The Ultimate Tanzania Bucket List
10 Bucket List Destinations In Tanzania
Planning a trip to Tanzania? You're not alone! The country has been on the rise as one of Africa's most popular safari destinations. If you're looking for an ultimate bucket list for this beautiful country, we've got just the thing: our personal Tanzania bucket list with 10 places that are sure to leave you awe-inspired and wanting more.
Start your journey in the north with a visit to Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa's tallest mountain. Continue on to some of Tanzania's stunning national parks like Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater – home to an incredible variety of wildlife. Make sure to explore the Zanzibar Archipelago for a dose of tropical paradise, and don't forget about Dar es Salaam, the vibrant coastal city that offers plenty of cultural attractions.
All of that, and we have not even started yet with our list of ten yet.
Ready for an adventure? Here are 10+ must-see safari destinations in Tanzania:
We have compiled a shortlist of "out-of-this-world" destinations in Tanzania that are sure to leave you awe-inspired and wanting more!
1. Mount Kilimanjaro
Best for hiking
Interested in photographing or Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro?
Mount Kilimanjaro is the world-famous and iconic mountain located in northern Tanzania. It is the highest mountain in Africa and the highest free-standing mountain in the world. The mountain is a dormant volcano with three volcanic cones: Kibo, Mawenzi, and Shira.
Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro is a challenging but rewarding experience that will leave you feeling accomplished. The views from the top are absolutely breathtaking and well worth the effort it takes to get there.
Click this link for the Best Mt. Kilimanjaro Hiking Safaris and book your trip today!
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2. Serengeti National Park
Best for wildlife, birdlife and photography
The Serengeti National Park is one of Tanzania's most popular wildlife destinations. It's home to a wide variety of animals, including lions, leopards, cheetahs, elephants, giraffes, zebras, and hippos.
With so much wildlife on offer, it is hard not to want to visit this national park. With knowledgeable guides, exceptional safari options and the best in safari lodges and camps, we at Uyaphi.com can highly recommend this as one of the best destinations for those seeking out the very, very best in wildlife.
Click here to learn more about the Serengeti National Park safari options that we have on offer (all of which can be tailor-made to suit your every whim).
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3. Serengeti balloon safari
Just a simply amazing experience
Are you looking for a truly exhilarating experience and one that will be remembered for a lifetime?
Serengeti balloon safaris are the ultimate way to experience Africa's wildlife. It's an unforgettable experience that offers a unique perspective on this vast and varied landscape as you drift silently over the plains, taking in the sights and sounds of Africa's wildlife. Ballooning in the Serengeti is highly recommended!
A hot air balloon excursion is available at most (if not all) safari lodges and camps within the Serengeti National Park and surrounding conservancies.
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4. Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Best for wildlife, scenery, culture and coffee farming
Are you looking for an amazing destination that includes wildlife, scenery, culture and coffee farming?
The Ngorongoro Conservation Area is one of the most amazing places in Tanzania. It's home to the famous volcanic crater, the largest unbroken caldera in the world. And it covers a large amount of varied terrain between Serengeti and Lake Manyara National Parks.
Stay at some of the finest lodges and camps on the crater rim; each well placed to offer fantastic views of the crater floor. Other accommodation options include luxurious coffee plantation stays; the choice is yours.
Please view our selection of Ngorongoro lodges, camps and boutique hotels in and around the greater conservation area and start planning your safari today!
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5. Lake Manyara National Park
Best for wildlife, tree-climbing lions and photography
Have you ever wanted to see the famous Lake Manyara tree-climbing lions?
Lake Manyara National Park is the perfect destination safari for any safari, whether it be your 1st or 50th. Lake Manyara National Park is known for its large population of elephants, hippos, giraffes, waterbucks, warthogs, buffaloes and more and lets us not forget about the excellent birdlife, with over 350 species. It is also home to tree-climbing lions - so keep an eye out for them as well!
Click here now for more information about visiting Lake Manyara National Park!
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6. Tarangire National Park
Best for birding, wildlife, scenery and photography
Are you planning a safari in Tanzania? Tarangire National Park needs to be on your safari itinerary.
Tarangire National Park is the perfect place for safari, nature and wildlife lovers. The park has an abundance of wildlife, including elephants, lions and leopards, to mention only a few. It's also home to over 400 species of birds! Tarangire National Park was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1982.
Tarangire National Park is perfectly matched with the Serengeti, Ngorongoro and Lake Manyara National Parks; the perfect Tanzanian northern circuit safari awaits.
Your safari starts today, have a look at our Tarangire National Park lodge and camp options!
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7. Gombe National Park
Best for chimpanzees, baboons and monkeys
Gombe National Park is a world heritage site located in western Tanzania on the banks of Lake Tanganyika. An amazing place to visit?
Gombe National Park was founded in 1960 by Jane Goodall, who started her famous study of chimpanzees here. The park is home to not only chimpanzees but also Olive Baboons, Blue Monkeys, Red-tailed Monkeys, and the Red colobus Monkey. A visit to Gombe is incomplete if one does not visit the amazing Kakombe and Mkenke waterfalls. Then there is Lake Tanganyika, the world's second deepest lake and Africa's longest and deepest lake.
All in all, an extraordinary destination awaits for those that venture out of Tanzania's famed safari circuits. Gombe National Park will fast become your favourite park in East Africa.
Safari activities here include; birding, chimpanzee trekking, boat cruises, walking safari, mountain trekking, kayaking, sports fishing and finally, snorkelling and diving.
