Top Things to Do in Tanzania: Popular Tourism Activities in Tanzania
Whether you are visiting this country for the fourth time or not, tourist activities in Tanzania will always be extraordinary for you. It’s hard to get rid of the Tanzania safari holidays.
Below are the most amazing things to do in Tanzania:
Witnessing the Great Migration of Wildebeests in Serengeti National Park
The Great Migration of Wildebeest in Tanzania is a rare and wonderful wildlife phenomenon, ranking top among the things to do in Tanzania on a safari.
Within East Africa, this breathtaking wildlife encounter is only in Tanzania’s Serengeti park and Maasai Mara National Reserve of Kenya.
On this adventure, you’ll witness millions of Wildebeests in the lovely golden plains of Serengeti National Park on their way to Masai Mara, Kenya. It’s an annual cycle of movement of these animals. Other wonderful game animals, such as thousands of plain Zebras and gazelles,. Predators such as Cheetahs, Hyenas, and Lions can be seen as they usually follow the herds.
The most thrilling part of watching the wildebeest migration is the Mara River crossing. Breathtakingly, you’ll witness wildebeests crossing the crocodile-infested Mara River. Countless giant crocodiles will be seen patiently waiting for food!
If interested in witnessing the migration of wildebeests in Serengeti National Park, email us for details.
Mount Kilimanjaro is known as the roof of Africa. This now-capped dormant volcano is the highest mountain in Africa, reaching 5,895m above sea level at its Uhuru Peak. Tanzania’s Mt Kilimanjaro is the highest volcano within the Eastern Hemisphere.
If you enjoy mountain hiking adventures, don’t miss climbing Mt Kilimanjaro on your list of activities to do in Tanzania. It’s possible to supplement it on your wildlife viewing safaris in Tanzania.
Mount Kilimanjaro hikes do not require previous hiking experience; however, some hikers find altitude sickness a challenge. It’s easier to climb Mount Kilimanjaro than hike Mount Kenya, the second-highest mountain in Africa- (5,199m).
Hiking Mt Kilimanjaro is a spectacular memorable trek taking around 5-9 days. Spending more days on the climb is the best way to overcome altitude sickness.
Notable lodges to use by tourists interested in climbing Mount Kilimanjaro on the Tanzania safari:
- Kindoroko Hotel
- Kilimanjaro Crane Hotel
- Honey Badger Lodge
Kilimanjaro hiking trails are drier in dry months and January to early March as well as June-October offer good conditions for climbing.
Search Out Game Animals on Game Drives
It’s on record that, the golden plains of Tanzania hold the highest concentration of game animals on the globe. Moreover, it’s the best site to spot all the African Big Five animals (Lions, Cape Elephants, Rhinoceros, & Leopards) in the world.
Most game drives in Tanzania are conducted by a tour guide! Within a vehicle, you’ll drive in the picturesque endless plains looking out for wild animals. Putting aside the Big Five, other notable game animals to see include; Cheetahs, Wildebeests, Hyenas, Zebras, Wild dogs, and Giraffes. Grant gazelles, Bushbucks, Elands plus Topis are common as well.
Though day game drives are the most popular, you can enjoy a night game drive to spot nocturnal animals well like Hyenas & Leopards.
Fortunate travelers can come across a herd of lions hunting down a buffalo or wildebeest on the vast plains that include the Baobab trees.
The following are the main areas to enjoy game drives in Tanzania:
- Ngorongoro Crater in Ngorongoro Conservation Area- a UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Serengeti National Park
- Lake Manyara National Park
- Tarangire National Park- also known for its giant Baobab trees
- Arusha National Park- mostly, animals are spotted on banks of the great Ruaha River
Fun Things to Do in Tanzania: Exploring White Sand Beaches of Zanzibar Island
Undoubtedly, Zanzibar holds one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. It’s an ideal place to be after climbing Mount Kilimanjaro or wildlife safaris in Serengeti, Lake Manyara National Park, Arusha National Park, and Ngorongoro Crater.
A number of white sand beaches in Zanzibar Isle within the Indian Ocean feature dazzling palm trees and pristine warm waters. The fine sands and impressive surroundings of these beautiful beaches make them great sites for relaxation.
Various Zanzibar beaches hold numerous water sports, but the most popular are snorkeling, scuba dive, kitesurfing, swimming, and sunbathing.
