Tanzania is a spectacular country to visit, with world-class safaris, incredible cultural experiences and absolutely amazing things to do!
And to me, Tanzania is a perfect destination for the ultimate family vacation!
This past summer, our family was able to explore both Kenya and northern Tanzania and it was truly was an incredible experience.
Below, I would love to share with you our favorite sites and experiences in Tanzania. And hopefully our information and tips will be able to help you more easily plan your own trip-of-a-lifetime to this amazing country as well.
5 TOP THINGS TO DO IN TANZANIA
1. SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK
Serengeti National Park is the ultimate safari destination. With over 4,000 lions, 1,000 leopards, 550 cheetahs, more than 500 bird species, numerous rhinoceroses, hippopotamuses, giraffes, zebras, spotted hyenas, millions of wildebeest and so much more; the Serengeti is truly a natural wonder unlike anywhere else in the world!
Our family spent 3 incredible days on safari in the Serengeti and each day introduced us to a completely new adventure. Whether it was watching a hippo battle in the river, seeing lions defending their kill from a pack of hyenas or even witnessing elephants mating (which was an incredibly memorable moment, especially for our children…); the Serengeti was constantly bursting with awe-inspiring surprises.
Serengeti National Park is an action-packed natural adventure, perfect for all ages, and a top travel destination in all of Africa. So if your family is looking to take a safari in Kenya or Tanzania, definitely check out Serengeti National Park. It’s a spectacular safari experience that you’ll never forget!
2. VISITNG THE HADZABE TRIBE
The Hadzabe Tribe is a fascinating nomadic tribe located in northern Tanzania that utilizes a click-based language. They are considered one of the last remaining hunter-gather tribes left on earth and a modern link to how all humans used to live and survive.
So, when I found out that our family could spend the morning with them, I was beyond excited (and honestly a little nervous as to what to expect.)
Yet, our visit with the Hadzabe turned out to be one of my all-time favorite travel experiences ever!
During our visit with the Hadzabe Tribe, we had the opportunity to listen to the tribe members talk in their native language filled with many clicks and pops (while an interpreter translated all that was said.) We learned about their lifestyle and about how they hunt and gather their food. We walked out into the bush with them! We danced with them. And we even learned how to shoot a bow and arrow from them!
Visiting the Hadzabe Tribe is a fantastic, authentic experience in northern Tanzania. It was definitely a highlight for our family and an experience we’ll never forget.
3. VISITING THE DATOGA TRIBE
The Datoga Tribe is a semi-nomadic tribe that farms, raises cattle and considers themselves the oldest tribe in Tanzania. They are also very skilled in metal-working, which I personally found to be extremely impressive.
At the Datoga Village, our experience was completely hands-on and immersive, which I absolutely loved! In their village we helped grind corn with stones as they sang, our boys learned how to keep a fire going while the hot metal was worked and we watched an impressively skilled Datoga man take a simple, large regular nail and turn it into a beautifully ornate spear tip!
Visiting the Datoga Tribe was an absolutely fantastic experience and a true highlight for our family in Tanzania!
Tip: The Datoga Village we visited is located near where the Hadzabe usually roam, so we were able to visit both of these incredible tribes in one day. So, if you are interested in visiting either of these tribes, check to see if it would be possible for you to see both of them in one day as well.
4. NGORONGORO CRATER
Ngorongoro Crater, in northern Tanzania, is the largest, intact, inactive caldera in the entire world! (It’s about 10-12 miles across with an area of 102 sq miles!)
Adventuring down into this massive caldera, seeing abundant wildlife all around, surrounded by towering crater walls, is an absolutely fantastic experience!
Although slightly more crowded than other safaris in Kenya and Tanzania (due to the limited size of the caldera and the high number of people that want to visit, even with limiting daily entries), Ngorongoro Crater remains a top destination to visit.
Our family really enjoyed our time spent down in Ngorongoro Crater and we couldn’t believe how many animals lived down in this massive caldera! We saw lions, hippos, hyena, jackals, tons of zebra and wildebeest and even a few elephants! (Just to name a few.)
And for our family, we even had the highlight of seeing the elusive serval cat! And then, as we were watching it, we saw it hunt and pounce on its prey! This was truly an amazing experience for our family!
So keep your eyes peeled while visiting. You never know what exciting adventure you may find.
5. OLDAVAI GORGE & MUSEUM
Olduvai Gorge, often referred to as the “Cradle of Humanity,” is one of the most famous archeological sites in the world and to me, this is definitely a top site to visit in Tanzania.
It is here, at Olduvai Gorge, that the very first known fossil remains of two “Early Man” species were found (nicknamed “The Nutcracker Man” and “The Handy Man” due to skeletal evidence about how they lived.) And these fossils date to approximately 1.84 million years ago!
