tanzania

Tanzania is noted for both the sheer number of wildlife available throughout the country and for the variety on offer. There are more than four million wild animals in Tanzania representing 430 different species and subspecies. The country houses some 20% of Africa’s large mammal population. Zebras, giraffes, elephants, wildebeest, buffaloes, hippos, antelopes and gazelles are common animals.

Two of the most popular areas to visit in Tanzania are Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Serengeti National Park is the oldest national park in Tanzania and covers 14,763 square kilometres (5,700 square miles).

Ngorongoro Conservation Area houses a deep, volcanic crater, the largest un-flooded and unbroken caldera in the world. It became a Man and Biosphere Reserve in 1971 and was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979.

Total Area: 947,303 km, 365,756 sq mi

Capital: Dodoma

Country Code: +255

Country Population: 44,930,000

Credit Cards:  Credit cards are accepted in most tourist areas but are not as popular as plain cash.

Currency: Tanzanian Shilling (TSh) = 100 cents

Departure Tax: $40USD per person for international flights and $8USD for domestic. Please bring cash to the airport as that ATM machines are not widely available.

Drives: Left

Electricity: 220 – 240 V (British and Indian configuration)

Ethnic Groups: The population consists of more than 120 ethnic groups: Sukuma, Nyamwezi, Chagga, Nyakyusa, Haya, Hehe, Bena, Gogo, and the Makonde. The majority of Tanzanians, including the Sukuma and the Nyamwezi, are Bantu

Location: Situated just south of the Equator, Tanzania is the largest East African nation – it is half the size of western Europe and is bordered by shimmering lakes and the Indian Ocean.

Official Language(s): Kiswahili (Swahili), English, and Arabic

Religion: Mainland – Christian 30%, Muslim 35%, indigenous beliefs 35%; Zanzibar – more than 99% Muslim

Time Zone: EAT (UTC+3)

Tipping: Tipping is not expected but appreciated. For tours, generally $10USD per person, per day for safari guides is appropriate. Outside tours, tipping is usually not expected.