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Tanzania✨ 10 best things to do in Tanzania

Things to do in Tanzania

1. Witness the Great MigrationWatch vast herds of wildebeest and zebra thunder across the Serengeti plains, chased by lions and crocodiles at the river crossings.
2. Climb KilimanjaroTrek through rainforest, moorland and alpine desert to stand on the roof of Africa at sunrise.
3. Descend into Ngorongoro CraterDrive down into a vast collapsed volcano where lions, elephants and rare black rhino share one enormous natural arena.
4. Get lost in Stone TownWander Zanzibar's maze of coral-stone alleys, carved wooden doors and rooftop cafés as the call to prayer drifts overhead.
5. Take a spice tourSmell, taste and touch cloves, nutmeg, vanilla and cinnamon on a farm in the lush Zanzibar countryside.
6. Snorkel and dive the reefsDrift over colourful coral gardens around Mafia and Pemba islands, where whale sharks visit in season.
7. Track chimpanzeesHike through the forests of Mahale or Gombe on the shores of Lake Tanganyika to sit quietly with wild chimpanzee families.
8. Sail on a dhow at sunsetGlide along the Swahili coast on a traditional wooden sailing boat as the sky turns gold.
9. Explore Tarangire's baobabsSpot huge elephant herds roaming among giant, ancient baobab trees in one of the country's most underrated parks.
10. Eat at Forodhani GardensJoin locals at Stone Town's waterfront night market for grilled seafood, sugarcane juice and Zanzibar 'pizza'.

Tanzania🗺️ Where to visit in Tanzania

Where to go in Tanzania

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  Serengeti National ParkNorth · wildlife safariEndless golden plains hosting the Great Migration and some of Africa's best big-cat sightings.
• 📍
  Ngorongoro Conservation AreaNorth · crater & cultureA wildlife-packed volcanic crater, plus Maasai grazing lands and the fossil site of Olduvai Gorge.
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  Mount KilimanjaroNorth · trekkingAfrica's highest peak, climbable without technical gear, with the town of Moshi as a lively base.
• 📍
  Zanzibar (Unguja)Indian Ocean · islands & heritageA UNESCO-listed old town, white-sand beaches and a fascinating Swahili-Arab culture.
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  Tarangire National ParkNorth · safariFamous for big elephant herds and baobab-studded landscapes, especially busy with animals in the dry season.
• 📍
  ArushaNorth · gateway cityThe jumping-off point for northern safaris, with coffee farms, markets and views of Mount Meru.
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  Mafia IslandIndian Ocean · marine parkA quiet, laid-back island with superb diving, snorkelling and seasonal whale sharks.
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  Ruaha National ParkSouth · remote safariA wild, rugged park with few vehicles, large predator populations and a true sense of adventure.

Tanzania🌦️ Weather & best time to visit Tanzania

Best time to visit Tanzania

Tanzania is tropical, with a hot and humid coast and islands, while the northern safari highlands around Arusha are noticeably cooler, especially at night. Two rainy seasons occur: the long rains around March to May and the shorter rains around November and December.

Typical daytime highs and rain in Dar es Salaam (approximate averages).

Tanzania🎉 Festivals & events in Tanzania

• February
  Sauti za BusaraA joyful music festival in Stone Town celebrating African sounds from taarab to bongo flava.
• June–July
  Zanzibar International Film FestivalOne of East Africa's biggest cultural events, with films, concerts and workshops in the historic Old Fort.
• July
  Mwaka KogwaA lively Persian-rooted New Year celebration in the Zanzibar village of Makunduchi, with mock fights, bonfires and feasting.
• February or March
  Kilimanjaro MarathonRunners from around the world race on the lower slopes of Africa's tallest mountain near Moshi.

Tanzania🧭 Tanzania itinerary ideas

How many days in Tanzania?

Tanzania🎒 Backpacking Tanzania – tips & hacks

Backpacker budget: about $40–70 a day

• Long-distance buses link Dar es Salaam, Arusha, Moshi and Mwanza cheaply; book with reputable companies and travel by day.
• Group safaris and camping safaris from Arusha are far cheaper than private tours – join other travellers to share vehicle costs.
• Fill up on street food such as chipsi mayai (chips omelette), mishkaki skewers and pilau rice from local stalls.
• Paje and Nungwi on Zanzibar and Moshi on the mainland have plenty of budget guesthouses and a social backpacker scene.
• Daladalas (local minibuses) are the cheapest way to get around towns, and learning a few Swahili phrases goes a long way with drivers and vendors.

Tanzania🛡️ Safety & money in Tanzania

Emergency: 112

Tanzania🛬 Getting to Tanzania

Most visitors fly into Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam, Kilimanjaro International Airport near Arusha, or Abeid Amani Karume International Airport on Zanzibar. Land borders connect Tanzania with Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique, and ferries link Dar es Salaam with Zanzibar.

✈️ Cheap flights to Tanzania: airports, flight times & best time to fly →

Tanzania💡 Did you know? 5 facts about Tanzania

• Mount Kilimanjaro is the world's tallest free-standing mountain, rising alone from the surrounding plains.
• Lake Tanganyika, on Tanzania's western border, is one of the longest and deepest freshwater lakes in the world.
• Freddie Mercury, the lead singer of Queen, was born in Stone Town on Zanzibar.
• Tanzanite, a vivid blue-violet gemstone, has been found commercially in only one place on Earth – near Kilimanjaro in northern Tanzania.
• A large share of Tanzania's land is protected in national parks, game reserves and conservation areas.

Tanzania❓ Tanzania travel FAQ

Tanzania travel questions