Are you thinking of an African holiday? Well, Tanzania is a great place to experience the beauty and diversity the African continent has to offer. This East African country boasts beautiful beaches, wildlife, and forests. There’s much to explore in Tanzania, but it may get overwhelming. To help you decide, we’ve rounded up the best holiday experiences in the country.
The Mountains
Mount Kilimanjaro is the most famous mountain in Tanzania and the highest in Africa at 19,340 ft. Even if you don’t plan on summiting Uhuru Peak, you can still enjoy Mount Kilimanjaro. You can take a day hike up to the waterfall and have a picnic while enjoying the beautiful views and cascading waters.
For something more challenging, there are two-day hikes where you can spend a night on the mountain and hike down the following day. After your day hike, why not relax in the Rundugai hot springs, which are around 21 miles from Moshi, the base of Mount Kilimanjaro? Don’t be surprised if the springs aren’t hot, but a pleasant warm temperature, excellent for swimming and relaxation.
Mount Meru stands at 14,978 ft. It’s very popular because it’s less challenging than Kilimanjaro but still has captivating views and the Mount Meru waterfall.
If you’re not keen on hiking, then you can experience the mountain ranges from the air. Several charter companies offer plane or helicopter tours of the beautiful mountain ranges. The 60-minute flights let you experience the mountain from different heights.
Safari
When you mention the Tanzania safari to anyone, they immediately think of the Serengeti. They aren’t wrong in that since the Serengeti is home to the ‘Great Migration’, the world’s largest movement of animals.
In 2013, the Great Migration was named one of Africa’s Seven Natural Wonders. The herds can be seen in the far north of the Serengeti between July and October, after which they head through the central area and reach the southern plains in December.
After calving the herds with the new young, they head back to Masai Mara, Kenya, in a clockwise direction, completing the circle. Wildlife can be seen at almost any time of the year. Plus, the open plains of the Serengeti make it easier to spot them.
While Serengeti may be a famous park, there are other beautiful national parks in the country. Lake Manyara National Park is one of them. This park is known for its soda ash lake, which attracts thousands of flamingos yearly.
Lake Manyara National Park is situated in the northern part of the country between Lake Manyara and the Great Rift Valley. This park also has unique tree-climbing lions. The dry season between July and November is the best time to visit this park since there’s less vegetation and more visible wildlife.
Zanzibar
It’s unsurprising to see why Zanzibar is a popular honeymoon destination. The clear blue waters, white sandy beaches, luxury resorts, and fresh seafood menu. It’s the ultimate island destination, but it also offers many more activities than just frolicking on the beach. The spice farm tour takes you through the villages around Zanzibar, where you can buy various spices, taste the local fruits, and experience the culture.
You can also explore the old Stone Town through guided walking tours, which can show you the birthplace of Freddie Mercury and the historical events that created the town. Most guided tours include a tour of Prison Island and its giant tortoises.
If guided tours aren’t your thing, you can take a leisurely walk through the town, shop at the market, and taste street food like the famous Mishkaki. It’s basically skewered grilled meat, but the difference is in the spices. For something more vegetarian, try kaimati, which are sweet dumplings.
If it’s the beaches you want, the list seems endless. From the remote Michamvi beach, ideal for private romantic getaways, to Pingwe beach, which has the best swimming conditions. You can also visit the picturesque and calm Kendwa beach for beautiful sunsets. Matemwe is the longest beach in Zanzibar and has interesting traditional fishing villages.
Lastly
Like most African countries, Tanzania has a rich culture and history, which is evident in its cuisine and languages. There’s so much to do and never enough time. Plus, it’s one of those holiday destinations you need to visit more than once to get the whole experience. Swahili is the national language in Tanzania, but you’ll get by fine with English.
