Tanzania has the most alluring and renowned of Africa's place names: the mass migrations of the Serengeti, the Great Rift Valley, Ngorongoro Crater, the fossils of Olduvai Gorge, snow-capped Kilimanjaro, Lake Manyara and the spice-island Zanzibar. Tanzania houses the highest mountain in Africa, Mt Kilimanjaro (5895 m), the second largest fresh-water lake in the world - Lake Victoria and one of the deepest lakes in the world - Lake Tanganyika. Selous Game Reserve is one of the world largest, and the paradisiacal Ngorongoro one of the largest intact volcanic craters, where wildlife roams freely among the Masaai herders.

The country's coastline is superb, and the islands of Zanzibar, Pemba and Mafia promise spectacular water sports. Tanzania's culture is a kaleidoscope of African, Arab, European and Indian origins. 120 tribal groups reside within the country. The largest groups include the Nyamwezi, Makonde, Haya, Dukuma and Chagga. The Maasai, Samburu and Arusha are of Nilotic origin. Dar es Salaam is the administrative capital of Tanzania, Dodoma the legislative. English and Swahili are the most widely spoken languages. The Tanzanian Shilling is the local currency. Mastercard, Access and Diners Club have a limited acceptance. Please consult your local embassy with regard to visa requirements. Tanzania is three hours ahead of GMT.

Seasons: The wildlife viewing and birding is superb year round. A particulalrly good time to go is from late Jun-Oct. The rains have passed, the roads dried, the weather is cooler. By this time the migration in in full swing, with the plain's animals on their way to the Maasai Mara in Kenya.

Precautions: Compulsory Vaccine: Yellow Fever Recommended vaccines: Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Typhoid, Tetanus Malaria prophylaxis: Indicated for the whole country throughout the year. Beware of risk of Bilharzia in lakes and still waters. Medical information supplied by Medi-Travel International.