Things to do in Tanzania

Things to do in Tanzania : Tanzania, an East African nation, is best known for hosting the Great Migration in Serengeti National Park, but this diverse area has much more to offer in terms of history and wilderness.

There are numerous national parks spread out across the nation that are home to the greatest concentration of wildlife in Africa. Some of the most captivating islands and warm waters in the world can be found along the coast, and beneath those waters is a world of oceanic wonder that is rich in color and depth. Buildings in cities tell tales of conflict and conquest, defeat and success. Here is our list of the best things to do in Tanzania  while on a Tanzania safari  as you begin your journey: You’ll need a lifetime to explore it all, though.

Go hot-air ballooning in the Serengeti National Park

Surveying the endless Serengeti plains is one of the few things on earth that truly speaks magic. Since the Maasai people have lived in this area for centuries, they have coexisted with a remarkable variety of plants and animals that is unmatched anywhere in the world.

When the hot-air balloon is launched at dawn, the sun slowly emerges into view as it soars toward the colorful clouds. Thousands of antelope, warthogs, zebras, lions, rhinos, and elephants are seen below, going about their morning routines. From May to September, it’s conceivably the ideal location to view the Great Migration.

Summit the Mount Kilimanjaro

Africa’s tallest mountain, Mt. Kilimanjaro, is a magnet for thrill-seekers. There isn’t anything more thrilling than reaching the top of Kibo’s Uhuru Peak, which is 5895 meters (19341 feet) high.

The average time to reach the summit is five days, though some routes may require a few extra days due to the terrain, foot traffic, and rest stops to take in the views. There are roughly eight different route to get to Uhuru Peak, with Marangu, Lemosho and Rongai being the simpler options. Though Machame, Shira, and Umbwe routes have proven to be more challenging, there isn’t much else that can quite compare to setting foot on Africa’s highest point when it comes to proclaiming victory.

Track Down the Big Five in Serengeti

Naturally, you must take a safari trip to Serengeti National Park in Tanzania if you are in the country, as it is one of the most popular safari locations in all of Africa. It is known for being the location of the greatest wildlife spectacle on earth, the Great Wildebeest Migration, and has received numerous awards as the best national park in the world. There is no better place to go on a safari than here, with over a million animals living on this pristine savanna that spans more than 15,000,000 hectares (37,000,000 acres) across the northwest of Tanzania.

You will go on daily safari game drives through the expansive plain of the Serengeti to look for the Big Five of Africa (leopards, lions, buffaloes, elephants, and rhinos), as well as other uncommon animals that you might only find in Africa. So that you can view the animals from a distance, remember to bring binoculars or a telephoto lens for your camera. Since the Serengeti has a strict rule against going off-road in order to protect the animals, you won’t be very close to them.

There are many safari tours you can take to the Serengeti with varying costs and accommodations, but if you want to see the Serengeti for the least amount of money, choose a 3-day itinerary that includes a night there as well as the awesome Ngorongoro Crater.

Go on a game drive around Ngorongoro Crater.

Large volcanic caldera Ngorongoro Crater was created by volcanic activity millions of years ago. The richness of the vegetation on the crater floor, which is unusual for a volcanic caldera, is what makes Ngorongoro Crater so unique. When the volcano erupted, it collapsed in on itself, forming a vast floor that was over 260 square kilometers (100 square miles) in size. Because of this collapse, a nearby stream was drained into the crater’s lake, creating an environment that supports animal life.

A 3-day tour itinerary frequently includes a visit to the Ngorongoro Crater, where you will spend half the day driving around the crater floor and viewing a variety of wildlife, including lions and even rhinos.

Spend the night in an underwater room off the coast of Pemba.

Just off the Coast of Pemba Island, the Manta Resort’s Underwater Room is a wooden structure anchored to the ocean floor. This building almost seems to be floating alone in the middle of the calm cerulean waters. But don’t worry; everything is safe.

 On the deck, you can enjoy the sun’s rays during the day and watch a galaxy of stars at night. When you feel like it, descend the stairs to a compact, contemporary bedroom with four glass walls, where you can experience the magnificence of the ocean. Although there is a cost involved, it’s exciting to imagine what lies ahead as you go to sleep each night.

Go diving and snorkeling in Zanzibar.

With miles of fine white sand beaches and warm, sky-blue waters lapping them, Zanzibar is Africa’s paradise and the stuff of dreams.   The captivating, kaleidoscopic coral reef is home to schools of vibrant fish, playful bottlenose and spinner dolphins, and majestic whale sharks that saunter about with finesse. On the archipelago, the waters near Mnemba Island and Kizimkazi Beach are the best spots for water sports, although all of the area’s beaches provide fantastic opportunities.

