Home to some of the world’s most iconic imagery, the African continent looms large in how we imagine great adventure. The unparalleled beauty of its wide open spaces teeming with wildlife, from giraffes gliding through high tree canopies to scavenging hyenas, from enormous hippos wallowing in glorified puddles to lions lounging in trees, Africa is like nowhere else on earth.
And for many, the best of Africa can be found in Tanzania. Voted Africa’s Leading Tourist Destination in 2021 by the World Travels Award program comprised of travel industry leaders, Tanzania received this prestigious title as a nod to its many national parks that offer it all: abundant wildlife, towering mountains, gorgeous white-sand beaches, luxury tourism options, and a travel-friendly infrastructure.
Tanzania is one of the world’s premier travel destinations for all who seek to explore the adventure of the African safari experience. And to ensure that you fully understand its appeal, here is a list of 30 compelling reasons to visit the remarkable land of Tanzania.
- Exceptional Hiking
While many of the best things to do on a Tanzania family safari will involve walking along wooded paths, keeping an eye out for chimps, or strolling along quiet lakeshores birdwatching, when we say exceptional here–we’re going for the limit!
Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Meru in the Arusha National Park call to hikers from all around the globe. We’ll tell you why:
Hiking Mount Meru
Most hikers traveling to Tanzania have their eyes on conquering Mount Kilimanjaro. But coming in second highest in Tanzania at 14,980 feet, Mount Meru might be the better choice for you if you have less time to acclimatize. And while it can be just as strenuous, if not steeper, than Kilimanjaro, it is far less crowded, offering stunning views of Kilimanjaro as you climb and a pristine wilderness abundant in wildlife and plant life. Trekkers can easily access Mount Meru from the city of Arush, one of the main airport hubs in Tanzania.
Hiking Mount Kilimanjaro
The Roof of Africa. At an impressive height of 19,340 feet at Uhuru Peak, Mount Kilimanjaro is the tallest mountain in Africa and the tallest free-standing mountain in the world. We can all see it in our mind’s eye, its snow-capped peak, encircled by white, wispy clouds, looming high over the African plain.
An absolutely spectacular sight, Mount Kilimanjaro annually draws over 25,000 aspiring Kilimanjaro summiteers from all over the world. And while it’s purported to be suitable for all fitness levels, an extra day or two to acclimatize on the hike up will be helpful, as will a good general level of physical fitness before you arrive.
There are seven main routes up this gigantic dormant volcano, with varying degrees of difficulty and advantage. Most notably, the Umbwe route is the steepest and quickest way up, with fewer people but more issues with acclimatizing to the altitude. The Rongai route is the easiest, taking a full seven to eight days to summit, and best for those with less backpacking experience. The 6-7 day Machama route is the most popular, taking hikers through diverse climate zones, with a summiting success rate of 80%. The scenic, remote Lemosho route enjoys one of the highest rates of summiting success at 90%. And while the popular Marangu route offers hut accommodations and refreshments, its short, steep climb sees the lowest success rate in summiting.
Most people who choose to hike Kilimanjaro will need to decide whether to add an extra day to acclimatize and increase their chances of a successful summit or risk altitude sickness and failure to reach the peak.
- The Serengeti National Park
The Serengeti National Park is one of Tanzania’s most popular safari destinations. And as the many wildlife and nature enthusiasts who have gone before you will attest, once you visit the Serengeti, you too will recognize the special distinction this park holds for millions. Covering 5700 square miles in northern Tanzania, the park has a number of airstrips to receive flights from the international airports in Arusha or Kilimanjaro. Many tourists will choose to combine a stay in Kilimanjaro with a safari in Serengeti–or another of the many fantastic national parks or nature preserves in northern Tanzania. Travel arrangements between these destinations are easy for experienced tour operators to arrange, so take advantage of any chance to see the countryside by car and by air.
The Serengeti National Park offers excellent accommodations, including luxury resorts and tented camps. Located in the heart of the Serengeti, the comfortable Osero Serengeti Tented Camp is among the most popular, ideal for solo travelers, couples, and families on safari.
