Tanzania

Why travel in Tanzania

Sustainable tourism in Tanzania

Who hasn’t dreamt of going on a safari in the heart of Tanzania’s wide open spaces and reserves? Or lounging on the beautiful beaches of Zanzibar? Tanzania is a true paradise for ecotourism and wildlife travellers. 

To preserve this African natural treasure that attracts travellers from all over the world, Tanzania has a total of 21 protected areas. This includes 14 national parks, 1 conservation area (the Ngorongoro Crater) and two marine parks. Almost a third of the country’s surface area is protected. Did you know that 20% of Africa’s large mammal population has found refuge here?

All these areas are managed by the Tanzania National Parks (TANAPA). It has been in charge of protecting the parks and their use by tourists since 1959. It is indeed crucial to avoid overexploitation of these natural areas. Indeed these areas are impacted by both tourism and human pressure. Guides within the parks must also go through TANAPA training. It ensures that they are trained in fauna and flora, as well as safety issues and safari logistics management. This training is a guarantee of seriousness to preserve the natural environment that you will have the pleasure to discover.

Tanzania, a wildlife travel paradise

Apart from the Ngorongoro area, the most popular national park is the Serengeti Park (bordering the Masai Mara in Kenya). This is where the gigantic wildebeest migration takes place every year. Both are UNESCO World Heritage Sites for their rich biodiversity. In these true sanctuaries of nature, you will have a good chance of seeing the famous “Big Five”. The five most emblematic animals of Africa are : the lion, the leopard, the elephant, the buffalo and the rhinoceros. 

And for even less environmental impact, some safari operators in Tanzania now organise safaris in electric 4x4s. The batteries of the latter are recharged by photovoltaic panels installed in lodges or camps. This solution is also an opportunity to enjoy a unique experience thanks to these new silent vehicles. So you can observe the animals while minimising any noise disturbance for them. These solutions are still marginal today. Nevertheless, we can only hope that this marks the beginning of a new era for sustainable tourism in Tanzania. 

Other popular parks are Lake Manyara and Tarangire, also in the north of the country. You really want to experience a safari off the beaten track ? Why not head to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Selous Game Reserve? A small part of this huge reserve (where there is much less tourist pressure) is reserved for animal safaris. 

Beyond the natural parks, it is impossible to miss Kilimanjaro, also a World Heritage Site, when travelling to Tanzania. Rising to an altitude of nearly 6,000 metres, the roof of Africa is a direct witness to global warming. Its legendary eternal snows and glaciers are melting year after year. This reminds us of the importance of adopting responsible behaviour when travelling. 

For the more experienced walkers, it is possible to trek to the summit of Kilimanjaro. This is an opportunity to discover the diversity of natural ecosystems that have flourished on the slopes of Kilimanjaro. 

Human encounters in Tanzania

Tanzania is a natural paradise and also the cradle of humanity. The Olduvai gorges are situated on the Great Rift Fault. It has yielded numerous testimonies on the evolution of hominids over millions of years. UNESCO is working there, with the managers, to help them develop a strategy for sustainable tourism in Tanzania.

You will have the opportunity during your responsible trip in northern Tanzania to meet the country’s inhabitants. For example, you could meet with the Masai, a semi-nomadic people who still live in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. 

You will be able to interact with them and learn about their culture and daily life. Activities in families and villages provide an opportunity for authentic exchanges with Tanzanians. Experience a human adventure that will remain in your memory for a long time !

IDH

0.549

% of GDP

71.00%

EPI

134

TSDI

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