TANZANIA
In a Nutshell
A wonderful safari destination with some of Africa's finest wilderness areas and greatest wildlife concentrations. Often referred to as the "Cradle of Mankind", Tanzania is less visited than Kenya except for the touristy northern circuit and still offers the chance to top off a safari with a few days at a fabulous Indian Ocean beach.
Climate
Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
Jun |
Jul |
Aug |
Sep |
Oct |
Nov |
Dec |
c |
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mm |
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mm |
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mm |
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32 |
60 |
33 |
80 |
32 |
120 |
30 |
285 |
29 |
190 |
29 |
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29 |
30 |
29 |
25 |
30 |
24 |
30 |
35 |
31 |
88 |
31 |
100 |
(average high temp in degrees c and average rainfall in mm) for Arusha
Facts
Size: 945,087 Sq Km
Population: 37m
Capital: Dodoma
Flying Time: Dar es Salaam 9 hours 45 mins
People: Sukuma, Masai, Haya, Gogo, Nyamwezi, Chagga & others
Languages: Kiswahili (official). English is the second official language
Major Industries: textiles, agribusiness, mining, oil refining, light manufacturing
Currency: Tanzanian shilling (TSh)
Visa: Required for UK passport holders
Time: GMT +3
Budget: From £2450 for 2 weeks
Background
Tanzania lies south of the Equator in East Africa and borders Kenya, Malawi, Zambia, Mozambique, Rwanda, Burundi, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. It is the largest country in East Africa dominated by Mount Kilimanjaro - Africa's highest mountain. It has a predominantly tropical climate but with significant regional variations. The coast is hot and humid year round, whilst the interior is hot and dry and the mountains and higher plateaux are semi-temperate.
Tanzania is 3.9 times bigger than the UK.
The 12 National Parks and 16 Game Reserves comprise around 25% of the country.
Principal Parks and Reserves
Serengeti NP
Lake Manyara NP
Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Ruaha NP
Selous GR
Tarangire NP
Mikumi NP
Kilimanjaro NP
Mahale Mountains NP
Katavi NP
Highlights
Wildebeest and zebra migration in the Serengeti
Mount Kilimanjaro - the highest mountain in Africa
Ngorongoro Crater - the 8th natural wonder of the world
Olduvai Gorge - with its large quantity of fossil remains
Indian Ocean coastline - Zanzibar, Pemba, Mafia Islands - steeped in Arab and Swahili history
Chimpanzee-watching in the Mahale Mountains
Activities
Game drives and walks
Boat trips
Hiking and trekking
Climbing
Fishing
Scuba diving and snorkeling
Sailing
Kayaking
Horseback safaris
Waterskiing
Best for
Climbing (Mount Kilimanjaro)
Largest concentration of wildlife in the world during the Migration
Tracking chimpanzees
Wilderness safari destinations
The Big 5 in one small area (Ngorongoro Crater)
Islands of Zanzibar, Pemba and Mafia
When to go
All year but Jul-Oct and Dec-Mar (North only) are best
Mar-Jun = low season
Jan-Feb and Jul-Oct = peak season
Oct-Apr = summer, May-Sep = winter
Mar-May and Nov-mid Dec = rains
Oct-Mar = hottest, Jun-Sep = coolest
Jun-Oct = driest, Apr = wettest
Apr-Jun and Nov-Dec = migration
Jul-Sep and Jan-Mar = best climbing Kilimanjaro
