Tanzania offers unparalleled diversity, from the snow-capped summit of Mount Kilimanjaro to the shores of the Indian Ocean studded with palm trees. The sultry Spice Island of Zanzibar, the Eden-like Ngorongoro Crater, and the thunderous wildebeest migration through Serengeti National Park are some of the well-known attractions.

Chimpanzee trekking in the western woodlands, diving the reefs off Mafia Island, and boat cruises on the hippo-filled Rufiji River in Nyerere National Park are more subdued but no less amazing activities. Although it is hard to choose only ten must-see sights in this fascinating and varied nation, we have highlighted Tanzania’s top vacation destinations below.

1. The Serengeti National Park is regarded as the best safari park in Africa.

The Serengeti National Park, one of Africa’s most visited protected regions, comes first. This unique wildlife habitat spans 14,763km2/5,700mi2, and it comprises 50% of the larger Serengeti-Mara ecosystem. One of the most beautiful places in Africa, it is dominated by vast savannah grasslands and dotted with unique flattop acacias and Balanites trees.

An unparalleled wildlife display is created when you combine over 1.5 million wildebeest, 200,000 zebras, and 300,000 gazelles during the Great Migration. There are many different safari experiences and lodging options available in the Serengeti and the adjacent protected region to fit most budgets.

2. Ngorongoro Crater: Magnificent Landscapes and Abundant Wildlife

The vast Ngorongoro Conservation Area borders Serengeti National Park to the southeast. Towering volcanic walls enclose the distinctive Ngorongoro Crater, which is home to a wide variety of very well-habituated and abundant animals.

The more daring travelers leave the safari crowds behind to explore the larger conservation area, which is a mixed-use zone for Maasai pastoralists and wildlife. Most people only see the crater. The Leakey family made the enormous Olduvai (Oldupai) Gorge, a palaeontological site within this protected region, famous for having some of the most significant hominid fossils on the continent.

3. Scaling Africa’s Highest Peak, Kilimanjaro

It’s unclear where Kilimanjaro got its name. In Swahili, “Kilima” means mountain, but “njaro” may be derived from the Maasai term “ngare” (water), which means “white,” or the Chagga name for the slave caravans that used to travel through the region. There is no denying that Kilimanjaro is the highest freestanding mountain in the world and Africa’s highest summit (5,895m/19,340ft).

Rising magnificently isolated from the plains below, it is without a doubt one of the most spectacular vistas on the continent. With its snow-capped peak dwarfing the surrounding plains, this dormant volcano, which lies almost on the equator, seems so out of place.

It would be a mistake to visit Tanzania and not take some time to admire this magnificent mountain that serves as Africa’s roof. As it dominates the plains and parks below, you can either admire and take pictures of its magnificence or ascend its fabled slopes in the hopes of reaching the top of Uhuru Peak, the highest point on the African continent.

4. The largest wildlife reserve in Africa is Nyerere (Selous) National Park.

An iconic East African safari destination, the 30,893km2/11,928mi2 Nyerere National Park (previously Selous Game Reserve) is divided by the Rufiji River, which is home to the world-famous Stiegler’s Gorge. The park has long been a popular tourist destination in southern Tanzania, despite persistent poaching in some of its more isolated areas. Despite the fact that unlawful hunting decimated the massive herds of elephants in the past, Nyerere is now home to some 16,000 of these grey giants, along with a healthy number of wild dogs.

In the center of this Unesco World Heritage Site, Tanzania’s government has pushed forward with the construction of a massive hydroelectric project inside Stiegler’s Gorge. Whether this will significantly affect the ecosystem and animals of the park is still up in the air.

5. Tanzania’s Well-Known Wilderness Area, Ruaha National Park

Almost unknown outside of Tanzania, Ruaha National Park is a 20,220km2/7,807mi2 national park that is one of the largest in East Africa. However, as they make up an estimated 10% of Africa’s remaining wild lion population, they should undoubtedly be a highlight of any journey to the country’s untamed south.

