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Home to some of the most famous wildlife reserves in Africa - the Serengeti National Park and the Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania is a dream destination for anyone wishing to trace the footsteps of the old explorers and hunters. This is where the wildebeest migration starts, and where the lions feed. Classical Africa!
Tanzania in brief:
Capital: Dar es Salaam (Dodoma).
Most international airlines fly to Dar-es-Salaam via Johannesburg. There are no direct flights from north America to east Africa.
Currency: Tanzania shillings (TSh or TZs).
Size: 945 087 sq km including Zanzibar, Pemba and Mafia islands. This is just over twice the size of California.
Population: 36 million.
Languages: Kiswahili and English.
Climate: tropical; temperate inland; coastal areas usually hot and humid with cooling sea breezes on the beaches. Average temperature: 30 degrees Celsius. There are two wet seasons - Long ‘monsoon’ rains fall between March-June each year; Short rains fall between November - January.
Hottest months are December and March before long rains falls start, and the coolest months are June, July, August - migration time.
Temperatures fall below freezing in high altitudes areas of the Kilimanjaro and Ngorongoro highlands.
History: Previously British-ruled Tanganyika - re-named Tanzania at independence and reunification with Zanzibar in 1964.
Highest point: Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest peak in Africa at 5,895 metres.
To learn more about Tanzania, visit the official tourism website:
www.tanzaniatouristboard.com
ZANZIBAR
The island has a fascinating history - its culture, crafts and cuisine were influenced over the centuries by a mixture of Arab, Indian, Chinese, Dutch, Portuguese, Persian and English peoples who have blended together to create a spectacular mixture of sights and sounds. Its beautiful beaches, warm seas and fragrant spice plantations invite you to enjoy the ultimate in relaxation.
Zanzibar in Brief:
Main Town: and ancient capital is Stone Town, on Zanzibar island.
Size: Zanzibar comprises an archipelago of three islands, Zanzibar (1554 sq.. km), Pemba and Mafia Island.
Population: Approximately 800 000
Economy: Zanzibar is the world’s leading producer of cloves and many other spices - including nutmeg, cinnamon and pepper - are grown in plantations on the island.
The other main industry is tourism.
History: Colonised by Persians, then Portuguese, it became a possession of the Sultans of Oman, who developed a large slave trade and also colonised a large part of the mainland opposite, developing the ports of Mombasa and Dar es Salaam. A period of British rule followed, when the slave trade was abolished. The Sultans once again made a bid for possession. but the islands reverted to Tanzania in the 1960’s.
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