Below are notable Zanzibar beaches worth exploring on your Tanzania tours:
- Nungwi Beach is one of the best beaches on the Indian Ocean for relaxation and deep-sea fishing opportunities
- Nakupenda Beach is nearby Stone Town. It’s commonly visited by travelers from Dar es Salaam
- Mtende Beach
- Paje Beach is a lovely site for kitesurfing and scuba dive
- Kizimkazi Beach: a great site to swim with Dolphins
- Matemwe Beach- is ideal for scuba diving. Expect to see diverse marine life here
Most flights to Zanzibar set off from Dar es Salaam.
Visiting Chimpanzees in Gombe Stream National Park
A Tanzania safari vacation to Gombe Stream National Park is beaten track, granting opportunities to travelers on Tanzania wildlife safaris to encounter wild Chimpanzees. Some communities are habituated and open for tourists.
This stunning tropical rainforest on the shores of Lake Tanganyika is only accessible by boat. It’s an area where Jane Goodall undertook her great research on the behaviors of Chimpanzees.
Visiting Chimpanzees in Gombe Stream National Park is among the best things to do in Tanzania. On this adventure, you’ll encounter amazing cousins of human “chimps” within their natural ambiance. Scientists have found out that humans and chimpanzees share over 98–99% of their DNA.
During this adventure, expect to witness fascinating chimpanzee behaviors that are similar to those of humans. You’ll see chimpanzees hugging, kissing, and patting friends at the back, to mention but a few. Don’t forget to move with a camera to record their amazing humanlike actions.
If you have time, don’t miss this remarkable adventure on your trip in Tanzania. Other captivating monkeys like Red-tailed Monkeys, Vervets, Baboons, and Blue monkeys, can be spotted on the walk.
Bird Watching in Tanzania
Within Africa, Tanzania is among the top countries with the highest bird checklist. Over 1,156 bird species were recorded in the last census of July 2023.
On your Tanzania safari trip, be expectant to spot a number of notable birds in Africa, whether it are savannah birds, woodland bird species, migratory birds, water birds, or forest bird species. These can be spotted while on game drives or game walks, among others.
The key bird species in Tanzania to look out for on your Tanzania birding trip include:
- Masai Ostrich
- Double-toothed Barbet
- Secretary Bird
- Abyssinian Ground Hornbill
- Lilac Breasted Roller
- Flamingos
- Red and Yellow Barbet
- Palm-nut vulture
- Superb starling and,
- Yellow-collared lovebird, etc.
Bird watchers interested in watching birds during their vacation in Tanzania should consider visiting Ngorongoro Crater, Serengeti National Park, and Lake Manyara National Park. Other amazing destinations for birding in Tanzania are Arusha National Park and Tarangire National Park.
While in the southern Tanzania safari circuit, consider Nyerere National Park, the former Selous Game Reserve.
Best Things to Do in Tanzania: Enjoy Cultural Encounters
Most of our safari packages in Tanzania and East Africa feature cultural experiences! The intention is to give our clients room to discover the fascinating living standards and economic activities of Africans.
Often, cultural encounters are done on top of wildlife safari tours.
The popular cultural tours in Tanzania are listed below:
VISITING MASAI VILLAGES AROUND NGORONGORO CONSERVATION AREA
Maasai People are pastoralists holding herds of cattle. These people are famous for their pulsating dressing, bouncy traditional dance and intricate beadwork.
On the Masai cultural experience, visitors are free to take part in dance! You’ll watch Masai warriors making fire and tossing spears, as well as women making lovely jewelry, among others.
This enchanting cultural tour shouldn’t be left out on your game viewing safari in Ngorongoro crater.
TOUR TO STONE TOWN: A UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE
Stone Town is the most cultural and active town in Zanzibar. It holds unique architecture, a rich cultural heritage, and even a rich history worth exploring while on your African safari in Tanzania. Zanzibar’s Stone Town was a great trading center in the East African region around the 19th century.
While on this Stone Town adventure, you’ll witness the wonderful ancient architecture of Persians, Arabs, Indians, and even European civilizations.
