Do you know where Tanzania is, or how large it is? How many tribes call it home? What is tanzanite? Did you know that time is counted differently in Swahili? And what exactly is Swahili?
These questions, and many more, are answered in our Facts & Figures (source: The World Factbook) and Tourist Information sections, where we have put together everything you need to familiarise yourself with Tanzania and feel confident planning your visit.
Tanzania’s stunning natural beauty and remarkable wildlife can be explored across its many National Parks and Reserves. To find out which park or reserve is right for you, visit our Parks & Reserves section under Safaris.
Information referring to tourists is displayed within our Tourist Information section.
Area: 947,300 sq km (365,756 sq miles) in total. Mainland Tanganyika covers 885,800 sq km (341,931 sq miles), the Zanzibar Archipelago with Mafia 2,500 sq km (965 sq miles), and inland water and lakes 59,000 sq km (22,780 sq miles).
Location: Eastern Africa, just south of the Equator. Tanzania shares its northern border with Kenya and Uganda, its western border with the Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi and Rwanda, its southern border with Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique, and its eastern coastline with the Indian Ocean.
Altitude: The central plateau sits at approximately 1,200 m (3,937 ft) above sea level. The highest point in Tanzania, and in all of Africa, is Mt. Kilimanjaro at 5,895 m (19,341 ft). The lowest point is Lake Tanganyika at 358 m (1,175 ft) below sea level.
Landscape: Tanzania’s landscapes are as diverse as they are dramatic. The vast central plateau is covered with savannah and sparse woodland. Running through the interior, the Great Rift Valley has shaped some of the country’s most iconic features, including the Ngorongoro Crater and Lake Tanganyika. Mountain ranges rise in the north-east (the Eastern Arc) and through the centre and south (the Southern Arc). The coastline stretches 1,400 km (870 miles), fringed with palms and opening onto the islands of Zanzibar (Unguja), Pemba and Mafia.
The country’s largest river is the Rufiji. Its major lakes are Lake Victoria, Lake Tanganyika and Lake Nyasa (also known as Lake Malawi).
Climate: Tanzania has a tropical climate. On the coast, temperatures average 26–31°C (79–88°F), with sea breezes offering welcome relief on hotter days. Inland on the central plateau, days are warm at 20–27°C (68–81°F) with cooler nights. There are two rainy seasons each year: the longer rains (masika) run from mid-March to May, and the shorter rains (vuli) fall in November. The hottest months are October through February.
Population: Tanzania is one of Africa’s most populous and fastest-growing nations, and one of its youngest. With a median age of just 18.8 years and approximately 42% of the population under 25, the country has an extraordinarily vibrant demographic profile that is widely seen as one of its greatest long-term strengths.
Population figures over the years: 2026 estimate: approx. 72.6 million (source: UN / Worldometer) 2025 estimate: approx. 70.5 million 2022 census: 61,741,120. Tanzania’s sixth census since independence, and its first conducted entirely digitally. Growth rate: 3.2% per year. 2020 estimate: approx. 59.7 million 2018 estimate: 55 million (growth rate 2.7%) 2014 estimate: 49 million (growth rate 2.8%) 2004 estimate: 36 million (growth rate 1.72%)
Life expectancy at birth: 2025: approx. 67.4 years (source: UN World Population Prospects) 2022: approx. 66.9 years, male 64.9, female 68.9 (source: World Bank) 2018: 63.1 years, male 61.6, female 64.6 2014: 61.2 years, male 59.9, female 62.6 2004: 44.5 years, male 43.3, female 45.8
Median age: 2025: 18.8 years 2022: 18.5 years
Tanzania is home to more than 130 tribes. The larger groups include the Sukuma, Nyamwezi, Makonde, Haya and Chagga; smaller groups include the Maasai and Hadzabe. There is also a significant Asian and Arabic population.
Capital: Dodoma is the administrative capital. Dar es Salaam, with a population of approximately 6 million (2018 est.), serves as the business capital and is the country’s largest city. Other major cities include Mwanza, Arusha, Mbeya and Bukoba.
Language: The official languages are Swahili (Kiswahili) and English. Individual tribes also speak their own languages. 78% of the population aged 15 and over can read and write in Swahili, English or Arabic.
Religion: On the mainland, Christians make up approximately 60% of the population and Muslims 35%, with the remainder following Hindu, Sikh, indigenous or other beliefs. On Zanzibar, 99% of the population is Muslim.
