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Tanzania Tours
Tanzania, an East African country is situated just south of the equator. It was formed as a sovereign state in 1964 through the Unification of the states of Tanganyika and Zanzibar Islands. Most of mainland Tanzania lies above 700feet/200m in elevation. The current president is called H.E. Samia Suluhu Hassan, and the capital city is Dodoma. The country has a population of 59,678,000 million people. The country uses Swahili and English as the official languages.
The local population is well known for being friendly and polite to visitors and there’s a strong sense of national pride.
Tribes
There are over 120 tribes, all with their own traditions and customs, but the authentic ones are the following;
Wasukuma tribe, wandamba tribe, wahehe tribe. They are much more immersive and engaging for travelers than traditional tourist tours.
The Wasukuma tribe are the cowboys of Tanzania [rich in livestock], and the wawandamba tribe are traditional rice farmers and fishermen also known as the people of the valley.
Wahehe tribe is regarded as a great warrior tribe because they rebelled against the German colonial rulers during the late 19th century. Although, today, they are regular mosque or churchgoers, they may tell you stories of witchcraft.
Weather and Climate
Tanzania has a tropical climate but has regional variations due to topography. In the highlands, temperatures range between100c and 200c during cold and hot seasons respectively. The rest of the country has temperatures rarely falling lower than 200c
Best Time to visit
The best time to visit Tanzania is during the long dry season, which falls from July to September. These are considered the best months for safaris, great migration trekking, and beach holidays in Zanzibar. These are peak seasons to travel
Culture of Tanzania.
It is a culturally eclectic and largely homogenous society that is extremely rich in age-old cultures and traditions. The local population is well known for being friendly and polite to visitors and there’s a strong sense of national pride that reverberates throughout the country.
The majority of Tanzanians are the Bantu descent. They include the Sukuma who live in the north of the country, and south of Lake Victoria and constitute the largest group. Other Bantu people include Nyamwezi, concentrated in the west-central region, the Hehe, and the Haya. Roughly, one–third of the Tanzanian population is Muslim.
Customs include; keeping your left hand to yourself, don’t snog in public, no to sniffing food, and understanding the meaning of Hakuna Matata.
Food. Ugali is undoubtedly the most common food in Tanzania and you will find it served almost every meal, made from boiled cornmeal paste. This doughty porridge-like dish is the best thing to mop up sauces and dip into soups and curries.
Entertainment activities include; Quiet evening out, night of wild partying or clubs and discos. Nightlife in Tanzania is quiet active with numerous night life entertainment facilities for foreign tourists. There also tribal and traditional dances and songs that are hosted and organized in various halls of the country.
Transport in Tanzania include; roads [truck roads, regional roads, international highways], rail transport [Tanzania railways, Tazara railway, urban rail] air transport, airports, airstrip. Maritime transport [ports and harbors, ferries and merchant marine, pipeline and skyline logging.
The currency used is Tanzanian shillings.
National Parks
Serengeti national park.
It is located in Mugumu, northern part of Tanzania, 7 hours’ drive from Arusha town and is a pride and glory of the country and it covers 5800sq miles. It was established in 1952. It is one of the most visited national parks in Tanzania. It tops the list due to the various ecosystems that it supports. The park is famous for the migration and calving seasons as well. A trip in this park would not be complete without a ride in the hot air balloon.
Weather in Serengeti is moderate and pleasant with the temperatures being quiet uniform throughout the year. It receives rainfall throughout the year. It is normally warm during day time and cold during night and so, light and warm clothes are to be included in your safari planning. It is always an interesting time and sight, seeing Wild beasts struggling to cross the river while trying to save their lives from the crocodiles that see them as food.
Safety
This park is generally safe, provided one follows the guidelines of the park.
The best time is June to July, and January to February. As the winter is the best time to see herds in southern Serengeti.
Accommodation include; Kati kati camp, Serengeti migration camp, Serengeti sopa lodge
Lake Manyara national park.
