Travel Guide: Tanzania


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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 renamed it Tanganyika. After gaining independence in 1961, Tanganyika was proclaimed a Republic within the British Commonwealth the following year.

Tanganyika and Zanzibar united in 1964 to become the United Republic of Tanzania. (Present day Tanzania is the result of a merger between the mainland, Tanganyika, and Zanzibar after both had gained independence). Tanzania has like many African nations experienced considerable strife since independence, and its economy is extremely weak. However, political stability does appear to have been established in recent years.

Chagga - The Chagga live on and around Mount Kilimanjaro. The Chagga are expert farmers, and coffee growers. Indeed, this valuable export crop has become the main source of their wealth. One of the most fascinating aspects of traditional Chagga life is the use of water resources for irrigation. Kilimanjaro is the source of many rivers and the Chagga long ago developed a system of furrows to draw off water at high levels and divert it over long distances. The irrigation system makes the Chagga homestead a lush garden. Seventeen varieties of banana grow on Kilimanjaro and these provide the staple element of the Chagga diet.

Swahili - is the name given not only to East Africa's widespread language but also to some of the people living along the coast. They form a collection of tribes who share a common culture and language, but the boundaries between the Swahili and their neighbours are never definitely clear. The Swahili do not stand alone as a distinct ethnic or tribal entity but form an element in a wider mixed coastal society.

Little is known of the groups who were among their ancestors - the Diba, Debuli, and others from Persia and India. The Swahili emerged as distinct people with their own way of life by the 12th century at the latest. They have always produced millet and rice for their own consumption, as well as coconut products and fruit.


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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 al ...

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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 ...

The snow-capped peak of Kilimanjaro
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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 ...

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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 ...