Geography
The United Republic of Tanzania lies on the east coast of Africa and is bordered by Kenya and Uganda to the north; by Burundi, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo to the west; by the Indian Ocean to the east; and by Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique to the south. The Tanzanian mainland is divided into several clearly defined regions: the coastal plains, which vary in width from 16 to 64km (10 to 39 miles) and have lush, tropical vegetation; the Masai Steppe in the north, 213 to 1067m (698 to 3500ft) above sea level; and a high plateau in the southern area towards Zambia and Lake Nyasa (Lake Malawi). Savannah and bush cover over half the country, and semi-desert accounts for the remaining land area, with the exception of the coastal plains. Over 53,000 sq km (20,463 sq miles) is inland water, mostly lakes formed in the Rift Valley. The United Republic of Tanzania includes the islands of Zanzibar and Pemba, about 45km (28 miles) off the coast to the northeast of the country.

The Coast
Dar es Salaam
Once the capital city (this function has now moved to Dodoma), the major port of Dar es Salaam is the natural starting point for trips in Tanzania. It is near the island of Zanzibar (see below). Parts of Dar es Salaam have a tranquil air that belies industrial and commercial growth. Further attractions include the National Museum, housing the skull of Nutcracker Man; Observation Hill, which contains the campus and facilities of the University of Dar es Salaam; and the Village Museum, with exhibits of traditional housing and crafts.

Excursions
The fishing village Msasani, 8km (5 miles) from Dar es Salaam, contains tombs dating back to the 17th century. Further south, at Kilwa Klsiwani, there are ruins of Portuguese and Arab architecture. Many beautiful beaches are within easy reach of Dar es Salaam, such as those at Kunduchi, Mbwa Maji and Mjimwena. Kunduchi, 24km (15 miles) north of the city, is a fishing village with nearby ruins of Persian tombs and mosques. Mbudya Island is an uninhabited island forming part of a protective coral reef which is a good place for diving, snorkeling and fishing. Sinda Island, some 14km (9 miles) off Dar es Salaam, also offers facilities for snorkeling and shell fishing.

Elsewhere
A 72km (45 mile) drive north of Dar es Salaam is Bagamoyo, a one-time slave port and terminus for the caravans. This tiny township is the nearest mainland point to Zanzibar and possesses sandy beaches set in a beautiful bay. Livingstone's body rested in the tiny chapel of the convent here on its way back to London. The town mosque and Arab tombs date from the 18th and 19th centuries. Some 5km (3 miles) to the south is the village of Kaole, near which are the ruins of a mosque and pillars believed to be 800 years old. To the north of Bagamoyo, near the Kenyan border, is the country's second port, Tanga. From here, the visitor can drive to the beautiful Usambara Mountains and Moshi on the slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro.

Zanzibar & Mafia Island
Zanzibar
The island of Zanzibar, once the metropolis of East Africa, variously ruled by Shirazi Persians, the Portuguese, the Omani Arabs and British colonials, is only 20 minutes' flight from Dar es Salaam (ferries are also available). Otherwise known as the 'Spice Island', Zanzibar's golden age was under the Omani Arabs in the early 19th century. By the middle of the century, it had become the world's largest producer of cloves and the largest slave-trading post on the African eastern coast. Zanzibar's old Stone Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a labyrinth of narrow, winding streets lined with exotic shops, bazaars, colonial mansions, mosques and squares. The visitor can still see the house where Dr Livingstone lived, as well as that used by Burton and Speke. The Anglican Cathedral Church of Christ stands on the site of the Old Slave Market, off Creek Road, while on the seafront are the palace of the former sultan and the towering Beit-el-Ajaib (The House of Wonders). Zanzibar is a fascinating place with palaces, forts, stone aqueducts and baths; its history as a cosmopolitan center of trade gives it a unique atmosphere. The guided Spice Tours are recommended (see also Top Things To Do). Within the vicinity lie many offshore islands ringed with coral reefs, the most famous and most visited being Changuu Island (also known as 'Prison Island'). There are also many superb beaches, particularly on the east coast, although there are now several package hotels there.

Note
Visitors to Zanzibar should observe Muslim conventions regarding dress when away from the beach.

Mafia
Some 40 minutes' flight south of Dar es Salaam, the island of Mafia is renowned for big-game fish as well as being a unique marine park. Power boats and tackle are available for hire.

