Tanzania is home to some of Africa's most famous national parks and the majestic Mount Kilimanjaro rising above the Serengeti. Most visitors will find themselves passing through Dar es Salaam and heading out on safaris and various wildlife viewing adventures. For those who want to take a break and spend some time soaking up the sun, the beautiful beaches of Zanzibar beckon. Off Pemba and Mafia islands is a whole other kind of natural wonder, one most appreciated by the scuba divers and snorkelers who come here from around the world to experience the coral gardens, colorful fish, and crystal clear waters.
1 Mount Kilimanjaro
One of the most frequented attractions in Tanzania, Mount Kilimanjaro
National Park is home to Africa's highest mountain peak. Unlike other
parks in northern Tanzania, this one is not visited for the wildlife but
for the chance to stand in awe of this majestic snow-capped mountain
and, for many, to climb to the summit. Mount Kilimanjaro can be climbed
at any time, although the best period is from late June to October,
during the dry season.
Kilimanjaro, a World Heritage Sites, was formed over 1 million years ago by volcanic movement along the Rift Valley. Three points - Shira, Kibo, and Mawenzi came to be about 750,000 years ago. The highest point is Uhuru Peak on Kibo, which is one of the Seven Summits of the world.
The mountain rises from farmland on the lower level to rainforest and alpine meadow and then barren lunar landscape at the peaks. The slopes of the rainforest are home to buffaloes, leopards, monkeys, elephants and eland. The alpine zone is where bird watchers will find an abundance of birds of prey.
Kilimanjaro, a World Heritage Sites, was formed over 1 million years ago by volcanic movement along the Rift Valley. Three points - Shira, Kibo, and Mawenzi came to be about 750,000 years ago. The highest point is Uhuru Peak on Kibo, which is one of the Seven Summits of the world.
The mountain rises from farmland on the lower level to rainforest and alpine meadow and then barren lunar landscape at the peaks. The slopes of the rainforest are home to buffaloes, leopards, monkeys, elephants and eland. The alpine zone is where bird watchers will find an abundance of birds of prey.
2 Serengeti National Park
Serengeti National Park is a vast treeless plain with thousands, even
millions of animals searching for fresh grasslands. As the largest
national park in Tanzania, the Serengeti attracts thousands of tourists
each year. The best months for wildlife viewing are between December and
June. The wet season is from March to May, with the coldest period from
June to October. The annual migration of millions of zebra and
wildebeest takes place in May or early June. This migration is one of
the most impressive natural events and the primary draw for many
tourists.
Large herds of antelope as well as lion, leopard, cheetah, hyena, bat eared fox, hunting dog and jackal are also found in Serengeti National Park. Nearly 500 species of bird have been recorded on the Serengeti. Many of these are attracted to the swamp area. 'Serengeti' means an 'extended place' in the Maasai language.
Large herds of antelope as well as lion, leopard, cheetah, hyena, bat eared fox, hunting dog and jackal are also found in Serengeti National Park. Nearly 500 species of bird have been recorded on the Serengeti. Many of these are attracted to the swamp area. 'Serengeti' means an 'extended place' in the Maasai language.
3 Zanzibar Beaches
The Zanzibar archipelago consists of the islands of Zanzibar and
Pemba. The island of Zanzibar, also called Unguja, is a major holiday
destination known for its beautiful beaches. This island has some of the
best beaches in the world with varying surf depending on what side of
the island you are on. Visitors will find soft white sand and clear
shallow water, along with traditional boats. Stone Town is located in
the heart of Zanzibar and features old Arabian townhouses, narrow
alleyways and a busy port.
4 Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Located between the Serengeti and Lake Manyara, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area is home to the famous volcanic Ngorongoro Crater
and one of Tanzania's most popular wildlife viewing areas. This huge
volcanic crater has a permanent supply of water which draws all kinds of
animals who stay in this area rather than migrating. Visitors come here
primarily for viewing large game and bird watching, but also of
interest in the conservation area is the Olduvai Gorge. This
important archeological site has revealed ancient skull and bone
fragments that have delivered critical information about early mankind.
