10 best places to visit in Tanzania

When you think of Africa, Tanzania is most likely the image you have in mind.

Tanzania is one of those destinations that most travelers have on their Africa bucket list, and with good reason. There are a ton of magical places to visit in Tanzania, each offering their own unique charm and attractions. The Serengeti is where to go in Tanzania for the famed and dramatic wildebeest migration, but there’s also a great deal more to see in this vast East African country.

There are some things in Tanzania you just can’t miss. Going on a safari to see the Big Five — lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos, and Cape buffalo — is an experience you will never forget. Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, which takes five to nine days, is a big adventure that will stay in your heart forever. Then, you can relax on the beautiful beaches of Zanzibar and other islands in the Indian Ocean.

Cities like Dar es Salaam are full of history, colorful buildings, and tasty food. Meeting the many different people of Tanzania is also very special. There are about 120 ethnic groups, like the Hadza in the north, the Iraqw in the Great Rift Valley, the Pimbwe in the west, and the Maasai in the Serengeti.

When you learn some Kiswahili — the language that connects all these people — you will be ready to discover the 10 best places to visit in Tanzania.

The Best Places To Visit In Tanzania

1. Serengeti National Park

Serengeti is Tanzania’s most famous safari park.

The Maasai people call it “Siringet,” which means “endless plains.” When you visit, you will see flat land that goes on and on, with small hills, acacia trees, and lots of wild animals. The park is home to about 500 kinds of birds and many big animals.

You can see all the Big Five animals here. You will also find zebras, giraffes, wildebeest, and fierce hunters like lions, leopards, hyenas, and cheetahs.

One of the most amazing things to see in the Serengeti is the Great Migration. Every year, from around May to September, more than two million wildebeest, zebras, and antelope travel together from the south of the Serengeti to Kenya’s Maasai Mara.

Watching thousands of animals running across the plains and crossing rivers is an amazing and thrilling sight. You can hear the loud sound of their hooves pounding the ground and see clouds of brown dust rising as they move like a huge river of animals.

One of the most unforgettable moments is when the first wildebeest steps into the Grumeti River, not knowing what dangers, like crocodiles, wait below.

If you have ever watched a wildlife documentary about the Great Migration, you know how tense and exciting this moment can be. When you see it in the Serengeti National Park, it feels alive and real—if you are lucky enough to be there at the right time.

2. Ngorongoro Crater

Right next to Serengeti is the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, a UNESCO World Heritage site and a very special place for wildlife.

Long ago, a huge volcano, almost as tall as Mount Kilimanjaro, erupted and then collapsed on itself. This created a giant crater that is now one of the best homes for wild animals in the world.

On a 4×4 safari inside the crater, you can see up to 30,000 animals in just one day! Zebras, wildebeest, Cape buffalo, and cheetahs all live here.

You can also easily spot all of the Big Five, including the rare black rhino. The crater has the largest number of lions and spotted hyenas in the world.

The huge elephants here are very special too — the big bulls have giant tusks that you rarely see in other parts of East Africa. Ngorongoro Crater is truly one of the best places to visit in Tanzania for an unforgettable wildlife adventure.

3. Arusha

Many visitors to Tanzania only spend a short time in Arusha before heading to famous places like Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater. But don’t miss out on this lively town! Arusha has nice weather, lots of green parks, and a busy Maasai Market full of local people selling colorful crafts.

It’s a great place to spend a few hours and find unique gifts to take home. If you want to explore more, you can join a tour of a nearby coffee farm or take a hike to Chemka Hot Springs, where you can relax in warm, clear water surrounded by green trees.

If you want a quieter mountain adventure than Kilimanjaro, try climbing Mt Meru near Arusha. It’s less crowded and offers amazing views from the top. The 4-day hike passes through Arusha National Park, where you can see lots of wildlife along the way.

4. Tarangire National Park

Just three hours from Arusha, Tarangire National Park is one of the best places to visit in Tanzania if you want to see many wild elephants. In the south part of the park, large herds of elephants gather as they travel between water sources like Lake Manyara and Tarangire when other places dry up.

This movement shows how Tanzania protects its animals by keeping special land corridors that let elephants and other wildlife move safely between parks. Tarangire is also famous for its giant baobab trees. These huge, ancient trees have been standing here for thousands of years.

Leopards, baboons, and many other animals love to rest and play in the branches of these amazing trees. If you want to see elephants, baobabs, and many other animals, Tarangire National Park is one of the best places to visit in Tanzania for a true wildlife adventure.

5. Lake Manyara National Park

Lake Manyara National Park is a place full of different and beautiful landscapes.

It has a salty soda lake in the Rift Valley, green forests, wide grassy plains, thick acacia woodlands, and steep rift valley escarpments. You can often see blue monkeys and olive baboons in the trees, and many elephants live here too. If you’re lucky, you might even spot rare lions climbing trees!

The park is not very big—it covers just 325 square kilometers (125 square miles)—but it is packed with animals. You’ll find buffalo, hippos, cheetahs, and giraffes roaming around.

