Tanzania is a pearl in the East Africa with some of the most iconic and breathtaking travel experiences in the continent. Tanzania is a country that will suit all kinds of travelers as the country consists of the wild safari of the Serengeti and the idyllic shores of the Zanzibar. Tanzania is a country that provides a memorable experience to the people whether they are adventure seekers or those who love nature or even those who want to relax on beautiful beaches. To help you plan your trip, here are the Top 5 Best Tanzania Itinerary Ideas that will ensure you make the most of your visit.
Classic Safari Adventure -Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater and Tarangire.
The Tanzanian safari destinations are the best in the world. In order to have the ultimate African safari, the Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Crater and Tarangire National Park should be number one on your list of places to visit.
Serengeti National Park -The Soul of the African Safari.
Serengeti is a familiar example of iconic safari parks across the world as it has humongous, interminable plains not to mention the wildebeest migration. Spanning above 14,000 square kilometers, the Serengeti is a wildlife reserve that supports an incredible range of wildlife, the big five (lions, elephants, buffaloes, leopards and rhinos). The park gives the best viewing of the game; more so in the dry season where the animals are also closer to the water holes and the predators are at the peak of their activity.
Serengeti also has hot air balloon safaris that follow in place of normal game drives but offer an amazing aerial glimpse of the plains and the animals residing in them. To make your final adventure complete in time, be there during the yearly wildebeest migration where, in a grand and spectacular scene, millions of wildebeests, zebras and gazelles cross the Serengeti.
Ngorongoro Crater -A Natural Wonder.
Next on the Top 5 Best Tanzania Itinerary Ideas is the Ngorongoro Crater, one of the most extraordinary natural wonders in the world. This World Heritage site by the UNESCO has often been called the Garden of Eden because of the greenery and the rich wildlife. The crater is a volcano which has collapsed and forms a unique ecosystem where most visitors are able to view the lion, the cheetah, the hippo, and the flamingo among others. The crater floor is a zoo of wildlife and the best place to encounter the wildlife at close up.
Ngorongoro Crater is an ideal place to visit when one wants to undergo the excitement of witnessing a large number of wildlife in a relatively small region. You are able to spend an entire day on game drives and also tour the environs, even paying a visit to the nearby olduvai Gorge a place of archaeological fame, and the cradle of early human evolution.
Big Five Safaris: Tarangire National Park -The Elephant Kingdom.
Tarangire National Park is another place that cannot be omitted by individuals who love having large groups of wildlife. Elephant watching in Tarangire is characterized by huge baobab trees and a large number of elephants in the area. Other wildlife species that can easily be found in the park include giraffes, zebras, and antelopes making it an ideal choice in case I need a less intense safari adventure. It is an ideal inclusion in any tour because it is located close to the rest of the parks in the northern safari circuit.
Zanzibar Beach and Cultural Tourism.
Following an exciting safari experience at the national parks of Tanzania, have a fantastic rest and relax at the Zanzibar beaches, a lagoon of a tropical curse that is situated at the end of the continent of Tanzania. The city of Zanzibar is not only full of beautiful white sand beaches but also full of history, culture and spice farms. This is the best way forward to spend time in Zanzibar.
Stone Town-Zanzibar Cultural and historical very heart.
Your Zanzibar adventure will start with the Stone Town which is the UNESCO world heritage city and which forms the cultural center of the island. Stone Town with its maze of narrow streets and ancient buildings, very complicated doors creates an interesting view into the great history of Zanzibar which has been formed under the influence of the Arab, Persian, Indian, and European cultures.
Tour the House of Wonders, the Palace Museum, and Forodhani Gardens to get to know more about the history of the island, or go shopping in the crowded markets, where local people sell spices, cloth, and other souvenirs. You cannot afford to pass through Slave Market and The Old Fort that also reflects strongly of the past of Zanzibar.
Spice Tours – Zanzibar Ltd: The Smell of Money.
