Tour Guide, Ruaha National Park, Tanzania
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Location- Tanzania is the largest nation-state in East Africa and offers a diversity of experiences- whether you want to see wildlife, learn about native peoples or uncover human history in its vast lands. Located just south of the equator, the country shares borders with Kenya and Uganda to the north; Democratic Republic of the Congo, Burundi and Rwanda to the west and Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique to the south. On the eastern border is almost 500 miles (800 square kilometres) of the Indian Ocean coastline along with its proprietorship of the islands of Zanzibar, Pemba and Mafia. With a rich volcanic history, Tanzania has many distinctive geological features that support flora and fauna unlike any other in the world. At the centre of the country is the Great Rift Valley, home to Ngorongoro Crater. To the north is the mighty Mount Kilimanjaro, a massive peak that entices the most adventurous explorers to ascend its 19340-feet elevation (5895 meters), with Mount Meru and Ol Doinyo Lengai nearby and close to the border of Kenya respectively, or further west are the mountains of Mahale where wild chimpanzee live.
Just west of these highlands northern giants is the internationally-renowned Serengeti National Park, the site of the world's Greatest Migration of wildebeest and zebra, and your Tanzania exploratory safari gives you the chance to see this spectacular demonstration of instinctual survival firsthand. An extensive system of national parks, protected areas and archaeological sites await you in Tanzania! Olduvai Gorge in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area is where fossils of some of the earliest humans were discovered by the Leakey’s. For Eden-like wildlife experiences, choose from Ngorongoro Crater, a 20-mile wide caldera with breathtaking scenery and an almost unimaginable concentration of animals, or over 21,000 square miles (55,000 square kilometres) Selous Game Reserve, the largest game reserve in Africa. If you prefer lake settings in Tanzania, choose from Lake Victoria in the northwest, the largest lake in Africa and world’s largest tropical lake, and Lake Tanganyika, the longest and second deepest freshwater lake in the world. Other lakes in Tanzania include Lake Manyara, Lake Nyasa (also known as Malawi), Lake Eyasi and Lake Natron. The lakes offer a more leisurely pace of discovering the natural beauty of Africa with activities such as walking and boating safaris where you discover hidden waterfalls, hundreds of bird species and expansive views from high plateaus.
History and Culture of Tanzania- For more than 10,000 yesteryears, we humans have inhabited the lands that are now known as Tanzania. The earliest peoples were hunters and gathers, and agriculture and herding have only been used in the area for the last 3,000 to 5,000 years. Trading with Greece started on the Swahili coast in 400 BC, leading to the settlement of coastal towns and settlements by Bantu-speaking people, as well as Arabs and Persians who traded tusker ivory, native slaves, spices gold, silver and perfume. Trade with China was significant between the 13th and 15th centuries, at the height of the Kilwa Kisiwani, Bagamoyo and Zanzibar Archipelago civilizations, and the area's population became a blend of Indian, Arab and African people. By 1525, the region was dominated by the Portuguese, but by the 19th century, the Germans and the British presence increased significantly, which ultimately brought a decline in the slave trade due to the slavery abolition laws introduced in the west and lack of demand.
During World War I, the realm was under German control, but after the war, the country came under British protectorate. In 1964, the nations of Tanganyika and Zanzibar fused together as the United Republic of Tanzania. Visiting the country's historic sites gives you an unparalleled insight into the challenges faced by its people. Near the Unguja village of Mangapwani in Zanzibar is a natural cavern and man-made cave that was once used for slaves, and the Mbweni Palace Ruins were once the site of a hiding place for rescued slaves. The Maruhubi Palace Ruins once served as the grand estate of Sultan Barghash, and you can still see the pillars and aqueducts. The Old Boma Museum in Arusha displays exhibits of the country's pre-colonial period, as well as various influences of foreign rule. Also in Arusha, the Declaration Museum where you learn about the country's struggle for independence, and in the Mara Musoma region, the Mwalimu Julius Kambarage Nyerere Museum also tells the story of the country's greatest leaders, who lead the country to freedom from the German and British authority. Other Tanzania museums for your culture holidays in Africa are Arusha Cultural Heritage Center, Maasai Cultural Museum, and in Dar es Salaam, the National Museum and House of Culture
Getting To and Around Tanzania- Understanding the best ways to get to Tanzania is an important part of planning your tour of Africa. Your choice of airline and airport can either make your trip easier or cause you the extra complications of changing flights or travelling by road. Tanzania has three international airports for your convenience, and Dar es Salaam manages most of the country's international flights for those visiting the commercial city, southern parks and eastern beaches, but you must choose Kilimanjaro International Airport for the start of your northern Tanzania safaris or Zanzibar International Airport for your seaside and cultural Swahili tour, depending on your travel itinerary. You may also choose to fly into Nairobi and then transfer via a regional flight or travel by road to reach Arusha.
