Things to Do
A short list of things to do by region in tanzania
It’s no secret that Tanzania is most notable for its national parks like The Serengeti, and Ngorongoro Crater, but if you’re looking for something outside of safaris, then you’ve come to the right place. All attractions below are listed in alphabetical order by region.
Arusha
Arusha, home to Mt. Meru, is a city and region located in the northern part of Tanzania with a regional land area of about 14,500 square miles and a population of 1.7 million people. Arusha region is home to Serengeti National Park, Olduvai Gorge, and many other historical attractions. Its lush, green, hilly landscape allows for many activities like trekking and watrfall hikes.
Some cool things to do in the city of Arusha include visiting Lake Duluti, the Great Rift Valley, going to Meserani Snake Park, visiting the Maasai people, the Cultural Heritige Museum, and the Museum of Natural History.
Bagamoyo
Bagamoyo, a combination name from the 2 Swahili words bwaga and moyo, meaning lay your heart [down], is a treasure trove of East African history, and also, a large part of the continents history in slavery.
Visit Bagamoyo to see the slave markets, museums, and 14th century Arab mosques and temples. Here I found out that not all of us come from West Africa. In the museum Caravan Serai, and the Old Catholic Church, it details the slave routes and even details breifly the Trans- Saharan Slave Trade.
City view of Dar’s harbor.
Dar es salaam
Being the most populous city, Dar es Salaam has a wide array of activities from beach getaways, to nightlife and amazing dining. There are also many cultural and historical tours to check out like The National Museum & House of Culture, Mbudya & Bongoyo Islands, The Village Museum, city historical tours.
Little Known Fact!
Did you know that from the early 1960’s to the late 1970’s Tanzania was basically the Pan African hub of East Africa? This place is rich in Pan African history and many of our adored leaders like Malcolm X, Haile Sellassie, Nelson Mandela, many members of the Black Panher Party, and others found a safe haven in Tanzania during these times. Many of the aforementioned took safe haven in Dar es Salaam.
Dodoma
Irangi Rock Painting
Dodoma is the capital city of Tanzania located smack dead in the center. Dodoma has a local population of about 410,000 people and a land area of approximately 1,03. Dodoma is most notable for its wine production and geological attractions.
Some things to to in Dodoma are to visit the Irangi Rock Paintings, the Parliment building, and Lion Rock.
Oh, did I mention that Dodoma is the wine capital as well? You could also go on a winery/ vineyard tour while you’re there.
Lindi
Kilwa Kisiwani Island.
Lindi region is just south of dar es salaam. The district of Kilwa has a very interesting role in the Arab slave trade as well. Very similar to Bagamoyo, there are old abandoned temples and forts.
Other things to do in Lindi
Snorkeling, diving,exploring the mangroves and fishing.
Mbeya
Lake Nyosi.
Mbeya is a city in the southern region of Tanzania with a population of 385,279 people and a land size of approximately 10,800 square miles. Mbeya is naturally rich in gold and other minerals. It is also home to the Ruaha National Park, Usangu and Lake Nyosi.
Moshi
Kikuletwa Hot Springs.
Moshi is home to the world renowned Mt. Kilimanjaro, tallest mountain on the African continent, and the tallest free- standing mountain in the world.
Besides Mt. Kilimanjaro, there are plenty of attractions that Moshi has to offer like trekking to one of the many waterfalls, historical village tours, Mangi Meli Museum, Chagga cultural tour, Kikuletwa Hot Springs, and coffee tours.
Mwanza
Bismark Rock.
Mwanza, also known as Rock City, is the home of Lake Victoria, Africa’s largest lake, and the source of the Nile River. Mwanza has beautiful scenery and a rich nightlife.
Some activities to do in Mwanza are a tour of Lake Victoria, visit Bismark Rock, go to the Sukuma Museum, and the Rock City Mall.
Tanga
Mountain Trekking in Tanga.
Tanga is a beautiful northern city of Tanzania with a land size of 207 square miles and a population of just under 300,000. This coastal city is rich in ancient and natural history.
A few activities for you to explore in this beautiful coastal, mountainous region are mountain trekking, sulfer hot springs, bird watching, Amboni Caves, and more.
Zanzibar
Jozani Rainforest - mangrove forest.
The world renowned island of Zanzibar is located about 25mi off the coast of Dar es Salaam (mainland Tanzania) with a population of around 1.3 million people. In 2000 it was named as one of the UNESCO World Heritage sites. Zanzibar is full of history and natural beauty. It acquired the nickname of Spice Island because of it’s rich selection of natural spices and herbs. Zanzibar was also one of the main ports for the exportation of slaves between the 1500’s and 1900’s.
Things to do in Zanzibar include touring the slave market, Prison Island, Pete Village Tour, Jozani Rain Forest, swimming with the turtles, Stone Town, spice tours, and more