Tanzania doesn’t really do half measures. It’s a country of extremes – snow-capped peaks and baking savannahs, ancient cultures and futuristic lodges, chaos and calm coexisting in perfect rhythm. It’s also one of those rare places that can completely rewire your sense of scale. Everything feels bigger here: the landscapes, the wildlife, the sky. If you’re planning your trip and wondering where to start, here’s our take on the best things to do in Tanzania – a mix of the iconic, the underrated, and the deeply soulful.
1. Go on Safari in the Serengeti
You can’t talk about Tanzania without mentioning the Serengeti, and honestly, there’s a reason it’s world-famous. Endless plains, golden light, herds that move like rivers – it’s as close as you’ll get to stepping into a nature documentary. The annual Great Migration (roughly June to October) sees over two million wildebeest and zebra travelling north in search of greener pastures, trailed by lions, hyenas, and cheetahs. But even outside the migration, the Serengeti teems with life. Lions nap under acacia trees, elephants plod through the dust, and leopards lounge in branches like it’s nothing. It’s humbling.
2. Witness the Ngorongoro Crater
A collapsed volcano might not sound beautiful – but trust us, Ngorongoro Crater is something else. This vast natural amphitheatre is home to around 25,000 animals year-round, including the elusive black rhino. The ecosystem inside the crater is self-contained – grasslands, lakes, and forests all compressed into one dramatic bowl. When morning mist hangs over the rim, it feels otherworldly. Go early, stay quiet, and just watch. It’s a reminder that nature has its own architecture.
3. Climb Mount Kilimanjaro
If you’ve ever dreamed of standing on top of a continent, this is your moment. Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest peak, isn’t just a mountain – it’s a pilgrimage. You don’t need to be a mountaineer, just determined (and reasonably fit). Routes vary from five to nine days, winding through rainforest, moorland, and alpine desert before reaching the glaciers of Uhuru Peak. The altitude will test you, the summit night will nearly break you, but the sunrise up there? Utterly indescribable. You’ll find everything you need to plan your ascent in our guide to climbing Mount Kilimanjaro.
4. Relax on Zanzibar’s Beaches
After dust and adrenaline, you’ll want calm. Enter Zanzibar – a swirl of white-sand beaches, turquoise water, and gentle rhythm. The island feels like an exhale. Spend your mornings snorkelling around Mnemba Atoll, your afternoons wandering through Stone Town’s winding alleys, and your evenings barefoot with a cocktail watching the tide creep in. Kendwa and Nungwi are lively; Paje and Jambiani, slower and dreamier. And if you’ve got time, hop to the smaller islands – Pemba and Mafia – for something wilder and more untouched.
5. Explore Stone Town’s History
Zanzibar’s Stone Town is history made tangible. Narrow coral-stone streets twist through centuries of trade, empire, and revolution. You’ll see carved wooden doors, bustling spice markets, and echoes of both Arab and colonial rule. Visit the Old Fort, the House of Wonders, and the old slave market for context that’s equal parts haunting and fascinating. It’s chaotic, hot, sometimes overwhelming – but utterly essential. A UNESCO World Heritage Site that somehow still feels lived-in.
6. See Flamingos at Lake Natron
For something truly surreal, head north to Lake Natron – a shallow soda lake that shimmers red in the sun. It’s harsh, remote, and nearly lifeless to the eye… except for the thousands of bright pink flamingos that nest here each year. The colour contrast alone looks photoshopped. The area’s volcanic landscape adds to the drama; you can even hike to the active volcano Ol Doinyo Lengai, “The Mountain of God.” Not many tourists make it this far – it’s wild country – but that’s the point.
7. Discover the Culture of the Maasai
Beyond the wildlife, Tanzania’s soul lies in its people. Spending time with the Maasai offers insight into one of Africa’s most recognisable (and often misunderstood) cultures. Visit a Maasai boma near Ngorongoro or Arusha to learn about traditional herding, crafts, and ceremonies. Go respectfully, ideally with a local guide who fosters genuine cultural exchange rather than performance. The Maasai’s resilience and grace in preserving their identity amid modernisation is deeply moving.