Additional compelling reasons to ensure that Ruaha is on the itinerary of any adventurous safari enthusiast include the stunning landscapes dotted with enormous baobabs, elephants, and an abundance of plains animals. Additionally, it’s one of the few locations in Tanzania where you can probably spot the magnificent greater kudu.

6. Relatively Unspoiled Wildlife Paradise: Katavi National Park

One of the most pristine and untamed bush environments in the nation, Katavi National Park is wild and isolated, with breathtaking scenery and a wealth of species. Due to its challenging access, the 4,471km2/1,726mi2 park can be somewhat expensive to visit. Few people bother to visit here as a result. In contrast to the well-known Serengeti, which welcomes over half a million tourists each year, isolated Katavi usually receives less than 5,000 daring explorers in a single year.

This is the epitome of wild Africa, and if you have the time and money, you should definitely check out this park. On game drives in Katavi, one of Tanzania’s largest national parks, you frequently encounter more prides of lion than people because there aren’t many small, rustic safari sites.

7. Mahale Mountains: Magnificent Landscapes and Adoptable Chimpanzees

The captivating Mahale Mountains National Park, which is tucked away on Lake Tanganyika with its wooded mountains rising up from the coast, offers up-close interactions with habituated chimpanzees along with breathtaking landscapes.

The pristine waves of Lake Tanganyika lap against white sand beaches, while the mist-covered peak of Mount Nkungwe watches over the scene. Since there is no road access, many safari veterans consider Mahale, which covers 1,613km2/623mi2, to be Tanzania’s most inaccessible park, although it is also one of its most captivating.

Most tourists consider the 75-member Mimikere or “M” group of chimpanzees, which Japanese experts have been studying since the 1960s, to be the holy grail. It can be difficult to locate our closest ancestors, even though the M group is well accustomed. The final payoff is well worth the difficulties of getting there, but be ready for some sweaty, steep treks through dense foliage.

8. Zanzibar: A Culturally and Historically Rich Island in the Indian Ocean

The stunning tropical island of Zanzibar, which is home to lively fishing communities and fragrant spice plantations, has rebranded itself as a popular destination for tourists. Stone Town has culture and history, which contrasts with its picturesque setting of white sand beaches and coconut palms that languidly sway in the sea wind. However, this diversity is exactly what makes Zanzibar such a fascinating and varied island to explore both above and below the ocean, as well as a great place to just unwind and recharge.

Nothing compares to the exclusive satellite island of Mnemba off the northeastern edge of Zanzibar for wealthy people. The ultimate in beach-chic luxury on a tropical island is Mnemba, which has one premium property called &Beyond. There are hundreds of hotels, beach resorts, guesthouses, and other lodging options on the main island for people on a more limited budget. It should go without saying that if you don’t want to see other visitors, you shouldn’t go to Zanzibar.

9. Pemba: East Africa’s “Green Island”

A trip to nearby Pemba is the best option if you don’t like the hundreds of hotels and thousands of people in Zanzibar. Unexpectedly, there has been little expansion of tourism on Zanzibar’s big brother island, which has maintained a flourishing fishing community.

Only a small number of tourist hotels are available, many of which are located in the island’s extreme north. Perhaps the most unusual area you could choose to stay for the night is the Manta Resort’s underwater honeymoon suite!

However, travelers prefer the modest Emerald Bay Resort in the south. The combination of daily boat rides to idyllic sandbanks in the midst of the ocean and delectable seafood lunches served on an outdoor rooftop patio is unsurpassed. At this reasonably priced island paradise, it’s really easy to lose sight of time and unwind for a week or two.

10. Mafia Island: An Ideal Beach With Excellent Diving

The beautiful island of Mafia, which is covered in coconuts, is located further south. Although they don’t have the Mnemba price tag, the lodges here are often a little more upscale than those on Zanzibar. The beaches are excellent, and the marine park and mangroves guarantee a wealth of marine life and a considerably better underwater safari experience than Zanzibar or Pemba.

Mafia is the destination for daring tourists and scuba divers, but it’s a little more remote and difficult to get to. The main undersea feature is the peaceful, totally innocuous whale sharks that visit the island waters every year from October to March.