Things to do in Gonja

2026 Global 50 - Cool Water Escapes

Zanzibar Island

Zanzibar Island is located in the Indian Ocean off the east coast of Tanzania and is known as the Spice Island due to its historical abundance of spices like cloves. Since ancient times, it has been an important transit point for African, Arab, Indian, and Persian merchants traveling across the Indian Ocean, where diverse cultures have converged and blended over centuries to form the unique Swahili culture. The island's core historical area is Stone Town, where winding, narrow coral stone alleys resemble a labyrinth, lined on both sides with intricately carved wooden doors and ancient buildings with ornate balconies. These wooden doors, known as Zanzibar doors, are carved from hardwood, with facades that blend Arab motifs and Indian spike decorations, serving as a microcosm of the multicultural fusion in Stone Town. The city is also dotted with historical landmarks such as the Old Fort and the Palace Museum. In addition to its profound history and culture, the coastline here is equally impressive. Palm-fringed white sand beaches stretch for several km, and the surrounding waters feature well-preserved coral reefs, making them popular spots for snorkeling and scuba diving. The island is also home to Jozani Forest, which is inhabited by the rare Zanzibar red colobus monkey, making it a great destination for travelers who enjoy natural ecosystems.

No. 1 of Best Things to Do in Mount Kilimanjaro National Park

Mt Kilimanjaro

Mt Kilimanjaro is the highest peak in Africa, with an elevation of approx. 5,900 m. Located in northeastern Tanzania, it consists of three volcanic cones: Kibo, Mawenzi, and Shira. Uhuru Peak on the Kibo cone is the summit of the entire mountain. This dormant volcano rises from the East African plains and is known as the "Roof of Africa." The mountain features distinct vertical climate zones from base to summit—tropical rainforest, cloud forest, heathland, and alpine desert, leading up to the ice-capped arctic zone. During the climb, you can traverse a variety of distinct natural views. The mountain is home to alpine plants unique to Kilimanjaro, such as the giant groundsels, and animals like chameleons and warthogs occasionally appear in the forests. There are seven climbing routes open to climbers, each with its own characteristics. The Marangu Route, also known as the "Coca-Cola Route," is a classic route with a long history and is also a route with huts along the way, making it suitable for beginners. The Machame Route, or "Whiskey Route," is known for its diverse views and is slightly more difficult, but it is popular due to its good pace for altitude acclimatization. The Lemosho Route starts from the west side of the mountain and offers fewer crowds and beautiful views, making it suitable for those with ample time. Each route usually takes several days to complete, and altitude acclimatization is the key factor for a successful summit. The summit ice cap includes the Rebmann Glacier, Furtwängler Glacier, and others. The presence of year-round ice and snow near the equator creates a unique natural view. Since the beginning of the 20th century, the ice cap area has shrunk significantly.

No. 4 of Best Things to Do in Tanzania

Ngorongoro Crater

Ngorongoro Crater is located in northern Tanzania and is one of the best-preserved large, intact volcanic craters, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. The crater is approx. 19 km in diameter and is surrounded by steep walls hundreds of meters high, with the bottom forming a self-contained, closed ecosystem that is home to approx. 25,000 large wild animals year-round. It is one of the places in Africa to see the "Big Five"—lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos, and African buffaloes. The crater has a high density of lion prides and is also a region in Tanzania for viewing the endangered black rhino. Old bull elephants with huge tusks are often seen in the Lerai Forest, and leopards also prefer to roam in these woods. Lake Magadi in the southwest of the crater is a shallow alkaline lake; during the wet season, flocks of flamingos gather here, with the pink birds contrasting against the white alkaline lake surface. Unlike most African savanna reserves, giraffes and impalas do not live on the crater floor, which gives the animal community within the crater a unique composition. Descending to the crater floor in the early morning, animals are more active in the cool morning light. However, the crater rim is at an altitude of over 2,000 m, and there is a significant temperature difference between day and night. It feels quite cold on the crater floor in the early morning, so it is recommended to bring warm clothing.

No. 5 of Best Things to Do in Tanzania

Tarangire National Park

Tarangire National Park is a classic safari destination in northern Tanzania, named after the Tarangire River that runs through the park. The river flows year-round. During the dry season, as water sources in the surrounding grasslands dry up, herds of wildlife gather along the riverbanks, making it easier to encounter animals coming to drink during game drives along the river. The park is famous for its large elephant herds and baobab tree landscapes. Herds of elephants wandering among the sturdy baobab trees create an iconic African savanna scene. Sometimes you can even see lions resting on tree branches or African rock pythons coiled in the trees. In addition to elephants, animals such as giraffes, elands, zebras, wildebeests, and olive baboons are also frequently seen in the grass and woodlands. This is also a favorite spot for birdwatchers, with hundreds of bird species such as ostriches and secretary birds inhabiting the area, adding many surprises to your safari.

