13 Incredible Places to Explore in Tanzania

From watching wildebeests and zebras sprint across Serengeti National Park during the Great Migration to climbing volcanoes and scaling Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania's top attractions are grand, striking, and awe-inspiring.

Whether you're camping and birdwatching or tracking the Big Five on safari, Tanzania's best spots are remarkable. While you’ll likely encounter the iconic Big Five, don’t forget to look for rare species like the African wild dog, green sea turtle, Egyptian vulture, and various antelope.

In addition to its breathtaking natural wonders, Tanzania features cities and towns rich in history, architecture, and delightful cuisine. The country is home to around 120 ethnic groups, including the Hadza in the north, the Iraqw of the Great Rift Valley, the Pimbwe of western Tanzania, and the Maasai in the Serengeti. While each group speaks its own language, Kiswahili serves as a unifying tongue for all Tanzanians.

With all this in mind, here are the top destinations to visit in Tanzania.

1. Serengeti National Park

The Maasai, who have inhabited this land for millennia, refer to this park as Siringet, meaning 'endless plains' in their language. Visitors to the Serengeti are treated to vast, lush landscapes dotted with acacia trees that stretch for miles. These plains are home to a complex ecosystem, featuring some of the richest biodiversity in Africa, including 450 bird species and 35 mammal types.

From May to September each year, more than two million wildebeest, antelope, and zebras embark on a migration from the Ndutu region in the southern part of the park to the Maasai Mara in Kenya. This breathtaking event is the largest terrestrial migration on Earth.

2. Dar-es-Salaam

Known colloquially as Dar, this city serves as Tanzania’s economic center. Most travelers will likely pass through for a night or two during their journey. The vibe in Dar is vibrant and fast-paced, with people constantly on the move. Start your adventure at the vast and lively Kariakoo Market, where you can find great deals on a variety of items. As you stroll around, a piece of fresh sugarcane can be a refreshing treat. Early risers should visit Kivukoni fish market at dawn to witness fishermen selling their fresh catch.

When the afternoon heat sets in, the nearby beaches beckon for a quick escape. The uninhabited islands of Mbudya and Bongoyo, just off the coast, offer lively beaches favored by locals. As night falls, experience Dar’s vibrant nightlife, with spots like Samaki Samaki on Haile Selassie St and Karambezi Cafe on Toure Dr providing the perfect ambiance to embrace the local rhythm.

3. Arusha

Although many travelers only spend a brief time in Arusha before heading to the northern safari circuit, don't overlook the charmingly rough-around-the-edges A-town. The Maasai Market is a great spot to spend a few hours and find unique souvenirs. Dubbed the 'Geneva of Africa,' this town boasts a delightful climate and a lush landscape that makes it perfect for walking, whether on a coffee tour or a hike to Chemka Hot Springs. For those seeking a quieter alternative to Kilimanjaro, the often-ignored Mt Meru looms majestically over the town, providing stunning views from the summit with far fewer crowds along the trails.

4. Lushoto

Nestled among the breathtaking Usambara Mountains in the northeast, Lushoto is a small town steeped in royal history. Once the kingdom of the Wasambaa people, established by King Mbega, the area retains its cultural roots, with descendants offering mountain hikes, visits to the stunning Kisasa waterfalls, and community tours through royal villages.

Just a few hours from Lushoto, Jiwe la Mungu, or God’s Stone, presents magnificent views of the verdant valleys that seem to intertwine like a hidden tapestry. While there are no direct flights to Lushoto, buses and flights pass through Tanga, where taxis or private transfers are readily available for the onward journey.

5. Tarangire National Park

Located just three hours from Arusha, Tarangire National Park features a significant population of elephants that journey inland towards Lake Manyara and Tarangire, both situated in the rain shadow of Ngorongoro. This movement highlights a fascinating aspect of Tanzania’s geography: natural corridors that enable elephants and other wildlife to migrate freely between parks.

The park is also renowned for its towering baobab trees, some of which may be hundreds or even thousands of years old. These iconic, majestic trees provide a habitat for leopards, baboons, and various other mammals that thrive among their branches.

6. Nyerere National Park (formerly Selous National Park)

Embark on a five-hour journey from Dar-es-Salaam to Nyerere National Park, Africa’s largest reserve. (The road is generally smooth, except for the last rugged stretch; a 4WD vehicle is essential.) Spanning nearly 31,000 sq km (11,970 sq miles), the park is home to massive herds of wildlife, including the Big Five and rare antelope species not commonly found in other parks, such as roan antelope, brindled gnu, Lichtenstein’s hartebeest, and sable.

