TANZANIA: FACTS ABOUT TANZANIA

Karibu Tanzania!! THE SOUL OF AFRICA

As a result of the unification of Tanganyika and Zanzibar, Tanzania gets her name and until then it’s the one used.

Tanzania is a country in East Africa with its coastline on the Indian Ocean; it encompasses savannah, lake lands, and the dramatic Great Rift Valley and mountain highlands. It’s also home to wildlife like lions, elephants, wildebeest and rhinos. From Dodoma, Dar – Es salaam the capital, to other places, true you will find peace in making a safari to this great destination. Tanzania is a unique adorable country gifted with so much beauty. From her hospitable people to fauna and flora. The green nature, the unique features, climate and so much more make Tanzania an outstanding tourism hub.

THE HISTORY OF TANZANIA

Great Tanzania in general is a result of the unification of Tanganyika (the mainland) and the Zanzibar islands. Tanganyika and Zanzibar united on 26th April 1964, forming the United Republic of Tanzania. Tanganyika became independent from the British on December 1961 and Zanzibar became free through a revolution on 12th January 1964.

Later in a second wave of penetration by outsiders, Europeans used Bagamoyo (opposite Zanzibar) as their starting point for exploration inland. Burton and Speke do so in 1856, as does Stanley in 1871 and again in 1874. But the most significant visitor to the region turns out to be Karl Peters, a young man with a feverish enthusiasm for the notion of a German empire.

On arrival, they approached the sultan, raised their flags and signed treaties spreading to other parts of Tanzania. Peters sees an opportunity for Bismarck to have a Germany East African Colony and in1885 Bismarck granted Peters a Charter for East African protectorate though faced sultan on hearing retaliated. Warships came in later and The British took-up the north and German south with a drawn line.

In 1950s, African young ambitious leaders like Mwalimu Julius Nyerere emerged in Tanganyika, formed parties like TANU (Tanganyika African National Union).In 1961, Tanzania gets independence with Nyerere becoming the nation’s prime-minister who later in 1992 became president of the Republic Of Tanzania with a national constitution drafted.

WHERE IS TANZANIA?

Tanzania is located in the African continent within the East African region. Tanzania covers a total area of 947,303 km2 (6.4% covered by water), making it the 30^th largest nation in the world and 9^th in Africa.

Tanzania is surrounded with neighbors of whom it is in good terms with. These are:

• Uganda
• Kenya
• Rwanda
• Malawi
• Mozambique
• Burundi
• Democratic Republic of Congo

Tanzania’s latitude and longitude for the country are 6.3690° S, 34.8888° E. and uses a currency called shillings.

FACTS ABOUT TANZANIA: THE FACT SHEET

Country	Tanzania
continent	Africa
Capital and largest City	Dodoma, Dar-es-salaam
Area	947,303 km2
Population	49.25 million (World Bank, 2013)
Coordinates	6.3690° S, 34.8888° E
Official Language	English, Swahili
Area Calling Code	+255
Time Zone	East Africa Time Zone (UTC+03:00)
Neighbor Countries	Uganda, Mozambique, Rwanda, Malawi, Burundi,DRC
Internet TLD	.Tz
Currency	Tanzania shilling (Ksh)

 

THE GEOGRAPHY: FACTS ABOUT TANZANIA

Geographically, the land known to be the home of Kilimanjaro (Tanzania) is an East African country with an excellent relief.

With some areas of Tanzania being mountainous, a creation of beautiful scenery lives the country adorable. The mountainous zones lift the relief of Tanzania through provision of rains that support animal and plant life and hence encouraging tourism.

Gifted with a population of 49.25 million Tanzanians, this country rises from a low coastal plain on the Indian Ocean to mountains and plateaus at its center. Many Tanzanians live in the highlands, and Dodoma, the capital.

The highest elevation in Tanzania is at mountain Kilimanjaro peak standing at an altitude of 5,895 m above sea level while the lowest lies within the floor of rift valley near Lake Tanganyika.

This is as well the highest point in Africa, making Mt Kilimanjaro the highest mountain in the entire continent.

FACTS ABOUT TANZANIA’S UNIQUE FEATURES

Being strategically located, Tanzania has so much fascinating features that you deserve to make a safari for you to witness.

Tanzania is a land of mountains, the rift valley, shimmering lakes and turbulent rivers, with over a third of the country covered by water. The coastline on the Indian Ocean, Lake Victoria, on the share between Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania boundary is the largest lake in Africa.

The historical monuments, the famous Serengeti national part and so much more give a unique gesture to Tanzania

Gallant Tanzania is also gifted with Lakes, Rivers, equator, mountains, the rift valley, hills, among others. The biggest Lake in Africa being Lake Victoria partially sits right in Tanzania with endless tourism activities on it such as boat cruising, fishing, swimming among others.

