Best Things To Do In Tanzania
Introduction:
Tanzania is eastern Africa’s largest country and is popular for its diversity. There is the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania. There are the coral reefs of Zanzibar that have pulled snorkelers from all over the world. All in all, an experience like no other awaits you. The national parks, the beaches, and the lakes are heavenly. Before you get started, we’ve tried to curate a list covering the things you just have to do in Tanzania.
Climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro:
The dormant volcano that is always covered with ice and rising to a peak of 5892 m, Mt. Kilimanjaro is Africa’s highest mountain. We’ve all seen pictures of this volcano but climbing the mountain can be as exciting as it is daunting. Do not fall prey to the fact that you do not need any technical skills to scale the summit, many who have tried their luck have suffered from mountain sickness because of the altitude. However, if you do not rush, you may just be able to make it to Uhuru Peak. If you’re looking for alternatives, however, which hopefully are not that difficult for you, there are rainforests in the lower slopes that you can explore.
There are hotels such as the Kindoroko Hotel whose rooftop restaurant can be used for taking in the mountain. There is also the Kilimanjaro Crane Hotel which has doubles and suites with big beds and bathtubs.
Visiting The Ngorongoro Conservation Area:
The Ngorongoro Conservation Area is called the ‘eighth wonder of the world’ for good reason. It is a haven for animals, and if you like to bask in nature, you cannot miss this place.
This 8288 sq. km site was created by volcanic unrest that also led to the formation of the Great Rift Valley. It occupies the highlands between the plains of the Serengeti and the valley.
Once you get past the Lodoare Gate, the road climbs through Oldeani Forest, and the Ngorongoro Crater will be before you in all its glory. A collapsed volcano is the reason behind the existence of this huge and unbroken caldera. One of the highlights of Ngorongoro, apart from the plains of the Serengeti, is guaranteed sightings of the Big 5: elephants, rhinos, leopards, and buffalos.
The birds of this region are also headturners. You can spot ostriches, Egyptian vultures, Verreaux’s eagles, kori bustards, lesser flamingoes, and many many other birds.
Hiking The Usambara And Udzungwa Mountains:
If you’re in Tanzania, then climbing the Usambara and Udzungwa mountains should be on your bucket list. The Udzungwa National Park is a 1900 sq. km forest and boasts being the most biodiverse on the planet. There are also trails in this park that can delight nature enthusiasts. You can come face to face with rare plants and bugs, and while that is part and parcel of Udzungwa, you may even cross paths with the world’s largest shrew and a new genus of primates.
The Usambaras on the other hand enjoy renown as some of Tanzania’s most popular hiking terrains. Chameleons can be found in plentiful here. The Lwengera Valley separates East Usambara from the western range and it has the Amani Nature Reserve, which is known for monsoon-fed rainforests.
There are eight walking trails here that can put you before some of the most incredible birdlife you can ask for. This reserve is home to over 335 bird species, including the endangered Amani sunbird, the banded green, and the long-billed apalis.
Visiting The Rondo Forest Reserve:
This is one of the country’s remaining patches of indigenous coastal forest which rises to a height of about 900 m on the Rondo Plateau flanks. A part of this forest is protected which is called the Rondo Forest Reserve where you can find nature trails and eco-tourism packages.
The coastal forests are not by the sea mind you, ‘coastal forests’ are the forests that experience cyclical rainfall in monsoon. The forests are partly deciduous and there are many unique plants here, like the world’s smallest bushbaby, the Rondo dwarf galago being one of them. In Rondo you can find some very rare birds like the East Coast alakat, the Rondo green barbet, and the spotted ground thrush,
Conclusion:
With Tanzania, you are making a great choice for your next potential holiday destination. Apart from the Serengeti, which everyone should visit once in their lifetime, you can gorge on the Swahili cooking, which includes seafood if you go to Zanzibar. That is another place that you must take advantage of. Seafood pizzas sound crazy but you may just end up falling in love with them. If you like diving, there is the Mnazi Bay-Ruvuma Estuary Marine Park where you can spot humpback whales in migration season from July to September. The country offers numerous opportunities to make your vacation go as you have planned. So, what are you waiting for? Happy and safe travels!