This park is located 126km south west of Arusha and can be reached by car from Babati, the capital of manyara region. It covers an area of 125 Sq miles. It is the smallest park and yet one of the best known for its biggest time to visit elephant population in Tanzania. It is crowded with flamingos and hippos on Lake Manyara.
Weather and climate; The climate in lake Manyara is mild and temperate. Average temperatures are consistent throughout the year. It is very rarely hot to be uncomfortable but almost cold during the evening and early morning. Its dry season is from June to September and yet the wet seasons consist of long rains which occur from march to May, and short rains occurring from October to November and it rarely rains the whole day.
Safety; you need to protect yourself against malaria when visiting Lake Manyara. Mosquito repellant [choose one containing DEET as it will be the most effective. Also follow the guidelines of the guides in the park.
Best time to visit. July to October. But best in wet season from November to May, when the vegetation is lush and waterfalls cascade down the escarpment
Accommodation; Lake Manyara Serena safari lodge, Manyara tree lodge, Lake Manyara wildlife lodge.
Ngoro Ngoro national park
This park is also a conservation area hosting largest ungulate herds in the world, including [wildebeest], plains zebras, and Thomson and grants gazelles. It is also the world’s largest caldera, covering about 260 Sq. miles and 700 metres deep.
Location; It is found in Arusha region of northern Tanzania, south of Serengeti national park and one can reach there also via Kilimanjaro international airport, located about 50km away.
It is one of the most frequently visited parks in Tanzania and it’s the only place where you can go to sport the black rhino.
Weather and climate; This area has mild, temperate climate. The area experiences two wet seasons. From October to November are the short rain, followed by the long rains from March to May. Rainfall is usually experienced in the form short showers.
Best time to visit; is April to Mary rain season, considered the best time to visit the ngorongoro crater as there are fewer visitors and the crater I wonderfully lush and green compared to the dusty dry –season landscape.
Safety; crime is very rare in Tanzanians and reserve. There is some crime in the cities, so normal safety precautions need to be taken when visiting urban centers.
Accommodation include; Ngorongoro kuhama camp, Ngorongoro serena safari lodge, Ngorongoro sopa lodge.
Tarangire national park.
It is ranked as the 6th largest national park in Tanzania and covering an area of 2700sq kilometers. It is most popular for its large elephant herds and mini-wildlife migration that takes place during the dry season which sees about 250,000 animals enter the park. This park is also known as a wonderful birding destination and also features large numbers of game, particularly during the dry season, when the Tarangire river is the only source of water in the area.
It lies between the meadows of masai steppe to the south east and lakes of the great rift valley to the north and west the park is known for its severe beauty and lush green baobab trees. It is not very frequently visited and so, the park is for people who want to spend some time relaxing and rejuvenating.
The best time to visit ; is the middle and end of the dry season, from late June to October, is the best time for wildlife viewing in this park as most of the animals migrate out of the park during the wet season, and wildlife viewing in considerably less productive.
Weather and climate; the weather is temperate and enjoyable. Wet seasons of long rains [March to May] and the short rains [November to December]
Safety; the park is safe, however, normal precautions should be taken when driving in the park and also malaria preventions is important.
Activities; include game viewing, bird watching, sightseeing , cultural visit, Nutural walks
Gombe stream national park.
It is located on the western border of Tanzania and congo. It is situated on the wild shores of lake Tanganyika. It is the smallest national park. It has champanzees that share about 98% of the genes like humans and no scientific expertise is required to distinguish between the individual repertoires of plans, hoots and screams that define the celebrities.
It has the largest population of chimpanzee, monkeys etc. it gained population after it became home to jane goodall, primatologistwho spent many years reseach programon about the chimps.
Attractions include; chimpanzee families that live protected in the parks boundaries. Guided walks.
Best time to visit; is visitable on most of the year. However , the wet season, from November to April, is a preferable time to be at the park. The access is difficult and trekking is slippery. Lodges also find march and April a good time for maintenance .
Weather and climate; the climate of this park is warm to hot and humid. The dry season is from May to October. It has continuous wet season from November to april. It rarely rains all day, but afternoon thundershowers can be expected.
Mikumi national park.
