Top 6 Tourist Attractions in Tanzania: Tanzania, sometimes known as the United Republic of Tanzania, is a nation in Eastern Africa. Burundi, Rwanda, Malawi, Kenya, Uganda, Mozambique, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Comoros Islands, and the Indian Ocean border it. Mount Kilimanjaro (Africa’s tallest peak) is the country’s highest point.
Tanzania is home to some of the world’s oldest inhabited locations. Fossils going back over 2 million years have been uncovered at Olduvai Gorge. These early humans were later superseded by Khoisan-related hunters/gatherers in Southern Africa. Tribes from West Africa began moving and establishing in the area 2,000 years ago, following these early gatherers and hunters.
Arab and Persian tradesmen were the first outsiders (from outside Africa) to enter the nation. In 1498, they were joined by the first Europeans, led by the Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama. The Portuguese only stayed along the shore for a brief time before being forced away by the Arabs.
Later, Germany conquered the country before Britain gained control during World War I. During this period, the Indian Ocean islands such as Zanzibar were administered individually. When Tanzania gained independence in 1964, it joined with the Zanzibar archipelago to establish the United Republic of Tanzania.
Tanzania today has over 56 million people and 120 ethnic groupings. Although each of these ethnic groups speaks their own language, their mastery of Swahili unites them. Swahili is utilized as a communication language in lower courts, basic schools, and legislative discussions.
English is mostly utilized in diplomacy, overseas trade, higher courts, and secondary/higher education institutions. Dodoma is the capital, while Dar es Salaam is by far the biggest city. It is the country’s business and cultural center, as well as the location of the majority of government offices.
There are 17 national parks, 40 reserves, and many marine parks in the country. Tanzania is one of Africa’s top four safari destinations. Although Kenya receives more attention as a safari destination, Tanzania is unique and outstanding in terms of variety.
Tanzania provides unparalleled cultural experiences, stunning landscapes, beaches, and animal encounters. Tanzania offers it all, from the spectacular wildebeest migration in the Serengeti to the exotic beaches of Zanzibar.
Top 6 Tourist Attractions in Tanzania.
- Serengeti National Park.
Tanzania’s most famous tourist destination is undoubtedly the Serengeti National Park. It is part of a larger ecosystem that encompasses Kenya’s Simiyu and Mara areas. Acacia trees, savanna grasslands, woods, and tiny forests make up the park. The Great Migration occurs once a year. Tanzania has several incredible activities.
One of the world’s finest wildlife spectacles may be found both within and beyond the Serengeti. Over 1 million wildebeest and 250,000 zebras migrate through the Serengeti and then across the Mara River to Kenya during this migration. They face several hurdles, including crossing crocodile-infested rivers and lion areas.
Elephants, buffaloes, cheetahs, giraffes, impalas, hyenas, eland, gazelle, ostriches, and wild dogs may all be seen when on safari in the Serengeti. If you can afford it, go for the hot air balloon ride. Because the animals migrate so much during the dry season, it is critical to arrange your trip for certain months. A professional tour operator will advise you on the ideal time to visit and what to bring with you.
- Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
The Ngorongoro Conservation Area is located adjacent to the Serengeti and 180 kilometers from Arusha. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the world’s top ten natural marvels. It was once part of the Serengeti National Park, but it was decided to administer it as a distinct wildlife conservation area.
The reserve’s main attraction is a massive volcanic caldera/crater that functions as a natural cage, keeping much of Africa’s famed species together. Because of this protective barrier and year-round water, the animals in this area do not move as often as those in the Serengeti.
Throughout the year, visitors may expect to see them. Lions, black rhinos, leopards, elephants, flamingos, and buffaloes are among the species to keep an eye out for. Forests, shrubs, Savannah grasslands, volcanic features, and salty lakes dot the diversified terrain. The government has enabled Masai tribesmen to continue living and caring for their livestock within the conservation area, giving tourists the opportunity to interact with them.