Home to a large portion of Tanzania’s lion population, the Serengeti is one of the few parks where all of the Big 5 animals (lions, elephants, leopards, rhinos, and African buffalos) are found and where visitors are most assured of seeing them. While the rhino is the rarest of the Big 5, even they can be found in the park’s northern reaches.
And then, of course, is the Serengeti’s most famous event–the annual Great Wildebeest Migration. Read on!
- The Great Wildebeest Migration
To fully appreciate the spectacular almost two-million-strong wildebeest migration, you must see it to believe it. The high drama of the river crossings–or even calving season in southern Serengeti when nearly 8,000 wildebeest calves are born daily–are overwhelming displays of nature at its most raw and unforgiving. This annual, clockwise migration of wildebeests, with hundreds of thousands of zebras and antelopes, spreads north through the park into Kenya’s Masai Mara before migrating south again following the rain.
Experienced tour operators will be able to pinpoint the best spots, given the time of year you’re traveling, to observe the vast herds grazing and moving across the savannas. And while the migrating herds’ daily life-and-death struggle to elude the ever-present lions might be a little too much realism for young children, anyone else who has the opportunity to see such an event on such a scale will never forget it.
- Explore the Ngorongoro Crater
As the world’s largest intact volcanic caldera, the Ngorongoro Crater is a fascinating safari destination and one of Tanzania’s most popular destinations. Lying just to the east of the southern Serengeti, the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater rises up almost 8,000 feet above sea level, encircling the 100-square-mile caldera floor 2,000 feet below. These forested crater walls form a unique backdrop for this biosphere’s abundant animal and plant life.
According to UNESCO, over 150,000 people visit the Ngorongoro Crater yearly, drawn to its ancient geologic grandeur and the Big 5 that roam its woods, savannas, and the swampier spring-fed terrain in the east favored by the black rhino. There is a large pond in the south area of the crater, a favorite of hippos, and a great picnic spot for tourists.
And while giraffes can be found in the surrounding Ngorongoro Conservation Area, the crater walls are too steep for them to climb, so they’re one animal of note you won’t find within the park. But visitors can expect to see more of a concentration of lions, leopards, elephants, buffalos, monkeys, many species of birds, and even crocodiles in the Ngorongoro Crater.
- The Birds of the Lake Manyara National Park
Birdwatchers will want to put Lake Manyara National Park at the top of their Tanzania itinerary. Located just 60 miles southwest of Arusha, this shallow, spring-fed lake is home to hundreds of species of birds, many rare. And depending on the season, an observant birdwatcher could easily spot over a hundred species in and around the lake and the surrounding woodlands, including raptors such as the crowned eagle.
It’s swampier at the north end of the lake, where you’ll find the hippo pool and the pink-backed pelicans. And in the wet season, from November to May, thousands of flamingos feed on the nutrient-rich organisms that thrive in the alkaline waters, and the park is lush with plant life.
Lake Manyara is home to many luxurious accommodations, including the five-star Manyara’s Secret, ideal for those who seek the ultimate Lake Manyara family safari getaway.
- Experience a Floral Serengeti at Kitulo National Park
Kitulo National Park is a small park close to Tanzania’s western borders and approximately 500 miles southwest of Dar es Salaam. For those who never cease to be amazed by nature, Kitulo National Park in the rainy season is an absolute visual feast of flowers. Termed both “The Serengeti of Flowers” and “BustaniyaMungu” (God’s Garden) by the locals, it’s a true floral paradise.
A distinctive park, the Kitulo National Park is the continent’s first tropical region of forest and grassland set aside to preserve plant and wildflower species, particularly its 45 different varieties of terrestrial orchids. A haven for botanists, birdwatchers, and nature-loving hikers, Kitulo National Park is also home to many species of butterflies, reptiles, birds, and a few species of endangered monkeys.