This is the fourth –largest national park. It is most accessible from Dar es salaam. Most visitors come to mikumi national park aiming to spot the big five,[ cheetah, lion, elephant, buffalo and rhino] and they are always not disappointed . Hippo pools provide close access to the mud- loving beasts and bird watching along the waterways is particularly rewarding.
It has been often compared to Serengeti owing the abundance of wildlife species found here . Here, you spot some giraffes, hippos, zebras, lions, wild beasts, spotted hynas and elephants.
Best time to visit; June to October when wildlife concentrate around waterholes and rivers, making it easier to spot them.
Wather and climate ; the climate varies from warm to hot and humid, with little change through the year. The warmest months are October to march, and the coolest are june to august.
Safety; the park is safe. However, it is advisable to get several vaccinations before travelling to Tanzania. Malaria is there and so, get malaria anti medicine and mosquito repellent.
Accommodation near include, kidodi lodge,
Arusha national park.
The park is situated in a rusha region in the northern region of Tanzania, it covers an area of 137sq kilometers stretching around mount meru and situated at a distance of 25 kilometers east of arusha town. The park is very scenic national park with spectacular landscapes created
It is a home of rare species of monkeys and birds. Some of these monkeys and are so rare that they are not found anywhere in arusha.
Attractions in include; wildlife like giraffe, shy red duiker, kirks dik-dik, leopard, cape buffaloes, zebras, warthogs. momela lakes, mount meru.
Ativities include; wild viewing, bird watching, canoe safaris, guide nature walk
Accommodation include, ngurdoto mountain lodge, arusha coffee lodge
Best time to visit; june to September and December to march during the dry season
Katavi national park
This park was created in 1974 and is located in katavi region in Tanzania. It is very remote park that is less frequently visited than other Tanzanian park. The park encompasses the katuma river and the seasonal lake katavi. It is located along the rift escarpment in western Tanzania. Its vegetation varies from miombo woolaand, where sable antelope like to hide, to riverine and various types of woodland and shrubland
This park contains hippos, buffalos, duikers, elephants , lions, roan antelopes. It has rare species basking in the bright sun.
Getting around; the park is a4 to 5 hour flight from either arusha or dar es salaam via light aircraft, hence being largely unvisted.
Accoomodation ; luxurious chada katavi tented camp.
Activities include ; game drives in open- sided vehiches, short guided walking safaris and there are plans for fly camping in different areas of the park for the brave.
Best time to visit ; june to October. Katavi national park offers great game viewing all year round but reaches its peak during the dry season from june to November or December when the animals gather in their thousands around scarce water sources.
Ruaha national park.
The park is found in west of iringa town in south- central Tanzania. It is located at an elevation of 200 feet.
It is the largest national park in Tanzania and is known for the spectacular game viewing opportunities that it offers. The park has the most setting with the thick baobab trees, atunning clear water river and plenty of predatory animals. In this park, you can spot of the wild chasing prey. You can spot hynenas, antelopes, bushbucks, and zebra.
Best time to visit ; this park is atypical dry season park, with the best time to see larger mammal and predators being between mid- May and December, water becomes scarce toward the end of the dry season, the game gathers around available water sources, offering unbeatable game viewing opportunities.
Activities incude; bird watching, guided nature walks, night game drives.
Attractions include ; ruaha wildlife[ largest concentration of elephants], second largest population of lions on earth with over 1000 individuals. It is also a home of cheeters mammals, reptiles, birdlife
Weather and climate; temperatures don’t vary much throughout the year. The warmest months are October to March and coolest are june to august. The dry season occurs from may to October.
Accommodation include; kwihala camp, jabali ridge, mwagusi camp, mdonya old river.
Safety; the park is save. However take safe precautions when in urban centres. Malaria precautions by taking vicinated for ant malaria should not be neleglected.
How to reach there; the park is accessed by car- ruaha is 25km from dar es salaam and 130km from iringa.
Popular Destinations
- Ungujoa the house of wonders
- Ngorongoro Conservation Area
- Ngorongoro crater
- Dar es salaam fish markets
- Lake Manyara