Tanzania is home to some of Africa’s largest parks and reserves, and is your quintessential safari destination. For those who want to take a break and spend some time soaking up the sun, the beautiful beaches of Zanzibar beckon. Scuba divers and snorkelers can dive between the coral gardens, colorful fish, and crystal clear waters off Pemba and Mafia islands.
TOP 8 PLACES TO VISIT
1.STONE TOWN
The town is the cultural heart of Zanzibar and with its grand old Arabian homes that is lining the narrow streets and winding alleys giving the city a unique charm. Some of the historic building in the world’s oldest functioning Swahili city has been restored to their original glory and are now used as museums. The town also has a couple of interesting old churches of historical significance. Some highlights is the Central Darajani Market, Beit el-Amani, City Hall, the Anglican Cathedral, Forodhani Gardens, the Old Dispensary, The Hamamni Persian Baths and the Old Fort.
2.GOMBE STREAM NATIONAL PARK
The park is the smallest national park in Tanzania and is famous for the work of Jane Goodall, this British researcher who studied the wild chimpanzees since she arrived in 1960. With more than 200 recorded bird species in the tropical forest, including barbets, starlings, sunbirds, crowned eagle, kingfishers and the palm-nut vulture. Guided walks in the forest, hiking and swimming are popular activities and a trail leads visitors to the waterfall in the valley.
3.PEMBA ISLAND
Around the island there are many deserted islands and some of the best scuba diving in the Indian Ocean. Lush coral gardens, colorful sponges and sea fans are all found in the underwater haven. The island is also popular with mountain bikers who are drawn to the 1,000-meter peaks. The island is also well known for their juju traditions of medicine and magic.
4.OLDUVAI GORGE
This archeological site is situated on a series of fault lines, where centuries of erosion have revealed fossils and remnants of early mankind. Some very extraordinary findings was discovered such as a fossil bones, the Leakeys collection of skull fragments, a scull and bones determined to be approximately 2 million years old. Tools and hunting weapons from 1 to 1.5 million years ago were also discovered as well as the famous footprints of a man, woman and child at Laetoli, near Olduvai.
5.MOUNT KILIMANJARO
Kilimanjaro, a World Heritage Sites, was formed over 1 million years ago by volcanic movement along the Rift Valley. The National Park is home to Africa's highest mountain peak and most frequented attraction. Mount Kilimanjaro can be climbed at any time, although the best period is from late June to October, during the dry season. You will find buffaloes, leopards, monkeys, elephants and eland in the slopes of the rainforest. The alpine zone is where bird watchers will find an abundance of birds of prey.
6.NGORONGORO CONSERVATION AREA
It is home to the famous volcanic Ngorongoro Crater and one of Tanzania's most popular wildlife viewing areas. With the large permanent water supply all kinds of animals are drawn and visitors can view a large variety of game and birds such as lions, elephants, rhinos, Thomson's gazelles, and buffaloes on the crater floor. Lake Migadi attracts flocks of flamingo while hippos are content to submerge themselves during the day and then graze in the nearby grass in the evening.
7.ARUSHA NATIONAL PARK
The park has a range of habitats that consist of the forest of Mount Meru, Ngurdoto Crater in the southeast section of the park, and Momela Lakes, a series of seven crater lakes. Home to the largest selection of migrant waterbirds and black and white Colobus monkeys. Mount Meru is one of the most beautiful volcanoes in Africa and canbe reached by a narrow ridge, which provides stunning views of the volcanic cone lying several thousand feet below in the crater. The ascent is steep but the route passes through parkland, forest, a giant heather zone and moorland.
8.NYERE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF TANZANIA
The Nyerere National Museum was established in 1934 and it is located in Dar es Salaam. On display is traditional crafts like, head dresses, ornaments, traditional musical instruments, old age hunting and gathering tools, traditional healing, and many others Tanzania’s traditional resources. Apart from Tanzania’s local traditional tools and history, this museum preserved the history of the famous Dr Leakey and his wife Mary Leakey who discovered the skull of the first human beings in Olduvai Gorge Tanzania.
OTHER PLACES TO SEE
- Lake Victoria
- House of Culture
- Arusha Declaration Museum
- Odluvai Museum
- Kigoma
- Mafia Island
- Lake Manyara National Park
- Tarangire National Park
- Selous Game Reserve
- Ruaha National Park
- Katavi National Park
- Serengeti National Park
- Ol Doinyo Lengai
- Lake Natron
- House of Wonders
- Hamamni Persian Baths
- Makumbuso Village Museum
- Natural History Museum
- Butiama Museum
- Chief Edward Wanzagi’s Homestead
The best way to get around Zanzibar is with Moto Taxis, Dalla Dallas (mini vans), taxi and ferries.
The best wildlife viewing months in Tanzania are during the Dry season from late June to October. The best chance of seeing the wildebeest migration in the Serengeti is during June and July and the time to see the wildebeest calving is late January to February.
