Tanzania is a fascinating travel destination.
Age-old cultural history in Zanzibar, challenging mountain climbing on Kilimanjaro and colourful wildlife on the savannah are all attractions in a class of their own. These attractions are probably some of the ingredients we think of first when the travel bug bites, and the destination is Tanzania.
But what else do you know about the country?
Read seven fascinating facts you might not know about the East African country below.
More than 4 million wild animals call Tanzania their home. The country has the world’s largest animal population per square kilometre, which includes 430 species and subspecies.
What’s more, the country is home to around 20% of the large mammals that live in Africa.
Tanzania has no fewer than 17 national parks.
The numerous parks cover an area of more than 42,000 km², which corresponds to more than 38% of the total area of the country. The country’s oldest national park is Serengeti National Park, which is more than 14,500 km² in size.
Tanzania offers some outstanding experiences.
Climb Kilimanjaro, the world’s highest free-standing mountain, and discover the world’s largest intact caldera, a crater hollow – the Ngorongoro Crater. The latter is a national park offering ample opportunity to see the country’s fascinating wildlife.
The two spectacular natural phenomena are truly travel experiences in a class of their own.
In addition to all the fascinating nature experiences Tanzania has to offer, you can also make a more cultural acquaintance in the country.
Tanzania has 162 different tribes, each with its own unique character. You can, for example, meet the Hadzabe tribe, who do not grow crops themselves, but live by foraging, and the Masai, whose tradition of spitting is a form of blessing.
Many of the wars we know of from world history have been gruelling and prolonged. But Tanzania holds a completely different world record as the country where the world’s shortest war took place. The war between Great Briton and Zanzibar, which took place in 1896, lasted between 40 and 45 minutes. Britain came out the victor with just one person wounded while the losing side suffered a somewhat greater loss with more than 500 dead or injured.
Serengeti National Park is a place in a class of its own. The park has one of the oldest ecosystems in the world.
What makes the park so special in addition to its unique ecosystem is the fact that it has hardly changed in a million years. The park’s flora and fauna are breathtaking and not found in many other parts of the world.
When it comes to the discovery of new animal species, Tanzania is one of the only places where this still happens. Back in 2003, a new species was found in the country.
The monkey discovered is called the kipunji monkey and is incredibly rare. There are only around 1,000 kipunji monkeys in the world and they all live in Tanzania!
How many of Tanzania’s secrets did you know?
If you’re looking for a country full of surprises, Tanzania’s the destination for you!
Take home holiday memories of fascinating animal species, scenic nature experiences, unique history and culture in a class of its own.
Need help choosing a holiday? Please do not hesitate to contact our travel consultants. They are on hand to hear what you wish to experience and can guide you to the right holiday choice.
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