5 Little-Known Places to Explore in Tanzania.
You probably have watched all the Big Five in the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater or climbed Mount Kilimanjaro. Or you have visited the vibrant island of Zanzibar, where the turquoise waters meet white, powdered sand. Now, it’s time to explore those places only a curious visitor knows. Where nature is still virgin. We’ve rounded up just five hidden places you should explore in Tanzania. Let’s explore.
1. Nyerere National Park.
Picture yourself in a wildlife park surrounded by 30,393 km² of wilderness to explore. Welcome to the Nyerere (previously Selous), a hidden gem in southern Tanzania. This park is the largest not only in Tanzania but also in Africa, about two times bigger than the Serengeti.
Here, you will see plenty of wildlife—from the Big Five to the rare African wild dogs. Kindly note that rhino sightings are extremely rare, but you can comfort yourself with views of rare species like sable and roan antelopes, Lichtenstein’s hartebeest, and greater kudu.
The giant Rufiji River flows year-round, teeming with large pods of hippos and Nile crocodiles. In addition, the virgin wilderness is a perfect backdrop for avid photographers.
Fly into the Mtemere Airstrip, Siwandu Airstrip, or Beho Beho Airstrip for an even more seamless and comfortable experience. You can try the long, 10-hour drive from Dar es Salaam.
Places to stay include Siwandu Camp, Beho Beho Camp, and Roho ya Selous.
2. Pemba Island.
Pemba (together with Unguja) makes up the Zanzibar Archipelago. Only the curious know this green island, famous for beautiful plantations and unexplored beaches. Seasoned vacationers come here to relax on the virgin, white sandy beaches.
Are you a fan of scuba diving? Pemba boasts healthy hard corals and stunning marine species. Explore the manta rays, gentle whale sharks, and silvertip whales, or the beautiful walls. There’s clear visibility from September to November, which makes diving one of a kind.
The best way to get there is by flying from Zanzibar or Dar es Salaam to Pemba. Unlike Zanzibar, Pemba is quiet, with a few accommodation options. You can also get there by boat. Just take a ride from Unguja and Dar es Salaam. Azam Marine and Kilimanjaro Fast Ferries connect this remote island with the business capital and Zanzibar.
The Manta Resort is one of the places to stay in Pemba. Apart from its indulgent spa treatments, this resort has an underwater room, which allows you to sleep beneath the sea. Other places include Fundu Lagoon and Aiyana Resort.
3. Mahale Mountains National Park
Fly to the far west of Tanzania to seek a unique experience most parks don’t offer—coming face to face with the chimpanzees. Mahale is among a few destinations to host these endangered primates, with others being Gombe and Rubondo Island.
Trekking with the chimpanzees is a unique experience most visitors crave. And a few experiences it—yes, the curious visitors. This adventure involves a forest walk through the montane rainforest to search chimp territory. Of the 14 troops known in Mahale, only one is habituated. That’s the Mimickere group.
There’s a growing trend in diving on Lake Tanganyika. With over 200 species of cichlid fish and other freshwater species, this lake offers the best diving experience. Other things worth doing include swimming, boating, and sport fishing.
The best way to get there is by flying into Kigoma Airstrip (from Arusha or Dar es Salaam), then taking a boat to the park. There’s an option to drive along the coastline of Lake Tanganyika if you are ready for the hassle.
Places to stay include the Greystoke Mahale and Mbali Mbali Mahale Lodge
4. Mafia Island
Harboring the largest marine park, Mafia is the best place to see whale sharks. People visit this remote isle to swim with whale sharks as they explore the underwater world searching for plankton, their favorite food.
The best thing to do here is scuba diving. The island is untouched, which means the marine life is vibrant and teems with colorful coral reefs. The Chole Bay is the best place for divers to explore green turtles, snappers, groupers, and tuna. If you want to swim with whale sharks, plan your visit in October and February when it’s their peak season. The best dive sites include Kinasi Pass and Dindini Wall.
You can get there by short flights from Dar es Salaam or Zanzibar. Aurica Air and Coastal Aviation operate daily. You can also get there by ferry from Zanzibar.
The Mafia has a small population. With a small number of visitors going there, the Mafia has a few places to stay. These include Fanjove Island, Thanda Island Lodge, Mafia Island Lodge, Rasi Mbisi, Chole Mjini, Pole Pole, and Kinasi Lodge.
5. Ruaha National Park
A pristine wildlife destination is still in its purest form. With the large elephant population (of about 15,000) in Tanzania, Ruaha is the land of giants. The baobabs are also so huge, not to forget the Great Ruaha River.
You can visit it to search for some rare species like African wild dogs and roan antelopes. Because Ruaha holds 10% of Africa’s remaining lions, at least you are confident that a lion sighting (and probably a kill) is common.
The other day, you sailed in the Ruaha River to explore hippos and crocs up close. And you can go for a night drive or sleep under the blanket of stars in a light, mosquito-netted fly tent.
The best way to get there is by flight from Arusha, Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar, or other parks. You can also drive from Nyerere, which is next to Ruaha. The best places to stay include the Jabali Ridge, Kigelia Ruaha, and Usangu Expedition Camp.
The bottom line
These are just a few of many hidden places in Tanzania. Embark on a journey dedicated to lesser-known destinations in this country. We can help you craft your dream itinerary. Call our expert to start planning your adventure.
