With its relaxed, peaceful lifestyle and hospitable people, Tanzania is a great country to visit, with plenty of amazing things to see and do.
It is home to the imposing Mount Kilimanjaro, the majestic nature of the Serengeti and of course the beautiful beaches of Zanzibar.travel in Tanzaniais a delight; there is an extraordinary variety of different landscapes packed into one country.
Many visitors to Tanzania choose to go on a safari or a trek before heading to the tantalizing coast lined with idyllic islands and beautiful beaches.
Not to be missed: Tanzania's beaches are beautiful and can often be all to yourself.
10. Butterfly Beach[VIEW MAP]
Kipepeo Beach with its endearing name - Kipepeo means "butterfly" in Swahili - is a wonderful place to visit. Its location on the outskirts of Dar Es Salaam makes it a popular destination for those looking to get away from the city for the weekend.
Here you will find traditional vibanda buildings; the thatched roofs look great interspersed with palm trees bordering the white sand of the beach.
Kipepeo Beach, with its relaxing and peaceful atmosphere, is the perfect place to unwind. As evening approaches, guests migrate from the pristine sands to the beach bar to enjoy refreshing cocktails and watch the sunset.
9. Strand van Bongoyo Island[VIEW MAP]
With fantastic snorkeling and sunbathing, it's no surprise that Bongoyo Island is such a popular day trip destination with locals and foreigners alike. This picturesque island is just a short boat ride from Dar Es Salaam and is part of the Dar Es Salaam Marine Reserve. as such, everything looks untouched and pristine.
Since it is uninhabited, it is not possible to spend the night there. Some guests bring their own food and drinks as there are only a few small bars on the beach offering snacks.
The island is covered with trees and quite rocky in places, but when it comes to the two beaches, there is nothing to complain about - both look fantastic.
8. Mafia Island[VIEW MAP]
© Joergensen / Dreamstime
Part of a beautiful archipelago just off mainland Tanzania, south of Dar Es Salaam, Mafia Island is a gem of a place to visit for its beautiful landscapes and leisurely pace of life.
Because it is usually overlooked by tourists who prefer itZanzibar, the island managed to fly under the radar. It is blissfully undeveloped compared to its more famous neighbor, although there are still plenty of resorts and hotels here and there.
Mafia Island is a charming holiday destination that is becoming increasingly popular with divers and snorkelers. The amazing marine reserve teems with marine life and the beautiful beaches look straight out of a travel catalogue.
7. Paje-strand[VIEW MAP]
If you're looking for a quiet getaway, the sleepy village of Paje Beach on the east coast of Unguja is the place for you. The beach is about an hour's drive from Stone Town and is idyllic; dazzling white sand is surrounded by perfect turquoise water, and palm trees provide shade from the scorching sun.
Along the coast you will find some great restaurants and hotels. Paje Beach is a favorite spot for kitesurfers, who can be seen scurrying across the warm waters when the wind is right.
One of the most amazing things about Paje is that the tide recedes all the way to the horizon, so you can walk for miles in the Indian Ocean at low tide, with the water reaching up to your ankles. A great experience, especially worthwhile in the evening; you can feel the pull of the moon on the water as it shimmers in the moonlight.
6. Pig band[VIEW MAP]
With its beautiful location on the northern tip of the island, Nungwi Beach is a great place to relax and has a more relaxed and down-to-earth atmosphere than neighboring Kendwa Beach. The bright white sand borders the sparkling Indian Ocean, and the warm waters are great for swimming.
Sunsets here are especially impressive as the water is painted in a range of dazzling shades of orange, yellow and red. In addition, a fleet of dhows (local fishing boats) enter the waters at this time to fish at night; their sails stand out beautifully against the sunset and take amazing photos.
There are plenty of restaurants and accommodation options available, as well as a few quiet bars. Visitors can choose a diving trip; Mnemba Atoll and Ghost Wall are just two of the nearby underwater attractions.
5. I love you Beach[VIEW MAP]
Stone Town's most spectacular beach, Nakupenda Beach ("I love you" in Swahili) is actually a sandy beach that can be reached by boat from the capital of Zanzibar in just a few minutes. Relaxing on the white sand and overlooking the Indian Ocean is a fantastic experience.
It's a great place for swimming and snorkeling; the turquoise waters are so inviting and you really feel like you are on an island paradise. When going to Nakupenda Beach, be sure to bring an umbrella as there is no shade on the spit.
Relaxing at one of the beach bars and watching the sunset is a great way to end the day. After a day on the beach, the boat trip to Stone Town is just as special.
4. Beach on the island of Mbudya[VIEW MAP]
Located just off the coast of mainland Tanzania, Mbudya Island is a fantastic day trip from Dar Es Salaam. It's only 20 minutes by boat. For those wishing to escape the bustling city streets, Mbudya Island offers a pleasant respite; the beach is as beautiful as it gets, with pearly white sand contrasting brilliantly with the vibrant turquoise of the water.
The surrounding waters are home to beautiful coral reefs, and snorkeling over the colorful fish that dart from side to side is a great way to work up an appetite. Fortunately, there is a small beach hut where you can enjoy local delicacies.
3. Prison Island[VIEW MAP]
The tiny Prison Island, surrounded by perfectly blue waters, is very picturesque. Its proximity to Stone Town on Unguja makes it a popular day trip option. "Changuu" - as it is sometimes called - has had many uses throughout history, and the island was once used as a port for slaves and a quarantine station, among other things.
Today, the island is covered with trees, and on one side is a sanctuary for giant turtles. Here and there you can find the remains of a prison where no prisoners ever lived.
With a beautiful beach, fantastic snorkeling right off the coast, and beautiful views, Prison Island is well worth a visit while in Stone Town. The round-trip boat trip is as fun as gliding over the waves to a remote island.
2. Nici Jambiani[VIEW MAP]
Located not far from Paje Beach, Jambiani Beach is a peaceful place, perfect if you want to sit back, relax and enjoy the beautiful scenery. The village itself is small, so there are only a few hotels, lodges and restaurants in the town - although they offer delicious seafood.
While most people going to Jambiani Beach just want to enjoy the beautiful scenery, a boat trip with one of the dhows is worth it. Nearby Stingray City is one of the most impressive dive sites in the area; you will find hundreds of stingrays gracefully floating around.
In addition, guests can take local cooking classes, go on a cultural tour to learn more about traditional village life, or go to the Jozani Forest to spot the monkeys roaming the trees.
1. Go to a band[VIEW MAP]
Kendwa Beach, located on the northwestern coast of Unguja, is one of the liveliest and most touristy parts of Zanzibar and is the perfect place for lovers of a good nightlife. For example, Kendwa Rocks hosts monthly full moon events; it's great fun if you're partying on the beach until the wee hours of the morning.
In addition to a beautiful sun-drenched beach, Kendwa has plenty of bars, restaurants and hotels to suit all budgets. A meal while watching the sunset over the ocean is unforgettable.
Visitors have plenty of activities and day trips to choose from (no part of the island is more than an hour or two away) and snorkeling and diving are especially fantastic. The local waters teem with marine life and are home to beautiful coral reefs.