A short guide about Tanzania
One of the most enchanting countries in eastern Africa is Tanzania and has been the focus of hundreds of documentaries. Being an animal paradise, it is an ideal place for a family adventure. Its majestic national parks are a delight for wild-life lovers and there is a wealth of tourist attractions to choose from; such as scaling the slopes of the incredible Mt Kilimanjaro to exploring the seductive island of Zanzibar. Tanzania is truly a country not to be missed.
Tanganyika was once the name of this East African territory, lying between the largest of the African great lakes: Lake Victoria, Lake Malawi and Lake Tanganyika. In 1964, the United Republic of Tanganyika and Zanzibar became the United Republic of Tanzania. Today the name Tanganyika is considered politically sensitive and is used only for Lake Tanganyika. The first Europeans to show an interest in Tanganyika, were from the ‘Church Missionary Society’ and this stimulated the curiosity of British explorers; Richard Burton and John Hanning Speke (to name a few). They came to justify that the source of the Nile rose in Lake Victoria. These geographic explorations were followed by David Livingstone, whose objective was to expose the horrors of the slave trade and open up a legitimate trade to destroy the slave trade at its roots. Livingstone's journey later led to the expeditions of H.M. Stanley and V.L. Cameron.
From slave labor to safaris Tanzania has so much to offer. The Tarangire National Park with its exotic baobab trees and permanent waters, attract large numbers of game and is home to the leopards. The endless plains of Serengeti National Park are home to lions, zebras, gazelles, impala, buffalos and many more animals. The Manyara National Park and its beautiful Lake Manyara (in the Rift Valley) is famous for its tree-climbing lions and the spectacular Ngorongoro Crater is one of the best wildlife viewing areas in the world, with over 30,000 animals including the rare black rhino. It is here where the incredible wildebeest and zebra migration occurs (Feb to May). The Olduvai Gorge or Oldupai Gorge (also referred to as "The Cradle of Mankind") is in the eastern Serengeti Plains in northern Tanzania, and is a steep-sided ravine in the Great Rift Valley, which stretches about 30 miles long.
Tourabout has many holiday packages that can provide tailor-made itineraries to suit your requirements, using a combination of road and air transfers, with full service camping and/or lodge accommodation for the prefect safari adventure. To make the most of your travels to this amazing country you may like to add on a trip to the exotic spice island of Zanzibar; famous for its fascinating ancient Stone Town and palm fringed sandy beaches.