Tanzania is naturally gifted; Tanzania’s Coastline on the Ocean is a fancy to many. Most fabulous activities take place on it including swimming, beach vacations, fishing, speed boats, and others.

These and more are some unique features that have attracted many tourists to make endless safaris to Tanzania that you ought not to miss when you visit Tanzania, the soul of Africa.

UNIQUE FEATURES: FACTS ABOUT TANZANIA

LAKES	RIVERS	MOUTAINS
Lake Victoria	River Rufiji	Mount. Kilimanjaro
Lake Ngozi	River Pangani	Mount. Meru
Lake Tanganyika	River Ruaha	Mount. Ol Doinyo
Lake Nyasa	River Mala	Mount. Hanang
Lake Jipe	River Ruvuma	Mount. Loleza
Lake Chala	River Kagera	Mount. Rungwe
Lake Lake Eyasi	River Nile	Mount. Shira
Lake Lake Natron	River Zigi	Mount. Uhuru
Lake Manyara	River Ulaga	Mount. Gelai

FLORA AND FAUNA IN TANZANIA: FACTS ABOUT TANZANIA WILDLIFE

Tanzania is a big country with much diversity in its fauna and flora. Its national game reserves, mountainous areas support plant and animal life which encourages tourism in this country.

With great species of which include the mammals, primates, reptiles, birds, insects and butterflies, the joy lies in preserving them for later generations.

Tanzania has unique birds, the Pemba Scops-owl, the Gray-breasted Francolin, the Masked Lovebird , the Pemba Green-pigeon , Emin’s Barbet , the White-lined Barbet , the Uluguru Bush-shrike , Moreau’s Sunbird , the Pemba Sunbird, the Banded Sunbird , the Rufous-winged Sunbird, the Iringa Akalat , the Kilombero Weaver, Beesley’s Lark , the Pemba White-eye, the Usambara Hyliota, Reichenow’s Batis, the Ashy Starling , Mrs. Moreau’s Warbler, and the recently described Rubeho Warbler and Ruaha Hornbill (Tanzanian Birds).

With further presence of big animals in game parks like Serengeti, Mount Kilimanjaro, Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Lake Tanganyika, Selous, Gombe, Arusha, Ruaha, and other destinations; Tanzania is fun filled with amazing species which you cannot miss seeing including big cats like the lions, giraffes, zebra, buffalo, gazelle, errand, crocodiles, wild cats and dogs, leopards, cheetahs among others that are exceptionally interesting plus numerous primates.

Tanzania has varied flora depending on micro climate, quality of soil and altitude. Forests grow in the highland areas where there is more rain and there is no dry season. Other flora areas are the bush land with less rain; grasslands that help in drainage, plenty amazing swamps found in areas of permanent floods and high altitude alpine desert areas with various species of trees and flowers make it amazing and a diversified land.

Thanks to the very great and a strong national park system and a large network of wildlife reserves that enable tourism and Tanzania Safaris to flourish. At least a visitor will not miss to see all these much from Tanzania’s Fauna and Flora.

THE PEOPLE/ CULTURE OF TANZANIA

With more than 120 ethnic groups, Tanzania boosts of rich culture doubled with fascinating people and famous Swahili life style. The different ethnicity originates right from the complex times of colonialism, migration of people from all parts of Africa including the Chinese, Arabic and Persians who visited and stayed in the indigenous land of Tanganyika by then in the 18^th century.

With a mixture of races, Swahili language was adopted which has further come to be fronted as the overall formal and informal language of Tanzania, therefore a big support to the culture of Tanzania making it different from the other African states. More other Bantu languages are also spoken in Tanzania and English is used officially.

Religion cannot be left aside when talking about Tanzania. The Christian population is about 40-45% , 35-40% take-up a piece of Muslim fraternity who are located at the coast and Zanzibar while Christians usually live in central Tanzania. Prior to the two, other people follow traditional ways of the ancient times.

THE MAASAI PEOPLE

These are the most known people in Tanzania by the neighbors and tourists. The Masaai are a Nilotic ethnic group (very different from Bantu-speaking ethnic groups) of semi-nomadic people located in northern Tanzania and southern Kenya. Due to their beautiful unique culture and customs, they are among the peculiar ethnic groups in Africa. Masaai warriors and elders are generous in sharing their knowledge and experience with visitors. They are open minded people.

Their dress code is so popular like the Karamajong of Uganda and also their spectacular enriched Masaai dance is wooing to the travelers. The Masaai are also believed to be doctors of their own kind. They have great skills nurturing the mind, body and spirit using medicinal plants combined with expert healers skilled in traditional psychology and spiritual healing practices.

Other groups are the Hadza who are bushmen living in the plains of the rift valley and Serengeti plateaus, the Datoooga who traded in livestock with Masaai plus many more groups.

The presence of this cultural diversity makes cultural safaris in Tanzania so remarkable; surely expect more than you expect to see. Wonderful Tanzania gives you an opportunity to even admire its rich culture plus buying whatever you like to go back with you as a souvenir.

