Tanzania Trips & Travel

Ultimate Guide for Booking Tanzania Trips & Travel Holidays

Tanzania is found in East Africa within the Great lakes region bordered by Mozambique, Uganda, Kenya, Indian ocean,  Rwanda, Burundi, Malawi, Zambia and The Democratic Republic of Congo. Tanzania is one of the oldest continuously inhabited areas on earth this is evident by remains of humans and hominids dating back to quaternary era.

About Tanzania Travel

Over the years, Tanzania has been one of the best safari destinations in the whole world because of being home to some of the best national parks in Africa and home to the highest mountain in the continent and highest free standing mountain in the world.

The unique tree climbing lions can only be found in two places in the world and one of those is Tarangire national park in Tanzania.  Lake Tanganyika found in Tanzania is also the second deepest lake in the world by volume holding 8% of the world’s fresh water boasting with 500 species of fish.

The Ngorongoro conservation area has one of the densest population of wildlife in the world while the splendid Serengeti national park hosts the great Wildebeests migration that is one of the world’s wildlife natural wonders.

About 30% area land in Tanzania is made up of conservation areas

Why Travel to Tanzania for a Tour

Abundant wildlife

Tanzania is hosts 22 national parks and 17 game reserves offering tourists with unforgettable experiences. In most cases, tourists will not fail to see the big five in Tanzanian parks making giving it a top choice for most travelers who want  to explore the African wilderness.

Birder’s paradise

Tanzania is a birding destination with about 1166 species of birds found in the country 29 of these are endemic to Tanzania. Some of the examples of birds found in the country include; marabou stork, kori bustard, African grey hornbill, African fish eagle, rufous tailed weaver, Tanzania seedeater, Tanzania red billed hornbill, common teal, spur winged goose, white backed duck, Masai ostrich, secretary bird, silvery cheeked hornbill, African jacana, red capped lark, common quail, spotted ground thrush, pemba green pigeon, east coast akalats,  pemba white eye, maccoa duck, vulturine Guinea fowl, yellow throated sand grouse,  bare faced go away bird, grey crested helmet shrike and many others.

Africa’s highest mountain

Tanzania is home to the highest mountain in Africa and its every traveler’s dream to hike and climb mount Kilimanjaro.   Tourists can also climb the neighboring Mount Meru.

Top Tanzania Tour Activities

Mountain climbing and hiking

Tanzania is renown as one of the best mountaineering destination in the world because it hosts the highest mountain in Africa but there are also other mountains to climb while in the country like; mount Meru, mount Ol Donyo Lengai, Usambara mountains, Udzungwa mountains, Mahale mountains and Rungwe mountains among the rest.

Wildlife watching

For a thrilling wilderness experience in the world look no further than Tanzania. The country’s  national parks offer thrilling wildlife watching opportunities to visitors and wildlife can be watched while on a game drive, on foot, on boat trips or by taking hot air balloon safaris.

Birding

Tanzania is home to over 1000 species of birds recorded with some parks boasting with over 600 species of birds recorded. You can book a trip to the country for birding but should be around November to April when migratory birds are present.

Visit Zanzibar

Zanzibar often known as spice islands is an archipelago of Tanzania at the Indian ocean, the island offers a lot of tourism activities making it one of the top tourism destinations in Tanzania.  You can do activities such as; snorkeling, scuba diving, water skiing, windsurfing,  swimming, sun bathing, visit spice islands, explore stone town, visit Chakwa Bay national park and so much more.

When to visit Tanzania for a Travel Holiday

Tanzania’s tropical climate makes its favourable to visit the country any time of the year although some months are more excellent than others. The best time to visit Tanzania for wildlife watching and mountain climbing is during the two dry seasons of June to September and December to February when the roads are in good condition and wildlife watching is easier since they concentrate on water points in the parks.

The best time for bird watching in Tanzania is from November to April when migratory birds are present in the country and this also the best time for photographing.

