11 Best Places to Visit in Tanzania

Mount Kilimanjaro is Africa’s highest peak, standing 5,895 meters above sea level, and is the top tourist attraction in Tanzania. A dormant volcano, it has three volcanic cones: Shira, Mawenzi, and Kibo. It is accessible from multiple routes—popular ones include Machame and Lemosho—that cater to different skill levels.

Highlights

• Summit the iconic Uhuru Peak, Kilimanjaro's highest point at 5,895m.
• Trek through Kilimanjaro's five diverse zones, including the Lemosho Glade rainforests.
• Watch the sunrise from scenic campsites like Kibo Huts or Barafu Camp.
• Spot elephants, buffalos, and other wildlife in the lower moorland zones.
  Test your endurance on the steep Barranco Wall climb.

Insider tip: Choose the Marangu Route if you’re concerned about acclimatization or are short on time. It not only takes just 5 days to complete, but it also has steady mild slopes all the way to the top and back.

Serengeti comes from the Maasai word siringit, meaning ‘endless plains.’ True to its name, the Serengeti National Park is an extensive treeless plain that covers over 14,763 square kilometers of grasslands and savannah. It is also a World Heritage Site overflowing with wildlife: There are over 4,000 lions, 1,000 leopards, and 2 million ungulates, just to mention a few. The park is one of Tanzania’s top attractions and sees thousands of tourists, mostly owing to the annual great wildebeest migration phenomenon, where over 1.5 million wildebeests head towards Maasai Mara in Kenya, seeking greener pastures.

Highlights

• Witness the legendary wildebeest migration in the Serengeti's vast plains from a bird’s eye view floating on a hot air balloon.
• Spot the big five on game drives in areas like Seronera Valley and Nabi Hill.
• Experience a walking safari with Maasai guides in the Grumeti Reserves.

Insider tip: Catching the wildebeest migration in particular locations is tricky. To ensure you don’t miss it, book your safari with a trusted tour operator who will position you in the ideal locations based on real-time migration movements.

Forty kilometers off the coast of mainland Tanzania, the Zanzibar archipelago is one of the top vacation spots in Tanzania. It is a partly-self-governed holiday destination renowned for its alluring beaches and the Unesco-listed Stone Town. The enthralling grassy plains, pristine waters, beautiful coral reefs, lush vegetation, and thickets of coconut trees are just a few reasons to take a holiday in Zanzibar. 

Highlights:

• Embark on a beach-hopping expedition to all or most of Zanzibar's twenty-five beautiful and unique beaches, including Paje and Kendwa.
• Ride a dala dala through the alleys of Stone Town to visit popular landmarks such as the Old Fort, City Hall, and Mtoni Palace Ruins.
• Sample Zanzibari dishes like urojo soup and pilau at Forodhani Gardens.
• Visit the vivid Darajani Market and shop for Zanzibari handicrafts.
• Watch classic Taarab music and dance shows by skilled performers.
• Take a spice tour to visit working plantations growing cloves, cinnamon and more.

Insider tip: Although the local population of Zanzibar is predominately Muslim, the people are accustomed to tourists and it is not necessary to dress conservatively (covered legs and shoulders) in most areas. Always be respectful, however!

As an alternative to Mount Kilimanjaro, Mount Meru is the second-tallest, but much less known, mountain in Tanzania, standing at 4,565 meters above sea level. Many hikers and climbers summit Mount Meru before attempting Kilimanjaro to increase their chances of successfully ascending the tallest mountain. Mount Meru teems with incredible wildlife sightings, and you are guaranteed a fantastic experience.

Highlights:

• Hike the scenic Momella Route for sweeping views of Mount Meru's towering cliffs.
• Spot wildlife like elephants, bushbucks, and colobus monkeys in Arusha National Park.
• Stand atop the rocky Socialist Peak, Meru's highest summit at 4,566 meters.
• Tackle Meru's challenging Crater Rim route circling the caldera.
• Explore ancient elephant caves and Banana Rocks on Meru's slopes.

