Brief History
Tanzania
Brief History
Tanzania East Africa’s largest country is situated south of the equator. The land slopes up from the splendid beaches of the Indian Ocean via the vast plains of the interior to the snow-caped peak of Mount Kilimanjaro, the “roof of Africa”.The savannah of the Serengeti is reputed to have the largest concentration of animals in the World.The Ngorongoro Crater, one of the World’s largest volcanic crater,is a vast amphitheatre of wildlife while Olduvai Gorge,has earned Tanzania the title “Cradle of Mankind”.
Lodges and tented camps each with its own distinctive character are unpretentious but comfortable and provide ideal bases for an unforgettable safari.
Weather Pattern
Because Tanzania lies below the equator, the coolest months occur during the northern hemisphere’s summer, and all-year round the weather remains pleasant and comfortable. Between June to October the temperatures range from around 10°C in the northern highlands to about 23°C on the coast.
On the plains and the lower-altitude game reserves, the temperatures from June to October are warm and mild. On the coast, these months are some of the most pleasant to visit, with balmy, sunny weather much of the day and cooling ocean breezes at night.
From December to March, the days are hot and sunny with often not a cloud in the sky. Temperatures range from the mid-twenties to the low thirties throughout the country while visitors flock to the parks and beaches to escape the dreariness of late winter in colder climes. Clear sunny days are the norm in the northern highlands and the heat of mid-day is tempered by the golden light in late afternoon and the especially striking sunsets. In the game parks and central plains, the beautiful weather provides perfect opportunities for unhampered game viewing, and clear night skies offer perfect opportunities for star-gazing and romantic evenings in the bush.
On the shores of the Swahili Coast, the Indian Ocean reaches its highest temperatures and is ideal for swimming at any time of day or night.
Tanzania’s equatorial climate brings two seasons of rain each year: the masika, or long rains that fall from mid-March to the end of May, and the mvuli, or short rains, that come intermittently throughout November and parts of December, and sometimes stretch into early January. During the long rains, heavy showers fall in the early mornings but usually clear up by mid-day, with the weather often remaining clear and sunny until late afterno
on. By evening, impressive cloud formations build, breaking sometime after dark and the rain often continues throughout the night. During the short rains, light showers in the mornings and late afternoons are punctuated by stretches of clear weather and beautiful rays of sunlight. The beginning of both rainy seasons is marked by a change in the winds which historically, marked the time for trading boats to set off on expeditions across the Indian Ocean or return to their native lands.
Dar-es-Salaam City
Brief History
Swahili for 'haven of peace', Dar es Salaam is Tanzania's capital, a perfect tropical port situated on the shores of a scenic palm fringed bay. Kurasani Creek one of the world's finest natural harbours is a somewhat surrealistic mix of modern freighters and yachts with ancient dhows and dugouts. The city as well is a dynamic collage of ancient and contemporary
There are narrow winding streets and low buildings dating back to the Arab period, two storey houses and a Bavarian style railway statlon from the German colonial era, and everywhere else there is an intriguing mix of African and Oriental architecture. The city's Botanical Gardens are a riot of colour with everything from pink oleander to scarlet flame trees.
Across from the gardens is The National Museum with its outstanding display of fossils and artifacts from Olduvai Gorge. At the main Kariako Market - a popular meeting place - the atmosphere is lively and colourful with all manner of goods available for sale.
Dar es Salaam's Afro-Swahili origin offers up tasty culinary delights from smoked octopus served in newspaper triangles to aromatic curries of a great variety of fish. All one has to do to get away from the heat, humidity and crowds is travel some six kilometres (four miles) away to beautiful white beaches, lazy palms swaying in the cool breeze and the surf constantly washing the shore.
What Clients are Saying
E. G. Maitho
Mar 12, 2014