- Walk Among the Chimpanzees at Mahale National Park
Located on the banks of Lake Tanganyika along Tanzania’s western border, the Mahale Mountains National Park’s forested slopes are home to one of two chimp populations in Tanzania. Accessible only by boat from Kigomo or air from Arusha or Dar es Salaam to a Mahale Mountains airstrip, the park is remote but well worth the trip.
With cars not allowed anywhere in the park, visitors travel everywhere on foot, climbing wooded, winding trails, with an excellent chance of seeing chimps close to the path. Certain areas in the park have been studied for decades by primatologists, including Jane Goodall. There, the chimps are less wary of humans and more comfortable with our quietly observing presence.
Besides chimpanzee tracking, helpful guides can point out where ferocious crocodiles might be lurking or a pod of hippos guarding their territory along the lakeshore. And birdwatchers will enjoy the many species of forest birds throughout the park’s western slope. Interestingly, the park’s eastern slope flows into the open savanna, and instances of overlapping habitats are seen, with the occasional lion making its way into chimp territory and vice versa.
- Sunbathe on the Beaches of Zanzibar
The picturesque beauty of Zanzibar’s beaches is reason enough to include it on your Tanzanian itinerary. The sparkling waters of the Indian Ocean, white-sand beaches, and an intriguing fusion of history and culture attract safari-goers looking for more relaxation than wildlife adventures.
Adventure is to be had, however. Dip below the water’s surface to marvel at its distinctive marine life. Tour Prison Island, just off the coast, for snorkeling, fishing, and boating. Tour historic Stone Town, a former world hub for the spice trade–famous for its architecture and open market and infamous as a former hub in the slave trade of the 19th century.
Zanzibar is one of the world’s most accessible pieces of paradise, with unique accommodations. They range from laid-back backpacker hangouts to top-notch luxury getaways. As Tanzania’s premier island destination, it’s only a short flight from the Dar es Salaam or Arusha international airports.
- Tanzania’s Cultural Diversity
Home to over 120 tribes and 126 languages with widely varying usage and viability, the United Republic of Tanzania is a nation rich in diverse cultures and traditions. Over the last several hundred years, the region has been significantly influenced by Portuguese, German, British, and Arab administrations and trade practices involving big game hunting of old, with visible architectural and cultural remnants of the spice trade and the slave trade centering in Zanzibar.
The official language of Tanzania is Swahili, with both Swahili and English (thanks to tourism) as the lingua francas of the country. While the Sukuma tribe of the northwest region is the largest in Tanzania, the Maasai in the northeast and central Tanzania is the better-known tribe to the east due to their interaction with visitors to Tanzania. Containing Bantu and Arabic influences, Swahili is the most widely spoken language throughout the continent.
Here are a few intriguing customs that travelers to Tanzania will want to keep in mind:
- The left hand is considered unclean, so do your best to avoid using it. Use your right hand to eat, greet people or accept anything from anyone.
- When you’re offered food, don’t sniff it first! The cook might find it disrespectful.
- If you’re with your partner, refrain from public displays of affection. As a predominantly Muslim country, most community members will frown upon any PDA.
- Dress conservatively.
- Enjoy a Hot Air Balloon Ride Over the Serengeti National Park
While a hot air balloon ride falls into the luxury category, if you can make it work with your budget, this ride promises to be one of the most exciting of your life.
Just try to imagine a more incredible vantage point than gliding above the land at sunrise in a vibrantly colored hot air balloon. Picture yourself starting yet another day of extraordinary events, swooping over a parade of wild animals below, savannas stretching to the horizon, and mountains looming in the distance. Of course, you’ll want to take photo after photo, but remember to put the camera away and enjoy the experience to its fullest.
And to top it off, your balloon will land nearby a beautiful resort, where they’ll be waiting with a champagne brunch. A slice of heaven on earth.
