Best Things to Do in Tanzania
Defining what to do in Tanzania is essential to planning the best itinerary for this country with its incredible natural beauty and many activities for tourists looking for this destination.
In addition to the diverse safari options, there are cultural tours, the paradisiacal beaches on the island of Zanzibar, and even Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest peak in Africa. Anyway, there is a lot to do in Tanzania.
The high season is during the summer months, between June and November, as there is very little rain, the sky is always clear, and many travelers tour Tanzania.
Tourists from all over the world come to Tanzania looking for cool things to do, like climbing Kilimanjaro, relaxing on the beaches of Zanzibar, or going on a safari in search of migratory movements in Serengeti National Park.
During the rains, there are almost no tourists, which can be a good way to bargain and travel cheaper. It’s also a hassle, as the street vendors will pick on you even more. April and May are the months with the highest concentration of rain. In this article, I will tell you the best things to do in Tanzania according to my experience in the country.
What to visit in Tanzania: 6 main tourist places
There are so many cool things to do in Tanzania that even visiting the country countless times, it would be almost impossible to see everything.
But don’t worry, because I’ve brought you a list of suggested places to go for the first time in Tanzania, helping you organize everything you need to do:
Dar Es Salaam
Dar Es Salam is the largest city in Tanzania, but I only used it because it received international flights. I decided to stay away from the center, as I already knew that the city does not offer good options for tourism, being just a bridge to Arusha, the city where most Safaris depart. It is also the port for boats heading to the islands of Pemba and Zanzibar.
During my trips around the world, I always preferred to stay in hostels; the best value for money I found was Friendly Gecko. But there are dozens of hotel options in Dar Es Salaam.
Arusha, the base city for safaris
Arusha is the most touristic city, as it is located very close to Mount Kilimanjaro and also close to the main national parks, making it the most important region for those looking for the best things to do in Tanzania.
Several travel agencies ended up establishing their headquarters in Arusha to meet the demand of travelers who intend to trek and climb Kilimanjaro, as well as those who travel to Tanzania and want to participate in a safari there. In addition, there are tours to learn about the culture of the local population.
Because it is very touristy, Arusha also has its drawbacks. Throughout the city, street vendors don’t leave tourists’ side, which is really a nuisance.
It is impossible to stop anywhere without having 3 or 4 insistent salespeople showing their products and trying to earn commission by selling safaris.
*Tip: never ask or tell anyone that you are looking for a safari agency. Book in advance online.
The paradisiacal island of Zanzibar
The island of Zanzibar is one of Tanzania’s main tourist destinations in the summer months, mainly between June and August. The island is full of tourists in search of its paradisiacal beaches and great diving options.
Furthermore, Zanzibar is also very popular with kite surfers, as it is very windy in the summer. For those who choose Zanzibar as a holiday destination, they also have the option of doing various types of activities.
It is possible to swim with dolphins, visit the monkey forest, the turtle sanctuary and even taste African flavors on a special tour of the flavors of Tanzania, a tour to learn about the main spices used in local cuisine.
Serengeti National Park
Serengeti National Park is considered a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Located between Tanzania and Kenya, it is 13 thousand square kilometers.
You will be able to see lions, elephants, zebras, hippos and other fantastic wildlife. To give you an idea, there are more than 500 types of animals, as well as another 500 types of birds. To see most of this, book a 4-day safari at Serengeti and Ngorongoro Camping or a 2-night, 3-day safari.
Kilimanjaro National Park
Mount Kilimanjaro is the highest point in Africa, with an altitude of 5895 m. Considered a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, the inactive volcano is home to thousands of species of birds and other endangered animals. To take a Day Trip to Mount Kilimanjaro National Park, I suggest you plan for at least two full days and book a guided tour of its waterfalls or lakes.
Tarangire National Park
If you love elephants and dream of seeing the rhythm of their immigration, I suggest you get to know Tarangire National Park up close. You can take a day trip to Tarangire National Park or camp inside the park. It is an incredible opportunity to see the beautiful birds and animals that live in this region.
How many days to stay in Tanzania
There are a number of factors to consider when you are planning what to do in Tanzania. What is the ideal time to go, where is the best place to stay, among many others that you need to pay attention to when planning your itinerary.
When traveling through Africa, visiting Tanzania is almost mandatory. And knowing how many days to stay is essential to putting together the best itinerary possible.
Don’t plan less than five days; the ideal is to organize the best things to do in Tanzania in at least ten days so you can go on tours and safaris.
There is a lot to know, see, and explore, especially the beaches of Zanzibar, Serengeti National Park, and Kilimanjaro National Park. All this considered, here is an example of cool things to do in Tanzania in 5, 7, and 10 days.
What to do in Tanzania in 5 days
With my 10-day experience in Tanzania, I was able to enjoy the country a lot, despite realizing that it is possible to tour for longer in this beautiful East African country.
