Tanzania Tour Packages

1. About Tanzania
2. Tidbits
3. Things To Know Before Choosing Tanzania Tour Packages
4. Best Tanzania Tour Packages from GT Holidays
5. Tanzania At A Glance
6. Top Reasons To Choose Our Tanzania Tour Packages
7. Best Time To Choose Tanzania Tour Packages
8. Top Attractions In Tanzania
9. Shopping in Tanzania
10. Food
11. Arts and Crafts in Tanzania

The United Republic of Tanzania is the largest country in East Africa and is located south of the Equator. It borders eight countries: Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Zambia, Malawi, and Mozambique. Tanzania is a portmanteau derived from combining two states, Tanganyika and Zanzibar. The two independent states came together to form the Republic of Tanzania in 1964.

The country was ruled by the Portuguese until the 18th century, the Germans until World War I and later by the British until the country gained independence in 1961. Tanzania was originally inhabited by hunter-gatherer communities with pastoral and agricultural Cushitic speakers migrating from Ethiopia and Somalia. The Bantu-speaking tribes later arrived from West Africa, followed by the Nilotic pastoralists. Today, there are over a hundred ethnic groups, which fall into four major categories, viz. Bantu, Cushite, Nilo-Hamite, and San. The Maasai are the most well-known of these, thanks to the Serengeti.

But fossil evidence of human inhabitation goes back to 2 million years. Archaeologists have found skulls of homo habilis and Paranthropus boisei species, both predecessors of homo sapiens, along with stone tools and pre-historic macroplant species. Humans are believed to have migrated from around the Olduvai Gorge from eastern Africa.

Tanzania has over 22 national parks, many of which are protected ecosystems set aside to preserve the country’s natural resources and wildlife. These national parks cover over 15% of the country’s land area. The most famous among them are the Serengeti National Park, the Tarangire National Park, and the Ngorongoro Conservation Centre. The latter is best known for spotting black rhinos.

The Tanzanians are known to be friendly and welcoming and love to host people. The food is equally interesting. If you’d like to explore this amazing country, check out our Tanzania tour packages.

• Tanzania is home to Olduvai Gorge, a paleoanthropological site that’s home to several hominin species, including homo habilis. It is, therefore, called the Cradle of Mankind.
• Zanzibar, in Tanzania, was once the largest slave-trading port, with over 50,000 enslaved people passing through the city every year.
• Besides Uganda, Tanzania is the only place where you can find tree-climbing lions
• The Anglo-Zanzibar war is the shortest in history (less than 45 minutes) and took place between Zanzibar (in Tanzania) and the British Empire.
• Tanzania is home to Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest peak in Africa. It is also called the Roof of Africa.
• Lake Tanganyika is the deepest lake in Africa and the world’s longest freshwater lake.
• Tanzania has the largest population of wild lions – approx. 14,500 lions.
• The Serengeti Migration is considered one of the World’s Seven Natural Wonders.
• The African Blackwood, the national tree of Tanzania, is the most expensive wood in the world

• Tanzania offers single-entry E-Visas for tourists, valid for 90 days.
• The Tanzanian Shilling is the main currency, but the USD is commonly used in premium hotels and national parks.
• Remember to carry enough cash when visiting the national parks. Wi-fi signals can be weak, making digital payments difficult.
• You can stay in the national parks in tent camps or book a lodge close to the parks.
• Not all tented camps are wheelchair–friendly. Make sure you discuss this with the tour manager ahead of time.
• Check with your travel partner about vaccinations for common diseases like Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Malaria, Cholera, Tuberculosis, and Typhoid.
• Tipping isn’t mandatory, but it is surely appreciated given that Tanzania is not a developed country, and a small tip goes a long way.
• Carry an adapter and power bank for your phone, cameras, etc.; batteries will likely die out in the national park.
• Invest in a good-quality camera lens you don’t want to miss a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to photograph wild animals up close and personal.
• When choosing Tanzania tour package costs, accommodation is basically the deciding factor for the budget because what you’ll see on a safari has less to do with where you stay.
• We suggest you choose customised Tanzania tour packages as the itinerary is based on what you really want to see and do; the country is more than just viewing the Big Five.
• Carry insect repellents, plenty of sunscreen lotion, long-sleeved shirts, and wide-brimmed hats.
• Avoid wearing black and blue coloured clothes for the safari as mosquitoes are attracted to them.
• Use bottled water even for brushing your teeth.
• Vegetarian food (including Indian food) is readily available in Tanzania, but make sure you inform the team beforehand.

