Things To Do
in Tanzania
Tanzania is an East African country renowned for its vast wilderness areas, including the Serengeti plains and Kilimanjaro National Park, home to Africa’s highest peak. Its coastline along the Indian Ocean features idyllic beaches and the historic spice island of Zanzibar. A rich tapestry of cultures, from Maasai pastoralists to Swahili coastal communities, gives Tanzania a vibrant social fabric.
Wildlife safaris, tropical islands, and mountainous treks offer diverse experiences for adventurous travelers.
Day Trips
Spend a day exploring around
Land at Kilimanjaro International Airport and meet your driver-guide for a scenic transfer to Arusha. Wind through foothills dotted with banana plantations as you soak in the first glimpses of Mount Meru. Settle into your boutique hotel and unwind after your journey.
Stroll through Arusha’s vibrant central market, where colorful fabrics and fresh produce animate the streets. Visit a nearby coffee plantation to sample Tanzania’s famed Arabica brews at origin. Learn about traditional roasting and harvesting techniques from local farmers.
Gather for a welcome dinner at a rooftop restaurant overlooking the town lights. Savor regional specialties like mishkaki skewers and pilau rice while live taarab music drifts through the air. Prepare your gear for tomorrow’s wildlife adventures under a canopy of stars.
After an early breakfast, drive to Tarangire National Park, renowned for its elephant herds and baobab trees. Glide along sandy tracks as golden light reveals grazing giraffes and impala. Pause for a mid-morning coffee break beside the Tarangire River.
Enjoy a picnic lunch under acacia shade as hordes of buffalo graze in the distance. Track a pride of lions resting atop rocky outcrops, yawning in the midday sun. Keep your binoculars ready for a parade of elephants lumbering through the woodland.
Check into your lodge perched on the park’s edge, where tents blend seamlessly with the wild. Sip sundowners on the veranda while watching hippos submerge in a nearby pool. Drift to sleep to the symphony of nocturnal wildlife calls.
Prices
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| 🍔Meal at inexpensive restaurant | $3–5 |
| ☕Coffee or tea | $1.50–3 |
| 🚕1 km taxi ride | $0.60–1 |
| 🛏️Budget hotel per night | $20–35 |
| 🎫National park entry per day | $45–60 |
Strengths and Weaknesses
- World-class safaris and wildlife
- Diverse landscapes from mountains to beaches
- Rich cultural heritage and warm hospitality
- Relatively undeveloped tourism crowds
- Infrastructure can be basic outside cities
- Malaria risk in many regions
- Long distances and bumpy roads
- Safari costs add up quickly
- "Jambo" - Hello
- "Asante" - Thank you
- "Tafadhali" - Please
- "Huogopi?" - Are you okay?
- "Wapi choo?" - Where is the toilet?
Places to Visit in Tanzania
Visit one of these nice places.
Capture the Great Migration, golden savannahs, and dramatic sunsets.
Photograph dense wildlife concentrations within this volcanic caldera.
Frame Africa’s highest peak at sunrise from Marangu or Moshi.
Wander narrow streets, ornate doorways, and spice market stalls for colorful urban scenes.
Photograph tree-climbing lions and pink flamingos along the lakeshore.
Food in Tanzania
Tanzania Famous Food
Signature dishes, delicacies and famous food
A hearty combination of maize porridge and sautéed kale found in local diners nationwide.
Must-Try!
Grilled meat skewers, best enjoyed at roadside joints or nyama choma villages around Arusha.
Fragrant spiced rice cooked with meat or vegetables, commonly served at celebrations and restaurants.
Sweet-and-savory stuffed flatbread cooked on a griddle, sold at Forodhani Gardens in Stone Town.
Food Markets
Explore local food markets
Dar es Salaam’s largest market, ideal for sampling mandazi (fried dough), mishkaki (meat skewers), and fresh fruit.
Zanzibar’s evening market, famous for grilled seafood, urojo soup and Zanzibar pizza under the stars.
Weather
How to Behave
Tips on cultural norms and respectful behavior
Always greet with “Jambo” or “Habari” and a handshake; address elders respectfully.
Dress modestly, especially in rural areas and Zanzibar; cover shoulders and knees.
Ask permission before photographing people, particularly in villages and schools.
Use polite forms of address and defer to older community members in conversation.
Safety
Tipping in Tanzania
Ensure a smooth experience
Restaurants usually add 10% service; tip safari guides $5–10 per day and porters $2 per bag. Drivers and hotel staff appreciate small tips for good service.
Cash (Tanzanian shillings) is preferred outside major cities. ATMs are available in Dar es Salaam and Arusha. Mobile money services like M-Pesa are widespread.
Best Time to Visit
And what to expect in different seasons...
Frequent afternoon showers make roads muddy; wildlife viewing is quieter but landscapes are lush and green.
Ideal safari conditions with easy game spotting; cooler mornings and mild days.
Intermittent showers with fewer tourists; good for lower rates and newborn wildlife sightings.
High daytime temperatures, especially on the coast; beach escapes and snorkeling are popular.
Tanzania at Night
Hiking in Tanzania
Immerse in an unforgettable hike.
Popular 5-day trek with hut accommodations to Africa’s highest summit.
Remote rainforest trails leading to waterfalls and endemic wildlife.
Scenic highland paths with panoramic valley views and charming villages.
4-day trek offering acclimatization before Kilimanjaro and close crater views.
Airports
How to reach Tanzania by plane.
Main hub in Dar es Salaam with international and domestic flights.
Serves Arusha and Northern Safari Circuit with links to Europe and the Middle East.
Zanzibar’s main airport, providing connections to Dar es Salaam and Nairobi.
Walkability
Demographics
Explore demographics in this area.
Largest ethnic group, primarily agrarian in the north-west.
Coastal Bantu community around Dar es Salaam, known for dhow building.
Semi-nomadic pastoralists in northern Tanzania, famous for distinctive dress.
Coastal city dwellers with mixed Bantu-Arab heritage, speaking coastal Swahili culture.
Popular Sports
Explore popular sports in region.
The national sport with passionate local leagues and street games.
Tanzanian athletes compete regionally and train in high-altitude areas near Arusha.
Played mostly in coastal and expatriate communities, growing in popularity.
Traffic
Dietary Restrictions
Tips for restricted diets.
Ugali, bean curries, chapati and vegetable samosas are widely available, but always ask about meat stocks in stews.
Coconut-based dishes, fresh fruit salads, and stir-fried vegetables are reliable choices; confirm no dairy is used.
Rice dishes and grilled meats are safe, but avoid chapati and ugali made with wheat flour.
Healthcare
Accomodations
Find the best place to stay when visiting Tanzania.