Tanzania

Tanzania is an African country with borders shared with several other countries and the Indian Ocean. It has a rich history dating back over 2 million years, with various tribes and colonizers leaving their mark. The country has a population of around 56 million people and over 120 ethnic groups, but Swahili is the language of communication. Tanzania’s economy is largely dependent on agriculture and tourism, with over 1.3 million tourists visiting each year. The country has 17 national parks, 40 reserves, and several marine parks, making it one of the best safari destinations in Africa. Tanzania offers a variety of cultural experiences, beautiful landscapes, beaches, and wildlife encounters, making it a top tourist attraction.

Attractions in Tanzania

• Serengeti National Park is Tanzania’s most popular tourist attraction with acacia trees, savanna grasslands, woodlands, and small forests. During the great migration, over a million wildebeest and 250,000 zebras move around the Serengeti and cross the Mara river to Kenya. Visitors can spot elephants, buffaloes, cheetahs, giraffes, impalas, hyenas, elands, gazelles, ostriches, and wild dogs. It is advisable to plan a trip during specific months and use a good tour operator.
• Ngorongoro Conservation Area is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and considered one of the top 10 natural wonders of the world. A large volcanic caldera/crater acts as a natural enclosure that keeps most of Africa’s famous wildlife together, including lions, black rhinos, leopards, elephants, flamingos, and buffaloes. The varied landscape includes forests, bushes, Savannah grasslands, volcanic features, and saline lakes. The Masai tribesmen continue living and taking care of their domestic animals within the conservation area, allowing tourists chance encounters with them.
• Olduvai Gorge is located within the wider Ngorongoro conservation area and is where some of the first fossils of the earliest humans were found. It is known as the cradle of mankind, and the site sits on a collection of fault lines that got exposed due to erosion, allowing scientists to excavate fossils that are millions of years old.
• Ruaha National Park is the largest National Park in Tanzania, covering an area of around 13,000 square kilometers. It is part of a wider ecosystem that also includes Usangu Game Reserve, Rungwa Game Reserve, and other smaller protected reserves. The key attractions in Ruaha National Park are the large prides of lions, elephants, and wild dogs. Other animals roaming the park are jackals, leopards, zebras, bat-eared foxes, cheetahs, giraffes, and impalas. The park offers exclusive safaris and unique wilderness experiences.
• Tanzanite is a rare and precious gemstone only found in Tanzania. They are mined from deep inside Mount Kilimanjaro and have striking shining blue colors. Tanzanite can be bought from jewelry shops in major cities like Dar es Salaam and Arusha, but it is essential to buy from authorized dealers and well-known artisan shops.
• Tarangire National Park is the sixth-largest park in Tanzania, covering an area of about 2,850 square kilometers. The park is famous for its baobab trees and large herds of elephants. Visitors can also see other animals like lions, leopards, cheetahs, zebras, gazelles, and wildebeest.
• Maasai Tribe: Tanzania is home to over 200 tribes, but the most fascinating is the Maasai. They are known as great warriors and have a unique culture and traditions, which have remained unchanged despite modernization. You can meet them in the national parks or visit the weekly markets where they sell souvenirs/curios.
• Maasai Market: Tanzania offers a wide variety of souvenirs to choose from, including hand-built jewelry, Masai blankets, basket painting, and handbags. Arusha is the safari capital of Tanzania, located on the slopes of Mount Meru. It offers hot springs, cultural centers, souvenirs, and nightclubs.
• Museums: Tanzania has numerous museums that showcase its fascinating history. The National Museum of Tanzania in Dar es Salaam is the most important and has ancient rock paintings and footprints of the earliest man. The Makumbusho Village Museum offers a chance to experience the culture of Tanzania’s people in one area.
• Selous Game Reserve is located in the southern part of Tanzania and covers an area of about 54,600 square kilometers. It was named after Sir Frederick Selous, who was a great game hunter and later turned into a passionate conservationist. By sheer size alone, Selous Game Reserve is Tanzania’s largest game reserve.
• Lake Natron is a saltwater lake in the northern part of Tanzania, with a very hot and dry climate. It is home to over 2.5 million Lesser flamingos that thrive on the algae in its highly alkaline waters.
• Lake Victoria is the largest freshwater lake in Africa, flowing through three countries – Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania. Fishing, trading between islands, and farming are the main activities around the lake, and there are many islands with wildlife sanctuaries that can be visited.
• Mount Kilimanjaro is the highest mountain in Africa, located in the northeastern part of Tanzania. It is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Tanzania, with over 40,000 hikers attempting to reach the summit each year.
• The Singita Grumeti Reserve is a private conservation project next to the Serengeti National Park. It offers a luxurious safari experience away from the crowds, but at a high cost.
• The Mahale Mountains National Park is home to 1000 chimpanzees and is a popular tourist destination for chimpanzee tracking. It is also an excellent location for photography.
• The Gombe Stream National Park has one of the largest populations of habituated chimpanzees in Africa, attracting tourists and primatologists interested in tracking chimps. The park is also home to smaller primates and over 200 species of birds.
• Lake Manyara National Park is a park near Arusha and is known for its soda/alkaline lake, which is home to flamingos and other birdlife. It is also a popular location for game drives and is home to various mammals.
• Arusha National Park is a less visited national park in Tanzania, but offers a range of wildlife and attractions such as Mount Meru, Ngurdoto Crater, and the Momela Lakes.
• The Arusha Cultural Centre is a place to experience Tanzanian art and cultural history, with a coffee shop and restaurant on-site.
• Mount Meru is the second highest mountain in Tanzania and an active strato-volcano, offering challenging hiking routes and stunning views of Mount Kilimanjaro, as well as bird and animal spotting opportunities.
• Zanzibar is a collection of islands known for beautiful beaches and Stone Town, a historical site with cultural significance.
• Mafia Island offers a more private beach experience with opportunities for water sports such as scuba diving and deep-sea fishing.
• Pemba Island is known for marine life and untouched coral reefs, as well as its fertile soils that support plantations of cloves and other spices, and traditional witch doctors.
• Tanzanian cuisine is heavily influenced by Europe, Arabia, India, and Pakistan, with popular dishes including Nyama Choma and pilau.