Tourism in Tanzania

The Serengeti National Park is Tanzania's most famous wildlife area and a UNESCO World Heritage Site covering 14,763 square kilometres. It is home to the Great Migration - the largest animal migration on earth, where over 1.5 million wildebeest, 300,000 zebra, and hundreds of thousands of gazelle make their annual circular journey following the rains.

• Best for migration: River crossings (July-October) at the Mara River in the northern Serengeti are the most dramatic
• Calving season: January-March in the southern Serengeti plains, with 8,000+ calves born daily
• Big Five: Lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and black rhino all present
• Accommodation: From luxury lodges and tented camps to budget campsites
• Park fees (2026): Adults $70/day (non-resident), children $20/day

Mount Kilimanjaro (5,895 metres / 19,341 feet) is Africa's highest peak and the world's tallest freestanding mountain. It is also one of the few places on the equator with a permanent ice cap, though glaciers are retreating rapidly.

• Routes: Marangu (the "tourist route"), Machame (most popular), Lemosho (scenic), Rongai (quieter, north approach), Northern Circuit (longest, highest success rate), and Umbwe (steepest)
• Duration: 5-9 days depending on route. Longer routes have higher summit success rates due to better acclimatisation
• Best time: January-March and June-October (dry seasons)
• Permits: All climbs must be with a licensed guide and registered porters. No solo climbing allowed
• Park fees (2026): Approximately $100/day for conservation and rescue fees, plus guide/porter costs
• Nearest airport: Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO)

The Ngorongoro Crater is the world's largest unbroken caldera and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This natural amphitheatre, 19 km across and 600 metres deep, hosts one of the densest concentrations of wildlife in Africa, with an estimated 25,000 large animals permanently residing within its walls.

• Wildlife: All Big Five present, including critically endangered black rhino (around 26 in the crater). High density of lions, hyenas, flamingos at Lake Magadi
• Maasai people: The Ngorongoro Conservation Area is unique in that the Maasai people live alongside wildlife, grazing their cattle on the crater rim
• Access: 3-hour drive from Arusha via the Ngorongoro Conservation Area gate
• Visitor limits: Vehicle numbers are controlled to protect the ecosystem

Zanzibar is an archipelago off Tanzania's coast, famous for its pristine white-sand beaches, turquoise waters, and the historic Stone Town (a UNESCO World Heritage Site). The island has a rich cultural heritage blending Swahili, Arab, Persian, Indian, and European influences.

Stone Town

The historic heart of Zanzibar City, Stone Town is a maze of narrow alleys, ornately carved wooden doors, bustling bazaars, and ancient mosques. Key sites include the House of Wonders (Beit-al-Ajaib), the Old Fort, the Old Dispensary, and the former slave market at the Anglican Cathedral.

Beaches

• Nungwi - Northern tip. Stunning sunsets, less tidal variation
• Kendwa - Adjacent to Nungwi. Best swimming beach with minimal tidal effect
• Paje - East coast. World-class kitesurfing
• Jambiani - Quieter alternative to Paje with authentic village atmosphere
• Matemwe - Northeast. Secluded luxury lodges and reef snorkelling

Spice Tours

Zanzibar is known as the "Spice Island" for its historic spice trade. Tours of spice plantations showcase cloves (Zanzibar was once the world's largest producer), nutmeg, cinnamon, vanilla, black pepper, and cardamom.

• Dry Season (Jun-Oct): Best for safari. Wildlife concentrates around water sources. Cool and dry.
• Short Rains (Nov-Dec): Green season begins. Good for birdwatching and fewer crowds.
• Green Season (Jan-Mar): Wildebeest calving. Lush landscapes. Some roads muddy.
• Long Rains (Mar-May): Lowest season. Some lodges close. Best rates if travelling.