Travel in Tanzania

DISCOVER THE SAVANNAH, CLIMB THE HIGHEST FREE-STANDING MOUNTAIN OR SWIM IN THE CRYSTAL CLEAR WATER.

Mountain climbing, safari and beautiful beaches are waiting for you

Discover the savannah, climb the highest free-standing mountain in the world and swim in the crystal clear water of Zanzibar. Africa, particularly Tanzania, should be on everyone’s bucket list. It is the ultimate place for a gap year or travel break.

Tanzania is home to the Big 5 (the African Elephant, Cape Buffalo, Black Rhinoceros, African lion, and African leopard) in some of the world’s biggest natural parks. Many live in the Ngorongoro Crater, the largest intact and unfilled volcanic caldera in the world. It is not just the animals that are amazing – the people of the Masai are so incredibly kind and welcoming.

Choose between climbing Mount Kilimanjaro or a 4WD drive camping safari plus incredible relaxing and playing on the stunning island of Zanzibar. All tours can be combined for the most amazing month you will ever have in your travel experiences.

Backpacker destinations in Tanzania
Serengeti National Park

Serengeti National Park

Serengeti National Park Tanzania Arguably Africa’s most famous national park due to its “Great Migration”. Nearly 2.5 million white bearded and blue wildebeests, 250,000 zebras, Thompson gazelles, and if you are lucky groups of black rhinos make their way across the Mara River (a river teeming in crocodiles) and across the Serengeti in search of the best feeding areas during the dry season. There is simply never enough time to explore the world heritage Serengeti National Park - home to Africa’s largest lion population, growing populations of African leopards, bush elephants, hyenas, wolves, mongoose, warthogs, hippos and over 500 different bird species. It truly is an incredible ecosystem of predators and prey living in front of your eyes.
Arusha

Arusha

Arusha Tanzania Arusha is a major international hub and launchpad for many safaris due to its proximity to so many national parks and conservation areas. The region around Arusha has the highest number of volcanic craters and dormant volcanoes in Tanzania and sits in the shadow of Tanzania’s second highest mountain, Mount Meru. Large parts of the city were originally Masai land, and many of the city names and food are inspired by the Masai. We highly recommend you try the local dish called Nama Choma with a cold beer and Pili Pili sauce!
Mt Kilimanjaro

Mount Kilimanjaro

Mount Kilimanjaro Tanzania At 5,895 metres above sea level, Mount Kilimanjaro is the world’s highest single free-standing mountain. Although it is not as technical an ascent as the Andes or Himalayas’ strong winds, low temperatures and the altitude still mean that climbing the dormant volcano is still a serious undertaking. Made up of three volcanic cones - Kibo, Mawenzi, and Shira - Mount Kilimanjaro has experienced a significant shrinking of its ice fields and glaciers over the past decade, with them expected to completely disappear in the next ten years.
Moshi

Moshi

Moshi Tanzania Moshi is where most people will base themselves for climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. The nam supposedly meaning smoke - which omits from the dormant volcano. It might not be the prettiest of towns in Africa but there is lots to explore. Try a coffee at the old Railway Station cafe as the sun sets over the mountain. Not only is it a stunning sunset - the coffee should be one of the freshest you have ever tased as Moshi is the main producer of rich famous Tanzania coffee. Nearby Lake Chala has the most inviting blue waters, at close to 100 meters deep - but no swimming here - hungry crocodiles wait just below the surface for errant animals (and occasionally humans).
Ngorongoro Crater

Ngorongoro Crater

Ngorongoro Crater Tanzania Ngorongoro Crater is a UNESCO World Heritage site and a natural habitat for the big 5 African Animals and large flocks of flamingos. It is a massive volcanic crater formed 2.5 million years ago and stretching 260 square kilometres and reaching a depth of 610 metres covered in green forests and savannah. Approximately 42,000 native Masai live throughout the Ngorongoro Crater in small villages of characteristic rounded houses made of local clay. Even though you will get to see most of the incredible big 5 African animals in an amazing natural habitat - you won’t see the giraffe. The walls of the crater are too steep for their legs to descend.

