With such a perfect Location, perched on the edge of the African continent, and facing the Indian Ocean, Tanzania’s weather and climate leaves nothing to be desired. Warm and sunny days are followed by cool and balmy nights, and whether you’re on 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 when the best times to visit are, and 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 Tanzanian culture.
Recent Posts
- Dar es Salaam: Discovering Tanzania’s Haven of Peace
- Zanzibar: The Moon and the Music
- Sauti za Busara 2009
- Food in Tanzania
- Tanzanian Safari Lodges
- Music Crossroads – Youth Empowerment Program
- “Climbing Kilimanjaro, Kmart Style” by Doug Lansky
- Bi Kidude – As Old as My Tongue
- Exploring Zanzibar; a Tropical Island Adventure – By Annabel Skinner
- African monkey trail – by Kate Humble
Wildlife Safaris
Can any one mental snapshot encapsulate the Tanzanian experience? Thousands upon thousands of wildebeest that march in mindless unison on the annual migration through the Serengeti, perhaps? Or a family of elephants wading across the wide, muddy Rufiji/Tarangire River? What about a pride of well-fed lions sunbathing on the grassy floor of the majestic Ngorongoro Crater? Certainly, it is such images that tend to spring to mind when one thinks of Tanzania. And properly so!
Culture and Language
Over 100 languages are spoken in Tanzania, most of them from the Bantu family. After independence, the government recognized that this represented a problem for national unity, and as a result introduced the Swahili language (Kiswahili) as the only official language. The government introduced it in all primary schools to spread its use.
Music
The most internationally famous form of music from Zanzibar is taarab, which was invented by the Swahili Muslim minority. Taarab is played by a string instrument using Egyptian, Indian, salsa and soukous musical influences.
Other forms of music include ngoma and muziki wa dansi. Hip hop music (also known as Bongo Flava) is also popular, especially rappers like Dola Soul and Mr. II.