Tanzania
The United Republic of Tanzania consists of Tanganyika, on the African mainland, and the islands of Zanzibar and Pemba. It is the largest country in East Africa and became independent from its British mandate in 1961 under the leadership of its first President, Julius Nyerere, who managed to unite the over 120 separate tribes into a cohesive society, turning Tanzania into the stable factor in Africa it still is today. This stability, combined with the friendly population and the country’s wealth of natural and cultural diversity, ensures that Tanzania is the ultimate holiday destination, an exotic location that will make your dreams come true and where you can rely on Grevys Safaris to guide you — read our About Us page if you’d like to learn more about us.
We create bespoke wildlife safaris in Tanzania, exciting trekking tours to Mount Kilimanjaro, or delightfully relaxing beach holidays in Zanzibar with its white sandy shores. In addition to Tanzania’s overwhelming flora and fauna, it's Grevys Safaris' mission to introduce you to its rich culture few truly experience by offering you special Grevys Safaris Tanzania Experiences that benefit the local communities and change hearts & minds.
Tanzania hosts some of the last untouched places left on this planet, with places like Mahale Mountain National Park and Katavi National Park that are so hard to get to that only the most adventurous tourists can get there — however, we can include both of these incredible places as part of your bespoke Tanzania tour. It is a place of vast horizons and untamed wilderness; a place of breathtaking beauty and humbling majesty. You can easily lose yourself in its sweeping vistas, endless blue skies, and timeless rhythms
Tranquil yet raw, primitive yet serene - there is hardly any other place like it left on earth. The sights, smells and sounds are completely unique, and may be totally different from anything you've ever experienced before. All the stale routines or nagging worries back home will undoubtedly begin to fade to distant memory, and quintessential Africa will captivate your senses with new vibrancy. Spectacular and varied scenery — imagine sweeping grasslands teeming with animals and granite kopjes baking in the sunshine; imagine glittering soda lakes covered in pink flamingos and collapsed volcanoes that look like a set from Jurassic Park; imagine towering mountains and endless blue skies. It is hard to believe that one country hosts such an incredible variety of habitats. Sharing the authentic richness of this country on a Tanzania honeymoon safari or a family safari can be one of the most rewarding experiences of your life.
The seemingly endless grasslands supported by the incredible diversity of wildlife are unparalleled anywhere in the world. Early on, the savannahs of Tanzania were an ideal hunting ground for early man, and it was here that civilization began. So, take a step back in time with a trip to Tanzania and witness the birthplace of nature and mankind. GREVYS SAFARIS provides a unique experience that encompasses it all.
With more than 120 ethnic groups and tribes living in Tanzania, it is one of the most culturally diverse countries in the world - from the well-known tall and graceful Maasai warriors, the ancient ways of the Hadza bushmen, the resourceful agricultural practices of the Wameru, the artistic talents of the Makonde to the Chaga farmers and traders. Despite the incredible diversity of tribes, Tanzania doesn’t suffer from tribal conflict like some other countries in Africa. In fact, it is believed that one of the main reasons why Tanzania remains one of the safest and most peaceful countries in Africa is because of the large number of ethnic groups who have traded harmoniously over the years. They gracefully unite in one country as one people using one language (Kiswahili). Most people speak English as well.
Tanzanian people are known to be among the friendliest in Africa. They are warm, happy to see you and eager to help. They love children and enjoy a friendly chat with tourists — expect to hear a very warm greeting of “Jambo” wherever you go. You will find that they are very interested to know where you come from, what your daily life is like and what your family background is. While traditional wildlife safaris always leave visitors with truly stunning images in their minds, it is the beautiful and fascinating people who leave visitors with warm feelings in their hearts that last a lifetime. We offer a range of purposeful experiences that get you in direct touch with Tanzania’s people
WHEN TO GO
The best time to go on a safari in Tanzania depends on many things including your interests, exactly where you want to visit, and why you’re traveling.
The “long dry season” occurs from June through October. During this time, rainfall is unusual. It’s a great time for a safari holiday in Tanzania because the grass is short and animals tend to congregate around the water holes.