Mkomazi

Mount Kilimanjaro National Park

Mount Kilimanjaro National Park is located in northeastern Tanzania, and the entire park is centered around the "Roof of Africa," Mt Kilimanjaro. This snow-capped mountain, with an elevation of nearly 5,900 m, consists of three volcanic cones: Kibo, Mawenzi, and Shira, with the main peak, Uhuru Peak, standing on the edge of the Kibo crater. Despite being located near the equator, the summit is still covered with glaciers and snow, and this spectacle of an "equatorial snow mountain" makes it a sought-after destination for hikers. Climbing is the core activity in the park. Starting from the base, you will pass through lush tropical rainforests, open alpine moorlands, and then enter the barren desert zone before reaching the frozen crater, feeling as if you have traveled from the equator to the polar region in just a few days. The park offers several well-established routes, such as Marangu, Machame, and Lemosho: the Marangu route features hut accommodation along the way and is jokingly called the "Coca-Cola route," while the Machame route is known for its diverse scenery and is called the "Whiskey route." Most groups set off in the dark in the early morning to summit, aiming to stand on the edge of the crater before sunrise to watch the sea of clouds unfold beneath their feet.

No. 1 of Best Things to Do in Dar es salaam

Mbudya Island

Mbudya Island is an uninhabited island off the coast north of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, and is part of the Dar es Salaam Marine Reserve along with Bongoyo Island and Pangavini Island. The island features white sand beaches on both its east and west sides, and the water is clear and turquoise. It is often compared to a mini Zanzibar near Dar es Salaam, and you can reach the island by speedboat from the northern coast of the mainland in approx. 20 minutes. Shallow coral reefs are located near the shore. At low tide, the shallows form a natural swimming pool. The water is calm and teeming with tropical fish, making it perfect for snorkeling beginners. You may have the chance to spot hawksbill turtles among the reefs, and the island is also home to large coconut crabs.

Selected for Best Things to Do in Tanzania

Stone Town

Stone Town is located on a headland jutting into the Indian Ocean on the west coast of Zanzibar Island and is a well-preserved ancient trading town on the Swahili Coast of Eastern Africa. Over a thousand years of monsoon trade have layered the cultures of Africa, Arabia, India, and Europe into this district: old houses built of coral stone, Arab stone bench terraces, and Indian carved wooden balconies with veranda-style facades often stand side by side in the same narrow alley. The old town still has hundreds of carved wooden doors, studded with brass nails and engraved with intricate patterns, known as Zanzibar doors. Walking around and looking up to spot these doors is a joy in itself when exploring Stone Town. During the day, it is perfect for wandering into the alleys, where the scent of cloves and cardamom from spice shops, the chatter of old men playing chess, and the dazzling array of craft shops make up the fabric of life in the old town; after dark, the seaside Forodhani Gardens turn into a lively open-air night market, filled with the aroma of grilled seafood, Zanzibar pizza, and freshly squeezed sugarcane juice.

No. 9 of Best Things to Do in Tanzania

Lake Manyara National Park

Lake Manyara National Parkis located in the East African Rift Valley in northern Tanzania, with steep, towering rift walls on one side and the shallow alkaline lake it is named after on the other. The lake covers about two-thirds of the park, and the landscape unfolds in layers: the groundwater forest at the entrance, scattered baobab trees on the rift slopes, acacia woodlands below the cliffs, and lakeside marshy grasslands that change in succession. Nearly 400 bird species have been recorded here, earning it the reputation of a bird paradise. A signature feature here is the tree-climbing lions—many prides are accustomed to napping on the horizontal branches of acacia trees, a habit that is rare in Africa. The groundwater forest is humid year-round, where blue monkeys and large troops of baboons roam, and pink-backed pelicans and yellow-billed storks nest. During the rainy season, thousands of greater and lesser flamingos forage along the lakeshore, dyeing the shallows pink, though their numbers drop significantly during the dry season.

No. 10 of Best Things to Do in Tanzania

Arusha National Park

Arusha National Park is located in northern Tanzania at the foot of Mount Meru. It was formerly known as Ngurdoto Crater National Park, established in 1960, and was renamed after Mount Meru was incorporated in 1967. The park concentrates three distinct views: Ngurdoto Crater and its surrounding rainforest, the Momella Lakes, and Mount Meru, which stands at an altitude of over 4,500 m. On clear days, you can also see the snow-capped peak of Mt Kilimanjaro from within the park. A major highlight here is that you can explore both on land and on water: there are few large predators like lions in the park, so visitors can hike through the rainforest and savanna with a guide to look for black-and-white colobus monkeys leaping through the canopy, or go canoeing on the Momella Lakes to observe hippos and flamingos from the water; buffaloes are commonly seen on the marshy grasslands below the crater, while giraffes and zebras are active across the savanna. Those with plenty of energy can challenge themselves to climb Mount Meru; reaching the summit usually takes several days, and along the way, you will experience a complete change in view from rainforest to alpine moorland.