Tanzania

Types of trips: Wildlife, Geographical, Exploration, Adventure, Historical, Safari

Best known for: Abundance of Wildlife, Semiprecious stones, Mt. Kilimanjaro, Gold, Cotton, Serengeti Park, Lake Victoria, Coffee, Cashew Nuts

Why Go?: One of the most peaceful and natural countries in Africa, Tanzania boasts a heavy mix of different cultural and ethnic groups all living harmoniously with the land and wildlife around them. It's a place to go to marvel at the natural wonder and beauty of the world and to see sights unavailable anywhere else in the world.

Fact File

Population: 45,000,000

Capital: Dodoma

Language(s): Swahili, English

Ties to the UK?: Good political relationship, reasonably popular travel destination

Landscape: Mountains and forests in the north, Lakes, Plains, Hot and humid eastern coastline

Climate/Seasons: Warm, sunny days and cool but balmy nights - majority of the country rarely falls below 20ºC, but the higher regions can get a bit colder. The hottest period is between November - February, and the rainy season is generally between March - June.

When to Go: Good weather all year round so you could plan a visit at any time, although you may want to avoid the peak heat around December to avoid being uncomfortably warm, as temperatures can go up to 35ºC!

Reasons to Visit: The sheer volume and variety of wildlife in Tanzania binds the whole country together with national pride, and is one of the most naturally beautiful places in the world. People of any age and interest will appreciate the surroundings you will find yourself in here, and the chance to see animals you normally only see in captivity living happily in their natural habitat is a once in a lifetime opportunity. 

How to Get There: The only real option for travelling to Tanzania from the UK is via plane, and there are a number of good airports near the main cities you can travel to. Internally, the country has a good network road and rail network, and there are ferries for travelling up and down the coast - air travel can also be useful inside the country, especially the smaller flights to remote spots. 

Places to Go: Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar, The Serengeti, Lake Victoria (especially to take a cruise), Selous, Ngorongoro Crater, Nungwi

Famous People: Jakaya Kikwete, Hasheem Thabeet, Freddie Mercury, Vanessa Mdee, Lady JayDee, George Lilanga

Natural Wonders/Wildlife: Ngorongoro Crater, Mt Kilimanjaro, The Serengeti, 

History: Important ancient history - home to some of the oldest human settlements and archaeology in the world

Architecture: Zanzibar Old Town, Peace Memorial Museum, Hamamni Persian Baths

Culture: Spoken word poetry, folklore and songs, Nature preservation, Traditional African customs

Sport: Football, Netball, Boxing, Running

Events: Festivals following the Muslim calendar, Migration of huge numbers of animals through the country, Zanzibar International Film Festival, Swahili Music and Cultural Festival, Ramadan

Watch Out For: Visas are required to travel here - this page has some good information. There is risk in the bigger cities of some petty crime, and be especially careful after dark. Locals appreciate use of Swahili, and you should dress reasonably smartly/modestly.

Medical Issues: Some vaccination boosters are advised, so check with a doctor for your personal needs, and check here for more information. It's also best not to drink the tap water while in the country. 

Watch this video about visiting Tanzania!