Places to Visit in Tanzania

Located just below Mount Meru, Arusha is one of the most ethnically diverse Tanzanian cities comprising of indigenous Africans, Indian, and Arab populations. Established in the 1830s, Arusha is a major contributor to the economy of Tanzania and is also known as the ‘safari capital’.

The beauty of Arusha lies in its chaos of busy streets, bustling markets, colonial-era buildings all set amidst lush expanses. Arusha’s landscape is dotted with high peaks like that of Mount Meru, lakes, and vast plains that let you experience the best of the African wilderness.

Admire the exotic wildlife at the Arusha National Park, one of the top places to see in Tanzania, as you see the Big Five Game animals, flamingos, hippos, and zebras. The very interesting Cultural Heritage Center and its mask museum, spice center, etc. are not to be missed. Tanzania’s famous hominid fossils along with insect displays can be seen at the National History Museum.

The serene countryside of the place can be enjoyed on a canoe safari on the Small Momella Lake in the Arusha National Park. Challenge your limits and try a hike to the 14, 961 ft. high Mount Meru. Those who love to collect mementoes must shop for crafts and jewellery at the Masai Women Fair Trade Center.

Arusha sees a warm and temperate climate throughout the year. The dry months of June-October are the best time to visit.

Located on the lower slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro, ‘Moshi’ is a small city and is the capital of the Kilimanjaro region. It is an important contributor to the Tanzanian economy through tourism and trade activities. It is the gateway to the northern safari circuit of several lakes, national parks, and of course Mt. Kilimanjaro.

The beauty of Moshi lies in its vast safari parks, serene lakes, and lush plantations of coffee and bananas. The city is covered in miles of Chrysanthemum flowers, lending it an unearthly appearance.

Sports enthusiasts must not miss visiting Moshi Club. This scenic golf course, located at the Kili foothills, is where you can enjoy a round of golf. Those who love solitude, must head over to the impressive Materuni Falls, famous for their crystal clear glacial waters and views of Mt. Kilimanjaro.

Coffee lovers would love Moshi! The place offers coffee plantation trails where you can try the freshest coffee and see how it’s grown. Get out of the city and head to the stunning Lake Chala to see its deep crater walls and enjoy boating as you spot baboons, monkeys, and Monitor lizards.

The weather here is tropical wet that alternates with dry windows. The low rainfall months of July-October are the best to visit.

Located in north-western Tanzania in the Shinyanga region. Though it’s a small compact town, it is an important contributor to Tanzania’s economy through forestry, fishing, and mining.

Kahama is one of those rustic little places that offer a beautiful slice-of-life African experience- of its people, wilderness, and food. One of the best places to see in Tanzania, its beauty lies in its vast plains interspersed with thickets of native trees habited by local birds and animals.

The beautiful and friendly people of Kahama can be met at the Central Market. This is also a great place to shop for curios and artworks. For a rare experience, visit the Buzwagi gold mine, which is an open-pit gold mine to see how gold is processed.

Explore the spectacular wildlife at the Northern Kahama Game Reserve. It is exciting trying to spot the Big Five Game animals and other native species. What can be better than tucking in delicious local food like Nyama Choma, Ugali, and Zanzibar pizza after a long day of sightseeing? You can visit places like Verandas Tapas bar and the Royal Food Court for this.

The weather here is hot and humid throughout the year. June-August, the low rainfall months, is the best time to visit.

Located in western Tanzania, Sumbawanga is one of the important food-producing and trading centers of the country. Its name translates to ‘throw away your witchcraft’ and what makes the place fascinating is the presence of spiritual healers who have thriving practices here. It is the gateway to Katavi National Park.

Sumbawanga is surrounded by lush expanses dotted with vast farms and national parks giving a sense of traditional African wilderness.

Visit the Sumbawanga Memorial to see its beautiful man made stone architecture, an amazing feat of design and vision. Those who love spotting wildlife must head over to the Katavi National Park. The park has several rivers like Chada, Katavi, and Katuma that act as watering holes for the native hippos, elephants, and Cape buffaloes.

For a deeper Tanzanian experience take a walking tour of the city to meet the locals and shop for their handmade handicrafts, traditional jewellery, textiles, etc.

The place has a warm and temperate climate due to its location near the equator. The best time to visit is in the low rainfall months of April-October.

