Tanzania is a rich country on the eastern coast of Africa. It has some of the best and most infamous natural landmarks in Africa, and the country itself has one of the highest number of languages spoken, over 100. Not only that, there is over 1,400 km of coastline on the beautiful Indian Ocean, including the well-known archipelago of Zanzibar. If you are looking to travel to a country that metropolitan city life, unbelievable nature, and stunning beaches to top it all off, you need to visit Tanzania.
Dar es Salaam
The former capital of Tanzania was once just a small fishing town on the coast of the Indian Ocean, but is now a booming metropolis. There are many shops, bars, and restaurants to enjoy, as well as opportunities to experience the history of the country.
If you are looking for a market in the city, Kariakoo is the one to visit. You can find just about anything there all for really low prices.
Another must-see item in the city is the Azania Lutheran Church. This church was built by German settlers and is right on the harbor of the city. You can go inside the church and also go up the bell tower for the awesome view.
If you’re in the city and looking to go out, there are tons of bars and nightclubs to experience. One of the most popular nightclubs that you need to visit is in the business district and is called Club Bilcanas. There you will find top 40 hits alongside popular Congolese dance music. There is also live music often, and a glass dance floor!Other fun bars and clubs in the city include Q Bar, New Maisha Club, and Level 8.
Zanzibar
This famous spice island is right off the coast of mainland Tanzania. The historic center of the capital, Zanzibar City, is called Stone Town and is classified as a World Heritage Site. There you will find winding cobblestone streets, as well as Arabic style buildings. In the center is also the Old Fort, the oldest building in the city dated back to the 17th century.
One of the most famous yet not overly crowded beaches on the island is called Nungwi beach. This beach is located on the Northwest tip of the island and does not have hotels directly on the beach, which adds to its relaxing atmosphere.
Mount Kilimanjaro
Obviously, if you are going all the way to Tanzania, you’ll likely be going to Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa with three volcanic cones. There are several different routes to reach the top, and preparation for this trip is of course crucial. But if you would just like to witness the mountain, you can see it from villages like Arusha, Marangu or Moshi. You can also enter the park that the mountain stands in called Kilimanjaro Nation Park and walk a bit of the trail and enjoy the vegetation.
Most of the trails to the top take between 6-8 days and can be a bit strenuous, but is absolutely worth it for the breathtaking views and natural occurrences you will witness.