Currency: The currency is the Tanzanian Shilling (TZS), divided into 100 cents. Banknotes in circulation are 10,000, 5,000, 2,000 and 1,000 TZS. The 500 TZS coin is in use, though smaller denominations are rarely encountered in everyday life.
Please note that all payments within Tanzania are required by law to be made in Tanzanian Shillings. The one exception relevant to most visitors is tourist services arranged on behalf of non-residents, which may be quoted and settled in foreign currency.
Government: Tanzania is a multiparty democracy. The ruling party is CCM (Chama Cha Mapinduzi, Party of the Revolution). The current Head of State is President Samia Suluhu Hassan, who has been in office since March 2021 and is Tanzania’s first female president.
National Flag: The flag’s four colours each carry meaning: Black for the People, Green for the Land, Blue for the adjoining Sea, and Gold for the nation’s mineral wealth.
Time Zone: GMT +3. Tanzania does not observe daylight saving.
International Dialling Code: Country code: +255. International exit code: 000.
Internet Domain: .tz
Electricity and Plugs: 230V, 50Hz AC. Sockets are generally British-style three-square-pin or two-round-pin. Adapters are widely available.
Natural Resources: Tanzania is extraordinarily rich in both mineral and natural resources.
Minerals include gold, diamonds, tanzanite and other gemstones, nickel, iron, coal, natural gas, spring water, soda ash and salt.
Wildlife and Conservation: Approximately one third of Tanzania’s total land area is protected, placing it among the world’s foremost safari destinations. This network includes 22 National Parks, among them the world-famous Serengeti and the remarkable Ngorongoro Conservation Area, as well as 13 Game Reserves, 38 Game Controlled Areas and approximately 120 National Cultural Heritage Sites. For anyone planning a Tanzania safari, this unmatched concentration of protected wilderness is the foundation of everything.
Forestry and Beekeeping: non-reserved forest land covers 1,903.8 sq km (735 sq miles), forest and woodlands within national parks 200 sq km (77 sq miles), and gazetted forest reserves 1,251.7 sq km (483 sq miles).
Fisheries: Tanzania’s three major lakes, Indian Ocean coastline, rivers and wetlands support an estimated potential annual fish yield of 730,000 tons, with the current catch at approximately 350,000 tons per year.
GDP per Capita: Tanzania’s economy has grown steadily over the past two decades, though it remains a developing nation. 2024: approx. 1,224 USD 2020: approx. 1,081 USD 2014: approx. 1,000 USD 2004: approx. 271 USD (Source: World Bank / IMF World Economic Outlook)
Major Exports: Agricultural exports include coffee, tea, cotton, cashew nuts, sisal and cloves. Mineral exports include gold, diamonds, tanzanite and other gemstones, nickel, iron and coal.
Distances: Tanzania is a large country, roughly twice the size of California and three times the size of Italy. When planning your Tanzania safari or road journey, distances between cities and national parks can be considerable and are well worth factoring into your itinerary from the start.
Planning a trip to Tanzania? Here you will find everything you need to prepare for your visit. We have put together as much practical information as possible in one place, drawing on over two decades of experience helping travellers from around the world arrive informed, comfortable, and ready to enjoy every moment. If you cannot find what you are looking for here, please do not hesitate to contact us. We are always happy to help.
Contrary to what many people expect, it does not rain all day during the rainy season. Showers typically fall in the evenings, overnight, and in the early mornings, and this period often offers excellent value for money, with significantly reduced accommodation rates. Do note that some lodges and hotels close during this time for annual maintenance.
The coolest and driest months, and generally the most popular for Tanzania safaris, are June through October.
At higher altitudes such as the Ngorongoro Crater, Mt. Kilimanjaro and Mt. Meru, temperatures can drop considerably even during the warmer months. Always pack a warm layer regardless of when you travel.
Luggage-wise, there is no need to overpack. Laundry services are available at most accommodation properties. Bear in mind that on local domestic flights in Tanzania, especially those serving bush airstrips, baggage allowances are strictly limited to 15 kg (33 lbs) per person, including hand luggage, camera equipment and handbags. Soft-sided bags or duffels are strongly recommended over hard-shell cases, and dimensions should not exceed 58 x 33 x 25 cm (23 x 13 x 10 inches). On larger aircraft flying between major cities, the allowance may be 20-23 kg (44-50 lbs). Always confirm your specific allowance with us before you fly.
