About Tanzania

ATTRACTIONS

Tanzania is a home of attraction where uniqueness and beauty is concerned. It is the home of the tallest mountain in Africa, the Legendary Mt. Kilimanjaro; The Serengeti National Park, named in October 2006, the New 7th Wonder of the world by USA today and Good morning America; The world acclaimed Ngorongoro Crater, often called the 8th Wonder of the world; The Olduvai Gorge, the cradle of mankind: The Selous, the world's largest game reserve; Ruaha, now the second largest National Park in Africa; The spices Island of Zanzibar; and seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The legacy of the ancient Swahili civilizations, such as Kilwa Ruins, once a city of the Arabian Knights. Wonderful places for swimming, snorkeling, Scuba diving, and fishing off thousands of kilometers of Indian Ocean Coastline and around Africa's Great Lakes. The country is among the world's leaders in cultural tourism: An then there is Tanzania's greatest asset: its warm and friendly people and cuisines, speak English, which together with Kiswahili, are two official language; and the country is an oasis of peace and stability with a democratically elected and stable government.

BEST TIME TO VISIT TANZANIA

The best wildlife viewing months in Tanzania are during the dry season from late June to October. The best chance of seeing the wildebeest migration in the Serengeti is during June and July and the time to see the wildebeest calving is late January to February. The southern and western circuit parks are best visited during the dry-season (June to October), unlike the more popular northern circuit parks that can be visited year-round. Tarangire is the only exception, since its wildlife viewing is considerably better in the dry-season as well.
Best time to go: June to October (All parks), June-July and January-February (Serengeti for the wildebeest migration & calving)
High Season: July to March (northern circuit parks; they get crowded), July to October (southern and western circuit parks; they don't really get crowded any time of the year)
Low Season: April and May (northern circuit parks still get quite a few visitors unlike the southern and western circuit parks, where many lodges close down)
Best Weather: June to October (Little to no rainfall)
Worst Weather: March and April (Peak of wet season)

June to October - Dry Season
June and July are the best months to see the wildebeest migration.
Animals are easier to spot since they concentrate around waterholes and rivers and there is less vegetation.
There are fewer mosquitoes because there is little to no rain. Skies are clear and most days are sunny.
Even though most tourists visit during the dry season, the parks still don't feel crowded, except for the Seronera area in the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater.
Mornings and nights get cold. It's recommended to bring warm clothing for morning game drives in open vehicles during the months of June, July and August.

November to May - Wet Season
Late January to February is the time to see the calving in the southern Serengeti. This is an excellent time to see predator action.
The scenery is green and beautiful. It's low season, meaning lower rates and less crowded parks.
Although wildlife is easier to spot in the dry season, you'll still see plenty and most northern circuit parks offer good year-round game viewing.
Migratory birds are present and birdwatching is at its best.
Except for March, April and May, rains are mostly short afternoon showers and seldom have a negative impact on your trip.
March to May is the peak of the wet season.
Most big wildlife has migrated out of Tarangire NP and game viewing in Katavi, Selous and Ruaha is clearly better during the dry season.
Best time to go to Tanzania by major park
The Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater offer good wildlife viewing throughout the year. June and July are the best months for seeing the migration and February is the best month for the wildebeest calving. The dry months offer good game viewing throughout Tanzania. Tarangire and the southern and western circuit parks (including Katavi, Selous and Ruaha) are best visited in the dry season, from June to October.

GEOGRAPHY

Tanzania is situated just on the south of the equator bordering the Indian Ocean and is 930,740sq.km which makes it be the largest country in East Africa region, of this inland water covers 53,000sq.km and 247,537sq.km is devoted to the protection of wildlife. Most of the land falls within the central plateaus region, although distinctive features are the Great Rift Valley with its associated series of lakes from Lake Nyasa in the south, to Lake Tanganyika in the west and Lake Victoria in the north. The coastline comprises the long tropical beaches and the major offshore island Zanzibar (Pemba and Unguja) and Mafia.

