Attractions of Tanzania

Serengeti National Park

The Serengeti is the quintessential East African national park and perhaps the most famous, covering some 15,000 km² of savannah plains. The Serengeti boasts the largest concentration of plains game in Africa, with an estimated three million large animals, including some 2,500 lions. It is famous as the location of the annual migration of huge herds of wildebeest, zebras and gazelles as they travel between here and the Masai Mara in Kenya in search of fresh grazing lands, offering excellent chances to see kills by predators seeking nourishment of their own.

UNESCO World Heritage Site: Serengeti National Park

Ngorongoro Crater

The Ngorongoro Crater in northern Tanzania is one of the most unique and exciting wildlife reserves in Africa. Ngorongoro is actually a caldera, formed from a collapsed volcano millions of years ago, which now forms a huge natural amphitheatre with perhaps the greatest permanent concentration of wildlife in Africa. The crater's steep walls (over 600 metres high) enclose a vast space of 260 km² which includes open savannah, swamps, forests and the Lake Magadi soda lake, attracting flamingos and other water birds. Most large African animals are found in the crater (exceptions being giraffe and white rhino) and the crater's walls, balance of species and permanent water source mean they rarely leave. Of particular note are some 30 black rhino, the largest concentration left in Africa, and its famous lion population, though the 60 or so lions found there today are apparently suffering from the effects of inbreeding. Leopards, elephants, buffalo, hippos, hyenas and various prey species also call the Ngorongoro Crater home. You may also spot Maasai tribesmen lead their cattle down the crater walls - they have grazing and watering rights in the crater.

UNESCO World Heritage Site: Ngorongoro Conservation Area

Lake Manyara National Park is one of the smaller of Tanzania's parks but has a diverse scenery ranging from dense woodlands to mountains, grassy floodplains and of course Lake Manyara itself. The park is famous for its elephant population while the lake provides great opportunities for bird watching, with a wide range of species including a population of flamingos. In addition leopards and the elusive tree-climbing lions may be seen in the forests, while blue and vervet monkeys are found in the park's mahogany and sausage trees.

Tarangire National Park is located to the south of the Maasai lands and is an excellent wildlife destination away from the crowds visiting the northern parks. The Tarangire River which flows through the park provides a permanent water source, ensuring a large concentration of game during the dry season, in particular elephant, oryx, gazelles, Burchell's zebra and gerenuk antelope. In their wake come the predators, including wild dog and some 200 lions.

Mount Kilimanjaro

Mount Kilimanjaro is Africa's highest mountain. It is a magnificent site, rising out of the surrounding plains, encircled in mountain forest, with its snowy peak 5,895m above sea level. Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro is one of the great trekking challenges in the world. Though not requiring any specialist mountaineering skills, it is still a fairly arduous task, with oxygen levels at its peak only half those at sea level. The view from the top, with hundreds of miles of the plains of Tanzania and Kenya below you, make all the effort worthwhile though.

UNESCO World Heritage Site: Kilimanjaro National Park

The Usumbara Mountains rise out of the savannah across 100km of the Eastern Arc chain of Tanzania. The thickly forested lower slopes of the mountains for a unique biological ecosystem and offers good hiking opportunities and the chance to see species such as the Naduk eagle.

These rock shelters on the eastern slopes of the Masai escarpment have been used for rock paintings for two thousand years, displaying art that provides fascinating insights to the socio-economic structure and spiritual beliefs of the societies that have inhabited the region.

UNESCO World Heritage Site: Kondoa Rock-Art Sites

Mto Wa Mbu is a quaint town in the Ngorongoro highlands. Visits to nearby villages enable you to learn about various aspects of rural Tanzanian life and interact with the local people.

While not as big as Kilimanjaro in terms of height (at 4566m) or popularity, trekking Mount Meru provides a good acclimatisation for a subsequent climb of Kili as well as a worthwhile climb in itself. The summit provides magnificent views of the forest and plains below and Kili's peak in the distance.

Selous Game Reserve

Selous Game Reserve in southern Tanzania has excellent game viewing away from the crowds of the more popular and famous national parks further north, offering an authentic and untouched African safari rarely found today. At almost 55,000 km² it is the largest wildlife sanctuary in Africa, four times the size of the Serengeti. Selous is home to elephant, buffalo, rhino, giraffe, waterbuck, hippo, leopard and lion amongst other species as well as abundant birdlife.

UNESCO World Heritage Site: Selous Game Reserve

These are the remains of two great ports on small islands off the Tanzanian coast. Much of the Indian Ocean trade in gold, silver, pearls, perfumes, Arabian crockery, Persian earthenware and Chinese porcelain from the 13th to 16th centuries passed through these ports.

UNESCO World Heritage Site: Ruins of Kilwa Kisiwani and Ruins of Songo Mnara

Ruaha National Park

Ruaha National Park is Tanzania's second largest park and one of its wildest, receiving far fewer visitors than other reserves. The Great Ruaha River which flows through the park creates spectacular gorges and scenery and swarms with hippos and crocodiles. Ruaha is known for its huge herds of elephant and buffalo, as well as kudu, sable and roan antelope and waterbuck. Feasting on this game are leopards, lions, cheetahs and rare wild dogs.

Mikumi National Park in southern Tanzania offers opportunities to view hippos, elephants, buffalo and lions as well as eland, kudu and sable antelopes.

Mafia Island is one of Africa's most renowned diving and snorkelling locations, in addition to the pristine beaches and clear waters.

The Tanzam, or TAZARA, Railway was constructed between 1970 and 1975 to connect Zambia with the Tanzanian port of Dar es Salaam. Funded by China and constructed by 50,000 Tanzanians and 25,000 Chinese, the railway was designed to provide an export route for Zambian produce, particularly copper, and runs for 1,860km. Although it provided an economic stimulus to the region, the railway has suffered recently from competition from roads and the reorientation of Zambia's economic links towards South Africa and a financial crisis was recently only alleviated by a Chinese loan of $39m. The Tanzam is certainly not a tourist train and few travellers will choose to travel on this route - don't expect luxury but do expect frequent and lengthy delays. You will be rewarded however with a unique travel experience and the chance to view some spectacular scenery en route. It passes through Mikumi National Park and Selous Game Reserve where you are likely to see game such as elephant, giraffe and zebra from the train. The section between Mlimba and Makambako is the most dramatic - travelling through mountains, valleys and swamps required the construction of numerous tunnels and bridges, including the bridge across the Mpanga River which rests of three 50 metre pillars. Makambako is a busy transit town where the railway meets the Tanzania-Zambia Highway. Heading further south, the railway reaches Mbeya before crossing the border into Zambia where it ends at Kapiri Mposhi - here rails connections to Lusaka and Livingstone can be found.

Zanzibar

The exotic spice island of Zanzibar is one of the most evocative names in travel. Apart from Stone Town, the island comprises numerous spice plantations which can be visited with the chance to taste and buy numerous exotic spices. The island also has some of the most stunning beaches and waters you're ever likely to encounter with the chance to relax and view the marine wildlife by snorkelling or diving.

Stone Town

Stone Town on Zanzibar is a centuries old East African trading port. The town is a maze of narrow streets and passageways with the remains of beautiful homes built by Arab traders made rich by trading gold, ivory and slaves. Zanzibar was once the largest slave market on the east coast of Africa and the remains of the slave market can be visited, where a 19th century Anglican church now exists. Stone Town also has many quaint shops and bazaars, excellent for souvenir shopping and watching the dhow silhouettes in the sea at sunset is magical.

UNESCO World Heritage Site: Stone Town of Zanzibar