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    Tourist Attractions in Tanzania

    The most interesting and beautiful tourist attractions in Tanzania. Photos and a brief description.

    About Tanzania

    Half of the territory of Tanzania is covered by national parks. More than 100 nature reserves and sanctuaries are working to preserve the natural diversity of this part of Africa. Tourists from all over the world come to Tanzania to take part in an exciting photo safari, sunbathe on the beaches of Zanzibar, visit bushmen settlements or climb the highest African mountain Kilimanjaro.

    Exotic Tanzania constantly occupies the first places in various tourist ratings. The hot tropical climate, the opportunity to observe amazing and rare animals attracts sophisticated and experienced travelers who come here for vivid impressions. The most popular are combined tours, when a beach holiday and active trips around the country are combined within the framework of one trip.

    Top Tourist Attractions in Tanzania

    Kilimanjaro

    The highest mountain is a volcano on the African continent. Majestic Kilimanjaro stands on the Masai plateau, the mountain reaches a height of 5895 meters. Translated from the local Swahili dialect, the name means "sparkling mountain". Climbing to the top, the "conquest of Kilimanjaro" or simply organized (or independent) hiking in the picturesque surroundings are popular among numerous tourists.

    Kilimanjaro
    City of Dar es Salaam

    City of Dar es Salaam

    The largest and richest city in Tanzania, a major and important port. The metropolis is located on the coast of the Indian Ocean, it is home to several million people. Dar es Salaam appeared on the site of the fishing village of Mzizim thanks to Sultan Majid ibn Said in the XIX century. The ruler was so impressed by this place that he decided to build a city, and called it "the house of peace" (this is how the translation from Arabic sounds).

    Zanzibar Island

    Zanzibar (formerly the island was called Unguja) can be considered as a "state within a state", since it is an autonomous territory within Tanzania. The island is located in the Indian Ocean. Due to the comfortable temperature, a rich excursion program, excellent tourist infrastructure, travelers often choose it as a place of rest. There are many excellent beaches and comfortable hotels offering world-class service to guests.

    Zanzibar Island
    Anglican Church in Stone Town

    Anglican Church in Stone Town

    This temple is now an iconic landmark of the capital of Zanzibar, Stone Town. The church was erected in 1887 using several architectural styles. Traditional Arab urban planning techniques with Gothic elements are mixed here. Inside the temple there is a wooden crucifix dedicated to Livingston, an outstanding British explorer of Africa, a famous scientist.

    Stone Town House of Wonders

    The building is a palace built in 1883. Until the middle of the XX century, it served as the sultan's residence. The name "House of Wonders" is explained simply — it was here that electricity, water supply, and an elevator were installed for the first time in the whole country. These benefits of civilization for the locals at first were a "miracle". There is a museum in several rooms of the palace where you can see old British cars.

    Stone Town House of Wonders
    Stone City

    Stone City

    The old part of the city of Zanzibar, the capital of the island of the same name. Before the beginning of European colonization, it was the center of trade between the coasts of Africa and Asia. Under the ruler Said ibn Sultan from 1840 to 1956, the capital of the so-called Omani Empire was located here. The Stone City is an interweaving of narrow streets where it is impossible to drive even a small car, mosques, bazaars and houses with wooden verandas.

    Livingston House

    A rather nondescript 3-storey building in Zanzibar, from where the explorer David Livingston went on his last expedition. The structure was erected in 1860, after the death of the scientist, it was used by the local Hindu community. Later, the government bought the house and carried out its reconstruction. Now there is a tourist office there, which organizes various excursions for travelers.

    Livingston House
    Mangapwani Caves

    Mangapwani Caves

    They are located in Zanzibar. A large cave is a natural formation in limestone rock, there is a deep lake inside it. A smaller cave is a cramped "stone bag" cut down by a man. After the official abolition of the slave trade, slaves were secretly kept in Mangapwani. From here slaves were taken to India and Arab countries. In a large cave, "live goods" were taken away, and in a small cave they were kept in terrible conditions.

    Meru Volcano

    The second largest volcano (after Kilimanjaro) in Tanzania. The last eruption occurred in 1877, after which Meru no longer showed signs of activity. The mountain has two peaks: a Large Meru with a height of more than 4.5 thousand meters and a Small Meru with a height of more than 3.8 thousand meters. The volcano is located on the territory of the Arusha National Park, entry is allowed there only by special permits.

