About Tanzania
Tanzania is among the few countries in the world endowed with such a vast range of tourist attractions. Tanzania has 13 national parks, 29 game reserves, 40 controlled conservation areas and marine parks that are located in the Northern and Southern parts of the country. More than 25% of Tanzania’s land area of about one million square kilometers is covered with magnificent game reserves and national parks. Tanzania is also a home to Mt. Kilimanjaro, commonly referred to as the Roof of Africa. Kilimanjaro rises 5963 metres (about 19563 feet) above sea level. It is the tallest mountain in Africa and the tallest free-standing mountain in the world. The breathtaking natural beauty of Mt. Kilimanjaro inspired the legendary author Ernest Hemingway to camp at its slopes and wrote one of his famous novels “Snows of Mt. Kilimanjaro.” The miles long silver sand beaches and the rich historical site of the spicy islands of Zanzibar are yet another attraction that Tanzania is blessed with.
Weather and Climate in Tanzania
Tanzania weather and climate is tropical on the coast, on the islands, and in Selous. It is temperate inland and in the other parks. Tanzania weather has two distinct annual rainfall patterns, which prevail in different areas of the country: In the south, west, south-west and central regions of Tanzania, there is one rainy season, which occurs between December and April. The weather in the northern and eastern regions of the country is characterized with two rainy seasons. The 'short rains' last from October to December, and the 'long rains' last from March to May. The warm Tanzania climate in summer lasts from mid-December 'til March, roughly corresponding with the rainy period of the south, west, and central region of the country. Winter, from June to October, is dry and cold across the country. Tanzania's climate in the mountain regions are notable exceptions to its complex but otherwise regular consitions. Temperatures on Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Meru drop below freezing at night. Climate in Tanzania between June and August can be very cold at the Ngorongoro Crater, but Mnemba Island is lovely at this time of year. Conditions improve greatly later in the year; Ngorongoro is wonderful from October to December, when the short rains occur.