In this complete guide to Tanzania, visitors will be blown away by how much of a safari destination Tanzania is. When it comes to safari destinations in Africa, Tanzania is the place to be. Tanzania is a country located in the East African region. It is bordered by Uganda to the north, Kenya to the northeast, Rwanda and Burundi in the northwest, the Democratic Republic of Congo in the west across Lake Tanganyika, Zambia in the southwest, Mozambique in the south, and Malawi across Lake Nyasa.
Tanzania lies on the East African coast, bordered by the Indian Ocean in the east. This strategic location affirms Tanzania as a spectacular destination with both safari and beach activities. This country is the most complete tourism destination. Many scholars tend to limit Tanzania’s capacity as a destination by limiting it to the Great Wildebeest Migration only. However, while it offers an unbelievable experience with the Great Migration, it has something for everyone. From large historical cities, pristine white-sand beaches, untouched landscapes, highlands, and scenic wilderness, among others.
Tanzania is a unified nation after it united the mainland Tanganyika and the islands of Zanzibar. This union took place in 1964 after both these nations gained independence from the British. The unification led to the birth of Swahili as the national language. Tanzania has over 120 indigenous ethnic tribes, each with their indigenous language. The Zanzibar islands were, however, populated by Arabs and Indians by the time of unification. Due to intermarriages following the unification, Swahili became the main mode of communication.
Tanzania is named the Cradle of Mankind because it hosts one of the oldest human fossils in the world. It was discovered in 1959 in the vast savannah plains of Tanzania, believed to be about 1-2 million years old.
The best places to visit in Tanzania
As a top safari destination, Tanzania is an incredible sight for exploration. This is because of its vast and best adventure destinations. Some of the best places to visit in Tanzania include the following.
Serengeti National Park
Serengeti National Park is probably the best safari destination in the country and the region. It is the home of the Great Wildebeest Migration. It is situated in the northern region of Tanzania directly on the border with Kenya’s Masai Mara National Reserve. Serengeti spans over 14,763 square kilometers. It lies in the northern circuit of the country’s series of protected areas.
Serengeti National Park was established in 1940 and has vast savannah grassland and scattered woodlands. The park hosts all the Big 5 animals: lions, leopards, elephants, buffaloes, and rhinos. These are the most sought-after animals to witness during the wondrous Great Migration. This migration attracts various visitors from across the world to witness over 2 million wildebeest and tens of thousands of gazelles and zebras cross from the Serengeti to Kenya’s Masai Mara and back. Other animals to spot include cheetahs, spotted hyenas, jackals, and antelopes, among others.
Ngorongoro Crater
The Ngorongoro Crater is one of the most biodiverse destinations in Tanzania. Ngorongoro is one of the largest craters in the world. This crater hosts one of the largest animal concentrations in the world. Ngorongoro is home to thousands of lions, the most in the whole region. The Ngorongoro Crater is the world’s largest inactive caldera. Scientists believe it was formed when a vast volcanic mountain erupted inward over a million years ago. This crater hosts over 30,000 population of large mammals. Ngorongoro offers scenic wildlife viewing since it has numerous animals. It is also known as the place where the oldest human fossils were found.
Kilimanjaro Mountain
The skyline of Tanzania is crowned by the tallest mountain in Africa, Mountain Kilimanjaro. It is the highest free-standing mountain in the world. It is situated in the northern region of the country close to the border with Kenya. Its massive size and height make it an undisputed place to explore in the country. It is snow-capped, offering hiking adventures to visitors from across the world. It stands at a height of about 5,895 meters above sea level. Mount Kilimanjaro can be spotted in Kenya on a clear day.
Olduvai Gorge
Located in the center of the Ngorongoro Crater, the Olduvai Gorge museum is among the best places to visit in Tanzania. The Olduvai Gorge is the exact place where one of the oldest ancient human fossils was found. A human skull believed to be over a million years old was discovered at this gorge in 1959 by Doctor Leakey. This skull is found at the Olduvai Gorge Museum along with other fossils that were discovered here. The Olduvai Gorge later became known as the Cradle of Mankind.
Things to do in Tanzania
With many places to explore in Tanzania, there are a variety of activities and things for visitors. These things to do in Tanzania include the following.