The Ngorongoro Crater is the largest intact ancient caldera in the world, nearly three million years old. The Ngorongoro volcano was one of the world's tallest mountains before it exploded and collapsed. Thousands of wild game can be seen on the crater floor, including lions, elephants, rhinos, Thomson's gazelles, and buffaloes, but wildebeests and zebras account for over half of the animals that call the Ngorongoro Crater home. Bird watching is superb, especially around Lake Migadi, which attracts flocks of flamingoes to the shallows. Hippos are content to submerge themselves during the day and then graze in the nearby grass in the evening.
Olduvai Gorge
The Olduvai Gorge is an archeological site situated on a series of fault lines, where centuries of erosion have revealed fossils and remnants of early mankind. As early as 1911, a German professor found some fossil bones while looking for butterflies in Olduvai Gorge. In a later expedition, the Leakeys collected skull fragments, a skull, 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 in Olduvai Gorge. Another exciting find were the famous footprints of a man, woman and child at Laetoli, near Olduvai. These and other discoveries provide more evidence to the theory that at least three hominid species were in this region over 2 million years ago.
The Ngorongoro Crater is the largest intact ancient caldera in the world, nearly three million years old. The Ngorongoro volcano was one of the world's tallest mountains before it exploded and collapsed. Thousands of wild game can be seen on the crater floor, including lions, elephants, rhinos, Thomson's gazelles, and buffaloes, but wildebeests and zebras account for over half of the animals that call the Ngorongoro Crater home. Bird watching is superb, especially around Lake Migadi, which attracts flocks of flamingoes to the shallows. Hippos are content to submerge themselves during the day and then graze in the nearby grass in the evening.
Olduvai Gorge
The Olduvai Gorge is an archeological site situated on a series of fault lines, where centuries of erosion have revealed fossils and remnants of early mankind. As early as 1911, a German professor found some fossil bones while looking for butterflies in Olduvai Gorge. In a later expedition, the Leakeys collected skull fragments, a skull, 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 in Olduvai Gorge. Another exciting find were the famous footprints of a man, woman and child at Laetoli, near Olduvai. These and other discoveries provide more evidence to the theory that at least three hominid species were in this region over 2 million years ago.
5 Lake Manyara National Park
Lake Manyara National Park is comprised of forest, woodland,
grasslands, and swamps. Two-thirds of the park is covered by water and
Lake Manyara is host to thousands of flamingoes, at certain times of
year, as well as other diverse bird life. The highlight of Lake Manyara
Park is the large population of elephants, tree-climbing lions and
hippos that can be observed at a much closer range than in other parks.
This park is also home to the largest concentration of baboons in the
world.
Wildlife drives, canoeing (when water levels are high enough), mountain bike tours and bird watching are the most popular activities in Lake Manyara National Park.
Wildlife drives, canoeing (when water levels are high enough), mountain bike tours and bird watching are the most popular activities in Lake Manyara National Park.
6 Mafia Island
Mafia Island draws divers and snorkelers from around the world to the
undersea world protected by the Mafia Island Marine Park. The best
months for diving are October to March but the best weather on Mafia
Island is May to October, March and April are months of heavy rain.
Mafia Island Marine Park has excellent coral gardens, an abundant
variety of fish and a relaxed diving atmosphere. Countless birds and
over 400 species of fish can be seen in the area. Mafia Island is also a
traditional breeding site for the green turtle, which are unfortunately
close to extinction.
Mafia is also a desirable location for deep-sea fishing, especially tuna, marlin, sailfish and other big-game fish.
This island paradise first saw settlers in the 8th or 9th C, but Mafia became a more important settlement during the 12th to 14th C when it held a key position in the East African trading routes.
Mafia is also a desirable location for deep-sea fishing, especially tuna, marlin, sailfish and other big-game fish.
This island paradise first saw settlers in the 8th or 9th C, but Mafia became a more important settlement during the 12th to 14th C when it held a key position in the East African trading routes.
7 Tarangire National Park
Tarangire National Park was established in 1970 and is best visited
in the dry season from July to September when the animals gather along
the river. During the dry season, Tarangire National Park has one of the
highest concentrations of migratory wildlife. Wildebeest, zebra,
buffalo, impala, gazelle, hartebeest and eland crowd the lagoons. One of
the most noticeable highlights of Tarangire National Park is the baobab
trees that dot the grassy landscape.
The park is excellent for birdwatching, with more than 300 species recorded in Tarangire. These species include buzzards, vultures, herons, storks, kites, falcons and eagles.
