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AUTHENTIC AFRICA
Tanzania
is a land of spectacular beauty.
With the Indian Ocean on its east and lakes sprinkled
about its borders, it is the largest country in East Africa
and its size half that of Western Europe.
The natural resources are plentiful – Mt, Kilimanjaro
– Africa’s highest mountain, Lake Tanganyika – Africa deepest
lake, Lake Victoria – the world’s second largest lake and
the source of the Nile.
In addition Tanzania also prides itself with many game
parks of international fame including the Ngorongoro Crater,
Serengeti and Manyara not to mention the Selous (bigger than
Denmark), Ruaha, Mikumi, Gombe and other parks where wildlife
roam around in teeming numbers.
About ¼ of 938,000 sq. km of Tanzania has been reserved
for game and national parks.
Tanzania is unique in its heritage of wildlife – there
are thousands of species of animals living in their natural
habitat.
Also within its border walked the earliest man on earth more
than 3.5 million years ago, and a visit to Olduvai Gorge near
Ngorongoro will reveal the fossils and other remains.
The coastline on the Indian Ocean is 800 kilometers long,
with the islands and pristine beaches of Zanzibar,
Pemba and Mafia close by.
Tanzania allows you to get close to the should of the African
wilderness, to conquer the roof-top of Africa, to soak up
the azure waters of Indian Ocean, to experience the magic
and the maze of alleys on the spice island, to marvel at breathtaking
and landscapes, and to coexist in perfect harmony with the
natural environment and the wildlife that inhabits it.
Come with us and experience the rhythms and colours
that echo through this enchanting land.
History
Tanzania is the "cradle of mankind" for it was here;
in the Olduvai Gorge that Dr Louis Leakey discovered the fossilized
remains of Hormo Habilis, or handy man, calculated to be 1.75
millions years old, the forerunner of
the modern man. Tanzania
was occupied by various African tribes most recently the Masai
from Kenya, who have retained their traditions. Arab merchants
visited the coast some 2,000 years ago and settled in Zanzibar
around the eighth century AD later establishing trade routes
into the interior. The inter-marriage of Arabs and local people
created new people with their own language - Kiswahili (Swahili)
whose word for journey - safari – has become the international
description of a trip into the wild.
The Portuguese established
temporary settlements in the 16th century, supplanted by the
Omans in the late 17th century who developed the infamous
slave trade. The scramble for Africa by the European powers
at the end of the 19th century led to occupation of the mainland
by Germany although Zanzibar became a British protectorate.
After World War I, Germany was forced to surrender its territory
to the British. Tanganyika, the mainland was then known, achieved
independence in 1961. Zanzibar became independent two years
later and shortly afterwards joined with mainland to become
the United Republic of Tanzania.
Geography
Tanzania covers 937,062 sq km making it the largest country
in Eastern Africa, just south of the equator it borders Kenya
and Uganda in the north; Zaire, Rwanda and Burundi in the
west; and Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique in the south, making
a splendid centre from which to explore Eastern, Central and
Southern Africa. Through the interior runs the Great Rift
Valley, that vast fault line down the spine of Africa, which
in Tanzania, has created many fascinating topographical features
such as the Ngorongoro Crater and Lake Tanganyika. The central
plateau (1,200m above sea level) is a huge expanse of savannah
and sparse woodland. To the north the 5,890-metre (19,340
ft) Mount Kilimanjaro raises, the highest mountain in Africa.
While the interior is largely arid, the 800 kilometers coastline
is lush and palm - fringed as are the islands of Zanzibar,
Pemba and Mafia.
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Climate
The coastal areas are hot and humid with an average day time
temperatures of 30ºC. Sea breezes make the climate very
pleasant from June to September. The central Plateau experiences
hot days and cool nights. The hilly country between the coast
and the northern Highlands has a pleasant climate from January
to September; with temperatures averaging around 20°C.Tempertures
vary around Kilimanjaro according to the seasons registering
a low 15°C during May - August rising to 22°C during
December – March. For the whole country the hottest
months are from October to February. The main, long rainy
season is from mid-march to late May.
When to visit
The Tanzania climate is tropical. The central plateau is dry
and arid with hot days and cool nights, while the northwest
highlands are cool and temperate. June to September is the
cooler season. The long rains are from March to May and the
short rains are between October and December. The hottest
months are between October and February. On the coast, it
rains in November and December and from March to May. Coastal
areas are hot and humid although sea breezes cool the area
pleasantly between June.and September.
CURRENCY
Tanzania Shillings is equivalent to 100 cents. Bureaux de
change offer favourable exchange rates. Credit cards - ACCESS,
MASTERCARDS, VISA, AMERICAN EXPRESS, EUROCARD, and DINERS
are accepted at the larger hotels around the country. There
is no limit on the importation of foreign currency.
HEALTH
Regulations and requirements may be subjects to change at
short notice and visitors are requested to contact their own
health authority, the nearest Tanzanian Diplomatic Mission
or their travel agent well in advance of the intended date
of departure. At present, yellow fever inoculation is compulsory.
Malaria exists below 1,800m in malignant falciparrum form.
All visitors are advised to use appropriate prophylactic drugs.
Private health insurance is recommended.
VISA
Visas are required for all, except citizens of the commonwealth,
Scandinavian countries and the republic of Ireland. Before
departure you can also get your visas from the Tanzania Embassy.
You can also get your Visa at our major entry points such
as: Dar es Salaam, Kilimanjaro and Zanzibar International
Airports, Namanga, Tunduma, Holili, Taveta, Sirari and
Horohoro.
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