Insider tip: Although easier to climb than Mount Kilimanjaro, Mount Meru is still decently difficult, so do your training and preparations beforehand!

Dar es Salam is the former capital and largest city in Tanzania; one of the fastest-growing cities and the center for all of Tanzania’s arts, films, and fashion. Top Dar es Salam attractions include the National Museum of Tanzania, Mbudya Island, Bongoyo Island, and Kivukoni Fish Market. The city is also known for its vibrant festivals, including the annual Zanzibar International Film Festival, showcasing the best of Swahili cinema; the Maulid Festival, commemorating the birth of the Prophet Muhammad; and the Mosha Funk Parade, highlighting the city's unique music and fashion scenes.

Highlights

• Visit historic sites like the Village Museum showcasing traditional homes.
• Try fresh seafood like prawns and samaki wa kupaka (grilled fish in coconut sauce) at Kivukoni Fish Market.
• Experience the lively music scene from jazz bars to hip live venues.
• Relax on the beaches of Kigamboni or Oyster Bay near the city.
• Tour the National Museum's exhibits on Tanzania's culture and history accompanied by a history expert.

Insider tip: Dar es Salaam has a sizable expat community that is generally open and welcoming to visitors. As a solo traveler, you can take advantage of this by connecting with expat groups or attending social events to meet locals.

Tanzania’s Prison Island is also called Changuu Island. It is a relatively small island, under 6 kilometers long, and—as the name suggests—was once intended to be used for a prison. t has since transcended to become a large home for various endangered tortoise species and a government-owned tourist resort, also a ‘must-see’ icon and one of the top places to visit in Tanzania. It is

Highlights:

• Get up close with the island's friendly population of Aldabra giant tortoises.
• Snorkel at Bawe Beach and spot vibrant marine life like triggerfish and parrotfish.
• Tour the ruins of the 19th-century prison buildings and learn their history.
• Laze on the tranquil Kuza Beach, lined with shady casuarina trees.
• Try traditional Zanzibari dishes at the island's casual beach restaurants.

Insider tip: Time your visit during low tide to explore the fascinating sandbanks and marine life exposed around the island.

The Ngorongoro Crater is a vast, unbroken caldera formed around 2.5 million years ago when a giant volcano exploded and collapsed inwards. Today, it creates a striking bowl-shaped landscape that provides a naturally protected habitat for thousands of animals. It is also one of the top places to visit in Tanzania for safari, as visitors can easily spot lions, elephants, zebras, and more wildlife moving about in this incredibly scenic setting on game drives along the crater floor. For the adventurous, there is also an opportunity to hike the 16-kilometer-long Ngorongoro Crater rim trail that circles the caldera's edge, providing stunning views into the crater below.

Highlights:

• Spot the big five—lions, elephants, rhinos, buffalo, and leopards roaming the crater floor. See the densest population of lions in Tanzania.
• Photograph stunning landscapes, including the sand dune-like Ngoitoktok Crater Lake.
• Learn about the ancient Olduvai Gorge, the "Cradle of Mankind" archaeological site.

Insider tip: Book your stay at one of the lodges on the crater rim for stunning sunrise views over the caldera.

Visiting Lake Eyasi should be on your Tanzania vacation bucket list; it is the largest water body in the Arusha region and a shallow salt lake on the floor of the Great Rift Valley. Lake Eyasi offers a first-hand experience of culture, even when compared with other popular sites. Several tribes inhabit Lake Eyasi, including the Hadzabe people, who have been around for the past 10,000 years.

Highlights:

• Experience the ancient hunter-gatherer lifestyle of the Hadzabe tribe. Follow Hadzabe guides to witness their bow hunting and honey harvesting skills.
• Marvel at the stark beauty of the dried lake bed surrounded by steep rift valley walls.
• Go birdwatching to spot endemic species like the Rufous-tailed Weaver and Beesley's Lark.
• Hike the Datoga escarpment for panoramic views over the lake's basin.

