Tanzania is remarkably one of the Africa’s leading safari destinations, boasting its abundant and most spectacular national parks, distinct cultures, and natural landmarks. As a destination, Tanzania features some of the worlds’ unique tourist attractions with 38% of the land designated for protected/conservation related purposes. More than 17 national parks, 40 reserves and numerous marine parks all exist and make this country, a preferred African safari destination.

Location

Tanzania is officially the United Republic of Tanzania is found within East Africa, and at the border, there is the Indian Ocean. The neighboring countries include Mozambique, Burundi, Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya, Malawi, Zambia, the D.R. Congo, and Zambia.

It sits on the land area of over 945,087 sq.km which includes 61,000 sq.km of inland water. Tanzania also encompasses some of the finest islands, also favorite honeymoon vacation destinations including Zanzibar (Unguja) with surface area coverage of 2,654sq.km, Mafia and Pemba.

History

Tanzania is one of the ancient continuously inhabited areas on the planet earth. It is in this African state where you can find the traces of fossil remains of humans and hominids that date back to the Quaternary era were discovered. The Olduvai Gorge in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area also a recognized UNESCO World Heritage Site is amazingly the best place for paleoanthropologists to consider a must visit on Tanzania safaris.

The Hadza and Sandawe hunter-gatherers are among the indigenous tribes in Tanzania. The Southern Cushitic speakers marked the first wave of migration and they moved into Tanzania from Ethiopia and Somalia. These are ancestral to the Burunge, Gorowa and Iraqw. Tanzania also has had another 2 migrations of Eastern Cushitic people, 4000 and 2000 years back and these originated from North of Lake Turkana.

Around 2900 and 2400 years back, the Southern Nilotes that include the Datoog migrated South from the now South Sudan border. They occupied the Central-Northern Tanzania. These migrations occurred the same era the settlement of the iron-making Mashariki Bantu from West Africa in the Lake Victoria and Lake Tanganyika. They introduced the West African planting tradition and the primary staple of yams. They left the areas across the rest of Tanzania around 2,300 and 1,700 years ago.

The Eastern Nilotics include the Maasai people, and they marked the recent migration from South Sudan in the last 500 to 1500 years back. Tanzanians have been linked to the iron and steel production with the Pare people considered to be major producers of the iron. These occupied the montane areas of North-eastern Tanzania. The Haya people that resided along the Western Lake Victoria shores invented the high-heat blast furnace. Since the early first millennium AD, merchants and travellers from the Persian Gulf and India visited the East African coast.

Colonial era

It was on 9^th December 1961 when the British rule came to an end in Tanzania, originally referred to as Tanganyika. Since independence, Tanzania has had a record of leaders including Julius Nyerere from 1962-1985, Ali Hassan Mwinyi 1985-1995, Benjamin Mkapa 1995-2005, Jakaya Kikwete 2005 to 2015, John Magufuli 2015 to 2021 and currently, Samia Hassan Suluhu since 2021.

Safety and security

Tanzania is one the peaceful and safest countries and destinations worth visiting for a vacation. Regardless of this, it is always important to pay keen attention to your surroundings and also personal security. Petty theft, violent armed robbery and threats usually occur, more so in the urban areas like Dar es Salaam or in Arusha. All your valuables should be kept safely in the hotel or avoid exposing them while in the public.

Culture and People

Over 120 languages are spoken in Tanzania making it one of the world’s most linguistically and culturally diverse countries. There are 4 main spoken languages; Nilotic, Cushitic, Bantu and Khoisan. During parliamentary debate, Swahili is the mainly used. Swahili is Tanzania’s unique culture, an African/Arab mix and largely represented in beliefs, customs, foods, clothing and traditions, etc. The biggest ethnic community in Tanzania is Sukuma and they represent 15.5 percent of the country.

Climate

Tanzania is located a few degrees South of the Equator and enjoys a moderate tropical climatic conditions. There are important regional variations regardless of the fact that this is an all-year-round destination. The tropical coast is usually hot and humid, experiencing heavy and reliable rainfall, more so during the wet season. The Central Plateau tends to be cooler and arid. Entirely, Tanzania records 2 rainy seasons with the heaviest rains experienced from mid-March till May and shorter rains lasts from November to mid-January.

The dry season comes with cooler temperature and runs from May to October. The altitudes range from 3000 to 7000ft with average daytime temperatures kept comfortable but varying from 21 to 32 degrees celsius. At night, they fluctuate between 10 and 15 degrees celsius.

Unique attractions and activities in Tanzania

The notable tourist attractions in Tanzania include wildebeest migration, the beautiful coastal beaches, botanical gardens, museums like the Olduvai Gorge; Ngorongoro Crater, Mount. Kilimanjaro 5896m with peaks including Shira, Mawenzi and Kibo; Prison Island (Changuu Private Island) and others.

The main activities to engage in while on Tanzania safaris include;

Game drives –Tanzania is with no doubt one of the premier destinations that offer typical of African wilderness experiences. This is excellently done in a 4×4 safari vehicle with a pop up roof and you stand a chance to encounter species such as elephants, buffaloes, elands, impalas, hyenas, warthogs, bushbucks, giraffes, waterbucks, jackals, zebras, and wildebeest.

The preferred destinations for game drives in Tanzania include Tarangire National Park, Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Conservation Area (NCA), Lake Manyara National Park, Mikumi National Park, and more.

Conquer the roof of Africa (Kilimanjaro Volcano) –Mt. Kilimanjaro, Africa’s tallest and world’s free-standing mountain rises up to the elevation of 5895m. It is a favorite mountaineering spot as hikers/climbers come to conquer its great snow-capped peaks. There are 3 peaks that make up the Kilimanjaro Volcano; Mawenzi, Kibo, and Shira.

Zanzibar beaches –the best places to unwind after the bustling city life are the Zanzibar beaches along the coast. The popular beaches to consider a must-visit for beach vacation include Bwejuu beach, Matemwe beach, Kendwa beach, Nungwi, Nakupenda, Jambiani beach, Pongwe beach, Kiwengwa and others. Other coastal adventures not to be missed include snorkeling, scuba diving, and more.

Chimpanzee trekking – embark on chimpanzee safari to Gombe National Park or Mahale Mountains to enjoy up close and personal with chimpanzees in the wild.

Travel seasons in Tanzania

Tanzania can be visited at any time of the year but the most favorite time for go for a safari is around late June, July, August, September and October. To experience the most of Tanzania great migration, the ideal period is August, especially if you are interested in the river crossing experience.