Tanzania officially the United Republic of Tanzania is a country in East Africa within the African Great Lakes region. It is bordered by Kenya and Uganda to the north; Rwanda, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the west; Zambia, Malawi, and Mozambique to the south; and the Indian Ocean to the east. Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest and the largest free-standing mountain in the world is in northeastern Tanzania. Tanzania covers a total area of 945,087 square kilometers including 59,050 square kilometers of inland water.
Tanzania’s population of 51.82 million is diverse, composed of several ethnic, linguistic, and religious groups. Tanzania is a presidential constitutional republic, and since 1996, its official capital city has been Dodoma, where the President’s Office, the National Assembly, and some government ministries are located. Dar es Salaam, the former capital, retains most government offices and is the country’s largest city, principal port, and leading commercial center.
Best time to visit: Tanzania can be visited year-round although the best time for traveling is between June to October when the temperatures are below the summer peaks and also it is the time when wildebeest migrate from Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park to the south of Kenya’s Masai Mara Game Reserve. On the beachside locations, e.g. Zanzibar the spice Island, it is fine to visit during the hotter months that is between December to January when the ocean breeze makes the high temperature bearable.
Climate: Climate in Tanzania is tropical, hot, and humid in the coastal areas, cool and temperate in the northwestern highlands. There are two rainy seasons – Short rains between late October to December and long rain is between March to early June. The hot season is between January to early March and August to early October. Tropical clothing is worn throughout the year, but during the cold season, we advise you should always be warm enough, especially in the evenings.
Tanzania contains some 20 percent of the species of Africa’s large mammal population, found across its reserves, conservation areas, marine parks, and 17 national parks, spread over an area of more than 42,000 square kilometers and forming approximately 38 percent of the country’s territory. Wildlife resources of Tanzania are described as “without parallel in Africa” and “the prime game viewing country”. Serengeti National Park, the country’s second-largest national park area at 14,763 square kilometers is located in northern Tanzania and is famous for its extensive migratory herds of wildebeests and zebra while also having a reputation as one of the great natural wonders of the world. The Ngorongoro Conservation Area, established in 1959, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site inhabited by the Maasai people. Its Ngorongoro Crater is the largest intact caldera in the world.