Dar es Salaam is Tanzania’s largest city and its former capital. It was established in 1862 on the East Coast and was an obscure port till the time Germany established the East Africa Company here. It is now amongst the fastest growing cities in the world and the epicenter for Tanzanian fashion, arts, and films.

The beauty of Dar es Salaam’s landscape is incomparable to any other Tanzanian city. Sprawled over a picturesque harbour and miles of lush fertile lands, the city has pristine beaches, mountains, humongous wildlife parks, and stunning lakes.

No trip to Dar es Salaam is complete without exploring its scenic beachside beauty and trying out the famous seafood. You can visit Mbudya Island and Kivukoni Fish Market, which are great places to do this. Those interested in architecture cannot miss visiting the 18th- century St. Joseph’s Cathedral, famous for its stained-glass paintings and Gothic architecture. People interested in war history must visit the Askari monument dedicated to World War I Tanzanian soldiers.

Dar es Salaam, one of the best places to visit in Tanzania, is a haven for those who love to shop and eat. You can enjoy beachside dining at places like The Slipway Stretch and browse through the chic boutiques here. Nature enthusiasts must see the Hawksbill turtle breeding at Masaki and snorkel to see coral reefs here.

Due to its equatorial location, the city experiences a hot and humid climate with a good deal of rainfall. The best time to visit is in the drier months of June-October.

Translating to a ‘city short of an ocean’, Morogoro lies in eastern Tanzania. It is one of the country’s most advanced educational and culturally-rich cities that has unique German and British influences.

Morogoro is located at the foothills of the lush Uluguru Mountains that lends it a surreal beauty and makes it one of the most scenic places to see in Tanzania. Framed amidst beautiful skies lie vast forests and rugged plains, quintessential of the African wilderness.

If you want to see incredible wildlife, head over to the Mikumi National Park, Tanzania’s fourth-largest park, to see the Big Five Game animals along with impala, zebra, greater kudu, lilac-breasted roller, etc. Another amazing place to visit is the Selous Game Reserve to see lions, hyenas, and Cape buffalos. This is where Rufiji, Tanzania’s largest river flows and is a must-see.

Challenge yourself on a hike to the nearby Ulugurus and see the surrounding almost 25-million-year-old rainforests. For an offbeat experience, take cardamom, cinnamon, and mango plantation trails and meet the locals on the way. Those who love waterfalls, cannot miss taking a dip at the huge plunge pool of the Kinole waterfall.

Morogoro is muggy and overcast throughout the year. June-September, the low rainfall months, are the best to visit.

One of the largest Tanzanian cities, Tanga is located on the shores of the Indian Ocean bordering Kenya. This ancient city was ruled by the Portuguese and was an infamous slave trade hub till the 18th-century. It then started prospering under the Germans’ rule and is now an important port.

This sunny oceanside beauty of a town is marked with untouched beaches, beautiful lagoons, and coral reefs, making it one of the most picturesque places to see in Tanzania. Its lands are covered in miles of ancient forests surrounded by the soaring Usambara Mountains and their lush valleys.

The highlight here is the ancient Amboni Caves located amidst tulip and fig thickets and can only be explored in the torchlight. For an off-track adventure, take a long relaxing dip in the medicinal waters of the Galonos hot springs. Explore the natural habitat of African bush elephants, blue wildebeests, Dik-Diks, etc. at the Saadani National Park.

Those who love heritage and history must explore the 15th- century ruins of Shrizai tombs and the European cemetery here. You can also enjoy a daylong bike tour that will take you through the narrow lanes of the city where the beautiful ancient mansions and Arab-style buildings are hidden.

Tanga is hot and humid throughout the year. January-February and June-August are the low rainfall months and the best time to visit.

Located in Malawi on the Mozambique border, Mwanza is the second-largest city in Tanzania and is a major port. Mwanza is known as the gateway for safaris to Serengeti and Ngorongoro and is loved for its chic and friendly atmosphere.

The location of this port city on the Lake Victoria shores makes it extremely beautiful and one of the top places to visit in Tanzania. It is known as the ‘Rock city’ because of the gigantic rocks strewn all over its landscape.

One of the most famous attractions here is the centuries-old dancing rock formations at Jiwe Kuu that offer great views of the city. Nature lovers must visit the nearby Saanane, Rubondo, and Kome islands, etc. to see rock hyrax, impalas, lions, hyenas, etc. To get a taste of the rich Tanzanian culture, visit the Sukuma Museum to see traditional snake dances.

