Tanzania

Kenya's neighbor to the south, Tanzania is perhaps most famous for the vast Serengeti National Park, stretching out over almost 5100 square miles. But there is so much more to this most fascinating country.

Ngorongoro Crater, a World Heritage Site, is home to a whole host of wildlife, which make the crater floor their natural home. The Lake Manyara region is best known for the tree-climbing lion. Ruaha and the Selous in the southern part of Tanzania are less known, but spectacular in their own right, for abundant game.

To the coast, the spice island of Zanzibar is a jewel worth a visit. Possibly the most well known sight of all, is the snow-capped tip of Mt. Kilimanjaro.

According to some anthropologists, evidence shows that Tanzania may very well be where the species Homo Sapiens originated. Fossils have been found dating back one million years. History shows that later inhabitants were Masai warriors, who claimed what is now known as northern Tanzania.

After Omani slave traders left in the 18th century, the area was colonized by Germany, and known as Tanganyika. During World War I, control was taken over by the British, as a "protectorate". Tanganyika (the mainland) was granted independence in 1961, followed by the island nation of Zanzibar in 1963. In 1964, the two countries merged as the United Republic of Tanzania.

Because the majority of Tanzania is protected as national park land, the country may well provide some of the best game viewing in East Africa. Across the wide expanse of open plains, you will be amazed at the large herds of wildebeest, zebra and elephant. The big cats are here as well, and you will almost certainly see them.