- See Trees Draped in Lions
Did you know that lions can climb trees? While they’re not natural tree climbers like leopards, it’s speculated that those lions who have seen the behavior modeled in their pride have found climbing up among the branches of Lake Manyara’s acacia trees to be worth the effort. This is no mean feat, as adult lions can weigh up to 500 pounds!
Previously thought to occur only in Lake Manyara National Park, it’s now believed to be something most lions do. And while there were fewer people to catch them at it before, it’s now a favorite of tourists.
Tree-lounging lions are quite the sight in the Serengeti and Tarangire, as well as in national parks in South Africa and Uganda. They appear very comfortable up in the branches, catching a cool breeze and a snooze, escaping the bugs, and getting off the hot ground. But, undoubtedly, with a view of their prey moving across the savanna, they’re always on the lookout for their next meal.
- Explore Africa’s Largest Nature Reserve: Nyerere National Park
Formerly Selous Game Reserve and home to half of all the elephants in Africa, the Nyerere National Park covers almost 20,000 square miles in southern Tanzania and is accessible by car, rail, or chartered flight. Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its wildlife diversity and unspoiled beauty, this wildlife sanctuary is a far less-traveled national park than those to the north.
A varied landscape of acacia tree-dotted savannas, grass, woodlands, and marshes, Africa’s largest river, the Rufiji River, runs through the park to the Indian Ocean and is a vital lifeline for an amazing abundance of wildlife. Visitors to the park will find not just the Big 5 but the Big 9: lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos, buffalo, and plenty of zebras, giraffes, cheetahs, and hippos. And you can always count on crocodiles along the riverbanks.
- A Land of Great Contrasts
Tanzania isn’t just a beautiful country of outstanding scenery, plants, and wildlife but home to a dramatic landscape of geologic highs and lows created in the East African Rift Valley over millions of years. Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa, is an extinct volcano formed by the rifting, or pulling apart, of the African continent. Its three extinct cones are part of a rift subsystem extending from Ethiopia to Uganda and part of a greater rift system extending down the length of Africa through Mozambique. The continent of Africa is literally splitting apart.
This rift zone has created deep, low-lying areas which fill with water, including the deepest and most voluminous along Tanzania’s western shore, Lake Tanganyika. Located within the Albertine Rift, a western branch of the East African Rift Valley, Lake Tanganyika is the longest freshwater lake in the world. The lake flows into the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), drawing rivers from Burundi, Zambia, and Tanzania.
- Enjoy Canoeing, Snorkeling, and Water Rafting
As Tanzania is home to some of the best beaches, the longest and deepest lakes, and gorgeous pools at the foot of magnificent waterfalls, water activities are bound to come to mind. And there are many to enjoy, but you’ll want to listen carefully to your local guides.
We’ve already mentioned crocodiles and hippos, and you’ll find them in most inland ponds, rivers, and even along the shores of Lake Tanganyika. However, when the water is clear in the lake, and the guide gives the ok, many people enjoy a safe swim along the lakeshore.
And there are canoe safaris at Lake Manyara, Lake Duluti, and the Momella Lakes of Arusha, usually spending about two hours on an unforgettable birdwatching adventure and wildlife-spotting tour along the shore. And for those who love a white-sand beach, snorkeling, and boating, head to the Zanzibar archipelago’s southern beaches, including Kizimkazi Beach, for a swim with the dolphins.
- The Meserani Snake Park
Do your kids have a fascination for snakes? You too? Well, given that it’s Tanzania, in Africa, and home to the Meserani Snake Park, you can expect to see some of the rarest, most dangerous snakes in the world. This unique and affordable gem of an attraction is about a half-hour drive west of Arusha, heading towards the Serengeti.
Visitors to the park will learn interesting tidbits about these African snakes, including their life cycle, habitat, and role in the ecosystem. And once you’ve had a chance to meet the famous black mamba, Africa’s most lethal snake, then the green mamba, the rock python, and a host of other snake species–check out the crocodiles and enjoy a camel ride too!
- Night Camping in the African Bush
There’s nothing like a tented camping experience to top off a safari in Tanzania. Ditch the modern lodges and prepare for a truly unforgettable experience–just what you signed up for when you decided to go to Africa.