Entry Requirements for Tanzania- For your visit to Tanzania, you must meet certain entry requirements before being allowed into the country. Some nationals are exempted from this requirement when entering the country and staying for three months or less. Exempt nationals include those from Botswana, Gambia, Ghana, Hong Kong, Kenya, Leshoto, Malawi, Malaysia, Mozambique, Namibia, Swaziland, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe. For citizens of the United States, Australia, United Kingdom, all mainland European nations and countries not exempted above are required to have visas. Citizens of certain countries require a referred visa issued prior to arrival. These include Afghanistan, Abkhazia, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Chad, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzten, Lebanon, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Niger, Palestine Refugees, stateless individuals, Senegal, Somalia, Sierra Leone, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Sri Lanka. You should obtain your visa prior to departing your home country as this will ensure that you are able to begin your safari or travels without delay in case of any passport hitches. To apply for a visa, contact the Tanzania consulate in your country. Many consulates also have the forms and instructions on their websites. Your passport must be valid for a minimum of six months from the travel date of your arrival and departure out of Tanzania.
If you are short of time, you can obtain a single-entry tourist or business visa upon arrival at one of the entry points, although it is recommended that you obtain your visa prior to departing your home country. To obtain a visa upon arrival in-country, you must meet all standard immigration requirements before a visa will be granted to you. Cash US Dollar payments are only accepted as payment for your entry visa on arrival. Multiple-entry visas are not granted upon arrival at points of entry. If you plan to work or volunteer while in Tanzania, you will need a valid work permit, which can be obtained through your employer or volunteer organization. If you stay in Tanzania beyond the valid period of your visa or permit, you are subject to being arrested, detained and fined prior to being deported. The fee for a single or multiple entry visa for a US citizen is USD $100, and for other non-exempted nationals, the fee is USD $50. You do not need a separate visa for visiting Zanzibar Island; though, the same above Tanzania visa requirements apply for Zanzibar.
Dress and Gems- Kitenge is an African garment similar to sarong, worn around the chest or waist as a headscarf or as a baby sling. Kitenges are found in striking patterns and bright colours and many of them have short messages printed onto their edges - usually messages relating to love or friendship. Kitenge makes great gifts and is light and easy to pack when you are travelling.
Tanzania is the world's only source of tanzanite, a semi-precious stone found in the Merelani Hills near Arusha. The deep blue of Tanzanite is magnificent, ranging from ultramarine blue to light violet-blue. The most coveted colour is a blue which shows a purplish hue shimmering around it. The Tanzanite stone is particularly highly prized as it is found in only one place in the world.
Tanzanian Highlights:
Mount Kilimanjaro- The world's highest mountain is located in Tanzania. Two of its three peaks Mawenzi and Shira are extinct while Kibo, the highest peak, is dormant and could erupt again. Kilimanjaro's last eruption was over 200 years ago. The world's second deepest lake, Lake Tanganyika, is found in western Tanzania. Lake Tanganyika is home to over 250 cichlid fish species. African cichlid fish are the largest and most diverse radiation of vertebrate species in the world. Lake Tanganyika is also the longest freshwater lake in the world.
Serengeti National Park- Visiting the vast plains of the Serengeti makes it is easy to see why the Maasai called this spectacular area Siringitu, meaning “the place where the land moves on forever".The Serengeti National Park is best known for the Great Migration when around 1.5 million wildebeest, over 200 000 zebra and 300 000 Thomson's gazelle stampede across this beautiful wilderness area in search of grazing.
Ngorongoro Conservation area- The Ngorongoro Crater, the world’s largest volcanic caldera at around 260 sq km, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site known as “Africa’s Garden of Eden”. Olduvai Gorge- Commonly known as "The Cradle of Mankind” is a famous archaeological site where the Laetoli hominid footprints, Oldupai Museum and numerous hominid, animal and plant fossils are located.
Tarangire National Park- The park boasts the highest density of elephants in Tanzania in a wild and remote wilderness area of spectacular beauty.
Lake Manyara National park- Lake Manyara lies within the diverse National Park offering superb bird watching, stunning scenery and excellent game viewing.
Zanzibar tropical island paradise- There is no better way to round off one's visit to Tanzania than with a trip to Zanzibar Island with rich cultural history, strong Arabic influence and its amazing capital, Stone Town.
Selous Game Reserve- Tanzania’s best-kept secret, the Selous Game Reserve is a UNESCO World Heritage Site owing to its unspoiled wilderness and the diversity of its wildlife.
Ruaha National Park- Ruaha is one of Tanzania's best-kept safari secrets. The park is home to an incredible variety of wildlife, including healthy populations of lions, leopard, cheetah, wild dogs and hyenas.
Dr Livingstone's I presume- Sir Henry Morton Stanley is particularly remembered for his commission from the New York Herald to find David Livingstone. When they finally met in Ujiji (near Lake Tanganyika) in November 1871, Stanley greeted Livingstone with the words 'Dr. Livingstone, I presume'. A plaque has been erected to indicate the exact place where these famous words were spoken.
Cradle of mankind- Louis and Mary Leakey, the famous archaeologists and anthropologists, spent most of their time working at Olduvai Gorge, Tanzania. In 1960, Leakey's eldest son discovered fossils of Homo habilis, an early human species, at Olduvai Gorge. In the 1970s, Mary Leakey's team found hominid footprints in the Laitoli Site near the Olduvai Gorge. These are thought to date back as far as 3.6 million years.
New Species in Tanzania- A new species of monkey, possibly a new genus, was discovered by scientists in Tanzania during 2005. Rungwecebus kipunji is a social species and is said to be a close relative of the baboon. To date, three groups have been found in the Ndundulu Forest Reserve and 16 groups have been found in the Rungwe-Livingstone forest.
