Popularity of Tanzania

Interestingly, there are so many things that are popular in Tanzania but, we fail to realize it until we come to the country for a different purpose like doing a beach safari or climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro.

Going a little back in history, Tanzania was actually created as a clipped state by combining the two states Tanganyika and Zanzibar, the first three letters of each state (‘Tan’ and ‘Zan’) by adding the suffix ‘ia’ to form Tanzania. In December 1962, Tanganyika became a democratic republic under an executive president after the British rule came to an end in 1961. The Zanzibar Revolution overthrew the Arab dynasty in Zanzibar which became independent in 1963. The Zanzibar archipelago merged with mainland Tanganyika in 1964 and a new country was formed and named as the United Republic of Tanganyika and Zanzibar and later in the same year was renamed as United Republic of Tanzania.

Did You Know?

Tanzania is a small country made up of at least 120 different tribes, each of them are culturally distinguished by their unique masks, batiks, poetry, etc.
Tanzania is surrounded by the three great lakes of the African continent, Lake Victoria, Lake Tanganyika, and Lake Malawi.
More than 120 languages are spoken in Tanzania, most of which are from the Bantu family.
Dar es Salaam, a city in eastern part of Tanzania and the former capital, is the largest city in the country.
Ugali, a simple porridge made with millet or sorghum flour, is the de-facto national dish of Tanzania.
Tanzania produces world’s costliest timber from the Mpingo trees that have exceptional mechanical properties.
The frontman vocalist and songwriter of the rock band Queen, Freddie Mercury was born in Zanzibar, Tanzania.
Zanzibar despite being in Tanzania, has its own national flag which has the same colors but with a different style than that of Tanzania.
The world’s longest river Nile originates from Lake Victoria in Tanzania which also happens to be the largest tropical lake and the second largest freshwater lake in the world.
Tanzania is home to world’s largest caldera or volcanic depression, the Ngorongoro Crater.
Tanzania has 7 properties inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage Site List.
Kilimanjaro, the highest peak in Africa and world’s tallest free-standing mountain, has five different types of climatic zones.
According to the Guinness World Records, the highest delivery point of the humble pizza is in Mt. Kilimanjaro.
World’s shortest war that lasted only for 38 to 45 minutes was fought in Zanzibar between the British forces and Khalid bin Barghash, where the British forces succeeded.

Things You Should Not Miss

Here’s a list of things that make Tanzania so much popular amongst travelers around the world:

Wildlife & Safaris: Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Crater, Tarangire National Park, Selous Game Reserve, Katavi National Park, Manhale Mountains National Park, Ruaha National Park, Mikumi National Park, and Arusha National Park.
Great Wildebeest Migration: The largest overland migration in the world through Tanzania and Kenya annually with huge herds of up to 2 million wildebeest, zebra, and gazelle move through the Serengeti and Masai Mara ecosystem in search of best pastures.
Beach and Island Vacations: Zanzibar Island, Lake Tanganyika, Pemba, Pangani, Southeastern coast, Fanjove Private Island, Mafia, Sange Beach, Lake Nyasa, and Masoko Pwani.
Food: Cuisine of the Indian, Arab, British and German influence is a widespread phenomenon throughout the country.
Trekking and Hiking: Kilimanjaro, Mt. Meru, Manhale Mountains, Mt. Hanang, Usambara Mountains, Crater Highlands, Kitulo National Park, Udzungwa Mountains National Park, and Southern Highlands.
Culture: Tanzania boasts a very affluent culture and heritage with the Masai people known to have some of the best tribal people in the world.
Ruins and Rock Art: Kilwa Kisiwani & Songo Mnara, Kondoa Rock Art Sites, Bagamoyo, Mafia, and Pangani & Tongoni. The Olduvai Gorge is known to be the place of the origin of the earliest human skull in the world dating back 2 million years.
Tanzanite: The blue and violet colored gemstone, also an important mineral resource that is very useful for it balancing and healing energy, was discovered in Tanzania.
Diving & Snorkelling: Zanzibar Island, Pemba, Lake Tanganyika, Fanjove Private Island, Mnazi Bay-Ruvuma Estuary Marine Park, Maziwe Marine Reserve, Mafia Island Marine Park, and Mnemba.
Creature Consolations: Ngorongoro Crater, Selous Game Reserve, Lake Tanganyika, Zanzibar Archipelago, Northern Safari Circuit, Ruaha National Park, and Mafia.
The Coconut Crab: The world’s largest crab known as the coconut crab is a special creature is found in Tanzania. These crustaceans are known to be one of the world’s tastiest crabs ever.
Kangas: A must-have piece of cloth in the wardrobe of every Tanzanian household. This colorful piece of rectangular clothing is believed to reveal statuses or moods and can be used as souvenirs.
Birdwatching Activities: Lake Natron, Amani Nature Reserve, Rubondo Island National Park, Mkomazi National Park, Northern Safari Circuit, and Udzungwa Mountains.
Off-the-beaten paths: Lake Eyasi, Saadani National Park, Southeastern Tanzania, Lake Tanganyika, Southern Highlands, Pangani, Lake Victoria, Western Tanzania, and Lake Nyasa.
Local Drinks: Tanzania is popular for having its own local hooch, Pombe being a very popular one. This drink is a juice that comes in various types – fermented sugar, banana beer, and honey beer. Gongo is another local gin that has been favorite to travelers.