Traveling through Tanzania: everything you need to know
February 26, 2020
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Taking a safari through one of Africa's national parks is an experience I would recommend to anyone. Tanzania is a wonderful destination for taking a safari, getting a glimpse into the lives of the wildlife but also getting to know the very friendly people. We made a trip of about three weeks through this fantastic country. Based on our travel experience, we give you ideal tips for a wonderful itinerary for three weeks Tanzania.
The ideal 3-week itinerary through Tanzania
A period of 3 weeks is the ideal travel time to spend in Tanzania. You can see a lot of the country, including wonderful safaris and relax on the beautiful beaches of Zanzibar. This itinerary will take you through the most beautiful places in the country.
1. Arusha
A good starting point for a tour of Tanzania is the city of Arusha. KLM flies from Amsterdam Schiphol Airport with direct flights to Kilimanjaro Airport, this airport is close to the city of Arusha. We stayed one night in the Arusha area to recover from the flight and to travel from here directly to the national parks. In fact, the city is ideally located between the Serengeti plains, the Ngorongoro Crater, Manyara Lake and the imposing Mount Kilimanjaro.
When departing from Arusha, it is fun to visit the Mesarani Snake Park. This is a guided park where you can see some of the most dangerous snakes in the world: the Black and Green Mamba as well as the Egyptian Cobra. You will also find a Masaai-crafts store and you can visit the Maasai Cultural Museum and the free education center. A free medical clinic is also run here for locals.
2. Mto Wa Mbu
In addition to beautiful vast plains, mighty animals and endless safari opportunities, Tanzania offers a very interesting culture. To break up the long drive from Arusha toward the national parks, a nice option is to stop along the way in the local village of Mto Wa Mbu. The literal translation is "river of mosquitoes. And that's right, there are lots of mosquitoes here. This is partly because of the watery landscapes that surround the village.
What you really must do here is take a look at the rice fields, take a walk through the village, taste the local banana beer and buy fresh fruit at the market. With any luck, you'll see the local soccer team training like us and you can kick a ball around. Visiting Mto Wa Mbu is a fun way to get to know the local people of Tanzania!
In the Mto Wa Abu area, you will find some wonderful accommodations to spend a night, such as Manyara's Secret.
3. Lake Manyara
The next stop on the itinerary through Tanzania is Lake Manyara. A place where you are surrounded by beautiful nature, but what you come for is of course the big lake. Lake Manyara is known for the large number of tropical birds you can spot there, but in addition it also offers a great diversity of wildlife. The national park has a unique location near the beautiful 400-meter-deep Rift Valley. This rift in the landscape was created some 25 million years ago and runs for miles through eastern Africa. The valley creates stunning landscapes ranging from dense jungle forests to vast grassy plains to breathtaking lakes filled with flamingos and storks.
4. Serengeti National Park
A trip through Tanzania is not complete without seeing the Serengeti with your own eyes. It is one of the oldest safari parks in Africa and a visit to the park will undoubtedly be the highlight of your trip. Covering an area of some 15,000 square kilometers, you will encounter diverse flora and fauna, as well as, of course, the chance to spot the Big Five. You have the greatest chance of spotting wildlife during sunrise or sunset. At these times the animals are most active. More tips for taking a safari? Then quickly check out our article full tips for the Serengeti!
5. Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Ngorongoro is a volcano no less than 5 kilometers high that imploded after a massive eruption leaving a mega crater. The fertile volcanic soil makes this a very green region and many wild animals live here, estimated to be around 25,000. This makes it one of the most densely populated wildlife areas in Africa. The lion population is particularly large here, and the chances of seeing a hunt with your own eyes are hearty. Even bigger than in the Serengeti.
You can heartily combine this unique place in Tanzania with a safari through Serengeti National Park. This is therefore the next destination on our itinerary through Tanzania!
6. Tarangire National Park
Tarangire National Park is located in the Manyara District and takes its name from the Tarangire River that flows through this protected area. The river is the main source of life for the wildlife living in the national park. Reasons to visit Tarangire National Park include the high density of savanna elephants that live here, as well as, of course, the very impressive baobab trees. These can be up to 1,000 years old. Some baobab trees have a diameter of 11 meters (!).
Don't be surprised if you spot a herd of as many as 50 elephants in Tarangire National Park. This is not exceptional. The greatest chance of spotting elephants is along the river, where with any luck you can also see them bathing in the water or in the mud. This national park is also an interesting place for bird lovers. You will find many parrots, hornbills, eagle, vultures and many more species of birds. Did you already know that Tarangire National Park has one of the largest breeding bird species in the world?
7. The Usambara Mountains
After all the many impressions gained in Tanzania's beautiful national parks, it is time to travel on to the coast, but before we get here we will make a stop in the Usamara Mountains. A beautiful mountainous landscape in northeastern Tanzania. The Usambare Mountains are made up of beautiful grasslands, cloud forests and tropical rainforests. It is a destination skipped by many travelers, which is precisely why this is one of Tanzania's hidden gems.
8. Dar es Salaam
On to the coast with Dar es Salaam as the second to last stop on the itinerary through Tanzania. With about 4.3 million inhabitants, Dar es Salaam is the largest city and the economic heart of Tanzania. The city is a typical African city where you don't want to stay too long. The travel advice for Tanzania is good, including for this city, but it is advisable not to walk the streets at night.
Being on the Indian Ocean also makes it a fine beach destination and you will find a number of fine resorts along the coastline. But even more fun is taking the ferry to the tropical beaches of Zanzibar. From the port of Dar es Salaam, ferries sail back and forth. The crossing takes about 1 to 2 hours depending on the weather and sea waves.
9. Zanzibar
Zanzibar is tropical island off the coast of Tanzania in the Indian Ocean with bounty beaches you will spontaneously fall in love with. Zanzibar lies off the coast of Tanzania but is in no way comparable to the mainland. The island has an eventful past that you can learn more about in some places in Zanzibar. Namely, it was a central location from where the slave trade was directed. Today, Zanzibar is best known as a popular beach destination among travelers. Curious about the most beautiful beaches and fun to do's? These are our tips for Zanzibar.
Experience the most unique journey of your life
Taking a safari through one of Africa's many game parks is an experience in itself. But relaxing on the bounty beaches of Zanzibar? That makes a tour of Tanzania truly complete. Can you see yourself hunting lions through your binoculars? Then you really need to go to Tanzania. The chances of spotting the Big Five here are insanely high. And believe us, you want that!
Take a tour of Tanzania
Is taking a tour of Tanzania on your bucket list, but don't know where to start? Then we would love to help you get started. During a 1-on-1 video call, we will map out your wishes and advise you on the most beautiful places. Would you rather leave it all up to us? No problem! We organize your trip completely tailor-made. Ask for a travel proposal for your dream trip through Tanzania. And perhaps also with a visit to Zanzibar!
Lois Weeterings
A dreamer and adventure seeker, always on the lookout for new experiences. But also a hard worker with a thousand ideas racing through my mind. As a personal travel consultant and travel blogger, I share my passion for faraway destinations, thrilling adventures, and winter sports. With deep knowledge of places like Namibia, Colombia, the ABC Islands, and the Middle East, I’m here to help you craft a trip you’ll never forget. Through my personal stories and expert tips, I aim to inspire you to explore the world your way. Always with my camera in hand, I’m determined to capture every magical moment and share it with you.
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