Mount Kilimanjaro
One of the most frequented attractions in Tanzania,
Mount Kilimanjaro National Park is home to Africa's highest mountain peak.
Unlike other parks in northern Tanzania, this one is not visited for the wildlife but
for the chance to stand in awe of this majestic snow-capped mountain and, for many,
to climb to the summit. Mount Kilimanjaro can be climbed at any time, although the best
period is from late June to October, during the dry season.
Kilimanjaro, a World Heritage Sites, was formed over 1 million years ago by volcanic
movement along the Rift Valley. Three points - Shira, Kibo, and Mawenzi came to
be about 750,000 years ago. The highest point is Uhuru Peak on Kibo, which is one
of the Seven Summits of the world.
Serengeti National Park
Serengeti National Park is a vast treeless plain with thousands,
even millions of animals searching for fresh grasslands.
As the largest national park in Tanzania, the Serengeti
attracts thousands of tourists each year. The best months
for wildlife viewing are between December and June.
The wet season is from March to May, with the coldest period from June to October.
The annual migration of millions of zebra and wildebeest takes place in May or early June.
This migration is one of the most impressive natural events and the primary draw for many tourists.
Pemba Island
Pemba Island is the northernmost island in the Zanzibar archipelago.
Around Pemba are many desert islands and some of the best scuba diving
in the Indian Ocean, with visibility that is unparalleled. Lush coral gardens,
colorful sponges and sea fans are all found in the underwater haven. The city
of Chake Chake, the main population center on Pemba, is a popular base for scuba divers.
Arusha National Park
Arusha National Park, although smaller than most in Tanzania, has a
range of habitats that consist of the forest of Mount Meru, Ngurdoto
Crater in the southeast section of the park, and Momela Lakes, a series
of seven crater lakes. Black and white Colobus monkeys are easily spotted
in the forested area while the marshy floor of the crater is dotted with herds
of buffalo, zebra and warthog. Momela Lakes is home to a large selection of
resident and migrant waterbirds. People come here to see wildlife and also to climb Mount Meru.
Stone Town
Stone Town is the cultural heart of Zanzibar and little has changed in the last 200 years.
The grand old Arabian homes lining the narrow streets and winding alleys give the city
its own unique charm. The majority of homes in Stone Town were built in the 19th C when
Zanzibar was one of the most important Swahili trading towns in the Indian Ocean.
Visitors will notice the bras-studded, intricately carved wooden doors on many of the houses.