Climate map of tanzania. State structure and political system of Tanzania. Where is Tanzania

Tanzania is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Africa. It is included in the list of developing countries and has a rather weak economy, but invariably attracts tourists with its rich and picturesque nature. highest mountain continent, many national parks with a huge variety of flora and fauna, picturesque islands and beaches - all these attractions annually attract thousands of visitors to the East African country.

Getting to know Tanzania

Let's look at the features first geographical location states and historical information. We will also find out how you can get to this country.

Geographical position

The United Republic of Tanzania is located in eastern Africa and borders on 8 states: Kenya and Uganda in the north, Rwanda, Burundi and Congo in the west, in the south there are borders with Mozambique, Malawi and Zambia. The eastern part of the country is washed by the Indian Ocean. In addition to the mainland, the state owns some islands: Zanzibar, Pemba, Mafia, etc.

Tanzania is located on a plateau, in the north the country is surrounded by mountain ranges. Six rivers flow through the territory, and lakes are also located in Tanzania, the most famous of which is Victoria.

Some information about Tanzania:

1. Area: 945 thousand square meters km.
2. Population: 48 million people.
3. Time zone: +3 GMT (there is no difference with Moscow time).
4. Language: Swahili, English, African dialects and dialects.
5. Currency: Tanzanian shilling.
6. Capital: Dodoma.
7. Religion: Christianity (60%), Islam (30%), paganism (10%).

A bit of history

The history of this country officially began on April 26, 1964, after the unification of two colonies - Zanzibar and Tanganyika.

However, in general, the history of Tanzania consists of three most important periods:

1. Precolonial. It lasted from the time of the settlement of this territory by the indigenous South African peoples (Bushmen and Hottentots) until 1885. About one and a half thousand years ago, the Swahili people began to form on the territory of the country, which, in addition to the indigenous tribes, included people from Arab countries. The main activity of the Swahili was international trade: slaves, gold, ivory were exported from the country, handicrafts, fabrics, food products were imported goods. Since the middle of the 19th century, Europeans and Americans began to come to the country.
2. Colonial. Lasted from 1885 to 1964. The interval of less than a hundred years proved to be very rebellious, but productive for the state. Initially, the protectorate over the territory belonged to Germany, but after the end of the First World War, the country came under the tutelage of Great Britain. During this time, agriculture was actively developing, cotton, coffee, sisal and rubber plants were grown in the country. During the reign of the Germans, many railways were built. The British continued to develop the country.
3. Independent state. During the period of independence, communism reigned in Tanzania for a long time, until a multi-party system was formed in 1995.

Did you know? Albinos in Tanzania are born more often than in other countries: about one newborn in 3000, while in the rest of the world this happens 7 times less often.

Independence Day is celebrated in December - it was on December 9, 1961 that the Tanzanians gained independence from Great Britain, and a year later they became a republic and a member of the Commonwealth of Nations.

How to get there

From Russia and Ukraine there are no direct flights to the country. By air, you can get to Tanzania only with transfers. With one transfer, the journey will take about 13-20 hours.

The most convenient way to arrive in the largest city and the former capital of Tanzania - Dar es Salaam is by such airlines: Emirates, Qatar Airlines, KLM, Swiss.

Transfers will take place in Amsterdam, Doha, Dubai and Zurich. Accordingly, there are many direct flights to the country from European cities.

Regular flights to Tanzania are provided by Dubai, Kenya, Qatar and Oman airlines. Tanzania has several international airports: Julius Nyerere, Kilimanjaro, Arusha. By the way, the capital airport in Dodoma is not international.

From neighboring states, you can get to Tanzania by car or bus; there is also a ferry connection with Uganda, Zambia and Burundi. Rail links operate with Zambia.

Weather and climate

Thanks to the subequatorial climate, we can confidently say that eternal summer reigns in Tanzania. Seasonality is weakly expressed, the climate is slightly different in coastal areas and more distant from the sea, as well as in the mountains - for example, in the north of the country, near mountain ranges, the temperature is kept in the range of + 20 ... + 23 ° С, near the coast it rises by 5 degrees.

It gets chilly at night. The islands are the hottest, where the temperature reaches +32 ° C, but it is easily tolerated due to the high humidity of the air and the constant sea breeze.

The hottest are the winter months. During this period, the temperature in the mainland of the country reaches +35 °C, in some places it reaches +38 °C. July is the coolest month. At this time, the daytime temperature is +27…+32 °С, and at night it drops by 10-15 degrees, for example, in the mountains it reaches +8…+10°С.

The country has rainy seasons: in the northern part - twice a year, during the spring and autumn months, in the south of the country the rainy season takes place once a year, from November to April. The sea is very warm - the water temperature reaches +26°C.

The main beaches of the country

The beaches and the sea of ​​Tanzania are able to fall in love with you at first sight and confidently take a place on your list. the best coasts. The main advantages of Tanzanian beaches are white, fine sand and clear, blue water.

Did you know? In 1962, in Tanzania (then still Tanganyika), there was an epidemic of laughter among children and adolescents. Attacks of laughter lasted from several hours to several days, and all this lasted 18 months, "infecting" about 1000 people.

First of all, it is worth considering the beaches of the island of Zanzibar. Obviously, for beach lovers, the island will seem like a paradise, because this is one of the most picturesque and attractive places in the country.

When it comes to a beach holiday or a tour to Tanzania, it is the beaches of Zanzibar that most often mean, there are more than two dozen of them. Keep in mind that the western beaches have a calm sea, and the southeastern ones always pamper visitors with waves. The most interesting places:

1. Nungwi. Located in the northern part of the island. turquoise water, White sand, a deep sea in which ebbs and flows are not felt, but also fantastic reefs. This is very popular place for diving. The beach itself is surrounded by large plantations of bananas and coconuts. Nungwi is truly considered the best place in Zanzibar.

   
   
   

2. Kizimkazi. The south beach will delight visitors with waves, romantic coves for privacy, as well as the opportunity to watch dolphins. Here you can also observe the life of local fishermen from the village of the same name.

   
   
   

3. Located on the eastern side of the island. There are many luxury hotels along the coast. A significant advantage is the small number of tourists.

   
   
   

4. It is located in the eastern part of the island, therefore it has a drawback typical for this side - during periods of low tide, the sea becomes much shallower and it takes a long time to reach deep water. Paje is a great place for kitesurfing. In addition, here you can watch flamingos, peacocks and camels.

   
   
   

5. A clean and beautiful beach is located in the northeastern part. Retirement here will not work, but plenty of fun - for sure. It is very crowded, noisy and fun thanks to the many entertainment places.

   
   
   

However, do not ignore other island and mainland beaches:

1. Ideal for lovers a relaxing holiday, to observe nature and local colorful life. There are no cafes and nightclubs on the beaches of Pemba; it is quite quiet and peaceful here. However, you will not be bored with the opportunity to go diving, deep-sea fishing or watch humpback whales, hammerhead sharks or whale sharks.

   
   
   

2. The highlight of the island is a prison built by a British general, in which there were not a single prisoner. The island has the same azure water and white sand. In addition to swimming and sunbathing, you can go snorkeling, diving or hand-feed giant tortoises, many of which are over a hundred years old!

   
   
   

3. City beach in Dar es Salaam. Here you can watch the local colorful party, but women are not recommended to swim in bikinis and swimwear that are too open. The disadvantage of the beach can be considered a shallow sea at low tide and muddy water.

   
   
   

What to see for a tourist

Of course, in addition to the sea and beaches, the African country has many more must-see attractions. Perhaps the most famous are the Tanzanian natural parks, the total area of ​​​​which is about 30% of the entire territory of the country.

Nature and national parks

Tanzania has many national natural parks, thanks to which the country has managed to preserve a huge variety of flora and fauna. The predominant type of vegetation in the country is savannah.

