Tanzania
Pictures
Mount Kilimangaro, Tanzania ©
Fast Facts
- 945,000 square kilometres, about four times bigger than the UK
- 37 million people, with an average life expectancy of 45 years
- Official languages are English and Swahili
- 8.8% of the adult population is HIV-positive
- 36% of the population lives below the local poverty line
- Less than 1% of the population are internet users, and about 0.5% own a mobile phone
- 78,891km of roads, of which less than 1% is paved
Lay of the land
There are highlands in the north and south, with the Rift Valley running down the centre, and plains along the coast. Some 38 per cent of Tanzania is allocated as a national or marine park or reserve.
And on the way...
Ujiji - this town in western Tanzania was the scene of the famous meeting between Scottish explorer and missionary David Livingstone and Henry Morton Stanley, when Stanley uttered the words 'Dr Livingstone, I presume'. This was the beginning of a long-standing link between Tanzania and Scotland.
Other highlights
Lake Tanganyika - the largest freshwater lake in Africa. Near the surface are a rich variety of fish and other aquatic life. Much of the lower depths of the lake are 'dead', as they lack the ingredients of life.
Gombe Stream National Park - famous for its chimpanzees. As with gorilla-watching, people with colds or flu are forbidden from visiting, as chimps and gorillas are vulnerable to human diseases.
Olduvai (also Oldupai) Gorge - one of the most important prehistoric sites in the world. Fossil remains of our human ancestors have been found there, dating back millions of years.
Lake Rukwa - in south-western Tanzania, this shallow lake has amazing bird life, with over 400 species, as well as hippos and crocodiles.
Serengeti National Park - vast herds of wildebeest, zebra and antelope migrating through the endless plains.
Ngorongoro crater - the collapsed upper section of an ancient volcano. Within its 'walls' are lakes, forests and planes supporting hundreds of species of wildlife, including elephants, lions and rare black rhinos.
The people
Tanzania is one of the most ethnically and religiously diverse countries in the world, with 120 tribes and a tradition of ethnic and religious tolerance. However, it is currently home to more refugees - about 300,000 - than any other African country.
Comments
Comments 1 - 10 of 37
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At 08:51:26 AM on 23/05/2007, carole baughan (maidenhead) wrote:
ngorongoro
Hi Guys You must see Ngoronggoro Crater ,we visited Tanzania in 1984 people are so friendly.Ngorongoro is amazing you must see it ,Africa in minature.
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At 07:31:36 PM on 24/05/2007, lisa (Arusha) wrote:
Funny thing
Funny thing that we just finished watching The Long Way Round here on our computer in Arusah tonight and then we get this mail from someone in the States saying you're on your way to Africa. You'll love it. Be safe. Have fun.
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At 03:29:50 PM on 25/05/2007, brian (Johannesburg) wrote:
Zanzibar
Hi Ewan and Charley, If you are going through Dar es Salaam, take some time off, hop a plane or ferry and spend some time on Zanzibar.Explore the fascinating maze of narrow steets and alleys of Stone Town and catch the wonderful sunset whilst having a cold beer on the Terrace of The AFRICA HOUSE Hotel.Not to be missed! If you have more free time, visit the pristine white beaches on the east coast at Paje. You won't regret it.
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At 09:20:42 AM on 07/06/2007, Sarah Thorpe (Salisbury) wrote:
Moshi
Try to visit Moshi on the foothills of Kilimanjaro when you're in Tanzania, you get fabulous views of the mountain when the clouds clear and the people are great! Also Ngorongoro Crater and Lake Manyara NP are wonderful for safari's if you have time, and Zanzibar is pretty. I was in Moshi in Sept 2006 teaching children english. Good luck x
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At 08:22:44 PM on 26/06/2007, Paul Read (Witney) wrote:
Toothache
I am trying to keep up with my kids by having a year out (aged 57) and am doing some VSO at Hope Dental Clinic in Mwanza on Lake Victoria so if you guys get toothache or want to call in for a scale and polish in July, I'm your man. Good luck. Why didn't I think of going down on my bike instead of taking the plane?
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At 03:29:31 AM on 27/06/2007, Einar A. Rivera (Woodstock, GA. USA) wrote:
Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania
I just finished watching your London-NY DVS's and it is amazing, incredible journey, congratulations. I'm a biker too, but my greatest adventure so far was to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro as I did on Feb 05. If you have the time, take the Shira Route, from the west side of Kili, is a dirt track that will take you close enough to admire Kili, believe me, it's fantastic. After that you can get your wife a Tanzanite stone as I did for my wife and really make her happy. There are only 2 mines open, maybe you can visit one of them. If you ever come back to the states, it will be my honor to ride my BMW with you guys. Have a safe and exciting trip. God Bless.
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At 07:03:20 PM on 03/07/2007, Alison (Silchester) wrote:
GO TO MOSHI
my brother went to tanzania last summer to help build a school in moshi. they ended up making a toilet and cricket bat aswell!!! the children are so lovely and like the person before said, you get great views of kili. CHECK IT OUT! YOU WON'T REGRET IT!!!
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At 01:03:08 PM on 04/07/2007, dave barton (kande, malawi) wrote:
great biking road
if you guys are going down south from arusha straight to malawi, one of the best scenic routes in tanzania takes you across the masai steppe through dodoma and on to iringa. its a realy wild road but easily do-able on a bike. i have driven it several times in a 4x4 bedford army truck and its rural off road stuff in places. great thing is are the people and the cool villages as its off the main tourist route.
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At 06:01:33 PM on 04/07/2007, Sandy (Freiburg, Germany) wrote:
Wilderness at Selous Game Reserve
TZ is a great country and offers all of Africa's clichees! We loved the "off the beaten track sites": the Swahili coast south of Tanga (Peponi Beach), the wilderness of the Selous Game Reserve (NO white minivans!!!). Stop for dinner at Baobab Valley Campsite & Lodge. Jamie, the Scottish cook will be happy to greet you guys. It is a bit lonley there ... :-)(S07 31.348 E36 35.995 ) Watch out for corrupt police officers - specially on weekends. Talliho
At 07:35:54 AM on 17/05/2007, Ed Hazelden (Kings Nympton) wrote:
Friends in Arusha
Dear Ewan & Charley, If you happen to pass through Arusha, Tanzania, I have some very good friends who would look after you. Alex has biked from Switzerland to TZ a couple of times and there are a group of guys who get together and go off on their bikes to places right off the beaten track. If you would like their contacts I can forward them to you. Good Luck to both of you and have a great time. Ed
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