If you are planning to drive in Tanzania for more than one month, we recommend obtaining an International Driving Permit before departure. Please note that driving is on the left side of the road.
Students can benefit from carrying an International Student Identity Card for discounts on train fares, airline tickets, museums and archaeological sites.
Do not forget your camera and plenty of memory cards with spare batteries. Protect your equipment from dust on safari and from the cold at altitude. Cameras, phones, tablets and laptops can generally be charged at lodges, camps and in safari vehicles.
Important: The use of drones in Tanzania is not permitted unless a special advance permit has been approved by the Tanzanian Ministry of Defence. Drones are prohibited inside all national parks. Without a valid permit, drones will be confiscated at the point of entry.
Citizens of EU countries without their own Embassy or High Commission in Tanzania may seek consular assistance from any EU member state’s Embassy or High Commission.
Visitors are advised to remove all such items from their luggage before travelling to Tanzania. Items designed for multiple use, such as zippered cosmetic bags and sealed medical packaging, are not included in the ban. Ziploc bags specifically used to carry toiletries are generally permitted as they are expected to remain in the visitor’s possession and not be discarded in the country.
A Tanzania tourist visa is required for the majority of nationalities visiting Tanzania, covering both mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar. There are currently two options:
Visa on Arrival: available at all official entry points by air or land. Payment must be made in US dollars if entering through mainland Tanzania. If entering through Zanzibar, payment can only be made by debit or credit card. A full list of countries eligible for visa on arrival is available at https://www.immigration.go.tz
Tanzania eVisa (Electronic Visa): applied for online at https://visa.immigration.go.tz (please use only the official website ending in .go.tz). We recommend applying at least 30 days before arrival, as processing typically takes around two weeks. Ensure all information entered is accurate, as errors may result in visa rejection at the point of entry and require a new payment. Current Tanzania visa fees: US passport holders: USD 100 (multiple-entry visa, valid for 90 days within one calendar year). All other nationalities: USD 50 (single-entry visa). Fees are subject to change without notice.
Please notify us if you have applied for a Tanzania eVisa and have not received a response one week before your travel date.
The yellow fever vaccination certificate is valid for life. Since 11 July 2016, the International Health Regulations confirmed that no booster or revaccination is required, regardless of when the original vaccination was administered – read more: https://www.who.int/news/item/17-05-2013-yellow-fever-vaccination-booster-not-needed
Countries from which a yellow fever certificate is required upon entry into Tanzania include: in Africa: Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, Cote d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, Sudan, Togo, Uganda. South America: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Venezuela.
If you are travelling directly from a country not on this list, no certificate is required. Source: WHO International Health and Travel, updated January 2023.
If you arrive from a yellow fever endemic area without a valid certificate, you may be refused entry or vaccinated on arrival and kept under health observation for up to 10 days. The cost of yellow fever vaccination at the point of entry is USD 50 for foreigners.
Vaccinations commonly recommended for travel to Tanzania (not compulsory unless noted above) include: Tetanus, Diphtheria, Polio, Typhoid, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Rabies and Meningitis.
Malaria in Tanzania is present with moderate risk, particularly in rural and low-altitude areas. Risk is lower in Arusha, Dar es Salaam and at higher altitudes. Commonly prescribed preventive medications include Lariam (taken weekly) and Malarone (taken daily). Please check for potential side effects with your doctor, particularly if you plan to continue to a beach holiday after your safari. Whether or not you choose to take antimalarial medication, additional precautions are strongly advised: wear long, light-coloured clothing in the evenings, sleep under a mosquito net, and use a high-DEET insect repellent.
For drinking, bottled or purified water is strongly recommended. Tap water in most lodges and camps has been purified and filtered and is generally safe for brushing teeth, unless stated otherwise by your accommodation. A simple rule when eating: if you cannot cook it, boil it or peel it, leave it.
If you feel unwell or feverish while on safari with us, please notify our team immediately so we can assist you.
Modern medical facilities are available in all major cities and within Tanzania’s national parks. A flying doctor service can be called for emergencies across all areas. Please ensure your travel insurance covers this service.
There are currently no Covid-19 entry requirements for Tanzania.
Your insurance policy must cover: personal accident and injury, medical expenses and hospitalisation, emergency repatriation and medical evacuation including flying doctor services, trip cancellation and curtailment, loss or theft of personal belongings, and all force majeure events beyond anyone’s control.
