5 most visited sites in Tanzania
5 most visited sites in Tanzania : Tanzania is a country which is located in East Africa. There are a number of attractions found across the country which are visited every year by tourists.
These sites are found across the country in the northern part, southern, western and central parts of the country and also the coastal areas of Tanzania such as in Zanzibar. These destinations include the following;
- Serengeti national park
Serengeti national park is a safari destination which is found in the northern part of Tanzania. This national park is known for the wildebeest migration which takes place annually and is a popular tourist attraction in Tanzania.
The wildebeest migration in Serengeti national park follows a clockwise direction and the herds of wildebeests can be seen in different locations during the year such as from December to March in the southern plains, in May and April around the central part of Serengeti national park, June, July and August are known for the river crossings along the Grumeti river and the Mara river.
The big 5 which include elephants, lions, leopards, buffalos and rhinos are also among the wildlife attractions found in Serengeti national park which attracts many tourists to see these wildlife species. Other wildlife species in the national park include hippos, giraffes, zebras, impalas, gazelles, waterbucks, hartebeests, hyenas, warthogs, wildebeests and many others.
Activities which are carried out during a safari around the vast savannah plains of Serengeti national park include game drives, walking safaris, hot air balloon safaris and also bird watching experiences.
Serengeti national park can be accessed by flight and also by driving from Arusha town. The drive from Arusha to Serengeti national park takes about 7 to 8 hours. When traveling to Tanzania for a visit to Serengeti national park, you can book a flight to Kilimanjaro international airport.
- Mount Kilimanjaro
Mount Kilimanjaro is another destination of Tanzania which is visited by many tourists through the year.
Hiking to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro is the main activity which tourists engage in when they visit this destination. The mountain is part of Kilimanjaro national park found in the northern part of Tanzania.
Mount Kilimanjaro is the highest mountain in Africa and is also one of the seven summits of the world. There are different routes which hikers use to get to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro as they visit Tanzania and these include the Machame route, Marangu route, Shira route, Rongai route, Lemosho route, Umbwe route and the northern route.
The highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro is the Uhuru peak at 5895 meters. Mount Kilimanjaro is also snowcapped and there are 5 climatic zones on the mountain. It takes about 6 or more days to get to the summit of the mountain and descend when visiting Kilimanjaro.
When visiting Tanzania, Mount Kilimanjaro can be accessed by flying to Kilimanjaro international airport. Another way to get to the destination is by driving from Arusha or Moshi town which is found at the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro.
- Zanzibar island
Zanzibar island is another destination to add to your list when visiting Tanzania. The island is found off the East African coast.
This island is famous for its white sand beaches, beautiful views of the Indian ocean, cultural mix, spice farms, a variety of cuisines to choose from and also many activities to engage in during a tour to Zanzibar island.
A visit to Zanzibar island is perfect for a relaxing holiday under the shade of the palm trees that line the beaches. With the different luxurious resorts and ocean views, Zanzibar island creates a good atmosphere for a time away from crowds and city noise.
There are also a number of activities to choose from when visiting Zanzibar island and they include water based activities like boat rides, swimming, snorkeling, diving, beach walks. Other activities carried out on the island include stone town tours in the historic town at the heart of Zanzibar famous for its winding alleyways, historic buildings and also colorful bazaars.
Spice farms are also another reason to visit Zanzibar island which is also referred to as the spice island. There are also other attractions in Zanzibar including a national park (Jozani forest national park) which is home to red colobus monkeys which are endemic to the island.
Zanzibar island can be accessed by flights to Abeid Amani Karume international airport and also by ferry from Dar es Salaam.
- The Ngorongoro crater
Another destination which is visited by many tourists during their wildlife safaris in Tanzania is the Ngorongoro crater as also among the 5 most visited sites in Tanzania.
The Ngorongoro crater is found in the northern part of Tanzania and is home to numerous wildlife species including the big 5 such as elephants, lions, leopards, buffalos and rhinos. The Maasai also live around the Ngorongoro conservation area.
The crater was formed as a result of volcanic activity over 3 million years ago after the eruption of a volcano which collapsed forming the crater and the steep walls of this crater act as a natural barrier that keeps the different wildlife species such as zebras, lions, leopards, wildebeests,, antelopes, hippos, hartebeests, waterbucks, hyenas, warthogs, elands, impalas, kudu, dik dik among others in the crater.
Black rhinos are also among the wildlife species that can be seen on a safari around the Ngorongoro crater. Bird species like flamingos are also found in the Ngorongoro crater and the flocks of flamingos can be seen along the lake shores of Lake Magadi.
Safari activities carried out around the Ngorongoro conservation area include game drives, nature walks, bird watching and also cultural tours. The Ngorongoro crater can be accessed by driving from Arusha town and when planning to visit Ngorongoro during a trip to Tanzania, you can fly to Kilimanjaro international airport.
- Local villages
Apart from the different wildlife viewing destinations found across Tanzania, the country also has over 130 tribes and this has contributed to the thriving cultural tourism that takes place in Tanzania wildlife safaris.
Visits to these local villages around Tanzania involve engaging in a number of activities while getting to experience the day to day life of the locals such as tasting local foods and learning how to prepare the food, visiting the homesteads, watching traditional dance performances, and seeing local arts and crafts which are also sold by the locals.
These arts and crafts which are sold by the locals around Tanzania are a source of income which helps to improve their way of life. The Maasai are among the tribes that tourists interact with during their trips to Tanzania.
Visit Tanzania and enjoy exploring various sites across the country as you engage in a tour.