For the first five days of the itinerary, I recommend that you enjoy Zanzibar and its stunning natural beauty.
In addition to enjoying the white sand beaches and tasting the local cuisine, you can also take guided tours to tourist destinations in the surrounding area, such as this excursion to Prison Island and Nakupenda Beach, Tumbatu Island, or Kwale Island.
You can take the opportunity to take a city tour of Dar es Salaam, which receives many flights and is on the way between Zanzibar and other tourist places in Tanzania.
What to do in Tanzania in 7 days
From Zanzibar or Dar es Salaam, the tip is to follow the route to Arusha, which is in the north of Tanzania, on a journey of more than 10 hours by car.
From Arusha, it is possible to take several excursions, and for these first days, I recommend the closest tourist destinations.
The first one I recommend is this day trip to Mount Kilimanjaro National Park, which allows you to quickly discover the highest mountain in Africa, with the comfort of round-trip transfer and lunch included.
Another tip is Moshi, which is just 80 km from Arusha and from where you can take this day trip to the Chemka hot springs, one of Tanzania’s most incredible destinations for tourism.
What to do in Tanzania in 10 days
For the following days in the country, I recommend that you continue with Arusha as your base, as the two tourist places I recommend are far from each other and I consider it more practical to stay in the same city.
The order of which one to visit first doesn’t make any difference, but you can continue the itinerary with this full-day safari in Tarangire National Park, which is 171 km south of Arusha and this activity is one of those things to do in Tanzania you can’t miss.
After all, you will get to know local species in their natural habitat, in a park with spectacular scenery. It is one of the best experiences that tourism in Africa can offer.
Finally, Serengeti Park is the essential destination missing from this trip. It is 382 km from Arusha, and hiring a guided tour is certainly the safest and most comfortable way to make this journey.
To have a different experience compared to Tarangire, I recommend that you take one of the most perfect tours for a honeymoon in Africa.
You can also enjoy the Sunrise Balloon Safari in Serengeti Park, which allows you, for 1 hour, to fly over all the natural beauty to discover the local biodiversity. Without a doubt, a tour of Tanzania is a spectacular experience!
How much do tickets cost in Tanzania?
The cost of taking tours in Tanzania depends on the type of tour, the duration, and the number of people in your group.
If you want to go on foot, on a guided tour known as a free walking tour, you will pay less than if you choose a bus or bicycle tour. If you are traveling with your family or friends, it is worth booking private tours to share the costs and have more privacy and even flexibility in the duration of each tourist attraction.
Entrance prices for attractions and tours vary depending on the type of tour. You can find great deals by shopping online, so I recommend organizing activities in advance, especially as tickets for the main attractions may become unavailable.
Furthermore, booking your tours abroad in advance relieves your travel budget, as you can purchase them with a credit card and pay for them.
Tip: book a guided tour for your first day in Tanzania, as a guide will tell you about all the unmissable places to visit during the rest of your trip. It’s a great way to get an overview of the place and readjust some points in your itinerary.
Means of transport to travel around Tanzania
Private transfers | A very practical and comfortable way to get around is through transfers between cities in Tanzania, as with them you can travel after disembarking to the destination you want to visit.
Car rental | If you land in Zanzibar or Dar es Salaam, you can also rent a car at Tanzania airports and drive around the country to explore it at your own pace.
Traveling by bus | Bus schedules in Tanzania are rarely kept. Long delays can happen, but it is certainly the cheapest way to travel around Tanzania. In the low season, between December and May, it may be the only option, as airlines reduce the number of flights in addition to raising prices.
Traveling by plane | Commercial flights between cities in Tanzania are operated only by small airlines. The main routes are between Dar Es Salam, Zanzibar, Arusha, and Kilimanjaro, the largest city and the three main tourist destinations in the country.
Travel by boat | Trips and boat tours around Tanzania are excellent, connecting Dar Es Salam and the islands of Zanzibar and Pemba. It is also possible to go to Mombasa, the capital of Kenya. The only drawback is the fares, which start at US$40.00 (May/2012). Two companies offer the service: Fast Ferries and Azam Marine.
Also Read: Best Beaches in Kenya
Final tips on the best things to do in Tanzania
Personally, I wish I had more time to explore the charms of this sought-after African country. I would have liked to have stayed longer on the islands bathed by the Indian Ocean, more days in the savannahs chasing animals, and even had the courage to face the climb to the top of Kilimanjaro.
Maybe 20 days would have been enough, as tourism in Tanzania is something that the more time you have, the better. There are many attractions for tourism.
Another tip is to book the hotel – or hotels – where you want to stay. With good research, you can save on daily rates and have good accommodation in the country.
And, lastly, and no less important, buy your cell phone chip with the internet to use a lot in Tanzania, especially when researching your itinerary and to maintain instant communication!