Please arrange your insurance within seven days of paying your deposit or confirming any travel arrangement. If you choose to travel without insurance, please be aware that this does not remove your liability for cancellation fees payable to our suppliers.
Please read further below about the Mandatory Zanzibar Travel Insurance, effective from 1st October 2024 applicable to all non-residents of Tanzania.
For full details of our booking terms and cancellation policy, please read our Terms and Conditions.
Pure Afro Travels is committed to protecting your personal data. We will only share your information where necessary to facilitate your travel arrangements, such as with park authorities for fee processing, airlines for flight bookings, and accommodation providers for securing your stays. Your data will never be shared with third parties without your consent. Full details are available in our Privacy Policy.
An airport departure tax of USD 30 is levied and is usually included in the price of your air ticket. When travelling between mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar by plane or ferry, an additional USD 5 departure tax may apply.
US dollar cash is widely accepted for exchange, but please note that USD bills must be dated 2009 or newer. Older bills will not be accepted anywhere in Tanzania. Exchange rates are more favourable for USD 50 and USD 100 notes than for smaller denominations. Always exchange at banks or official bureau de change only.
Major credit cards (Visa and Mastercard) are accepted at most hotels, lodges, larger restaurants and some airlines. A bank surcharge of 5-10% may apply.
ATMs in Tanzania are available in larger cities including Arusha, Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar, but are limited in rural and bush areas. ATMs dispense TZS only, with withdrawal limits of approximately 400,000 TZS (around USD 150) per transaction. Multiple withdrawals may be possible depending on your daily card limit. We strongly recommend informing your bank of your travel plans before departure to avoid your card being blocked.
Visitors may bring foreign currency into Tanzania. A declaration is required for amounts exceeding USD 10,000. Import and export of Tanzanian Shillings is not permitted.
Important: Keep your passport, cash and valuables secure at all times and never leave them unattended.
Government fees are reviewed annually on 1 July and may increase with little or no advance notice. Any increase in park fees will be passed on accordingly.
Fixed public holidays: 1 January: New Year’s Day; 12 January: Zanzibar Revolution Day; 7 April: Karume Day (Zanzibar); 26 April: Union Day; 1 May: Workers Day; 7 July: Saba Saba Day (Industry Day); 8 August: Nane Nane Day (Farmers Day); 14 October: Mwalimu Nyerere Day and the climax of the Uhuru Torch Race; 9 December: Independence Day (Jamhuri Day); 25 December: Christmas Day; 26 December: Boxing Day
Moveable holidays (dates vary annually based on moon sighting): Good Friday and Easter Monday; The beginning of Ramadan; Eid al-Fitr (end of Ramadan); Eid al-Kebir (Eid al-Haji); Eid al-Moulid (Maulidi)
One thing that surprises many visitors to Tanzania is that locals traditionally use Swahili time alongside the standard western clock. Swahili time is set six hours ahead of western time, meaning that what we call 6:00 a.m. is saa kumi na mbili in Swahili, literally the twelfth hour of the day. The Swahili day begins at sunrise, which falls around 6:00 a.m. for most of the year in Tanzania.
The simplest way to convert: add or subtract six hours. In practice, when a local person answers you in English, they will almost always use western time. If they use the word saa, meaning hour, they are most likely using Swahili time.
It is also worth knowing that Tanzania, like much of Africa, moves at its own rhythm. Things are rarely rushed, and fully embracing that is part of truly enjoying your journey. Rest assured, our own team holds itself to a higher standard when it comes to punctuality and delivering on our commitments to you.
Hours are general and may vary by town.
For transparency and to ensure tips reach the right people, larger groups are encouraged to give tips directly to staff rather than through a group leader only.
The following can be used as a reference guide for tipping in Tanzania: Private safari driver-guide: USD 10-15 per person per day; Camp crew: USD 5-10 per person per day; Local safari or city guide: USD 10-20 per person for a full day; half for a half day; Porters and waiters: USD 1 per person; Transfer drivers: USD 5 per person; Hot air balloon pilots: USD 10 per person; Restaurants and accommodation: 10-15%, unless a service charge is already included. Please note that in Tanzania, a service charge is commonly added to accommodation and meal bills.
Bargaining is expected in markets and tourist areas across Tanzania. The initially quoted price is often well above the real one, and negotiating is part of the experience. In local non-tourist shops, the quoted price is usually the actual price.