HISTORY

The United republic of Tanzania was formed by the unity of Tanganyika and Zanzibar which took place in the year 1964 few years after the independence of Tanganyika in the year 1961 and Zanzibar revolution of 1964. Tanganyika before independence it was under the colonial rule of British but before British other colonist existed before this included the German, Portuguese and Arabs. Zanzibar was under the rule of Sultan of Oman, Arabs. Kiswahili which is the national language mixed up languages of German, Portuguese, Arabic and Bantus.

POPULATION

The population presently occupying Tanzania is 44,928,923 (2012, Census). The population of Tanzania is made up of 125 tribes with variation in language, customs and traditional.

CLIMATE

Tanzania climate is generally tropical in most area which temperate climate is experienced in the highland. The central plateau is dry and arid with hot day and cool night. June to September is the cool season. The "Long rains" are from March to mid June and the "Short rains" from October to December. The hottest months are between October and February. On the coast it rains in November and December and from March to May. The coast areas are hot and humid although sea breeze cools the area pleasantly between June and September.

CURRENCY AND EXCHANGE

The local unit of currency is the Tanzanian Shilling which these days is freely convertible within Tanzania for the US$ and other currencies. There are numerous banks and bureau de change in towns, and most lodges and hotels will exchange currency or traveller’s cheques at reasonable rates. It is not possible to obtain Tanzanian Shillings outside the country, and it is illegal to export more than a small amount. Many items or services are priced and paid for in US$, so do not convert more funds into the local currency than you need for incidental expenses. Credit cards are accepted at an increasing number of establishments in Tanzania but by no means everywhere. It is not generally possible to obtain cash on a credit card in Tanzania, so it is recommended that visitors carry sufficient funds in the form of travellers cheques.

ELECTRICITY

The power supply is at the UK/European standard voltage of 220/240, and power sockets are the UK square pin type. Remember if you want to use US appliances you will need a voltage convertor as well as a plug convertor. Mains power supply is subject to cuts and voltage fluctuation. On safari, most lodges power supplies are from generators, and these are often turned off during parts of the day and night to reduce noise and fuel consumption.

COMMUNICATIONS

Happy World Safaris equips all its safari vehicles with two-way radios so that drivers can communicate with their base, each other and the lodges. Most lodges and hotels also have a telephone, but the service, particularly for overseas calls, is both erratic and expensive (a $50 minimum is not uncommon). More remote lodges and camps are likely to rely on radio for communications. Game parks are not within cell phone range, but satellite telephones work just about anywhere.

FOOD AND DRINK

It is generally recommended to drink only bottled mineral water which is readily available everywhere. There are no restrictions on the sale or consumption of alcoholic drinks in Tanzania. A good selection of local beers and soft drinks are available everywhere, and you will find a range of imported wines, beers and spirits in many places, although these can be expensive. The quality and value of food in Tanzania is highly variable, and in general, the more expensive the lodge, hotel or restaurant the better and "safer" the food will be. Eat sensibly, be wary of cold buffets and salads - particularly in the first few days of your visit.

LANGUAGE

The official language of Tanzania is Kiswahili. This is spoken and understood by the great majority of the population, many of whom also speak a tribal language. There is a wide usage and understanding of English, and virtually everyone the average tourist is likely to meet in the course of their safari will be fluent.

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION

There are some long distance coaches which are suitable for use by visitors, such as the daily Nairobi to Arusha shuttle bus. Local bus and minibus services are likely to be uncomfortable, overcrowded and potentially dangerous. There is a railway network, but at best the passenger services can be unreliable and uncomfortable. Taxis are available everywhere in urban areas, but the condition of these can be very poor. The better hotels generally have a superior selection of taxis available, and it is suggested that you obtain one of these, particularly for longer journeys. It is difficult to hire a car or other vehicle in Tanzania without a driver - it is also inadvisable since the poor state of many of the roads in both town and on safari plus erratic driving by other road users makes driving on most routes tiring and unsafe.

SHOPPING

Most hotels and lodges have gift shops with a selection of local crafts and souvenirs. There are also a few roadside stalls and shops that you will pass en route. You will find some interesting woodcarvings, paintings and batiks. Precious stones and jewellery are also a speciality