What are the best activities in Tanzania?

Tanzania is a paradise for safari and savannah lovers. If you love wild animals, you'll be captivated by the numerous national parks and African nature. Mount Kilimanjaro, the Ngorongoro Crater, the Selous Reserve, and the famous Zanzibar Archipelago are just a few of the countless discoveries in this magnificent country, making it sometimes difficult to choose.

So, discover in this article our tips on the best activities to explore in Tanzania!

Kilimanjaro

At almost 6,000 meters altitude, Kilimanjaro is the highest peak in Africa and the tallest mountain in the world at the heart of the savannah.

Climbing it is a dream shared by many people around the globe. If you're one of them, set aside 5 to 10 days to achieve it, as several trekking routes are available for climbing to the summit.

It's a magnificent adventure that awaits you, accompanied by professional and experienced guides to assist you throughout your journey and ensure your safety.

The Big Five and Must-Visit Parks

Tanzania has 22 national parks, home to four million animals! You will find thousands of bird species and 430 mammal species, including of course the Big Five.

But who are they? The Big Five are lions, leopards, elephants, rhinoceroses, and buffaloes. If you want to see them in their natural habitat, you can hop aboard a 4x4 and be guided by a professional who will help you spot them and teach you all there is to know about these majestic animals!

Regarding park choices during your stay, you'll find in the north of the country the most iconic (and therefore most visited) parks like the Serengeti National Park and the Ngorongoro Crater. However, if you wish to enjoy less visited and wilder parks (yet equally exceptional), then the Selous Reserve will delight you!

We have also selected for you some lesser-known but equally exceptional parks!

Ruaha National Park, Elephant Kingdom

Ruaha National Park is the largest in the country: it stretches over 20,000 square kilometers. During the dry season, the Ruaha River attracts lions, buffaloes, gazelles, leopards, cheetahs, kudus, wild dogs, but especially some 12,000 elephants in search of water!

Saadani National Park, Combining Safari and Beach

Facing the Zanzibar Archipelago, Saadani Park is the only one with a beach on the Indian Ocean, frequented more by birds and green turtles than tourists. You can also spot buffaloes, warthogs, antelopes and if you choose to take a boat trip on the Wami River, you might see hippos and crocodiles.

Gombe Stream National Park, Following Jane Goodall's Footsteps

Along the shores of Lake Tanganyika, Gombe Stream National Park is one of the smallest in the country and is only accessible by boat. It is explored on foot with a guide.

In this dense forest, you can (with a bit of luck) get close to great apes: they quietly go about their activities without worrying about human presence.

The park owes its fame to British ethologist Jane Goodall who initiated her behavioral research program here in 1960.

The Great Migration

The Great Migration is one of Tanzania's most fascinating natural phenomena. Thousands of zebras, wildebeests, antelopes, and predators move according to the season from Ngorongoro Conservation Area in the east to southern Serengeti. Between May and July, they move westward to Kirawira Plains before heading (between July and November) northward through Serengeti to cross Mara River into neighboring Maasai Mara Reserve in Kenya.

In November, wildebeests cross back into Tanzania through northeastern Serengeti before retracing their steps. Between December and January, you can witness thousands of wildebeest births — an unforgettable event!

Olduvai Gorge: One of Humanity's Cradles

Olduvai is one of Africa's most significant prehistoric fossil sites: this 50-kilometer-long stretch lies within Great Rift Valley. Forty-five kilometers south at Laetoli travelers can even see footprints from three hominins dating back 3.7 million years…

Walking through Olduvai Gorge offers a unique experience; not far from main trail lays prehistoric giraffe tibia & elephant tooth resting atop stone marker marking precise spot where paleontologist couple excavated previously unknown species' skull confirming Darwin’s hypothesis that Africa is humanity’s cradle.

Even today many archaeologists continue studying early human lifestyles at site.

Exploring Zanzibar

Forty kilometers off Tanzanian coast lies dream destination Zanzibar: white sandy beaches transparent waters coconut palms galore! Here are some activities for your stay.

Exploring Jozani Forest

Protected by Jozani Chakwa Bay National Park stands forest home unique monkey species: red colobus monkey which visitors might observe eating branches or even approach closely!

Enjoying Beaches

Magnificent white sandy beaches made archipelago famous: Blue Ray Beach Nungwi Beach (for party-goers), Paje Beach Jambiani Beach Kiwengwa Beach choices seem endless!

Prison Island: Turtle Island

Once slave detention site now turtle sanctuary! Prison Island (Changuu Island) hosts giant turtles brought from nearby Seychelles long ago; their size will amaze you as well as age: some over 120 years old!

Scuba Diving

North archipelago offers best sites near Ras Nungwi Mnemba Atoll; diving accessible all levels breathtaking spectacle awaits rays green turtles clownfish sometimes even whale sharks parade before eyes!

Zanzibar Spice Markets

Archipelago major spice exporter & world’s leading clove exporter; islands host Pemba Unguja markets great opportunity bring home souvenirs think future dishes 😉

Stone Town

In city find fort founded 11th century by Oman Arabs Palace Wonders (former Sultan residence) St Joseph Cathedral also Freddy Mercury’s house! Observe memorial former slave market site too: five stone statues chained together form monument essential understanding city’s past.