Tanzania frequently ranks among the top tourism destinations thanks to its abundant natural parks and variety of wildlife. It is one of the few places where critically endangered black rhinos thrive and is the stage for the world’s greatest natural wonder the Great Wildebeest Migration. Here are a few other reasons for choosing Tanzania tour packages.

Tanzania is home to diverse national parks and game reserves, each working towards wildlife conservation and ensuring the long term preservation of the country’s natural resources. The national parks are managed by various authorities, such as the Tanzania National Parks Authority, the Tanzania Wildlife Division, and the Tanzania Conservation Areas Authority. Some iconic national parks include the Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Tarangire, Nyerere, Mahale, and Lake Manyara.

Each of these parks and game reserves is famous for its diverse habitats. For instance, Ngorongoro is one of the best places for black rhino sightings, while Lake Manyara National Park is popular for its famed tree climbing lions. Similarly, the Tarangire is famous for its iconic baobab trees, and the Mahale Park is renowned for its chimpanzee population.

This is one of the greatest animal migrations. Over 2 million wildebeests, zebras, and gazelles journey through the Serengeti to Masai Mara, searching for greener pastures. You can watch the migration all year round in Tanzania. In contrast, you can view the migration in Kenya only during certain times of the year when the animals graze along the northern parts of the Serengeti.

Wildebeests are found in the northern Serengeti plains from June to October (the best season), when they cross the Mara River. From December to March, they can be found in the southern areas of the Serengeti, extending up to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. February is calving season and the perfect time to see the big herbs congregating together.

What makes the migration interesting to watch is the huge herds navigating the danger posed by predators like lions, hyenas, wild dogs, crocodiles, and cheetahs. This run and chase drama ensures only the strongest survive, making this natural spectacle one of the greatest shows on Earth.

You can stay in one of the many tented camps to observe these animals up close and personal or book a hot air balloon ride for a panoramic view of the migration.

The charm of visiting Tanzania is accentuated by the wonderful people who have inhabited the land since the dawn of time. In fact, some of Tanzania’s 120 ethnic tribes are entwined with the history of humanity. A trip to this beautiful country is incomplete unless you have interacted with its original inhabitants, experienced their culture firsthand and understood a life that’s not only different from yours but one that is rooted in the origins of humanity and based on the survival of the tribe rather than flourishing of the individual.

If you’d like an authentic experience with some of Tanzania’s ancient tribes, call us for a customised GT Holidays Tanzania tour package. We’ll ensure that your interactions aren’t staged for tourists but genuine and authentic.

You can meet the Hadzabe, one of the last nomadic hunter gatherer tribes with a culture that dates back to 12,000 years. Another tribe, the Datoba Barabaigs, are similar to the Masai, but unlike them, they are skilled in working with iron and brass. The Masai people are the most popular of Tanzanian tribes. These semi-nomadic people are cattle grazers and are famous for their colourful clothes and the Adumu, a unique jumping ritual performed by men.

Mount Kilimanjaro is a dormant volcano and the highest mountain in Africa. It is also the world’s tallest freestanding mountain. The mountain gets its name from combining the Swahili words kilim (meaning mountain) and Njaro (meaning shining or whiteness). Thus, Kilimanjaro means Mountain of Whiteness.

Kilimanjaro is made up of three cones: Kibo, Mawenzi, and Shira—the last two are extinct, and Kibo is dormant. Scientists believe Kibo erupted around 360,000 years ago. The glaciers on Mount Kilimanjaro are believed to be over 11,700 years old, but they are unfortunately retreating, losing as much as 90% of their ice since 1900.

Besides admiring the snow-capped mountain, you can indulge in hiking, mountain climbing, canoeing, walking to the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater, or mountain biking. With our Tanzania tour packages, you can visit the Olpopongi Masai Cultural Village and interact with the locals to understand their history and culture.

Zanzibar is an archipelago in the Indian Ocean and off the coast of mainland Tanzania. Its strategic location made it a trading hub for merchants from Arabia, South Asia, and the African mainland. It was also ground zero for the famous Anglo-Zanzibar War, believed to be the shortest war in history.

