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Tanzania, along with Burundi and Rwanda, used to form part of German East Africa but after World War One a League of Nations Mandate ushered in a new era for the territory – known then as Tanganyika – as a British Protectorate.
British administration continued until 1961 when the country became a sovereign nation and the name was changed to Tanzania.

The country almost had its economy destroyed by poor political and economic decision-making but conditions have now improved and there are a number of important industries such as agriculture with big coffee, sugar and cotton plantations; mining, including precious and semi-precious stones; and tourism. Dar es Salaam is a major East African port.

Zanzibar, a large island just off the coast of Dar es Salaam, forms part of the United Republic of Tanzania. This union has endured since 1964, shortly after Zanzibar attained independence from British rule.

The Sultan of Oman had been in control of the island since around 1698 when it was seen as a strategic base for the lucrative ‘white gold’ (ivory) and ‘black gold’ (slaves) trade.

Cloves – still a big industry on the island – were planted back then, resulting in the name Spice Islands by which it is often known today.

The British took control of the country after the abolishment of slavery but allowed the Sultan to rule until he was overthrown in 1963 and the country was unified with the mainland.

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Attractions in Tanzania

Wildlife

East Africa has long been considered the ‘home of safari’ and the open landscapes are certainly conducive to seeing game. The great migration – arguably the most well known and publicised wildlife phenomenon on the continent – takes place in the Serengeti every year as more than a million animals move on relentlessly in search of water and fresh grazing.

The Ngorongoro Crater is a microcosm of East Africa and always impresses with the concentration of big game on offer. But there are other less well known wildlife highlights that the country has to offer: chimp viewing in the Mahale Mountains and Gombe Stream National Parks in the west; tree-climbing lions and stunning waterbirds at Lake Manyara; wonderful wildlife action, especially elephants at Tarangire NP.

The southern circuit is for less commercial and the landscapes more like the bush habitats of southern Africa. Selous Game Reserve – the largest protected area on the continent – boasts black rhino, wild dogs, sable, big cats and phenomenal birdlife while Ruaha National Park has stunning landscapes studded with giant baobabs and the lion sightings are legendary.

Zanzibar offers a host of marine experiences to take in the fantastic marine wildlife.

Cultural

The united republics of Tanzania and Zanzibar have a rich cultural history with a strong Arabian influence. In fact, the national language of (Ki)Swahili is the result of a fusion between Arabic and the original Bantu language of the area.

Most people think of the Maasai when they talk about safari in east Africa and although by number they only make up a small percentage of the overall population, they are a rural people that occupy the premier big game areas where they are visible at most lodges / hotels where they perform traditional song and dance ceremonies.

They also still herd their cattle and goats through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and their villages or ‘cultural bomas’ are an interesting place to visit (with a guide) to get a glimpse of their tradition and lifestyle.

* Note – although authentic villages, the inevitable pitfalls of modern commercialism have become apparent and some of these visits can feel ‘contrived’.

Scenic

Tanzania is truly a country with breathtaking landscapes and endless vistas. With the Great Rift Valley dominating the northern parts of the country where the premier wildlife parks of the northern safari circuit are situated, visitors are spoilt for choice between the steep, densely-vegetated rift walls, soda lakes covered in pink flamingos, acacia-dotted savannahs and towering volcanoes, not to mention the glacier-topped roof of Africa, Kilimanjaro itself!

Highlights include Ngorongoro Crater with its almost surreal views from the rim and caldera floor, the sacred Ol Doinyo Lengai volcano, Mt Meru as it towers over the safari town of Arusha and the saline lakes of Natron and Manyara.

What we consider to be HIGHLIGHTS of a visit to Tanzania

• Ngorongoro Crater
• Mobile Safari Camp in the Serengeti
• The Great Migration of the Serengeti
• The migration crossing the Grumeti and Mara Rivers
• Selous Game Reserve
• The baobab trees and elephants of Ruaha National Park
• Chimp trekking in the Mahale Mountains
• Climbing Mt Kilimanjaro
• Visiting Zanzibar

Best Seasons to Travel to Tanzania

OUR FAVOURITE MONTHS
Southern Parks & Mahale: May – October 
Northern Parks & Migration: February – September

Safari Areas in Tanzania

• Serengeti National Park / Grumeti
  Selected Lodges / Camps
  Singita, Serengeti Under Canvas (Mobile Camp), Serengeti Safari Camp (Mobile Camp), Klein’s, Migration Camp, Sayari Camp, Lemai Camp

• Ngorongoro Crater Conservation Area
  Selected Lodges / Camps
  Ngorongoro Crater Lodge, Lemala Tented Camp, Serena Ngorongoro

• Tarangire National Parkk
  Selected Lodges / Camps
  Swala, Lemala Tented Camp

• Lake Manyara National Park
  Selected Lodges / Camps
  Tree Lodge, Lemala Tented Camp

• Selous Game Reserve
  Selected Hotels
  Sand Rivers,

• Ruaha National Park
  Selected Hotels
  Ruaha River Lodge, Kwihala, Mwagusi Camp

• Katavi National Park
  Selected Lodges / Camps
  Chada Katavi, Wildlife Camp

• Mahale Mountains National Park
  Selected Hotels
  Greystoke Mahale

• Mt Kilimanjaro
  Selected Routes
  Rongai Route with Crater Camp – 7 nights

• Arusha
  Selected Lodges / Guest-houses
  Coffee Lodge, Mt Meru Hotel

• Dar es Salaam
  Selected Hotels
  Oyster Bay Hotel, Kilimanjaro Kempinski

Fast Facts about Tanzania

• Capital:  Dodoma
• Population:  36 million
• Government:  Multi-party Democracy
• Head of State:  President Jakaya Kikwete
• Length of term: 5 years
• Maximum terms: 2 years
• Currency:  Tanzanian Shilling
• Exchange rate: USD 1 : TZS 1490
• Dominant religion: Christianity, followed closely by Islam
• Major Industries: Agriculture, tourism, precious stones, mining
• Literacy:  72%
• Urbanisation:  25%