WHY VISIT TANZANIA - CULTURAL TOURISM

 Visiting Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (R) meets with Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete, who is attending the 2014 World Economic Forum on Africa, in Abuja, Nigeria, May 7, 2014. (Xinhua/Ding Lin)

 Presidant Bush in Tanzania

 Obama trip to Tanzania

China’s President Xi Jinping (front left) with his Tanzanian counterpart Jakaya Kikwete, on Mr Xi’s arrival at Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam yesterday

A brief history

The history of Tanzania is filled with stories of struggle and triumph, victory and peace. Below is a brief overview of Tanzania’s history, ranging from the beginning of human settlement and Tribal Habitation to the beginnings of trade and merchant states along the Swahili Coast. The arrival of colonialism and the advent of independence is also included. The historical overview concludes with political details of the Tanzania of today.  With such a perfect Location, perched on the edge of the African continent, and facing the Indian Ocean, Tanzania’s weather and climate leaves everything to be desired. Warm and sunny days are followed by cool and balmy nights, and whether you’re on a safari on the Serengeti plains or enjoying the tropical beaches of Zanzibar, the temperatures are always welcoming and gentle. Consult Weather and Climate to find out about the best times to visit, and to learn more about the monsoon winds and seasonal rains. But sun-filled and beautiful days are not all that Tanzania has to offer. On the contrary, the country’s borders hold a vast number of people and tribes whose varied cultures and traditions make up the rich tapestry that is the Tanzanian culture. Read on to learn more about the Maasai culture and the customs of the Swahili Coast. Although Tanzania is a country rich in culture and traditions, its history is also one of the treasured heritage and pride. From the early days of mankind’s history, man has called the land of Tanzania home – its verdant mountains as well as its scrubland plains. Find out more about our country’s rich history, from the arrival of merchants and traders on the Swahili Coast to the peaceful political climate that exists today. Tanzanians enjoy a climate of freedom and peace during daily lives, and value community and togetherness very highly. Religion is an expression of community and culture, and one that binds all of us as citizens, not only to our country but also to the people around us. Tanzanians practice Christianity, Islamic, and traditional African religions in tolerance and understanding. Religion defines our community and our sense of identity, but culturally, we are all Tanzanians. Our culture and traditions can be seen through everything we are surrounded with as well as the handicrafts that are the specialties of our country. Visitors to Tanzania will find the section on Shopping immensely useful in helping them decide what to bring back for their friends and loved ones from our amazing country. Tanzania Cultural Tourism With John Shabani John shabani with Datoga women in Mang'ola John Shabani with Hadzabe people (Bush man) The idea behind cultural tourism in Tanzania is to give tourists and local communities an opportunity to interact, with particular emphasis on giving the tourists brief but valuable insights into the life-styles of some of Tanzania’s fascinating peoples, without too much negative impact. And at the same time to provide the communities themselves with a share of the monetary and material benefits that tourism brings. Tanzania cultural rogramme was largely inspired and developed by a Tanzania volunteer Mr. John Shabani. When properly conducted and managed it allows local people such as the Maasai, Datoga, Hadza, Iraqw, Pare, Sambaa and others to show tourists something of their ways of life, including their homes, areas of work such as agriculture, farming, pastoralism, hunter-gathering and fishing. Income from these cultural visits is used by the groups involved for particular development projects, such as the building of dispensaries or clinics, water supplies or cattle-dip facilities. We offer the following possibilities, listed by locality in alphabetical order: Babati/Hanang (close to Tarangire National Park). Datoga (Barabaig)/Gorowa peoples, also climb of Mount Hanang and fishing on hippo-inhabited Lake Babati. 170 km. (107 miles) from Arusha. Tanzania cultural tourism in Engaruka Mysterious ruined settlement on the slopes of the Rift Valley, in a very traditional corner of Maasailand and close to the active volcano Ol Doinyo Lengai, Maasai “Mountain of God”. Guided walk through the ruins and explanation of their history and of present irrigation systems that keep the present village attractively green. Bird-watching walks at the foot and slopes of the Rift Valley Escarpment. 