If you’re ready to go on safari, booking a trip to Tanzania could be the most authentic way to do it. Just south of Kenya and bordering Zambia to the southwest, this incredible country offers a striking array of natural plains, grasslands, and some of the largest lakes in Africa too.
No matter if you’ve never been before or you’re returning to the continent, it’s always worth learning what Tanzania has to offer.
Getting ready to visit Africa
Finally booking that trip to Africa?
Whether you’ve been saving for years or you’ve suddenly decided to take the plunge, visiting the continent is one of the most unforgettable travel decisions you can make. Africa boasts a fascinating array of wildlife, remarkable scenery, culture, cuisine, and so much more – and Tanzania is a brilliant place from which to start.
As with any new country, you should make sure that you check official guidance on visiting Tanzania before you travel. While it’s possible to enjoy a supported tour in Tanzania, it’s important to learn about the risks involved and how you can stay safe.
Why should you visit Tanzania while touring Africa?
- Discover the wildlife
Tanzania is one of the best spots for a safari. Whether you’re going solo or travelling with friends and family, it’s easy to find a tour guide and jump aboard. Lasting from June to October, dry season months are generally the best to choose for Tanzania holidays. The country is home to some of Africa’s most famous wildlife sanctuaries, including Serengeti National Park.
- Wonder at Mount Kilimanjaro
Once an active volcano, Mount Kilimanjaro is bordered by three of the largest lakes on the continent: Lake Victoria, Lake Nyasa, and Lake Tanganyika. It’s also the highest point in Africa, so if you’re a serious climber or trekker, reaching the summit could be something to put on your bucket list.
- Dive at Zanzibar
Zanzibar is an island off the coast of Tanzania, located in the Indian Ocean. A small corner of paradise, this island boasts varied wildlife, excellent diving opportunities, and idyllic sandy beaches with crystal-clear waters. Experienced scuba divers will benefit from the wealth of natural coral species on display.
- The Ngorongoro Crater
The Ngorongoro Crater is the biggest intact volcanic caldera in the world. It’s located in the Rift Valley, a natural expanse in northern Tanzania. At 19km wide, its steep walls reach a maximum of 600m and create a dramatic backdrop.
Natural grasslands, open swamps and acacia woodlands house prey and predators that roam the cater floor. This is an impressive sight that shouldn’t be missed out on your trip to Tanzania.
- Meet the Maasai
The Maasai people inhabit northern Tanzania as well as central and southern Kenya. They’re indigenous people who ruled over East Africa over a hundred years ago, speak their own Maa-language, and have preserved their culture despite the pressure of modern society.
They’re the only people allowed to descend the Ngorongoro Crater walls to tend to their cattle. Meeting the Maasai people will be an unforgettable experience.
- Witness the great migration of wildebeest
The great Serengeti wildebeest migration is the largest migration of all mammals on earth. It can be witnessed from May through until July, after the wildebeest have given birth to their offspring and finished feasting on the grasslands of the south-eastern Serengeti. From those grasslands, the herds traverse northwest across the Serengeti Plains towards new grazing.
Conclusion
For tourists, many African tour routes focus on Botswana, Kenya, and Namibia. Including Tanzania on your itinerary will provide a truly immersive experience with some of the world’s most overlooked yet bountiful safari experiences. Boasting some of the world’s most beautiful lakes, the highest peak in Africa, and vibrant communities underpinned by ancient cultural traditions, it’s a country like no other.