During November and December the “short rains” occur in Tanzania. These are much lighter than the main rains and less reliable. They also bring new life and water to the Serengeti, causing a burst of grass growth and sparking the migration southwards.
The days around the Christmas and New Year holidays are the busiest and priciest time of year with most lodges and camps charging holiday supplements.
If it has rained during the short rains, then it normally dries up for a few months. January and February, which is Tanzania’s “short dry season”, is another great time to visit.
Generally, the main rainy season called the “long rains” occurs in late March, April and May. Afternoon tropical downpours are the norm – which are heavier and more predictable along the coast and on Zanzibar. The humidity is high and daily temperatures reach low-mid 30°C/high 80°F.
Most travellers visit Tanzania to see the Serengeti’s great wildebeest migration. Linked to the rainfall, this stunning migration of close to 2 million wildebeest along with thousands of zebras and gazelles follows a fairly predictable pattern, as the wildebeest are constantly seeking fresh grazing and water. The migration can be found during any given month; you just need to know where to look! You might also like to read 10 Facts About the Great Wildebeest Migration. While we can’t control the weather, generally speaking, the best time to see the Great Migration is from mid-December to March (the migration birthing cycle) and from July to October.
The short rains begin around early November. A little after this, in late November and December, the herds of the wildebeest migration arrive on the short-grass plains of the Southern Serengeti and Ndutu, the north of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Dispersed across these plains, wildebeest and zebras are everywhere – feeding on the fresh, nutritious grasses. They stay here through January, February, and March, with most wildebeest calves born in a short window around February. Gradually, they spread west across these plains, then around April they start their great migration north.
By May the Serengeti's wildebeest all seem to be moving north, migrating to seek fresh grazing and water. The area around Moru Kopjes and west of Seronera is then hectic with a series of moving columns, often containing hundreds of thousands of animals – joined by many zebras, and a scattering of Thomson's and Grant's gazelles.
Around June, the wildebeest migration is often halted on the south side of the Grumeti River, which has some channels which block or slow their migration north. The wildebeest then congregate there, in the Western Corridor, often building up to a high density before crossing the river. The wildebeest migration continues moving northwards during July and August, often spreading out across a broad front: some heading through Grumeti Reserve, others north through the heart of the Serengeti National Park.
September and early October see the herds spread out across the northern Serengeti, where the Mara River provides the migration with its most serious obstacle. This river gushes through the northern Serengeti from Kenya's adjacent Maasai Mara Game Reserve. Watching the frantic herds of the wildebeest migration crossing the Mara River can be very spectacular; there are often scenes of great panic and confusion. By late October the wildebeest herds are migrating again with more purpose — all are heading south, through western Loliondo and the Serengeti National Park's Lobo area, returning to the green shoots which follow the rains on the short-grass plains of the southern Serengeti in November.
The Great Wildebeest Migration: 10 Facts You Might Not Know
Frequently referred to as 'The Great Migration,' this impressive animal movement stands out due to its extensive journey and the immense number of participating animals. Most of our guests who join our personalized Tanzania safaris are eager to witness The Great Migration during their trip – and the Serengeti always delivers. This is a major advantage for safaris: it's nearly impossible to miss, given that we have a general idea of where the herds will be at various times of the year. To spark your curiosity, we at Grevys Safaris have crafted a guide to the Great Wildebeest Migration, presenting 10 captivating facts that might be unfamiliar to you. Should any of these facts catch your attention and you're interested in booking a safari, please don't hesitate to contact us.
1) February’s Calving Season Greatly Boosts the Great Migration’s Numbers
Part of the reason the Great Migration is so great is because during the calving season (between January and March), roughly half a million wildebeest calves are born in the Serengeti each year, greatly increasing the numbers of the overall herd. In February, the month with the highest calving rate, around 8,000 wildebeest are born each day. Another big advantage of visiting during the calving season is that you are allowed to go off-road in the Southern part of the Serengeti. For many, visiting Tanzania during the calving season is even more exciting than seeing a river crossing in the dry season. It just depends on what you’re most excited to see!