180 km. (114 miles) from Arusha Tanzania cultural tourism in Ilkiding’a Insights into Wa-arusha culture, including visit to traditional healer and tasting of local dishes. Walks through the countryside below Mt. Meru, with visits to craftsmen who make tools, jewellery and other traditional artifacts. 7 km. (5 miles) from Arusha Tanzania cultural tourism in Kisangara Fishing trips on Nyumba ya Mungu Dam, just south of Kilimanjaro, with local fishermen. Also tour of spice-growing areas and insights into the cooking of traditional local dishes, plus visit to the Lembeni Herbal Hospital. 90 km. (57 miles) from Moshi Tanzania cultural tourism in Longido Walking safaris beneath the slopes of Mt. Longido with Maasai moran (men of the traditional warrior age-grade). A guided walk to the summit of Longido Mountain can be arranged, plus visits to local Maasai enkang (homesteads). 81 km. (51 miles) from Arusha Tanzania cultural tourism in Marangu One of the ancestral homes of a major Chagga clan on the lower slopes of Kilimanjaro. Walks to scenic waterfalls through cultivated countryside, lush green valleys and banana groves, with Kilimanjaro visible from certain viewpoints. Visits to traditional Chagga “beehive” hut with underground chambers where locals took refuge during tribal and clan wars. Visit to traditional blacksmith’s. 30 km. (20 miles) from Moshi Tanzania cultural tourism in Man’gola Settlement by Lake Eyasi, south of Ngorongoro Crater. Visits to Datoga pastoralist homesteads where you can see women milking cows and wearing beautifully beaded traditional clothes. Also visit to nearby Hadza hunter-gatherers who still hunt big game with bows and arrows. Fascinating walks with Hadza can be arranged, as they scour the bush looking for game, fruit, wild bee-hives or roots and tubers to dig up and eat. 185 km. (117 miles) from Arusha. Tanzania cultural tourism in Mkuru Insights into Maasai culture plus visit to the camel camp at the foot of Mt. Meru, where camel rides or camel safaris (from half a day to one week duration) may be arranged. Birding walks in the plains around Mkuru and hikes to the top of a local mountain also possible. 35 km. (32 miles) from Arusha Tanzania cultural tourism in Mto wa Mbu This settlement just outside Lake Manyara National Park in the Rift Valley is a fascinating mixture of cultures and occupations. Walks around the town and nearby farms and countryside, experiencing a variety of lifestyles and seeing people from many ethnic groups, including Maasai, Arusha, Iraqw, Chagga, Irangi and others. Visit to local school possible. 120 km. (76 miles) from Arusha Tanzania cultural tourism in Ngiresi Home of the Arusha people at the foot of Mt. Meru. Guided tour of farms on the mountain’s fertile lower slopes. Visits to various development projects and insights into local Arusha community and their culture. 6 km. (3.5 miles) from Arusha Tanzania cultural tourism in North Pare Traditional home of the Pare (pron. Par-ay). Guided walks through the Kindoroko Forest Reserve where medicinal wild plants will be pointed out and their uses explained. Stories involving ancient Pare folk-lore told by locals. 110 km. (70 miles) from Arusha Tanzania cultural tourism in South Pare Part of the traditional Pare homelands. Walks through the Chome Forest Reserve, climbs to Shengena Peak, highest point in the Pare or Usambara Mountains, hikes to the Tona Moorland and Ranzi Dam can be arranged. 160 km. (101 miles) from Arusha Tanzania cultural tourism in Pangani Fascinating historical coastal town (see Pangani) in lovely setting on the Pangani estuary. Coastal (Swahili) culture with much Arab influence since the days of the slave and ivory trade. Visits to former sites where slaves were kept or worked, river cruises through extensive coconut plantations, escorted walks through the town, fishing trips at sea with local fishermen. 350 km. (221 miles) from Moshi Tanzania cultural tourism in West Usambaras Beautiful, cool mountain home of the Sambaa people. Trips to dramatic cliff-top viewpoints at the edge of the mountains, hikes through dense natural forests nourished by clear mountain streams, walks around Lushoto, once an important centre of colonial German East Africa. Visits to irrigation and soil conservation projects. 270 km. (171 miles) from Moshi Mount Kilimanjaro, with its three volcanic cones, Kibo, Mawenzi, and Shira, is a dormant volcanic mountain in Tanzania.  It is the highest mountain in Africa and the highest free-standing mountain in the world at 5,895 metres or 19,341 feet above sea level (the Uhuru Peak/Kibo Peak)