Insider tip: When visiting the Maasai, Hadzabe, and Datoga Tribes at Lake Eyasi, be sure to be accompanied by local guides who have deep contextual knowledge of their mannerisms and culture.

Known as the safari capital of the country, Arusha is a city in northern Tanzania that serves as the gateway to some of the most famous landscapes and national parks, including Mount Meru, Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, and others. The city itself has a vibrant energy with markets like the lively Maasai Market, where you can browse vibrant textiles, beaded jewelry, and woodcarvings made by artisans of the Maasai tribe. It also has an array of restaurants serving local and international cuisines

Highlights:

• Explore Arusha National Park on foot, by vehicle, or on a canoe safari.
• Trek to the Ngurdoto Crater's rocky rim for panoramic views.
• Spot iconic animals like giraffes, zebras, and buffalos in the park's diverse habitats.
• Visit the Arusha Cultural Heritage Centre to learn about local tribes.
• Browse the vibrant Arusha Central Market for souvenirs and local cuisine.

Insider tip: Take an immersive cooking class at the Arusha Coffee Lodge or Baraka Coffee Farm to learn how to prepare authentic Tanzanian and Swahili dishes from local chefs using fresh ingredients from their organic gardens.

A short drive from Arusha brings you to the compact Lake Manyara National Park, renowned for its tree-climbing lions and incredible biodiversity. The alkaline lake draws huge flocks of pink flamingos to feed in the shallows, while the forests and grasslands host massive elephant herds, troops of baboons, and many herbivores like zebras and impalas. One of the highlights is spotting the park's famous lion pride lounging in the branches of ancient baobabs and acacia trees. Lake Manyara also offers excellent bird-watching and hiking opportunities along the Rift Valley escarpment.

Highlights:

• Spot tree-climbing lions lazing in the branches of ancient baobabs and acacias.
• See massive elephant herds grazing on the grassy floors of the Rift Valley.
• Take a canoe safari across the lake to view hippos, birds, and other wildlife.
• Hike the forested escarpment trails for panoramic views over the Great Rift Valley.
• Witness thousands of flamingos feeding in the alkaline on your birdwatching trip.

Insider tip: For the best wildlife viewing, visit in the dry season between June and October, when animals congregate around shrinking water sources.

Bagamoyo is a historic coastal town in Tanzania, once one of the most vital trading ports along the East African coast. Its name means "Lay Down Your Heart" in Swahili, reflecting its role as a resting place for caravans journeying inland from Zanzibar. Today, Bagamoyo remains an atmospheric town with crumbling ruins, narrow alleys, and the lingering presence of its storied past. It is a unique destination to visit in Tanzania, particularly if you are looking to skip the crowds.

Highlights:

• Tour the crumbling ruins of the Old Boma, built by German colonists in 1888.
• Explore the remains of the Old Fort built by the Omani Arabs in the late 18th century.
• Visit the Kaole Ruins, an ancient Swahili settlement dating back to the 13th century.
• See exhibits on local culture at the Bagamoyo Museum of History and Arts & Crafts Centre.
• Relax on the long Bagamoyo Beach, backed by archetypal Swahili townhouses.
• Sightsee the Kigamboni bridge, which served as the ancient East African trade port.

Insider tip: When visiting Bagamoyo, don't miss the chance to witness a traditional dhow-building workshop along the beach. Local craftsmen still use age-old techniques to construct these iconic wooden boats, providing a fascinating glimpse into maritime history and culture.

Tanzania is a top destination for travel enthusiasts mainly due to the varied activities and sites it has to offer Beyond this 11 best places to visit in Tanzania list, we also recommend Iringa, Moshi, and Lake Natron, all other popular places to explore in Tanzania. Reach out to us for more information on the best national parks you can visit in Tanzania and the best things to do in Tanzania.

Traveling to Tanzania? We recommend checking out our Tanzania travel guide for information on topics like what to do in Tanzania for a seamless and enjoyable experience. You can also fill out our form for a customizable trip to Tanzania and to design your ideal Kilimanjaro tour package from scratch, today!