2) The Serengeti National Park Makes the Great Migration Possible
While we admire the sheer scale and majesty of this mega herd of different species migrating across Tanzania, it’s important to recognize that it simply wouldn’t be possible without the Serengeti National Park. The vast Serengeti ecosystem has remained unchanged for thousands of years. It is a wholly intact, functional ecosystem with rich enough resources to support such a huge population of large animals. If you’d like to learn more, check out our Guide to Serengeti National Park.
3) The Great Migration Actually Occurs All Year Round
While many people think of the dramatic river crossings when referring to The Great Migration, this epic phenomenon is in fact an endless cycle and can be seen year-round – it just depends on what you would like to see! If you want to witness the river crossings in the Northern part of the Serengeti more than anything else, choosing a date between August and October is your best bet. If you would like to witness the calving season between January and March, the wildebeest are to be found in the Southern Serengeti. The rest of the year, the herds can also be seen but they are usually a bit more scattered.
4) Smaller Herds Split off from the Main Herd
Because wildebeest have no natural leader, many smaller herds break away from the main mega-herd as they make their way across the Serengeti. This means that the overall ground covered by these fascinating beasts makes up more than half of the Serengeti. This also means that it’s very easy to see wildebeest, zebra, and lions, as you don’t even have to find the main herd to encounter some incredible action.
5) Wildebeest and Zebra Don’t Fight Over Food
You might be wondering why these two great herbivorous species aren’t fighting over food. Well, this is because they both eat different parts of the same grass they encounter along the route. If this weren’t the case, the competition between the species would make the Great Migration look very different indeed.
6) A Classic 500-mile Journey
This is no casual walk in the countryside; it is considered THE Great Migration for a reason. This huge horde of animals travels roughly 500 miles each year - almost the equivalent of walking from Paris to Berlin! Although the migration occurs in a clockwise cycle between Tanzania and Kenya, most of the movement takes place in Tanzania – Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Loliondo Game Controlled Area, and Grumeti Reserve.
7)The Great Migration Supports the Largest Lion Population in Africa
Due to the staggering numbers of wildebeest, zebras and antelope moving through the Serengeti each year, there is enough meat to support the largest number of lions across the African continent. There are more than 3,000 lions currently living in the Serengeti ecosystem that follow the migratory herds. So coming to Tanzania to witness the migration is also the perfect opportunity for lion lovers to encounter these majestic big cats.
8) Numerous Animals Do Not Survive the Migration
When confronted with such a substantial gathering of large herbivores in one location, it creates an abundant food source for predators, enticing lions, cheetahs, leopards, and crocodiles that lie in wait by the water's edge as the herds navigate rivers or pause to drink. Due to this remarkable migration, predator populations are thriving in Tanzania - a remarkable opportunity for those intending to embark on a safari. Nonetheless, the decline in the numbers of wildebeest, zebras, and antelopes within the Great Migration is not solely attributed to predation; often, it's due to thirst, hunger, exhaustion, or drowning. This journey is exceedingly challenging for these animals, and their collective survival chances are notably improved by congregating in extensive numbers. Approximately 250,000 wildebeest and around 30,000 zebras succumb during the Great Migration each year.
9) Collective Wisdom Guides the Great Migration
At first glance, the Great Migration might seem like pure chaos. The vast quantities of wildebeest, zebras, and antelopes moving about could come across as directionless. Nevertheless, in-depth analysis of this behavior over the years has revealed that the entire herd operates with a form of 'swarm intelligence,' enabling the group as a whole to address challenges and surmount obstacles encountered during the migration.
10) Around two million animals travel through the Serengeti.
The renowned aspect of The Great Migration lies in the massive count of sizeable terrestrial mammals moving across the Serengeti. Approximately 1.5 million wildebeest, 200,000 zebras, and 350,000 diverse antelope species, including eland, Thompson's gazelle, and impala, contribute to this impressive spectacle. It's the extraordinary magnitude of this bustling congregation of substantial animals that earns it the title of the planet's most extensive overland animal migration.