An unforgettable sight here is the famous Bismarck Rocks jutting out of the waters of Lake Victoria, which is one of the most unique places to see in Tanzania. Those who love nature’s quietness can enjoy a sunset cruise at Lake Victoria or hike in the rustic wilderness of the Balili Hill Range.

It is warm and overcast almost year-round at Mwanza. The best time to visit is between June-September.

The capital city of Tanzania, located in the central part of the country, Dodoma was initially an obscure little market town. It was founded in 1907 by the Germans and is now a major education, tourism, and sporting hub. This is where most of the Tanzanian wines are produced.

Located near the southern highlands, Dodoma is bestowed with a beautiful scenic landscape and vast agricultural plains, making it one of the best places to see in Tanzania. Vast plains dotted with patches of acacia trees, lush valleys, and rainforests make Dodoma even more scenic.

One of the most liberal Parliamentarian buildings in the world, the Bunge is a must-visit. It stands as a testimony to the re-emergence of Tanzania. Marvel at the stunning Ethiopian and Middle-Eastern architecture of the Anglican Cathedral and the vast expanse of the Gaddafi Mosque, the largest mosque in Tanzania.

Shop for local art pieces and crafts at Nyerere Square and browse the local boutiques. Explore the million-year-old UNESCO-protected Kondoa paintings at Iragi Hills by the indigenous Sandawe people. Nature lovers can enjoy a hike to the iconic landmark Simba Hill.

Dodoma has arid and temperate weather. The drier months of April-July is the best time to visit.

Mbeya, located in southwestern Tanzania, is a gold mining town. Established in 1902, the city was under the control of the British until the 1960s. It is famously known as the ‘breadbasket of Tanzania’ for being a major food producer.

Mbeya’s location in a narrow valley surrounded by high mountains in a bowl-like shape makes it an extremely interesting and beautifully landscaped place. The sprawling cattle farms and plantations of coffee, tea, cocoa, and spices and forests of bamboo and medicinal plants also accentuate its natural beauty.

One of the major highlights here is the Ngozi lake, the second-largest crater lake in Africa known for its emerald-green water and varieties of fish. Naturalists would love to visit Kitulo National Park. The park houses almost 400 plant and orchid varieties and rare birds like the Blue swallow, Mountain marsh widow, etc., making it one of the best places to visit in Tanzania.

Some of the most fun activities here are birding, swimming, and caving at the famous Kapologwe Falls. This laidback city and it’s Lake Malawi is perfect for lazing and trying to spot the rare cichlids. Beach lovers would love to explore the fishing villages, windsurfing, and ornamental fish viewing at Matema Beach.

Matema sees humid and rainy weather throughout the year. June-October is warm, sunny, and dry and the best time to visit.

Located near the international border of Burundi, Kasulu is located in  northwestern Tanzania. It is primarily an agricultural region that produces bananas, sweet potatoes, maize, etc. along with coffee and sugarcane.

The fact that this compact place can be explored in a day doesn’t take away from its scenic beauty. The city is a beautiful mix of the new and the traditional in terms of its architecture, food, and culture.

If you are someone who loves sunny oceanic expanses, you can’t miss visiting the pristine Bangwe beach. This is one of the best places to enjoy seafood and watersports. Your beachside experience cannot be complete without visiting the Katonga fishing village where hundreds of wooden boats are launched at the same time and is a fascinating sight.

Lose yourself in the quietude of wilderness as you stroll in the picturesque expanses of the Mwamunga beach and hike in the surrounding forested hills. After a day of hiking, don’t miss visiting the local cafes to enjoy traditional Tanzanian foods like Nyama Choma, Samaki, Pilau, Ndizi-Nyama, etc.

Kasulu has a mildly tropical climate with rainfall throughout the year. The best time to visit is during the low-rainfall months of June-October to enjoy a variety of activities.

Sonega is named after a great Ngoni warrior who was hanged here in 1906. Though this city has seen a tumultuous past of wars, ivory poaching, slavery, etc. it is now a major contributor to the Tanzanian economy by way of transportation and agriculture.

Sonega though is crowded but has a vibrant energy and buzz about it. Add to it the beauty of its numerous shaded streets and lush hills in the distance along with huge patches of sunflowers, and you get a picturesque and sunny beauty of a place.

