4 Best Things To Do In Tanzania For First-Time Visitors
4 Best Things To Do In Tanzania For First-Time Visitors, What a milestone you set by planning your next adventure to Tanzania. For decades, this glorious nation has been a hotspot for many safari-goers, with everyone visiting for a certain interest. Since it’s your first time considering a Tanzania safari, we are here to help you make informed decisions. In this article, we’ll unveil the four best things to do in Tanzania for first-time visitors.
1. Do a Serengeti safari.
No doubt you know this world-famous destination, and probably you watched a clip or heard about it from a friend. And as far as we know, it never disappoints first-timers because there’s much to see.
The word Serengeti is a Maasai word, ‘Siringet,’ which means ‘endless plains’ or ‘the land that runs forever.’ Wide stretches of plains take up about half of the park’s habitat, attracting the largest herds of zebra, gazelle, and wildebeest. Here’s what to do in the Serengeti:
• Trekking the Great Migration.
Every year, over 1.5 million wildebeest with their companions – zebra and gazelle – move following the same routes in the search for green pasture and water. This epic mammal migration involves a series of events that happen when the right time arrives. You can catch any of the following:
• The calving season – December to March. Watch the calves stand upright after 3 minutes of birth in the southern part of the park. February is the peak of this event.
• Rutting season – April to May. Witness aggressive bulls fight for females. This event happens in Central Serengeti and Moru Kopjes.
• Grumeti River crossings – June to July. View animals face the crocodile-infested Grumeti River.
• Mara River crossings – late July to September. Enjoy front-row seats at Serengeti Under Canvas or Sayari Camp to see animals crossing the famous Mara River.
• Searching for the Big Five.
The Seronera is the best spot to find these creatures. You can find lions, leopards, elephants, and buffalo. For rhino sightings, head to the Moru Kopjes where rhinos live in protected (fenceless)zones. As you search for the Big 5, you might come across other animals, such as giraffes, cheetahs, spotted hyenas, impalas, bat-eared foxes, jackals, and hippos.
2. Relaxing in Zanzibar.
After you’ve watched wildlife in the Serengeti, it’s time to relax and kill fatigue in Zanzibar. This idyllic archipelago is home to one of the world’s best beaches and is one of the cultural and historical hotspots. Here’s what to do in Zanzibar:
• Snorkeling and scuba diving.
Zanzibar has the best dive sites where marine life thrives. You can explore coral reefs, see dolphins, manta rays, and many other species. Mnemba Atoll is a famous dive site worth going to, whether it’s your first time diving or you’re a seasoned diver. If you want lesser-known dive sites, Pemba and Misali Islands are the best.
• Stone Town tour.
If you want to see how the Portuguese and Arab invaders built their residential and administrative buildings, walk through the streets of this town. Every design has a deeper meaning in this fascinating town, as it represents the culture of the early inhabitants of this town.
You can enjoy local cuisine at a local restaurant or head to the Forodhani Market to buy fresh seafood or spiced rice from trustworthy food vendors. We recommend a local guide who knows every corner of the street.
3. Visit local communities.
Each of its 120 tribes has unique customs and beliefs. Your trip will be interesting if you spare a day or several hours to interact with locals. The Maasai graze their cattle in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and Loliondo Game Controlled Area. You can visit Maasai bomas to watch a traditional dance, herd cattle with Morans, or dress in their famous attire.
The Hadzabe live on the shores of Lake Eyasi. This tribe still grows no crops and doesn’t keep animals. Alongside are the Datoga, who are exceptional blacksmiths. They can make arrows, spears, beads, and utensils.
4. Climb Mount Kilimanjaro.
Climbing Kilimanjaro is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Picture yourself on the top of Africa, witnessing an illuminating sunrise and seeing the white snow and glaciers at 5,895 meters (19,341 ft). We recommend that you take this challenge on your first visit to Tanzania.
You can hike this iconic volcano via its seven well-known routes: Marangu, Machame, Lemosho, Rongai, Shira, Umbwe, and Northern Circuit. You can follow any of these routes and still make a good hike. But Marangu, Machame, Lemosho, and Rongai are perfect for beginners.
The average climb takes 5 days, but we don’t recommend it for beginners. The best Kilimanjaro hike for first-timers takes 6 to 7 days because it includes a day of acclimatization, which increases the chances of reaching the top.
Wrapping things up…
That’s a wrap! There are a lot of things to do in Tanzania, especially when it’s your first time. Are you ready for an action-packed adventure in Tanzania? Let’s start planning your safari.
