Tanzania, Africa-Country Profile

Tanzania is an East African Country; and is the biggest in this region. The nation has a spectacular landscape of principally three physiographic regions that is; the highlands; the Islands and the coastal plains to the east; the inland saucer-shaped plateau. The Great Rift Valley that runs from north east of Africa through central Tanzania is another landmark that adds to the scenic view of the country. It also has pristine sandy beaches and Africa’s highest and snow-capped mountain, Mount. Kilimanjaro.
Dar es Salaam is the commercial capital and major sea port for Tanzania. Tanzania is part of the East African Community and a potential member of the planned East African Federation.

Location:

Tanzania is located in Central East Africa with about 1,400km of coastline along the Indian Ocean. It is geographically well positioned; bordered by Burundi, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda, Uganda, Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo. It is the economic core of East Africa providing natural access and commercial links to eight countries.

History

The United Republic of Tanzania was formed out of the union of two sovereign states namely Zanzibar and Tanganyika. Tanganyika became an autonomous state on 9th December 1961 and the following year, it became a Republic. Zanzibar gained its independence on 10th December, 1963 and the People’s Republic of Zanzibar was established after the revolution of 12th January, 1964. The two sovereign republics formed the United Republic of Tanzania on 26th April, 1964. However, the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania is a unitary republic consisting of the Union Government and the Zanzibar Revolutionary Government.

Topography

A large central plateau makes up most of the mainland, at between 900m and 1800m. 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.
A land of geographical extremes, Tanzania houses the highest peak on Mount.  Kilimanjaro, the lowest point with the lake bed of Lake Tanganyika, and a portion of the largest lake (Lake Victoria, shared with Uganda and Kenya) on the African continent.
Tanzania is mountainous in the northeast, where Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest point, is located. To the north and west are the Great Lakes of Lake Victoria (Africa’s largest lake) and Lake Tanganyika (Africa’s deepest lake, known for its unique species of fish). Central Tanzania comprises a large plateau, with plains and arable land. The eastern shore is hot and humid, with the island of Zanzibar lying just offshore.

Climate in Tanzania

Tanzania has a tropical type of climate. In the highlands, temperatures range between 10˚C and 20˚C during cold and hot seasons respectively. The rest of the country has temperatures rarely falling lower than 20˚C. The hottest period extends between November and February (25˚C – 31˚C) while the coldest period occurs between May and August (15˚C – 20˚C).
Tanzania’s weather varies from humid and hot in low lying areas, such as Dar es Salaam, to hot during the day and cool at night in Arusha. There are no discernible seasons, such as winter and summer — only the dry and wet seasons. Tanzania has two rainy seasons: The short rains from late-October to late-December, a.k.a. the Mango Rains, and the long rains from March to May.

When to Travel
June to August: This is the tail-end of the long rainy season and the weather is at its best at this time of year; bearable during the day and cool in the evening. However, this is not necessarily the best time of year for safaris, as water is plentiful in the parks and animals are not forced to congregate in a few locations to rehydrate, as they do in the middle of the dry season right after Christmas.

January to February: This is the best time to visit the Serengeti. It is usually at this time that huge herds of Wildebeest, Zebra and Buffalo migrate to better grazing areas. At this period you could observe some of the 1.5 million Wildebeest that inhabit the Serengeti undertake their epic journey.
Be advised this is most likely the hottest time of year in Tanzania, when even the locals complain about the heat.

National Parks and Wildlife

Tanzania is home to the world famous National Parks and Game Reserves. The country has the largest concentration of wild animals.

Serengeti National Park
Made famous by numerous Discovery Channel specials, hosts a wide range of wildlife, including lions, cheetahs, leopards, hippopotamuses, elephants, zebra, buffalo, water buck, crocodiles, gazelle, warthogs, and wildebeest. One major attraction is the wildebeest migration, which occurs continuously between the Serengeti and Masai Mara. If the migration is your main purpose for visiting the Serengeti, you should advise your tour company as this may require travel much further a field and could be more costly.

Tarangire National Park is in the northern circuit of Tanzania and was named after the Tarangire River flowing within the park. The park area is approximately 2,600 sq km. Similar to Serengeti; the park has high concentrations of wildlife during the dry seasons as well as the only safari destinations in Tanzania with the highest number of elephants. Also, over 570 bird species have been identified, and the place is surely a birdwatchers’ paradise.

Selous Game Reserve and Ruaha National Park are far less popular but very enjoyable. You won’t find quite the volume of wildlife that you would in the Serengeti but, if you’re looking for a destination with fewer tourists and a greater range of wildlife, these parks are for you. Additionally, Selous is the only other place besides Ngorongoro where you may see a rhino. You can also visit the Uduzungwa Mountains Park for a truly wilderness hike through unspoiled and spectacular scenery. There are few places left in the world like this one.

Ngorongoro Conservation Area also hosts an abundance of wildlife, particularly in the Ngorongoro crater. Formed by the same volcanic activity that generated Kilimanjaro and the Great Rift Valley, Ngorongoro consists of the highlands around the crater (rich in elephants) and the crater itself similar animals to Serengeti, but at higher densities and with a small population of black rhino
Ngorongoro Conservation Area about 828 Sq. Km. is a perfect caldera of the world, 18km across, often with nothing we can compare, this is one of the wonders of the world! You will be attracted by the relief, its mountains, drifting sand dunes and the diverse wildlife and the Maasai people. The NCA, due to these and more qualities including its being nearer the cradle of mankind, the Olduvai Gorge, it was declared a World Heritage Site in 1978. The only place on the planet where a human being is living in harmony with wildlife without harming one another to date the only place to go is the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. It is culture and ecotourism smoothly nurtured in the environment.

The Islands of Tanzania

Zanzibar Island
Zanzibar is an island off the coast of Tanzania; it includes both Zanzibar and Pemba. Zanzibar has beautiful beaches and a historical Stone Town. Zanzibar is great for scuba diving, snorkeling, and swimming with dolphins. Other attractions include spice tours and the Jozani Forest, which shelters a small population of red Colobus monkeys.

Mafia Island Marine Park is south of Zanzibar and boasts some fantastic scuba diving and snorkeling. You may also get to swim with whale sharks, as this is one of the few areas in the world where they congregate annually.

Mount Kilimanjaro

Mount Kilimanjaro is the highest peak in Africa and one of the highest freestanding mountains in the world. Many people travel to Tanzania just to climb this mountain. You can either organize your trek up the mountain from your home country through a travel agency, but you’ll pay a lot more for this convenience, or, if you’ve got a bit of time, hop on plane and save some money by organizing it in Arusha or in Dar. It is obvious on the mountain and on safari which companies are a cut above the others–tents, camps, and food are better on the mountain, and jeeps are higher quality on safari if you go with a better company.

Culture in Tanzania

Tanzania is home to some of the most incredible tribal diversity in Africa. The country includes all of the major ethnic and linguistic groups on the continent – an amazingly varied population to inhabit a single country.
Home to approximately 120 tribal groups, most of these comprise small communities that are gradually being assimilated into the larger population due to changes in land use and the economic draw of city life. Tribal diversity is prized and far from being a source of division, Tanzanians place a high value on their country’s multicultural heritage. Over the past few years, cultural tourism has become an increasing attraction for visitors from around the world and visits to tribal villages are often a highlight of safari itineraries.