About Tanzania
Brief History
The United Republic of Tanzania (Kiswahili: Jamhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania), is a country in East Africa bordered by Kenya and Uganda to the north, Rwanda, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the west, and Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique to the south. To the east it borders the Indian Ocean
Tanzania is a result of the unification of Tanganyika (the mainland) and the Zanzibar islands. Tanganyika and Zanzibar united on 26th April 1964, forming the United Republic of Tanzania. Tanganyika became independent from the British on December 1961 and Zanzibar became free through a revolution on 12th January 1964Tanzania can truly claim to be the home of the "safari" since the word is Swahili for a journey. And there's no better place to enjoy the enriching wildlife and cultural experience than Tanzania. The country's game viewing experiences are widely regarded as the best in Africa. It is the place to see seemingly endless herds of wildebeest and zebras trekking across the plains on their annual migrations - followed by the predators, lions, cheetah and hyena. It's elephant country, boasting some of the largest populations in the world. And it is home to chimpanzees, now so rarely seen in the wild.
Tanzania is currently home to 16 national parks covering approximately 57,024 square kilometers and their primary roles are conservation and tourism. Many of them form the core area of a far larger protected ecosystem. They have been set aside to preserve the country’s rich natural heritage and to provide secure breeding grounds where fauna and flora can thrive, safe from the conflicting interests of a growing human population and provide for human benefits and enjoyment through tourism.
Tanzania is a land of Mount Kilimanjaro – Africa highest mountain 5895 metres and magical spice island of Zanzibar the highlight of a vast Indian Ocean coastline studded with reefs swirling with brightly colorful fish and three largest lakes – Lake Tanganyika, Victoria and Nyasa (Malawi). Natural highlights be plentiful such as Ngorongoro Crater the largest caldera in the world 264 sq km in size and 610 meters deep, Olduvai Gorge the best birth place of man, the 20 million year old ago Great Rift Valley and the vast game filled Serengeti plains. More than 25 percent of Tanzania is dedicated as conservation areas, protecting over 20 percent of Africa large mammals and 35 percent of antelope, including 1.5 million wildebeest.
Annual great Serengeti migrations of millions of herbivores is a once in a lifetime experience. It’s possible to see the big 10 animals in Tanzania buffalo, lion, elephant, rhino, cheetah, wild dog, leopard, hippo, zebra, giraffe and chimpanzees on the shores of lakes Tanganyika. Tanzania has over 1500 bird species with Lake Manyara National park alone being home to more than 400. It is a year round birding destination, but at the height of the winter months some 160 species of migrants add to the variety.
Culture
Tanzania is land of superb landscapes and spectacular wildlife, other attractions stands equally tall- the people. Tanzania’s people are the welcome and approachable on earth with a range of fascinating cultures ready to be shared with visitors, from Wachagga of the slope of Mount Kilimanjaro to the now world famous Maasai culture around Engaruka -the lost city in the shadow of the great rift wall. This cannot end here, enjoy the last hunter-gathers in Africa, the Hadzabe Bushmen have made the area around Lake Eyasi their long time hunting grounds.
Day trips or longer safaris with the Hadzabe Bushmen give visitors a chance to experience way of life. Morning hunts with the hadzabe warriors armed with bows and arrows, arrows offer a fascinating glimpse into a ancient way of life. Honey-gathering walk to find traditional healing plants and food and traditional dances are all part of the Hadzabe cultural tourism experience.
Getting to Tanzania:
There are several international airlines that fly to Kilimanjaro, some of them daily. The airlines serving Kilimanjaro International Airport include Air Tanzania, Qatar Airways, Precision Air, Emirates, Turkish Airways, Kenya Airways, Condor Air, Ethiopian Airlines, KLM and Rwandair. Charter planes, taxis and airport shuttle buses are available at Kilimanjaro International Airport.
It is also possible to come to Tanzania through Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania’s major international airport, and then travel to Ngorongoro by air or by surface transport. Some international flights stop at both Dar es Salaam and at Kilimanjaro and allow passengers to enter Tanzania at one airport and then leave by the other.
Documentation
Foreigners seeking to enter Tanzania should be in possession of a valid passport or a pass. The passport or pass must be presented to the Immigration Control Office at any entry point – border station, airport and harbour.
All foreigners are also required to have a valid visa unless their countries have agreements with Tanzania under which the visa requirement is waived. For more information, visit http://www.immigration.go.tz/index.php/en/services/visa-information
Visas can be provided at any Tanzania mission abroad. http://www.foreign.go.tz/index.php/missions/tanzania-missions-abroad
Visas are obtainable from any Tanzania Embassy or High Commission. For more recent/up to date visa requirements, contact your nearest Tanzanian Embassy /High Commission. You may also check with the UK based Tanzanian High Commission web site.
Insurance
It is strongly recommended that you take out fully comprehensive insurance including death, medical expenses, injury, delays, loss and damage of property. Africa Reserves will NOT held responsible for any such claims.
NB: Tickets of medical evacuation (Flying doctor society) insurance are available on request.
Liabilities
All persons carried on the companies vehicles are governed by the respective laws of the land and all claims are subject to the jurisdiction of the courts of Tanzania.