Getting to Tanzania

These days there are many ways to travel to Tanzania. Overland railways connect the country, the roads are easy to navigate and well-maintained, cruise ships and passenger liners stop frequently at the ports, and international air carriers arrive and depart daily from the many airports located around the country. Travel to Tanzania is easier and more convenient than it has ever been before. World-class airport facilities and on-the-ground assistance make sure that your visit to the country is perfect from the first moment of arrival.  Whether you’re travelling independently or with a tour operator, be sure to book your ticket well in advance and make sure your return flights are confirmed. Travel agents in major cities can assist you in making any last-minute changes to your itinerary and flights. Flying to Tanzania There are frequent direct and indirect flights to Tanzania by numerous international airlines. At the time of writing, international airlines that fly to Dar es Salaam include KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Swiss International Airlines, Emirates,Qatar Airways, Oman Air,Turkish Airlines,South African Airways, Ethiopian Airlines, Egypt Airways, Kenya Airways,Air Uganda, LAM Mozambique Airlines and Rwanda Air. Departure tax: The international departure tax is US$50 but this is included in the price of an airline ticket. Travel by rail The route between Dar es Salaam and Kapiri Moshi in Zambia is run by the Tanzania and Zambia Railway Authority (Tazara) (tel: (022) 286 2033; www.tazarasite.com). By rail note: The train journey from Dar es Salaam to Zambia is very long (around 50 hours) and there are frequent delays. Trains get very crowded and travellers should take special care of their baggage. Always travel in First Class in a two or four sleeper compartment. When the train crosses the border between the two countries, immigration officials board the train to complete border formalities. There is also a train from Dar es salaam to Kigoma, Mpanda and Mwanza Driving to Tanzania The main international road crossings into Tanzania are from Kenya. The most used is the border crossing at Namanga, about halfway between Nairobi and Arusha. The other principle border crossing is south of Mombasa on the coast at Lunga Lunga, from where the nearest large Tanzanian town is Tanga. There are quieter border crossings at Taveta, between Voi and Moshi, and Isebania on the main road between Kisumu and Mwanza. Border crossings from other neighbouring countries include the Songwe border with Malawi and the Tunduma border with Zambia, both of which are in the southwestern corner of Tanzania and are reached by a good (but long) road from Dar es Salaam. There is a crossing with Uganda at Mutukulu, northwest of Bukoba, but this is a rough road and a remote region to get to. The easiest way to get to Uganda from Tanzania is via Nairobi in Kenya, from where there are daily bus services to Kampala. There is a border crossing with Rwanda at Rusomo, although again this is in the remote northwestern part of Tanzania although there are bus services between Mwanza and Kigali. Tanzania does share a border with Mozambique to the south, but road access between the two countries is very limited. By road note: There are many local bus companies that ply the main routes over the borders. Several companies run comfortable shuttle bus services between Nairobi and Arusha and Moshi in Tanzania. These are aimed at tourists who fly into Nairobi and are visiting the game parks in Tanzania’s northern circuit region from Arusha, or are climbing Mt Kilimanjaro from Moshi. The buses take about 5-6 hours in either direction, and drivers assist passengers with border procedures. Riverside Shuttles (www.riverside-shuttle.com) offer a reliable daily service. For long-distance cross-border bus travel, recommended for visitors is Taqwa Bus Services (+255 655 721287, +255 655 141034, +255 715 423820), which has frequent departures to and from Tanzania and neighbouring countries. They also offer daily services between Nairobi and Kampala in Uganda, and from Dar es Salaam to Lusaka in Zambia. Getting to Tanzania by boat The main port is Dar es Salaam (www.tanzaniaports.com) which is served by commercial ships but no passenger services from other countries. It does however serve as the departure point for ferry services to Zanzibar. Cruise ships: Some cruise ships dock at Zanzibar. Ferry operators: Passenger ferry services run on Lake Tanganyika to Mpulungu (Zambia). They also used to run to Bujumbura (Burundi), and this service is likely to start up again in the future. There is sporadic and unreliable ferry service on Lake Nyasa linking Tanzania with Malawi.