Tanzania is primarily seen as a collection of vast natural reserves - flora, fauna, landscapes, lakes... the variety of picturesque sights can overwhelm the senses. Busily immersed in this pure, natural, stark beauty of the landscape, tourists can easily forget that Tanzania has a thriving human population. As it happens, Tanzania is a melting-pot of cultures. At the broadest and most obvious level, Tanzania was formed as a nation in 1964 by the union of Tanganyika with Zanzibar. Even today, both these components retain partial autonomy and a highly diverse cultural identity. Secondly, Tanzania is located next to the Indian Ocean, close to the Saudi Arabian peninsula. This gives it a wide variety of influences, resulting in the combination of Arabian dhows(boats), Swahili music and Indian cuisine seen in Zanzibar's spice islands. The number of ethnic tribes in Tanzania is over a hundred and twenty. Each tribe has its own variations of music, dance, cuisine, rituals, stories and hospitality. On a cultural safari, tourists can ride across the grasslands in their safari vehicles, dismounting every now and then to experience the slopes of the Meru or Kilimanjaro mountains. The guides are proud to show off their plantations, with crops of coffee, fruit, vegetables or dairy farms. Cultural tourism is a highly intimate interpersonal experience, quite unlike the somewhat voyeuristic thrill one gets out of exploring the grasslands to spot wild animals. Sometimes, there are activities that tourists are allowed to participate in - often, you may also take a memento of the journey back home. Freshly roasted, freshly brewed Tanzanian coffee is a treat like no other, while the local delicacies such as Makande, Malachari, Nyama choma, Chapati and pilau will leave their memories in your minds for a very, very long time. There is no shortage of adventure on cultural safaris either, though it doesn't come anywhere close to the adrenaline rush of being within meters of dangerous wild animals. Riding across the savannah on a camel's rolling, swaying back can be either soothing or thrilling - just watch out for when the animal sits down! The tribal legends leave you on the edge of your seats while you are rowed down a river or across a lake, or simply while paddling in the mangroves. The calm dhows near the islands of Zanzibar offer a completely different cultural flavor, letting you sip your evening cocktails or the local teas and relax completely. The history of Tanzania is highly diverse, and some clues to it still remain for people to see during their tours. Ancient healing methods are still extremely popular, for example, while ancient irrigation systems are still in place in certain areas of the country. Some traditions have been forgotten in life, but live on as history, legend or ritual. Together, it is certainly a life-enriching experience!
Article Source: http://www.articlecontentprovider.com/articlesubmit
As it happens, Tanzania is a melting-pot of cultures. At the broadest and most obvious level, Tanzania was formed as a nation in 1964 by the union of Tanganyika with Zanzibar. Even today, both these components retain partial autonomy and a highly diverse cultural identity. Secondly, Tanzania is located next to the Indian Ocean, close to the Saudi Arabian peninsula. This gives it a wide variety of influences.
Design your own Tanzania Safari to suit your interests and budget. Specialists for Selous, Ruaha, Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Kilimanjaro and cultural safaris. Climb Kilimanjaro . Specialists for Kilimanjaro and Meru Treks, Kilimanjaro by all routes: Marangu, Machame, Lemosho, Rongai, Shira, Umbwe.
Please Rate this Article
5 out of 5 4 out of 5 3 out of 5 2 out of 5 1 out of 5