Bird lovers will be amazed by over 400 types of birds, like forest hornbills and great white pelicans. Close by, Lake Natron is famous for thousands of lesser flamingos feeding in its pink waters.

You can fly to Lake Manyara National Park from Arusha or Serengeti National Park. Or, you can drive from Arusha and then continue to the nearby Ngorongoro Crater. Lake Manyara is definitely one of the best places to visit in Tanzania for its amazing wildlife and stunning nature.

6. Lake Natron

Lake Natron is one of the most unique and wild places in Tanzania’s Rift Valley. Its shallow waters are very salty and covered with a crust of volcanic ash and salt.

Hot springs bubble up all around, making the lake look like a strange, otherworldly place. What makes Lake Natron truly special is that it is the only place in East Africa where thousands of lesser flamingos come to breed.

The bright pink birds create a stunning sight against the red and white colors of the lake. Watching over this amazing scene is Ol Doinyo Lengai, which means ‘Mountain of God.’ It is an active volcano and the only one in the world that erupts a rare, cool lava called natrocarbonatite.

For the brave, climbing this volcano is a thrilling adventure, usually done at night to reach the summit by sunrise. The climb takes about five to six hours and offers breathtaking views of the lake and surrounding landscape.

7. Mount Kilimanjaro

Mount Kilimanjaro is Africa’s tallest mountain and the world’s highest free-standing volcano. It rises nearly 5 kilometers (3 miles) above the flat African plains below, making it an amazing sight to see.

Climbing to the summit, called Uhuru Peak, at 5,895 meters (19,340 feet) is one of Africa’s most famous adventures and a top bucket-list experience.

If you are healthy and ready for a challenge, the trek takes between five and eight days, passing through different climates—from tropical forests at the bottom, to alpine meadows, and finally to snowy ice fields at the top. The views from the summit are breathtaking and unforgettable.

Even if you don’t want to climb, you can still enjoy the beauty of Kilimanjaro from nearby towns like Moshi or Arusha. The mountain is often covered by clouds, but at dawn and dusk, the snow-capped peak sometimes appears clearly, shining like a giant crown over the land.

Mt Kilimanjaro is truly one of the best places to visit in Tanzania.

8. Zanzibar

Zanzibar, called the Spice Island, is a beautiful place in the warm Indian Ocean, just off Tanzania’s coast. It’s a perfect spot to relax after a safari, with amazing beaches all around.

Nungwi Beach in the north is famous for its soft white sand and clear blue water. If you want fewer people, try Muyuni for watching dolphins, Jambiani for kite surfing and parasailing, Paje for swimming, or Matemwe for snorkeling and diving. But Zanzibar is more than just beaches.

You can dive at Mnemba Atoll, one of Africa’s best diving spots. Visit Stone Town, a historic city with narrow streets full of Swahili culture and stories. Take a spice tour to see where the island’s famous spices grow. Don’t miss the rare Zanzibar red colobus monkeys in Jozani Forest.

For local fun, go to the night market at Forodhani Gardens, where you can watch fresh seafood cooked right in front of you. If you want to explore more, nearby Pemba Island has thick forests and clear seas. The weather can change sometimes, but beaches like Misali and Vumawimbi are great for diving and snorkeling. Pemba also has lovely resorts, like the peaceful Manta Resort.

9. Nyerere National Park

From Dar es Salaam city, take a 5-hour drive to Nyerere National Park (formerly Selous), the biggest national park in Africa. Covering almost 31,000 sq km (11,970 sq miles), it’s home to huge herds of animals, including the famous Big Five. You can also spot rare antelope species like roan antelope, brindled gnu, Lichtenstein’s hartebeest, and sable that you won’t often see in other parks.

Nyerere is famous for having the largest number of endangered African wild dogs in the world. These wild dogs hunt together in packs, making a safari here even more exciting.

The beautiful Rufiji River winds through the park and creates peaceful oxbow lakes — perfect for photographers and bird lovers who want to spot many different bird species.

The road from Dar es Salaam is mostly smooth, but the last part can be bumpy, so a 4WD vehicle is needed. To save time, many visitors choose a one-hour charter flight to the park’s airstrips — a great chance to capture stunning views from above.

10. Ruaha National Park

Ruaha National Park is a must-visit for anyone who loves wild adventures, with its amazing mix of diverse wildlife, rugged landscapes, and true wilderness feeling.

It’s no surprise that many Africa experts say it’s one of the best parks on the continent.

Ruaha is especially famous for its incredible carnivore sightings.

You can find prides of lions with 20 or more members, plenty of elusive leopards, speedy cheetahs, and several packs of rare African wild dogs hunting together.

The park is also home to large herds of elephants wandering through the savannah. What makes Ruaha even more special is its wide variety of antelope species, including majestic sable, powerful roan, and the striking greater kudu with its spiral horns.

The vast landscapes are dotted with baobab trees and dry riverbeds, adding to the park’s wild and untouched atmosphere. For those who want an authentic African safari experience away from the crowds, Ruaha offers unforgettable encounters with nature at its rawest.