Zanzibar is referred to as the Spice Island due to the long history of spice trade there. One of the elements that one does not leave the island without is a spice tour. Tour the local spice plantations and learn the process of growing and harvesting spices such as: cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg and vanilla. Through the tour you would be able to taste the fresh spices, get to know about its medicinal use as well as buy some and even have them as a souvenir.
Water Activities and Beaches.
The beaches of Zanzibar are the epitome of the tropical heaven, where the sand and the water are clear and untouched. The northern coast, such as Nungwi and Kendwa, is quite popular due to their perfect beaches, where it is possible to swim, sunbath and even complete your water-sports. In the case of individuals who are interested in the waters, Zanzibar has various activities, namely snorkeling, scuba diving and dhow cruises. You may visit the coral reefs and also get to see the colorful marine organisms such as turtles and dolphins.
To enjoy more serene and more remote location, consider the southern area of Zanzibar, where the beaches Paje and Jambiani have a rather quiet atmosphere and relaxed atmosphere.
Four days to summit of Mount Kilimanjaro-An Adventurers challenge.
It should be on the list of adventurous travelers to climb into the highest point of Africa, Mount Kilimanjaro. Mount Kilimanjaro is one of the most accessible mountains in the world to climb, which rises to 5,895 meters (19,341 feet). Although the expedition is not an easy one, neither does it demand technical skills in mountaineering, which is most suitable to the trekker aiming at accomplishing a notable peak.
Kilimanjaro can be best enjoyed through an experienced trekking route through the different routes of such treks that include Marangu Route, Machame Route, and Lemosho Route. Every way of getting there has something different to experience, forest walks to open moor and snow-white view of the summit.
The process of climbing Kilimanjaro is a thrilling and exhausting process, yet, the peak is an experience that one will never forget. On their journey, the trekkers will encounter varied ecosystems which include alpine meadows, sun-bleached barren summit and the lush rainforest. It is a tough and very fulfilling process.
Selous Game reserve Off-the-Beaten-Path Safari Experience.
To people who want to have a more isolated and peaceful safari, the Selous game reserve, found in south Tanzania is the best place to be. Although not as well-known as the Serengeti or Ngorongoro, Selous provides an untamed wilderness which does not seem crowded.
Unique Safari Activities
Selous is a safari destination that has a number of other different safari activities besides the conventional game drive. In this case, you may take boat safaris along the Rufiji River whereby you may observe crocodiles, hippos among other bird species. The walking safaris with armed rangers are also an excellent approach to experience the safaris as well as the element of being able to walk up to the wildlife as they give you an experience of adventure as well as fly camping which provide a sense of adventure.
It is an unsurpassed game viewing and adventure destination because of large numbers of wildlife including elephants, lions, wild dogs and many more that can be found in the reserve. The Selous with its more somber and less frequented nature provides a more intimate safari experience where one can really appreciate nature of Tanzania.
The Kilwa Kisiwani Ruins, Historical and Cultural Discovery.
History lovers would consider one of the most fascinating cultural tourism sites in Tanzania to be the Ruins of Kilwa Kisiwani which is a UNESCO World Heritage site situated on an island off the southern coast of Tanzania. Kilwa used to be a great trading city and a centre of significant significance in the history of trade in East Africa in the 9 th -16 th centuries.
The ruined structures have magnificent stone structures, mosques and one palace that gives one a very intriguing insight to the rich history of Tanzania. Tourists also get to visit the ancient buildings, stroll through the beaches, and get acquainted with Swahili civilization that thrived in the area. The culturally enriching and peaceful Kilwa Kisiwani is yet another destination to the Tanzanian adventure that brings a different facet to your adventure.
Conclusion
Tanzania is a place that literally possesses it all: big-game safaris in the legendary world parks and the shores, mountain climbing, cultural tours. These Top 5 Best Tanzania Itinerary Ideas provide a well-rounded experience, ensuring you get a taste of everything the country has to offer. You can follow gorillas in the Serengeti, climb Mount Kilimanjaro, or unwind on the beaches of Zanzibar; however, one way or another, Tanzania will provide you with a lifetime experience that you will never forget.
