There are many reasons that we would tell you to visit Tanzania. It is famous for its extensive wilderness areas that include the Serengeti National Park.
And most importantly, it boasts being home to three of the seven natural wonders of the whole African continent.
The United Republic of Tanzania is located within the African Great Lakes region in East Africa. It is one of the most diverse nations in Africa where one can see influences from Africans, Indians, Europeans, and Arabs.
When you visit Tanzania, you’ll have an experience worth remembering and even going back to. It enables you to see wild animals in their natural habitat and see nature in its rawest and most beautiful form.
Your visit can easily be arranged by travel companies like Asilia Africa and in no time, you will be in the midst of these amazing wonders.
Here are some of the reasons why you should consider taking a trip to the incredible and culturally enriching country of Tanzania.
7 Reasons to Visit Tanzania
Table of Contents
1. Wildlife and Birds
Many people visit Tanzania for wildlife viewing opportunities. It is home to the biggest concentration of animals in the whole of Africa. Its national parks teem with wildlife making them the best places for safaris.
In addition, birdwatchers will surely find the country a must-go-to destination with more than 10,000 bird species.
There are many activities that you can do in Tanzania’s 16 national parks and game reserves.
Mahale National Park’s main attraction is a visit with the chimpanzees and other smaller primates. You also get to see crocodiles, hippos, birds, and if you are lucky, the occasional leopard.
The Selous Game Reserve is where one finds the largest faunal reserves in the world. It is home to approximately 2,000 plant species.
Furthermore, it is where you can find more than 350 species of birds and reptiles in addition to a wide range of wildlife.
It is also where you can find the largest concentration of more than 110,000 elephants. There is relatively minimal impact by humans in the Selous Game Reserve. Thus, UNESCO declared it as a World Heritage Site in 1982.
Ruaha is the largest national park in Tanzania. It is home to 571 species of birds making it a birdwatcher’s paradise.
It is also a habitat for magnificent animals like the Sable, Kudu, and Roan antelopes, cheetahs, lions, leopards, and many more. You can also rise up with the sun and explore Ruaha from hot air balloons for a fun adventure.
2. The Serengeti
One of the best reasons to visit Tanzania is the Serengeti. Touted as one of the top game parks in the whole of Africa, if not the whole world, the Serengeti is a place like no other.
Home to the Big 5 and a wide range of other species, it is the place to go for the ultimate safari experience in Africa.
The greatest animal migration in the world is a once-in-a-lifetime spectacle that you should not miss and it can be experienced while on safari in the Serengeti.
In this annual event, you can see more than a million wildebeests, thousands of Thomson’s gazelles, topis, elands, and zebras cross from Kenya to Tanzania for fresh grazing.
Hungry predators like lions, hyenas, and cheetahs follow closely behind these migrants.
The annual migration is one of the 7 Natural Wonders of Africa. not to mention that a visit to the Serengeti can be experienced in a variety of ways all dependent on budget.
Related Article: Our Serengeti Experience
3. Mount Kilimanjaro
Mount Kilimanjaro is Africa’s tallest mountain at 19,340 feet (5,895 meters) above sea level. It is also the tallest free-standing mountain in the world and has seven different peaks.
Mount Kilimanjaro is also a dormant volcano with three cones, meaning you are offered a variety of topography and landscapes to enjoy during a visit.
Climbing the mountain is not that arduous, making it a major climbing destination for mountaineers from all over the world and a popular reason to visit Tanzania.
For those not up to the task, it is also possible to do a day hike to the base camp, offering a few route options and a chance to have a taste of the fabled African mountain.
Relate Article: Preparation Tips for Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro
4. The Ngorongoro Crater
The Ngorongoro Crater is the world’s biggest intact caldera. Often referred to as “Africa’s Garden of Eden’’, its enormous cauldron-like hollow is a haven to more than 30,000 animals including the rare black rhinoceros.