When visiting the country, you should definitely go on a safari to see giraffes, lions, elephants and black rhinos, hippos and crocodiles with your own eyes. Tickets to national parks are inexpensive, in the range of $ 50-60, but you will have to pay a round sum for transport rental and guide services.

Renting a car can cost from $300, you will also need to pay for gas and meals. Sometimes it may take 2-3 days for a more or less complete inspection of the park, so it will be necessary to rent accommodation.

Important!Visiting national parks is allowed only (!) on special safari jeeps, accompanied by a certified Tanzanian guide.

1. This national park is huge (about 15 thousand square kilometers), occupies a leading position among all African reserves in terms of species diversity and the number of animals inhabiting the territory, and is also included in the UNESCO heritage list. Most often, the Serengeti is visited to watch the big cats in wild nature, especially for hunting lions and lionesses, cheetahs and leopards. By the way, it is in this park that the largest population of lions in the world is over 3 thousand individuals.

   
   
   

2. Also included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The park is unusual, as it is located almost entirely in the middle of the largest crater on the planet. Here - a very rich vegetation, why the reserve resembles an oasis among the relatively poor savannah. The main highlight of the park is the opportunity to watch pink flamingos on Lake Magadi.

   
   
   

3. Despite the relatively small size (more than 2.5 thousand square kilometers), the park is inhabited by more than 300 species of birds, which is why it is especially popular among ornithologists. Here you can go on a classic jeep safari, as well as go on a walking and night safari.

   
   
   

4. The park is located around the lake of the same name, the oldest on the planet - it was formed more than 3 million years ago. The territory of the park is inhabited by a huge variety of animals: here you can meet all the "classic" inhabitants of the hot continent. Ernest Hemingway called this park the most great place Africa.

   
   
   

5. There is also a lake of the same name. It is famous for the fact that several times a year it turns pink due to salt deposits. The territory is inhabited by the original Maasai tribes, it is also the habitat of the world's largest flocks of flamingos.

   
   
   

In addition to the listed parks, such places are no less popular: the Selous Game Reserve, the Udzungwa Reserve, the Mount Kilimanjaro Park, the Meserani Snake Park and other beautiful reserves.

Did you know? At the legislative level, the country prohibits the use of plastic bags, including for packaging products in a supermarket. If you brought something with you in plastic packages, it is better not to use them, and even more so not to throw them away, otherwise you can get a fine of $2,000.

Historical landmarks

Beyond the pristine beautiful nature, Tanzania has a large number of historical attractions. There are not so many of them in the official capital of Dodoma, but in the old capital and the largest city of the country, Dar es Salaam, there is something to see.

Here you should definitely admire the Clock Tower, the Palace of Sultan Majid, the building of the railway station, numerous cathedrals, mosques and churches.

Notable museums in the city:

Be sure to visit the local markets: Mwenge ebony market, fish market Magagoni, Kiriakoo Spice Market. It is worth walking along the colorful Asian streets of Indian Street, Kisutu Street.

What else can you do

Tanzania offers countless opportunities for outdoor activities. The most beautiful coral reefs, beaches allow you to enjoy water and hiking sports. Here you can hunt and bring home exclusive trophies.

Important! When exchanging currency, you must keep the receipt for the entire period of stay in the country. Also remember that you can pay with a card only in large cities and coastal towns (mainly in supermarkets, banks and large stores). In provincial cities, it is almost impossible to pay with a credit card, and for withdrawing money from a card, the bank will have to pay up to 8% commission.

Leisure

Tanzania has many opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts. This is truly one of the best places in the world for diving and other aquatic species sports, climbing, trekking and hiking are also very popular.

1. This type of outdoor activity will be within the power of physically prepared tourists, because they will have to climb to a height of almost 6000 m! However, the fantastic views and meeting the sunrise / sunset will forever remain in your memory and compensate for all efforts.

   
   
   

2. Descent to the Ngorongoro Crater. In a giant crater is the national park of the same name, which we talked about above. To go down to the bottom, you have to overcome a height difference of 600 m.

   
   
   

3. Diving, snorkelling, kitesurfing. For divers, the waters of Tanzania will seem like a real paradise. Picturesque coral reefs, many rare underwater inhabitants, excellent underwater visibility create all the conditions for diving. Here you can dive in freshwater reservoirs, coastal zones, on the islands, you can also go on multi-day dive tours aboard special vessels. We recommend diving on the island of Pemba, Zanzibar, on Lake Tanganyika.

   
   
   

4. Hunting in the Selous Reserve. You can order tours for 10, 16, 21 and 28 hunting days. It passes only in the daytime and on foot, it is forbidden to hunt with a car. The cost of the tour usually includes accommodation, services of a professional hunter, meals, field preparation of trophies, as well as preparation for export. However, this is a rather expensive pleasure, which can cost several tens of thousands of dollars.

   
   
   

Also, do not miss the opportunity to go rafting on the rivers of Tanzania, paragliding, deep sea fishing. Unforgettable impressions will remain after the safari, in addition, there are several types of them for every taste.

Night life

If you prefer nightlife, then you may be a little disappointed - Tanzania is definitely not a country with an interesting nightlife. Mostly you can have fun on the territory of resort hotels and in big cities.

On the island of Zanzibar, it is worth visiting the Kendwa Rock Hotel, where the Full Moon Party takes place once a week.

In Dar es Salaam, pay attention to such establishments as the Q-Bar bar, Msasani, as well as the Sea Cliff Casino.

Did you know? Lead singer of the legendary rock band Queen Freddie Mercury was born in Zanzibar.

Where to stay and eat

Since the main destination for many tourists is not official capital, consider where to stay and eat in Dar es Salaam.
There is accommodation in the city for every taste and budget.

It is also worth being aware of the local cuisine. Dishes from the meat of wild animals and birds are traditional for the country. It is worth trying the national dish of grain ugali. If you wish, you can taste the meat of antelope, elephant, crocodile or warthog.

For special gourmets, locust and termite dishes are offered. In coastal areas you can enjoy seafood. Vegetarians won't go hungry either, as many restaurants and cafes offer food without animal products. For drinks, you can try local beer or strong cognac gin.

In Dar es Salaam, you can find establishments of different price categories. So, there are cafes with local cuisine and fast food, gourmet restaurants, pizzerias, restaurants with an emphasis on seafood dishes, establishments with Chinese, Indian and American cuisine.

Possible danger

Before visiting a country, one should be aware of the potential dangers. In general, Tanzanians are a very open, friendly and sociable nation, however, due to refugees from neighboring states, a low standard of living, one can stumble upon fraud and theft.

You should also understand that this is a lot of Muslim areas, so you should avoid too open clothing. A huge problem for the country is the availability of clean drinking water.

Important! IN tourist areas there are many pickpockets, and armed poachers are present on the territory of the reserves.

1. Before visiting, get vaccinated against yellow fever, tetanus, hepatitis A, typhoid, cholera, malaria.
2. Before use, be sure to boil water, carefully heat the products of animal origin, wash and peel vegetables and fruits.
3. Swimming is necessary in specially designated areas due to the large number of strong coastal currents and the presence of dangerous animals under water.
4. Swimming in the waters inside the country is not recommended due to the risk of contracting schistosomiasis.
5. Documents and precious things should be kept in a hotel safe, always have a photocopy of a foreign passport with you, and only a company should walk the streets at night.
6. It is forbidden to take photos or videos of local residents without permission.
7. When visiting parks, be sure to use sunscreen, repellents, wear wide-brimmed hats and comfortable high shoes with a closed toe, maximally closed clothing.
8. In Muslim parts of the country, short shorts, skirts and other ostentatious clothing should be avoided. It is also worth refraining from public display of attention to the second half.

What to bring

In addition to numerous vivid photographs, you should definitely bring souvenirs from Tanzania, besides, their choice is impressive, they are diverse and colorful. In big cities, shops are open until 22:00, but most shops are open from 8:00 to 12:00, and in the afternoon from 14:00 to 18:00.