The island also hosted one of the world’s largest open slave markets, which was presided over by the Arabs until it was forcefully shut down by the British in 1873. While most of Zanzibar’s slave trade history is now museumised, some monuments still stand witness to the island’s gory past. For instance, an old whipping tree where enslaved people were tied and whipped with a stinging nettle branch to test their tenacity is now marked in the Anglican Church.

Besides exploring Zanzibar’s horrific past, tourists can visit the island’s tranquil white sandy beaches and stay on one of the many water bungalows. With our Tanzania tour packages, you can also explore the island’s unique biodiversity with a visit to the Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park to admire the red colobus monkeys, a critically endangered primate and other animals like antelopes, bush pigs, and many species of birds.

The island is also a great place to enjoy watersports. With our Tanzania tour packages, you can sign up for kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, parasailing, and kiteboarding or join a catamaran or dhow cruise.

With over 4 million animals, including 364 mammal species, 1108 avian species, 130 amphibians, and 275 reptile species, Tanzania has one of the largest concentrations of wild animals per square kilometre. Conservationists often recognise the country for creating a positive impact in protecting Tanzania’s rare creatures and protected habitats. It contains six of the world’s 25 global biodiversity hotspots. Many chameleons found in Tanzania are found nowhere else in the world, along with numerous species of rare frogs, birds, and mammals like the red colobus monkeys.

In addition to the Big Five, you can view rare animals like aardvarks, caracals, African wild dogs, red colobus monkeys, pangolins, and lesser flamingos.

The Mahale Mountains are home to several primate species, while the Serengeti and Tarangire are home to the martial eagle, one of the largest eagle species in Africa.

The Tanzanian Coast is equally teeming with wildlife, including dugongs, olive ridley turtles, and humpback whales.

Not to mention, the major tourist attraction is the wildebeest, which migrates across Tanzania and Kenya. However, there are specific times for various animal sightings. Remember to discuss with your tour manager about the animals you’d like to see when booking Tanzania tour packages from GT Holidays.

With iconic natural parks like the Serengeti and Tarangire, it’s only understandable that Tanzania has always been a premier safari destination in the world. Safaris are not only a thrilling adventure but a vital way to educate people about the need for conservation and increase awareness about the dangers of poaching. They are also an important source of income for the indigenous communities, which protect the habitat and preserve their ancient traditions. Exploring the wildlife through a safari on a Tanzania tour package will profoundly transform your perspective on eco-conservation and deepen your respect for those dedicated to protecting these unique ecosystems.

Being close to the equator, Tanzania experiences a tropical climate. It is divided into different climatic zones: the hot and humid coastal plains, the semi-arid plateau areas, the high rainfall receiving areas, and temperate highlands. The country experiences two seasons: rainy and dry. However, it experiences two rainy seasons: a longer rain spell lasting from mid-March to May and a shorter spell lasting from November to December.

Similarly, there are two dry seasons: the longer season from June to October and the shorter dry spell from January to March. The dry season, i.e., from June to October, is the peak season as most tourists visit the national parks to observe the wildebeest. The dry patch ensures the grasses are low-lying, making it easy to spot animals. Also, water scarcity forces the animals to concentrate around watering holes.

However, the best time to choose Tanzania tour packages depends on what you’d like to experience. For instance, January to February are the best months for kitesurfing and diving on the South Coast.

Here’s a quick rundown of the different seasons to help you choose the best Tanzania tour packages.

The short dry season starts from January to March, with temperatures ranging from 26°C to 30°C around the Serengeti. However, temperatures on the Tanzanian coast and Zanzibar are relatively high, ranging at 29°C, and could even go up to 35 °C. While it is a good time for a safari, we suggest you come prepared for sunny days with short-sleeved shirts and shorts to stay warm. And if you’re travelling in March, remember to carry lightweight and waterproof jackets to prevent yourself from the occasional rain that sets around mid-March.

• Watch the annual calving in Southern Serengeti near Lake Ndutu.
• Go hiking on Mount Kilimanjaro.
• Enjoy birdwatching in March in the Nyerere and Tarangire National Parks
• Enjoy diving, snorkelling, and dolphin/whale watching on Zanzibar Coast

July to October is peak tourist season and the best time to book Tanzania tour packages. The average temperature during this time is 25°C to 30°C. It’s also the best time for the Great Wildebeest Migration, as herds of animals cross the Grumeti River in June and the crocodile infested Mara River in September along with their offspring.

