Unique Things to Do in Tanzania That Will Make Your Trip Unforgettable

Tanzania is a fascinating country, but most visitors go there for three things: to climb Kilimanjaro, to see the wildlife in their natural habitat and to relax on the incredible beaches of Zanzibar. However, the country offers so much more. There are so many unique things to do in Tanzania that will make your trip unforgettable. After spending quite a bit of time in Tanzania, I came up with this list of incredible things to do in the country, which no other guide will tell you about. Tanzania is meant to be experienced, not just for its breathtaking nature and wildlife, but for its culture and people as well. A trip to Tanzania is an immersive adventure that you will never forget.

Unforgettable and Unique Things to Do in Tanzania

A holiday in Tanzania is a one in a lifetime experience. And if you want to do it properly, make sure you have the right budget for it. Most of the unique things to do in Tanzania are indeed unique, and you can’t really do them on a budget. As a reference, a budget safari will cost at least £700 for three nights. So be prepared, with a realistic budget. I personally think that Tanzania is one of those destinations for special occasions. So, if you’d like to make unforgettable memories, read below. 

Get Your Heart Melted by Baby Lions Playing

Many people going on a safari in Tanzania will have the big 5 on their sight seeing bucket list. On the top of my list was to see the baby lions.

I still remember that rainy morning as if it was yesterday. It was our final day in Serengeti and the weather hadn’t been very kind. Because of the floods, our driver failed to take us to the place where lions hung out so until this point, we barely saw any lions. We spotted a pack for a little while, the day before, but a tourist decided to climb on the roof of his jeep for a better view, and scared them off. By the way, this is a big no-no. When you are on a safari you must stay inside the vehicle the whole time – that’s why the roof pops up high enough to give you an unrestricted view, but not low enough for animals to jump in.

We started our day early, for one last attempt to find lions. We drove through the savannah as the run rose higher and higher in the sky, drying up the crisp dew off the grass. On the side of the road, in a small bush, a couple of bat-eared fox were snuggled up together, sleeping. Jackals kept crossing the road, quickly, hiding in the tall vegetation. After about half an hour of searching, there they were, in the middle of the dusty road: a pack of lionesses, seeping right in front of us. Among them, two cubs were playing together and rolling over on their bellies. A few meters back, hidden in the bush, the male lions were watching over the pack.

It was a breathtaking moment. Everyone was stood there in silence, watching the baby lions play, just as the symbolic Simba and Nala used to on the big screen. Only this time they were real, just a couple of meters away from our jeep.

See Black Rhinos in Ngorongoro

Ngorongoro Crater is a magical place. Usually, the safari vehicles are permitted to enter the park early morning, and stay until midday, because of the strict conservation area rules. We departed the camp whilst it was still dark outside and descended into the crater through the rain, on a muddy narrow path. We were the second jeep entering the park that morning, and we got to see crater waking up, as the first rays of light touched the ground.

Just as we arrived at the bottom of the crater we encountered two lionesses, graciously walking alongside each other on the path in front of us. Our guide slowed down, and we followed them for a while, observing them looking for water. Their mouths were red and wet, meaning they hadn’t long had their last feast.

As we continued our journey inside the crater, I noticed a large pink lake. It wasn’t the water that was pink, it was the thousands of flamingos standing just over it. Nearby, packs of zebras, wildebeest and antelopes were roaming around the wetland, and a couple of hyenas were running towards the water.

It wasn’t long until in the distance, we saw the first black rhino. Our guide told us they like to hang around buffalos, to blend into a bigger heard. First, we saw a group of two, and later on, we saw three. They were far away, so we had to observe them through binoculars, but it was still an incredible experience, a once in a lifetime! The black rhino is an endangered species, with only around 20 still left in Ngorongoro Crater, and there is a constant conservation effort to raise their population around Africa. 

Go on a Hot Air Balloon Over the Serengeti

Serengeti National Park is a protected natural ecosystem, home to millions of animals. The park is famous for its annual migration, which sees two million wildebeest, zebras and gazelles following the water, moving in a clockwise direction through Serengeti and the Maasai Mara in Kenya. The migration happens during May – July in Tanzania.

A great way to experience the Great Migration of Serengeti is overhead from a hot balloon flight over. The balloons take off before sunrise, and they are almost guaranteed to run every single day because the weather in Serengeti is mild year round. 

Stay in a Luxury Lodge

Tanzania is one of the top honeymoon destinations in the world for couples who want to experience something different. If you opt for a luxury safari you will be staying in private lodges that are located in remote areas of Serengeti. Some of the these lodges have glass walls, so you can observe the wildlife outside at all times.

Sleeping in the quietness of the savannah is such a special experience. The night brings pitch darkness, and silence, which amplifies the sounds of nature. You may hear the roars of the lions like they are just around the corner, when in reality they are miles away. Waking up at dawn, you will see zebras and antelopes grazing between the lodges.