THE PEOPLE OF TANZANIA
The captivating allure of Tanzania extends beyond its renowned wildlife and stunning landscapes to encompass its equally captivating tribes and cultures. Remarkably, Tanzania boasts over 120 distinct tribes, each with their own unique heritage and practices. A visit to these tribes would not only provide valuable insights into these fresh cultures but also foster a greater understanding and admiration for diversity. While it’s impossible to cover all of Tanzania’s tribes in this write-up, here are a handful that merit your attention:
Hailing from northern, central, and southern Kenya, as well as northern Tanzania, the Maasai constitute a Nilotic ethnic group. Renowned worldwide for their proximity to the African Great Lakes' game parks and their unique customs and attire, they have gained international recognition. The Maasai primarily communicate using the Maa language, yet a significant number have also acquired proficiency in the official languages of Kenya and Tanzania: Swahili and English. Recognized as pastoralists, the Maasai are particularly famed for their fearsome warrior reputation and involvement in cattle rustling.
Residing in the north-central region of Tanzania, specifically around Lake Eyasi within the central Rift Valley and the adjacent Serengeti Plateau, the Hadza represent an indigenous ethnic community. They stand as one of the few remaining hunter-gatherer groups on the planet. The population of Hadza individuals in Tanzania numbered between 1,200 and 1,300 as of 2015. However, a mere 300 to 400 Hadza individuals exclusively adhere to the traditional practices of foraging and hunting. Furthermore, the escalating impact of encroaching pastoralist communities poses a substantial threat to the sustainability of their customary way of life. Discover more about the lessons we can glean from the Hadzabe people.
What we can learn from the Hadzabe:
The Hadzabe people constitute an indigenous group situated in the vicinity of Lake Eyasi, Tanzania. As one of the few remaining hunter-gatherer societies globally, their population today hovers around a thousand individuals. Within the Lake Eyasi region of Tanzania, approximately 300 to 400 tribe members continue to maintain an authentic nomadic lifestyle. Communicating through Hadzane, a distinctive click-based language incorporating popping sounds, their speech is a challenge for Westerners to replicate.
Over the last century, the Hadzabe have witnessed the loss of nearly 90% of their ancestral territory. Their hunting terrains and habitats have faced degradation due to the activities of farmers, pastoralists, and land developers. This deterioration has led to reduced availability of game for hunting, diminished honey production from bees, and fewer berries and fruits to gather. It becomes imperative to provide the necessary support to prevent the tribe from fading into obscurity.
Engaging with them within one of their encampments and gaining insight into their daily existence can offer invaluable insights – all while being an enjoyable experience. The tribe members exhibit remarkable friendliness, sociability, and a willingness to share their world and even involve you in their hunting endeavors. Spending time in their company holds the potential to impart a wealth of knowledge; indeed, there exists a multitude of lessons we can glean from their way of life:
- They solely live off the land and in harmony with nature
The Hadzabe have been living in harmony with nature for thousands of years, they see themselves as protectors of the land. They use plants as medicine and food, and hunt animals to survive. Their impact on the environment is almost invisible and they have no carbon footprint. To find honey, Hadzabe sometimes collaborate with the honeyguide bird – whistling back and forth until the bird has led them to a beehive. Once the Hadzabe smoke out the bees and harvest the honey, the bird gets the honeycomb.
The Hadzabe of the Yaeda Valley have recently won the 2019 Equator Prize. The prize is awarded to indigenous groups by the UNDP Equator Initiative for innovative work in developing nature based solutions to climate change and promoting sustainable development. The Hadzabe have been recognized for their Yaeda Valley Project, a forest conservation initiative - an innovative nature-based solution to climate change that delivers sustainable rural development and also contributes to biodiversity.
- They live in the present and do not worry about the future
The Hadzabe live a free life. Free of most social duties. Free from religious strictures. Free of many family responsibilities. Free from schedules, jobs, bosses, bills, traffic, taxes, laws, news, and money. Free from worry. They enjoy an extraordinary amount of leisure time and do not think about tomorrow - they do not keep track of time and live without calendars. They have no words for the days of the week, or months of the year; their sense of time depends only on the wandering animals and the shifting patterns of their flowering plants. Their ages are estimated by occurrences or events that happened around their births, not by numbers. They do not stress out about what they will eat tomorrow – they take each day as it comes and trust that what they need will be provided by nature.