During Ramadan, many shops may be closed. You can buy souvenirs in the most famous souvenir centers: the art gallery, the village museum and in the shops on Samora Avenue. While on the island of Zanzibar, it is worth visiting the Memories of Zanzibar and One Way stores.

1. A lot of minerals are mined in the country: tourmaline, garnet, diamond, ruby, sapphire, but tanzanite, a mineral discovered in 1967, has become a real symbol of the country. "Blue diamond", as the stone is also called, is found exclusively in this country, among the volcanic deposits of Kilimanjaro.

   
   
   

2. Products. From Tanzania you can bring spices, herbs and roots, which are recommended to buy at the Kariakoo spice market.

   
   
   

3. Figurines and paintings. It is advisable to buy carved wooden figurines of the Makonde tribe in small souvenir shops.

   
   
   

4. National clothes, batik.
   

   
   
   

5. There are huge coffee plantations in Tanzania, about 6% of the country's population is engaged in their maintenance, which is quite a lot. The choice of aromatic drink here is huge.

   
   
   

It is in Tanzania that you will have the opportunity to feel and see the real East Africa. The originality, local color and picturesqueness of the country will not leave anyone indifferent.

Tanzania gives you the opportunity to climb the highest point of the continent, swim in the second deepest lake on the planet, and the largest lake in Africa. Highly recommended for all lovers of the exotic!

In the east it is washed by the Indian Ocean.

Most of Territory of Tanzania occupied by the East African Plateau, the average height of which is 1200 m. The plateau in the meridional direction is intersected by the East African Rift Zone, which is expressed in crustal faults located in the western and eastern parts countries. Here is the only active Volcano Tanzania Aldonio Lengai (2890 m), known as the "Mountain of God", which last erupted in 1983. In different parts of the country, you can see isolated volcanic mountains, small mountain ranges and ranges. In the northeast, these are the Usambara Mountains, the Meru Mountains (4567 m) and Kilimanjaro (5895 m). Dormant volcano Kilimanjaro is the highest point in Africa and the only snow-capped peak on the entire continent. In the south, the mountains of Livingston stand out, stretching along northeast coast Lake Nyasa.

The northern and western borders of Tanzania pass through lakes Victoria, Tanganyika and Nyasa. Victoria is the best big lake African continent and the second largest freshwater lake on the ground. Its area is 68 thousand square meters. km. It is also the third largest lake in the world. Lakes Tanganyika and Nyasa are located in the western part of the country and are confined to the East African Rift Zone. The depth of Lake Tanganyika is slightly less than that of Lake Baikal - 1470 m.

The largest rivers of the country are Pangani, Rufiji and Ruvuma.

Population of Tanzania- 46.2 million people (data for 2011, 29th place in the world),
including urban population - 25%

Resorts in Tanzania.

Arusha, Tanzania
Arusha is a city located in northern Tanzania. Arusha is a bustling, booming city, one of the country's major commercial and banking centers, and a major tourist destination. Arusha is home to the International Conference Center - one of the most famous international centers in Africa.

Bagamoyo, Tanzania
“Here I left my heart” - this is the translation of the name of this city from Swahili into Russian. 150 years ago, Bagamoyo was the most important port on the East African coast. From the depths of the continent, caravans of slave traders stretched towards the city. A huge number of slaves were kept in the fortress, which has survived to this day. From here, slaves, ivory, coconuts and salt were transported to Zanzibar. This sad historical events the city owes its name. Bagamoyo, the capital of the German colonies in Africa, was also called the “Gate of the Black Continent” at that time. After the end of the First World War, Germany transferred all of its East African possessions under the control of the League of Nations.

Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Dar es Salaam is the largest city in Tanzania, the richest city in the country, an important economic center and the main commercial port of the country. The city is located on the east coast of Africa, on the coast indian ocean. Although Dar es Salaam lost its official status as the capital of the state to Dodoma in the mid-1970s, it still houses the central government apparatus. The administrative center of the Dar es Salaam region. In 1973, it was proposed to move the capital to Dodoma, located in central Tanzania, but the transfer has not yet been fully completed.

Dodoma, Tanzania
Dodoma is the capital of Tanzania and the administrative center of the province of Dodoma. Dodoma is located in the central part of Tanzania, 320 kilometers from the eastern coast of the Indian Ocean. Representatives of the African peoples Nyamwezi, Jagga, Haya, Gogo, Masai and others live in the capital. In 1964, after the formation of the United Republic of Tanzania, which included Tanganyika and Zanzibar, Dodoma received the official status of the administrative center of the province of the same name.

Zanzibar, Tanzania
Zanzibar is an archipelago in the Indian Ocean, off the coast of Tanzania, to which it belongs. The largest islands are Pemba and Unguya, commonly known as Zanzibar. Until the Miocene, the archipelago was part of the African continent. The first definite news about it appears in the 10th century, when the Persians from Shiraz appeared here. The locals still refer to themselves as "Shirazi", although the Persian settlers were quickly assimilated. They brought Islam to Zanzibar.

Kigoma, Tanzania
Kigoma is a city in Tanzania, the capital of the Kigoma region. Port on the eastern shore of Lake Tanganyika. Final destination Dar es Salaam railway.

Kilindoni, Tanzania
Kilindoni - main city islands of Tanzania called Mafia. Situated on the Indian Ocean eastern shores Africa. Mafia Island itself - the largest of a large number of islands, atolls and sandbars - about 50 km long and 15 km wide, is surrounded by reefs teeming with a variety of marine life.

Manyara, Tanzania
Manyara is Lake Manyara National Park in Tanzania. Located at an altitude of 950 m. Lake Manyara National Park was created to protect animals from poachers, the worst raids of which in the 1970s and 1980s threatened the continued existence of elephants on these lands. At present, the fauna is carefully protected, and the elephant population has reached its former levels. Lake Manyara, which occupies two-thirds of the park's territory, is home to a huge number of different bird species, of which there are more than four hundred species, which gives a complete picture of the diversity of Tanzania's birds.

Ngorongoro, Tanzania
Ngorongoro is a national park in Tanzania, located near the crater of the same name. Ngorongoro Crater is considered world heritage! It is located on the edge of the Serengeti savanna, formed as a caldera from the collapse of a large volcano about 2.5 million years ago. The bottom of the crater is located at an altitude of 2380 m above sea level. Its edges are about 600 m higher and rise 3000 m above sea level. The diameter of the Ngorongoro Crater is 17 to 21 km and its total area is approximately 26,400 hectares.

Mafia Island, Tanzania
Mafia is an island in Tanzania in the Indian Ocean. This is the most south island the Zanzibar archipelago and has an area of ​​518 km2. The population is about 40 thousand people, mostly fishermen. Located in the Indian Ocean, the east coast of Africa, 160 km south of the island of Zanzibar, 40 km from the coast of Tanzania. The British newspaper "Sunday Times" named the Mafia one of the 10 most mysterious islands in the world. Chole Shamba - here ancient name this island. There are two versions of the origin of its current name. The first is based on the Arabic roots of the word "mafia" - from the concept of "morfiyeh", which means "group" or "archipelago".

Hotels in Tanzania.

Hotel base countries are very diverse. There are both “lodges” (of a very good standard, but also very expensive), and more than simple hotels for 2-3 rooms, as well as campsites. Most hotels in Zanzibar offer accommodation on a half board basis (usually breakfast and dinner), and most of the safari lodges offer full board.

On the island of Zanzibar, the “Arabic” style of service prevails (absolutely without haste), but the level of service is gradually beginning to catch up to the European one. There have never been any complaints from clients about the lodges, one can even say that this is, perhaps, the best place in terms of service.

