Absorb the seemingly endless plains of the Serengeti; swim in the crystal clear waters of the Indian Ocean and take in the history of the spice island of Zanzibar. From the simplicity of the Usambara Mountains to the majestic snow-capped Mt. Kilimanjaro, Tanzania and her people will make you never want to leave.
Tanzania is a nature lovers dream. Our tours capture the essence of this great land with wild animal safaris in the Serengeti, luxurious tented camping, Mt Kilimanjaro treks to Uhuru peak up the Rongai route, Zanzibar “spice” island exploring, historical tours and beach breaks. We include incredible cultural experiences like trekking in the Usambara Mountains, where you can really get in touch with the local life. Staying true to our responsible tourism philosophy, we support a number of projects in Tanzania that you will have a chance to visit during our trips.
A little bit more on Tanzania…..More »
Since the dawn of mankind, when the savannas of east and southern Africa teemed with wildlife and early man, Tanzania’s history and culture has been influenced by a myriad of people. From the original Bantu settlers from southern and western Africa to the Arab traders of Persia and Oman, to the colonial powers of the Portuguese and the British, Tanzania has been home to countless people of many different origins. Having been under direct control for hundreds of years from foreign powers, Tanzania declared independence in 1962. Tanganyika, as the country was then known, joined Zanzibar to form the United Republic of Tanzania in 1964.
One hundred and twenty African ethnic groups make up Tanzania’s population of over 26 million, one of the most diverse of any country in Africa. Despite its large diversification, Tanzania is a country of peace and stability where the people consider themselves Tanzanians, rather than focus on their tribal differences. Kiswahili or Swahili, the official language of Tanzania also unites the nation. The language, although Bantu by origin, draws from a variety of sources; including Arabic and Persian, Portuguese, English and even German. It was developed centuries ago by the costal trade and culture of Arab merchants. Zanzibar, the archipelago of islands off the coast of mainland Tanzania was ruled by the Portuguese, the Arabs and the English. It was once a powerful trading port and at its peak, under the rule of the Sultan of Oman in the late 17th century, Zanzibar’s economy of trade was in exotic spices, elephant ivory, gold and African slaves. Today, Tanzania is predominately an agrarian society and relies heavily on its agriculture exports. In fact 40% of Tanzania’s income is made from exports such as coffee, cotton, sisal, and tea. Zanzibar is the world’s third largest producer of cloves.
Geographically speaking, the country has had a turbulent past. Millions of years ago, volcanic activity in the region shaped and changed the land. The cause of which can be attributed to The Great Rift Valley, a geological fault that runs through Tanzania. Today, the land is silent, but what remains are some of Tanzania’s most well-known wonders such as Mount Kilimanjaro, the plains of the Serengeti and the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Ngorongoro Crater. The Serengeti, which in the language of the Masai means ‘endless plains’, is home to thousands of wild animals and is host to one of the last great migrations on earth. Every year, millions of wildebeest graze their way through the plains of the Serengeti following the rains that provide life sustaining pasture. This never ending cycle has been occurring for thousands of years and with the right conservation methods will continue to do so for many more to come.
Olduvai Gorge, located near the Serengeti was the site where archaeologists Louis and Mary Leakey spent most of their lives in search of ancient human fossils. Their most famous discovery was in 1978 when Mary Leakey uncovered footprints that were believed to have been made by Australopithecus Afarensis, an early-human hominid that is said to have existed some 3.6 million years ago.
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