    Meru Volcano
    Ol-Doinho-Lengai Volcano

    Ol-Doinho-Lengai Volcano

    Translated from the dialect of the local Maasai tribe, the name means "Mountain of God". The volcano reaches a height of 2962 meters, it is one of the most active on the African continent. During an eruption, "cold" lava of an unusual black color is thrown to the surface, which quickly hardens and forms bizarre shapes. The volcano is located on the territory of the Arusha National Park.

    Olduvai Gorge

    The area in the north of Tanzania, part of the Ngorongoro Protected Area. Olduvai stretches for 40 km in length, the total area of the gorge is 250 km2. Many important archaeological discoveries were made here: the remains of an ancient human Homo habilis, which are more than 2 million years old, the skull of an Australopithecus, the remains of primitive tools and hunting were found. The OlduvayGodj Museum, dedicated to anthropology and human evolution, is located in the gorge.

    Olduvai Gorge
    Serengeti National Park

    Serengeti National Park

    A large and famous world nature reserve with an area of 14,763 km2. The Serengeti occupies the natural territory of the Great African Fault. The reserve was established in 1929. Since then, its territory has been constantly expanding. In 1981, it was recognized as a natural heritage monument by UNESCO and came under the protection of this organization. The nature and ecosystem of the Serengeti is considered one of the oldest on the planet.

    Ngorongoro Nature Reserve

    This crater was formed about 2.5 million years ago as a result of the destruction of a huge volcano. Its edges rise above sea level by 3 km., and the bottom by 2 km. The area is about 20 thousand hectares, the diameter of the crater itself is about 19 km. Now the area is a savanna plain fenced in a circle, where almost 25 thousand species of animals live. Most of them are predators.

    Ngorongoro Nature Reserve
    Ruaha National Park

    Ruaha National Park

    Ruaha is the second largest national park in Tanzania. Due to the isolation, the virgin nature has been preserved in the area almost unchanged. Ruakhi's landscapes are not like other nature reserves, so the reserve has become attractive for tourists. The park was established in 1964. It ranks first in terms of the size of the elephant population – about 8000 thousand individuals of this huge animal live here.

    Jozani Forest

    A natural area of 44 km2, where red-brown colobuses are preserved – a rare species of monkeys. These animals are listed in the Red Book and nowadays live only on the territory of Jozani. The size of the body of the colobus is only 45-70 cm, and the length of the tail is about 90 cm. Monkeys are peaceful, have long been accustomed to tourists and are happy to make contact. It is also home to dozens of species of endemic animals and birds.

    Jozani Forest
    Lake Tanganyika

    Lake Tanganyika

    The reservoir is considered one of the longest freshwater lakes on the planet (almost 40 km longer than Lake Baikal). The maximum depth is almost 1.5 km, the average width is 72 km. Tanganyika has a large supply of fresh water. Only one coast is located on the territory of Tanzania, the rest belong to Burundi, Zambia, the Republic of the Congo. Due to the peculiarities of the composition of water at a depth of more than 200 meters, there is almost no life.

    Lake Malawi

    It is the third largest in Africa and the ninth in the world. It reaches 560 km in length, 80 km in width, and an average depth of about 700 m. Malawi has a great variety of fish, according to various studies, their number reaches almost 1000 species. Crocodiles and whooping eagles also live here. The lake is a popular place for fishing, all the surrounding settlements are provided with local fish.

    Lake Malawi
    Lake Natron

    Lake Natron

    A rather unusual and picturesque place located in the area of the Great Rift Fault. The water in the lake has shades from blood red to deep orange thanks to the microorganisms living in it. Chemical fumes scare off predators, so many small animals settle on the shores. After death, their bodies turn into mummies due to special chemical processes in the lake area.

    Lake Manyara

    A pond that has become home to a huge number of magnificent pink flamingos. The population of these birds is so large that a dense pink spot can be seen from afar above the surface of the water. Also, more than 400 species of other birds live in the Manyar water area, most of which are not found in other places. Here you can meet a rhinoceros bird, a marabou, a stork, a pelican, an ibis, a crane and a cormorant.

    Lake Manyara
    Lake Victoria

    Lake Victoria

    Victoria is included in the list of the seven Great African Lakes. It covers an area of 68.8 thousand km2. More than 30 million people live in the coastal strip of the reservoir and several densely populated million-plus cities have been built. The border of the equator passes through the territory of the lake. Industrial shipping is developed here, ferry service between the countries, water energy is actively used to provide cities and settlements.