In the country, the standard voltage is 220-240 V. In lodges and decent stationary tourist camps, generators also supply a standard voltage of 220 V. The sockets are “British standard” (an adapter with a three-pin plug is required).

Although there are a lot of hotels in the country, there is a tension with rooms in them, so it is better to book a tour in advance, especially for “peak” dates. CLIMATE

Tanzania has an equatorial monsoon climate. It is warm here all year round, as the country is located near the equator. Farther from the coast in the central part of the country, the climate is drier and hotter, in addition, the air temperature and rainfall in Tanzania depend on the altitude of the area.

The hottest months in Tanzania are December, January and February. At this time, the daily air temperature on the coast and on the islands rises to 32 degrees Celsius, in the central regions it can reach +35 degrees, and in some parts of the country - 38 degrees Celsius. At night, from December to February, the air temperature drops on the coast and on the islands to +24 degrees, in the central regions - up to +26 degrees, and in mountainous areas - up to 10 degrees Celsius. The coolest month in Tanzania is July. In July, the daily temperature in the coastal regions of the country and on the islands reaches +28 degrees, in the central part of the country - 30 degrees, and in the mountainous regions - 27 degrees. At night, at this time, the air temperature drops to +20 degrees, +22 degrees and +8 degrees, respectively.

The average annual rainfall within the East African Plateau ranges from 650 to 900 mm per year. The central part of the country is more arid, with less than 500 mm of precipitation per year. On the territory adjacent to the lakes Nyasa and Tanganyika, more precipitation falls than in the rest of the plateau, their annual amount varies from 1000 to 1500 mm. In the mountains of the north-west of the country and on the island of Zanzibar, the most precipitation falls - up to 2000 mm per year, and on the slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro up to 1300 mm.

In the northern part of the country and on the coast, two maximum precipitations are observed - from March to May and from September to November, in the southern and central parts - one, from November to April.

Best time to visit:
The most favorable time for traveling in the Serengeti National Park is from May to July and from January to March, when seasonal animal migrations occur, in other national parks - from July to September during the dry season, when animals gather near water bodies. It is best to relax on the beaches of Tanzania from June to October, when the chance of rain is the least. The best time for diving is from October to March.

Nature

The territory of the country can be conditionally divided into 3 natural and climatic zones: mountainous regions, the Central Plateau and coastal plains with islands.

Mountain ranges surround the flat Central Plateau on all sides, forming a "crown" of medium-high mountain ranges interspersed with cones of extinct and dormant volcanoes. The zones of the Great African Rift formed by tectonic movements are framed by the chains of Kipengere, Usagar, Livingston, Pare, Usambara, etc. Numerous volcanic cones (Kilimanjaro, Ngorongoro, Meru, etc.) are strongly eroded, and the craters of most of them are occupied by savannahs and deciduous forests. In some places on the eastern slopes of the mountains, patches of tropical rainforest have been preserved. The highest point of the country is Mount Kilimanjaro (5895 m).

The central plateau, the Masai plateau, the northeastern slopes of the Usambara and Pare mountains form a severe semi-arid zone that serves as the watershed of the Congo, Nile and Zambezi (the average elevation is about 1100 m above sea level). medium high mountain ranges and the flat Central Plateau form a dry zone with semi-desert vegetation, mountain savannahs, dense shrubs and dry forests "miombo", inhabited by a diverse animal world. From the west, the plateau is bounded by a whole series of tectonic basins and faults occupied by lakes. More than 53 thousand sq. km of Tanzanian territory is occupied by inland lakes formed in the grabens of the East African Rift Zone (African Rift). Victoria, Balangida, Rukva, Tanganyika, Nyasa, Natron, Kitangiri, Eyasi, Manyara and others are surrounded by savannah complexes and are actively used by humans.

A coastal lowland stretches along the coast of the ocean, gradually expanding from north to south, forming a vast plain in the south, in the basin of the Rufiji and Mbemkuru rivers. The northern and central parts of the coastal plain are dominated by the park savanna. South part it is strongly cultivated and has practically not preserved endemic vegetation - the vast majority of the territory is occupied by pastures, crops and orchards. The once numerous coastal mangrove forests are also rapidly retreating under the pressure of man.

Currency :

International name: TZS

The Tanzanian shilling is equal to 100 cents. Officially in circulation are banknotes of 500, 1000, 2000, 5000 and 10,000 Tanzanian shillings and coins of 5, 10, 20 and 50 cents, 1, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 and 200 Tanzanian shillings. In fact, coins of less than 50 shillings fell out of circulation.

Currency can be exchanged at banks and exchange offices. The exchange receipt must be kept before leaving the country. It is not forbidden to change money at street changers, but in this case the risk of fraud is extremely high.

Credit cards have limited circulation. Usually they are accepted only by large banks, supermarkets (especially in port areas) and some travel agencies. In the provinces, paying with a credit card is much more difficult. For the service of withdrawing money from credit card some provincial banks charge a commission of 6-8% of the amount.

Travel checks can be cashed at registered dealers, banks or exchange offices. A passport is required for cashing out. Often, checks are very carefully checked for authenticity, which takes a lot of time.

Customs restrictions:

The transit of local currency is prohibited. Foreign transit has no boundaries. You can withdraw the same amount of foreign currency as indicated in the declaration upon entry. Only the declaration of amounts is required.

Without imposing a duty, you can bring into the country: up to 250 grams of perfume or toilet water, cigarettes - up to 200 pcs. or 250 gr. tobacco or 50 cigars, spirits - up to 1 liter.

Prohibited transit: explosives, drugs, poisons and pornographic products, ivory and products from it, gold, diamonds, skins of wild animals, cloves.

The export of jewelry and food is allowed only in the amount of personal needs. Import of products and personal belongings only in the amount of need. Audio, photo and video equipment must be exported according to the declaration that was filled out upon entry.

Representative offices in Russia:

Embassy

Address: Moscow, Embassy Office: Pyatnitskaya st., 33.

phone: 953-82-21, 953-09-40, 953-49-75

fax: 953-07-85

Russian representations:

The Consular Section

Address: Dar es Salaam, Embassy of the Russian Federation in the United Republic of Tanzania, P.O. Box 1905, Plot No. 73, Ali Hassan Mwinyi Road, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

phone: (8-10-255-22) 266-6006, 266-6005

fax: (8-10-255-22) 266-6818

www.tanzania.mid.ru

Import of animals:

Animals can only be imported after they have been examined and have a certificate from a veterinarian about their state of health and vaccinations.

Mains voltage: 127V

Tips:

Tips are best given in local currency. In restaurants, they make up 10% of the total order value. Most hotels automatically include a 10% service charge on your bill. If a service fee is not included in the fare, a tip of 20 shillings will be considered quite sufficient, while in most small establishments it is not provided at all. Tips for rangers, drivers and other service personnel on a safari are usually the equivalent of 3-5 US dollars. If the service is carried out by a group of staff, the tip should be given to the head of the group, otherwise additional claims on the size of the tip and their distribution may arise.

Purchases:

VAT (VAT, ValueAddedTax) on all goods and services is 20% and is included in the price.

Shops are usually open from Monday to Friday from 08.30 to 12.00, and from 14.00 to 18.00, on Saturday - 08.30 to 12.30. Some shops are open on Sunday. During Ramadan, many restaurants and shops are closed during the day, and smoking and drinking restrictions may be in place.

Souvenirs:

The country produces unique Tanzanian green tourmalines, sapphires, garnets, rubies, emeralds and diamonds, as well as the mineral tanzanite, found exclusively in Tanzania in the volcanic deposits of Mount Kilimanjaro. All this splendor of the gifts of the earth's bowels can be purchased in the markets and in private jewelry stores.

Office hours:

Banks are open from Monday to Friday from 08.30 to 12.30-16.00, and from 08.30 to 13.00 on Saturday.

