Things to Do in Tanzania

Few places in Tanzania are as beautiful or diverse as the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. This unique destination offers travelers a one-of-a-kind experience with unfettered access to the nature, wildlife and people that make this country an incredible destination. Its volcanic craters, vast savannah, thick forests and rugged bush cover some 8,300 square kilometers of protected land, making it the perfect place to spot high concentrations of African wildlife.

While the Olduvai Gorge and Maasai people make a visit to the Conservation Area memorable, it’s the Ngorongoro Crater that draws travelers to this natural wonder. Covering some 260 square kilometers, this sunken crater formed by a volcanic explosion is home to more than 25,000 animals. Black rhinos, thousands of wildebeests, zebras and gazelles graze on this fertile plain. The crater is also home to the densest population of lions in the world.

Travelers who visit the crater in December or June will also catch part of the legendary migration, when 1.7 million wildebeests, 260,000 zebras and 470,000 gazelles make the trip between the Serengeti and Maasai Mara. It’s a once in a lifetime experience that is not to be missed.

Built in the 17th Century, Old Fort is one of the main attractions in Stone Town and perfect starting out point for first-time visitors to Zanzibar. Its giant stone fortress once protected the city from an outside attack, and it was later used as a prison to house local lawbreakers. Today, the Old Fort has been transformed into a cultural center that caters to tourists interested in exploring the history of the place and purchasing souvenirs like popular paintings and handmade jewelry.

The open-air theater is the perfect spot for travelers to catch a live dance performance or experience the local live music scene. The Old Fort also provides space for major festivals and even has an information desk for travelers in search of tips, advice and guidance from residents in the know.

Please note: House of Wonders is temporarily closed.

House of Wonders, which is home to the Museum of History and Culture, is not only the largest—but also the tallest building in Stone Town. Built in 1883, the palace was the first building on the island to have electricity and the first in the region to have a working elevator. Since the early 2000s, House of Wonders has showcased a permanent collection of artifacts related to Swahili and Zanzibari culture.

Travelers can explore the grounds, which include a traditional Swahili boat, old-world fishing tools, and famous ships, or wander the halls that offer an up-close look at traditional garments, historic portraits of royalty, and ancient furniture taken from former sultans’ homes. A visit to House of Wonders provides travelers with a window into the local culture and the island’s rich history.

This national park, stationed in the northeastern region of Tanzania, is located an easy drive from the center of Arusha, making it a popular stop for travelers to this beautiful and diverse city. Despite its relatively small size, Arusha National Park offers visitors a unique opportunity to explore some of East Africa’s diverse environments, as well as gain access to many of the continent’s most famous mammals.

Visitors can explore the Meru Crater funnels in the Jekukumia River, hike to the apex of Mount Meru and enjoy breathtaking views, or embark on a wildlife adventure to grasslands of the Ngorongoro Crater. Though travelers won’t find the same number of animals in Arusha National Park as some of Tanzania’s bigger reserves, they’ll still get a taste of what makes this one of the country’s most popular destinations. The park may be lion free, but plenty of wild buffalo, giraffe, zebra and monkeys roam the land, as well as an impressive number of indigenous birds. Lucky adventurers may even spot one of the rare African elephants known to graze on grassy plains.

One of Tanzania's largest parks is Mikumi National Park, located in the southeastern part of the country. On its own, Mikumi National Park covers roughly 1,250 square miles spread across the floodplain of the Mkata River. Just to the south of Mikumi is Africa's largest game reserve, the Selous, making this a particularly interesting place to see abundant wildlife.

Animals you might see during a visit to Mikumi include lions, zebras, impala, buffalo, wildebeest, kudu, giraffe, elephants, baboons, and elands – the biggest antelope in the world. There have also been more than 400 bird species seen in the park, including lilac-breasted rollers, bateleur eagles, and yellow-throated longclaws.

There are few mountains more iconic than Africa’s tallest peak. Mount Kilimanjaro has attracted authors, adventurers, travelers and thrill seekers for hundreds of year, promising a challenging climb and unprecedented views. With a summit that measures an impressive 19,341 feet and transitions through some five different climate zones, the snow-capped peak offers travelers a serious sense of accomplishment and an incredibly memorable African experience.

A network of seven official trekking routes wind up and down Kilimanjaro. Travelers agree that Machame—one of the most challenging routes—is the most scenic. Rongai, a less scenic but much easier pass, is accessible to hikers of all levels. Still, steep climbs, changing elevation and unpredictable weather can make reaching the summit a test for almost anyone. Those tight on time may not be able to climb Kilimanjaro’s peak, but they can still visit the base camp in the municipality of Moshi.