Major landmarks to explore during the Stone Town tour include:
- The slave trade market: In the 19th century, it was the main slave trade market of Eastern Africa
- House of Wonders: it’s the first building in Stone Town Zanzibar to have electricity and in the East African region, it’s the first spot to have lifts
- The Old Fort was built in the 17th century by Omanis to protect this port from European invasions
- Darajani Market: don’t leave without buying some tropical fruits
- The Sultan’s Palace
- Guided walks on the ancient narrow alleyways of Stone Town are also worth it. You can also visit the beautiful Forodhani Gardens of Stone Town
Other memorable Cultural encounters in Tanzania worth undertaking:
- Visiting the Hadzabe & Datoga community around Lake Eyasi
- Visit the Chaga people in Mount Kilimanjaro foothills
Exploring Beautiful Lakes in Tanzania
Exploring the magnificent lakes of Tanzania can also be included on your list of things to do in Tanzania during your trip. The most attractive lakes in Tanzania worth a visit include Lake Victoria, Lake Tanganyika, Lake Natron, and Lake Manyara in Lake Manyara National Park.
Inquire first from your safari guide whether it’s safe to swim in any.
Details of the key lakes in Tanzania are below:
Lake Victoria
Lake Victoria is the largest freshwater lake in Africa. This 68,800km2 lake is popular for its incredible natural beauty, featuring white sand beaches with resorts and lush tropical islands. Tanzania’s Lake Victoria is a great site for sport fishing tours in Africa.
Lake Tanganyika
Situated in the Great Rift Valley region, Lake Tanganyika is the deepest lake in Africa, with a maximum depth of about 1,470 m. The average is 580m, making it the 2nd deepest in the world after Lake Baikal in Siberia.
Lake Tanganyika is a great site for snorkeling lovers in Tanzania, as it holds several colorful fish and green turtles, making a great spot for scuba divers. Boat trips can be enjoyed on this lake.
Lake Manyara
It’s a shallow lake within Manyara Park, home to countless bird species and thousands of wild animals.
More Unique Things to Do in Tanzania
- Enjoy hot-air balloon rides in Serengeti National Park
- Go horseback riding in Serengeti National Park
- Scuba diving on the Zanzibar coast
- Hiking Mount Meru: Tanzania’s Mount Meru is also one of the best areas to go hiking, Don’t underestimate Mount Meru; its hikes are a bit technical!
- Watch tree-climbing Lions in Lake Manyara National Park.
- Visiting Mafia Island Marine Park around the Mafia Archipelago in the Indian Ocean sea of Zanj. Mafia Island is a wonderful site for scuba divers (scuba diving) and snorkeling as well.
Tanzania’s Mafia Island holds colorful fish, plenty of coral reefs, Sea turtles, and many endemic species.
- Exploring Olduvai Gorge: the Olduvai Gorge is found in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Tanzania’s Olduvai Gorge is one of the most significant historical areas on Earth. It’s where the skull of the man believed to have lived about a million years ago was discovered by archaeologists.
Olduvai Gorge is a must-see site for tourists interested in learning about human evolution.
FAQs About Safari Activities in Tanzania By Tourists Planning to Come for Tanzania Safaris
What Is So Special in Tanzania? : What Is Tanzania Best Known for?
Globally, Tanzania is known for its stunning Serengeti National Park, a wonderful site for game viewing tours in Africa. It boasts over a million game animals, including a viable population of African safari Big Five. Sights of the great wildebeest migration are also remarkable in Tanzania.
Still, Tanzania holds some of the best national parks in the world, counting Ngorongoro Crater, other parks, and wildlife sanctuaries.
Is Tanzania Good for Tourists?
An array of numerous safari activities in Tanzania makes it a pleasing destination for tourists.
The most notable safari activities in Tanzania include wildebeest migration watching in Serengeti and even other game-viewing adventures. Among these are game driving, game walking safaris, and hot air balloon rides, for instance, in Ngorongoro Crater and Selous Game Reserve, among others.
Is Tanzania Safe for Tourists? : Is Tanzania Safe to Travel to?
Indeed, tourists are safe during their vacation in Tanzania. In fact, all safari destinations in Tanzania, such as those in northern Tanzania like Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, and even Selous Game Reserve in the southern circuit, are safe to visit. Even travelers visiting Zanzibar Island and Mafia Island are safe!
However, take caution while in busy areas, for instance, Zanzibar City, and during beach tours. Avoid moving with expensive valuables, as this might attract the attention of evildoers.
What to Do in Tanzania Other Than Safari? : Is There Much to Do in Tanzania?
Besides safari, tourists on the Tanzania safari tour can visit the Zanzibar archipelago, which includes Pemba Island, the world’s largest clove exporter. Adventurous travellers can go on Kilimanjaro hiking expeditions. You can also explore some of the legendary rivers for example, the Rufiji River, East Africa’s largest river.
