9 Unforgettable Adventures in Tanzania You Can’t Miss

Boasting over 23 unique national parks that span some 15% of the country, Tanzania truly deserves its place as Africa’s third most popular safari destination.

With sights such as snow-capped Mount Kilimanjaro, the vast Serengeti with its thrilling Great Wildebeest Migration and the exquisite beaches of Zanzibar, not to mention Big Five sightings all year round, it’s no wonder this African country draws over 2 million visitors each year.

Having visited Tanzania numerous times, I’ve been able to enjoy a range of activities and visit dozens of locations across the country.

There are plenty of adventures in Tanzania to choose from. In this article, I’ll be sharing my top ten picks with you to help make sure your trip to Tanzania is the experience of a lifetime!

The Best Adventures in Tanzania You Need To Experience

1. Witness the Great Wildebeest Migration

Of all the safari experiences the world has to offer, few can compare with the Great Wildebeest Migration. Every year, this spectacle sees more than two million wildebeest, zebras and antelope travel the 1,000 km route between the Serengeti in Tanzania and Kenya’s Maasai Mara region. It is an unforgettable sight, with mind-blowing numbers of animals filling the vast plains as far as the eye can see.

But the journey is also fraught with danger: predators stalk the animals at every turn, targeting the vulnerable young in particular. The most treacherous point is undoubtedly the Mara River crossing, when they must navigate the crocodile-filled waters to the other side. Around 6,000 wildebeest drown while making the crossing each year.

During my first visit to the Serengeti, we heard that the wildebeest were crossing the Mara River prematurely. Our 4-hour drive north from Central Serengeti was immediately rewarded: we saw wildebeest leaping down the banks, battling to reach the other side. I’d dreamt of that moment for as long as I could remember, and it was such an emotional experience.

Taking place between July and October each year, the crossing is one of the two high points of the Great Migration. The other is the wildebeest calving season (February-March), when up to 8,000 wildebeest calves are born each day. For calving season, you should travel between February and March and base yourself in the Ndutu region. For the Mara River crossing, plan to stay in the Northern Serengeti region between July and October.

I’ll never forget driving through the herd during calving season in Ndutu, wildebeest covering the ground on all sides. The youngest calves trotted on wobbly legs, a truly adorable sight.

|| RELATED READ: TIPS ON BOOKING ETHICAL SAFARI

2. Explore Ngorongoro Crater

Formed 2.5 million years ago, the iconic Ngorongoro Crater is the world’s largest unbroken caldera. The crater floor spans some 264 km2 and is enclosed by walls up to 600 metres tall. Between 25,000 and 30,000 mammals call this place home, among them 7,000 wildebeest, about 300 elephants (75 big tuskers), 30 black rhinos and over 60 lions. There are also more than 500 bird species, including a large population of flamingos on its soda lake. Giraffes are notably absent, as the steep crater walls are too steep for them to descend.

With a lion density of 21 per 100 km2, the Ngorongoro Crater is an excellent location for lion sightings. I had a truly memorable lion encounter one morning, finding a huge pride just as the sun rose over the crater walls. The lions were glowing beneath the morning sunlight as they prowled through the grassland, cubs trotting between them.

The crater is also one of the best places in Tanzania to spot the endangered black rhino, whose numbers declined sharply during the 1960s and 70s due to poaching. The black rhinos can be pretty challenging to spot but you can increase your chances of seeing them by visiting outside of the dry season as when the grass is longer, they venture out into the open.

Ngorongoro Crater is one of the most memorable places I have visited on safari. I’ll never forget descending along the switchback road to the crater floor and emerging from the misty vegetation to the breathtaking sight of the vast savannah with its dramatic walls.

We went on to spot buffalo, numerous wildebeest, zebras, Thomson’s gazelles and Grant’s gazelles along with a family of warthogs. One of our most memorable encounters was of a family of servals which is quite rare to see.

We were really hoping to see a black rhino during our visit, and in the end we were lucky enough to see not just one but four! Though we needed binoculars to see them properly, it was such a privilege to spot these critically endangered creatures in the wild.

3. Spot Big Cats in the Serengeti

Tanzania is a fantastic destination for big cat sightings. With a lion population of approximately 14,000, the country is home to more than 40% of the total number of lions in Africa. Several thousand of these live in the Serengeti ecosystem alone.

Covering a massive area of 14,763 km2, the Serengeti is almost 10 times larger than the Maasai Mara in Kenya. The reserve boasts Africa’s highest concentration of predators, with huge prides of lions, around 7,500 hyena, 1,000 leopards and 500 to 600 cheetahs.

