Before detailing the features of the country that await, a little bit of Gabon’s history will be explained as the events that formed the place you are visiting should help you gain a better insight into the country as it is today.

Contact with other nations not having been confirmed, it seems that it was the Portugeuse in the 15th century that reached and had an appreciable impact on the area - naming it after a word in their own language, gabao, an item of clothing similar in shape to the estuary of the Komo river.  Traders followed, slaves being one of the commodities.  Opinions changed and the French released the people on a slave ship, who went on to call where the settled Libreville.  This is now the capital of Gabon.  French explores veneture a long way into gabon’s jungles and although there was a French presence from 1839, Gabon did not undergo adminstration until 1903.  1910 saw the incorporation of Gabon into French Equatorial Africa that lasted until 1959, with independence being gained in 1960.  A number of political systems struggled for long-term stability which were followed with demonstrations that were unfortunately violent in 1990. Elections, suspicious deaths,attempted coups and internal and external accusations of irregularities bring us to the present.  Despite all this intrigue, President Bongo has been in control since 1967, making him the longest serving African Head of State.

The political scene now set, the attractions of the country shall be expounded.  The Gabonese government annonced in 2002 that 10% of its land will be assigned as National Parks in order to protect flora and fauna long-term. This is amongst the largest conservation projects in the world.  This means that is is possible to see the spectacular beauty of such creature as gorillas, elephants and hippos.  The climate is generally hot and humid with June to September being slightly cooler.  This will probably be attractive to those visitors whose countries tend to be rather cold.  Libreville has the rather different chalk hite buildings and the Isle of Nadji is an option for those wishing to experience Gabonese nightlife…

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The Olduvai Gorge was where prehistoric remains have been found, dating back several million years. It should not be surprising that it was some time later that indictions of contact with other continents emerged.  Trading with seems to have begun with Arabia and India, although the 15th century Portugeuse arrival  rather shook relations with former.  French slavers took over the weakened Portugeuse mantle in the 18th Century and contact with the interior remained mainly through African caravans until the 19th century.  Arab traders were braver, with some settling near Lake Taganjika and although land was not annexed, some local chiefs were defeated when hostile.  Missionaries arrived in the 19th century as did geographic explorers and the famous Livingstone who was attempting to put an end to the horrors of the slave trade.  The end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th centuries saw colonial invasion that was not to end until Tanzania gained independence in 1964.  In addition to strong local cultures, there have been Arabian, Indian, German and British inflluences in the region.  These are far from vestigal as can seen in the layout of Stone Town on Zanzibar or even the shape of the country itself.

As mentioned above, Kilimanjaro, the world’s tallest free standing peak looms over the north of the country.  Easily accessible from Moshi or Arusha, those with funds to pay the park fees can have an amazing time moving from tropical to near arctic like weather.  Immense concentrations of large animals roam the Serengeti National Park  while the Ngorongoro crater allows quick viewing of the big five checklist on a single day safari.  Over the water from Dar es Salaam is the island of Zanzibar where diving and swimming with the dolphins are especially popular.  Although losing its status as country capital to Dodoma, Dar with its bustle and dangers after dark could make a particularly exciting trip if the gardens and market are too sedate.

If all this has failed to capture your imagination, think for a moment of the experience of gazing out over expansive tracts of land that have not been ruined by the encroachment of destructive people.  The bumpy, muddy roads will remind you that it is nature that is still very much in charge here not people.  This alone is reason enough to learn more about Tanzania.

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