We’re not necessarily talking about roughing it. Tented camps are popular with safari-goers in parks like Serengeti, with some offering the ideal fusion of luxury and the natural grandeur of the African bush. And while you can explore traditional camping options, complete with sleeping bags placed close to the campfire, this option may be best left for genuinely daring adults!
So whether in a sleeping bag or the height of luxury, the visual feast of the night sky and the sounds of wildlife echoing through the dark never fails to invoke a sense of unforgettable timelessness in all who choose to spend a night or two under the stars.
- Serengeti’s Hippo Pool
Fact: Hippos can be found in most sub-Saharan countries.
Another fact: The Retina Hippo Pool in Central Serengeti is one of the few places you can safely approach on foot.
North of Seronera in Central Serengeti, the Seronera and Orangi rivers merge and form a deep pool called the Retina Hippo Pool. An absolute favorite hangout of the hippopotamus, visitors to the pool might see a few hundred hippos semi-submerged in the water. That’s a lot of little ears, eyes, and nostrils rising above the water’s surface!
With 97% of their bulky bodies underwater, these semi-aquatic giants can run quickly along the riverbed–and faster than you might think on land. Capable of holding their breath for up to five minutes underwater, they spend an average of 16 hours per day in the water, submerging and surfacing even as they sleep.
And unlike most hippo observation points, the riverbanks around the Retino Hippo Pool are 10 feet high, allowing visitors a safe approach and vantage point to view hippos interacting noisily with each other just below.
- Spectacular Scenery by Day/Luxurious Comfort by Night
Many of Tanzania’s national parks provide a range of exotic and luxurious hotel alternatives for the nature lover looking to enjoy the magnificence of an African safari while preferring the comfort, fine dining, privacy, and fantastic service of luxury accommodations.
The Serengeti National Park offers several options in gorgeous settings along the Great Migration route or within private game reserves where you can take in the vastness of the African bush or overlook the Grumeti River. Beautiful accommodations with an incredible view sit along the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater or enjoy your view from up in the trees of the ancient forest bordering Lake Manyara. And then there are the less-traveled parks to the south, where you can sit back and enjoy the view overlooking the great Rufiji River on its way to the Indian Ocean, sustaining the wildlife throughout the Nyerere National Park, Tanzania’s largest.
- Spice Tour in Zanzibar
Zanzibar is far more than just beautiful white-sand beaches and fun in the sun. As already mentioned, European and Arabic influences have shaped Zanzibar over the last several hundred years, with cultural and architectural impacts still dominating the scene.
As one of the world’s most famous and prosperous “spice island” hubs, the spice trade still contributes significantly to Zanzibar’s economy. With the planting of spices such as nutmeg, cinnamon, and clove over recent decades, visitors can enjoy a tour through spice farms, sampling fresh produce and cooking with local spices.
- Earliest Humans Found Here
The Olduvai Gorge, found within the boundaries of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area in northern Tanzania, and a designated UNESCO World Heritage site, is one of the world’s most significant paleoanthropological discoveries.
As a part of the Great Rift Valley running through East Africa, Olduvai Gorge is an area in which plate tectonics and other geological forces continue to shape the region. Made famous by Dr. and Mrs. Leakey in the 1960s with their discovery of the earliest fossilized evidence of human ancestors, estimated at 1.9 million years old, the Olduvai Gorge Museum is a fascinating chance to see firsthand these most-ancient relics of early human existence.
- Enjoy the Sunsets at Lake Eyasi
Most of us are suckers for a good sunset, and why not? And when the sun sets on a faraway horizon across beautiful Lake Eyasi under crystal clear skies, it will be worthy of your full attention.
Located just southwest of the Ngorongoro Crater in northern Tanzania, this 400-square-mile lake is above sea level and the largest body of water in the region. Birdwatchers will want to keep an eye out for the green-crowned roller, a beautiful sight to see.
