7 Natural Wonders of Tanzania
1. Mount Kilimanjaro
Mount Kilimanjaro was officially declared as one of the 7 Natural Wonders of Africa February 11, 2013 in Arusha, Tanzania. Votes were cast by experts from around the world who noted the key statistical significance. Mount Kilimanjaro is the pinnacle wonder of nature and is affectionately known as the rooftop of Africa.
Quick facts.
Quick facts.
- Tallest mountain in Africa at 19,340 feet (5,895 m
- Tallest free standing mountain in the world
- 7 peaks with Uhuru Peak being the highest
- Kibo peak features a 1.5 mile wide crater
- Greatest view of earth’s surface in one view
Mount Kilimanjaro is one of the largest stratovolcanoes in the world reaching 19,340 feet (5,895 m) into the air. As the tallest mountain in Africa, Mount Kilimanjaro is also the tallest free standing mountain in the world. Kilimanjaro is a composite volcano that includes layers of lava, tephra, and volcanic ash. The volcano is currently inactive with no known history of eruptions.
Mount Kilimanjaro has seven distinctive peaks with Uhuru Peak accounting for the mountains highest elevation at 19,341 feet (5,895 m). A 1.5 mile wide crater is featured as part of the Kibo portion of the mountain.
The high elevation and proximity to the equator allows visitors to experience a variety of climate types. Kilimanjaro also features a year round snow-topped peak. Although the volcano is isolated, it is part of the line of volcanoes that reach across northern Tanzania. You can visit our Kilimanjaro Resource page for more information and access to resources to experience this natural wonder.
Where is Mount Kilimanjaro
Mount Kilimanjaro is located in Tanzania just south of the border between Tanzania and Kenya. Specifically, it is located at the coordinates of latitude: 3°4′33″S and longitude: 37°21′12″E. Mount Kilimanjaro is found just outside the city of Arusha, Tanzania. Although many people fly into Arusha when visiting Tanzania, there is an international airport near the mountain appropriately named, Kilimanjaro International Airport.
2. Selous Game Reserve
The Selous Game Reserve is the largest game reserve in the world. The reserve expands 21,100 square miles (54,600 sq km) and had additional natural buffer zones. There are no permanent human residents making it a truly natural wonder.
3. Ngorongoro Crater
Ngorongoro Crater is the world’s largest unbroken caldera. Often referred to as “Africa’s Garden of Eden,” the crater is home to over 30,000 animals including elephants, lions, cheetahs, wildebeests, buffaloes, and the rare black rhinos.
Quick facts
- Largest unbroken caldera in the world
- Also referred to as “Africa’s Garden of Eden”
- Crater is 12 miles (19 km) across and covers 102 square miles (264 sq km)
- Rises over 2,000 feet above the caldera floor
- Home to over 30,000 animals including the rare black rhino
Ngorongoro Crater was created from a volcano that exploded creating the caldera wilderness haven. The crater is 12 miles (19 km) across and consumes 102 square miles (264 sq km) of wilderness. The rim of the crater rises just over 2,000 feet (610 m) above the caldera floor reaching an elevation of 7,500 feet (2,286 m).
Ngorongoro Crater as the largest unbroken caldera in the world, it serves as a wildlife haven. It is considered one of the best wildlife encounters. The caldera is home to the Big 5, however the leopard tends to be atop the crater and in the jungle along the outside of the crater.
4. Gombe Stream National Park
Statistically speaking, Gombe is the smallest of Tanzania’s national parks. Traditionally, it is one of the most famous because of the chimpanzee conservation work with Jane Goodall. The park covers 20 square miles (52 sq km), but is home to the chimpanzee.
5. Ruaha National Park
Ruaha National Park is the largest national park in Tanzania. The park extends across 5,000 square miles (13,000 sq km) and sits in the heart of Tanzania. Famous for the large 10,000 plus herd of roaming elephants. Over 430 species of birds await visitors.
6. Kitulo National Park
Kitulo brings out uniqueness for Tanzania serving as a national park because of the flora. It covers 159 square miles (413, sq km). It is affectionately known as the the “Serengeti of FLowers,” with locals also calling it the Garden of God.
7.Serengeti migration
The Serengeti migration is the longest and largest over land migration in the world. The Serengeti plains account for over 18,641 square miles and the migration itself travels 500 miles on the path from Tanzania to the Masai Mara Reserve in Kenya. Approximately 80% of the Seregeti plains are protected by the Tanzanian and Kenyan governments.
Quick facts
- Migration crosses Tanzania and Kenya
- Spans 18,641.1 square miles (30,000 sq km)
- Longest and largest over land migration in the world
- The name Serengeti means “endless plains”
The Serengeti is home to over 70 larger mammals and approximately 500 different types of birds. Probably the most impressive part of the migration is the herds of wildebeests that blanket the plains. The migration will kill off around 250,000 wildebeests each year.
Have anything to add? drop your comments below. You can also share this article with friends.