The Katavi National Park is ideal for watching wild buffaloes grazing in the open landscape. You can view chimpanzees in the Mahale Mountains and the Gombe National Park from July to October.

We suggest you wear light, neutral coloured clothes for the safari. Remember to carry a wide brimmed hat to protect yourself from the hot sun.

• Snorkelling, kitesurfing, and diving in Zanzibar
• Join the Bagamoya Arts Festival in September
• Climb Mount Meru
• Visit the Arusha National Park to observe leopards and hyenas
• Go hiking on Mount Kilimanjaro

The long rainy season, or Masika, begins around the last weeks of March and lasts until May. The average temperature around this time is 30°C, although temperatures can be high in the coasts and Zanzibar. It is also very humid around this time. It is common to rain heavily in the afternoon during these months. This is especially true in the southern regions like Katavi and Kitulo compared to northern areas like Arusha, Kilimanjaro, Mara, and Manyara.

This is an excellent time for budget Tanzania tour packages as fewer crowds lead to discounted rates on lodgings and flight tickets. While greener pastures lead to the herds spreading out, it’s also the time of the year when they’re moving to the heart of the Serengeti in preparation for their move towards the Maasai Mara.

It’s also a great idea to combine Serengeti with other safari visits to Ngorongoro Crater and Lake Manyara. You can also enjoy bird watching in Lake Natron and Lake Manyara as thousands of migratory birds from Europe and Asia visit the lush, picturesque settings.

Some national parks, like the Tarangire, Ruaha, and Selous, are usually closed because rain makes the roads very muddy and causes the herds to spread out over large distances. Plenty of water bungalows in Zanzibar are also closed around this time due to the rain.

You can, however, combine Tanzania with other nearby beach destinations like Mauritius or Seychelles. Call us today for an affordable Seychelles or Mauritius tour package – we’ll customise an itinerary that includes Tanzanian safari experiences with beach destinations. This is especially ideal if you’re on a honeymoon and looking to cover multiple experiences in one trip.

Also, April to May is a great time to go on safaris in neighbouring countries like Zimbabwe and Botswana. If you are looking for Zimbabwe tour packages or South Africa tour packages or need a customised itinerary for Botswana, Zambia, Kenya, etc., send us a message on Instagram.

The short rainy season, or Vuli, begins in November and lasts until mid-January. The average temperature around this time is around 31°C, although it is quite cooler in the northern areas like Mount Kilimanjaro. This is truly an underrated time to explore the country as there are plenty of budget Tanzania tour packages around this time. Lodgings and ticket prices are affordable, allowing you to enjoy a safari without a rush.

November-December is also a great time to visit Serengeti, as herds are reaching central Serengeti; you will spend time in Kogatende and Seronera. Some of the other parks you can visit during this season are Ngorongoro and Serengeti. It’s also a great time for bird watching, as thousands of migratory birds visit the greener pastures of Tarangire and Lake Manyara.

Few other countries excite the senses, like Tanzania. From the snow-capped Mount Kilimanjaro to the vast wilderness of the Serengeti savannah and the pristine beaches of Zanzibar, there’s so much to explore and enjoy in this beautiful country. Cities like Zanzibar, Dar es Salam, Dodoma, and Arusha are cultural hubs that showcase this beautiful country’s rich heritage and history. Here are some top attractions you will cover in your Tanzania tour packages.

The Big Five game refers to five African mammals: lion, leopard, rhinoceros, elephant, and African buffalo. They are called so because of the difficulty of hunting them on foot. The term was initially coined by big game hunters but is now used by safari tour operators. Thanks to its huge animal population, Tanzania is one of the best countries to see the Big Five. Some of the places to experience the Big Five in Tanzania include:

• Tarangire National Park
• Lake Manyara National Park
• Ngorongoro Conservation Area
• Serengeti National Park
• Ruaha National Park
• Nyerere National Park
• Burigi-Chato National Park
• Mikumi National Park

The Ngorongoro Crater is the world’s largest caldera, covering over 260 square kilometres. It was formed over two to three million years ago and is so huge that it is now an ecosystem of its own. The Maasai people coined the term Ngorongoro to describe the sound of the bell clanging around the necks of their pastoral cows.