It is illegal to buy or export ivory, rhino products, seashells, turtle shells or any wildlife products in any form, including simple jewellery. When purchasing gemstones in Tanzania, always obtain a receipt and certificate of origin and authenticity, as you may be asked to present these to customs upon departure.
For photographing local Maasai or Swahili people, always ask your guide to seek permission first and agree on any fee before taking photographs. Always respect a refusal graciously.
Mobile networks in Tanzania have expanded significantly in recent years. Roaming is an option if your provider has an agreement with a local operator: Vodacom, Airtel or Tigo on the mainland, and Zantel on Zanzibar. A local SIM card is a very affordable alternative and can be purchased for around USD 1, with mandatory registration on presentation of a valid ID. Various prepaid data and call bundles are available for 24 hours, 7 days or 30 days.
Wi-Fi is widely available at hotels, restaurants and international airports across Tanzania, though connection quality varies. Always ensure your device’s security software is up to date when using public networks.
Postal services are available, though relatively slow. Airmail to Europe takes approximately one week, and longer to destinations further afield. DHL, TNT and UPS courier services are available in Tanzania.
Power cuts do occur occasionally but are generally brief.
Public displays of affection between couples are not customary and are best avoided. It is not unusual to see people of the same gender holding hands as a simple expression of friendship, which is entirely normal in Tanzanian culture and carries no other meaning.
Dress respectfully, particularly in Muslim areas and on Zanzibar. Covered knees and shoulders will earn you more respect, attract far less unwanted attention, and reflect well on you as a guest in Tanzania.
Always ask permission before photographing anyone, and do not feel offended if someone declines or asks for a small payment in return. Never litter. Do not remove natural materials from the environment, including bones, shells, feathers or coral.
When visiting Tanzania’s national parks, always follow park regulations and the instructions of your ranger or guide. Keep a respectful distance from wildlife and remain quiet during game drives.
It is available to download on our website in English, French, Spanish, German, Italian and Kiswahili.
Avoid displaying valuables openly, carry only the cash you need, and keep the rest in a money belt or your hotel safe along with your passport and important documents. Ask locals or your accommodation which areas to avoid, and after dark always use a reliable taxi recommended by your hotel or lodge.
Typical dishes you will encounter include ugali (stiff maize or cassava porridge), wali (rice), chipsi (deep-fried chips), chapati (flatbread cooked like a pancake), nyama choma (roast meat), samaki (fish), kuku (chicken), mishkaki (grilled meat skewers), pilau (spiced rice), samosa (fried pastry filled with spiced meat and vegetables), and matoke (cooked banana with meat or vegetables). On the Tanzanian coast and in Zanzibar, fresh lobster, shrimps and tropical fish are a highlight and not to be missed.
Larger towns offer a good range of international cuisine including Indian, Chinese and Italian. Vegetarians are well catered for, with a wonderful variety of tropical fruits and vegetable dishes available across Tanzania.
Local restaurant meals cost from USD 1 to 5. Mid-range international restaurants range from USD 5 to 30. Upscale dining at exclusive lodges can run from USD 20 to several hundred.
Tanzanian lagers worth trying include Safari (5.5%), Serengeti (4.8%), Kilimanjaro (4.5%) and Tusker (4.2%), generally costing USD 1 to 3. Konyagi, a locally produced spirit at 35%, is widely available. If you get the chance, do try papaya or banana wine. Non-alcoholic options include chai (tea), kahawa (coffee), fresh juices and sodas.
Pure Afro Travels actively supports community development in Tanzania. You can read more on our Travels With a Purpose page.
Zanzibar Code of Conduct: Zanzibar has a traditionally conservative Muslim culture, and visitors are warmly asked to dress respectfully when outside of beach accommodation. Both men and women should cover shoulders and knees when visiting villages, towns, Stone Town and any public spaces. Beachwear is only appropriate on beaches and at swimming areas.
Photographing children in Zanzibar is not permitted without a parent or guardian present. Any direct contact with children is discouraged unless it is through an authorised community programme. Please ask your guide or accommodation how to engage responsibly.
Do not touch starfish and respect marine life at all times. Buying seashells or any natural materials is illegal in Zanzibar.
Drinking alcohol in public is not permitted. Public displays of affection are not culturally acceptable. During the holy month of Ramadan, visitors are requested not to eat, drink or smoke in public spaces.
Mosques are sacred places. Please do not enter without permission from a guardian.
