Tanzania is a colourful fusion of peoples and cultures, a land where ancient coastal kingdom meet with tribal peoples of the interior. It is a place of stunning contrasts, where endless stretches of palm fringed beach rise to greet fertile forested mountains, where mysterious, offshore islands offer recluse and relaxation from the aches of climbing Africa’s highest peak.
Tanzania’s geological past spans more than 300 million years. It is here where hominoid fossils dating back 3 million years were found, offering exciting glimpses into our past. It is a country blessed with great natural wealth, where pristine coral reefs bathe in equatorial waters and millions of hoofed animals drum along its vast plains. It’s a country of spectacular beauty, whose cool highland plateau is interrupted by the deep fractures of the Great Rift Valley, and whose inland lakes shimmer with the reflected shadows of countless water birds and the rhythms of the seasons.
Tanzania is home to 30 million people of exceptional diversity encompassing more than 100 different tribal groups, each with its own language and customs. It is here where Muslims and Christians, members of one tribe and those of another, mainlanders and islanders – have been unified by a shared experience of nationhood, by a common language (Swahili), and by an ingrained sense and spirit of moderation.
“For travellers, one of Tanzania’s most notable characteristics is its warmth and openness. It is a land whose culture and people are easily accessible for those who take the time to seek them, and where – in the markets, on the streets, in homes and in remote villages – you will be greeted constantly with Karibu, the Swahili word of welcome.” Source: Fitzpatrick, M. & Else, D. (1st Ed.) Tanzania, Zanzibar & Pemba. 1999. Lonely Planet Publications, Australia.