Caldera: A caldera is a bowl-shaped cavity formed when a volcano collapses because the underlying body of magma cannot support it.

While the caldera’s floor is open grassland, the rim is densely forested with acacia trees. The caldera floor is famous for its diverse flora and fauna. You will find diverse wild animals, including several globally threatened species like the black rhino, lion, and African elephant. The alkaline lake is home to numerous migratory birds, including the greater flamingo, kori bustard, and secretary bird.

The crater also hosts migrating animals like wildebeests, zebras, gazelles, and other members of the Great Annual Migration. The huge density of animals in the crater and widespread game hunting propelled conservationists to establish the Ngorongoro Conservation Area in 1959. It is now home to over 25,000 animals and hundreds of bird species and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The best thing about the Ngorongoro Conservation Centre is that you will surely see the elusive black rhinoceros.

The dry seasons between June and October are the best times to include Ngorongoro Crater in your Tanzania tour package itinerary.

The Olduvai Gorge is a paleoanthropological site that revealed skeletons older than 1.8 million years. Tools made from quartz, quartzite, basalt, and bones were also found in the area, indicating that the homo habilis used them to butcher animals and chop wood. The remains of a homo habilis or handyman, an earlier descendant of the homo sapiens, were also found. Archaeologists also discovered fossil remains of extinct three-toed horses and a hominid skeleton. These fossils were preserved thanks to the volcanic ash that fell on the remains, burying them and creating favourable conditions for their preservation.

A visit to Olduvai Gorge leads to the museum, which includes various artefacts collected from the site and cultural exhibits of the Datoga, Hadzabe, and Masai tribes.

You can even drive to the original dig site where the Leakeys’ discovered the fossil remains. There, you will see a replica of the Laetoli Footprint, fossilised evidence of bipedalism. And if you’re lucky, join archaeologists working on a live dig site.

The Serengeti National Park was established in 1951 and is famous for its vast herds of herbivores like wildebeest, gazelle, zebra, antelopes and wild buffalo. While you can see them all year round in Tanzania, some months are especially popular among tourists because of their migrating pattern. For instance, the dry seasons of July to October and January to mid-March are favourable for observing the Great Migration because water scarcity forces the animals to band together around the watering holes. Also, the dry season ensures the grass is shorter and less dense. Another popular time to observe the Great Migration is when the herds cross the Grumeti and Mara Rivers. Book our Tanzania tour packages well in advance if you plan a safari during the dry season.

In addition to herbivores, the Serengeti savannah is home to the Big Five game animals: hyenas, giraffes, crocodiles, hippos, and hundreds of species of birds, some of which are endemic to the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem.

Staying at a lodge or tented camp in the Serengeti is a once in a lifetime experience. You can choose from various options, from high-end luxury tented suites to simple utilitarian accommodations. The price also varies depending on how close the camp is to the prime viewing locations and your preferred travel period.

The Tarangire National Park was established in 1970 and is famous for its ancient baobab trees, which are supposedly called Tree of Life by indigenous Tanzanian tribes. In fact, Tarangire is the unofficial baobab capital of the world. The park is home to large elephant herds. It even hosts a mini wildlife migration during the dry season, where herds of ungulates like wildebeest, zebra, gazelle, hartebeest, and buffaloes pass through the Tarangire River.

This event attracts predators like lions, crocodiles, wild dogs, and cheetahs, who look to feast on these animals, making it a mesmerising sight to watch. Besides the Big Five, some of the animals you can see in the park include giraffes, hyenas, wild dogs, and several species of birds, including migratory birds from November to April.

Besides enjoying a walking or jeep safari, you can sign up for a hot-air balloon ride to catch the migrating animals in their natural surroundings. You can also stay near the animals in one of the many tented camps within the park. If you’d like to stay at Tarangire, speak to your tour planner when designing your Tanzania tour package itinerary. We can also curate a cultural visit to the Masai dwellings, where you will interact with the indigenous tribes and learn more about their unique culture.

Lake Tanganyika in the Great Rift Valley is the second deepest and second largest lake in the world. It is also the world’s longest lake, stretching over 673 kilometres and traversing four countries: Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Tanzania, and Zambia.

