Tanzania Sightseeing: Volcanoes, Plains and Coast
Travel advisory: The US currently advises reconsidering travel to Tanzania, and the UK advises against all but essential travel within 20 km of the Mozambique border (Cabo Delgado). The sights below lie in the north and on Zanzibar. Check the US State Department and UK FCDO advice for the latest before you book.
Tanzania’s scenery is built on volcanoes. A snow-capped giant, a collapsed crater, a rift wall and a plain that stretches to the horizon all trace back to the same geology, and each has its own way of being seen.
Kilimanjaro, 5,895 m
Africa’s highest peak shows itself best from the Moshi side on clear mornings, when Kibo’s glaciated summit stands over the town. Looking is free. Climbing means a registered operator, a licensed guide and many days on the mountain, with fees stacking per day and per night. Park fees alone run roughly USD 880 for six days on the Machame route and about USD 1,020 for seven.
Ngorongoro, a caldera you can look into
From the rim, the 260 km² floor sits about 600 m below, and a soda lake glints near the centre. Black rhinos, wildebeest and zebra are visible through binoculars. The entry tariff is about USD 70.80 per adult, with USD 23.60 for children 5 to 15, and driving onto the floor adds USD 295 per vehicle. Details are published by the Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority .
Olduvai Gorge lies within the same area. A museum on the rim displays fossil casts, and the gorge itself is a canyon of layered sediments.
The Serengeti plains
The Serengeti is famed for open grassland and the Great Migration, which circles the ecosystem all year rather than happening in one month. Calving takes place in the south from January to March, and Mara River crossings in the north are most likely between August and September, though never certain. The park fee is USD 82.60 per adult per 24 hours at peak. It is about 8 to 9 hours by road from Arusha, so allow several nights. See the UNESCO listing for background.
The Rift wall above Lake Manyara
On the paved road up the escarpment, a viewpoint overlooks the lake, often pink with flamingos. No ticket is needed for the lookout, and it breaks up the drive from Arusha.
Zanzibar’s old town and coast
Stone Town is UNESCO-listed, and the main landmarks are the Old Fort, the Forodhani waterfront and the House of Wonders. The palace interior is closed after a partial collapse in December 2020, so enjoy it from outside. Beaches such as Kendwa and Nungwi have powdery white sand. Cover shoulders and knees in town.
Practical points
- Gates take cards and e-payment, not cash.
- E-visa required, plus mandatory insurance (USD 44, up to 92 days).
- Malaria is present below about 1,800 m.
- Plastic carrier bags are banned.
Browse guided options on GetYourGuide . Compare routes in the 2-day itinerary and the romantic getaways page .
Verdict: the Ngorongoro rim is the one view that rewards a short visit, while Kilimanjaro rewards patience.