3 Places To Visit In Tanzania If It’s Your Second Time
3 Places To Visit In Tanzania If It’s Your Second Time, Tanzania is a must-visit country in Africa, famous wildlife viewing, towering volcanoes, and diverse cultures. For first-timers, the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, and Kilimanjaro are the most fascinating destinations to visit. They will introduce you to the African wonders in style. But if it’s your second time, third, etc., you can try adventures to hidden gems, where you’ll find unexplored nature and meet just a few people, if any. Here are the best places to visit if you’re coming for the second time or more.
1. Gombe National Park
During your first trip, you probably watched the Big Five, trekked the wildebeest migration, or climbed Mount Kilimanjaro. It’s time to try something new, something you’ve never experienced before. Then set off for Gombe National Park. Gombe is one of the three parks in Tanzania that hosts the wild chimpanzees. Coming across these primates is awe-inspiring and life-changing.
What to do in Gombe?
Chimpanzee Trekking.
This is the most popular activity in Gombe. It involves trekking in the rainforest zone on special trails, finding the chimpanzee in their natural habitats. The trek might take between 1 and 3 hours, depending on the chimpanzee’s current location. After you’ve found troops in their hideouts, you spend an hour watching them closer as they do their daily routines. You’ll stay at a safe distance from them (at least 8 meters).
Guided walks.
A low-key adventure in the pristine forests can get you to spot primates like vervet monkeys, colobus monkeys, and baboons. This slow adventure always results in the discovery of medicinal plants, small creatures, birds, and insects. You can follow the trail of Jane Goodall, the world-famous primatologist who spent decades doing research on the behavior of chimpanzees.
Boat cruises.
Gombe’s strategic location on the eastern shores of Lake Tanganyika makes it a perfect spot for boat rides. After a trek in the wilderness, you might feel tired. You can go for a boat ride in the world’s longest tropical lake just to kill fatigue. The journey takes to the unknown, with the only people being fishermen.
Birdwatching
Gombe’s diverse habitats – dense forests, montane forests, and lake shores – host more than 200 bird species. These include the African fish eagle, the common paradise flycatcher, the tropical boubou, and the African broadbill.
2. Kitulo National Park
Nestled in the southern part of the country, Kitulo is truly a hidden gem worth a visit. While it may not have many animals like the Serengeti, it has unique experiences to offer. The park is home to over 350 species of vascular plants, including over 45 species of orchids. It’s no coincidence it’s called the ‘Serengeti of Flowers.’ Just like the Serengeti hosts many wild animals, Kitulo has a myriad of flowers.
What to do in Kitulo National Park
Walking safari.
Go on a rewarding walk in the “Garden of God” to watch colorful flowers. Flowers typically blossom between November and May, making the entire park so captivating. The park has been voted Africa’s best destination for newlywed couples, especially those seeking beautiful, live flowers and seclusion. Here, couples can walk hand-in-hand as they inspect the stunning wild botanical gardens.
Hiking.
Love hiking? Kitulo has some challenging peaks for you. You can hike the Kipengere, Poroto, or Livingstone Mountains. The hike is gentle and more scenic, giving you the opportunity to gaze at the natural surroundings. On your hike, you might see kipunji, one of the endangered monkeys in the park.
Birdwatching
If you want to see birds on your safari, you’ve come to the right destination. Birds do fly from flower to flower searching for wax. Here, you can find over 350 species, including the endemic Denham’s bustard, blue swallow, Kipengere seedeater, Njombe cisticola, and mountain marsh widow.
3. Saadani National Park
Saadani is the only park where bush meets the ocean. It spans 1,062 square kilometers (410 square miles) and lies on the east coast of the Indian Ocean within the Tanga region. The game is abundant, but not as in top parks. However, the experience is unforgettable.
What to do, Saadani?
Game drives.
Saadani boasts incredible wildlife worth a game drive. You can spot large game like elephants, lions, leopards, giraffes, buffalo, antelopes, warthogs, mongooses, and sitatungas. You can also spot primates like vervet monkeys, yellow baboons, and black-and-white colobus monkeys.
Boat cruises.
The majestic Wami River is navigable. You can catch a boat ride along it to watch hippos, crocodiles, and water birds. The ride is an adventure because you’ll come across beautiful riverine forests, colorful birds, and stunning landscapes.
Walking safaris.
A walk to a sea turtle breeding site brings marine life closer to you. You can also walk in the terrestrial parts of the park, where you can meet mongooses, baboons, and birds.
Beach relaxation
The only difference with Saadani’s beaches is that they are wild. No crowds, no fancy resorts. So, here you can enjoy seclusion and walk among wildlife as you swim on the beach. Elephants always pay a visit to the beach frequently.
The bottom line.
No two safaris are the same in Tanzania. The first time you’ve been in this glorious nation was different, and it’s also going to be different. Hidden gems are everywhere in the country, but a few operators take guests there. As seasoned operators, we can take you to any destination of your interest in Tanzania. Are you ready to embark on your second Tanzania safari? Speak to our experienced safari planners to start your plan today.