Lake Manyara

Lake Manyara Tanzania Lake Manyara is a large shallow lake fed by underground springs and a few rivers that are nestled below the western rim of the Great Rift - a huge trench system caused by the separation of tectonic plates of 25 million years running from Lebanon to Mozambique. With no rural outflows, the lake nurtures a huge range of wildlife including giraffes, elephants, zebras, hippos, flamingos, pelicans, and even an occasional tree-climbing lion. Unfortunately, pressure on land and overuse of water has led to serious increases in sedimentation in the last decades, making large areas of the lake increasingly exposed during the dry seasons.

Tarangire National Park

Tarangire National Park Tanzania Tanzania’s sixth largest national park is one of its most interesting. Named after the nourishing river that runs through it from Mayara Lake to the north. During the dry months of July through to October the small lakes dry out and the amazing array of animals flock to the banks of the river and the Silale Swamp which works like a huge sponge - soaking up water in the rainy season and slowly releasing it in the dry season. The park is home to the Eland, the largest of the antelope family, the not-so-nice tree-climbing rock python snake, loads of different bird species and the so-called Tree of Life - the Baobab Tree. The Baobab tree is so-called because of the tremendous amount of water (up to 300 litres) in its trunk and the nutrient rich fruit that it subsequently grows even in the dry season.
Zanzibar

Zanzibar

Zanzibar Tanzania Crystal clear warm waters lapping sand as soft as icing sugar, coral reefs full of tropical fish, dolphins, sea turtles and even huge tortoises make the beaches of Zanzibar the world’s best beaches in many visitors' minds. Zanzibar is an island state off the coast of Tanzania famous not only for its incredible beaches and year-round warm waters but also for its spice growing. Cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon and black pepper all grow readily on the islands and are evident in the spicy cooking style. The two islands of Unguja and Pemba are quite different in feel and environment with the former being much more forested. The threatened Zanzibar red colobus monkey can be seen on Unguja around many of the scrub and bush areas.

Dar es Salaam

Dar es Salaam Tanzania Tanzania’s largest city is a major coastal port on the Indian Ocean from where you will catch a boat to Zanzibar. Despite the big city hustle and bustle, there is a really laid-back atmosphere as the traditional dhow boats offload their fishing exploits from the previous night. Along the coast there are colourful markets, lovely swimming beaches and a large range of restaurants making for days of possible exploring. Dar Es Salaam is the financial hub of Tanzania and one of the fastest-growing cities in the world. You will find museums, modern shopping centres, and interesting architecture in the main city area.

Morogoro

Morogoro Tanzania Morogoro is a thriving diverse city, which although being 170 km from the coast is locally known as “ the city close to the ocean” - Mji Kasoro Bahari. Located at the foot of the Uluguru mountain range the city is known for its music scene and cultural diversity. You will find catholic churches, Hindu temples and mosques all within the city centre. Morogoro is the only Tanzanian city (outside of Zanzibar) where you will see someone wearing burkas. Perhaps the best way to immerse yourself in Morogoro is a visit to any of the amazing local markets. Most start trading the first light with a sensory overload of fresh fruit, vegetables, local meats and of course noise. Check out the Saba-Saba market for a wide range of clothes, or get one of the local tailors to create something bespoke.

U. Adventures in Tanzania

Tanzania Safari and Zanzibar

Explore wild animals on the savannah with a Tanzania Safari while also relaxing on the white sandbeach by the beautiful blue water at Zanzibar.

£1,820

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The Kilimanjaro experience

Climb the world’s highest free-standing mountain, Mount Kilimanjaro and reach the highest point in Africa with this 12 days trip

£2,920

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Rebuild a community school

Tanzania is one of the poorest countries in the world – but it is also one of the most beautiful. This volunteer U.Impact! specially crafted for U. takes involvement in the town of Moshi to another level.

£1,705

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FIND YOUR MOJO

Inspiration for travelling in Tanzania