Capital: Dodoma

Time: GMT + 3 hours 
 
Population: 37.1 million

Area: 945,087 kmē

Currency: Tanzanian shilling (TZS)

Climate:  Hot and tropical, becoming more temperate inland.  During summer, which is approximately from October to March, temperatures range around 27°C, with somewhat hotter conditions existing on the island of Zanzibar.  Temperatures remain relatively high in the winter, which is rapproximately between April and September.  The rainy season is between March and May.

People: On the mainland, 99% of the population is African, consisting of more than 130 tribes.  On Zanzibar, most citizens are of Arab or native African descent.

Official language:  Kiswahili (Swahili) and English.

Geography:  Along the mainland, Tanzania is generally flat and low, but then rises to a plateau with isolated mountains such as Kilimanjaro, in the north-east and south-east.  The Indian ocean island of Zanzibar is the largest coral island off the coast of Africa.

Neighbouring countries: Burundi, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda, Uganda and Zambia.

Economy: Tanzania’s economy is heavily reliant on agriculture and involves 80% of the country’s labour force.  The mineral industry, and in particular gold, is one of Tanzania's principal exports. Other export products include coffee, cashew nuts and cotton, which are mainly shipped to the United Kingdom, India, Germany and the Netherlands.  Although it is one of the poorest countries in the world, the economy has been growing steadily through industrialisation.

When to go: Most people tend to go in January and February as the weather is believed to be the most pleasant (dry and warm).  However, for game watching in the Serengeti, the wet season is best as most of the animals will have migrated from the Masai Mara in Kenya, as part of the Great Migration.  For climbing enthusiasts who are interested in scaling Mt Kilimanjaro, August to October, and January to March are best.  
 
What to pack: Bring comfortable, light-weight clothes.  If you are going on safari, try to keep your baggage to 12-15kg, preferably in a soft bag, as space is limited on safari transport.  For those going to Zanzibar, please bear in mind that very traditional Muslim cultures are present and that women and men should dress modestly ie. Not wear short skirts and shorts on the main island.  Women are advised to wear clothes that will cover their shoulders and knees. 

• Shorts, T-shirts, sun dresses
• Swimming costumes
• Good comfortable walking shoes
• Casual lightweight cotton, khaki or neutral coloured clothes for safaris
• Fleece or sweater and a warm jacket for game drives or cool evenings
• Wide brimmed hat
• Lots of sun tan lotion, sunblock and lip cream – most foreigners tend to underestimate the hot, African sun and end up with uncomfortable sunburn that can tend to dampen the holiday spirit
• Insect repellent creams
• Binoculars, camera (different kinds of film are widely available )
• Sunglasses