Things to do in Karatu

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.

Lodoare Gate, Ngorongoro

Hadzabe African Safaris

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.

2026 Global 100 - Family-friendly Attractions

Serengeti National Park

Serengeti National Park is an iconic nature reserve in Tanzania, famous for its vast tropical savanna landscapes and large-scale wildlife populations. The park is home to various large animals, including wildebeest, zebras, gazelles, lions, spotted hyenas, cheetahs, elephants, and giraffes. A natural phenomenon known as the "Great Migration" takes place here all year round. Millions of wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles follow the fresh pastures brought by the rainy season, migrating in a clockwise cycle between the southern plains, the Western Corridor, and the northernMara River. The migrating herds stretch for dozens of km, creating a spectacular scene. At the beginning of each year, wildebeest herds gather in the southern plains to calve, with hundreds of thousands of calves born in a short period. Afterward, the herds move northwest, facing ambushes by crocodiles in the river as they cross the Grumeti River in the Western Corridor. The herds continue north to stage even more stunning river crossings along the banks of theMara River, before turning back south to complete the annual cycle. The park covers a vast area, with distinct landscapes and animal distributions in different regions. The central Seronera area has a high density of animals all year round; the southern plains have open terrain and are the core area for the calving season; the Western Corridor features a landscape of alternating rivers and woodlands; and the northernMara Riverbasin is famous for its river crossing views. During your visit, you will have the opportunity to observe wildlife behaviors up close, such as lion prides hunting, cheetahs chasing prey, and elephants roaming.

Lake Manyara Viewpoint

No. 7 of Best Things to Do in Tanzania

Ngorongoro Conservation Area

Ngorongoro Conservation Area is located in northern Tanzania, a vast protected area that combines volcanic landscapes, dense wildlife, and the nomadic lifestyle of the Maasai people in one place. About 2 million years ago, a massive volcano in the area erupted violently and collapsed inward, leaving behind a huge crater nearly 20 km in diameter and about 600 m deep. The crater contains meadows, swamps, springs, woodlands, and a saltwater lake, forming a nearly self-contained ecosystem, which is why it is often called the "African Eden." Tens of thousands of large animals inhabit the crater floor year-round: wildebeests, zebras, and gazelles move in herds across the meadows, elephant herds are accustomed to roaming around the Lerai Forest, and lion prides, leopards, hyenas, and jackals prowl the area. With the addition of buffaloes and the rare black rhino, a single game drive offers the chance to see the "Big Five." During the dry season, water sources shrink, and animals gather around springs and swamps, making it the golden time for viewing and photography. When the water in Lake Magadi is shallow, thousands of flamingos turn the lake surface pink, a scene that photographers often wait to capture.

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.

Karatu Children's Playground

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.