About Tanzania
The United Republic of Tanzania is the biggest country in East Africa covering an area of 945,203 sq km. It is surrounded by Kenya and Uganda in the North, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda and Burundi in the West, Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique in the South and to the East expands the Indian Ocean in which lie Zanzibar and other islands that are part of Tanzania.
In this territory, Tanzania assembles a number of the paramount tourist attractions of Africa: Snow-capped Mount Kilimanjaro rises high above the African savannah close to the Kenyan border in Northern Tanzania. Slightly further to the East lies the Ngorongoro Crater. Thanks to its exceptional scenery and its abundance of wildlife, it is often considered the 8th natural wonder of the earth. Next to it expand the endless plains of the Serengeti. In this world renowned habitat live millions of animals. Immense herds of wildebeest and zebra follow the rains and the grass in their great migration.
Climate of Tanzania
Tanzania lies just south of the equator. This gives it a lot of sun exposure. Consequently, the coastal area is hot and humid throughout the year. However, most of Tanzania is at an altitude of 1,000 m and more. This provides considerable cooling and makes the temperatures pleasant for you all year long. But watch out, if you climb Mount Kilimanjaro or Mount Meru, you are even bound to face temperatures below freezing. |
 |
At the same time, the seasonal cycles in Tanzania are divided into dry and rainy seasons. Southern Tanzania experiences a rain season from December to April. In Northern Tanzania, there are two rain seasons. The season of heavy rains lasts from mid-March until mid-May. Smaller roads and trekking trails may become impaired, but along the main tourist attractions you will be able to witness how nature is revived. During the second, lighter rain season from October to December you can enjoy fresh nature without any significant limitations. In the dry season, the temperature tends to be higher and, most of all, the land dries out. At Soaring Flamingo, we adjust our safari itineraries according to these cycles to bring you to the best spots for game viewing in any season.
Climate in specific places in Tanzania (according to data from Eyesonafrica):
Nature in Tanzania
Tanzania is a paradise for any nature lover. In Tanzania, you have the chance to experience authentic Africa. Tanzania has protected an area of more than 42,000 sq km in its national parks and game protected areas. In these areas you can observe an incredible number and variety of wild animals. You can see vast herds of wildebeests and zebras, giraffes, impalas, Thomson and Grant gazelles, hartebeests, topis, baboons and vervet monkeys, jackals, hyenas, maybe cheetah and many more species. Of course, in Tanzania also live the ‘Big Five’: lions, leopards, elephants, buffalos and rhinos. Moreover, in Tanzania, over 1,000 different species of birds are recorded.
But not only is the wildlife in Tanzania very diverse, in Tanzania’s spectacular scenery you will also find many different vegetations. Along the shore of the Indian Ocean, you find tropical vegetations, forests as well as grass- and farmland. In the interior, bush, open forests and savannah dominate: the African landscape of your dreams. Dispersed in this realm you find forests and swamps, valuable refuges for the animals. Finally, on the slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Meru you meet alpine vegetations. The rain forest gradually gives way to distinct alpine bush before you enter the moorland. Finally, there is the alpine desert where only lichen survive and on Mount Kilimanjaro the glaciers and snow on the summit.
|
|
The best way to experience this incredibly diverse nature is on safaris and trekking tours. In Tanzania you will immediately see why ‘safari’, simply meaning ‘journey’ in Kiswahili, the primary language of East Africa, now commonly stands for game viewing in stunning African wilderness.
People and culture of Tanzania
Tanzania’s people are incredibly diverse. In Tanzania live people of approximately 130 different tribes with varying roots: They belong to the Bantu group, are of Nilotic or Ethiopian origin or are counted among the bushmen. Each of these tribes has its own culture and language. Although not among the biggest tribes, the best known are the Maasai. Clad in their traditional, colourful clothes their warriors still guard their livestock in the grassland of Northern Tanzania.
In spite of this diversity, you will find all Tanzanian people to be joyful, friendly and welcoming to foreigners. Their faces show friendly warmth when they greet you as ‘Mzungu’ (‘foreigner’; originally ‘European’).
