5 Things to do in Tanzania this summer

The United Republic of Tanzania is home to many splendors of nature. This is one of the main reasons why people travel to the country. Here are the top five things to do in Tanzania this summer.

1. Natural Beauty- Africa’s highest peak Mt. Kilimanjaro is in Tanzania. A trek can last anywhere between five to seven days and is a trip of a lifetime. There’s also the impressive Mt Meru. Apart from this, the country has impressive lakes- Lake Victoria is Africa’s largest lake, and Lake Tanganyika is the deepest in the entire continent. Tanzania has the second highest waterfall in Africa, the Kalambo. And the islands are all wonderful Zanzibar, Pemba, and Mafia among others. What’s more, you get a range of natural beauty- coral reefs and soaring peaks, lush forests and snowcapped mountains, valleys that hold secrets and plains that are too vast to take in at first sight.

2. Conservation Efforts- Tanzania is at the forefront of conservation efforts in the area. At the Mara conservancy a relationship between private and public works in harmony. The country also protects its marine areas, and the Menai Bay Conservation Area is a shining example of this.  Conservation is something we should all be involved with and we can learn more with the Tanzanian efforts.

3. National Parks- Tanzania has a whopping 16 national parks, apart from a host of reserves and forests. Visit to learn about the conservation efforts at Ngorongoro, learn about Jane Goodall’s path-breaking work at the Gombe Stream National Park. Serengeti National Park is by far the most famous. Here, you can not only look at the animals but also explore some exemplary examples of primitive man. Head to Olduvai Gorge for this. The Big 5 is one of the major thrills of this trip- the Cape buffalo, rhinoceros, leopard, elephant and lion. Spotting and observing these creatures in their natural habitat as they go about their life, hunting, resting, playing is something to cherish. The gazelles, cheetahs, zebras, impalas and jackals add to the great and fascinating mix of creatures that call Tanzania home.

4. The Great Migration- One of the reasons people visit is to enjoy the experience of a safari. It can get as luxurious or as basic as you want it to be. There are options for everyone. At Tarangire National Park alone, the migration occurs in staggering numbers- close to 3000 elephants, 30000 zebras, and 25000 wildebeest make their way to fresh feed and grass. In Masai Mara, over a million and a half animals undertake a journey from July to November.

5. The People- Tanzania is home to a proud group of people. The Masai tribe is clad in red and life in close communion with nature. Spending time with people who are close to the land and know the ways of living with cooperation is something all of us can learn.  The Masai tribe is not the only group- there are over a 100 ethnic groups here, each of them unique. They practise their craft, from the black wood carvings of the Makonde to the pottery and metal work of the Haya tribes.