The service in the luxury lodges is of the highest standard, equivalent with that of a five star hotel. 

To book a private safari in a luxury lodge check out this offer here.

Conquer the Rooftop of Africa

One of the main reasons why people come to Tanzania is to conquer Kilimanjaro, the rooftop of Africa. The top of the mountain stands at 5,895 meters tall and it is the highest single free-standing mountain above sea level in the world. Kilimanjaro is actually a dormant volcano which had its last eruption 150,000 years ago, due its conic, flat on the top shape.

Kilimanjaro is not hard to climb, if you compare it with other giants of the world such as Everest, Aconcagua or Denali. Usually it’s the last night ascending towards the summit which is the most difficult, mostly because of the extreme altitude change and the lack of oxygen. Most of the people who attempt conquering Kilimanjaro succeed to do so if they prepare beforehand, and know what to expect.

I didn’t climb Kilimanjaro during my trip to Tanzania because I didn’t think I was fit enough to do so. I did admire the mountain though from both the air, whilst flying with Flightlink from Dar es Salaam to Arusha, as well as from the ground, as its peak is visible from most places in Moshi. 

Swim in the Turquoise Waters of the Kikuletwa Hot Springs

Kikuletwa hot springs are like a hidden gem near Moshi. After you’ve hiked Kilimanjaro and you can’t feel your legs anymore, a visit here is like a trip to the spa when you want to de-stress.

The hot springs are located about an hour away from Moshi, and you can reach them easily by hiring a driver. There is no direct dala dala to here, but you can get halfway by public transport if you want to save on some money.

The hot springs are like an oasis in a very arid area. All the way there I was wondering if they were indeed as beautiful as in the photos I had seen before deciding to go there. Once I arrived, I wasn’t disappointed. The water is the most beautiful emerald colour, so clear that you can see the roots of the banya trees on its shores underneath. The water is deep and there is a slight current, but you can rent an inflatable floatie.

The hot springs are more lukewarm rather than very hot, which is really nice as the temperature in Moshi is usually quite high. The hot springs also have a restaurant on site where you can enjoy the traditional Tanzanian dish of chipsi mayai, a delicious omelette with French fries and ketchup.

You can read more about my day at Kikuletwa Hot Springs by clicking here.

Support the Local Women in Moshi

Tanzania is a patriarchal country, meaning that most of the women in the countryside are stay at home moms, taking care of raising the children and of all the household duties such as cooking, cleaning or gathering water. Because they usually marry at a young age, most women don’t have access to education and start their family at a very young age. Even though the minimum legal age for marriage in Tanzania is 18, 30% of the women are married before reaching that age.

Because of this, there are a few NGOs that are offering women access to free education, as well as empowering them to develop their skills and build their own career, becoming financially independent. One of these women is Josephine, a lady whom I met in Moshi.  I joined her on a walk around town.  Along the way she told me her story, and we visited some of her entrepreneurial women friends who had followed their dreams and opened their own businesses in Moshi.

Josephine started her path as a porter on Kilimanjaro and is training to become a guide. She is a tiny woman who you wouldn’t think would have the strength to carry a 20 kg backpack up the mountain. But she does, three times a month. With two young children at home, she is also studying to become an experienced mountaineer, pass her exams, and accomplish her dream to become a guide. The tours on Kilimanjaro average between 5-9 days, depending on the route. Josephine can go up and down the roof of Africa in 4 days.

Spending time with Josephine was a personal insight into the difficult life of the women in Tanzania, who can’t take anything for granted, as we do in the Western world. I would highly recommend taking a day from your trip and supporting these local women, even if that’s just by going on a walk with them, allowing them to show you their city.

You can read more about my day with Josephine by clicking here.

Get the Most Amazing Skirts Tailored in Moshi

Through Josephine I met Victoria, a women entrepreneur who opened her own tailoring shop near Mawenzi road in Moshi. A few months prior to my trip to Tanzania, whilst I was flying to Sri Lanka my luggage was lost and I never recovered it. It contained my beautiful dress which was tailored in Vietnam, and I had only got to wear it twice. So, when I met Victoria, I decided to get a couple of skirts tailored, to replace the dress.

The fabric in Tanzania is vibrant, with gorgeous colours and beautiful patterns. I went to the market with Josephine a chose a gorgeous blue and yellow fabric with a flowery pattern, as well as a red and black circle pattern fabric for a second dress. I also bought a wonderful blue kanga with a zebra pattern at the bottom, a light fabric that comes in fixed sizes and makes a great beach cover up, a head wrap, or can be even worn as a skirt. 

Victoria took my measurements, we both browsed the internet for some examples of what I wanted, and then started working. I returned two days later for a fitting and I couldn’t believe how gorgeous and perfect both skirts were. I couldn’t even see the stiches and they fitted me perfectly. The quality of Victoria’s work was up there with any high fashion brand.

You can read more about my experience at Victoria’s tailoring shop by clicking here. 