Game viewing
Game viewing is the most common and major tourist activity done in Tanzania. This is attributed to the many savannah protected areas it has. Game drives and viewing involve exploring the vast savannah plains in a safari vehicle to get safely close and spot wildlife species. Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Tarangire, and Lake Manyara National Park, among others, are some of the areas to do game drives in Tanzania. These areas host a variety of animals, such as lions, elephants, buffaloes, black rhinos, hyenas, cheetahs, wild dogs, and antelopes, among others.
Chimpanzee trekking
As it may appear a surprise, Tanzania offers chimpanzee trekking. This activity involves traversing the tropics through uneven terrain to encounter chimpanzees. Tanzania hosts chimpanzees in Gombe National Park and Mahale Forest National Park. Chimpanzee trekking offers visitors a rare opportunity to encounter chimpanzees for an hour in their natural habitat.
Beach activities
It is not all adventure and savannah activity in Tanzania, as the country also offers beach activities, such as scuba diving, surfing, snorkelling, and swimming. These activities are available on the Zanzibar islands that are dotted with crystal-clear water beaches. Such activities are perfect for relaxing after long days of safari.
Accessing Tanzania as a tourism destination
Several means of transport can be used to access Tanzania as a tourism destination for exploration. These means of transport include the following.
By water/sea
Tanzania is one of the easiest countries to access in the world of the East African region and on the continent. It is strategically located on the coast of the Indian Ocean, easing access by water. Ships sailing from any part of the world can dock at the Dar es Salaam coastal port and thus arrive in the country.
By air
The country can also be accessed by air through the country’s main gateway, Kilimanjaro International Airport. Tanzania also has various scattered airports like Arusha and many airfields across major protected areas. This has helped ease accessibility across the entire country, opening the country to the outside world for exploration.
By road
Accessing Tanzania can also be by road. The country has many land borders; thus, visitors can drive into the country from the neighbouring countries. Depending on where a visitor is coming from, it is an ideal way to access the country. It is also the most scenic, offering visitors a more participle explanation into African life.
Safety and accommodation in Tanzania
Tanzania is one of the safest places/destinations in Africa. The country has not had any political instability for decades. Internal security is also perfect, with a very low level of urban crime such as theft and robbery. This is attributed to the country’s vigilant, friendly population and also the security forces.
However, visitors are urged to follow the safety rules and governing laws in the country for a seamless stay. These rules include avoiding moving with your valuables at night and avoiding dark areas, especially during the night. Such areas are sometimes used as blind spots where some petty crimes like theft happen. However, Tanzania is generally safe and secure for visitors.
Accommodation is one of the priorities for every visitor embarking on a safari in Tanzania. The accommodation facilities are scattered across the major cities, towns, and protected areas, such as national parks. All these facilities range from luxury and mid-range to budget. This classification of accommodation ensures that every visitor, regardless of financial status, will have a place to stay.
Some of the hotels in big cities include Hyatt Regency Dar es Salaam, the LandMark Mbeza Beach Resort, Serena Hotel Das es Salaam, Zanz Bay Hotel, and SpringHills Hotel, among others. Some of the lodges in various parks include Kirawira Serena Camp, Karama Lodge, Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge, and Tindiga Tented Camp, among others.
Suggested itinerary and estimated travel costs
Tanzania is a vast destination with a variety of attractions and places to explore. Therefore requires a relatively long period to explore the whole country. However, depending on what the visitors are interested in, even a few-day itinerary is ideal. Below are some of the itineraries best crafted for exploring Tanzania’s safari destinations.
- 7 days Tanzania safari: Serengeti and Ngorongoro
- 9 days Tanzania northern circuit safari
- 5 days Serengeti and Ngorongoro safari
- 3 days Gombe flying chimpanzee safari
The estimated travel costs for embarking on a safari in Tanzania vary according to the specific activities a visitor is interested in doing. The costs usually cover the accommodation, the park entrance fees, activities, car hire, fuel, and the guiding fees, among others. A visitor can spend between USD 300 and 500 daily while on a safari in Tanzania.
In conclusion, Tanzania is a worthy destination for exploration for any visitor across the world. It offers incredible activities and has some of the best places to visit. The country is safe to explore with outstanding accommodation facilities. Tanzania is easily accessed by road, water, or air. Contact Epic Uganda Vacations for a well-crafted and costed itinerary to explore Tanzania’s hidden treasures.
