Tanzania Safari Overview

Tanzania follows an enlightened policy of wildlife conversation and is the only country in the world where almost one quarter of the land has been set aside as national parks, game sanctuaries and game reserves. As a result, today the country supports a population in excess of four million.

It was in the Olduvai Gorge that Dr. Leakey discovered fossil material dating back at least two million years or longer, that set the record on the origins of man in East Africa. Here one may well ponder on the history and splendor of this magnificent country where the highest mountain in Africa, Mt. Kilimanjaro (6447 metres), reigns in majestic grandeur over a colorful nation.

All the superlatives may be applied to Tanzania’s fantastic geographical features. Mount Kilimanjaro if Africa’s highest mountain; Lake Tanganyika is its deepest and longest fresh water lake; and Ngorongoro is its second largest crater while Selous is the world’s most extinct game reserve.

In the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean, caressed by the cool trade breezes, lies the spice island of Zanzibar, once the centre of the hated slave trade, and a historical doorway in the exploration of nineteenth century Africa. Famous personalities like Livingstone, Stanley, Burton, Speke-to name but a few – used Zanzibar as the jumping off point for their African trips.

The Serengeti plains and the famous Caldera of Ngorongoro crater have captured the imagination of the world where the unique glamour of Hollywood has catapulted these landmarks to the forefront making them household names internationally. Where else can one find a veritable Noah’s Ark roaming free within the confines of a 67 metre intact but extict volcanic crater wall/ where else can one witness such a unique annual spectacular event as millions of wildebeest and zebra concentrated into one huge mass of animals prepares to migrate across the Serengeti plains in search of new grass?

Compare the informality and relaxed atmosphere of Dar-es-Salaam, beautifully situated of the shores of a palm fringed bay midway along Tanzania coast, 800 kilometres of unspoilt tropical coastline the beautiful white sandy beaches fringed by green waving coconut palms on the mainland and a sea of ever changing dramatic blends of the blue and green in the lagoons and along the reefs as the Indian Ocean caresses the shores with its ceaseless murmour.

Contacts through centuries with Arabia, India, China, Europe and even within Africa itself, have left a rich heritage of local culture. Particularly in Tanzania is the adage true that an African is born with music. Widely ranging dances of every conceivable type have been handed down from countless generations ranging over snake, stilt and ritual dances, where at anytime one can hear the echo of drums, flute or other African musical instruments. Not only in music but also in carvings, the people of this lave shown a great flair and talent. Especially renowned are the beautiful Makonde pieces from the proud and highly sensitive Makonde of the south.

With over 120 different tribes occupying a vast sprawling 930,700 square kilometers, the country is rich in natural resources of every kind, and in inevitable photographer’s paradise.