SCUBA DIVING HOLIDAYS IN TANZANIA

Tanzania is bordered on the south by Mozambique, Malawi, and Zambia; on the west by Zaire, Burundi, and Rwanda; on the north by Uganda and Kenya; and on the east by the Indian Ocean. Tanzania is the largest of the East African nations, and it possesses a geography as mythic as it is spectacular.

Tanzania is one of the unique destinations on the African continent that has yet to be discovered by many. It is a land of many wonders hubbing an un-paralleled diversity of fauna and flora. Kilimanjaro, the highest permanently snow-capped free standing mountain in Africa, the exotic Islands of Zanzibar, the finest game sanctuaries of Serengeti, Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro Crater, Ruaha, Selous and the Marine Park of Mafia Island are only but a few of the living examples. The scenery, topography and very friendly people harbour the growth of excellent cultural tourism beach holidays, game hunting, historical and archaeological ventures – and certainly the best wildlife photographic safaris on the continent.

Tanzania offer one of the largest, wildest animal populations in the world. Wildebeest, monkey, antelope, lion, cheetah, crocodile, gazelle, flamingo are a few of the animals that roams the vast Great Plains. In the clear blue ocean - large napoleon wrasse swim side by side with pelagics such as tuna, jacks, wahoo and shoals of barracuda. Manta and eagle rays cruise the edge of the reefs along with many species of shark and giant groupers reach up to 2 m in length! Hawksbill and green turtles roam the top of the reefs for food, rest and shelter, while numerous smaller reef fish are playing in the shallower depths. Between crustaceans, brightly coloured starfish and molluscs is found in a setting of vibrant colours from the surrounding beautiful coral and sponges.

The best diving is done around the islands of Pemba, Zanzibar and Mafia, where the most dramatic diving conditions in the world are found. Some liveaboards and diving are also found around the capital of Dar es Salaam.

RESORTS IN TANZANIA

CLIMATE IN TANZANIA

SUMMER: December - March
WINTER: March – May

The climate is tropical on the coast, on the islands and in Selous. It is temperate in the other parks. Temperatures on Mount Kilimanjaro and Meru drop to below freezing. Late March - late May is traditionally the long rainy season and is considered the "winter period" in Tanzania. June - late October is the dry season. June, July and August can be very cold on the rim of Ngorongoro Crater. Mnemba Island is lovely at this time of year, the evenings are cool (not cold) and the daytime can be hot. Late October - mid December is when the short rains occur. These are usually in the form of daily thunderstorms. The Ngorongoro Crater rim has a wonderful climate at this time of year.

The Serengeti and Lake Manyara are quite warm and Mnemba is very hot. Mid December - March is summer weather. It is dry and very warm until March. Due to its altitude Ngorongoro Crater is much cooler than elsewhere.