Tanzania is the home of some of the world’s most beautiful tropical beaches, exotic islands and pristine coral reefs. Tanzania, the home of wilderness, boasts of incredible game lodges, wildlife parks and adventure, such as the Serengeti and Africa’s highest peak, Mount Kilimanjaro that attracts thousands of Tourists to the country yearly. According to the apex bank of the country, tourism accounts for the highest revenue generated by the country. The country has earned about US$2.5 billion from tourism between last year and this year. Tanzania is a really thrilling country, full of opportunities for adventure- seekers, such as safaris, diving, and hiking.
In case you decide to take a trip to Tanzania, here are five places to visit that you will never forget:
Serengeti National Park, located in Northern Tanzania is the largest in the Country. It is a huge treeless park with millions of animals roaming around searching for fresh grassland. The yearly migration of millions of wildebeest and zebra can be seen around May or early June. This migration is the most remarkable natural event that attracts many tourists to the site.
Herds of various species of animals such as Leopard, Lion, Cheetah, Hyena, Antelope, hunting dog, bat-eared fox and Jackal can also be found there. Serengeti have also been recorded to have about 500 species of birds. If you find yourself in the Serengeti, do not fail to try the magnificent hot air balloon ride at dawn.
Located between Lake Manyara and Serengeti, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area has a Crater and an Olduvai Gorge. The Ngorongoro crater which is about three million years old is regarded as the ancient caldera in the world and the Olduvai Gorge makes it possible to see the famous discoveries of the remains of early man.. Thousands of animals such as Hippopotamus can be seen on the crater floor. Zebras and wildebeests account for over half of the estimated 30,000 animals that live there.
The Massai people also live around the crater in the Ngogongoro Conservation Area. A visit to the Massai people will give you a glimpse of their fascinating culture – red robes and ornate bead work. One of the most fascinating thing about them is that the more cattle one has, the richer he is.
MOUNT KILIMANJARO
This is the highest peak in Africa and the world’s highest freestanding mountain. It was formed over 1 million years ago by volcanic movement along the rift Valley. Unlike other tourist sites in Tanzania, Mt Kilimanjaro is not visited for wild life but for a chance to admire the majestic snow-capped mountain and for others to climb to the summit. Hiking is best done between June and October.
ZANZIBAR BEACHES
Zanzibar is one of Tanzania’s top destinations; it’s incredible beaches and fascinating past have continued to attract people to the area. Famous for its spices, Zanzibar had a slave trading post under its Arab rulers. It’s major tourist attraction is the Stone Town with the whitewashed coral rag houses and its beautiful white sandy beaches. The beaches in Zanzibar can be enjoyed on any budget. Some of the surrounding island offers a total paradise for luxury travelers and it is very tranquil for a romantic vacation.
LAKE MANYARA NATIONAL PARK
Lake Manyara is in the Natron-Manyara-Balangida branch of the Great Rift Valley in Tanzania. It has a setting extolled by Ernest Hemingway as “the loveliest I had seen in Africa”. During the raining season, the lake is a home for almost 300 different species of migratory birds including thousands of pink-hued flamingos and pelicans. It is the best time for bird watching, canoeing and watching the waterfall. In the dry season, the water turns into alkaline mud flats. .It is the best time to see elephants, hippos, giraffes and wildebeest. A number of safari lodges provides tourists with day and night safaris to see the wildlife.
