Tanzania Travel Guide
One of the continent’s most iconic safari destinations, Tanzania is a haven for those looking to immerse themselves in the wonder of the African bush. It is home to some of East Africa’s most famous game reserves – including the Serengeti National Park and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Many visitors travel to Tanzania to see the annual Great Migration of wildebeest and zebra, but there are many other reasons to stay.
From the idyllic beaches of Zanzibar to the snow-capped peaks of Kilimanjaro, this is a country with limitless potential for adventure.
Location
Tanzania is located in East Africa, on the shores of the Indian Ocean. It is bordered by Kenya to the north and Mozambique to the south; and shares inland borders with Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Malawi, Rwanda, Uganda and Zambia.
Geography
Including the offshore islands of Zanzibar, Mafia and Pemba, Tanzania has a total area of 365,755 square miles/ 947,300 square kilometers. It is a little more than twice the size of California.
Capital City
Dodoma is the capital of Tanzania, although Dar es Salaam is the country’s largest city and its commercial capital.
Population
According to a July 2016 estimate published by the CIA World Fact book, Tanzania has a population of almost 52.5 million people. Almost half of the population falls into the 0 – 14 age bracket, while the average life expectancy is 62 years of age.
Languages
Tanzania is a multilingual nation with many different indigenous languages. Swahili and English are the official languages, with the former spoken as the lingua franca by the majority of the population.
Religion
Christianity is the predominant religion in Tanzania, accounting for just over 61% of the population.
Islam is also common, accounting for 35% of the population (and almost 100% of the population on Coast area and Zanzibar).
Currency
Tanzania’s currency is the Tanzanian shilling. For accurate exchange rates, use this online converter.
Climate
Tanzania lies just south of the equator and on the whole enjoys a tropical climate. Coastal areas can be particularly hot and humid, and there are two distinct rainy seasons. The heaviest rains fall from March to May, while a shorter rainy season occurs between October and December. The dry season brings with it cooler temperatures and lasts from June to September.
When to Go
In terms of weather, the best time to visit is during the dry season, when temperatures are more pleasant and rains are rare. This is also the best time for game-viewing, as animals are drawn to waterholes by a lack of water elsewhere. If you’re planning on witnessing the Great Migration, you need to make sure that you’re in the right place at the right time. Wildebeest herds gather in the southern Serengeti at the start of the year, moving northwards through the park before eventually crossing into Kenya around August.