Interesting Facts About Tanzania
Interesting facts about Tanzania that will change the way you see the country: the volcano that spews black lava, the war that lasted 38 minutes, the greeting used to honor elders, and the island where Freddie Mercury was born. There are 50 of them, and you’ll discover them one by one.
01 · The Country
Larger more than you can imagine
Tanzania is the largest country in East Africa and one of the countries with the most protected natural areas on the planet. Let's start with the most basic fun facts—which already hold some surprises.
Her name is a sum
In 1964, they joined forces Tanganyika and Zanzibar, and the combination of the two names resulted in «Tanzania.».
Almost twice as much as Spain
With about 945,000 km², is the largest country in East Africa and is nearly twice the size of Spain.
The capital is not Dar es Salaam
The official capital is Dodoma, in the center of the country, where Parliament meets. Dar es Salaam is the largest city and the country's economic hub.
More than a third, protected
Around the 38 % of its territory is protected within parks, reserves, and conservation areas, representing one of the highest percentages in the world.
Three large lakes
Share the Victory, the largest lake in Africa, the Tanganyika, one of the deepest in the world, and the Malawi, which they call Nyasa there. The bottom of Lake Tanganyika is the lowest point on the continent.
Seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites
The Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Kilimanjaro, the Selous Game Reserve, Stone Town, the ruins of Kilwa Kisiwani and Songo Mnara, and the rock art of Kondoa are World Heritage Site.
02 · History
Where It All Began everything
From the earliest traces of human life to the shortest war ever recorded: Tanzania's history is told in millions of years—and sometimes in minutes.
years old
The Laetoli Footprints
In the 1970s, Mary Leakey discovered footprints of hominids walking upright, preserved in volcanic ash about 3.6 million years. They are near Olduvai.
The Cradle of Humanity
In the Olduvai Gorge, between the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater, the Leakey family found fossils of the Homo habilis. That's why they call it «the cradle of humanity.».
«Dr. Livingstone, I presume»
The most famous quote in the history of exploration was uttered in Ujiji, on the shores of Lake Tanganyika, when journalist Henry Morton Stanley finally found explorer David Livingstone.
The Shortest War in History
On August 27, 1896, the United Kingdom and the Sultanate of Zanzibar fought the Anglo-Zanzibari War. It lasted between 38 and 45 minutes, according to the source.
Freddie Mercury was from Zanzibar
The lead singer of Queen was born in Stone Town such as Farrokh Bulsara, the son of a Parsi family of Indian origin. Today, fans seek out the house where he grew up.
A torch at the summit
With independence, Kilimanjaro's highest peak shed its colonial name and came to be called Uhuru, «freedom» in Swahili. That is where the torch of freedom, the Mwenge wa Uhuru, was lit.
Jane Goodall and the chimpanzees
In the park at Gombe, on the shores of Lake Tanganyika, Jane Goodall began the world's longest-running study of wild chimpanzees in 1960. She discovered that they used tools.
«Shikamoo,» says the young man. «Marahaba,» replies the old man.The greeting that says it all
03 · Its People
One hundred twenty towns, a language
What is most surprising about Tanzania is not its animals, but how so many different peoples live together in a peace that their neighbors envy.
More than 120 ethnic groups, none of which is the majority
No people dominates the others. The largest is the sukuma, from the Lake Victoria region, and even so, that is only a portion of the population.
The Hadza speak using clicks
This town of hunter-gatherers The people of Lake Eyasi speak a language with clicks that may not be related to any other language in the world.
The Maasai are also Tanzanians
Its territory straddles the border with Kenya. In the area of the Ngorongoro They continue to graze their livestock among the wildlife.
Chaga and Coffee
On the slopes of Kilimanjaro, the village chaga It grows coffee and bananas. Its Arabica coffee is one of the best known in the country.
Mwalimu, «the teacher»
That's what they call Julius Nyerere, the first president and a professor by profession. He chose Swahili as the common language to unite all the peoples.
Ujamaa, the big family
The idea Nyerere wanted to use to build the country was called ujamaa, «familiarity,» or «community.» The word is still very much in use.
04 · Swahili
Words that you already know
Tap each card to discover its meaning. Some will sound familiar to you, even though you didn't know they were Swahili.
05 · Customs
Interesting Facts About Tanzania That Almost no one tells you
Small gestures that speak volumes—and that you should know about before you arrive. They'll make you look like a thoughtful traveler.
Don't skip the greeting
Before asking anything, you should say hello and ask how the other person is doing. Getting straight to the point is considered rude.
Right hand, always
To give, receive, or eat, you use the right hand. When greeting adults, you offer your right elbow with your left hand.
Fabrics That Speak
The kanga, the colorful cotton fabric that many women wear has a Swahili proverb printed on it. Sometimes it is given as a gift because of what it says.
Tingatinga, Art with a Signature
This style of painting animals in bright colors originated in Dar es Salaam in the 1960s and is named after its creator, Edward Saidi Tingatinga.
Two Religious Souls
Christians and Muslims live side by side on the continent in almost equal numbers, while Zanzibar is almost entirely Muslim. It's a good idea to cover your shoulders and knees when you're off the beach.
Doors with spikes
The carved doors of Stone Town have brass rivets inherited from Indian tradition. It is said that they were originally used to restrain elephants.
In Stone Town, the scent of cloves hits you before you even reach the market.Zanzibar, the Spice Islands
06 · Flavors
From the savanna to the night market
Tanzanian cuisine is simple in the interior and spicy on the coast, where Arab, Indian, and African influences converge.
Ugali, Our Daily Bread
A mass of cornmeal It's eaten by hand, rolled into a small ball to dip in the stew. For many people, a meal isn't a meal without ugali.
