Tanzania, the official name is the United Republic of Tanzania, is a state in East Africa, bordered by Kenya and Uganda In the north, by Rwanda, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the west, and by Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique to the south . The eastern boundary of the country is the Indian Ocean. Tanzania covers 947 thousand square kilometers; the population is more than 47 million people. The capital is Dodoma. The official languages are Swahili and English.

The national currency is the Tanzanian shilling. Money can be exchanged at most banks and bureaux de change. ATMs can be found in most cities and towns. Major credit cards are widely used.

Tanzania’s terrain consists of the coastal plains, the Masai Steppe in the north, and the Southern Highlands, a high plateau known in the south. Due to the large size of the country, the climate varies a lot. The main rainy season continues from March to the end of May, while the dry season lasts from June to October.The nature of Tanzania is truly colorful and exotic: it boasts vast national parks (Kilimanjaro, Serengeti, Tarangire, Ruaha), amazing wildlife, majestic volcanoes and the ocean with tranquil sandy beaches and rich marine life.

Those who come to Africa in search of classic safari should visit the Serengeti National Park whose vast grasslands are inhabited by lions, wildebeests and zebras. The park can be also viewed from a hot-air balloon. In the nearby Ngorongoro Conservation area you can meet the rare black rhino and see the traditional life of the Maasai. In the Mahale Mountains you will find curious chimps, red colobuses and yellow baboons. Tarangire National Park with its majestic huge baobabs is a perfect place for bird watching and walking safaris. The Ruaha National Park, situated in the center of the country, features abundant fauna, which includes wild dogs, jackals, lions, impala, leopards, zebras, elephants, giraffes and cheetahs.

In Mount Kilimanjaro National Park you can admire this great snow-capped mountain – the highest peak in Africa – from a distance or even climb it. Its slopes are covered with rainforest and inhabited by various wild animals.

Many people are attracted by paradise beaches and turquoise waters of Zanzibar

Those who want to relax in a tranquil uncrowded place will like Mafia Island, where you can not only enjoy diving, snorkeling and lying on a beach, but also can get acquainted with traditional Swahili culture.

Pemba Island with its high visibility, coral gardens and rich marine fauna offers great opportunities for diving. Moreover from December to February you can watch traditional bullfighting – the heritage of Portuguese dominance.

Connoisseurs of history will be glad to visit the Stone Town of Zanzibar, which has been nearly intact during the last two centuries.

Airports

Julius Nyerere International Airport (JNIA) (DAR), the main airport located near Dar es Salaam, Tanzania’s largest city.

Kilimanjaro International Airport (KIA) (JRO) serves Arusha and Moshi.

Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (ZNZ) the main airport, serving the Zanzibar Archipelago.

Diving in Tanzania

Zanzibar offers several perfect dive sites, the most popular of which are Mnemba Island, a small atoll with amazing coral gardens, and Kizimkazi Reef.

Off Pemba Island you will find good opportunities for drift diving due to the strong oceanic current and will see plenty of large fish never stops flowing.

From November to January in the Mafia Island Marine Park you can dive with whale sharks. In the waters of the Mafia archipelago it is possible to meet endangered species: for example, green and leatherback turtles and sea cows. Here you will also find here rock walls, fringing reefs, lots of soft corals and algae and about 400 fish species.

The Songo Songo Archipelago is famous for picturesque reefs and little amount of visitors.