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Among travelers who are fond of adventure activities, Tanzania is a very popular destination. After all, here is Kilimanjaro, one of the most spectacular mountains in the world, as well as the Serengeti Park or the Ngorongoro conservation area, a space where species such as elephants, lions, leopards, buffaloes and rhinos live.
However, Tanzania is more than a destination to discover African wildlife and landscapes. Visiting this country is an opportunity to know the essence of Tanzania, its culture and gastronomy through a tour of its villages. What to do during a trip to Tanzania?
Kilimanjaro National Park
Located in northern Tanzania along the Kenyan border, Mount Kilimanjaro was an ancient volcano that is currently the highest point on the continent with an altitude of 5.895 meters. With its summit covered in snow, it rises in the middle of a plain of the savannah offering a unique spectacle.
Climbing to the top of Kilimanjaro is one of the best things to do in Tanzania if you are passionate about mountaineering and are in good physical condition. The route lasts between 5 and 7 days and is said to be one of the most accessible peaks in the world despite being the highest mountain in Africa. That is why every year more than 20.000 people try to crown Kilimanjaro by taking one of the routes enabled for it.
Ngorongoro Conservation Zone
Located between the Serengeti and Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro It is not a National Park but a Conservation Area, which means that the flora and fauna of the area are protected as well as the Maasai and their herds who live here.
The Ngorongoro is one of the largest volcanic calderas in the world and its landscape is impressive. In the heart of the crater of an extinct volcano coexist several ecosystems such as forests, savannah, swamps or marshes where animals live in total freedom.
Any traveler visiting Tanzania cannot leave without spending at least a day on a jeep safari or taking one of the Ngorongoro walking tours, some of them guided by members of the Maasai tribe. An unforgettable experience!
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Serengeti National Park
The Serengeti is possibly the most famous wildlife reserve in the world and any nature lover should visit it sometime in their life if they get the chance. In 1951 it was created in order to protect the phenomenon of the Great Migration, that is, when millions of herbivorous animals come to the Masai Mara in search of more fertile lands after traveling about 3.000 kilometers each year.
The Serengeti National Park is home to the so-called Big Five of hunting game (the lion, the leopard, the rhinoceros, the elephant and the buffalo) and many other species such as the cheetah, hyena or zebra. The Serengeti and the Great Migration phenomenon is Tanzania's main source of tourism and a great place to see wild animals.
It is advisable to at least plan a three-day visit to the Serengeti 3 days in it, since the park has 14.763 square kilometers of extension. One of the most unique experiences to live in this park is sleeping inside surrounded by lions, hyenas or buffalo. It is not a cheap plan but it is a memory difficult to forget.
Another of the most exclusive activities to do in the Serengeti is to fly over in a balloon this spectacle of nature has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1981.
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Zanzibar
Located in the Indian Ocean 36 kilometers off the coast of Tanzania, Zanzibar is a tropical island that has become the last stop for tourists to Tanzania for its impressive beaches and landscapes, either after going on a safari or as the culmination of the honeymoon.
Nautical activities can be enjoyed on the northern beaches of Zanzibar and there is a lot of atmosphere in the bars and restaurants along the coast. Nungwi Village is a visual spectacle for photography lovers. The east coast of the island is dedicated to young people while on the south coast are the most expensive and exclusive hotels and where you can find the best sunsets in Tanzania.
Stone Town is the capital of Tanzania and owes its name to the coral stone used to build the buildings. This city is a maze of narrow and dark streets declared a World Heritage Site that has lost a bit of luster after UNESCO stopped sending funds for its maintenance because the local authorities were embezzling them.
Much of Zanzibar is surrounded by coral reefs so dive centers and dive sites abound. The most popular is Mnemba, a 28 square km atoll off the east coast, with very clear waters and the possibility of encounters with turtles and dolphins, as well as countless reef species.