These high predator numbers are supported by healthy prey populations, particularly in the Central Serengeti (Seronera area), renowned for big cat sightings all year round. While lions are the most common, all three big cat species live here in healthy numbers. Leopards are commonly sighted among the trees in riverine areas and cheetahs can be seen hunting in the open plains.

The neighbouring Maasai Mara reserve in Kenya also enjoys an excellent reputation for big cat encounters, and is ideal for combining with the Serengeti as part of a 10-day Kenya and Tanzania itinerary. Both parks are also home to the Big Five as well as a huge abundance of other animals and birds.

Central Serengeti has a special place in my heart as the place where I had my first ever wild leopard sighting. It was a young cub perched in a tree, its coat wonderfully camouflaged among the dappling of the leaves. I then noticed its mother asleep in the tree beside it! During the same visit, I also saw two male cheetahs at dusk, feeding urgently on a freshly killed wildebeest. I never tire of spotting big cats in the wild – their power, stealth and speed are simply awe-inspiring.

4. Take a Hot Air Balloon Over the Serengeti

A hot air balloon safari is an unforgettable way to take in the incredible scale, variety and beauty of the vast Serengeti National Park. Balloons launch at dawn, allowing you to watch the sun rise over the unfenced 30,000 km2 Serengeti ecosystem, its rays turning the endless grasslands to gold.

You’ll float above the Serengeti for approximately an hour, enjoying an utterly unique perspective on this iconic ecosystem. While hot air balloon safaris are at their best during the migration season when passengers can observe the movements of huge herds from above, they offer a spectacular experience at any time of year.

Unlike game drives on the ground, which allow for close encounters with individual animals, a hot air balloon ride enables you to appreciate the sheer scale of the Serengeti and the huge numbers of its resident herds. What’s more, you get to see much more of the reserve than you could ever hope to cover in a safari truck.

Costs are typically between $500-600 USD per person, and you should be sure to book well in advance as capacity is limited (generally around 16 passengers per basket). Flights finish with a sumptuous champagne bush breakfast on the Serengeti plains – the perfect end to an incredible experience!

5. See the Huge Herds of Elephants in Tarangire

While less popular than the Serengeti or Ngorongoro Crater, the exquisite Tarangire National Park is the sixth-largest park in Tanzania and well worth a visit. With over 3,000 elephants in herds up to 200 strong, it’s home to one of the largest elephant populations in the country.

The landscape is very different to the Serengeti, with denser vegetation broken by extended patches of waving grasses and ancient baobab trees up to 2,000 years old and 30 metres tall. As a result, there is a more intimate feel here than in the wide open plains of the Serengeti or the Ngorongoro Crater.

The best time to view Tarangire’s famous elephants is during the dry season (June-November), when they gather around the Tarangire River. Ideal as a 1-2 day stop on Tanzania’s northern circuit, it can easily be combined with a visit to Ngorongoro and the Serengeti. With lower park fees and fewer crowds, the park offers excellent value compared to the country’s flagship reserves.

The first time I visited Tarangire, I was immediately struck by the beauty of its landscape, with long golden grasses and enormous baobab trees. Our first elephant sighting here was when an entire herd crossed the road right in front of our vehicle – complete with a tiny baby! We followed them to the waterhole and watched the little one playing as the adults drank.

We also saw a trio of bull elephants greet a breeding herd near the river. They’d been stripping bark from a large acacia tree when the herd appeared, led by a huge matriarch. It was wonderful to see so many feeding peacefully together.

|| RELATED READ: EPIC ADVENTURES IN KENYA

6. Track Chimpanzees in Mahale Mountains

Situated on the shores of Lake Tanganyika, Mahale Mountains National Park is one of the best places in Africa to track wild chimpanzees. The reserve is home to around 800 chimpanzees, including one habituated group (known as the M-group) that visitors can track, led by an expert guide.

Chimpanzee tracking here involves trekking on foot through the reserve’s dense tropical forest, with walks taking between 1 and 6 hours depending on the chimpanzees’ location. Groups are intentionally limited in size (no more than six people) and the amount of time you can spend with the chimps is generally restricted to one hour. As chimpanzees can catch human diseases, you will also be required to wear a surgical face mask for their protection when around them.

Mahale Mountains is extremely remote and can only be accessed by light aircraft followed by a boat transfer. There is just one main lodge inside the reserve (Greystoke Mahale). Permits are strictly limited, so you will need to book your visit months in advance. The best time to visit the reserve is during the dry season (May-October), when the trails are more passable.

