5 reasons why you should visit Tanzania in 2011
If you’re currently in the process of deciding where you want to holiday this year, one place you should be certain to bear in mind is Tanzania. There’s so much to see and do in Tanzania, making it the ideal place for your summer-holiday 2011. Below are just 5 of the things that make Tanzania such a special place:
1. The Serengeti
Divided into four corridors (north, south, east and west) due to its sheer size, the Serengeti National Park covers a massive 5,700 square miles and plays host to an array of wildlife. Probably the best-known wildlife sanctuary in the world, there’s no finer place to see the variety of stunning animals that roam free throughout the National Park. Home to the ‘big 5’ (lion, elephant, buffalo, cheetah and rhino) as well as a whole host of other species, the name ‘Serengeti’ is derived from the Masai language Maa and means ‘Endless Plains’. Undoubtedly one of Tanzania’s greatest attractions, the Serengeti is a must for anyone wanting to go on safari.
2. The Masai People
The semi-nomadic Masai people are renowned for many things. Whether it’s their colourful blanket wraps, their stretched earlobe piercings, their shaved heads or their beaded jewellery, you’ll certainly know who they are when you see them! There are thought to be around 430,000 Masai people living in northern Tanzania and a similar amount living in Kenya. An interesting fact about the Masai men is that their wealth is judged on the number of cattle and the number of children they have. Generally, a herd of 50 cattle is deemed to be respectable and the more children they have the better. Interestingly, a man who has plenty of one but not the other is considered to be poor.
3. Mount Kilimanjaro
The highest mountain in Africa at 5,895 metres, Mount Kilimanjaro sits on the Northern border of Tanzania, overlooking Kenya, and just over 200 miles south of the equator. Despite extensive studies, nobody is quite sure what the name Kilimanjaro actually means. The percentage of people that successfully reach the summit varies depending on which source or article you read but one thing is for certain; tackling Mount Kilimanjaro shouldn’t be taken lightly. The size of the challenge is clear as hikers usually take around 6 days to reach the summit, allowing time for acclimatisation to the high altitude and ensuring over exertion is avoided. That said, it is possible to reach the top much faster than that as Italian Bruno Brunod showed when reaching the peak of the mountain in a record 5 hours 38 minutes and 40 seconds back in 2001!
4. Ngorongoro Crater
Often called ‘Africa’s Eden’ and regularly touted as being the 8th wonder of the world, the Ngorongoro Crater is the world’s largest intact caldera. The crater, which is said to have the most dense concentration of wildlife in Africa, covers about 260 sq km and is up to 610 metres deep in some places. One of the best areas in Tanzania to see the endangered black rhino, animal populations in the crater include most of the species found in East Africa (there are no impalas, topis, oribis, giraffes, or crocodiles). The views from the rim of the Ngorongoro Crate are magnificent so it isn’t just the wildlife you’ll need your camera for when you visit!
5. Mafia Island
A peaceful place with miles of unspoilt white sandy beaches, Mafia Island is the perfect place if you want to relax in complete isolation. Whilst this alone is reason enough to visit, the islands party piece is the world class diving reefs that offer an unparalleled variety of corals and tropical fish. Despite this underwater paradise, fewer than a thousand people a year visit Mafia Island so it is an ideal destination for those looking to get away from it all. The locals are extremely friendly and are very welcoming to their Island that they are understandably very proud of. There are plenty of things to do so you can be as active or as inactive as you want to be during your stay.
Written by the team at travelsupermarket.com
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