Tanzania National parks & Travel Destinations

Ugalla  river national park

Ugalla river national park is one of the currently established national parks in Tanzania. The park was established in 2019 after separating part of Ugalla game reserve, it covers an area of 3866 kilometers squared renamed after the Ugalla river found in the park.

Serengeti national park

Serengeti national park is found at the border of Tanzania and Kenya.  It’s one of the most famous national parks in the country renowned for its annual wildebeests migration. During the migration every year, about 1.5 million wildebeests,  250,000 zebras, hundreds of thompson’s and grant’s gazelle travel from around ndutu plains of Ngorongoro conservation area through Serengeti plains to Masai Mara game reserve in Kenya.

Saadani national park

Saadani national park is located in Tanga region of Tanzania covering an area of 1062 kilometres squared, the park was formed after communities surrounding Zaraninge forest, Mkwaja ranch area, Wami river and Saadani game reserve called upon Tanzania wildlife division to upgrade the areas to a national park due to increased poaching in the area.

Gombe stream national park

Gombe stream national park is one of the smallest parks found in Tanzania covering an area of only 3t kilometres squared.  This is one of the parks where Jane Goodhall did research and study for chimpanzees. Gombe stream is one of the only national parks where you can see chimpanzees in Tanzania.

Ibanda Kyerwa national park

Ibanda Kyerwa national park was first gazetted as a game reserve in 1974 and later upgraded to a national park in 2019. This is one of the national parks with beautiful sunrises and sunsets in the country recommended for photography.

Katavi national park

Katavi national park is one the largest national parks in Tanzania created in 1974, this is one of the least visited national parks in the country and ideal place for travellers who don’t love crowds, its home to Lake Chada and Lake Katavi.

Kigosi national park

Kigosi national park covers part of the largest wetland complex areas in East Africa. The park was established in 2019 covering an area of 8265 kilometers squared. Kigosi is home to the rare shoebill stork, cape clawless otters, pygmy geese and so much more.

Nyerere national park

Nyerere national park is the largest national park in Tanzania formerly known as Selous game reserve. It was formerly named after Frederick  Selous a former bog game hunter who later became a conservationists, the park was later renamed after Tanzania’s first president Nyerere.

Ruaha national park

Ruaha national park was first gazetted as Saba game reserve in 1910 by German colonialists, in 1946, British colonialists changed the name to Rungwa game reserve, the park was given a national park status in 1964. Ruaha national park has been considered a lion conservation university since 2005.

Udzungwa mountains national park

The unique Udzungwa national park is home to about 2500 species of plants, 6 species of primates and over 400 species of birds recorded. The Sanjey crested mangabey and iringa red colobus are endemic to Udzunga mountains national park.

Tarangire national park

Tarangire national park is named after Tarangire river that crosses park and acts as the only permanent water source during the dry season, zebras, wildebeests and several animals migrate to the park in search of water at Tarangire river.

Saanane island national park

Saanane island national park is located on an island in lake Victoria named after a local fisherman that lived on the island. The island is home to several species of birds, mammals and primates. Saanane island can be reached by a boat from TANAPA offices in Mwanza town.

Rubondo island national park

Rubondo island national park is one of the only two national parks found on an island in Tanzania. The park is an ideal destination for bird enthusiasts and those who love sport fishing. Chimpanzees were introduced on the island between 1966 and 1969.

Mahale mountains national park

Mahale mountains national park is located at the eastern shore of Lake Tanganyika. The park is one of the only two areas where tourists can see chimpanzees in Tanzania. There are no roads in Mahale national park therefore it can only be explored on foot or by boat on the lake.

Mikumi national park

Mikumi national park is located in Morogoro region of Tanzania crossed by the A-7 highway dividing the park into two distinctive environments, Mikumi national park landscapes and vegetation is similar to that of Serengeti.

Lake Manyara national park

Lake Manyara national park national park is renowned for its tree climbing lions only found in two places in the world, the other park being Queen Elizabeth national park in Uganda.  The park is teemed up with wildlife, scenic landscapes and the beautiful lake Manyara famous for famous for stunning sunsets and sunrises.