Enjoy a meal at the Rock in Zanzibar.

On Michamvi’s Pongwe Beach, there is a charming eatery called The Rock that is constructed on a stone platform below the water. Tidal Island gets its name from the fact that at low tide you can walk up the stairs and into this tiny shop filled with amazing flavors and aromas, but at high tide it transforms into its own island and you have to be transported there by boat.

Your physical appetite is elevated by the rock experience rather than simply being satisfied. Although everything on the menu is European-inspired, it combines regional ingredients (such as seafood, fruit, and vegetables) with sultry spices to create the ideal fusion of Asian and African influences.

Swim with whale sharks on Mafia Island.

Mafia Island Is Tanzania’s best-kept secret. It’s an archipelago like Zanzibar, but there isn’t nearly as much travel there as there is to Zanzibar’s Unguja Island. From October to March, Whale Shark Island, also known as Whale Shark Bay, welcomes these gentle giants, providing exciting opportunities to grab your gear and hang out with them. You’ll never forget the feeling of swimming through coral among smaller fish and sidling up to the largest fish in the world; despite their size, they move more quickly than you might imagine.

Eat your heart out at the Forodhani Night Market in Zanzibar.

The hectic pace of life on Zanzibar slows down every day as the sun sets over the Forodhani Gardens. Chefs dressed in white jackets and top hats took their place and set up stalls where they mixed the best street food from Tanzania. Falafel, tandoori chicken cutlets, nyama choma (roasted meat), sizzling octopus skewers, fish and other seafood, spicy samosas, and coconut bread are all present on the tables. Consider trying the Zanzibar pizza, which is actually an omelet made of dough, fried eggs, and diced vegetables. Wash it all down with cool sugarcane juice.

Climb Ol Doinyo Lengai, an active volcano.

Tanzania’s Arusha region contains the active volcano Ol Doinyo Lengai, which is situated on a zone of the continental rift. There have been 16 eruptions in the last century, with the most recent one occurring in 2021. This volcano continues to captivate geologists because it spews the planet’s coldest black lava (510°C/950°F), which cools to form white rock.

This mountain has been attempted by a number of experienced climbers, some of whom were unable to complete the six-hour ascent due to the mountain’s extreme steepness. On clear days, you can see Mount Kilimanjaro, Mount Meru, and the Serengeti from the crater rim, which offers breathtaking views.

Explore the history of slavery at the Slave Market exhibit in Zanzibar.

One of the most notorious slave markets in the world was located in Zanzibar between 1698 and 1897. Tippu Tip was the most infamous and wealthy slave trader in this region, and his home is now a public museum.

 The journey to the first sculpture in the Slave Market exhibit features chained slaves that were sculpted by Clara Sörnäs with assistance from Bagamoyo College students using the actual chains. Over the original slave market, missionaries erected the Anglican Cathedral in 1873, a year after the slave trade was abolished. Two of the 15 small, dark, and claustrophobic chambers that once housed slaves can be seen and explored up to date.

Indulge in a luxe stay on Thanda Island.

Make your stay off the Indian Ocean coast luxurious if you have money to burn. You can dive in the largest protected marine reserve in the Indian Ocean, swim with whale sharks, and go deep-sea fishing at Thanda, a private island devoted to the preservation of marine life. Totaling it up? Both a luxurious yacht for idyllic ocean pleasures and a private helicopter to transport you to the reserve are available for several thousand dollars more.

Go back in time at the Oldupai Museum.

Some of the earliest known human ancestors lived in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area two million years ago, and the world as a whole came to know it after Mary Leakey’s 1959 discovery of fossilized hominid remains captured international attention.

In addition to tracing the history of the region, the Oldupai Museum is located on the outskirts of Oldupai Gorge. The cultural heritage officer of the museum will take you on a trip full of wonder and awe. Additionally, you’ll get to see hominid footprints that are at least 1.6 million years old.

Spend a day with the Hadzabe people.

The well-known Maasai in the northern highlands, the Chagga in the Mt. Kilimanjaro and Mt. Meru regions, and the Hehe people of Iringa in southern Tanzania are just a few of the more than 100 ethnic groups that call Tanzania home and offer cultural tours. One of the last hunter-gatherer groups left in Africa, the Hadzabe people inhabit the Lake Eyasi coast and are comparable to the San of southern Africa (although there is no known connection).

 A Hadzabe cultural tour includes going on a game hunt with them, a hectic but rewarding activity in which the men look for bush meat and the women gather roots and berries. A day provides non-voyeuristic insight into customs, ceremonies, and daily routines.