Close to the Hadzabe tribe communities and the Mumba Cave area, there is much to enjoy along the lake. But as the sun starts to set, be sure to wander down to a rocky outcrop and get ready to enjoy another stunning African sunset.
- Ol Doinyo Lengai “The Mountain of God”
Rising almost 10,000 feet above the plains just northeast of the Ngorongoro Crater and 50 miles northwest of Arusha is Ol Doinyo Lengai, one of only four active volcanoes in Tanzania. It has a few claims to fame, most notably the only volcano on earth that spews a particular type of faster-flowing lava, natrocarbonatite, that has enriched the soil of the plains below.
It famously last erupted in 2019 and is considered to be in an “eruptive period” at this time. However, many trekkers continue to hike its steep slopes as the view from the top promises to be worth the effort. And what a gorgeous sight from afar!
- Experience Zanzibar’s Historical Stone Town
Zanzibar’s capital, Stone Town, is a historic mashup of Arabic, European, Asian, and African cultures, with a tale to be told within the walls of the Old Fort and from every brick of every old building. A living museum of winding streets, historical landmarks, and soaring spires on Zanzibar’s western shore, visitors can walk through Stone Town’s thriving outdoor market, enjoy a delicious meal, and soak up the local flavor.
And still standing from the days of the Sultan of Oman, The Wonder House and Palace Museum dates from 1883, built by Sultan Barghash specifically for ceremonial celebrations. It is one of the oldest structures in East Africa, the largest and tallest in Stone Town, and a place of architectural beauty, grandeur, and now a museum chronicling the historical record of the Swahili people. UNESCO has been working with structural engineers over the last few years to ensure this historic landmark is preserved for future generations.
- The Iconic Baobab Tree
Not only will you find rare flora and fauna in Tanzania, but there is also the very old! The iconic baobab tree, with an average lifespan of over 1,000 years, can grow to enormous sizes, with its massive trunk measuring up to 150 feet around!
While the baobab is scattered throughout central and southern Africa, the Tarangire and Selous national parks are probably the best places to see the oldest baobabs in Tanzania. These trees form their own ecological network of amazing scope.
For starters, the bark of the baobab trees holds large quantities of water, which elephants chew on during the dry season when water becomes scarce. Also, the baobab provides nesting for birds, shade, medicinal herbs for humans, seeds for animals to feed on, and lots of tucks and creases for innumerable insect populations.
- The Sweet Smell of Coffee
As Tanzania’s largest export crop and Africa’s fourth-largest producer of coffee, you’ll find coffee farms along the steep slopes of the Mahale Mountains National Park of the Kigoma Region, the rolling hills of Arusha and Moshi in the north, or the Usambara Mountains to the east. In the Kagera Region along the southwestern shore of Lake Victoria, you can enjoy one of the finest Robusta coffees in the world. And if you’re traveling the foothills of Kilimanjaro, you’ll find an attractive fusion of Asian and African cultures thriving and prospering from the local coffee industry.
Safari groups throughout the country often stop in for tours at coffee plantations. Visitors always enjoy the slight, sweet fragrance wafting through the air and the lush cultivated fields seasonally abloom with small white flowers.
- Experience the Materuni Waterfalls
Along the southern edge of Mount Kilimanjaro, about a 45-minute drive northeast of Moshi, are the absolutely spectacular Materuni Falls. Enjoy a beautiful walk along a trail winding through tropical rainforests, coffee plantations, and avocado and mango farms.
These almost 500-foot waterfalls are worth the couple-hour round-trip walk along paths that are strenuous in parts but very manageable–although a walking stick could come in handy. And remember to bring your swimsuit! At the base of the waterfalls is a gorgeous pool, and you won’t want to pass up the chance for a refreshing dip.
Be sure to ask a local guide for a tour of the coffee plantation and village of Materuni to meet the friendly Chagga who live along the slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro and comprise the third largest tribe in Tanzania. Sample the delicious local produce and the freshest cup of coffee you’ve ever enjoyed.