You can also find elephants, lions, buffalos, and leopards, in addition to the wildebeests and zebras.
Interestingly, this is also where Hominid fossils were found. The fossils are the oldest evidence of humankind’s evolution.
These were excavated in the Olduvai Gorge between Ngorongoro and the Serengeti plains. The fossils date back millions of years.
It is an extremely popular place to go on safari in Tanzania and many people combine it with their trip to the Serengeti and the nearby Lake Manyara for a multiple-day experience.
Of all the parks, the Ngorongoro Crater offers the most impressive and dramatic landscapes.
5. Zanzibar
The historic Zanzibar archipelago lies in the Indian Ocean and is known as the Spice Island. Through the centuries, it has lured adventurers, traders, explorers, and even plunderers to its shores.
Now, it entices visitors to its long, beautiful, white sandy beaches. The pristine waters around the island host a diverse collection of flora and fauna.
Read more 10 Interesting Things to Do in Zanzibar
The islands’ capital, Stone Town, is a historic seat of culture and commerce. It is also where you can explore the Old Fort, otherwise known as the Arab Fort, or as it is called in Swahili – the Ngome Kongwe.
It is the lone major Arab castle that is still standing in Eastern Africa. The UNESCO declared Stone Town as a World Heritage Site in 2000 for retaining its urban townscape and fabric and for perfectly showcasing “the Swahili coastal trading towns of East Africa”.
6. The Maasai Tribes
The iconic and noble Maasai tribe are the ancient stewards of the Rift Valley region. The Maasai are among the most well-known ethnic groups. They are recognized by their customs and their Shuka, a distinctive red cloth.
They are also known for their stunning beaded jewelry and their noticeable height, towering over most visitors to Tanzania.
The Maasai openly welcome visitors to their villages for a first-hand experience of their lifestyle and culture.
A trip to Tanzania would not be complete without witnessing a jumping ceremony, where the men from the tribes gather in song and take turns seeing who can jump the highest.
7. The Food
Tanzanian cuisine is a fusion of traditional East African food with a strong Indian and Arab influence.
Its proximity to the sea allows a fantastic array of seafood in the daily menu offered by hotels, restaurants and night food markets. Some of the Tanzanian foods to try are:
- Ugali– the national dish prepared with cornmeal, sorghum, and cassava flour usually served with a sauce containing meat, fish, cooked beans or vegetables
- Nyama Choma – grilled/barbecued goat, fish, or chicken. Ugali or grilled bananas are served on the side.
- Pilau – prepared only during weekends or when there is a ceremony. Pilau is a spice-flavored rice dish prepared in stock and with meat, fish, poultry or hard-boiled eggs added. Tanzanians usually serve it with kachumbari, a salad of tomatoes, onions, and chili pepper.
Words are not enough to capture the beauty and essence of Tanzania. You must experience it in the pounding of the hooves during the great migration and in the awesome expanse of the Serengeti plains.
You must see it in the smiles of its people and in the understanding of their culture. Then you can say that Tanzania will always be forever etched in your heart.
| Recommended Tours | ||
|---|---|---|
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| Tanzania Safari 7 days Nairobi to Arusha Trip Type: Small Group 12 - 15 People | Masai & Tanzania Safari 10 days Nairobi to Arusha Trip Type: Small Group 12 - 15 People | Serengeti & Ngorongoro Crater Safari 4 days Arusha to Arusha Trip Type: Small Group 12 - 15 People |
| Check Price | Check Price | Check Price |
More on Tanzania:
- 11 Interesting Things to Do in Zanzibar
- Serengeti Safari Experience in Africa
- Preparation Tips for Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro
- 25 Epic Places to Have the Best Safari in Africa
- African Safari Animals and Where to Find Them
- 25 Photos That Will Make You Want To Visit Africa
- Africa Overland Trip Budget – Oasis Overland
- Oasis Overland Trip Through Africa – What to Expect
- Ultimate Vaccination Guide for Africa Travel
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