With its sandy beaches, glassy blue waters, and vast expanse of water, Tanganyika resembles more of an ocean than a freshwater lake. Believed to be over 10 -20 million years old, Tanganyika is home to a wide range of marine and land animals, including elephants, baboons, chimpanzees, and wild dogs, that live in the rainforests near the lake.

Some of the marine species in the lake are endemic to the waters and unique, given the lake’s age and ecological isolation. You can include Tanganyika in your Tanzania tour package itinerary to enjoy some of the activities offered around the lake. These include angling, sailing, swimming, wakeboarding, waterskiing, and visiting the local indigenous tribes like the Bembe and Tongwe for a cultural appreciation.

This beautiful lake on the western slope of the Rift Valley was eulogised by Ernest Hemmingway thanks to the abundant wildlife and stunning landscape. It is also home to the Lake Manyara National Park, established in 1960 to protect its wildlife, including the unique tree climbing lions.

Manyara is also home to a diverse ecosystem, including a soda lake, an equatorial forest, acacia woodland, mountain slope, marshes, and open savannah. It is also home to a wide range of animals, including lesser flamingos, pelicans, lions, zebras, antelopes, wildebeests, baboons, elephants, hippos, and small critters like chameleons and geckos.

A Lake Manyara National Park visit involves enthralling activities like canoeing, mokoro riding, cruising, and bird watching. Not to mention safari and cultural tours, the park’s main tourist attractions. The best time to include Lake Manyara in your Tanzania tour package itinerary is from July to September and mid-December to early March. But if you are a bird enthusiast, book a tour in the short rainy season from November to December when migratory birds visit the park. We suggest you opt for a sleep-out experience where you can spend the night in the middle of the savannah and under a blanket of the Milky Way.

Nyerere National Park was established in 2019 and is the largest wildlife park in Tanzania. It is four times the size of the Serengeti and covers an area of 30,000 square kilometres. It is part of Tanzania’s northern safari circuit and is famous for its huge variety of wildlife, including elephants, crocodiles, giraffes, antelopes, wild dogs, hyenas, leopards, and wild buffaloes. It is also home to the Big Five and several species of birds, including kingfishers, yellow billed storks, and African skimmers.

You can go on a river cruise, enjoy a game safari, or join the experts for a guided walking safari for an up-close encounter with wild animals. There are plenty of lodges and tents in this vast wilderness, offering tourists a once in a lifetime opportunity.

Zanzibar, Africa’s tropical paradise, is famous for its white, pristine beaches, well preserved architectural monuments, and spice markets. In fact, Zanzibar was once called Spice Island, thanks to the huge variety of spices cultivated and traded here. The fertile lands were perfect for cultivating nutmeg, cloves, mace, cinnamon, and curry leaves.

Zanzibar’s beaches offer plenty of activities, including snorkelling, kite surfing, parasailing, and scuba diving. If you are planning an affordable alternative to the Maldives or Bora Bora, we suggest you include Zanzibar in your Tanzania tour packages. The overwater bungalows are definitely cheaper than those in the Maldives, yet they offer a comprehensive tourist experience that includes cultural and culinary experiences.

In Zanzibar, you can enjoy multiple watersports for cheap, besides visiting the island’s historical sites and enjoying various island activities. This includes joining a spice tour to explore the island’s various spice plantations, going on a mountain bike excursion in the Jozani Forest, and visiting Prison Island, once a quarantine station for dangerous criminals. You can also see the giant tortoise reserve in Prison Island.

Don’t miss a visit to Stone Town, the old town locally called Miji Mkongwe. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is famous for its heritage buildings, such as the Anglican Cathedral, the former Slave Market, the Sultan Palace, and the Old Fort.

Zanzibar also offers a unique culinary experience thanks to its flavourful cuisine inspired by African, Indian, and Arab cultures.

The former capital of Tanzania, Dar es Salaam, is often excluded from most Tanzania tour packages. Most people only travel through the city on their way to other parts of the country a huge mistake, we say! The city is the sixth largest in Africa and the largest in Tanzania. Situated on the shores of the Indian Ocean, it is famous for its beaches and rich cultural heritage.

The city has one of the largest and busiest markets, the Kariakoo Market, where you can buy spices, fresh food, clothes, and electronics.

Some of the city’s historical monuments include the Kaole Ruins, the Bagamoya Slave Market, and the Old Boma, an old German-era building.