Tanzania’s Maji Maji uprising is famous around the world as a symbol of bravery. Those who want to know more about this iconic feat must visit the Maji Maji Museum to see rare exhibits and pictures. After a day of exploring the city, try out the traditional Tanzanian snacks and desserts at famous eateries like Krista Park Fast Food and Agape Café.

Stroll amidst the beautiful Gothic architecture of the St. Benedictine Church in Peramio. This surreal experience will remind you of ancient European Gothic-style churches right here in Tanzania. If you love to shop, visit the chaotic but fun local markets to pick up handicrafts and jewellery.

Sonega has a warm and muggy climate due to its location near the equator. The drier months of June-October is the best time to visit.

This semi-autonomous archipelago consists of two main islands of Pemba and Unguja and is one of the best places to visit in Tanzania. Though this is a part of Africa, Zanzibar couldn’t be more distinct in terms of its culture, food, and religion. Zanzibar has been inhabited since the Later Stone Age period and has strong Asian, Portuguese, and British influences.

To say that Zanzibar is beautiful is an understatement. The place is blessed with incredible tropical beauty comprising coral reefs, vast grassy plains, thickets of coconut trees, and lush vegetation.

The beauty of Zanzibar’s Arab-influenced architecture and heritage is incomparable to any place in the world. The 19th-century ocean-facing Sultan’s Palace and the UNESCO protected Stone Town stand as a testimony to this. The buzz of this fun city can be caught at the Forodhani night market that offers traditional meats, fish, and snacks.

One of the most fascinating things to do here is to visit the intriguing Prison Island where slaves and people with incurable diseases were kept. Besides the slave trade, other aspects of the Zanzibari culture can be explored at the ‘House of Wonders’. Spices have always been a part of Zanzibar culture and can be explored through a local spice tour.

The weather here is tropical and warm due to its proximity to the Equator. The best time to visit is in the drier months of June-October.

Tabora, initially known as Kazeh, lies in the west-central part of Tanzania. It was one of the topmost slave trade locations, till the Germans took it over in the 1870s. It is now mainly an agricultural region with several tobacco farms and honey production centers.

Tabora is a beautiful sunny town with huge promenades and wide roads lined with old mango trees. Its beauty lies in its vintage colonial charm and laidback lifestyle. The architecture here is a beautiful mix of German and African styles and adds to the beauty of the place, making it one of the most stunning places to see in Tanzania.

Travelling is all about exploring the local heritage. Two of such iconic Tanzanian places are the magnificent 19th-century Fort Boma famous for its stunning German architecture and the Livingstone’s Tembe, the 18th-century Arabic-style home, perfect for learning about the infamous slave trade.

There is no experience like experiencing the wilderness and seeing rare birds at the Igombe Camp forest reserve. After a day of sightseeing, stroll in the lanes of this sleepy hinterland to sample Tanzanian foods like Chipsi-Mayai, Ugali, Sambusa, etc. at the local shacks.

Tabora experiences a hot and temperate climate throughout the year. The drier months of May-October are the best time to visit.

Kigoma is a port city located in northwestern along Lake Tanganyika. One of the busiest ports in the country, it contributes tremendously to the Tanzanian economy. Kigoma also has a small airport that connects it to Dar es Salaam and Bujumbura.

Due to its location near the lake, Kigoma’s landscape is pretty scenic. It is dotted with vast thickets of forests, farms, and plantations all nestled between looming mountains.

Follow the footsteps of the famous naturalist Jane Goodall and visit the Gombe National Park, one of the most intriguing places to see in Tanzania. Here you will not only see her chimpanzee conservation efforts but also species like olive baboons, vervet monkeys, leopards, hippos, etc. To have a fascinating Tanzanian wildlife experience, visit the Mahale Mountains National Park. This is one of the few places in the world where chimpanzees and lions coexist. One of the best places to experience quintessential Tanzanian warmth and buzz is at Ujiji. This is not only the oldest African market but also stands as a slave trade landmark.

Enjoy a ride on the 1913 train MV Liemba that plies between Lake Tanganyika and Zambia. Those who love beachside activities can enjoy wakeboarding, kitesurfing, snorkelling, and the gorgeous sunsets at Lake Tanganyika and Bangwa Beach.

The climate in Kigoma is tropical. May-September is the low-rainfall month and the best time to visit.