Tanzania
ABOUT TANZANIA
A country in the great lakes region of East Africa known as the United Republic of Tanzania. Bordering many countries including Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda Burundi, DRC, Zambia, Malawi & Mozambique. The Country’s current president (2018) is H.E John Magufuli.
Tanzania is a unique safari destination and a country of wonders in Africa with over 120 ethnic groups. So much flora and fauna also some known as UNESCO world heritage sites are seen in this beautiful land which borders the Indian Ocean in the east.
Tanzania has a total population of 55.7 million people as of 2016 in a country with 947,303 sq. km of land. The Country got its independence in the early years of 1961 and later Zanzibar, Pemba and Tanganyika towns were united together in April 26th, 1964 to form Tanzania.
Quick Facts about Tanzania
- Capital City: Dodoma
- Largest city: Dar es Salaam
- Currency: Tanzania Shilling
- Official Language: Kiswahili
- Religions: Christianity, Muslims, Hindu and indigenous religious groups
- Location: East Africa
PEOPLE
Tanzania’s history has been influenced by a procession of peoples, from the original Bantu settlers from south and west Africa to the Arabs from Shiraz in Persia and the Oman; from the Portuguese to the Germans and the British. Tanzanians took control of their own destiny with independence in 1961.
It has a population of over 26 million with 120 African ethnic groups, none of which represent more than 10 per cent of the population. Unlike in other African countries, most people identify themselves as Tanzanian first and foremost. This reflects the ideals which were introduced by the leader of the nation for over twenty years, Julius Nyerere.
The Masaai, who are perhaps the most well known of East Africa’s ethnic groups, are pastoralists whose livelihood and culture is based on the rearing of cattle, which are used to determine social status and wealth.
TANZANIA CULTURE IS QUITE RICH AND THE DIVERSITY OF TANZANIA CULTURE APPEALS TO A LARGE NUMBER OF PEOPLE COMING FROM ACROSS THE GLOBE
FOOD
Tanzania food has lot of variety ranging from fruits to vegetables to meat and milk products. The main diet of the Tanzanian people is rice, cornmeal, beans, sorghum and millet. Gla is the national meat dish of Tanzania. People living in the coastal areas mainly prefer rice and fish cooked in coconut.
Natural grown fruits and vegetables consumed are the pawpaw (papaya), ndizi (bananas), matunda (fruits), beans, spinach and maize. Apart from this, Tanzanian food also comprises of vitumbua (sweet fried bread), chauvet (flat fried bread), and juices of oranges, sugarcane and pineapple. Every ethnic group in Tanzania has its own local beer. On the slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro, a special type of banana beer known as “Mabel” is available.
GEOGRAPHY, WEATHER & CLIMATE
Tanzania location is very close to the equator, however the climate remains favorable between June and September although the patterns of weather keep on changing when moving from one place to another as the country has a varied geographical landscape features.
The hottest period extends between November and February while the coldest period occurs between May and August. Seasonal rainfall is driven mainly by the migration of the Intertropical Convergence Zone. It migrates southwards through Tanzania in October to December, reaching the south of the country in January and February, and returning northwards in March, April, and May.
Tanzania has a varied geography, including deep and large freshwater and salt lakes, many national parks, and Africa’s highest point, Mount Kilimanjaro at 5,895m. The centre of Tanzania is a large plateau, which is part of the East African Plateau. The southern half of this plateau is grassland within the Eastern Miombo woodlands ecoregion, the majority of which is covered by the huge Selous National Park. Further north the plateau is arable land and includes the national capital, Dodoma. The eastern coast contains Tanzania’s largest city and former capital, Dar es Salaam. Just north of this city lies the Zanzibar Archipelago, a semi-autonomous territory of Tanzania which is famous for its spices. The coast is home to areas of East African mangroves, mangrove swamps that are an important habitat for wildlife on land and in the water.
WHY VISIT TANZANIA
Tanzania culture is quite rich and the diversity of Tanzania culture appeals to a large number of people coming from across the globe. Tanzania is a unique safari destination and truly a country of wonders in Africa
POPULAR ATTRACTIONS IN TANZANIA
Selous Game Reserve
Selous Game Reserve is Africa’s largest game reserve and one of favourite game viewing areas in Africa. Covering 50,000 square kilometres, is amongst the largest protected areas in Africa and is relatively undisturbed by human impact
Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority
The jewel in Ngorongoro’s crown is a deep, volcanic crater, the largest un flooded and unbroken caldera in the world. About 20kms across, 600 meters deep and 300 sq kms in area, the Ngorongoro Crater is a breathtaking natural wonder.
Zanzibar Island
Known as the Spice Island, the beautiful island of Zanzibar on Africa’s east coast is bursting with culture and history, seemingly at odds with its idyllic geography of white-sand beaches with palms swaying lazily in the sea breeze. Together this makes Zanzibar a fabulous place to explore as well as a dream to relax and unwind.
Dar es Salaam City
Dar es Salaam is the largest city and economic capital of Tanzania. Located in a quiet bay off the Indian Ocean coast, the city has developed into an economic importance to become a prosperous centre of the entire East African region. Its bustling harbour is the main port in Tanzania.
Gombe National Park – Tanzania
If you are looking for a truly wild place in Tanzania with remarkable representation of the few remaining great apes, endemic species and fascinating history going way back to the 1960s, make sure you find time to visit the Gombe National Park.
Arusha National Park
The closest national park to Arusha town – northern Tanzania’s safari capital – Arusha National Park is a multi-faceted jewel, often overlooked by safarigoers, despite offering the opportunity to explore a beguiling diversity of habitats within a few hours.
Kilimanjaro National Park
In 1910 the area was declared as a game reserve and a forest reserve in 1921 before being gazetted as a national park in 1973. It was not until 1977 when Kilimanjaro was opened for public access. The park was declared by UNESCO as a world heritage site in 1987 and voted as one of the Seven Natural Wonders of Africa in 2013. Kilimanjaro is located in Northern Tanzania 48 km from Moshi town and covers an area of 1,668 square km.
Lake Manyara National Park
Lake Manyara National Park delivered its name from a plant called Euphorbia tirucalli, known as Emanyara in Maasai language. The Maasai are using this plant to protect their bomas (hedge). The Park was gazette as a National park in 1960 and was declared as Man and Biosphere Reserve in 1981.
Serengeti National Park
The Serengeti National park is African Paradise and one of the seven natural wonders of The Africa and World. World heritage site, Man and Biosphere Reserve. Visiting the park will reward you and breathtaking for its unique biodiversity and physical features from plains to rolling hills, valleys and mountains. Serengeti offers several tourism products.