A visit to Mahale Mountains promises an experience that is totally different to the more traditional savannah safari: here, you are surrounded by rainforest with the mountains in the background and Lake Tanganyika and its beaches beside you. This reserve is much quieter than the main reserves, making for a much more private feel during your visit – in fact, there is often only one group here at a time! The park is also home to lions, leopards, elephants, giraffes and giant pangolins, but many of these species are extremely elusive and seldom seen.

7. Dive or Snorkel in Zanzibar

The Zanzibar archipelago includes the main islands of Unguja (commonly called Zanzibar) and Pemba. Located 37 km from mainland Tanzania, Zanzibar is just a short flight (1-1.5 hours) from Arusha or Dar es Salaam. With its turquoise waters and exquisite white beaches, this island paradise is the ideal 3-4 day add-on to a safari on the mainland.

The Mnemba Atoll is Zanzibar’s top diving and snorkelling location, with crystal clear waters, pristine coral reefs and a huge variety of marine life, from colourful tropical fish to sea turtles and dolphins. I did a boat trip to the atoll during my time in Zanzibar and it was the highlight of my visit!

The reef was a burst of colour, and the water was so clear. I spotted parrotfish, butterflyfish, sergeant fish and even a starfish resting at the bottom. The sandbar picnic afterwards was even better. We’d requested a private sandbar and were able to eat our picnic in utter tranquillity, with only the sea and sky for company.

8. Visit Stone Town and Prison Island

Inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000, Stone Town is a fascinating coastal trading town with Arab, Persian, Indian and European architectural influences. Its development was heavily influenced by the slave trade, particularly during the 18th and early 19th centuries. But this highly historic town also has a modern claim to fame as the birthplace of Freddie Mercury!

Characterised by its narrow cobblestone streets and intricately carved doors, Stone Town is utterly charming and compact enough to tour within a single afternoon. The shops are full of beautiful, locally made products – I bought a gorgeous sisal bag during my visit and remember the shopkeeper’s pride as he told me that his mother had made it.

My first experience of the town was in the spice market, when a friendly spice seller allowed me to shelter from a sudden downpour in his stall. The blend of aromas and colours from the many different spices was intoxicating. When the rain eased, we wandered through the labyrinth of alleys in the old town area. Everywhere we looked, we saw Stone Town’s famous carved doors with their intricate geometric patterns and brass studs.

I’d recommend combining a day or half-day visit to Stone Town with a boat trip to nearby Prison Island. The island is a 30-minute boat ride away (costing around $30 return in addition to the island’s entry fee) and is home to a number of giant Aldabra tortoises, some of which are around 200 years old! We enjoyed a fabulous sunset on our return trip, which rounded off our day perfectly.

Many visitors stay in Stone Town before travelling on to the beach resorts along the east coast. Zanzibar has some exquisite beaches, and for me, a visit to this beautiful island is the perfect, relaxing end to an action-packed 7-10 day Tanzania safari itinerary!

9. Climb Mount Kilimanjaro

Standing some 5,895 metres tall, the iconic Mount Kilimanjaro is the tallest free-standing mountain in the world. Located in Tanzania, close to the border with Kenya, the peak attracts between 30,000 and 50,000 climbers each year.

There are a number of routes you can take to the peak of Mount Kilimanjaro. The most popular is Machame, which generally takes 6-7 days to complete and probably offers the best balance of scenery and success rates. The more remote, highly scenic Lemosho route takes 7-8 days and is considerably more challenging. Marangu is shorter (around 5-6 days) and not quite as scenic, but does have several hut shelters. Lastly Rongai is significantly quieter and also among the most manageable, but slightly less picturesque.

Interestingly, success rates are significantly better on the longer routes because they allow for better acclimatisation to the altitude.

The best time to climb Kilimanjaro is during the drier seasons from January-March and June-October. Avoid attempting the climb in the rainy seasons (April-May, November), as conditions can be difficult. Costs are usually between $2,000 and $4,000 depending on the route, duration of the climb and the operator.

So if you’re feeling adventurous, why not plan a trip to Kilimanjaro, combining this multi-day hike with a safari trip will allow you to see two completely different sides of Tanzania – and if you make it to the summit, you’ll have bragging rights as well!

Final Thoughts on Adventures in Tanzania

Breathtaking landscapes and an astonishing array of wildlife, Tanzania has so much to offer visitors. No matter what type of traveller you are, there really is something for everyone.

For wildlife enthusiasts, there’s the Great Migration and Big Five safaris, while adventure seekers are bound to relish the challenge of climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. If it’s relaxation you’re after, the stunning beaches and clear turquoise waters of Zanzibar are just what you need.

Whatever you choose to do in Tanzania, I know you’ll end up loving this beautiful country just as much as I do!

PIN for Adventures in Tanzania