11 Reasons Why You Should Visit Tanzania
The country of Tanzania is an adventurer's paradise. From safaris to mountain climbing and beyond, the great outdoors of Africa beckon. To those with a hardy spirit, this is the trip of a lifetime. Following are five things not to miss when visiting this country.
1. Mount Kilimanjaro
Often referred to as the roof of Africa, this mountain reaches an elevation of 19,340 feet (5,895 meters) and is the highest point on the continent. One of the coveted seven summits, it is arguably the easiest to climb. With no technical skills required, anyone with a good level of fitness and a strong will can stand on top the summit.
2. Serengeti National Park
Where would National Geographic or the wild kingdom be without the Serengeti? This national park more than any other is the signature of the continent and country. Although it reaches across national borders, Tanzania touts it as its most frequented tourist destination.
3. Lake Manyara National Park
This national park is often passed by in an effort to reach the Serengeti. For those who do stop, this smaller forested site brings the visitor up close and personal with all of the large mammals. In addition, the large lake is home to hundreds of thousands of birds, including the colorful pink flamingos that make their home here.
4. Ngorongoro Crater
This crater could easily be coined as The Land That Time Forgot. Only accessible by a steep drive down into the crater, the ancient volcanic cone forms a natural fence that keeps animals both in and out. Here, you can see a microcosm of Tanzania's wildlife. This is a close as you will come to a zoo without dividing barriers. It is most often visited to get glimpse of the black rhinoceros, and all of the other big five must-see mammals make their home here, as well.
5. Swahili People
Displayed on tourist brochures as often as the great sites of Africa, the people of the Swahili tribe have populated Tanzania and Central Africa for centuries. Today, these proud people most reflect the U.S.'s Native Americans prior to the gambling boom. Although many men and women have assimilated themselves into the country's mainstream, many still make their living herding cattle and goats. Villages abound throughout Tanzania and are open to visit. Most give a history of the tribe and their customs.
6. Zanzibar Beaches
Is a paradise known for its beaches. It’s the ultimate destination for beach lounging, sailing, and exploring the bustling capital of Stonetown. The white sand is an added bonus.
7.Maasai Cultural Tour
Living close to the game parks, the Maasai are a world-renowned tribe situated in northern Tanzania, known especially for their unique customs and dress. Although very little is known about the origins of the Maasai tribe, their family history spans over a 2,000 year period. Maasai village and cultural tours are available to allow tourists to experience the authentic lifestyle of the Maasai people whilst acting as a two-way learning experience. Whilst tours vary, most will include a night stay in a Maasai village, giving guests a chance to immerse themselves in this way of life.
8. Gombe Stream National Park
Gombe National Park, also sometimes called Gombe Stream National Park, is primarily for those who want to get a little off the beaten track and see chimpanzees. This is one of the smallest national parks in Tanzania and is famous for the work of Jane Goodall. This British researcher arrived in 1960 to study the wild chimpanzees and her work turned into what would become the longest running behavioral research program of its kind in the world.
Guided walks take visitors into the forest to observe chimps in the wild. Many species of primates and mammals live in the park. Over 200 bird species have been recorded in the tropical forest, including barbets, starlings, sunbirds, crowned eagle, kingfishers and the palm-nut vulture.
Hiking and swimming are other popular activities; a trail leads into the forest to a waterfall in the valley.
9. Visit the Olduvai Gorge
Oldepai Gorge is known as the cradle of civilization.
In the 1970's Mary and Louise Leakey discovered the existence of the first human species dating back 3 million years. This significant find established the fact that humans evolved in Africa.
10.Stone Town
Stone Town is the cultural heart of Zanzibar and little has changed in the last 200 years. The grand old Arabian homes lining the narrow streets and winding alleys give the city its own unique charm. The majority of homes in Stone Town were built in the 19th C when Zanzibar was one of the most important Swahili trading towns in the Indian Ocean. Visitors will notice the bras-studded, intricately carved wooden doors on many of the houses.
As the world's oldest functioning Swahili city, many of the landmarks in Stone Town have been restored to their original glory. Some of the historic buildings are now museums and tourist attractions. The town also has a couple of interesting old churches of historical significance.
A walk along Creek Road takes visitors to the original Stone Town area and the location of the Darajani Market, Beit el-Amani, City Hall, and the Anglican Cathedral. Some of the other key highlights include the Forodhani Gardens, the Old Dispensary with its carved wooden balconies, the former home of the sultans known as Beit el-Sahel or the People's Palace, the Hamamni Persian Baths built in 1888, and the oldest structure in Stone Town, the Old Fort.
11. The Great Migration
Africa is full of amazing wildlife experiences but one of the most spectacular to witness is the Great Migration. A once in a lifetime experience and on the bucket list of many a traveller to Africa, none can surpass this incredible spectacle: a million wildebeest crossing the plains of the Serengeti in search of fresh grass while braving predators and perilous river crossings.
To all who make the decision to visit Tanzania, I encourage you not to miss any of the above five. However, I would challenge you to explore this great country and develop a list of your own. Above all, bring a good camera and a sense of adventure!