And then, of course, there is a visit to the Jane Goodall Institute.
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8. Mahale Mountain National Park
Best for chimpanzees, forest and Lake Tanganyika
Are you looking for an amazing safari destination that is home to chimpanzees?
Located on the eastern shore of Lake Tanganyika, Mahale Mountain National Park was founded in 1968. Mahale Mountain National Park is a must-see destination for anyone who loves primates and wants to see some of the most beautiful chimpanzees in Africa. Other wildlife includes blue monkeys, red-tailed monkeys and leopards, and African wild dogs and lions, but rarely seen.
This is a destination only for those seeking a wild and remote adventure. A safari here will require a truly tailor-made itinerary.
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9. Selous Game Reserve
The best safari experience in Tanzania (in our opinion)
Are you looking for an amazing safari destination that will take your breath away?
Without question or doubt, one of Africa's top safari destinations for wildlife and birdlife sightings. The Selous Game Reserve is Africa's largest game reserve and is home to over 400 species of birds and almost countless mammal species!
You won't want to miss out on the opportunity to view and photograph giraffes, leopards, lions, buffalos, elephants and more. The UNESCO World Heritage Site Selous Game Reserve was established in 1982 for its wildlife variety and undisturbed nature.
Book your safari today to Selous Game Reserve and witness one of Africa's finest wildlife destinations!
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10. Lake Victoria
Best for chimpanzees on Rubondo Island and a bucket list item
Visit Lake Victoria is the largest lake in Africa and the second-largest freshwater lake in the world!
Straddling the borders of Uganda and Kenya, with most of it lying in Tanzania, Lake Victoria is a great place for its natural beauty, fishing excursions and diverse birdlife. Some of the animals you can see here include hippos, crocodiles, chimpanzees, elephants, and buffalo. For birders, Lake Victoria can offer exceptional photographic opportunities.
For a truly spectacular destination, have a look at Rubondo Island, a haven for wild chimpanzees, sitatunga antelope, elephants and giraffes.
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Whether you are just starting with the planning process of a Tanzania safari or have travelled through this beautiful country before, we hope the above destination list helps in guiding you on your next adventure.
There is no better country in Africa than Tanzania for those who love wildlife and nature.
Plan your perfect safari today by considering and combining any number of the above 10 Bucket List Destinations In Tanzania.
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Map of Lodges in and around Tanzania
Lodges And Camps In Tanzania
Kwihala Camp
Kwihala Camp is set deep in the untouched and wild heart of Tanzania's amazing Ruaha National Park; the camp offers guests an intimate and exclusive Ruaha safari experience with only six tented suites available. A Ruaha safari camp, Kwihala Camp, is set amongst towering baobabs and dense forests with wildlife surrounding on all sides, is truly spectacular.
Ubuntu Migration Camp
Asilia Ubuntu Migration Camp offers guests seven spacious tented suites that epitomize traditional East African safari charm, and all of this in the tracks of massive herds of wildebeest as they cross the vast plains of the Serengeti National Park in an ancient migration cycle. With Serengeti wildlife on your doorstep 24/7, Ubuntu Camp offers exceptional game drives.
Gibb's Farm
Gibb's Farm, with its 19 exceptionally charming en-suite cottages, offers an absolutely wonderful stay during any safari. It serves as the perfect base from which to explore the wealth of activities in the foothills of the Ngorongoro Forest, the magnificent Ngorongoro Crater, and the stunning Manyara National Park. It is, without a doubt, one of the best locations to immerse yourself in the natural beauty of the region.
Beho Beho Camp
Beho Beho Camp was the first accommodation camp to be sited in the Selous Game Reserve, not on the banks or the flood plains of the mighty Rufiji River, but in the cooler highlands of the Selous so as to enjoy the 'cooling breezes' from which its name derives. One of the better lodges in Selous for those looking for wild and remote game drives and birding.
Karatu Simba Lodge
Nestled in the heart of the Tanzanian countryside, bordering the magnificent Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Karatu Simba Lodge is an oasis of unparalleled tranquility. For those captivated by the allure of rural farming, rich culture, vibrant community life, and spectacular wildlife and birding, this lodge is without a doubt the ultimate destination. Prepare to be immersed in an experience that offers a true sense of peace and quiet, far from the bustle of modern life.
Dik Dik Hotel
Dik Dik Hotel in the small Tanzania town of Arusha is the ideal starting point for visitors eager to explore the splendours of the Tanzanian landscape with its rich flora and fauna, eight hectares of lush tropical gardens compliment the forested environment and attract prolific birds. A popular hotel and for good reason, with excellent accommodation, amenities, facilities and service levels one would be hard-pressed to find better in Arusha.
Matemwe Lodge
Matemwe Lodge in Zanzibar is one of the most stunning beach accommodations available. It features 12 beautiful bungalows, crafted from local materials and nestled along a magnificent beach. Each suite is spectacularly designed with a private veranda, complete with hammocks and couches offering breathtaking views over Matemwe beach and the Indian Ocean.
Ngorongoro Farm House
Ngorongoro Farm House with 52 cottages is a fantastic base from which to explore all the surrounding attractions of Tanzania's "Northern Circuit" whilst offering good value for money to-boot. The lodge is situated halfway between Ngorongoro Crater and Lake Manyara whilst offering activities locally that include mountain biking, hiking and cultural visits.