And today, you can visit this famous gorge and archeological site, walk through their nicely done museum and see these original ancient skeletal findings (plus more.) You can also listen to a very informative lecture about the impressive work being done at this site, as well as learn all about the world-wide joint archeological efforts that continue at Olduvai Gorge today.
Our family loved visiting this Olduvai Gorge. Not only was this a nice change of pace from all of our safaris, but the information here is absolutely fascinating! Even our kids loved it and were completely intrigued by all of this site’s incredibly ancient findings.
Great Books About Olduvai Gorge and the Leakey Family:
A Thrilling Memoir from the Meave Leakey
(the family that 1st discovered Olduvai Gorge’s ancient fossils.)
A Fascinating Picture Book for Kids about Mary Leakey’s life and discoveries.
WHERE WE STAYED IN TANZANIA
- Located near Lake Eyasi, The Hadzabe Tribe & The Datoga Tribe.
- At Kisima Ngeda Safari Lodge there are eight palm-roofed, fully equipped (meaning showers, sinks and toilets) tented chalets that are nestled in a forest offering beautiful views of the salt-water (seasonal) Lake Eyasi.
- Meals are served in a separate, nearby palm-roofed dining hall and we found everything extremely delicious!
- Our family thoroughly enjoyed our stay here. The staff was extremely friendly. The atmosphere was incredible. And we even had some amazing highlights while sitting on our porch: like watching pink flamingos wade in the lake and there were monkeys playing by our tent!
- Tip: When we asked for a wake up call for the morning, coffee, (hot chocolate for the kids) and biscuit cookies were brought to us. Our kids loved this!
- Near Ngorongoro Crater
- Colonial Style Coffee Plantation Farm house (located on a 500 acre coffee plantation)
- 52 Chalet type rooms (with bathroom and shower) and a private terrace or balcony, overlooking the gardens or coffee plantation
- Meals are served in a buffet style at the main farm house and we found everything very delicious.
- We also found the staff to be extremely wonderful. In fact my 11 year old son made friends with Chi Chi, who was working there during our stay. My son still talks about his Tanzanian friend Chi Chi and he loves to reminisce about how much he like him.
- My husband and I especially liked being able to stroll through these gorgeous gardens and grounds during the evening after a long day.
- Ngorongoro Farm House was a fantastic place to stay.
- In Serengeti National Park itself!
- 9 accommodation tents, including a 2- bedroomed family tent
- Each of which can be used for single, double (or twin) or triple occupancy. Due to the generous size of each tent, quadruple occupancy may also be requested.
- Each sleeping tent consists of a verandah, bedroom area, dressing area and shower and toilet. Toilets are of the normal flush type and showers are fully plumbed with hot and cold running water. Solar power provides electricity for lighting at night as well as for charging devices.
- Staying at Intimate Tents was an amazing experience! Here you really are out in the middle of the Serengeti and all of its wildlife, yet as comfortable as you would be in any hotel. It was fantastic!
- Highlights for our family included: Hearing lions roaring in the not too far distance in the evening while getting ready for bed and also waking up to beautiful sunrises over the Serengeti with wild topi and zebra casually walking by.
Helpful Information When Traveling to Tanzania
Official Languages:
- Swahili and English (Arabic in Zanzibar)
Main International Airport in Tanzania:
- Julius Nyerere International Airport (Dar es Salaam) on the coast
- Kilimanjaro International Airport in the north-east of the country
- Or connections are available from Jomo Kenyatta Airport (Nairobi, Kenya).
Money:
- Tanzanian Shilling
- Note: We were told that once you exchange money, you can not exchange it back to US dollars. But US dollars are widely accepted. Just make sure they are new (after 2010), crisp and clean bills.
Credit Cards:
- Are accepted at many lodges and hotels, and at some gift shops and restaurants
Passports and Visas:
- Required for U.S. citizens
Yellow Fever Vaccination:
- Required if arriving from other infected countries, including travel within East Africa. (For the latest vaccine travel recommendations visit the CDC Website)
Charging your Devices:
- Electric Current is 240 volts, 50 Hz
- Tanzania uses both the rectangular blade plug and the two and three rounded prong
- Most standard adapter/ converter kits will have the necessary plug configuration to fit the outlets.
Time Difference:
- Tanzania is 7 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time and 10 hours ahead of Pacific Standard Time.
- Therefore when it is 8:30pm in Tanzania, it is 1:30pm in New York and 10:30am in L.A.
Other Top Attractions in Tanzania: (That are on Our List for a Future Trip)
- Mount Kilimanjaro National Park
- Zanzibar – Cheetah’s Rock, Spice Farm, Kuza Cave, Changu Island
- Gombe National Park – famous for Chimpanzees
- Lake Manyara National Park
- Mikumi National Park
Now you are all set to see the best of northern Tanzania!
Have a Great Trip with Your Traveling Feet!
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