Tanzania, located on Africa’s east coast, is home to some of Africa’s most famous national parks and natural attractions, as well as boasting some of the most breathtaking views.
In recent years, it has become a massively popular destination for travellers, owing to its exotic wildlife and landscapes, as well as its rich culture.
After all, its Indian Ocean coastline spans approximately 1,424km!
1. Zanzibar Island2. Mount Kilimanjaro3. Safari In The Serengeti National Park4. Udzungwa Mountains National Park5. Saanane National ParkTanzania travel tipsHow To Apply For Tanzania Tourist Visa?
From gazing in awe at the annual Wildebeest Migration to attempting to trek to the peak of Mount Kilimanjaro, there is something for everyone in Tanzania.
Are you interested in visiting Tanzania and want some advice on where to go?
Look no further!
Here are the top 5 Tanzania travel destinations to visit during your holiday.
1. Zanzibar Island
Zanzibar Island, also known as Unguja, is one of the most picturesque locations in all of Africa, if not the world.
‘Where is Zanzibar located?’ you may ask. Well, the island is located 35km from the coast of Africa.
The white Zanzibar beaches are a must-see while you are there.
They are close to the city of Dar es Salaam, so travel to Zanzibar and back is pretty easy.
With their beautiful white sand, crystal clear water, and swaying palm trees, they are on many bucket lists!
Leisure activities include diving or snorkelling, with Nungwi at the northeast tip of the island seen as an ideal place to start.
Stone Town, the old part of the historical Zanzibar City, is known for its scenic alleyways and townhouses.
2. Mount Kilimanjaro
This is one of the most famous attractions in Tanzania.
It is the highest peak on the continent and fourth on the list of the Seven Summits (highest peaks from each continent).
German Hans Meyer is the first known person to summit the mountain, climbing it on his third attempt in 1889.
The view of the mountain is visible from Mount Kilimanjaro National Park, where many stand in awe of the breathtaking views, and some even climb to the summit.
Animals such as buffaloes, leopards, and elephants can even be found in the surrounding areas.
In late 2020, the government of Tanzania even approved a plan to build a cable car on Kilimanjaro.
While the project has not kicked off yet, if it were to be constructed, it would take visitors to a whopping 3,700 meters above sea level!
By the way, while the last eruption was over 360,000 years ago – Kilimanjaro is technically a dormant volcano! However, don’t expect to see much lava while you’re over there.
3. Safari In The Serengeti National Park
The Serengeti National Park is another wonderful African location in Tanzania.
Every year, more than 100,000 people visit The Serengeti.
Interestingly, The Serengeti is inhabited by the Masai and Swahili people. In fact, they’ve been living here for millions of years!
The area is covered in history – it is thought it has not changed much over the past millions of years, so it has a very historic feel.
As well as this, there are millions of animals that pass through the vast plains of The Serengeti each year.
The annual Wildebeest Migration takes place here too, with over 1.5 million wildebeest seeking greener pastures.
The park covers a huge 14,763 km² (or 5,700 square miles) of grassland plains, as well as savanna.
If you were at all confused about the sheer size of the Serengeti – the name is derived from the Maasai word ‘siringit’, which translates as “endless plains.”
Lions, leopards, Rhinoceroses, buffalos, and gazelles make up just a fraction of the vast wildlife the Serengeti has to offer.
Read Also:
Top 15 Facts About Tanzania That Will Inspire You To Travel
4. Udzungwa Mountains National Park
One of the national parks in Tanzania – the Udzungwa Mountains National Park is located in southeastern Tanzania.
It is an extremely large area – almost 2,000 sq km!
To get there, most tourists trek five hours (350 km/215 miles) from Dar es Salaam, and it is also 65 km (40 miles) southwest of Mikumi.
It is a vast, lush area that’s heavily populated with wildlife.
Just some of the habitats included here are grasslands, rainforest, and mountain forests!
Inside the park’s borders, you can find a variety of different landscapes, all home to hundreds of species.
It boasts a huge network of forest trails, including the popular hike to Sanje Waterfall, which drops a massive 170 meters (550 feet) into the forest below.
In the nearby village of Mang’ula, you can also avail of a select couple of local guesthouses which provide a budget option.
5. Saanane National Park
Saanane Island has been recognized as a National Park since July 2013.
It covers quite a small area of 2.18 sq km, but it is another beautiful location in Tanzania.
To get there, you can take a short boat ride for about 5 minutes from the mainland in Mwanza. The boat rides are quite frequent, so you shouldn’t have trouble organizing one.
From picnicking to bird watching, rock hiking to sport fishing, there is something for everyone on this little gem.
The fauna on this island is hugely varied – you can find animals such as velvet monkeys, zebras, wild cats, and rock hyraxes.
The hiking trails around the island are also very impressive, with the rare rock formations standing out visually.
Tanzania travel tips
Before you travel to Tanzania, it is a good idea to plan what you will be doing there, so that you can maximize your time in the country as much as possible.
For example, it can take nearly a day to travel from Dar es Salaam to The Serengeti, so you should plan your transport and accommodation accordingly.
Currency
The official currency is the Tanzanian Shilling, but you can also use US Dollars – and in cash: credit cards incur transaction fees in many areas.
Weather
The climate varies greatly within Tanzania – the temperature at the top of Kilimanjaro is going to be different from the sandy beaches of Zanzibar. However, generally, the weather is quite pleasant.
In the highlands of the country, you’ll find temperatures ranging from 10 and 20 °C during cold and hot seasons respectively. The temperatures rarely fall below 20 °C in the rest of the country.
Religions In Tanzania
The dominant religions of Tanzania are Christian and Islam. A lot of the Muslim population lives on the coast, as well as in Zanzibar.
This means that you should factor in the conservative nature of these destinations – Stone Town for example– and dress and behave as such.
Is Tanzania safe to visit?
Most visits to Tanzania are trouble-free for tourists.
However, like in a lot of other places, there are isolated incidents of trouble reported.
Among suggested tips for safe travel include not carrying around large amounts of cash, leaving your passport in your hotel when you go out, and do not use unlicensed taxis.
How To Apply For Tanzania Tourist Visa?
You can always complete a Tanzania visa application by yourself using the Tanzanian Immigration services site.
After all, whether you’re visiting Tanzania for a quick trip, a holiday, or a business meeting, you’re going to need a visa.
You can also apply for a visa upon arrival, but it makes more sense and is less stressful to apply for a tourist visa before you travel.
The Tanzania eVisa is a single-entry only visa (US citizens are granted a multiple-entry visa for Tanzania) and is usually issued within 10 working days..
Once you receive your Tanzania eVisa, it will be valid for one year after your arrival, for a maximum of 90 days consecutively.
Why not let the experts at Visa First take care of that for you?
At Visa First, we process thousands of visas each year – so it’s safe to say we know what we’re doing!
You only have to complete a few simple and short forms – we’ll take care of all the boring paperwork, and our service is fully online, so you won’t have to step foot in an embassy!
All you need to do to secure your tourist visa for Tanzania is fill out our application form on the Visa First website.
If this is your next destination, start planning a trip to Tanzania!
The post Tanzania Travel Guide: Top 5 Places You Should Check Out During Your Vacation appeared first on Welcome to the official Visa First blog!.