- They live in harmony with each other
Families, in-laws and friends live together in camps of about 20-30 members as a peaceful community. Everyone helps raise the children cooperatively, the Hadzabe love all children born into the tribe as their own. Men and women collaborate to build huts for their camps. There is usually one camp leader who is chosen for his wisdom, bravery and intelligence but he does not have any particular power – there is no hierarchy. He must treat everyone equally, show love and solve problems. Individual autonomy is the hallmark of the Hadzabe; no Hadza adult has authority over any other. Women usually have the last say when important decisions are being made. When a couple gets divorced, women may usually choose who the children will stay with. Several times a year, the different camps gather to share ideas, get to know each other, engage in target practice, sing and dance. Some Hadzabe women have married outside the tribe but have returned because they appreciate their simple and harmonic lifestyle that does not force them to submit to their husbands (which is the case in so many other cultures).
- They live almost entirely free of possessions and only take what they need
The Hadzabe do not own any livestock or permanent living structures; they also do not grow any food – they completely live off the animals and berries/fruits/honey they find every day. The only items they may own are a cooking pot, a water container, and an ax (in addition to their bows and arrows). They will not kill another animal until they have finished eating what they have hunted. They do not store food.
- They share everything
Once the men come back from a hunt, everything they have caught gets shared among the elders, women and children in the tribe. Whoever has killed an animal, does not show off – it is considered a communal achievement. The same goes for the fruits/berries the women have foraged for throughout the day.
- They teach us about our roots/ancestors
Genetic testing indicates that they may represent one of the primary roots of the human family tree—perhaps more than 100,000 years old. Meeting them is like going back in time and seeing how our ancestors lived over 10,000 years ago, before the birth of agriculture. They have managed to retain their language, their beliefs and their way of life despite constant pressure from the outside world. They are nomadic and live near caves, and elders share secret stories from their ancestors (which usually include a moral they should follow). They still make fire with sticks and wood, and wear animal skins as clothing to keep them camouflaged (although many Hadza men do wear western clothing such as shirts and/or shorts and many women wear colorful Swahili style dresses nowadays). They sleep around a fire at night and use animal skins to keep themselves warm. They use bows and arrows to hunt and skin animals, and whistle to find each other.
- They have never been at war and have never suffered from major diseases.
They are peaceful people who almost always moved away rather than fight with anyone. They've never lived densely enough to be seriously threatened by an infectious outbreak.
They have no known history of famine; rather, there is evidence of people from a farming group coming to live with them during a time of crop failure. The Hadza diet remains even today more stable and varied than that of most of the world's citizens.
In the 18th century, extensive regions of Northern Tanzania were inhabited by the Datoga. However, due to the significant expansion of the Maasai, they gradually relinquished territories and found themselves increasingly confined near Lake Manyara and Lake Eyasi. These agro-pastoral nomadic individuals, who communicate using Nilotic languages, exhibit adeptness in both farming and craftsmanship. Possessing a sense of pride, they are renowned for their formidable warrior reputation. Datoga women don distinctive attire, including reddish-hued patched leather dresses, along with self-crafted beadwork, brass bracelets, and necklaces. Notably, they also engage in intricate circular pattern tattooing around their eyes.
In the north-central regions of Tanzania, specifically the Arusha and Manyara Regions, reside the Iraqw people of Cushitic origin. Recognized for their dignified posture and distinct facial features, they lead a somewhat reserved lifestyle, cultivating their own sustenance and tending to their cattle. The Iraqw language, a member of the South Cushitic branch within the Afro-Asiatic language family, bears resemblance to Arabic. The homeland of the Iraqw centers around the Karatu town within the Arusha region, where visitors have the opportunity to witness their locally developed intensive farming methods. Historically in conflict with the Maasai, Iraqw homesteads encompassed subterranean passages intended for concealment. Tourists exploring the Karatu area can observe these elaborate structures firsthand.