Use water mindfully and avoid waste. Carry a reusable water bottle, reduce plastic use, and always use rubbish bins. Littering is taken seriously and can result in a fine.
Mandatory Zanzibar Travel Insurance: Effective 1 October 2024, all foreign visitors entering Zanzibar by air or sea are required to hold mandatory inbound travel insurance, obtainable exclusively from the Zanzibar Insurance Corporation (ZIC).
Apply online at: https://visitzanzibar.go.tz Email: inbound@zic.co.tz Toll-free number: 0800008005
Cost: USD 44 per adult. Children aged 3 to 17 receive a 50% discount. Groups of 10 or more receive a 10% discount. Coverage extends for up to 92 days and is primarily designed for emergency situations including medical expenses, repatriation and evacuation. Proof of valid insurance is required at the point of entry. Non-compliance may result in denial of entry.
Zanzibar Infrastructure Tax: As of 1 July 2023, all accommodation properties on Zanzibar are required to charge a government Infrastructure Tax, payable by guests on the spot at check-in.
Rates per person per night: 5-star and 4-star accommodation: USD 5; 3-star and 2-star accommodation: USD 4; 1-star and other accommodation: USD 2
History of Tanzania: Tanzania is the ‘Cradle of Mankind’ as it was here in Olduvai Gorge that Dr Louis Leakey discovered the fossilised remains of Homo Habilis or ‘handy man’, calculated to be 1.75 million years old and the ancestor of the modern man.
Tanzania was occupied by various African tribes; most recently by the Maasai from Kenya, who have retained their proud traditions. Arab merchants visited the coast some 2000 years ago and settled in Zanzibar around the eight century AD, later establishing trade routes into the interior.
The intermarriages of Arabs and local African people created a new community with their own language – Kiswahili (Swahili), whose word for a journey, safari, has become the international description of a trip into the wild!
The Portuguese established temporary settlements in the 16th century, supplemented by the Omanis in the late 17th century who developed infamous slave trade.
The first Europeans to show an interest in Tanganyika, as the mainland was then known, were missionaries of the Church Missionary Society in the 19th century, Johann Ludwig Krapf and Johannes Rebmann, who in the late 1840s reached Kilimanjaro. A number of missionary societies began to take an interest in East Africa after 1860.
The scramble for Africa by the European powers at the end of the 19th century led to occupation of the mainland by Germany although Zanzibar became a British protectorate. After the First World War, Germany was forced to surrender its territory to British.
Tanganyika achieved independence in 1961. Zanzibar became independent two years later and shortly afterwards joined with the mainland to become the United Republic of Tanzania.
Time-line History:
2.5 million BC – Homo Habilis emerges in the heart of East Africa, sticking around until 1.5 million BC.
1.75 million BC – Homo Erectus, a bigger and brighter hominid, emerges.
50.000 BC – Homo Sapiens in East Africa begin experimenting with stone tools.
10.000 BC – The New Stone Age begins when stone-making techniques and the use of fire are mastered and early communities form based on the hunting and gathering of food.
1000 BC – Agricultural techniques are introduced by people from what is known now Ethiopia; farming begins in the farmlands and Rift Valley regions of southern Kenya and northern Tanzania.
400 BC – Greek geographer Herodotus travels south from Cairo hoping to reach the source of the Nile.
100 BC – Bantu people start arriving from Niger Delta armed with iron tools; a new are of colonisation and population expansion begins.
AD 150 – Ptolemy produces a map of Africa showing the river »Nillus«, the two lakes called »Nili Paludes«, and the »Lune Montes« (the Rwenzoris or Mountains of the Moon).
500 – Arabs sail around the Horn of Africa trading ivory, gold and slaves for glass, metal spearheads and later Indian spices and Chinese porcelain.
700 – Arabs found several trading settlements on the East African coast and introduce Islam (founded by the prophet Mohamed in Arabia around AD 600) to East Africa.
1100 – Islam is now practised widely all along the coast and Swahili (a mix of Arabic and African languages) is spoken.
1300 – The large Bantu kingdom of Chwezi is established in the west of East Africa (Uganda).
1498 – Portuguese explorer Vasco de Gama sails around the Cape of Good Hope and up the East African coast.
1506 – Portuguese succeed in controlling most of the East African coast.
1500s – Nillotic people (originally from the southern Nile Valley) migrate into East Africa.
1600s – Omani ships continually threaten Portuguese trading stations and finally re-establish Arab control along the coast.
