Tanzania, officially known as the United Republic of Tanzania, was formerly called Tanganyika. The country is located around the African Great Lakes region in East Africa. Uganda, the Comoro Islands, the Indian Ocean, Kenya, Mozambique, Malawi, Rwanda, Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Zambia surround it.
Tanzania is the largest East African country, with a population of 63.59 million. It is a unique country because it has two capitals. The Executive capital is Dar Es Salaam, while Dodoma is the Legislative capital.
Germans ruled Tanzania in the late 19th century after Germany created German East Africa. After World War 1, it was taken over by British rule. It would later gain independence on May 1, 1961. Tanganyika united with the Zanzibar Archipelago on April 26 1964, to become the United Republic of Tanganyika and Zanzibar. The name was changed on October 29 1964, to the United Republic of Tanzania.
Attractions
Tanzania is among the most sort tourist destination in Africa as it borders Kenya, Rwanda, DR Congo, Burundi. Uganda, Mozambique, Zambia & Malawi.
Tanzania is home to remarkable spectacles like wildlife safari in Serengeti and Ngorongoro. Also, Mount Kilimanjaro, Olduvai Gorge, Lake Malawi, Lake Tanganyika, Kalambo Falls, and Lake Victoria are exotic attractions.
Mount Kilimanjaro is the highest mountain in Africa. Olduvai Gorge is home to the earliest hominid fossils dating back millions of years.
Lake Malawi, Lake Victoria, and Lake Tanganyika represent three Great Lakes of Africa, and they are partly located in Tanzania.
The largest lake in Africa is Lake Victoria. Lake Tanganyika is the deepest lake in Africa. Lake Malawi has the highest number of fish species of any lake in the world.
Kalambo Falls is Africa’s second-highest uninterrupted waterfall.
Tanzania is home to seven UNESCO World Heritage sites, with 6 of them on the mainland and 1 in Zanzibar. Currently, five more sites are viable to be nominated, such as the Gombe National Park and the East African slave trade route.
Activities in Tanzania are grouped mainly into 4:
Wildlife Safari
Cultural Tours
Explore Zanzibar
Trekking & Climbing
Activities in Tanzania -Balloon Safaris, Beach Holidays, Birding Safaris, Boating and Canoeing, Conference Tourism, Cultural Tourism, Cycling & Mountain Biking, Diving and Snorkelling, Fishing, Historical Sites, Horse and Camel Riding, Mountain Climbing, Museum and Monuments, Paragliding, Shopping and Nightlife, Tinga Tinga, Walking Safaris, Wildlife Safaris, Holiday Types, Budget Safaris, Camping Safaris, Festivals, Karibu Fair, Luxury Travel, Night Game Drives, SPA Treatments, Wedding Safaris.
Some exciting tours in Tanzania are Spice Island Tours, Prison Island Tour, Wildlife Safari, Safari Blue Tour, Snorkelling & Scuba Diving, Stone Town & Cultural tour aside others.
Ever since the discontinuation of the Tanzania visa on arrival for Nigerians, passport holders now require a business or tourist referral eVisa to visit Tanzania, which is a single entry. You can apply through an agent for effective delivery, self-application online or at an offline site – the Tanzania High Commission in Abuja.
We advise you to apply about 15 days before the travel date.
Depending on the type of Visa required, Nigerians must have the following documents.
Two recent passport-size photos
Flight Itinerary
Passport validity with a minimum of 6 months to expiry
The visa application form must be filled out and signed by the applicant
Introductory letter from the organization or host either in Nigeria or Tanzania
An invitation letter from your host (if invited)
Hotel reservation
Valid Yellow Fever vaccination certificate
Copy of certificate of registration and official Identity Card
Any refusal notice from other embassies is required.
Note: Some items are optional. Kindly check our knowledge base for more information.
Please note that the above is subject to change according to government regulations. Don’t hesitate to get in touch with us for updated information.
The in-migration to Tanzania is believed to have first been done by the Southern Cushitic, Southern Nilotes, and Mashariki Bantu peoples. They displaced the San-type hunters in the country. It is believed that the Bantu and Cushitic people brought pastoral and agricultural traditions to Tanzania.
Later, Portuguese, Arab, Indian, German, and British traders and colonists joined the population.
