Travel Guide: Tanzania


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Tanzania incorporates the Zanzibar archipelago, the fertile, coral islands of Zanzibar and Pemba. Tanzania's habitats range from afro-alpine to semi-desert and offer excellent game viewing throughout the year as not all animals migrate and are year round residents. The astonishing diversity and concentration of wildlife, from the immense Serengeti and towering Mount Kilimanjaro to the remote national parks of Katavi and Mahale are what gives Tanzania its appeal of 'Real Africa'. Tanzania also boasts over 1 000 bird species, and Lake Manyara is a year round birding destination.

Zanzibar Archipelago

The name Zanzibar means 'Land of the Blacks' and originates from the Arabic words 'Zinj' meaning black and 'barr' meaning land. The Island of Zanzibar consists of 2 main islands, Pemba and Unguja with some 50 smaller islands surrounding the archipelago. Unguja is the main and most developed island. Many people refer to it as Zanzibar, so please do not get confused when you hear it referred to as Unguja.

The population of Zanzibar is about 800 000 people, of which 150 000 are found in Pemba. The majority of people inhabit Stone Town (which is the 'capital' of Zanzibar). Many of the rural people prefer the fertile Northern section of the island, whilst the East Coast has coral rag, and provides the most spectacular beaches and holiday destinations.

Places of Interest

Amboseli Park

Amboseli covers an area of 3 810 square km and is considered to be one of the finest areas in Africa for big game photography. The great variety of wildlife, the open nature of the country and the impressive grandeur of snow-capped Mount Kilimanjaro in the background contribute to its reputation. The melting snow of Kilimanjaro feeds the swamplands where Elephant and Buffalo are abundant. Grant's and Thompson's Gazelle, Zebra and Giraffe are common sightings and Lion, Leopard, Cheetah and Rhino are sometimes seen.


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Serengeti National Park The Serengeti is Tanzania's largest park, covering an area of 14 700 square kms. Serengeti National Park's main fame lies in its 3 million plains game animals which provide the greatest wildlife ...

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Selous Game Reserve As the largest national park in Africa with an area of about 21 000 square miles (55,000 square km), the reserve carves out a huge portion of Southern Tanzania. The immense size of the park ...

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Rising 5895 metres (19340.5 feet) above the African plain, Kilimanjaro truly stands alone among the mountains of the world. The huge, solitary volcano is unaccompanied by any mountain chain. Though its size is immense, it also has one ...

The snow-capped peak of Kilimanjaro
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Dar Es Salaam Little more than a century old, Dar Es Salaam is a relatively modern city that has an old world charm. It shows none of the overwhelming bustle that capital cities often possess, and the name that ...

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More recently during the 1st millennium AD, Bantu immigrants from the north brought with them iron workings and pottery making skills. Active colonisation began in the 8th century in Kilwa and Zanzibar with Arabs from Oman. Two centuri ...

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In 1886 the mainland was declared a protectorate of German East Africa and Zanzibar became a British protectorate. After World War I, the Germans were expelled and East Africa came under a League of Nations Mandate to the British, who ...