Let's see what you really know about Tanzania

Tanzania: 10 things you (probably) didn’t know

(And if you knew them all… hats off to you!)

There’s a country in East Africa that holds the continent’s highest peak and is home to one of the oldest hunter-gatherer communities still living today. A country with more than 120 ethnic groups, where people speak a melodic language called Swahili, stretching from the savannas of the Serengeti to the turquoise waters of Zanzibar.

Tanzania is over one and a half times the size of Italy (about 945,000 km²), has more than 65 million inhabitants, and its economy is growing thanks to agriculture, tourism and the mining of tanzanite—a precious stone found nowhere else on Earth. And yet, for many, it remains a fascinating mystery.

So here’s a little challenge: how many of these 10 curiosities did you already know?
(Spoiler: at the end, you might discover Tanzania is also a great place to plant a tree…)

1. They speak the language of “pole pole”

In Tanzania, people speak Swahili, a soft, lilting language that teaches the philosophy of pole pole: slowly, slowly. It’s an invitation to slow down, to enjoy the journey rather than rush to the destination. A way of life that turns even climbing Kilimanjaro into an experience rather than just an achievement.

2. Coffee? Not just to drink, but to tell stories

Tanzanian coffee is among the world’s finest, grown mainly on the slopes of Kilimanjaro and Mount Meru. But more than a product, it’s a story: every bean carries traditions, dances, songs and proverbs speaking of earth, rain and patience.

3. One nation, 120 faces

Tanzania is one of Africa’s most ethnically diverse countries, home to over 120 distinct groups, each with its own language, dress and rituals. Yet, thanks to Swahili, it’s also one of the continent’s most united. A mosaic that works.

4. Music that pulses between roots and future

From the traditional rhythms of taarab to the modern beats of bongo flava, Tanzanian music blends poetry, social commentary and infectious energy. It’s the soundtrack of markets, weddings and long rides in the daladala minibuses.

5. Tanzanite: the gem you’ll only find here

Discovered in the 1960s, tanzanite is a precious stone with an intense blue-violet colour found only in a tiny area at the foot of Kilimanjaro. Some geologists say that when these deposits run out, there will be no more anywhere on Earth. A secret of the soil, as rare as it is fragile.

6. Where “the great migration” truly is great

Every year, over two million wildebeest, zebras and gazelles migrate between the Serengeti (Tanzania) and Masai Mara (Kenya). It’s the largest terrestrial migration on the planet: an ancient cycle that keeps the savanna alive.

7. The Hadza people: guardians of a different time

Around Lake Eyasi lives the Hadza, one of the world’s last hunter-gatherer communities. They speak a language of clicks and pops, and live in deep harmony with nature—without farming or private property.

8. A taste of sea, spices and history

Zanzibar, part of Tanzania, is a unique crossroads: Arab, Persian, Indian, African and European influences intertwine in its culture, food and architecture. Here, spice markets brim with cinnamon, cloves and cardamom that tell stories of ancient trade routes.

9. More than safari: the magic of Ujamaa

In the 1960s, Tanzania adopted Ujamaa, an idea of African socialism based on community, solidarity and sharing resources. Although this model no longer exists as it did, the belief that “community comes before the individual” still shapes Tanzanian society.

10. A name born of unity

The name Tanzania comes from the union of Tanganyika (the mainland) and Zanzibar (the island). A geographic and cultural marriage that created a young country (independent since 1961) with ancient roots.

And now?

If even one of these facts surprised you or made you smile, there’s a simple way to give something back to this land: plant a tree in Tanzania with Treedom.
It’s more than a symbolic gesture: it’s a seed for the future, supporting local communities, agroforestry projects and biodiversity.

Because Tanzania’s beauty isn’t only in its landscapes, but also in the branches reaching for the sky and the roots that run deep in history. 🌿