Eat Grilled Chicken at Khan’s in Arusha

Khan’s barbecue is an institution in Arusha. This small establishment on the side of the road makes the best chicken I have ever tasted in Tanzania. The rustic grill was constantly covered with red, marinated pieces of chicken, cooking over the charcoal flames. The nearby counter was filled with a selection of salads, as well as fries, flatbreads and jalebi sweets.

You can choose between half or a full chicken, which comes with unlimited salad, fries and a fluffy flat bread. The chicken is tender and has a tasty smokiness. Here you eat with your hands, sharing the table with other strangers searching for those unforgettable flavours of Khan’s chicken. Khan is always there, to make sure every customer leaves full and happy.  

Have Coffee at the Union Café in Moshi

Union Café belongs to the Kilimanjaro Native Cooperation Union, which produces Arabica organic coffee grown on the slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro and exports it all over the world. This is the best place to go to in Moshi, for a very good cup of coffee. They have proper barista coffee machines, which are not common outside the main cities in Tanzania. Most of the coffee consumed in Tanzania is actually instant, even though the country is a big Arabica coffee producer.

One of the coffee specialities that I highly recommend having at Union Café is the honey cappuccino. It’s delicious and soothing, quite unique as well. The café also serves home made cakes, as well as light bites such as sandwiches and omelettes. It is an expensive place for Moshi, but affordable if you compare it with our Starbucks or Costa.

For more information about where to eat and drink in Moshi, check out my article here.

Visit a Coffee Plantation on the Slopes of Kilimanjaro

Tanzania produces some of the world’s best coffee, with over 60% of it being Fair Trade. 1% of the world’s Arabica coffee comes from Tanzania. In fact, coffee is Tanzania’s second largest export.

The coffee plants were introduced in Tanzania in the 16^th century, from nearby Ethiopia. Now, most of the plantations are on the slopes of the Kilimanjaro mountain, growing at altitudes between 1,400 – 2,000 meters.  

Many of the coffee producers in Tanzania are small farmers. I visited a small farm in Marangu, a Chagga village in the north of Moshi. The Chagga tribe is the third largest ethnic group in Tanzania living on the southern slopes of Kilimanjaro. One of their main activities is farming, including coffee growing.

The coffee farms here are atypical, scattered between forests with tall banana trees, protecting the plants from the direct harmful rays of the sun. The farmers in Tanzania make coffee using rudimentary methods, without any use of modern equipment. A visit to a planation includes such a demonstration, in which the beans are roasted over an open wood fire, crushed with a pestle in a giant mortar, and sifted inside a bamboo basket. The entire process is accompanied by traditional singing and dancing, “Twanga Twanga Tunywe Kahawa”.

For more information about my visit to the coffee plantation, check out this article.

Visit an Authentic Maasai Village

I don’t advise going on a Maasai village included in a safari excursion. I have heard so many horror stories from people who were scammed and ended up spending ££££ on trinkets that you can buy in the Maasai market in Arusha for a few pounds.

I was lucky to meet Edward, a Maasai living in Moshi, helping tourists visit his home village – an authentic cultural experience that is meant to teach you about the life of a Maasai, contrary to being a financial opportunity. Before we left Moshi, Edward asked me if I wanted to buy some sweets for the children in the village, as they would be very well received. There are no shops in the village and most of the water is gathered by the women, from the nearest spring.

The Maasai are very proud of their culture and, even if they break away from the village, go to school and find a job in town, they are still proud to follow their own tradition as well as wear the traditional clothing.

I was greeted by the village chief, who showed me around the village. I was then introduced to their culture and encouraged to ask any questions. I found out that the Maasai are a polygynous culture, speak their own Maa language, and take big pride in herding their cows. The more cows a Maasai has, the richer he is considered to be. Their traditional diet consists of raw meat, milk and cattle blood. Their villages are simple, without electricity and most times no running water. They showed me how they make fire using just wood, how they cook, and how they build their houses.

You can read more about my visit to the Maasai Village and about Edward by clicking here.

Relax on the Most Beautiful Beaches You Have Ever Seen

When I first planned my trip to Tanzania I didn’t think to include Zanzibar on my itinerary. I thought that the island deserved its own trip but, half way through the trip I changed my mind. I wanted to experience at least a couple of days by the sea, just to relax, before returning to Europe. And I am so happy that I did, as Zanzibar grew on me so much, that now I really want to go back and explore more of it. A taster was enough to convince me that Zanzibar has so much to offer.

I spent most of my time in Zanzibar in Jambiani, a quiet village in the east of the island. I booked my accommodation right on the beach, with its own pool and a very chilled vibe. The tide in Zanzibar can be out for the entire day and, if you wish to cool down and take a dip in the water, a pool is very handy.

The beaches in Zanzibar are what dreams are made of. Soft sand, clear water, spectacular marine life and the most beautiful sunrises that engulf both the sky and the water in the most vibrant shades of orange.

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