- Oldupai Gorge
The Olduvai Gorge is part of the larger Ngorongoro Conservation Area. It is where some of the oldest human fossils were discovered. As a result, it is frequently referred to as the “cradle of mankind.” The site is built on a network of fault lines that have been exposed by erosion, allowing scientists to dig millions of years’ ancient fossils. A German professor discovered the first fossil in 1911 while hunting for butterflies in the region. Later, the Leakey family conducted more extensive studies in the region, unearthing bones and skull parts estimated to be 2 million years old.
Dr. Leakey also discovered hunting weapons and other items estimated to be 1 to 1.5 million years old. The footprints of a lady, man, and kid, thought to be over 1 million years old, were perhaps the most significant discovery. These artifacts and bones provide sufficient evidence that some of the earliest known people lived in Olduvai Gorge and, indeed, Tanzania.
- Tarangire National Park.
Tarangire National Park is Tanzania’s sixth biggest. It has a total size of around 2,850 square kilometers. The Tarangire River, which runs through the park and serves as a vital supply of water for the animals, especially during the dry season, gave the park its name. One notable aspect of the park includes an ancient baobab tree and several termite mounds. Despite being smaller than Ruaha, the park draws about the same amount of tourists because to its proximity to Kenya’s Serengeti, Ngorongoro crater, and Masai Mara. Tarangire features one of Africa’s greatest elephant populations and is home to tree climbing lions. Expect to see impala, giraffe, zebras, and wildebeest in addition to lions and elephants.
Tarangire National Park has approximately 550 bird species, making it a birder’s delight. Thousands of birds and animals from other surrounding parks, particularly the Manyara National Park, visit the park during the dry season. At the peak of the migration, the number of elephants can match that of any other place on the planet.
- Lake Manyara National Park
This park is located near the city of Arusha. The park encompasses 330 square kilometers of water and woodland. Lake Manyara is a major attraction in the park. The soda/alkaline lake is regarded as one of the top birding locations in East Africa.
During the wet season, nearly 300 species of migratory birds, including flamingos, visit the lake. During the dry season, when the lake begins to lose water due to evaporation, many of the birds leave. However, flocks of flamingos and resident animals persist. Hippos, elephants, giraffes, and wildebeest may all be seen.
The unique tree climbing lions of Lake Manyara are one of the park’s most popular attractions. It’s unusual to see lions ascending while resting on top of acacia trees. Only in Uganda’s Queen Elizabeth National Park and South Africa’s Kruger National Park can you observe tree climbing lions.
Safaris to the Serengeti or Ngorongoro crater are frequently paired with a visit to Lake Manyara to provide guests with the opportunity to see animals in both a lake and a tropical forest setting.
- Zanzibar
Zanzibar is a group of islands off the coast of Tanzania in the Indian Ocean. Its capital is Zanzibar, which is located on the main island of Unguja. Zanzibar is a semi-autonomous island that has a distinct cultural legacy stretching back to the early ages. During the centuries of Arab control, it was an important commerce center connecting the islands to the mainland
The stunning white sand beaches and Stone Town are the main tourist attractions of Zanzibar. Stone Town is home to some of Tanzania’s most important cultural and historical landmarks, some of which date back to the early 15th century. Expect to walk through tiny passageways and see historic mosques, the former Sultan’s palace, traditional dwellings, and much more on a tour of Stone Town.
In summary; To enter Tanzania, you’ll most likely need to fly into one of the country’s two main airports, Kilimanjaro International Airport or Julius Nyerere International Airport. Once in the country, you may take a bus or rail from any major city to any other location.
If you arrive in Kenya, you may take a bus from Nairobi to Arusha and then visit national parks such as the Serengeti. The best way to go around a town or city is to take a private cab or a tiny bus known as a Dalla-Dalla. These can stop wherever and have no set timetables or passenger capacity.