Kitulo national park

Kitulo national park is found at the southern islands in Tanzania. It’s one of Africa’s national parks established to mainly protect its flora often referred by locals as “Bustani ya Mungu” translated to mean garden of God due to its outstanding beauty.

Kilimanjaro national park

Kilimanjaro national park is one of the most visited national parks in Tanzania hosting the highest mountain in the African continent. The main activity done at the park is mountain climbing and hiking. There are seven different routes tourists can use to climb mount Kilimanjaro and these are; Lemosho route, Machame route, Northern circuit route, Marangu route, Umbwe route, Shira route and Rongai route.  Tourists visiting Kilimanjaro national park can access the park by flying to Nyerere national park then drive to Kilimanjaro or they can directly fly to Kilimanjaro international airport or Arusha airport.

Mkomazi national park

Mkomazi national park was established in 2006 covering an area of 3234 kilometers squared, its one of the best national parks for wildlife viewing being in conjunction with Kenya’s Tsavo west national park. There are 78 species of mammals in Mkomazi national park and tourists can see black wildlife such as; rhinos, generuk, giraffe,  hartebeests,  buffalos, grant’s gazelles,  impalas,  elands, lesser kudus and so many others

Mkomazi national park is also a birders paradise with over 450 species of birds recorded in the park. Some of the species of birds in the park are; red fronted warbler, vulturine Guinea fowl,  kori bustard, bare eyed thrush, violet hood hoopoe, white headed mouse bird and secretary bird to mention a few.

Getting a Visa to Tanzania

Before applying for a Tanzanian visa, you must know the exact type of visa you wish to obtain. There are different types of visas, check of your country is on the list of countries that don’t require a visa to enter Tanzania or if you’re country is  among those that require special approval by the Tanzania commissioner general of Immigration.

Tourists who would like to obtain a Tanzanian visa can apply for an online visa, visit the visa immigration office on the internet,  fill the visa application form, make payments and submit your application online.

Applicants will be informed through their provided email addresses whether their applications have been accepted nor rejected.

Most popular Travel Destinations in Tanzania

Serengeti national park

Serengeti national park is the most popular park in Tanzania famous for being one of the seven natural wonders in the world. Serengeti is not only famous for the great Wildebeests migration which is one of the outstanding wildlife shows on earth but the park is home to the big African 5 and provides visitors with excellent wildlife viewing opportunities as well as bird watching.

Kilimanjaro national park

Kilimanjaro national park is one of the most visited and famous parks in the country,  its home to the highest free standing mountain in the world as well as the highest mountain in the African continent. Kilimanjaro national park receives over 50,000 tourists in a year and most of these come to do mountain climbing. This has created job for thousands of people in Kilimanjaro region like guides, potters and safari companies.

Travel Safety in Tanzania

Tanzania is a safe country to visit but nevertheless, minor crimes can still happen like pickpocketing, theft and break-ins. All tourists should exercise personal safety measures while in the country. The people are very warm welcoming and friendly. Tourists should avoid congested areas in the cities, should not leave their belongings unattended, should not move alone at night or wander alone in national parks.

Tanzanian People & Culture

The people in Tanzania form diverse mix with over 120 tribes and languages spoken in the country which fall into 4 main categories that is; Cushite, Nilo- Hamite, Bantu and San. The early inhabitants of Tanzania were hunter gatherers until 1000BCE when agriculturalists and pastoralists Cushites migrated in the area from Ethiopia, about 500 CE, iron using bantu tribes came in to the country and hunter gatherers were introduced to agriculture, use of tools and pastoralism. The colonial times saw the migration of some Europeans and Asians in the country a d their numbers are also quite large especially at the coastal areas where they practiced trade.

Tanzania doesn’t have one culturally dominant group, over 120 tribes means diverse cultural beliefs and traditions. Most of these tribes can be visited while on a safari in Tanzania and you can learn more about their day to day live and culture.