What Is Tanzania Known for?

Tanzania is a country located in Eastern Africa, known for wildlife spectacles unseen elsewhere, formidable peaks, and captivating cultures. We explored the many things that put Tanzania on the global map as a coveted travel destination.

The Great Wildebeest Migration – A Riveting Natural Phenomenon

While Tanzania safaris never disappoint when it comes to excellent wildlife sightings year-round, the Great Migration brings next-level spectacle from July through October:

• Over 1.5 million wildebeest plus hundreds of thousands of zebra and gazelle poured across the Serengeti Plains in search of nutritious grass, risking hungry Nile crocodiles at river crossings along the way.
• This largest terrestrial mammal migration on Earth also attracts a vast array of predators. Over 2 million scattered wildlife collectively migrate, tracked by about 6,000 hyenas and several thousand lions waiting to capitalize on the inevitable casualties in this tremendous feat of instinct.
• Aerial footage captures massive rivers of animals flowing north from the Serengeti to Kenya’s Maasai Mara reserve, crossing the Mara River before circulating back southward. No visit to Tanzania is complete without witnessing this genuinely awesome natural wonder, considered the Eighth Wonder of the World.

Majestic Mount Kilimanjaro Ascents

As Africa’s highest peak and tallest freestanding mountain globally, the imposing snow-capped Mount Kilimanjaro inspires about 35,000 ambitious climbers annually to attempt reaching its 19,443-foot (5,926 meter) summit. Located inside its national park, Uhuru Peak offers stunning 360° views and an immense sense of accomplishment for those conquering the demanding multi-day hike.

While approximately two-thirds succeed overall, the diverse terrain poses challenges. Shifting from lush rainforests to alpine meadows and, finally, arctic-like conditions at higher altitudes, climbers must acclimate appropriately. Porters assist in carrying supplies and equipment across six established climbing routes, helping adventurers safely check this bucket list trek off their lists.

Zanzibar’s Tantalizing Spice Island Allure

As Tanzania’s semi-autonomous Zanzibar archipelago is complemented by several small islands off the country’s eastern coast, locals say you haven’t seen Tanzania until visiting “Zanzi.” This historic trading crossroads showcases cultural influences from Africa, the Middle East, India, and Europe, intermixing uniquely here. Its palm-fringed beaches and coral reefs rank among the world’s most beautiful, with vibrant fishing villages and the UNESCO-recognized capital of Stone Town adding to the allure.

• Zanzibar claims fame as the fabled Spice Island, exporting treasured cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg, pepper, and vanilla worldwide. These spices also flavor distinctive local cuisine with tantalizing Indian, Arabic, and Swahili food traditions.
• Scuba divers and snorkelers flock to Zanzibar as a tropical haven for spotting green sea turtles, dolphins, and even whale sharks, plus colorful reef inhabitants while reveling in azure waters and white sand beaches.
• Historic Stone Town, with striking Angle-Arab architecture and infamous carved Zanzibar doors, contrasts lively markets and winding alleyways, providing glimpses of bygone eras of sultans and slavers.

Chimpanzee Encounters in Natural Habitats

While Tanzania’s savannas and reserves deliver unparalleled mammal spotting, visiting humankind’s closest genetic cousins in thriving chimpanzee strongholds brings exceptionally intimate experiences for wildlife devotees. Sharing over 98% of human DNA, interacting with chimps fascinates by revealing their human-like communication gestures, familial bonds, and political maneuvering.

Opportunities to observe chimps up close in the wild occur in remote western Tanzanian parks, namely the Mahale Mountains and Gombe Stream National Parks along Lake Tanganyika’s shores. About 800 eastern chimpanzees remain in Mahale’s M-group, while about 100 comprise Gombe’s Kasekela community, which has been studied extensively by renowned primatologist Jane Goodall since 1960. Watching the young chimps play, and adults squabble over forest fruits makes their disappearing numbers worldwide more poignant.

The Ngorongoro Crater’s Stunning Wildlife Concentrations

While safaris never disappoint throughout Tanzania’s impressive national parks ecosystem, the phenomenal Ngorongoro Conservation Area deservedly claims fame as the world’s largest unflooded volcanic caldera, having collapsed on itself two to three million years ago. This Uniworld Heritage Site protects superb scenery — its steep inner walls foster unique microclimates and magnificent backdrops for prolific wildlife populating the crater floor year-round.

Some 25,000 sizeable animals freely roam this self-contained Lost World environment, guaranteeing sightings galore. Safaris entering this “Garden of Eden” may spot black rhinos, golden-maned lions, hippos, pink flamingos, and arguably Africa’s densest population of predators, including hyena clans, providing nature’s reality TV. Endangered black rhinos also find refuge from poachers here, with their numbers slowly increasing within the Ngorongoro Crater’s boundaries as both wildlife sanctuary and natural wonder extraordinaire.

Vibrant Cultural Traditions Still Thriving

While nature’s majesty amazes most first-time Tanzania visitors, the country’s distinctive cultural traditions, still thriving in everyday life, captivate many as well through music, artistry, cuisine, and beliefs shaped by both tribal ancestry and Arab, Swahili, and Indian influence spanning centuries.

• Intricately carved ebony Makonde figures, Tinga Tinga paintings showcasing African motifs brightly, traditionally woven colorful kanga wraps, and Maasai beaded jewelry bring creative folk arts alive, conveying regional pride through skill mastery passed generations.
• From the lively rhythm of dance and taarab infused with African, Arabic, and Indian flavors to hip-hop-inspired bongo flava and single-beat compilation tunes, music spices gatherings express the locals’ renowned outgoing hospitality.
• Signature spice-laden Tanzanian fare, namely pilau, ugali, mishikaki, chipsi mayai, and fresh tropical juices and fruits, can seduce any wandering palate, especially on Zanzibar’s Spice Island and near Kilimanjaro coffee plantations producing smooth, fruity cups.

Beyond nature, Tanzania’s wealth of less-publicized historical and cultural gems helps this East African country stake its reputation as the continent’s most diverse for intrepid explorers beyond the classic safari circuit. Adventurers often leave this hospitable country wanting more, planning returns to experience sites and gatherings they discover unexpectedly. From prehistoric Olduvai Gorge, where fossil finds altered human origins, to quaint coastal villages preserving ancient Arabic architecture, rewards await those traveling Tanzania’s road less traveled, too.

In summary, Tanzania’s foremost attractions stir global wanderlust and showcase superlative natural beauty through exceptional wildlife in thriving ecosystems to Africa’s most monumental peak and impressive Rift Valley geologic formations. Yet cultural riches spanning peoples, customs, and creative traditions encourage more unhurried explorations as well. We aimed to highlight the combination that makes Tanzania such an extraordinarily diverse destination, beckoning both first-time and returning travelers consistently. Those who experience Tanzania find an essence permeating the landscapes and people complex to articulate but unforgettable.

Sources: OnSafariAfrica.com