Photo and video shooting:

It is not recommended to take pictures of local residents without their permission and to visit the dwellings of local residents on your own (without a guide or a representative of a travel agency). In some places you need to pay for photography, but you should not do this everywhere and always - many natives try to beg for money in this way.

Safety:

Expensive photo and video equipment, valuables or documents should not be shown. It is not recommended to walk alone at night through the streets. Do not leave things unattended. You should always carry a photocopy of your passport with you, and keep your passport, money and air ticket in safe place(safe in the hotel).

Foreigners are the object of constant and overly intrusive attention. Do not give in to the offers of local residents to help with something. This usually ends in problems.

HOLIDAYS AND WEEKENDS

The Zanzibar archipelago celebrates Muslim religious holidays such as Ramadan. At this time of the year, there are also strictures in relation to tourists who are not allowed to drink alcohol, smoke, etc. on the streets.

Zanzibar also hosts several festivals:

Mid-February - Swahili Music and Cultural Festival in Stone Town.

July - Zanzibar Music Festival, East African Heritage Festival and Mar Mwaka Kogwa (Zoroastrian New Year)

October - Zanzibar Cultural Festival.

VISAS AND CUSTOMS CONTROL

Citizens of Russia need to open a visa, we provide visa support.

customs control

Foreign currency can be imported into Tanzania without any restrictions, export is also not limited. local currency cannot be brought into or taken out of the country.

You can import duty free up to 1 liter of liquor, 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars or 250 grams of tobacco, 250 ml of perfume. If you want to import professional video filming equipment, radios, tape recorders, musical instruments- You will need to pay a fee.

It is forbidden to import small arms, drugs and pornography into Tanzania. A permit is required to import firearms. The export of ivory and products from it, rhinoceros horn, skins of wild animals, gold, diamonds and cloves is prohibited.

TELEPHONE

In Tanzania, the following mobile operators can be advised: Mobitel-TZ, TZ Zantel, VodaCom. Celtel does not have roaming options. The network operates primarily in settlements and along roads. For calls within the country, it is convenient to buy a SIM card from a local operator, the card costs 1000 shillings, they are sold everywhere. In addition, you should buy a card to replenish funds in your account, the tariffs in Tanzania are very favorable.

International calls are best made from call centers.

To call from Russia to Tanzania, you need to dial 8 - 10 - 255 - area code - subscriber number. The code for Dodoma is 61, the code for Dar es Salaam is 51.

To call from Tanzania to Russia, you need to dial 000 - 7 - area code - subscriber number.

EMERGENCY PHONES

Embassy of Tanzania in Russia

Tel.: 953-82-21, 953-09-40

Embassy of the Russian Federation in Dar es Salaam

Tel.: (8-10-255-51) 6-6005, 6-6006

CLOTH

To travel around Africa near the equator, you need to buy very light, light-colored clothes made from natural fabrics and high-quality, effective sun protection products. Wear a hat, drink more fresh water.

TIME

Moscow. From the last Sunday in March to the last Sunday in October, it is 1 hour behind Moscow.

Language of Tanzania

Swahili is the language of Tanzania

The status of the state language of Tanzania belongs to Swahili, but no less common and English language. On Zanzibar, you can meet native speakers of Arabic, and on African coast a large number of local tribes speak their languages ​​and dialects.

Swahili itself belongs to the Bantu family of languages. It has its own script, but it is based on the Latin alphabet. An interesting fact is that Swahili, being native to only 2 million people, has not only the status of an official language, but also has great social and cultural significance. The local term "Waswahili", which means "Swahilis", is not associated with a specific ethnic group.

The vast majority of the population of Tanzania, in addition to their native language, speaks at least Swahili. Some can also communicate in one of the foreign languages. This is due to such a developed industry as tourism, which is due to the almost complete absence of industrial enterprises in the country. In addition to the service sector, the local population is engaged in agriculture and in the mining industry. Tanzania has a good hotel infrastructure, which is why it is one of the most attractive African countries for international tourism. In addition to hotels and beaches, travelers are attracted National parks: Kilimanjaro, Ruaha, Serengeti and others.

Geographical position: Tanzania is an East African country located south of the equator. In the north it borders with Kenya and Uganda, in the south with Mozambique, Malawi and Zambia, in the west with the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Burundi and Rwanda. In the east it is washed by the Indian Ocean. A small plain lies along the coast, but most of the country is occupied by a plateau, the average height of which is about 1290 m above sea level. Small groups of mountains rise in the northeast and southwest. Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest point in Africa (5895 m), is located on the northeastern border of the country. The Great Rift Valley. The three largest lakes of the continent are located on the borders of Tanzania and partly within it: Lake Tanganyika (western border), Lake Victoria (north-western border), Lake Nyasa (Malawi) (south-western border). Tanzania also owns the Zanzibar Islands (the largest coral island off the coast of Africa) and Pemba. Total length land borders is 3402 km. The total area is 945,203 km2.

Capital: Dodoma is the legislative capital of Tanzania, located in central Tanzania. Dar es Salaam is the administrative center. The city is located on the east coast of Africa, on the shores of the Indian Ocean. It is the largest port in Tanzania and one of the largest ports on the east coast of Africa. An important economic center and seat of government.

Language: English and Swahili (official languages ​​used for international communication). However, the mother tongue of most Tanzanians is the language of their ethnic group.

Religion: Slightly more than half of the inhabitants of Tanzania (55 - 60%) are Christians. The largest Christian denominations are Catholics (12.4 million), Lutherans (5.8 million), Pentecostals (2.35 million) and Anglicans (2 million). The share of Muslims is estimated at 30-32%. Muslims are the majority in Zanzibar (97%) and in many coastal areas. Another 12% of the population adheres to local autochthonous beliefs. Among ethnic minorities there are Hindus, Bahais, Buddhists, Sikhs, Jains, etc.

Time: The time difference in Tanzania is -1 hour (relative to Moscow time). The entire territory of the country is in the same time zone. The country does not implement summer/winter time, so the time difference remains the same throughout the year.

Climate: The climate in Tanzania is tropical, hot and humid on the coast, dry on the mainland. The temperature during the year can vary from +20 to +32 C, but on the coast it does not fall below +25 C. The warmest is in February and March, the coldest is in July and August. The rainy periods (October-November - the season of "short rains", March-May - the season of "long rains") in different parts of the country are felt differently. The dry season lasts 5-7 months. The best time to visit the north of the country is July-October and December-March; south - June-October; west - December-March and May-October. On the islands of Zanzibar and Mafia, it is best to relax in July-October and December-March. During the long rainy season, the risk of malaria and gastrointestinal diseases increases dramatically. The hunting season is closed from April 1 to June 30, and in February-March, rains in the south of the country greatly erode the soil.

Currency: Tanzanian shilling (TZS), equal to 100 cents. In circulation are banknotes of 10,000, 5,000, 1,000, 500, and 200 shillings, as well as coins of 100, 50, 20, 10, and 5 cents, as well as 100, 50, 20, 10, 5, and 1 shillings. 1 USD = 1609.33 TZS. Banks are open from 8:30 to 16:00 from Monday to Friday and from 8:30 to 13:00 on Saturday. Currency can be exchanged at banks and exchange offices. The exchange receipt must be kept before leaving the country. It is not forbidden to change money at street changers, but in this case the risk of fraud is extremely high. Credit cards are accepted only in large hotels and very few shops. Traveler's checks can be cashed at registered dealers or at exchange offices (it is better to take checks in USD into the country).

Mains voltage and socket type: 220/240 V, AC frequency - 50 Hz; socket outlets have three British-style sockets (adapters for Russian plugs are required).

Customs: The import and export of national currency is prohibited, and all foreign currency must be declared. Duty-free import of 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars or 250 g of tobacco, a liter of alcoholic beverages, food and household items (within personal needs) is allowed. The export of jewelry made of gold and silver, stamps, coins, food products is allowed - within the "limits of personal needs". Jewelry must be accompanied by receipts from the store. The import of small arms (without special permission), drugs and pornography is prohibited.