Tanzania’s oldest and most iconic reserve, Serengeti National Park is a bucket list stop for any wildlife lover. Its 12,000-square-mile (30,000-square-kilometer) savannah is home to the highest concentration of large mammals on earth, including more than 2,500 lions and the rest of Africa’s Big Five game, plus 500 unique bird species.

Eager trekkers embarking on Mount Kilimanjaro’s less strenuous route will likely find themselves in the market town of Marangu on the eastern side of this iconic mountain. Its surrounding area is filled with lush green forests, incredible waterfalls, well-worn walking paths and quiet local farms that offer a taste of life in the Tanzanian hillside.

Travelers to Marangu will likely get an up-close look at local mountain culture in addition to some pretty spectacular scenery, but visitors agree that with thousands of travelers passing through this remote destination each year, the impact of tourism is increasingly noticeable–especially in the rising local prices. Still, the town's breathtaking beauty and close proximity to Africa’s highest peak make it an ideal stop for travelers looking to summit Mount Kilimanjaro or experience the beauty of rural Tanzania.

This ancient palace on the western shores of Zanzibar was the birthplace of the late princess Salme and today is among the top destinations for travelers to the island. Travelers can tour the grounds aboard a traditional donkey cart and wander through the Persian baths, main palace and beautiful botanical gardens.

Though this ancient structure is in ruins, Mtoni Palace provides visitors with a look into the Arabian royal past that played such an important role in the development of Zanzibar. Visitors can wander through what remains of the old reception hall and trace the Omani family footsteps through the palace garden, palace baths and remnant of the royal courtyard.

Located in southeastern Tanzania, Udzungwa Mountains National Park is a lush area that's rich with wildlife. It is near both Mikumi National Park and Selous Game Reserve, the largest game reserve in Africa, and has one of the highest rates of biodiversity anywhere in Africa, with several different landscapes inside the park's borders that serve as home to hundreds of species.

Two of the six primate species in Udzungwa are only found there – the Iringa Red Colobus and Sanje Crested Mangabey. The park sustains more than 400 bird species, including four that occur nowhere else in the world.

A trip to Tanzania puts travelers face-to-face with beautiful beaches, exciting cultures and incredible African wildlife. But a visit to Amani Children’s Home, just outside of Moshi, offers a unique opportunity for travelers to connect with some of the people who make this country so unique—children.

Since 2001 Amani has been providing food, shelter, education, medical care and counseling to Tanzania youth left homeless due to poverty and HIV/AIDS. The cheerful yellow building with a bright green roof typically houses between 70 and 100 kids, making it the perfect place to spend a day—or even a week—volunteering time, services or material goods for a greater cause with the breathtaking backdrop of the Tanzanian countryside.

Small scale farms, lush banana fields and traditional mountain homesteads give this peri-urban town in near Arusha its distinct character. Travelers can visit old-world coffee farms and learn about the local production of this popular beverage or canoe out into Lake Duluti—a volcanic lake at the foothills of Mount Meru that’s home to some of the nation’s best fishing and bird watching. Several primary and secondary schools welcome travelers interested in learning more about Tengeru educational practices and even offer multi-day volunteer experiences for adventurers looking to give back to the communities surrounding Mount Kilimanjaro.

This traditional African market is one of the largest and busiest in all of Zanzibar. Local Tanzanians wander the streets as the sun rises—or hop aboard rusty metal bikes just after the call to prayer—to collect fruits, vegetables and other family essentials well before the day kicks off.

Travelers can explore dozens of vendor stalls where cheap produce, fresh meats, dried maize meal, local crafts and inexpensive imported clothing line the narrow passes of this covered market. The thick smoke of cooking food mixes with dust, sweat and the sound of shouting voices, making a trip to Zanzibar’s Mwanakwerekwe Market a truly African experience.

Visitors to Mshiri Village can interact with the Chagga people and see first-hand the cultures and traditions of this mountain tribe. Travelers can wander the fertile fields of these traditional farmers and sample local foods cooked over a fire while they interact with residents of this rural Tanzanian escape. A walk through traditional thatched huts at Marangu Mtoni lets travelers connect with an age-old way of life that locals fear younger generations may never experience.

A tour of nearby Mshiri Vocational Training School puts visitors face-to-face with young artisans learning the age-old craft of woodworking through an innovative new community-based income-generating project. Travelers can purchase handmade items created by Vocational School students at the Village Crafts Shop and Café—a perfect keepsake for friends and family back home.