Tanzania Travel Guide

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Close your eyes and conjure up the quintessential image of Africa: the wildebeest migration along an infinite savannah; the incongruous snow of Mt Kilimanjaro; proud Masai warrior tribes; exotic beaches along the spice islands of Zanzibar. Now look no further - it's all here in Tanzania.

Humble Tanzania is where the myth of Africa comes to life. Throngs of wildlife roam free in sprawling national parks, fishermen still plow the turquoise waters off Tanzania's coast in traditional wooden sailboats, and pristine beaches lie in wait for the sun-worshipping crowd. Best of all, Tanzania has seen little of the strife that has afflicted other African nations, meaning that all its treasures are tantalizingly accessible.

National Parks
Tanzania boasts the most impressive National Parks and game reserves in all of Africa. The plains and savannahs of Serengeti National Park are considered the premiere spot on the continent to see wildlife up close. Nearby, the crater bottom of Ngorongoro National Park lies packed thick with wildebeest, gazelle, zebra, lions, leopards, cheetahs and even the elusive white rhino. Not to be forgotten, the Selous Game Reserve is larger than Switzerland.

The Swahili Coast
Tanzania's coastline, known as the Swahili Coast, was a favored stop on ancient trading routes between the Indian sub-continent and the Middle-East. Spices, jewels and slaves once passed through, bringing with them a melange of cultural riches that remain today. The language of Swahili was born here, and old mosques, coral palaces and pearly-white beaches still remain.

Mountains & Tribes
A mountain that needs no introduction is Mt Kilimanjaro, snow-capped and standing as Africa's tallest mountain at 5,895m (19,341ft). Open for climbing to those with energy and time on their hands, the week-long ascent is one of Africa's most challenging achievements.

Tanzania is home to over 120 different ethnic groups and takes pride in its multicultural heritage. The tall, red-robed Masai are the best known of Tanzania's people and are easily visited as part of a safari itinerary.

Geography

The United Republic of Tanzania lies on the east coast of Africa and is bordered by Kenya and Uganda to the north; by Burundi, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo to the west; by the Indian Ocean to the east; and by Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique to the south. The Tanzanian mainland is divided into several clearly defined regions: the coastal plains, which vary in width from 16 to 64km (10 to 39 miles) and have lush, tropical vegetation; the Masai Steppe in the north, 213 to 1,067m (698 to 3,500ft) above sea level, which gives rise to two prominent mountains, Kilimanjaro, 5,895m (19,341ft) above sea level and Africa's highest peak, and Mount Meru, 4,565m (14,973ft); and there's a high plateau in the southern area towards Zambia and Lake Nyasa (Lake Malawi).

Savannah and bush cover over half the country, and semi-desert accounts for the remaining land area, with the exception of the coastal plains. Over 53,000 sq km (20,463 sq miles) is inland water, mostly lakes formed in the Rift Valley and Tanzania's share of Lake Victoria and Lake Tanganyika, both on its western border. Lake Victoria covers 69,490 sq km (26,832 sq miles), which is Africa's largest lake and 49% of it lies in Tanzania. With maximum depths of 1,470m (4,821ft), Lake Tanganyika is estimated to be the deepest lake in Africa and is 673km (420 miles) long and averages 50km (31 miles) across; 41% of its area lies in Tanzania. The United Republic of Tanzania includes the islands of Zanzibar and Pemba, about 45km (28 miles) off the coast to the northeast of the country.