Tanzania’s rich cultural heritage is thanks to this several ethnic populations.
Tanzanians are very big on kin. It is a norm to visit kin on the tiniest of occasions. Tanzania’s rural population love to engage in tribal dancing and oral storytelling.
The people of Tanzania are associated with iron and steel production and lovers of art. Beautifully carved doors and Arab chests are popular in Zanzibar. Makonde carvers are famous for their unique ebony carvings. Other activities Tanzanians love to carry out are pottery, basket weaving, and making of musical instruments.
Surveys have revealed that Tanzania is home to more than 120 indigenous African people. It is believed that the San-type hunters were the first people to inhabit Tanzania. They were followed by the Cushitic, Nilotic, and Bantu people.
Today, the Bantu people have the most population in the country. Some popular Bantu groups are the Sukuma, Nyamwezi, Makonde, Zaramo, Zanaki, Chaga, Hehe and Haya.
Julius Nyerere, the first president and founding father of Tanzania (1962-1985), belonged to the Zanaki group.
The Maasai, the Arusha, the Samburu, and the Baraguyu are some Nilotic ethnic groups.
The Tanzanian people also have European and Asian minority groups consisting of the Bohras, the Sikhs, the Punjabis, the Ismāʿīlīs, and the Goans. The European population consists of Germans, English, and Greek groups.
Tanzania has over 100 languages and is the most linguistically diverse East African country. However, the two official languages are KiSwahili and English, the former being the national language.
Swahili is used by schools in the first seven years of primary education, while English is used in higher education and government offices.
Muslims make up about one-third of Tanzania’s population, with the majority of them being Sunni.
Similarly, about one-third of Tanzanians identify as Christian. It is believed that the remaining population follow traditional beliefs.
However, differentiating between these religions isn’t always possible in rural areas. This is because many of the natives integrate elements of their indigenous religious practices into their beliefs.
Bars, hotels, restaurants, and supermarkets are allowed to serve alcohol with no restrictions in mainland Tanzania. However, the coast and Zanzibar have Muslim-owned restaurants and stores where alcohol is restricted. You can, however still get alcohol in tourist hotels here.
Although, the tropical coast sees more heavy rainfall and is quite hot and humid. The Tanzanian climate is made up of dry, short rainy, prolonged rainy and new dry and got seasons. May to August represent the coldest period of the year. November to February is the hottest period.
Best time to visit Tanzania: July to October is the best time to visit Tanzania for several reasons. They are the country’s driest period. It is also the time when the migration river crossings happen.
Tanzania is safe. It ranks the seventh safest country in Africa according to the 2019 Global Peace Index. This means it is safe for tourists and locals.
The life expectancy in Tanzania is 61 years. The health care system can do with a lot of work and investment. The citizens have one of the lowest access to healthcare professionals globally. Though, there are public and private hospitals available across the major cities.
For Non-Vaccinated Travellers: You must take a pre-departure test 72 hours before departure.
For Vaccinated Travellers: You are not required to take a pre-departure or post-arrival test. Although, you are required to come along with your vaccination certificate.
Tanzania is predominantly a religious country, so modesty is ideal. Men and women can wear clothes covering their shoulders and knees in public. Native Tanzanian women mostly wear skirts.
There are, however, clothes you shouldn’t wear for safari tours. Clothes that are dark, bright or white coloured are not advised. It is better to wear clothes of a neutral colour like beige, brown, green, and khaki.
There are several souvenirs and gifts you can get when you visit Tanzania. Some of them are Handcrafted Leather Items, Tanzanite, Kanga And Kitenge, Wood Carvings And Sculptures, Paintings, Ceramic Art And Pottery, Artefacts, Carvings, and Shuka.
In Tanzania, you are bound to encounter plenty of wildlife but may not always come close to them. As a result, it is advisable to bring cameras with good zoom quality along, like a camera with a lens of 300mm to 500mm. It could be your mobile phone too.
It is important to seek permission before taking pictures of people. And do not take photographs of sensitive areas like government, police or military buildings.
Tanzania’s official voltage is 230V and 50Hz. As such, you should take a Type G plug adapter along. A voltage converter for your electric appliances is advised, especially for USA citizens.
11th December 2024