Dar es Salaam is also known for its vibrant street food stalls selling fried chicken, barbecued beef, fried cassava, and samosas made using minced meat. At GT Holidays, we can also arrange a private tour of the city’s top attractions like Coco Beach, Botanical Gardens, and Bongoya Island with our Tanzania tour packages.

This city is the gateway to most national parks in Tanzania and often the starting point for memorable safaris. Arusha is located on the foothills of Mount Meru and a few kilometres from Mount Kilimanjaro. Tourists visiting Mount Kilimanjaro, Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Lake Manyara, and Tarangire often start from Arusha.

Some of the activities you can enjoy in Arusha include hiking or trekking to Mount Meru, visiting the Meserani Snake Park, visiting the villages of the local Wa-Arusha and Maasai tribes, and exploring the Arusha Central Market.

With hundreds of ethnic groups, it is only natural that Tanzania has a wealth of artistic traditions. The arts and crafts scene can be witnessed not only through exhibitions and art shows but also through ceremonial dances and local craft shops. In Tanzania, art and craft are not elitist but rather a way of life, helping people express their creativity and preserve their history and identity.

This is represented through the intricate beadwork of the Maasai people, the wood carving traditions of the Makonde tribe, and the Tingatinga paintings of the Makua tribe. Each of these crafts has deep significance for the people who practice it. For instance, the colours used in beadwork have different symbolic meanings. Red represents blood and signifies bravery, strength, and unity, while white symbolises purity and peace. Even the patterns serve as a visual language reflecting the wearer’s social status and age. These traditions have existed for hundreds of years and are traditionally passed down through generations.

Similarly, the Makonde people have been practising wood carving as a means to educate their children about the tribe’s values and traditions. Artisans usually craft wooden sculptures and masks using African black wood, the world’s most expensive wood. Makonde masks often display facial scarification and styles, symbolising their reputation as fierce warriors.

The best thing about these crafts is that you can buy them directly from the artisans at the local craft markets and that too for less than half the cost you’d pay at fancy souvenir shops. These markets are a great way to support the livelihoods of the indigenous artisans.

Dance and music are equally significant to the indigenous tribes, helping people express their values, virtues, and history. Each ethnic group in Tanzania practices a unique dance form using unique costumes, rhythms, and instruments, creating a kaleidoscope of beautiful movements.

For instance, Ngoma, a traditional dance of the Haya people, involves rhythmic movements and feet thumping synchronised to the sound of drums. The Makonde people practice sindimba, a ritualistic dance which was originally performed as a rite of passage for boys and girls.

Lizombe is a traditional dance of the Ngoni tribe. It involves vigorous hip shaking in tune with fast-paced music. It is performed to celebrate harvest and other important events.

Some dances can lean toward the erotic. For instance, Baikoko was originally performed by women in the Digo village and in their bedrooms to entice their husbands. Today, this suggestive dance is commonly performed at weddings and roadside bars and is synonymous with night entertainment.

Given that there are hundreds of tribes and each tribe practising multiple dance forms, it’s impossible to cover all of them. We suggest you include at least a few traditional dance performances in your Tanzania tour package itinerary.

Tanzanian cuisine is simple yet flavourful, with an emphasis on fresh, locally sourced ingredients. The cuisine is primarily East African, yet it carries Arab, Indian, and colonial influences, thereby creating a unique blend of flavours and ingredients. Ugali, the primary source of carbs for Tanzanians, refers to a porridge made using maize. It is often served with a side of vegetables, spinach, soup, different fish gravies, beans, or nyama choma (grilled meat) and kachumbari (tomato-onion salad).

Besides ugali, rice (eaten plain, cooked with coconut milk, or made into a pilau), fried plantains, and chapathi are the staple carb sources paired with vegetable or meat curries.

Seafood features prominently on the coastlines, with red snapper, octopus, lobsters, calamari, and yellowtail tuna being crowd favourites. Fresh seafood is curried in coconut milk, stewed, fried, or barbecued and served with a quick salad.

Urojo, a spicy soup, is another Tanzanian staple made using potatoes, boiled eggs, fried cassava, and other ingredients. The best thing about urojo is that ingredients vary vastly, depending on the seasonality of the ingredients and the cook’s preferences.

Indian influences in Tanzanian cuisine are evident through ingredients like spices, chickpeas, lentils, etc., and dishes like samosas, chapathi, pilau, biryani, and kachumbari.