Chipsi Mayai
A tortilla with French fries inside, served with hot sauce. It's the country's most beloved street food, and it will remind you of something very familiar to us.
Grilled meat
Literally, «grilled meat.» Goat or veal cooked over charcoal and shared among a group, almost always on the weekend.
The Zanzibar Pizza
It doesn't look like a pizza: it's a thin, filled pastry made with meat, eggs, and vegetables, folded and grilled. The star of the Forodhani Night Market.
Urojo, the soup from Zanzibar
It's also called Zanzibar Mix: a tart, yellow broth served with fritters, potatoes, skewers, and mango. Each vendor makes it their own way.
High-Altitude Coffee
The Kilimanjaro coffee It grows in volcanic soil. On the street corners of Stone Town, it is served in small cups—strong and spicy—and people drink it while chatting and standing.
The islands of spices
Zanzibar was one of the world's leading producers of cloves, and spices remain its largest export after tourism. Choose one:
It is the dried bud of a tree's flower. During the 19th century, it made Zanzibar one of the richest islands in the Indian Ocean.
07 · Kilimanjaro
From the Tropics to the Ice in five days
It's the world's highest isolated mountain, and you don't have to be a mountaineer to climb it. Move the controller and climb through its five climate zones.
Three Volcanoes in One
Kilimanjaro isn't a volcano—it's actually three: Kibo, the highest, Mawenzi and Shira. Kibo is asleep, not extinguished.
Africa's Roof Without Ropes
Uhuru Peak, at 5,895 meters, is the highest point you can reach on foot, without specialized climbing gear.
Five climates on one climb
You go from farmland to the jungle, to the moor, to the alpine desert, and to the ice. It's like going from the Ecuador to the Arctic in less than a week.
Growing region
Between 800 and 1,800 meters. Banana and coffee plantations in the Chaga region, villages, and orchards. Tropical heat and humidity.
08 · Nature
Parks that They don't look alike with each other
Volcanoes that spew black lava, lions that sleep in trees, and the only gemstone named after a country.
A World in a Crater
A caldera about 20 km wide with its own lake, forest, and meadow.
Elephants and baobabs
During the dry season, herds of elephants gather along their river.
Endless Plain
Its name comes from the Maasai and evokes a place where the earth goes on forever. Seen from a hot air balloon, that is.
Ngorongoro, the Perfect Crater
It is one of the larger, intact boilers in the world, with a diameter of about 20 km. Lions, black rhinos, and even flamingos live there.
The Black Lava Volcano
The Ol Doinyo Lengai, the Maasai's «Mountain of God,» is the only active volcano that erupts carbonate lava: black, very fluid, and «cold»—at about 500–600 °C. As it cools, it turns white.
The Lake That Turns People to Stone
The Lake Natron It is so alkaline that few living things can survive there. Even so, it is the main breeding ground for pygmy flamingos in East Africa.
A gem that can only be found here
The tanzanite, which is violet-blue in color, was discovered in 1967 and is mined only in a strip about 8 by 2 km wide in the Mererani Hills, near Arusha.
Climbing Lions
The lions in some parks, such as the Lake Manyara or parts of the Serengeti; they're famous for taking naps perched on branches.
One of the largest parks in Africa
The Nyerere National Park, which grew out of the former Selous Game Reserve, covers an area of about 30,900 km². It is larger than Belgium and is Tanzania's largest national park.
The Great Migration, month by month
About 1.5 million wildebeests, accompanied by zebras and gazelles, roam the Serengeti in a never-ending cycle. Choose a month:
In the morning, lions. In the afternoon, white sand and a dhow sailing in the wind.Safari and Zanzibar, All in One Trip
09 · Put what you've learned to the test
How much do you know? from Tanzania?
10 · Before You Travel
Frequently Asked Questions About Tanzania
The questions travelers ask us most often when they start dreaming about Tanzania.
What language is spoken in Tanzania?
Swahili is the national language and is spoken by almost everyone. English is also an official language and is used in higher education, business, and tourism. In addition, each ethnic group retains its own language: in total, more than 100 languages are spoken.
What is the capital of Tanzania?
The official capital is Dodoma, where Parliament meets. Dar es Salaam is the largest city, the main port, and the country's economic center.
Are Tanzania and Zanzibar the same thing?
Zanzibar is a semi-autonomous archipelago that has been part of Tanzania since 1964, when it joined Tanganyika. It has its own government and president, but shares the same country, currency, and passport.
When can you see the Great Migration in Tanzania?
Throughout the year, because the herds do not leave the Serengeti ecosystem. From January through March, calving takes place in the south and in Ndutu; in June, the herds cross the Grumeti River; and from July through October, they cross the Mara River in the north.
When is the best time to travel to Tanzania?
For a safari, the dry season—from June to October—is the most comfortable: there is less vegetation, and the animals gather near the water. January and February are ideal for birthing. The long rains usually last from March to May.
What traditional foods should you try in Tanzania?
Ugali with stew, nyama choma (grilled meat), chipsi mayai (omelet with French fries), spiced pilau, and, in Zanzibar, Zanzibar pizza and urojo soup from the Forodhani Market.
Do Spanish citizens need a visa to travel to Tanzania?
Yes. You can apply for the e-visa on the official Tanzanian Immigration website before traveling, allowing at least two weeks for processing. Before booking, check the updated requirements on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website.
What currency is used in Tanzania?
The Tanzanian shilling. On safaris, at lodges, and for park admission, it is common to pay in U.S. dollars or by credit card.
Wild Africa by SunZen
The 50 are all yours now. Now, live them.
We'll design your safari through Tanzania at your own pace, pole pole: the Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Kilimanjaro, and a few days on the beach in Zanzibar.