is also a home to different bird species. Birds can be  seen at every corner of the mountain, they can also be seen while hiking making beautiful sounds that will make you feel like you were really missing alot. Birds that can be spotted here include, African skimmers, tawny eagle, verreaux eagle among others.

4. Boat Cruise In Tanzania

Boat cruise is one of the 10 best things to do in Zanzibar while on a vacation. It is very rare for vacationists to visit Tanzania and depart without having any single  boat cruise on the historical waterbodies of Tanzania. There are various waterbodies in Tanzania suitable for boat cruising and they include;

• Lake Victoria the largest lake in Africa based in Uganda and Tanzania as well as bordering Kenya is among the tourist attractions in Tanzania. It is one of  Tanzania’s waterbodies suitable for boat cruising. Here, you can see a number of beautiful sceneries such as numerous geographical features, wildlife at the  lake and the great adventure safari
• Lake Tanganyika, the deepest lake in Africa and a great lake in Tanzania, where boat cruise is taken to be one of the major activities that takes place on the lake.

5. Cultural Tours In Tanzania

Visiting cultural centers is one of the 10 best things to do in Tanzania on a vacation.

Just like any other country, Tanzania is also among the countries with a diverse number of tribes, each with its own cultural practices and dialect.

There are many ways through which these cultural values are respected and these include, through traditional dances, dressings codes, family rituals, religious beliefs, performing art, visits to the sites of monuments, among others.

There is a good number of destinations in Tanzania where the above cultural activities can be performed and they include;

• The Maasai, these are nomadic pastoralists known for there vibrant dressing code, moving with cattle in big numbers plus there traditional dances.
• Kogwa, it is a Shirazi celebration of the end of July. It is usually celebrated in the place called makunduchi. This celebration takes place in a way of fighting where a men fight women using banana stems singing songs about life and love.

6. Mountain Climbing In Tanzania.

Tanzania has over 2395 named mountains with  the highest mountain on the continent and the tallest peak. Some of the mountains that are best for mountaineering or climbing include;

• Mountain Kilimanjaro, which is the highest dormant volcanic mountain in Africa and is over 19,341 feet. Hiking mountain Kilimanjaro will take you several number of days ranging from 5 to 10 for you to reach the summit and then conclude to the finishing point. You will have to be well prepared with all the necessary materials in order to start climbing and you will come across different wildlife species such as monkeys and different plant species.
• Mountain Meru, is the second highest mountain in Africa with over 14,977 feet. It is sometimes called Kilimanjaro’s brother for being the second highest mountain in Tanzania. Climbing is the major tourism activity  that takes place on mountain Meru. On this mountain, you will spot different geographical features such as Meru waterfall, lake Duluti and wildlife species such as plants and birds among others.
• Mountain Hanang, which is the third highest mountain in Tanzania with over 11,211 feet. During your climb on Mountain Hanang, you will be able to view various species of birds and the cultural practices by various tribes living around the mountain. If you wish to hike for the shortest period of time, you shall have to use the south western side of the mountain through a route called Katesh.

7. Chimpanzee Tracking In Tanzania

Among the top 10 best things to do in Tanzania, Chimpanzee tracking should not be left unconsidered. Here you will create wonderful memories and experiences just like other clients  that always visit Tanzania. This activity in Tanzania only applies to two national parks namely, Gombe Stream National Park and Mahale National Park. In Mahale National Park, you will find chimpanzees in large numbers seen allover the park as compared to Gombe National Park that has only few of them.

8. Hot Air Balloon In Tanzania

A hot air balloon Safari is one of the smoothest and peaceful rides that you  will ever have. You will experience the breathtaking beauty of Serengeti National Park from a bird’s view, catching sight of several wildlife species, taking videos and photos plus viewing the sun setting, which only adds to the allure of this breathtaking activity. Having a hot air balloon safari should definitely be on the top of your bucket list when you visit Serengeti National Park.

9. Great Migration Tours in Tanzania

The great migration is the time or period of time when two million wildebeests move searching for green pastures and areas suitable for calving. It is always a life and death experience as the water being crossed harbors crocodiles. The wildebeests will graze on the short plain grasslands until the northern part towards Maasai Mara in kenya becomes green again making migration to be in a circular form. A good number of vacationist spot these seasons in order to witness the great migration in a Serengeti Safari. This is one of the most sought for experiences by wildlife enthusiasts.

10. Cycling Tour In Tanzania

A cycling tour is among the 10 things to do in Dar es salaam, Tanzania. Discover various wildlife  species including Tanzania’s natural physical features on cycling Safaris. Cycling tours bring you closer to wildlife in a close range and at a slow pace. Cycle tours are always conducted in groups with guidance from the a tour guide

Accommodation facilities in Tanzania

Tanzania is one of the most well developed countries in East Africa with more advanced cities and towns where you will find a good number of lodges and hotels that will offer you more than what you would expect for your vacation. The country has got a mixture of luxury, Midrange and Budget hotels.

Frequently asked questions

1. What is Tanzania best known for?

Tanzania is best known for harboring the most treasured national parks and game reserves in the world for example the Selous Game Reserve currently known as Nyerere National Park, which is the world’s largest game reserve and shelter to several elephants, rhinos, buffalos, hippos, wild dogs and crocodiles.

2.What is the most beautiful city in Tanzania?

Arusha is the most beautiful city in Tanzania with a lot of stunning attractions such as national parks like Arusha national park, mountains such as mount Meru, Mountain Kilimanjaro among others.

3. What is the most visited place in Tanzania?

Serengeti National Park is the most visited place in Tanzania due to its annual migration of millions of wildebeests and Zebras followed by there predators.

Conclusion

A good number of tourists pay visits to peaceful countries where they wish to perfect there tourism activities peacefully without any kind of challenge. Tanzania is ranked number 86 on the peaceful global index of 2021 which makes the country capable of organizing vacations and handling visitors in all parts of the country without any security threats.