Top 9 things to do in Tanzania & Zanzibar

Top 9 things to do in Tanzania & Zanzibar are watch the great wildebeest migration, wildlife safaris in Serengeti. Top 9 things to do in Tanzania & Zanzibar for all travelers give them amazing safari experiences as they engage with wildlife, local Masai people, get on a balloon safari, watch the great wildebeest migration, etc.

Tanzania is exceptional to explore while on safari adventure. Tanzania has various safari destinations that travelers can visit on wildlife and self drive safari in Tanzania.

Exploring the country varies from one traveler to the next interested in watching the BIG FIVE wildlife animals as well as other animals wandering around their natural vegetation habitat. Below are the Best Things to do in Tanzania on self drive safari with friends and family on vacation.

1. Visit Serengeti National Park

Visiting the vast savannah Serengeti National Park should be every travelers’ must safari destination due to the various safari experience the park offers to all travelers. The great Serengeti is exceptional for all travelers interested in Wildlife Safaris in Tanzania as the park has many wildlife animals that are watched on Game Drive as you traverse from one point to another.

The wildlife animals you watch include; lions, leopards, elephants, buffalo, rhinoceros, cheetahs, giraffes, zebras and various antelope species. The Serengeti has various sections which include the Northern Serengeti, Central Serengeti, Southern Serengeti with unique adventure to offer to all travelers.

2. Explore Lake Manyara National Park

Lake Manyara National Park is exceptional to explore while on self drive safari in Tanzania. The Park is known to offer amazing wildlife safaris as you transfer from one point to another in a 4×4 wheel vehicle with lead park ranger guides who inform you about the wildlife animals.

The Park is famously known to offer views of the tree climbing lions which are fond of resting in the fig tree branches making watching them so exceptional and remarkable. While in the Park, take many photos to keep with you. The Game Drives you have are in sessions i.e Morning from 7:00 am to mid day, Afternoon from 1:00 pm to 4 pm then Evening from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm.

   3. Visit the Ngorongoro Crater

While on self drive safari in Tanzania, you can proceed to visit the vast famous Ngorongoro Crater situated in between the Serengeti National Park and Lake Manyara National Park. The Crater is an exceptional safari destination to explore as it includes many wildlife animals which wander around their vegetation habitat as well as the crater where they are fond of taking water to break thirst.

The Ngorongoro Crater is found in Northern Tanzania covering an area of 260 square kilometers with a volcanic caldera which was formed after a giant volcano exploded and collapsed years ago.

The crater consists of more than 25,000 large animals which are fond of wandering around their natural habitat and these include; Lions, leopards, hyenas, Elephants, buffaloes, zebras, wildebeest, Black rhinos, Hippos, Flamingos, etc.

 4. Trek Chimpanzees at Gombe Stream National Park

Gombe Stream National Park is awesome to explore while on self drive safari in Tanzania. The Park is famously known to offer amazing Chimpanzee Tracking Adventures to all travelers on vacation safari in Tanzania.

Chimpanzee Tracking in the Park is an incredible safari adventure that offers you a chance to trek and watch the unique chimpanzees in their natural vegetation habitat. Chimpanzee tracking in Gombe Stream National Park includes following various forest trails looking for habituated chimpanzee families.

The Best time for tracking the chimpanzees is during the dry season, from June to October, when the weather is more stable. During this period the chimps are usually found on the lower slopes. A Chimpanzee Permit in Gombe Stream National Park cost 100 US Dollars where as those in Mahale mountains national park costs 150 US Dollars per individual.

   5. Hike Mount Kilimanjaro

What is a self drive safari in Tanzania without visit and hiking the majestic Mount Kilimanjaro Africa’s highest Mountain. Mount Kilimanjaro is found at Mount Kilimanjaro National Park located close to the Kenyan border with the snow capped Uhuru Peak.

The Park elevates to 5,895 meters (19,341 feet) above sea level with peaks i.e Kibo, Mawenzi and Shira. On hiking the Mountain, you follow varying routes I. e Marangu Route, Machame Route, Lemosho Route, Rongai Route, Northern Circuit Route, Umbwe Route, Shira Route.

 6. Relax at the Beach in Zanzibar

While on self drive safari, you can proceed to go explore Zanzibar engaging in various adventures as you move from one point to another. The Self drive safaris in Zanzibar are exceptional to do and these offer you a chance to explore the island’s diverse terrain landscapes, beaches, cultural sites, spice plantations at your own pace.

While on your safari, you shall include Stone Town to Matemwe, the Spice & Culture Loop, and the East Coast Adventure. Other than that, Zanzibar has beautiful exotic beaches which are exceptional for all travelers on honeymoon safari.

  7. Visit the Masai Village

While on self drive safari in Tanzania, you shall visit the stunning Masai Villages where you meet the local Masai who take you through their unique traditions and customs. They shall take you exploring their local Manyatta Camps and learn about their way of living.

While on your Masai Village visit, you shall notice that the Maasai have distinctive dressing styles, semi-nomadic lifestyle and deep connection to land and cattle. They shall also perform you their traditional songs, dances, Marriage customs, rites of passage, elders’ roles. You shall get a chance to engage in their activities an adventure so exceptional.

8. Enjoy Hot air Balloon Safaris

While on holiday and self drive safari in Tanzania, you should not miss out on having and enjoying a hot air balloon safari in the various safari destinations. A hot air balloon gives you a chance to explore the vast wildernesses and watch wildlife animals at an aerial view as you fly from one point to another.

A hot air balloon safari in Tanzania offers you a chance to experience Tanzania’s wildlife, landscapes as well as have remarkable photographic adventures. The Best places you can enjoy remarkable hot air balloon safaris are Serengeti National Park, Tarangire National Park, Ruaha National Park. These are scheduled 06:00 am: Launch at sunrise; flight lasts for 1 hour, 07:30 am: Bush breakfast with sparkling wine, 08:30 am.

The hot Air Balloon Safari takes a period of 50 to 70 minutes but if it includes pre-flight and post-flight activities, this takes about 4 hours. The safaris are taken due to the wind and weather conditions at the time.

    9. Experience the Great Wildebeest Migration

Self Drive Safaris in Tanzania are exceptional when you get to experience the Great Wildebeest Migration where you get a chance to watch millions of wildebeest, zebras, gazelles, zebras traversing within the Masai Mara and Serengeti National Park ecosystem.

This natural wonder event happens annually requiring the four hoofed animals search for new grazing grounds, breeding grounds and calving grounds. Watching the Great Wildebeest Migration is amazing and remarkable as you get to experience this unique event observing these traverse the Mara River and Grumeti River annually.

The Great Wildebeest Migration in Tanzania takes place between the months of January and March in Southern Serengeti, with the peak calving season happening around February. From April to May, the herds start their northward trek, getting around the Grumeti River area in June. The crossings at the Mara River happen in the months of July to October, with herds returning south to the Serengeti in November.