Golden, grassy plains dotted with acacia trees, thrilling glimpses of wildlife, exotic islands: Tanzania has all the charms of wild, unspoiled Africa. Zanzibar, Tanzania’s fabled “spice island” draws vacationers with clear waters and white sand beaches, while Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest peak on the continent, has inspired climbers for over 100 years who flock to scale its forested slopes. Virtually all the wildlife one could hope to see in Africa roam the Serengeti, Tanzania’s famed national park. The lion, antelope, gazelle, giraffe, elephant, hippo, cheetah, crocodile and flamingo all call Tanzania home.

The people of Tanzania are just as diverse as its wildlife. Over 120 different tribes dwell within Tanzania’s borders, including the legendary Maasai of the northern plateaus. English and Swahili are the official languages, but many tribal languages are also spoken by Tanzanians, as well as Arabic, legacy of the slave traders of the 18th century.

The genuine warmth and friendly hospitality of the Tanzanians is perhaps this country’s greatest attraction of all, and travelers find it easy to make lasting friendships here. Community ties are very important to Tanzanians, and neighbors and friends to drop in on one another frequently.

Tanzania has two rainy seasons, from March to May and from November to January. High tourist season is the drier, cooler period during the months of July and August.

Programs in Tanzania:

Volunteer

Travel Guide