FACTS ABOUT FOOD AND DIET OF TANZANIA

In Tanzania, food and diet is a true reflection of the Tanzania culture. Tanzania’s super meals range from the vegetables, millet, sorghum, fish, fruits among others.

It should be all reflected in the Tanzania culture that some foods are popularly eaten in different parts or common with different groups of people. The food and diet in Tanzania is a multiplicity.

In the coastal plains of Zanzibar especially with the Muslim people, Pilau menu spiced with other local dishes is common. During colonial times, Portuguese and Arab rule, more foods were brought into place such as coconut oil used for cooking, citrus fruits, a delicious fruit in Tanzania, the Oranges known as Chungwa to add vitamin to diet.

Ugali (a porridge made of maize) is usually accompanied by meat, milk and the then Sukuma-wiki a green delicacy if well-cooked typically being eaten by people from the Kilimanjaro region.

Like in other countries, the Tanzanian traditional foods further reflect varied lifestyles of the different ethnic groups in the country. Majority of the Tanzanian dishes are a luxury cheap, filling and inexpensive to make for a meal. Tanzania’s staple foods consist mainly of corn, maize, potatoes, and beans. Ugali (a porridge made of maize) and meat are typically eaten inland, while the coastal peoples eat a more varied diet.

In Masaai land, the Masaai, cattle-herding peoples who live in Tanzania and near Kenya, eat simple foods, relying on cow and goat by-products (such as the animal’s meat and milk). Masaai people also do not eat any wild game or fish, depending only on the livestock they raise for food and so much more.

People in Tanzania accompany their meals with much soft fizzy pops which are widely drunk in Tanzania like lager beer the most popular alcoholic beverage. Most Tanzanians also enjoy chai or tea the favored hot drink.

A glass of juice from different fruits like oranges, pineapple, Mango and passion is blended to give that cool smoothie to your threat and so much more in most towns of Tanzania.

Surely when you make a Tanzania tour , expect to taste the best food at all times with the now western foods added on the menu on the coastline and others upcoming tech world erosion.

FACTS ABOUT TANZANIA: WEATHER AND CLIMATE

Wonderful Tanzania has a fragile gentle and conducive weather conditions with very cool climate but at the same time may be harsh.

Being big and south of the equator, its climate remains unpredictable and so a person must be prepared for its unpredictable climate; coupled with heavy downpours and heavy sunshine.

Its generous climate is comfortable and pleasant during the day, with variations in temperature due to altitude and terrain. During the rains of March, April or May, many visits are made by tourists and assurance is, they are certainly treated to unexpected and exciting wildlife experiences, un-crowded game reserves, mountainous green and probably a great deal of sunshine.

November– December

In Tanzania, this period receives some simple rains. Excellent for birds and animal viewing though long grass may make some smaller species hard to see. The rains are much lighter than the min rains and when it rains, there is normal drying and rain is less reliable.

March-April – May

Serious Intermittent rains start at this time. Game viewing is excellent over short new grass of the plains. Spring-like conditions are moderated by cool nights. The humidity is usually 30 degrees. Afternoon downpours are also evident and so during this season. The pours are unpredictable since they can pour in the morning, at night and during the noon. Expect some flooding due to daily showers.

June – October

This is the time expected to be a long dry spell, giving a chance to view the great wildebeest migration. The period supports high peak tourist arrivals in Tanzania especially in Kilimanjaro Mountains and Serengeti game reserve, excellent for viewing the plains.

January-February

Here begins the short rains. This is the shortest season going up to March.

Indeed Beautiful Tanzania gives you an excellent option to choose between your most convenient season and time and make things happen and enjoy your Tanzania safari holidays.

Facts about Tanzania: Travel Requirements

To enter Tanzania, the first noticeable requirements are:-

Visa and Passport: A passport valid for at least six months from the date of entry is required by all nationals from different countries offered by their own governments.

Visa types and fees:

TYPES OF VISA FEES (USD)

Multiple entry visa (6 months – 1yr) 100

Single / ordinary entry visa 50

Business visa 250

Transit visa 30

In addition, Visa arrangements can either be made through a tour agency, or embassies located in the different countries.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS NEEDED TO TRAVEL TO TANZANIA.

Medical checkup and Vaccination permit for Yellow fever are required for the safety and health of the travelers and tourists to Tanzania. Other diseases which require checkups include malaria, hepatitis A, Typhoid, Meningitis, cholera among others.

Tanzania’s currency is shilling but embraces other currencies most especially the Dollar, GB Pound sterling, Euros and others. When you come to Tanzania, you can make an exchange of the Dollars or any other currency to shillings for convenience. Visa cards of different banks can be used in some places like hotels, shopping malls, around the capital city and surrounding cities but not in remote areas where they require cash or in shilling form.