Karibu To Tanzania

Why Tanzania?

Tanzania is a land of dreams, of mystery, of red earth, ancient civilizations and wide, sweeping plains. It is the land of Kilimanjaro, the Serengeti, and Zanzibar. Home to Africa’s most evocative destinations, Tanzania will take hold of your imagination and stay in your heart long after you leave.

Throughout history, Tanzania has been a place of importance. It is where the ancestors of humanity took their first steps, in Olduvai George, one of the world’s most important historical sites. It is where ancient Swahili civilizations welcomed traders from across the Indian Ocean, opening its doors to the mix of influences that make its culture so unique today. It is where the outside world first fell in love with Africa.

Today, Tanzania is one of Africa’s most peaceful countries. It has an active democracy, a prosperous economy, and well-developed infrastructure. It also has an unparalleled wealth of natural and cultural heritage. It is this wealth that has allowed the country to develop a leading tourism industry, making Tanzania internationally known as the place to have the adventure of a lifetime.

Over 25% of the nation’s landmass is dedicated to wildlife parks and conservation areas. This dedication to nature preservation is what has made Tanzania known as the place to see African wildlife. Serengeti National Park is one of the most well-known wildlife Crater is known as the 8th wonder of the natural world for its stunning beauty and fertility. The Great Migration, an annual migration of wildebeest and zebra across the plains of northern Tanzania, is the single greatest movement of land animals on the planet.

Outside of the main parks, the names are less well-known but no less deserving of notoriety. The tree-climbing lions of Lake Manyara, the isolated Rudondo Island, and the sprawling Selous Game Reserve are just a few offerings among the other wildlife areas of Tanzania that offer first class wildlife viewing just off the well-beaten track.

Tanzania’s people are among the reasons why the country has become such an appealing destination friendly, open and welcoming, the people of Tanzanians are a diverse group, from traditional subsistence farmers to cosmopolitan city-dwellers. The country has developed a leading cultural tourism industry based around its traditional cultures. Visit a Maasai village in the northern highlands, a women’s cooperative in Zanzibar, o the small, isolated groups like the Iraqw or Wadorobo. Mountain village hikes, Maasai cultural trips, and working alongside local women making traditional foods are highlights for any visitor to Tanzania. Adventure travel is an up and coming industry in Tanzania, with a variety of active tours and trips available for intrepid explorers. Climb Kilimanjaro and touch the roof of Africa, trek up an active volcano in Ol Donyo Lengai and scuba dive with whale sharks off the Coast of Mafia Island.

Many travelers decide to end their holiday relaxing on the sun-drenched shores of the Swahili coast. The fabled islands of Zanzibar have some of the best snorkeling and scuba diving in the Indian Ocean, and white-sand beaches with luxury resorts for well-earned beach relaxation.

With the greatest wildlife, natural and cultural attractions in the world, Tanzania is truly a destination of dreams. Karibuni wote (welcome all) to Tanzania, the heart of Africa.

A Guide To Responsible Travel And Tourism In Tanzania

Tanzania is blessed with a wealth of environmental, wildlife and cultural resources. We encourage all visitors to read the following tips to make sure your trip is environmentally and culturally responsible and sustainable.

• Do your research. Always travel with reputable operators and qualified safari guides.
• Insist that your tour operator uses only trained and certified professional guides.
• Try to ensure the hotels, lodges and safari camps that you stay at hire locally, support local projects and have a responsible environmental policy.

• Keep to designated roads and tracks. Off road driving can cause extensive damage to the natural habitat.
• Keep to the speed limit. Animals always have the right of way.
• Never feed any animal. This can upset their diet and lead to an unnatural interest in and dependence on people.
• Wild animals will become distressed when vehicles get too close or make too much noise. Never try to attract an animal’s attention, and keep a safe and respectful distance.
• Stay inside your vehicle at all times.
• Do not remove any animal products, rocks, or bird’s nests form the natural environment.
• Take your garbage out of the park with you. It can be very dangerous to wild animals.
• Take special care with cigarettes and matches. As they can cause bush fires, especially in the dry season.

• Never dispose of litter in the beach or on the sea.
• Never remove shells or animals from the sea.
• Do not buy souvenirs of starfish, shells or any turtle, shark or whale products.
• Crabs and lobsters are often overharvested. Avoid restaurants that serve undersized crabs or lobsters.
• Support traditional coastal livelihoods like local fisherman and dhow builders.
• Do not bathe topless on the beach.

• Support projects and properties that employ local people and respect traditional handcrafts and livelihoods.
• Don’t buy souvenirs made from wild animal products like skin, ivory or bone. You might be supporting poaching.
• When purchasing wood products, make sure the wood used a common wood and not a threatened type of tree (such as ebony) or old-growth rainforest.
• Cultural sensitivity is a matter of respect: take behavioral cues from the locals.
• Try to be conservative with resources such as water, food, and energy – you may be depriving local people or having a negative effect on their environment.
• Do not give money or gifts to children as this encourages begging and discourages them from attending school.
• Ask politely before taking picture of people or their homes.
• Try to learn a few words of Swahili.

Tanzania’s abundance of natural and cultural resources will only remain available for tourists if we take steps now to preserve and protect them. Visitors have the power to guide responsible tourism – help play a part in ensuring Tanzania stays a dream destination for generations to come!

Responsible Tourism Tanzania

Responsible Tourism Tanzania is a new non-governmental organization established in 2011. Its goal? To create a more sustainable tourism industry in Tanzania. To that end, responsible tourism Tanzania will provide services to the tourism industry, including providing international standards and guidelines for tourism activities and engaging government and stakeholders. Through training and support, responsible tourism Tanzania’s membership will collectively raise the bar on accountable, sustainable tourism in this country.

Eco Tourism In Tanzania

Eco-tourism is a growing industry all over the world, and Tanzania’s tour operators and provides have been quick to adapt to this new way of doing tourism. Travelers are more and more often seeking an authentic experience, closer to nature, that doesn’t affect the environment or the people of the area in a negative way. Responsible, sustainable tourism is about focusing on connection with people and the environment and minimizing the impact of the visitor on the destination.

Ecotourism often involves contributing time or money towards a community or environmental project, to leave a positive impact and have a more rewarding and inspiring travel experience. Ecotourism can be arranged for any budget and any traveler.

Ecotourism is an opportunity for a tour operator to create an experience that is truly authentic and positive. As ecotourism in Tanzania grows, more options will become available for tours and responsible projects. Explore the different options of environmental, social and economically sustainable eco-tours available through our tour operators.

Cultural Tourism

Cultural tourism is tourism that gives special consideration to whether or not a certain tourism activity includes the people of the region, gives respect to their cultural traditions, and provides economic benefit to the people of the region. Cultural tourism in Tanzania capitalizes on our wealth of cultures and friendly, welcoming people.

Community-based tourism involves local people directly in designing and providing tours based around the daily lives of small communities of people. Tourists are able to experience the local people’s way of life and gain insight into the values, beliefs and traditions of the area in which they are travelling. Local peoples are able to share their way of life and gain economic benefits when tourists visit their communities and purchase their goods.

Cultural excursions available in Tanzania can include a Maasai village visit near Arusha, viewing a traditional dance or ceremony, learning about and purchasing traditional handicrafts, or home stays with a local family.