East Africa covers Tanzania, Kenya and Indian Ocean Islands.

Tanzania is a land of contrasts and majesty, Africa at its most wild and unexplored. There is the snow-capped summit of Mount Kilimanjaro and the sun-kissed beaches of Zanzibar, the vast herds of game grazing on the Serengeti plains and the slow volcanic eruption of Ol Donyo Lengai. With so much natural wealth, it’s no wonder that Tanzania has something for everyone.

Steeped in tradition and culture going back thousands of years, Tanzania was a centre for Arab trade, a Portuguese settlement, and a colony belonging to Germany and England. As a result, the country is widely diverse, with over 120 ethnic groups.

The Serengeti National Park is one of the most celebrated in the world. The Maasai call the Serengeti the “endless plains” and it is the centre for the largest overland migration in the world. Every year, over two million blue wildebeest, gazelles, zebras, and buffalos travel across the Mara River in search of water, and back again. During this harsh journey, about 250 000 animals die, exhausted, injured or hunted by their natural enemies. The migration lasts about seven months, traditionally from December to July, and spans 1000km.

Typically, there are two regions in Tanzania which are popular to visit. These are known as the Northern Circuit and the Southern Ciruit respectively. The Northern Circuit (the beaten track) includes the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater Conservation area and Lake Manyara. The Southern Circuit (off the beaten track) includes the Selous Game Reserve which is a world heritage site aswell as Ruaha, Mikumi and Udzungwa.

ABOUT TANZANIA

With such a perfect location, perched on the edge of the African continent, and facing the Indian Ocean, Tanzania’s weather and climate leave nothing to be desired. The country’s borders hold a vast number of people and tribes whose varied cultures and traditions make up the rich tapestry that is Tanzanian Culture. A land of geographical extremes, Tanzania has the highest peak – Mount Kilimanjaro, the lowest point – the lake bed of Lake Tanganyika, and the largest lake on the continent – Lake Victoria.

GEOGRAPHY:

Tanzania is located in East Africa bordering Kenya to the north, Rwanda, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of Congo to the west, and Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique to the south, and is the largest country in East Africa (943,000 sq km), incorporating both the mainland and the Zanzibar Archipelago. A large central plateau makes up most of the mainland (at between 900m and 1800m) and the mountain ranges of the Eastern Arc and the Southern and Northern Highlands cut across the country to form part of the Great Rift Valley.

CAPITAL:

Dodoma is the official capital whilst Dar es Salaam is the largest city and the political and economic capital of Tanzania.

LANGUAGES:

English and Kiswahili are Tanzania’s official languages.

CLIMATE:

Tanzania enjoys a tropical climate, with coastal areas experiencing humid, hot conditions, and temperate conditions in the interior. The main rainy season is usually from March through May, with lighter rains falling in October and December. The best time to visit is between September/October if you want to avoid the extreme heat of high summer.

There are four climate zones in Tanzania:
• The coastal belt: tropical conditions prevail, with temperatures averaging about 27ºC and high humidity.
• The central plateau: hot and dry conditions, with considerable daily and seasonal temperature variations.
• The semi-temperate highland areas: cooler, wetter conditions.
• The high lake regions: moist conditions, with little seasonal variations.
In high-altitude areas, temperatures can fall below freezing, while conditions on the central plateau are dry and arid, with hot days and cool nights.

VISA:

All visitors require a visa to enter Tanzania, with the exception of visitors from most Commonwealth states and certain African states. This may be obtained in advance from a Tanzanian embassy, or on arrival at the airport, although the latter is generally recommended. Among the requirements is that passports should be valid for a period of at least six months. Visas are generally issued for a period of three months.

ELECTRICITY:

Electricity use is 230V 50Hz, with a British-style plug (three-prong square-pin) and South African-style plug (three-prong round-pin). There are often electricity problems (a few times per day no electricity but the fancy lodges/tented camps have generators).

CREDIT CARDS:

Major Credit Cards such as Mastercard, VISA may be acceptable in some large hotels, they are not widely accepted in Tanzania. It is advisable to carry Cash US Dollars, which you will change on arrival.

ROADS:

The road network in Tanzania connects main centres within the country and neighbouring states. Travellers seeking to self drive should be aware that the roads are often in poor condition and can be difficult to navigate. Self-drive tourists can hire a vehicle in Arusha, Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar and driving is on the left side of the road. During the rainy season, drivers are advised not to attempt muddy roads without a four-wheel-drive.