It is forbidden to export ivory, rhinoceros horn, skins of wild animals, rare plants, sea shells, gold, diamonds and some spices, such as cloves - without documents confirming the legality of their purchase. For the export of some souvenirs, it is necessary to indicate in the declaration that they are not exported for commercial purposes.

Population and culture: As of 2014, the population of the country is about 50 million people. The population is distributed rather unevenly. About 80% of the country's inhabitants live in rural areas. About 120 different ethnic groups live in the country, the most numerous of which are: Sukuma, Nyamwezi, Jagga, Ngonde, Haya, Hehe, Bena, Gogo and Makonde. Most of the ethnic groups belong to the Bantu group of peoples, some belong to the Nilotic and Khoisan peoples. A small proportion of the population of Tanzania is of Indian, Arabic, European, Chinese and other origin.

The culture of Tanzania is a mixture of cultural characteristics of different African countries, India, Britain, and other European countries, as well as Arab countries. The culture of the peoples of Tanzania has rich traditions. This is wood carving: they are famous for their masks, sculpture, household items. In Zanzibar, they keep the tradition of coconut shell carving and wood sawing. The Tingatinga style of painting was born in Tanzania, named after the author, Eduardo Saidi Tingatinga. Tanzanians are very musical. Music, songs and dances accompany any holiday. The musicians play original African harps, flutes, xylophones and various drums. Melodic songs are accompanied by intricate rhythmic accompaniment. The modern cultural development of Tanzania is greatly influenced by European theater, music and literature. Many amateur circles have been created in the country, which put on plays by foreign or local authors. Jazz and Western songs are widespread. A new rise is experienced by the traditional African art of sculpture and painting.

Kitchen: Cuisine in Tanzania is not distinguished by its sophistication. Typically, restaurants serve British dishes (soups, steaks, fried chicken, boiled vegetables, puddings and instant coffee). Asian restaurants tend to have better food, but there aren't many of them. A large number of small African restaurants where you can try local cuisine without risking your health. The main dishes in these restaurants are banana-based (unsweetened and taste like potatoes) and meat (goat meat): nyama na ndizi (stewed meat and bananas) and grilled bananas with meat. Most dishes are made from various types of meat of wild animals and birds. Beef and pork are traditionally expensive in these places. Tourists are usually offered all sorts of exotic things: antelope fillet, elephant stew, crocodile meat with banana salad, fried side of warthog, simmered meat "nyama-choma" or "mishikaki" (fried beef), "nyama-kuku" (chicken ), etc. The garnish is usually corn, legumes, various roots and rice, as well as fried potatoes and salted cabbage. Seafood is widely used on the coast. Lemon fried prawns, excellent local lobsters, octopus stew, charcoal grilled sea fish with spices, charcoal grilled fish in banana leaves, various shells, including local oysters, and seaweed salad are worth appreciating here.

Local beer is very cheap and tasty. The most popular brands are "Safari", "Kibo-Gold", "Kilimanjaro" and "Tasker" (usually Kenyan). Along with local beer, imported from Kenya or South Africa but it is more expensive. As for wine, the best is imported from Europe or South Africa. From strong drinks: papaya vodka "Cognac", liqueurs "Afrikoko" and "Amarula", wines "Dodoma". It is customary to finish the meal with a cup of tea with milk and sugar, coffee or juices with ice. Due to the secular nature of the state, in Tanzania, even despite the strong Islamic traditions, imported alcoholic beverages can be purchased at any hotel or store.

Tips: Tipping is customary in Tanzania. Usually in a restaurant it is 5-10% of the bill, for carrying luggage - about $ 1. Tips for a safari driver are usually $5-10 per person per day.

Souvenirs: You can buy local clothes - hoodies and shirts. An interesting gift will be fabrics and blankets of the Maasai tribe. These are bright canvases of fabric with local color. Art lovers can purchase paintings - Tingatinga folk paintings depict the life of the Maasai or savannah animals. A good souvenir is Makonde ebony products. These are usually small wooden sculptures, masks, figurines of animals and people. Jewelry made of gold, tanzanite stone - a local variety of sapphire can be a precious souvenir of good quality. Tea, coffee, Masai national music on CD are other options for popular gifts from Tanzania.

Air travel: There are no direct flights to Tanzania from Russia. Major airlines fly to all three international airports countries: Dar es Salaam, Kilimanjaro and Zanzibar (with transfer). Most convenient option– flight with KLM airline to Arusha or Dar es Salaam with transit through Amsterdam. The cheapest options are flights to the same Dara with Emirates, Swiss or Qatar. airport tax upon departure from the country - 20 USD per person, it is not charged for children under two years old and transit passengers. Airlines serving Tanzania: british airways, KLM, Swiss International Airlines, Egypt Air, Air India, Ethiopian Airlines, Gulf Air, Kenya Airways, Royal Swazi, Emirates Airlines and Air Tanzania.

TOURS TO TANZANIA: Tanzania can be reached from St. Petersburg and Moscow with at least two landings. Tours to Tanzania often combine a safari in any of the parks on the mainland + relaxing on the beach on. Zanzibar (dibo of other islands). You can also combine visits to Kenya and Tanzania in one tour.

CAPITAL: Tanzania has two capitals: the historical capital of Dar es Salaam serves as the administrative center, and Dodoma, where the government moved the main organs in the 1970s, serves as the legislative center.

OFFICIAL LANGUAGE: Swahili, English. Arabic is widely spoken in Zanzibar, and there are many local Bantu languages ​​in the mainland.

CURRENCY: Tanzanian shilling (TZS) = 100 cents. Officially in circulation are banknotes of 500, 1000, 2000, 5000 and 10,000 Tanzanian shillings and coins of 5, 10, 20 and 50 cents, 1, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 and 200 Tanzanian shillings. In fact, coins of less than 50 shillings fell out of circulation.

TIME: Moscow

There is no daylight saving time in Tanzania.

VISA TO TANZANIA

Russian citizens need a visa to enter Tanzania. If you want to visit one of Tanzania's neighboring states, you need to have a double or multiple entry visa. Visas are obligatory for everyone, visa-free transit is not allowed.

List of documents for a visa to Tanzania:

• Passport valid for at least 4 months from the date of entry into Tanzania and at least 1 month after returning from Tanzania;
• Two color photographs (3.5x4.5) on a blue background;
• Completed questionnaire;
• Tanzania tourist visa application form.

The term for issuing a visa is 5-7 working days.

The cost of the visa is $100.

CUSTOMS REGULATIONS

• The import of foreign currency is not limited (the declaration is obligatory), the national one is prohibited. The export of previously imported foreign currency is allowed (according to the declaration), the national one is prohibited.
• Duty-free import of cigarettes is allowed - up to 200 pcs. or 250 gr. tobacco or 50 cigars, alcoholic beverages - up to 1 liter, up to 250 grams of perfume or toilet water. Food, household items and other personal items are imported within the limits of personal needs. Audio, photo and video equipment are included in the declaration and must be taken out of the country according to the record. The import of small arms is allowed only upon prior agreement with the local authorities of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (permission must be obtained in advance).
• All plants and animals are imported only on the basis of a phytosanitary certificate or an animal health certificate (vaccination against rabies is required). All animals are screened upon arrival and sent to quarantine.
• The import and export of drugs, explosives, poisons and pornographic products is prohibited. It is forbidden to export ivory and products from it, rhinoceros horn, skins of wild animals, gold, diamonds, cloves (without documents confirming the legality of their acquisition). It is allowed to export jewelry made of gold and silver, stamps, coins, food products within the limits of personal needs (certificates-checks from the store must be attached to the jewelry).

TRANSPORT

Traffic in Tanzania is left-hand (right-hand drive).

