Travel to Tanzania: People & Culture

Tanzania is considered the cradle of mankind and it is in Tanzania, at the Olduvai Gorge, that some of the most important fossils of humankind have been found - and indeed is one of the reasons why people travel to Tanzania.

Germany and Britain and their citizens were the major participants in shaping the borders of modern-day Tanzania, in the process that has been called the scramble for Africa.

Tanganyika attained full independence from Britain on 9 December 1961, and Zanzibar was granted independence three years later, with the two countries combining to form Tanzania in 1964. The government followed broadly socialist economic policies, allying itself with China and other socialist nations.

Today Tanzania remains among the world's poorest countries, but its massive ecotourism potential is largely untapped, and things are looking up across the board.

Tanzania has a harmonious national culture, one that is based on a subtle but strong social code of courtesy and respect. Tanzania's culture is a result of African, Arab, European and Indian influences.

The Maasai are one of Tanzania's fascinating tribes: a proud people who have fought to retain their old way of life. Read more about them here.