Top 10 things to see in Tanzania
Tanzania packs Africa's most famous safari, its highest mountain and one of its loveliest islands into one country. The northern circuit gives you the Serengeti, the Ngorongoro Crater and Tarangire; Kilimanjaro rises above Moshi; and Zanzibar adds Swahili history and white beaches.
Start with our ten favourites, then browse every sight by region, each with practical tips, fees and the tours that include it.
Our top 10
- 1Serengeti National ParkThe northern safari circuitUNESCOEndless plains, big cats on every kopje and the Great Migration for most of the year.
- 2Ngorongoro CraterThe northern safari circuitUNESCOA collapsed volcano with lions, black rhinos and huge herds on its floor.
- 3Mount KilimanjaroKilimanjaro and ArushaUNESCOAfrica's highest mountain, climbable without ropes in about a week.
- 4Tarangire National ParkThe northern safari circuitHuge elephant herds among baobab trees, best in the dry season.
- 5Stone Town, ZanzibarZanzibarUNESCOZanzibar's old Swahili town of coral stone houses, carved doors and spice markets.
- 6Nungwi and Kendwa beachesZanzibarZanzibar's northern beaches, where you can swim at any tide and watch the sunset.
- 7Nyerere National Park (Selous)Southern Tanzania and the coastUNESCOBoat and walking safaris on the Rufiji River, a short flight from Zanzibar or Dar es Salaam.
- 8Ruaha National ParkSouthern Tanzania and the coastA vast, remote park with big lion prides, elephants and very few visitors.
- 9Lake Manyara National ParkThe northern safari circuitGroundwater forest, a soda lake and the Rift Valley wall, on the road to Ngorongoro.
- 10Jozani ForestZanzibarZanzibar's only national park, home to the rare Zanzibar red colobus monkey.
Tanzania's World Heritage sites
Six of the sights on this page are UNESCO World Heritage Sites or part of one: the Serengeti, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area (which includes Olduvai Gorge), Kilimanjaro, Stone Town, the Selous (now largely Nyerere National Park) and the ruins of Kilwa Kisiwani. Tanzania's seventh site is the Kondoa rock art.
Plan when to go with our Great Migration tracker and see what park fees add to your trip in the safari cost calculator.
Serengeti National Park
UNESCOEndless plains, big cats on every kopje and the Great Migration for most of the year.
Visitor guide →Ngorongoro Crater
UNESCOA collapsed volcano with lions, black rhinos and huge herds on its floor.
Visitor guide →Olduvai Gorge
UNESCOOne of the world's most important sites for early human fossils, on the road to the Serengeti.
Visitor guide →Mount Kilimanjaro
UNESCOAfrica's highest mountain, climbable without ropes in about a week.
Visitor guide →Stone Town, Zanzibar
UNESCOZanzibar's old Swahili town of coral stone houses, carved doors and spice markets.
Visitor guide →Nyerere National Park (Selous)
UNESCOBoat and walking safaris on the Rufiji River, a short flight from Zanzibar or Dar es Salaam.
Visitor guide →Kilwa Kisiwani ruins
UNESCOThe ruins of a medieval Swahili trading city on an island off the southern coast.
Visitor guide →The northern safari circuit
The Serengeti, the Ngorongoro Crater, Tarangire and Lake Manyara, with Olduvai Gorge and Lake Eyasi on the way.
Tarangire National Park
Huge elephant herds among baobab trees, best in the dry season.
Visitor guide →Lake Manyara National Park
Groundwater forest, a soda lake and the Rift Valley wall, on the road to Ngorongoro.
Visitor guide →Lake Eyasi
A remote soda lake where Hadzabe hunter gatherers and Datoga blacksmiths live.
Visitor guide →Kilimanjaro and Arusha
Africa's highest mountain, Mount Meru and the coffee farms and waterfalls around Arusha and Moshi.
Zanzibar
Stone Town's Swahili lanes, white beaches and the island's own rare monkeys.
Southern Tanzania and the coast
Wild, uncrowded parks with boat and walking safaris, and the medieval ruins of Kilwa.
See them on a tour
Most Tanzania safaris start in Arusha, with a driver guide, 4x4 vehicle, camps and park fees arranged for you.
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