8. Go Diving or Snorkelling
The waters off Zanzibar and Mafia Island are among the best diving spots in the Indian Ocean. Mnemba Atoll offers easy drift dives through coral gardens teeming with clownfish, rays, and sea turtles. More experienced divers can explore the deeper reefs off Pemba or even discover rare species like whale sharks near Mafia between October and February. Even if you’re just snorkelling, the visibility is unreal – think aquarium-level clarity.
9. Visit a Spice Plantation
Zanzibar isn’t called the Spice Island for nothing. Cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom – they all grow here, perfuming the air. Touring a spice farm gives you a hands-on (and nose-on) understanding of why this tiny island was once the epicentre of the global spice trade. You’ll see how spices are grown, harvested, and dried, and probably end up tasting a few straight off the tree. It’s earthy, educational, and oddly soothing.
10. Go Off the Beaten Path in the Southern Parks
While the Serengeti gets all the fame, southern Tanzania quietly shelters some of Africa’s most pristine wilderness. Ruaha National Park and Nyerere (Selous) National Park are vast, raw, and blissfully uncrowded. You’ll find fewer safari vehicles, more elephants, and that sense of remoteness you can’t fake. Game drives here feel more like exploration than tourism. The lodges are smaller, more intimate, and the guides often lifelong naturalists. If you’ve ever wanted to feel like the first person to discover Africa’s wild heart, this is where to go.
11. Hike in the Usambara Mountains
Hidden in Tanzania’s northeast, the Usambara Mountains are a hiker’s paradise. Green, misty, and full of charm, they’re dotted with farms and tiny villages. Multi-day treks here are about connection more than conquest – you’ll stay in guesthouses, talk with locals, and enjoy panoramic views that most tourists never see. It’s cool, peaceful, and endlessly photogenic.
12. Taste Tanzania
Yes, safari lodges serve great food, but real Tanzanian cuisine deserves its own spotlight. Try nyama choma (grilled meat), chipsi mayai (egg and chips omelette), and Zanzibar pilau fragrant with cloves. Visit a local market and you’ll find piles of mangoes, coconuts, and cassava chips sold in brown paper cones. Street food here isn’t a sideshow – it’s a window into daily life. And if you want to dive deeper, read our guide to Tanzania food for the full lowdown.
13. Take a Dhow Cruise at Sunset
It sounds clichĂ© until you’re actually on one. Traditional wooden dhows sail slowly across the coast at sunset, their triangular sails glowing orange against the fading sky. There’s no rush, no noise – just the flap of canvas, the splash of waves, and maybe a cold drink in hand. Whether it’s off Nungwi, Stone Town, or the quieter south, it’s the kind of simple experience that stays with you long after you’re home.
14. Visit Arusha and Its Markets
Before or after your safari, Arusha deserves a day or two. It’s Tanzania’s gateway to the north, full of energy and colour. The central market is a riot of spices, coffee beans, and chatter. Stop by the Cultural Heritage Centre for art and crafts, or visit nearby coffee farms for tastings straight from the source. Arusha is chaotic, yes, but it’s the heartbeat of adventure in Tanzania.
Final Thoughts
Tanzania is one of those places that doesn’t just fill a photo album – it reshapes your sense of wonder. You can watch elephants thunder across a plain in the morning and sip coconut water on the beach by sunset. You can climb glaciers, dance in village squares, dive coral reefs, and fall asleep to the sound of cicadas. It’s big, unpredictable, and real. And that’s exactly what makes it unforgettable.
To start planning your adventure, check out our curated Tanzania travel guide and see how to plan a family safari in Tanzania – or just start dreaming about which corner of this vast, beautiful country will steal your heart first.