1699 – Portuguese ousted from Zanzibar by Omani Arabs.
1700s – Another wave of Nilotic people, the Maasai, spread into northern Kenya and then down the Rift Valley into Tanzania. Smaller Bantu groups as Chagga in the Kilimanjaro area, retreat to high ground for safety.
1832 – The Sultan of Oman, Seyyid Said, moves his capital and entire court toZanzibar. The slave trade flourishes.
1862 – A port of Dar es Salaam is founded by Sultan of Zanzibar.
1873 – Sultan Barghash of Zanzibar is strong-armed by the British into signing a treaty banning the slave trade.
1884 – German Colonisation Society begins to acquire territory on the mainland.
1886 – The Berlin Conference divides East Africa between Britain and Germany by drawing a line from Lake Victoria to the Indian Ocean. North of the border is British territory, to become Kenya and Uganda. South of the border is German East Africa, to become Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi; except for a narrow piece of territory along the coast which remained the authority of the Sultan of Zanzibar, and the island of Zanzibar, which becomes a British protectorate.
1890s – Plantations of sisal, rubber, cotton, coffee and tea begin to be established.
1905-06 – Indigenous Maji Maji uprising takes place in German East Africa which is suppressed by German troops.
1914-18 – During WWI German and British forces, both made up from European and African soldiers, engage in a long campaign in East Africa.
1919 – The League of Nations gives Britain a mandate over German East Africa, who rename it Tanganyika.
1929 – Tanganyika African Association founded.
1946 – United Nations converts British mandate over Tanganyika into a trusteeship.
1919 – Julius Nyerere and Oscar Kambona transform the Tanganyika African Association into the Tanganyika African National Union.
1961 – Tanganyika gains independence with Julius Nyerere as prime minister.
1962 – Tanganyika becomes a republic with Julius Nyerere as the first president.
1963 – The Sultanate of Zanzibar gains independence.
1964 – Sultanate of Zanzibar is overthrown by Afro-Shirazi Party in a violent, left-wing revolution; Tanganyika and Zanzibar merge to become Tanzania, with Nyerere as president and the head of Zanzibar government and leader of the Afro-Shirazi Party, Abeid Amani Karume, as vice-president. The capital of Tanzania is Dar es Salaam.
1967 – Nyerere introduces ujamaa system of government to Tanzania (Arusha Declaration). It combines expects of Marxist socialism and African tradition, emphasising the importance of collectivism, nationalisation and self-reliance.
1972 – The head of the Zanzibar Revolutionary Council is assassinated. A few years later in an attempt to cement the union of Zanzibar and the mainland Nyerere authorises formation of a one-party state and creates the Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM, or Party of the Revolution) that still dominates Tanzania politics.
1974 – A new capital of Tanzania becomes Dodoma located in the central Tanzania. Dar es Salaam still remains an industrial and trade capital of Tanzania.
1977 –The East African Economic Community of Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda collapses, badly affecting Tanzania ’s economy. The border with Kenya is closed.
1978 – Uganda invades north-western Tanzania annexing some 1200 sq km.
1979 – A Tanzanian »people’s army« launches a major counter-attack and goes on to »liberate« Uganda virtually unopposed; the Ugandan capital Kampala is occupied and its President Idi Amin ousted.
1985 – President Nyerere retires and is replaced by the president of Zanzibar, Ali Hassan Mwinyi.
1992 – Tanzanian president Mwinyi, under pressure of major donors, legalises opposition parties and multiparty elections are scheduled. Economic liberalisation begins.
1995 – Tanzania holds its firs multiparty elections, which go relatively smoothly on the mainland; less so on Zanzibar. Benjamin Mkapa is chosen as a President in Tanzania’s first multiparty election.
1999 – October – Julius Nyerere dies.
2000 – Benjamin Mkapa is elected for a second term, winning 72% of the vote.
2001 – Rallies and demonstrations of opposition supporters in Zanzibar and Dar es Salaam.
2001 – Huge new gold mine, Bulyanhulu, opens near northern town Mwanza, making Tanzania Africa’s third largest producer of gold.
2001 – Presidents of Tanzania, Uganda and Kenya launch regional Parliament and Court of Justice in Arusha to legislate on matters of common interest such as trade and immigration.
2004 – Presidents of Tanzania, Uganda and Kenya sign protocol in Arusha over proposed customs union, intended to boost trade.