The East African country of Tanzania is most famous for the Serengeti. It’s a playground for a vast number of wildlife species and the backdrop to many fascinating wildlife documentaries. Animals roam freely through the golden grasslands and every year they create a breathtaking spectacle known as the Great Mammal Migration. It’s no wonder the Serengeti is a favourite among safari enthusiasts.

Another monumental landmark which attracts adventurous visitors from all around the globe is Mount Kilimanjaro. Mount Kilimanjaro is the highest mountain in Africa. While it’s by no means easy to scale its peaks, you can successfully climb Kilimanjaro if you have strength, grit and a fair share of training. Arguably the most popular mountain to climb in the world. With significant attractions, Tanzania has become a country for the curious, the daring, and those that take pleasure in witnessing the raw splendor of nature.

Although Tanzania boasts more than just a few natural phenomenons. Travelling to this country means immersing yourself in ‘otherworldly’ encounters. All of which will get you closer to nature in a way that you’ve unlikely experienced before. With a landscape so diverse, it’s possible to experience natural splendor that many search far and wide for. From flat lands, to giant mountain peaks to volcanoes and underground water caves. Tanzania is a country so unusual and unique. A place that will excite your senses and leave you with memories impossible to match.

We have listed our Tanzania Travel Tips with a few of the most unique experiences for your bucketlist:

Climb Mount Kilimanjaro

Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro is no easy feat, yet it’s possible to reach its peak without much mountaineering experience or advanced equipment. At 5.895 metres (19,341 feet) it stands as the highest peak in Africa. A summit of this mountain is a great achievement, offering a significant highlight and a story too great not to share. Yet, only 65% of climbers manage to reach the top. It’s thought that this could be due to not picking the right tour operator, climbing an unsuitable route, climbing at a less than favourable time of year, or failure to work on fitness and stamina.

Travel Tips:

Although it’s believed that climbing Mount Kilimanjaro is possible all year round, there’s no denying that some months are more pleasant than others. The ideal months to climb are from January to March and from June to October. January to March is cooler, but not overly cold and the routes are a lot less crowded. June to October is always slightly busier, though the weather is distinctly more comfortable. The months of April, May and November usually have heavy rainfall, making the trek a lot more challenging and even dangerous at parts.

Picking a route is yet another incredibly important step – and this decision has the power to seal your fate. There are seven routes to the summit, with some taking 5 days while others up to 10 days to summit. Though you may want to finish in the quickest possible time, it’s important to choose your route based on personal and technical factors. The longer routes have the highest success rate as you’ll ascend at a gradual rate, giving you more time to acclimatise. This, however, doesn’t mean they it’s any easier, but rather more comfortable.

Another tip is to work on your fitness and stamina. Though this is a walkable mountain, the strain brought on by altitude is astronomical and the only way to ensure success, is to be as physically and mentally prepared as possible.

Visit the Serengeti and witness the great mammal migration

The Serengeti is possibly the most well-known and the most popular national park in Africa. Here, the workings of nature play out like a real-life wildlife documentary, amidst a backdrop that seems too beautiful to be real. The golden grasslands shine in the sun, while the likes of lion, leopard, cheetah, elephant, giraffe and gazelle roam the open fields.

The Serengeti offers one of the best safari experiences on the continent and for good reason. Not only is it untouched and raw but the famous Great Migration plays out in this very location every year. Around 2 million mammals make their way from either the Masai Mara to the Serengeti, or vice versa (depending on the rainfall). Offering spectacular sights and game viewing delights. 

The best time of year to visit the Serengeti and experience the Mammal Migration is during the months of July to October. Although if you’re looking for an authentic African safari, the Serengeti is an absolute treat throughout the year. Safari tours through the Serengeti are sometimes a little pricey, yet there are affordable options to suit your Tanzania safari budget. African Overland Tours offer unbeatable safari tour prices, which include many other Tanzania highlights.

Pick from our budget safari tours through the Serengeti

Visit the oasis of the Ngorongoro Crater

The Ngorongoro Crater is yet another magnificent landmark, found in Northern Tanzania. This landmark does not peak the curiosity of many because of the wildlife alone, it also boasts a fascinating history. The Ngorongoro Crater was once a gigantic volcano which some have estimated to have been higher than that of Mount Kilimanjaro. That’s if it never collapsed after eruption. After erupting nearly three million years ago, the volcano collapsed, creating a ‘caldera’. There are many caldera’s around the world – one of the most well known is underwater in Santorini, Greece.

The Ngorongoro Crater is one of the only intact caldera’s in the world, and it has since become an oasis for life. Wildlife roam at the foot of its 600m high peaks, with the vegetation ever so healthy and lush. The Ngorongoro Crater is certainly a must visit!

Visit the ever-fascinating Ngorongoro Crater on your African tour!

Visit the Chimpanzees of the Mahale Mountains

Tanzania is one of the only places on earth to see wild chimpanzees living in their natural habitat. The only other countries which offer Chimpanzee trekking are that of Uganda and Rwanda. Montane Forest in the Mahale Mountains National Park in Tanzania is where you will encounter Chimpanzee, which share 96% of our DNA. This reality alone makes it an incredibly interesting encounter that is sure to leave you speechless. What’s great about this trek is that you’ll get more than you bargained for, as the Chimps are not the only attraction you’ll see. You’ll also likely spot a variety of other monkey species, as well as various exotic birds.

Visit a Masai Village

For a true cultural experience, visiting a Masai village is a must. The Masai are known for their colourful clothing complete with body wraps and beads which have various meanings. Although they may be most famous for jumping really high as a display of their strength during a tribal dance routine. The Masai people are one of the last standing tribes who still live very much like they did in centuries past. They are nomadic and live in crafted homesteads while tribes move around with their cattle.

Visit the sacred Kuza Cave of Zanzibar

Since you’re visiting Tanzania, you may want to think of exploring its tropical island of Zanzibar. Zanzibar is a ferry trip away from Tanzania’s coastal city, Dar Es Salaam. The beaches are absolutely exquisite, while the town is rustic, yet beautiful and full of culture and life.

Although small, Zanzibar rich with secret spots which you won’t want to miss. For one: Freddie Mercury was born in Zanzibar’s Stone Town! A natural secret gem we recommend you visiting is that of the sacred Kuza Cave, situated on the East Coast of Zanzibar, in Jambiani. It is a cave filled with fresh crystal clear waters and a place that is sacred among locals due to the healing minerals in the water. This fresh water cave is best described as an oasis in the jungle of Jambiani.