Nyerere also boasts the largest concentration of endangered African wild dogs in the world, whose energetic hunting style provides an exhilarating game drive experience. Bird enthusiasts can spend hours observing various species among the trees and open landscapes. With its verdant scenery and the scenic Rufiji River winding through oxbow lakes, the park offers a photographer's paradise. Most visitors prefer to take a one-hour charter flight to various airstrips within the park for stunning aerial shots.

7. Lake Manyara National Park

Spanning just 650 sq km (251 sq miles), Lake Manyara National Park leaves a significant impression. Here, amidst buffalo, hippos, cheetahs, and giraffes, you’ll encounter the unique sight of tree-climbing lions. Bird enthusiasts can delight in spotting around 400 species, including the forest hornbill and pelican. On the highly alkaline waters of Lake Natron, thousands of lesser flamingos can be seen wading through the pink waters in search of food.

8. Zanzibar

The stunning beaches of the Zanzibar Archipelago are among the most beautiful in the world. Many visitors flock to Nungwi Beach in northern Unguja (commonly known as Zanzibar Island). If you prefer a quieter experience, consider Muyuni for dolphin sightings, Jambiani for kite surfing and parasailing, Paje for swimming, and Matemwe for diving or snorkeling.

To the north of Unguja lies Pemba Island, characterized by lush forests and pristine waters. Although the weather can be unpredictable, Misali and Vumawimbi Beaches provide exceptional diving and snorkeling experiences.

9. Gombe Stream National Park

Located just near the shores of Lake Tanganyika, Gombe Stream National Park gained fame through Jane Goodall’s extensive research on the local chimpanzee population. Her studies, spanning over forty years, are recognized as the longest running research on a single wild-animal population. In the compact (22 sq km/1 sq mile) landscapes of Gombe’s grasslands, woodlands, and dense rainforest, you can encounter red colobus monkeys, blue monkeys, olive baboons, and red-tailed monkeys alongside the chimps.

10. Stone Town

For over a millennium, Stone Town (also known as Zanzibar Town) flourished as a bustling trade hub, attracting merchants from distant lands like Persia, China, and Europe, who exchanged goods such as guns, textiles, minerals, and spices. Today, this vibrant history resonates in the narrow, cobblestone streets lined with Arab-style architecture, while the numerous mosques and traditional Islamic attire worn by locals highlight the significant influence of Islam on the island. Zanzibar also served as a major slave trading post, with a notorious market in Stone Town that operated until 1873. Prior to its closure, the trade of enslaved individuals here was among the most extensive in the world.

The diverse cuisine of Stone Town is a delightful blend of African, Indian, Arabic, and French influences. A must-do in Tanzania is to visit the nightly market at Forodhani Gardens, where you can sample local delicacies. Each dish is seasoned with spices that are still cultivated in the region today, which once established Stone Town as the globe’s largest spice market. To enrich your experience, consider hiring a guide to explore the layers of history that define Stone Town.

11. Ngorongoro Conservation Area

Adjacent to Serengeti National Park lies the UNESCO-listed Ngorongoro Conservation Area, a genuine natural gem renowned for its ecological significance and breathtaking landscapes. Formed millions of years ago by a series of volcanic eruptions, this vast crater now hosts the highest density of mammals on the planet. The ash fallout from these eruptions contributed to the formation of the Serengeti plains. During a single Land Rover journey across the crater, it’s possible to encounter up to 30,000 animals spanning various species, including lions, hyenas, cape buffalo, and majestic tuskers in the lush wetlands.

12. Mafia Island

Mafia Island, located north of Zanzibar, isn’t officially recognized as part of the territory, which might explain why many travelers overlook it. With its low tourism levels, those who do visit often call it Tanzania’s best-kept secret, boasting even finer white sands, clearer skies, and more captivating waters than Zanzibar. It is also home to the largest fish in the ocean, the whale shark, which you might spot gliding through the waters near Utende, Juani, Kitoni, or Bweni Beaches. At Ndagoni Beach, you might even see hippos lounging nearby.

13. Lake Tanganyika

Located on Tanzania's western border, Lake Tanganyika is the largest freshwater lake and the second-deepest lake worldwide, sustaining a thriving fishing industry that extends into Zambia, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Taking a dhow ride across its serene waters at sunset is a magical experience, with gentle breezes guiding you along. In the lakeside town of Kigoma, you can explore the bustling fish market or dive into a day of scuba diving. For a delightful stay, consider the Lake Tanganyika Hotel, situated right by the water. If you seek a more immersive experience, Lupita Island offers luxurious accommodations and a variety of activities such as snorkeling, hiking, kayaking, swimming, or fishing.