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Things to Do in Tanzania Beyond Wildlife Safaris

Things to Do in Tanzania Beyond Wildlife Safaris

Last updated on August 22nd, 2025 at 01:07 pm

Undoubtedly, Tanzania is famous for its wildlife. Visitors from all around the world come to watch lions, elephants, and wildebeest wandering freely. But there’s more to this lovely country than just animals. If you’re looking for Things To Do in Tanzania other than safaris, you’ll discover fascinating cultures, tranquil landscapes, welcoming communities, and one-of-a-kind local experiences.

Being one of the leading Tanzania Tour operators, African Scenic Safaris offers more than just game drives. We have customised Tanzania Safari Packages for travellers looking to explore thoroughly.

Tours are arranged by our expert team that mixes wildlife with culture, food, nature, and community. Because we believe in Tanzania, In Tanzania, every route leads to a story.

Cultural Experiences That Stay with You

Tanzania is home to over 120 tribes, each having their unique language, dress, cuisine, and traditions. Spending time with local communities enriches your journey and is one of the most distinctive Tanzania Safari Experiences.

  • In the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro, the Chaga people welcome visitors to their banana and coffee farms. Experience the process of hand-roasted and brewed coffee, as well as freshly crafted local banana beer.
  • The Iraqw tribe near the Karatu Highlands welcomes visitors to participate in storytelling, traditional grain grinding, and native song.
  • Visits to the vast plains surrounding Ngorongoro and Tarangire provide a look into rural life in northern Tanzania. Maasai communities share their crafts, dances, and boma lifestyle in respectful and realistic settings.

African Scenic Safaris carefully curates each of these experiences to ensure that guests interact with local cultures while also benefiting communities through fair, ethical travel.
These interactions are part of what makes Tanzania Cultural Tours so unique, and one of the most interesting Things To Do In Tanzania outside of the parks.

Tanzania Cultural Experience
Tanzania Cultural Experience

Slow Walks, Quiet Views, and Forest Trails

Not all adventures require a vehicle. Some of Tanzania’s most serene moments happen while walking.

  • The Ngorongoro Highlands have smooth trails that run through forested hills. One of the most scenic walks leads to Empakaai Crater, where flamingos circle a tranquil, alkaline lake. The sights are breathtaking, but the silence may be what sticks with you.
  • Closer to Lake Manyara, guided hikes through Mto wa Mbu village show a gentler side of life. Guests drive through banana farms, rice fields, and open gardens, where they meet local farmers and learn about traditional plants and herbs.

These walks are ideal for birders, photographers, and anybody seeking tranquil, low-impact Adventure Activities in Tanzania. They’re also ideal for travellers seeking a change of pace during a longer safari.

Things To Do In Tanzania
Slow Walks, Quiet Views, and Forest Trails

Taste and Cook with Local Communities

One of the finest ways to get to know a place is through its cuisine. Every meal in Tanzania has a tale to tell, from the vegetables cultivated in volcanic soil to the spices passed down through generations of families. Discovering indigenous food is one of the most enjoyable activities for tourists in Tanzania.

  • Visit a banana and coffee plantation near Arusha to harvest, roast, and grind your coffee. Then enjoy it fresh in the shade of banana trees.
  • Take a cooking class with local ladies in Mto wa Mbu. Learn how to make foods like ugali, pilau, and coconut-based beans. It’s interactive, heartwarming, and delicious.
  • Enjoy a farm lunch while surrounded by nature. Taste seasonal fruits, including mango, papaya, and sugarcane juice from roadside booths.
  • Don’t miss the street foods, including chapati, roasted maize, and spicy samosas.

For cuisine and culture lovers, these are some of the top things to see and taste in Tanzania.

Adventure Activities in Tanzania
Adventure Activities in Tanzania

Quiet Corners for Nature and Photography

Tanzania is rich in beautiful, peaceful areas. Some travellers want excitement, while others seek tranquillity. But these soft experiences are typically the most remembered aspects of a journey.

  • Lake Manyara is a birdwatcher’s heaven. It offers over 400 species, including flamingos, pelicans, and hornbills, making it ideal for peaceful observation.
  • Guests can enjoy scenic drives or walking safaris in the buffer zones of Tarangire to avoid crowds. Although the wildlife remains, the pace has shifted.
  • The Great Rift Valley provides some of the nicest views in the country. On a clear day, the horizon is endless—ideal for landscape photography or peaceful introspection.

The above are examples of some of the moments that define slow travel, It is one of the Best Things To Do In Tanzania if you desire peace, quiet, and a connection to the country.

Best Things To Do In Tanzania
Best Things To Do In Tanzania

Visit Women’s Groups and Artisan Cooperatives

Art and community go hand in hand throughout Tanzania. For tourists who want to travel with a purpose, visiting local cooperatives is an effective approach to help individuals while learning about their business.

  • The Shanga Foundation in Arusha has a workshop run by individuals with impairments. Recycled materials are used to create exquisite beadwork, fabrics, and glassware.
  • Local women’s organisations in Mto wa Mbu produce baskets, paintings, pottery, and hand-dyed textiles, which can be purchased directly.
  • Every bracelet and necklace at Maasai beading centres has an adventure to tell. Guests may see the process while also supporting education and healthcare for the women who make the crafts.

These visits are not simply shopping excursions; rather, they are part of ethical, community-based tourism. For more ideas like these, visit our Things To Do In Arusha and Things to Do in Moshi pages.

Things To Do In Tanzania
Shanga Foundation in Arusha

Build a Journey That Feels Like You with our Expert team!

Every traveller is different and desires a different type of safari, which is why African Scenic Safaris customises each tour.
Some guests begin their day with a tranquil nature walk and end it by sharing stories around a campfire feast. Others wish to combine major animal experiences with time spent learning from locals.

Some people prefer to photograph, some want to cook, while others simply want to spend time alone in beautiful settings.
That’s the beauty of Private Tanzania Safari Packages: you get to set the pace, concentration, and rhythm. We aim to listen and create a tour that suits your preferences.
No group tours. No rushed schedules. Simply mindful & personal travel.

Final Thoughts – Go Beyond the Safari Jeep

You’ve made it this far, which means you’re not here for just any ordinary kind of safari. You want something personal—something that feels like your own journey.

That’s exactly how we design Tanzania Safari Packages at African Scenic Safaris. We listen to what excites you: walking forest trails, roasting coffee, meeting local families, or simply enjoying Tanzania’s peaceful landscapes. There is no fixed script to follow. Because we believe, in the end, it’s not just about wildlife or ticking off Things to Do in Tanzania. It’s about connection. If this sounds like your kind of safari, let’s start planning your adventure.

Simbo Natai
Simbo Natai, founder of African Scenic Safaris, crafts sustainable, meaningful Tanzanian journeys rooted in his deep local knowledge and passion.
Director, African Scenic Safaris

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