Since the Covid pandemic, fewer people have been traveling. Fortunately, those with the travel bug are still able to satisfy their wanderlust. While some countries are facing stricter regulations these days, other countries, like Tanzania, are open to tourists and don’t even require Covid tests. If you’re ready to start exploring the world again, you should plan a trip to Tanzania. The country is home to some incredible wonders, including LGBTQ safaris.
Why Tanzania?
Do you have Tanzania on your bucket list? If not, you might want to change that. The East African country is an amazing place to visit and has more to offer now than ever. With tourism down by about 80%, the country is practically undisturbed. You can visit the largest country in East Africa without dealing with throngs of tourists or high seasonal prices. Due to the lack of tourism right now, you are able to book a safari with ease.
Those aren’t the only reasons you should plan a trip to Tanzania. While you’re visiting, you can enjoy any one of these ten activities:
1. See a Wildlife Migration
Tanzania is home to the world’s largest wildlife migration, and you can witness it for yourself. When you plan a vacation to Tanzania, you have an opportunity to see wildebeests and zebras traveling en masse. Traveling over a n 480-kilometer (300-mile) migration loop, the animals move from one place to another in search of water and food. The Serengeti is the only place to see a migration of this magnitude, which makes viewing it a once in a lifetime opportunity.
2. Visit a National Park
In the United States, only 3.4% of the land qualifies as a National Park. However, almost 30% of Tanzania is a National Park. There are too many awe-inspiring parks to list, but the Serengeti is by far the most popular. Meanwhile, Ruaha National Park is one of the least visited parks in the country. Because it’s so remote, Ruaha offers a sense of seclusion. The park is home to 10% of
the world’s population of lions, and it’s not uncommon for visitors to see prides with as many as 25 lions. In addition to having lions, the park is home to the country’s largest elephant population.
3. Climb Kilimanjaro
Famous for being the tallest mountain in Africa, Mount Kilimanjaro is as magnificent as it is tall. Thousands of visitors head to the mountain every year to trek to the top, which lies 19,340 feet above sea level. And while the climb to the peak requires some fitness, it’s not particularly challenging. With a guide’s help, you can pick an easy route and make it to the top in about nine days.
Even if you don’t want to climb the mountain, it’s a sight to behold. Day trips also allow you to experience the mountain without roughing it or climbing for hours on end.
4. See the Ngorongoro Crater
The Ngorongoro Crater is the largest and deepest volcanic caldera. Because the soil in the area is so fertile, grazing plants are abundant and draw in all sorts of animals. When you plan a trip to Tanzania, you can expect to see the Big 5 game animals as well as livestock that belong to the Masai tribe. There are so many animals in the crater that the area is known to have the world’s largest concentration of wildlife. If you have an interest in history, you can learn more about the fossils found in the area. Louis and Mary Leakey discovered “Lucy” the oldest Hominin fossils from millions of years ago.
5. Check Out Lake Tanganyika
Eight percent of the world’s fresh water is in Lake Tanganyika. As the longest lake in the world and the second largest freshwater lake in the world, Lake Tanganyika deserves a visit.
The lake also has another claim to fame. Decades ago, Jane Goodall started her work with chimpanzees in the area. To this day, you can still see the primates in the Gombe Park located off the lake. In the water, you might see hippos, crocodiles, and water cobras. Visitors often enjoy snorkeling and scuba diving.
6. Learn About the Tribal Culture
Although the wildlife is a good reason to plan a trip to Tanzania, there’s another great reason to visit – the culture. With over 120 ethnic groups, Tanzania has a rich culture. The national language is Swahili, but there 130 languages spoken throughout the country. While in Tanzania, learn about the tribes. The Masai, Hadzabe, and Datoga are the most well-known and visited tribes in the country. If you visit the Masai bomas, you can interact with members of the tribe and experience the culture first-hand.
7. Spend Time at the Beach
When most people think of Africa, they don’t imagine the beach. But the beaches of Africa are among the best beaches in the world. Spend your vacation relaxing on the sand or try your hand at scuba diving. Although there are beautiful beaches throughout the mainland, there’s something to be said for the nearby islands. Pemba, Zanzibar, and Mafia islands offer up picturesque beaches and tranquility.
8. Take a Trip to the Seychelles
If you want to be surrounded by a beach that seems unreal, a trip to the Seychelles is in order. Without going to Tanzania, getting to the island is quite a feat. You can make your trip to Tanzania even more exciting by planning a stop at this truly unique spot. While on the Seychelles, you can enjoy hiking, swimming, and bird watching. The culture combines African, European, and Asian influences. By far, the biggest draw of the island is the scuba diving. In October and November, you might see sharks and manta rays.
9. Visit the Old Fort
In Zanzibar, you can visit the Old Fort. This is the oldest building in the city and a popular attraction. In 1698 the Omani Arabs built the structure, it has since been used for a variety of purposes.
In the courtyard of the fort, you can shop for souvenirs or watch a dance show. The Old Fort is one of the best ways to learn more about the rich history of Zanzibar.
10. Enjoy One of the LGBTQ Safaris
When you embark on an LGBTQ safari with Wild Rainbow Africa Safaris, you can appreciate Tanzania’s wildlife and culture. Experienced guide, Jody Cole, will show you everything you dream of seeing in the wild. You might be able to see tree-climbing lions, the migration of wildebeests, or giraffe parading across the horizon.
Why take an LGBTQ safari? It’s worth noting that there are no laws in Tanzania that protect LGBT citizens. However, the tourism industry accepts people from all walks of life. Public displays of affection are culturally unacceptable, this is true for heterosexual couples as well. On one of our LGBTQ safaris, you can be certain to enjoy your adventure with people who appreciate you.