National Parks
Tanzania's national parks extend over some 33,660 sq km (13,000 sq miles). In addition, there is the unique Ngorongoro Conservation Area (see below), in which wildlife is protected and where the Masai tribespeople also live and herd their cattle. There are also some 10 game reserves where government-approved hunting safaris operate under license and about 40 controlled areas where the hunting of game is controlled by a quota system. Further information can be obtained from Tanzania National Parks, PO Box 3134, Arusha, Tanzania (tel: (27) 250 3471. For more information on safaris, see Top Things To Do.

Mount Kilimanjaro
At 5895m (19,341ft), Africa's highest mountain is a major attraction for mountaineers. Expeditions must be accompanied by a guide and very warm clothes are required for the last section of the climb. The ascent takes about three days, allowing for rests at the three huts and a day or so at the final hut to acclimatize before tackling the final stage to the summit.

Serengeti National Park
This is a plain-dwellers' stronghold of 14,763 sq km (5678 sq miles) reaching up to the Kenyan border and claimed to be the finest in Africa. Here are 35 species of plain-dwelling animals, including wildebeest, zebra, gazelle, cheetah and lion, which feature in the spectacular Serengeti migration, and also an extensive selection of birdlife. Probably the best time to see the migrating herds is from November to May.

Serengeti National Park - Tanzania

Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Rising high above the plains of the Serengeti, this vast protected area stretches from Lake Natron in the northeast (the breeding ground for east Africa's flamingoes) to Lake Enaysi in the south and Lake Manyara in the east. The area includes the still active volcano Ol Doinyo Lengai (Mountain of God), whose last major eruption was in 1983. The park's centerpiece is the Ngorongoro Crater, a collapsed volcano forming a crater that is 610m (2000 ft) deep, 20km (12.5 miles) in diameter, covering an area of 311 sq km (122 sq miles). The crater accounts for just one-tenth of the conservation area, which is home to almost every species of African plains mammal (except for the impala, topi and giraffe) and particularly well known for the endangered black rhino. It also has the densest population of predators in Africa. The rich birdlife includes flamingoes which are attracted by the soda content in Lake Magadi on the crater floor.

Lake Manyara National Park
Famous for its elephants and tree-climbing lions. The wall of the Great Rift Valley forms a backdrop to the park, before which lies forest, open grassland, swamp and the soda lake. Wildlife includes lions, herds of buffalo, baboons, elephant, rhino, impala, giraffe, leopard, zebra, bushbuck, reedbuck, waterbuck and blue and vervet monkeys. Manyara is also noted for its birdlife, particularly the flamingoes.

Arusha National Park
This park lies within the Ngurdoto Crater, a volcano that has probably been extinct for a quarter of a million years. Visitors are able to see buffalo, rhino, elephant, giraffe and warthog.

Mikumi National Park
This park, 1300 sq km (500 sq miles) in area, offers a chance to see lion, zebra, hippo, leopard, cheetah, giraffe, impala, wildebeest and warthog. A popular spot for visitors is the Kikaboga Hippo Pool. Although December to March is the ideal time for viewing at Mikumi, there are animals throughout the year.

Tarangire National Park
Only 130km (80 miles) from Arusha and 8km (5 miles) off the Great Cape to Cairo road, it is nonetheless an area which compares favorably with the Serengeti in terms of wildlife density.

Ruaha National Park
Tanzania's second-largest and wildest park and the world's largest elephant sanctuary, Ruaha is located 128km (80 miles) from Iringa in the Southern Highlands along an all-weather road. The park affords views of unparalleled scenery along the Ruaha Gorge, with many sightings of antelope. Iringa is also connected with Dar es Salaam and other centers by air and bus service. The best time to visit is from July to November.

Selous Game Reserve
The Selous Game Reserve in southern Tanzania covers an area larger than Switzerland (about one-sixth of Tanzania's land surface), making it one of the biggest in the world, with a massive elephant population. There is also a high concentration of stalking lions and other game. UNESCO declared the game reserve a World Heritage Site in 1982.

Gombe Stream National Park
This park is near Kigoma on the shores of Lake Tanganyika and is the home of about 200 chimpanzees, more easily seen here in their natural habitat than anywhere else in the world. This is the place where Jane Goodall devoted her life to recording chimpanzee ethology in a 37-year study.

Other national parks
These include Katavi, Mahale Mountains, Rubondo Island and Udzungura Mountains. There are also marine parks at Kilwa Reserve, Latham Island Reserve, Rufigi Delta and Tanga Coral Gardens. Proposed national parks include Kizulo Plateau and Saadani.