In Tanzania, dangerous traffic: the road is very worn out, the driving style of the locals and a lot of animals running out onto the road. An unprepared white person in Tanzania should not drive himself. It is better to resort to the services of a professional chauffeur, which will be especially important if you have a trip to the countryside or savannah.

Urban transport is available in large cities, it is represented by ordinary old city buses and minibuses. In other settlements, urban transport is pickup trucks moving randomly around the city and suburbs, fixed-route taxis and rickshaws. There is no fixed schedule of departures and arrivals of transport. The most convenient for tourists is buses, and some companies, for example, Scandinavian, are more than comfortable: passing by in an air-conditioned cabin stuffed with amenities local population traveling on donkeys or in crowded minibuses, the tourist feels like a really white person. But far from big cities, there is a simpler transport - "Dala-Dala", in other words, buses on the chassis of a truck. Dala-Dala links all the cities in the country, they are very cheap, often lacking minimal comfort (and don't dream of air conditioning), often very slow, but at the same time this is often the only way to travel around Tanzania, especially in remote areas.

There is a ferry service between Dar es Salaam and the islands of Pemba and Zanzibar, as well as on lakes Victoria, Nyassa and Tanganyika. True, the ferry can turn out to be both a high-speed animal car with all the amenities, and a rusty trough - you can guess this in advance only at the price of a ticket. As a rule, night ferries are much worse than day ones.

CLIMATE: subequatorial. In the north there are two rainy seasons (March - May and September - November), in the south - one (November - April). On the islands, the climate is humid, the average daily temperature is + 28-30 ° C, sea breezes make the weather very pleasant. The water temperature in the Indian Ocean is + 24-26°С. In the central part (1200-1700 m above sea level) average temperature- + 22-25°С, nights can be cool.

CITIES AND RESORTS

Large cities - Dodoma, Dar es Salaam, Mwanza.

The main resorts are the islands of Zanzibar, Pemba and Mafia.

Zanzibar Island is a whole archipelago in the Indian Ocean with the main island of the same name, located northeast of Dar es Salaam, 35 km from the coast. The main advantages of this place are the rich and diverse cultural heritage, the carefully preserved coastline, the cleanest coastal waters and the many species of marine animals. On Zanzibar, white, clean sandy beaches lined with picturesque fishing villages. Not far from the capital are the beaches of Fuji and Chuini with a rich selection of water sports, and to the north there is a very quiet and secluded beach of Mangapwani.

Mafia Island - consists of one large and several smaller islands. In the eighth century, it played a key role in East African trade and served as a haven for Arab traders. The name of the island "Mafia" comes from the Arabic "morfiyeh" which means "group" or "archipelago". Some of the small islands are uninhabited. And on some, ancient ruins have been preserved, which will be interesting to explore and get acquainted with the various animals inhabiting them - from monkeys and wild pigs to fruit bats. This place is worth visiting. Just 30 minutes by plane south of Zanzibar and you are in paradise. First of all, Mafia Island is known for its variety of dive sites. The island has a sufficient number of places for advanced divers, but beginners will not be bored either - cozy bays and bays protected from ocean power are perfect for beginner divers. Undersea world impresses with its wealth. Pristine coral reefs, diverse marine life and fauna are the best in the entire region. Mafia Island is also one of the Tanzanian spice islands. Spicy, intoxicating smells are impregnated here with every cube of air.

MAIN ATTRACTIONS OF TANZANIA

ZANZIBAR

The English fort on the island of Zanzibar has existed since the time when Tanzania was a colony of Great Britain, that is, from the end of the 18th - beginning of the 19th century. The majestic fort is located next to the Sultan's Palace, in the center of Stone Town. In the 19th century, the dungeons of the fort were used as prison casemates and places for torture, a century later a railway station was built here, and now the fort is a large Cultural Center, where festivals, music and dance performances, and African drum shows are regularly held.

Slave trade area in Stone Town- A large slave market appeared in Zanzibar at the beginning of the 19th century. From 1830 to 1873, more than 600 thousand people were sold on the slave trade area in Stone Town, on average, from 10 to 30 thousand people were sold annually in Zanzibar. In 1873, the slave trade was banned, and a year later the construction of the Anglican Cathedral began on the square. He stands there now. Tourists are shown not only the square itself, but also the premises in which the slaves were kept before being sold, as well as the basements where the slave trade continued after the official ban until the 1890s.

Stone Town is the oldest part of Zanzibar City. This area was inhabited as early as the 16th century, and in the 1830s the first stone buildings. From 1840 to 1856, the capital of the Omani Empire was located here. For many years, Stone Town was the largest center of the slave trade, spices were exported through the port of the city. Also, this area was the starting point for numerous European explorers. The buildings stone city includes elements of Arabic, Persian, Indian, European and African styles with notable carved wooden doors and verandas.

Anglican Cathedral Cathedral of Christ Cathedral, located in the city of Stone Town on the island of Zanzibar, was built in 1887 on the site of a former market where slaves were sold. The architecture of the building combines the features of Gothic and Arabic style, so the church is very similar to a mosque. Adjacent to the main building of the Anglican Cathedral high tower with clock. Inside you can see a wooden crucifix, under which lies the heart of David Livingston, the famous explorer of Africa. In front of the gray stone temple, you can see the Monument to the Tortured Slaves.

OTHER ATTRACTIONS

Serengeti National Park, located in the Great African Rift, covers an area of ​​​​about 30 thousand km², covering Tanzania and Kenya. In the first half of the 20th century, this place was famous among lovers of hunting lions, which led to a noticeable reduction in the population of these beautiful animals. It was not until 1951 that these territories were officially declared a national park. Here are ideal conditions for wildlife. In this place, herbivores and predators coexist harmoniously, living according to all the laws of nature. The Serengeti is still famous for its lions, because the largest pride of lions on Earth was discovered here. In addition to lions, many other wild cats live here, as well as several different types of antelopes, about 500 species of birds, reptiles, elephants, hyenas and many others. Tourists are very fond of going to the Serengeti on a safari - especially during the annual migration of artiodactyls, caused by the onset of a dry period in October and November, when animals overcome many kilometers, moving from north to south.

lake manyara park- National Park of Tanzania, located in the north of the country in the Arusha region on Lake Manyara. The total area of ​​the park is 330 sq. km. During high water, Lake Manyara occupies 200 sq. km, in its normal state - about a third of the park. The park is a narrow strip between the alkaline Lake Manyara in the east and the Gregory Rift in the west. The park contains the main slopes and peaks of the rift, as well as part of the plateau. The mountain landscape is dissected by river valleys, some of the rivers are full-flowing all year round and form the basis of the region's drainage system. The park is home to African elephants, buffaloes, black rhinos, hippos, impalas, giraffes and zebras. In addition to animals, there are more than 400 species of birds in the park. On the lake you can meet pink flamingos and other large water birds such as white pelicans, cormorants, storks and ibises. The park is home to at least 44 species of birds of prey, including palm vultures and hawk eagles.

Ngorongoro is a huge crater in Tanzania that arose as a caldera as a result of the collapse of a large volcano, approximately 2.5 million years ago. Its bottom is located at an altitude of almost two kilometers above sea level, and the edges are slightly higher - at an altitude of 3000 m. The diameter of the famous krator is approximately 19 km, and the total area is 26,400 hectares. The microclimate of Ngorongoro varies greatly depending on the location, this is due to the sharp difference in altitude and the dynamics of its air masses. The uplands are usually foggy and wet, with most rainfall in April and November. Shrub vegetation covers the edges of the crater, which is a savannah with fairly tall vegetation and evergreen montane forests. Shorter grass grows at the bottom of the crater, as well as acacia forests and sources of drinking water. Approximately 25 thousand animals live in the crater, the highest density of predators in all of Africa is observed here. Quite often in Ngorongoro you can meet zebras, buffaloes and various types of antelopes such as gazelles, wildebeests, elands.