- Experience the Rock Restaurant and its Delicacies
Just off the southeastern shore of Zanzibar’s Pingwe Beach is the quirky must-see Rock Restaurant built atop a large rock. Accessible at low tide on foot, you’ll want to ask when the tides will ebb and flow if you’re hoping to walk back to the beach. However, a water taxi goes back and forth continually, ferrying almost 40 people at a time. So yes, you can expect it to be crowded and expensive, but there’s nothing like a meal gazing out upon the Indian Ocean.
You’ll find minimal décor (why compete with the view?) and only 12 chairs. As classic dhows cruise the water beyond your seat, relax with a nice iced mojito and maybe pair it with a sumptuous octopus salad, prawns, lobster, or other fresh seafood. A treat you’ll never forget!
- The Tea Plantations of Tanzania
Did you know that Tanzania has been producing tea for export since 1926? And by 1960, tea production throughout the region had tripled to 3,700 tons annually. Today, numerous small holdings around the country cover approximately 23,000 acres, producing over 15,000 tons of this important export crop each year. And with the introduction of drought-resistant seeds, farmers hope to see greater tea yields in the “dryer” rainy seasons that can occur.
You’ll find these beautifully green estates across rolling hills in three major regions: the Southern Highlands near Njombe and west of Mufindi in the Iringa Region, east of the Usambara Mountains in the high plateau of the Masai Steppe in the Tanga Region close to the east coast, and in the North West Zone along the southwest shore of Lake Victoria.
Each of these locations offers fascinating side trips, including the chance for birdwatchers to explore the Rubondo Island National Park, an island just offshore of the southwest coastline of Lake Victoria. and accessible only by boat. Or if you make it to Njombe, this is your chance to visit the Kitulo National Park, the “Serengeti of Flowers” mentioned above.
- Explore the Usambara Mountains
With their breathtaking vistas of unspoiled tropical rainforests and surrounding grassy plains, the Usambara Mountains in northeastern Tanzania are another favorite destination. Created nearly two million years ago by the rising and faulting of tectonic plates, the mountain range is over 50 miles long and consists primarily of Precambrian metamorphic rock.
The resulting deep valleys and expansive, undulating hills provide a stunning backdrop for hiking and exploring protected ecological zones such as the Amani Nature Reserve, home to plant and animal life found only in the eastern Usambara Mountains.
The region is dotted with vibrant villages of the Bantu, Shambaa, and Maasai, each with its own distinct traditions and lifestyle practices that have been shaped over the last several hundred years. A stop at any of these villages offers visitors the chance to tap into the region’s historical wealth and cultural legacy.
The best access into the area will be through Lushoto to the southwest. Buses travel to Lushoto from most hubs, including Arusha and Dar es Salaam. Once there, it’s another hour’s drive to the access points in the Usambara range.
- Tanzania’s Stable Political Climate
In recent decades, Tanzania has experienced a significant transformation in its economic and political landscape, making it one of Africa’s safest tourist and safari destinations.
The government of Tanzania has prioritized tourist security, safety, and travel infrastructure, implementing new regulations to promote and safeguard tourism. As you would when visiting any country, take reasonable, responsible measures to stay safe. And on safari–an experience that promises to be one of the most extraordinary of your life–follow your guide’s instructions to the letter.
Final Thoughts
We hope that the many reasons listed above have clarified just why a safari in Tanzania continues to draw millions of people from all over the globe. Families, solo travelers, honeymooners–anyone fortunate enough to travel to Tanzania–will enjoy its timelessness, ancient history, cultural diversity, wildlife spectacles, and scenic grandeur beyond your wildest dreams.
We always recommend consulting with an experienced tour operator when traveling to a faraway place so distinctly different from home! Their guidance and expertise can provide invaluable assistance every step of the way. Plan in advance and ensure everyone in your party is on the same page. All that’s left will be to enjoy your Tanzania safari adventure to its fullest!