Other Tanzanian things to do include chimpanzee tracking in Mahale Mountains National Park, cultural tours with local Maasai people, and visits to Zanzibar and Pemba Island.
What to Do in Tanzania With Kids?
Kids on a Tanzania safari vacation will enjoy several expeditions but the most prominent one is undertaking game drives in Serengeti or Ngorongoro Crater. The dotted views of wild animals in the lovely golden plains of Africa will leave you with remarkable memories.
Kids above 12 years old can visit Mahale Mountains National Park for chimpanzee tracking adventures. Tours to Zanzibar beaches or Pemba Island can also be done.
Is Tanzania Cheap or Expensive? : Is Tanzania Cheap to Travel to?
This country is relatively cheap to visit. Tanzania safaris and things to do in Tanzania can suit all classes of visitors. Your safari accommodation class, transfers, and meals in Tanzania depends on your personal desires.
On average, expect to spend at least $15 on restaurant meals; however, you can find local foods and simple, delicious street foods sold for a few dollars.
How Much Is a Safari in Tanzania?
Out of the blue, it’s hard to tell the cost of a Tanzanian trip. The price of a vacation is greatly affected by the kind of trip you wish to do, its duration, and your group size.
On average, expect to spend at least $150 to $500 a day for each person. It includes your meals, transfers, accommodation, and park entrance fees. A luxury trip costs around $1,000 per person per day. Email us for clarity!
How to Visit Tanzania on a Budget? : How to Do Tanzania on a Budget?
The best way to enjoy budget safaris in Tanzania is by using budget accommodation and even mostly road transfers. Also, we encourage you to book your trip with local travel agents in Tanzania and visit in a group to allow sharing of costs.
When to Visit Tanzania for a Trip? : What Is the Best Time for Safari in Tanzania? : What Is the Best Time to Go to Tanzania Safari Tour?
The long, dry season, which starts from July to September, is the ideal time of year to visit Tanzania. These are thought to be the best months for mountain hiking, great wildebeest migration watching, game viewing, and even beach vacations in Zanzibar or Pemba Island. It’s easy to spot wild animals since the grass is thin.
Northern Tanzania safari parks can be visited at any time of the year. Tanzania’s long wet season runs from mid-March to mid-May but safaris remain possible.
What to Wear in Tanzania During a Safari?
We strongly advise travelers to put on weather-friendly attires. Khaki, grey, and brown clothes are recommended and remember to put on safari boots to keep your feet safe while in the jungle.
Other key items you should have on your adventure include sunglasses, sun lotions, insect repellents, and a simple safari backpack.
Where to Stay in Tanzania for Safari?
You’ll find various classes of accommodation in every tour destination you visit in Tanzania. This accommodation features hotels, resorts, guest houses, and campsites, to mention but a few.
They are grouped into budget lodges, midrange facilities, and even luxury safari lodges. Feel free to choose one that suits your budget!
Why Do Most Tourists Go to Tanzania? : What Attracts People to Tanzania? : Why Do Tourists Visit Tanzania?
Many tourists visit Tanzania to enjoy extraordinary game viewing tours in one of the best national parks in the world, Serengeti. Within Serengeti park, you’ll watch the migration of wildebeests and spot millions of game animals, including most of the safari’s big games like absorbing herds of Buffalos, Elephants, Lions, cheetahs, etc.
Other captivating adventures in this country are mountain hiking tours in Kilimanjaro, tracking chimpanzees, and even beach holidays at Zanzibar.
How Many Days in Tanzania Is Enough? : How Many Days Do You Need in Tanzania?
If you are in a hurry, 3-5 days are ideal for a trip in Tanzania. It’s possible to visit Ngorongoro Crater, Serengeti, and Tarangire National Park. If you have time, you can go for long safaris in Tanzania lasting over 10–12 days.
How to Spend 10 Days in Tanzania?
This depends on your itinerary or tour plan. While on a 10-day trip in Tanzania, you can do a lot of activities. For example, going for game viewing tours in Ngorongoro Crater, Serengeti, Tarangire National Park, etc. Tours to Zanzibar and Pemba Island can be tailored as well.
The list of things to do in Tanzania is endless but watching the migration of wildebeests in Serengeti should never be missed on your Tanzania tour package. Others include searching for game animals in scenic national parks, climbing Mt Kilimanjaro, and Zanzibar beach tours, among others.
You travel with experts while coming for African safaris in Tanzania; let’s plan together your trip!