Kilimanjaro - Many tourists visit Tanzania to climb Kilimanjaro. Unlike impregnable Everest, climbing Kilimanjaro does not require any special climbing skills. The slopes are not steep, and some routes allow you to walk to eternal ice without equipment. Climbing Kilimanjaro is unforgettable, thanks to the variety of landscapes and rich flora. Here a person goes through several climatic zones: savannah, rainforests, alpine meadows. Well, on high altitudes above sea level there are eternal snows and glaciers.

Lake Natron is located in northern Tanzania and is unique place. The body of water is a habitat for flamingos and a place archaeological sites, where the remains of Homo Sapiens were found, which are more than 30 thousand years old. The territory of the lake was chosen by flamingos - every summer more than 2 million birds gather here. It is worth noting that Natron is the only place in the world where the lesser flamingo breeds. Another feature of the lake is the crust of salt that covers its surface. As a result of the vital activity of microorganisms living in the lake, the salt crust can turn red and pink, which is an amazing sight. The alkalinity of the lake fluctuates between 9–10.5 pH, and the water temperature reaches +60 °C, therefore, animals (mainly birds), falling into the lake, immediately die, and their remains are covered with minerals and harden, turning into stone sculptures .

Boribi Reef is a favorite spot for professional divers who dive to 20 meters to see not only an abundance of tropical fish, but also to explore shipwrecks. On seabed there are several sunken merchant ships of the last century. Although, it would be unfair not to tell about the marine life, from the sight of which beginner divers come to an indescribable delight.

There are many nature reserves and national parks in Tanzania, some of them are Serengeti, Kilimanjaro, Ruaha, Tarangire, Selous, Ngorongoro, Arusha and others.

NATIONAL CUISINE

Tanzanian food is not particularly sophisticated, but it is hearty and tasty. Given abundance local fauna, it is not surprising that the basis of the national cuisine is dishes from meat of animals and birds, as well as seafood. Quite often, goat meat is used - cheap and cheerful. Beef and pork are significantly more expensive. Signature meat dishes: roast ostrich with tropical fruit sauce and buffalo steak.

All meat dishes begin with the name "nyama", for example, fried beef is nyama-nkombe, fried chicken is nyama-kuku, and meat with stewed bananas is nyama-na-ndizi.

From the unusual - you can try very original dishes from the meat of wild animals. Such exotic delicacies as elephant meat or antelope fillets are especially popular. For the bravest, there are fried termites and locusts.

There are many good fish restaurants along the coast, where you can order octopus stew, fried shrimp with lemon and grilled fish in banana leaves. Ugali porridge and rice are served as a side dish.

Crocodile meat is served with stewed banana salad. In general, bananas are mercilessly used in a good half of Tanzanian cuisine: they are stewed, baked, simmered in the oven and cooked with meat and peanuts. Bananas, by the way, are quite unsweetened here and somewhat resemble potatoes in taste.

Dinner comes with na-an flatbreads, and in Zanzibar, Indian chapatis. In Zanzibar, fresh clove shoots are sometimes served before meals to freshen the mouth and prepare for a hearty meal.

One of the most popular local drinks is brandy, which is made from papaya and tastes a bit like gin. However, you should not drink it on the street or in public places: this will cause active disapproval of the locals.

Tanzanian beer (Serengeti, Safari, etc.) is cheap and very tasty. You can also try the Krest tonic, which is produced by the local Coca-Cola. And it is customary to finish a good lunch with coffee or tea - a special pride of the Tanzanians.

Sweets are also good here - donuts, popsicles, coffee and almond halua dessert and banana cream cakes.

You can try local cuisine in small restaurants in shopping centers, street cafes (choose carefully) and restaurants at hotels. In Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar there is a large selection of good fish establishments overlooking the ocean.

EMBASSY OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION IN TANZANIA

Address: P.O. Box 1905, Plot No. 73, Ali Hassan Mwinyi Road, Dar es Salaam,Tanzania

Tel.: (255-22) 266-6005, 266-6006

Fax machine: (255-22) 266-6818

In East Africa, on the coast of the Indian Ocean, the republic is located, which in 1964 was formed as a result of the merger of two former colonies- Tanganyika and. The name emphasizes the unification of the two countries into one.

Now the popularity of this country among tourists is associated, first of all, with the many who acquaint all visitors with real African nature and a huge variety of wildlife. In these reserves, located on the vast virgin territories, habitual and rare species live, the number of representatives of which is so large that sometimes it is measured in the thousands. And they all live their usual lives, in freedom.

In these places, a safari was born, which is very interesting for any person, and therefore is in great demand among tourists. After all, with the help of immersion in the natural conditions for the wild animals of Africa, you can not only examine them, but also get to know the centuries-old soul of the mainland.

The local weather, as it is different from what we are used to, because Tanzania is located in the southern hemisphere. In the summer months for a European, it is cooler here. And yet the country is ready to receive guests in all seasons, as there are conditions for this.

Capital of Tanzania

Just as Tanzania has a dual name formed from two states, it can be proud of two capitals:

• Dodoma;
• Dar es Salaam.

Dodoma is the official capital of Tanzania, this appointment happened in 1973, when all the main government bodies moved to this city. Dar es Salaam is the historical capital, which is now considered the center for preserving the culture and economy of the country.

Educated Dodoma late 19th century in the center modern republic. Then it was a settlement of German colonists, and was located on trade route connecting Lake Tanganyika and the ocean coast.

Peculiarity geographical location of this city is that it is located on a plateau, the height of which can reach almost 1300 m. In this regard, Dodoma has a monsoon climate characteristic of the equatorial zones. Average annual temperature here it can fluctuate within 10 degrees Celsius, while it is warmest at the beginning of the year, when the mercury column averages +26 degrees Celsius.

There are different weather periods and rainfall:

• droughts - June-October;
• rains - November-May.

The most unfavorable in these places are called the spring months, since then abundant humidity is combined with high temperatures.

The surroundings of the city are located in low-grass savannahs, so the vegetation here is dominated by:

• acacias;
• camphor laurels;
• coniferous trees;
• thorny shrubs.

Here you can also see wild animals and birds common in Africa (antelopes, elephants, giraffes, lions, hippos, cheetahs, ostriches).

This legislative capital of the country of Tanzania united mainly the African population (99%). Among the inhabitants there are representatives of various nationalities:

• Maasai;
• nyamwezi;
• chaga;
• gogo.

The remaining 1% is accounted for by residents of foreign origin (from Europe and Arab countries).

They speak in Dodoma officially in two languages:

• English;
• Swahili.

Most of the believers in the city are Christians (mostly Catholics), there are also Muslims. The traditional faith remained only in a few local families.

For modern tourists, the capital of Dodoma is practically uninteresting, since the local architecture is not outstanding, there are very few sights. Among interesting places only a few can be mentioned:

• buildings of state residences;
• Train Station;
• a sacred Sikh temple, where each guest can treat himself to consecrated sweets;
• Geological Museum;
• huge local market.

Such cultural poverty discourages tourists who may come here only to go to Dar es Salaam or the national parks.

And here Dar es Salaam is a very large port city, the largest in Tanzania and along the entire East African coast. It contains prints of different eras, so different cultures influenced its appearance. In this regard, there is even a division of the city into parts:

• African;
• Asian;
• European.

There are a lot of industrial enterprises here, and various educational institutions that are popular in the country are also located in Dar es Salaam, so there are a lot of student youth in the city.

Interesting places of the former capital of Tanzania:

• National museum with unique exhibits ancient history states;
• Botanical Garden with representatives of the flora of equatorial and tropical climates;
• "Little theater" - drama theater and many others.

Tourists come to Dar es Salaam with pleasure, as here best conditions for an interesting, educational vacation, because this city is conducive to relaxation, knowledge of local culture and ancient history.