The park is excellent for birdwatching, with more than 300 species recorded in Tarangire. These species include buzzards, vultures, herons, storks, kites, falcons and eagles.
8 Pemba Island
Pemba Island is the northernmost island in the Zanzibar archipelago.
Around Pemba are many desert islands and some of the best scuba diving
in the Indian Ocean, with visibility that is unparalleled. Lush coral
gardens, colorful sponges and sea fans are all found in the underwater
haven. The city of Chake Chake, the main population center on Pemba, is a
popular base for scuba divers.
Pemba is less visited than Zanzibar and as a result has a more laidback atmosphere. From December to February visitors can watch traditional bullfighting; a sign from the days of Portuguese dominance in the 16th and 17th C. The island is hilly with deep valleys so it has become popular with mountain bikers who are drawn to the 1,000-meter peaks.
Pemba is a major world clove producer and is also well known for the juju traditions of medicine and magic. People come from throughout East Africa to learn from the voodoo and traditional healers or seek a cure.
Pemba is less visited than Zanzibar and as a result has a more laidback atmosphere. From December to February visitors can watch traditional bullfighting; a sign from the days of Portuguese dominance in the 16th and 17th C. The island is hilly with deep valleys so it has become popular with mountain bikers who are drawn to the 1,000-meter peaks.
Pemba is a major world clove producer and is also well known for the juju traditions of medicine and magic. People come from throughout East Africa to learn from the voodoo and traditional healers or seek a cure.
Accommodation
9 Stone Town
Stone Town is the cultural heart of Zanzibar and little has changed
in the last 200 years. The grand old Arabian homes lining the narrow
streets and winding alleys give the city its own unique charm. The
majority of homes in Stone Town were built in the 19th C when Zanzibar
was one of the most important Swahili trading towns in the Indian Ocean.
Visitors will notice the bras-studded, intricately carved wooden doors
on many of the houses.
As the world's oldest functioning Swahili city, many of the landmarks in Stone Town have been restored to their original glory. Some of the historic buildings are now museums which can be visited. The town also has a couple of interesting old churches of historical significance. A walk along Creek Road takes visitors to the original Stone Town area and the location of the Central Darajani Market, Beit el-Amani, City Hall, and the Anglican Cathedral. Some of the other key highlights include the Forodhani Gardens, the Old Dispensary with its carved wooden balconies, the former home of the sultans known as Beit el-Sahel or the People's Palace, the Hamamni Persian Baths built in 1888, and the oldest structure in Stone Town, the Old Fort.
As the world's oldest functioning Swahili city, many of the landmarks in Stone Town have been restored to their original glory. Some of the historic buildings are now museums which can be visited. The town also has a couple of interesting old churches of historical significance. A walk along Creek Road takes visitors to the original Stone Town area and the location of the Central Darajani Market, Beit el-Amani, City Hall, and the Anglican Cathedral. Some of the other key highlights include the Forodhani Gardens, the Old Dispensary with its carved wooden balconies, the former home of the sultans known as Beit el-Sahel or the People's Palace, the Hamamni Persian Baths built in 1888, and the oldest structure in Stone Town, the Old Fort.
Accommodation
10 Selous Game Reserve
Selous is the largest game reserve in Africa. Established in 1922, it
covers 5% of Tanzania's total area. The southern area is a forbidden
zone that is undeveloped, heavily forested, and contains a series of
steep cliffs. Travelers are limited to the area north of the Rufiji
River. This area of the Selous Game Reserve has large open grassland,
woodlands, rivers, hills and plains. The best time to visit is July
through October.
The Rufiji River bisects the Selous Game Reserve and has the largest catchment area of any river in East Africa. The river is an important feature of the reserve providing the opportunity to watch the diverse water-based wildlife. A broad range of game can be found including elephants, hippos and rhinos as well as buffalo, antelope, giraffe, warthog, wildebeest, lion, leopard and cheetah. The diversity of bird life in Selous includes over 350 recorded species.
The Rufiji River bisects the Selous Game Reserve and has the largest catchment area of any river in East Africa. The river is an important feature of the reserve providing the opportunity to watch the diverse water-based wildlife. A broad range of game can be found including elephants, hippos and rhinos as well as buffalo, antelope, giraffe, warthog, wildebeest, lion, leopard and cheetah. The diversity of bird life in Selous includes over 350 recorded species.