Tanzanian cuisine is vegetarian friendly. In fact, ugali is a vegetarian dish. The meat based proteins in the accompanying stews and curries can be replaced with spinach, cassava leaves, collard greens, lentils, beans, and okra.

The street food scene is equally vibrant with samosas, kababs, fried cassava, and chipsi mayai, an omelette made using French fries and eggs and served with kachumbari and chilli sauce.

Some of the common dishes you will try during your Tanzania tour package include:

• Mishkaki: A street food of marinated and skewered beef served with bread, salad, and a tangy sauce.
• Nyama choma: Literally translates to roast meat in Swahili and made by barbecuing lightly seasoned roasted goat, chicken or beef. This is another roadside staple served with salad and ugali, or enjoyed with beer.
• Mandazi: A popular Tanzanian dessert and snack eaten throughout the day. The dessert is made using wheat flour, eggs, fresh milk, sugar, and soda bicarbonate, and deep fried in oil.
• Mshikaki: This popular street food is made with marinated beef and served with roasted potatoes, fried plantains, or fried cassava.Don’t be surprised to find staple Indian street food like pani puri, bhajias, and bhelpuri in Zanzibar thanks to the significant Gujarati population that settled long ago in the island.

Tanzania is best known for the variety of gemstones mined in the country. If your budget allows, you can always shop for tanzanite, rubies, sapphires, garnets, tourmalines, and other gemstones. But if you’re looking for something affordable on your Tanzania tour package, read on:

Besides gemstones, Tanzania is famous for Maasai crafts, including beadwork, leathercraft, and woodwork. Some popular and affordable Tanzanian souvenirs include spices like cardamom, cloves, cinnamon, and turmeric; wooden sculptures, carvings, facemasks, and bowls; colourful beaded jewellery and trinkets; handmade leather accessories like belts, wallets, shoes, and handbags, and traditional shawls called shuka.

Besides beaded jewellery, you can buy various decorative items made using beads. These include wall art, sculptures, baskets, and light fixtures like chandeliers and table lamps. You can buy them from souvenir shops and in the neighbouring markets around your hotel. But the best place to shop for beadwork is the Maasai settlements. This way, you can learn more about the product and its cultural significance, ensure its authenticity, and support the Maasai women making these products.

Coffee is a popular souvenir and is available across Tanzania. But you can also buy it when touring coffee estates around Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Meru.

The kikoi is another East African wrap that can be worn as a sarong or even used as a sling. You can also buy kikois fashioned into lounge throws, tablecloths, parasols, curtains, towels, and scarves.

If you love antiques and artefacts, shop in Stone Town, Zanzibar, for heritage Persian style or Arab style home décor items like old clocks, wooden door frames, ornate lights, chandeliers, and even antique jewellery. However, we suggest visiting these shops with a local guide or brushing up on your bargaining skills, as prices are most likely inflated.

This cultural hub is equally famous for its street markets as it is for its heritage buildings. You can buy spices, antique items, coffee, Arabic perfumes, essential oils, massage oils, exquisitely crafted artwork, and even gemstones.

This is Tanzania’s largest and busiest market, where you can buy a variety of items, including kitchen and tableware, clothes, African-print handbags and fabrics, and Maasai sandals.

While many of the stalls here cater to the local market, you’ll also find shops selling Maasai crafts for cheap, high-quality Kenyan leather goods, etc.

Coastal towns like Nungwi, Kendwa, and Kiwengwa have plenty of weekly and flea markets where you can buy household goods, crafts, jewellery, spices, and other products for cheap. Popular street markets include Darajani Bazaar, Hurumzi Market, and the Forodhani Night Market.

• Be careful of pickpockets and rip-offs when shopping in the street markets. You could be scammed before you understand.
• Some people may try to intimidate you, pressuring you into buying their goods or at their price. Remember to stay calm and composed. If possible, travel with a local.
• Carry plenty of cash when shopping in the local markets and stalls.
• Don’t buy gemstones without proper certification. Make sure the certificate is authentic and validated by a regulatory body. If possible, seek help from a local guide.
• Dress modestly when shopping in the local markets.
• When buying spices, remember to convert the price in INR because spices are equally cheaper in India. It’s easy to be caught in the shopping excitement and paying more than what you’d pay for the products in India.