You can build your itinerary around wildlife, mountains, beaches or history. These 10 destinations cover different travel experiences.
1. Serengeti National Park
You can visit Serengeti for wildlife drives across its large savannah plains. UNESCO identifies the annual migration of more than one million wildebeest and hundreds of thousands of other ungulates as a major natural spectacle.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|
| Highlights | Wildlife, migration, savannah landscapes |
| Location | Northern Tanzania |
| Suitable travel period | Depends on the wildlife experience you want |
| Entry | Park fees apply |
| Things to do | Game drives, wildlife photography, safari stays |
| Tip | Plan your route around the areas you want to explore |
2. Ngorongoro Conservation Area
You can explore the Ngorongoro Crater for wildlife viewing inside a large volcanic caldera. The crater measures about 20 km across and reaches around 600 metres in depth.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|
| Highlights | Ngorongoro Crater, wildlife, crater landscapes |
| Location | Northern Tanzania |
| Suitable travel period | Check seasonal road and weather conditions |
| Entry | Conservation and applicable activity fees |
| Things to do | Game drives, crater visits, cultural experiences |
| Tip | Combine it with Serengeti for a northern safari circuit |
3. Mount Kilimanjaro
You can visit Mount Kilimanjaro for mountain views or plan a guided summit trek. The mountain reaches 5,895 metres and has several ecological zones between its lower slopes and summit.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|
| Highlights | Uhuru Peak, Shira Plateau, mountain landscapes |
| Location | Kilimanjaro Region |
| Suitable travel period | Check current mountain conditions before trekking |
| Entry | Park and route-related fees apply |
| Things to do | Trekking, nature walks, photography |
| Tip | Use a licensed operator and plan acclimatisation days |
All climbs must use a licensed operator, and solo trekking is not permitted.
4. Zanzibar and Stone Town
You can combine beach time with history in Zanzibar. Stone Town, the historic centre of Zanzibar City, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with old streets, historic buildings and cultural landmarks.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|
| Highlights | Stone Town, beaches, culture |
| Location | Zanzibar Island |
| Suitable travel period | Check rainfall and sea conditions for your activities |
| Entry | Attraction-specific charges may apply |
| Things to do | Explore Stone Town, visit historic sites, enjoy beaches |
| Tip | Keep separate time for mainland and island travel |
5. Tarangire National Park
You can visit Tarangire for elephant sightings and baobab landscapes. The park covers about 2,850 sq. km and attracts wildlife to the Tarangire River, particularly during the dry season.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|
| Highlights | Elephants, baobabs, birds |
| Location | Northern Tanzania |
| Suitable travel period | Dry-season wildlife viewing can be particularly productive |
| Entry | Park fees apply |
| Things to do | Game drives, walking safaris, photography |
| Tip | Include it in a northern safari route |
6. Lake Manyara National Park
You can explore Lake Manyara for its Rift Valley scenery, alkaline lake, forests, birdlife and wildlife. TANAPA also identifies tree-climbing lions as one of the park's notable attractions.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|
| Highlights | Flamingos, tree-climbing lions, Rift Valley |
| Location | Northern Tanzania |
| Suitable travel period | Check lake conditions and seasonal wildlife patterns |
| Entry | Park fees apply |
| Things to do | Game drives, bird watching, canopy walks |
| Tip | Combine it with Ngorongoro and other northern attractions |
7. Nyerere National Park
You can explore Nyerere National Park through game drives, walking safaris and boat trips along the Rufiji River. The park supports elephants, hippos, crocodiles, predators and African wild dogs.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|
| Highlights | Rufiji River, wildlife, boat safaris |
| Location | Southern Tanzania |
| Suitable travel period | Check park conditions before travelling |
| Entry | Park and activity fees apply |
| Things to do | Boat safaris, game drives, walking safaris |
| Tip | Allow additional travel time for southern Tanzania |
8. Arusha National Park
You can include Arusha National Park if you want a combination of wildlife, forests, lakes and mountain landscapes. TANAPA lists attractions including Mount Meru, Momella Lakes, Ngurdoto Crater and walking and canoeing experiences.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|
| Highlights | Mount Meru, Momella Lakes, Ngurdoto Crater |
| Location | Near Arusha |
| Suitable travel period | Check current weather before outdoor activities |
| Entry | Park fees apply |
| Things to do | Walking safaris, canoeing, wildlife viewing |
| Tip | Use Arusha as a base for northern Tanzania |
9. Mafia Island
You can visit Mafia Island for marine experiences rather than a traditional safari. Mafia Island Marine Park covers about 822 sq. km and includes coral reefs, seagrass beds, mangroves and intertidal areas.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|
| Highlights | Coral reefs, marine life, beaches |
| Location | Indian Ocean, south of Dar es Salaam |
| Suitable travel period | Check sea conditions for diving and water activities |
| Entry | Marine park charges may apply |
| Things to do | Diving, snorkelling, marine excursions |
| Tip | Add extra travel time for island transfers |
10. Olduvai Gorge
You can visit Olduvai Gorge if you want to explore Tanzania's archaeological history. The site lies between Ngorongoro and Serengeti and contains fossil and stone-tool evidence dating back millions of years.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|
| Highlights | Fossils, archaeological discoveries, museum |
| Location | Northern Tanzania |
| Suitable travel period | Combine with a northern safari |
| Entry | Applicable site charges may apply |
| Things to do | Visit the museum and archaeological site |
| Tip | Include it between Ngorongoro and Serengeti |
