ZAR
USD
EUR
GBP
CAD
AUD
CHF
ZAR
USD
EUR
GBP
CAD
AUD
CHF

What are you looking for?

ZAR
USD
EUR
GBP
CAD
AUD
CHF
ZAR
USD
EUR
GBP
CAD
AUD
CHF
Hello traveller!

It's in Cape Town now.

We're sorry. Our safari planners aren't available now. Our office hours are 08:00 - 19:00 (GMT+2).

Call us to speak to an experienced safari planner.


Alternatively, we recommend...

travel-form-icon

Complete our travel enquiry form to connect with a safari planner

ENQUIRE TODAY
Email us
(optional)

Languages Spoken in Tanzania

Africa's best authentic tailor-made safaris

View Photos

Languages Spoken in Tanzania

Team Member Headshot

By Diane Du Plessis

Safari Travel Planner

Safari Enquiry

With around 129 different ethnic groups, the Republic of Tanzania has evolved the greatest linguistic diversity in the whole of the African continent with four major African language bases, ranging from Bantu, Cushitic and the Nilotic languages to the less comprehensively spoken Khoisan. One of the founding directives of independent Tanzania was that no ethnic group should dominate, and this was made easier by the fact that none of the 129 tribes and sub-tribes exceeds much more than 10% of the country’s overall population. A governmental drive continues to reduce tribal differentiation by promoting Swahili.

Children in a local Tanzanian village

With such a diversity of people contained within the boundaries of Tanzania, having Swahili as a national language has brought about the country’s strong sense of national identity. It is interesting to note that in Tanzania all primary school education is taught in Swahili, but when school children graduate from primary school and enter secondary school, the medium of instruction switches overnight to English. This makes for an incredibly difficult adjustment and many children drop out of school or fail their national exams at this point.

Tanzanian women

As the national language, Swahili is the most widely spoken language with English being largely absent from rural Tanzania and only really found in the larger towns, cities and tourist areas.

How it Works

2

Contact us or fill out an enquiry form and one of our travel experts will help you tailor make your perfect safari

3

Enjoy an authentic African experience, with peace of mind

Travel with Confidence

With over 20 years of experience, our team will help you choose the perfect African safari for your adventure.
24/7 Support
Flexible
Authentic
Personalized

Why travel with us?

Recent reviews from travellers who planned and booked their Africa trips with Discover Africa Safaris
We can do nothing but highly recommend Susan from Discover Africa. What...

10 Days Cape Town, Winelands and Kruger Park Safari Review

Bryan & Neil, United Kingdom
13 Mar 2024
Adelle was extremely professional, knowledgeable, and responsive.

14 Day Cape Winelands & Greater Kruger Safari Review

Carlo and Andrea, United States
12 Oct 2023
Highly Recommend! Planned a trip of a lifetime.

12 Day Cape Town & Madikwe Safari Review

Zahida, United States
25 Jul 2023
Knowledgeable, Professional, Terrific!

13 Day Southern African Safari Reviewe

Susan Smith, United States
05 Jun 2023
Brilliant Tanzanian Safari!

Family Safari in Tanzania Review

Jeens/Middleton family, Canada
05 Sep 2019
Megan was fabulous & so patient in customizing our trip to do...

Review for African Safari Tour

Jacquie, United States
19 Jul 2018

Ready to plan your tailor-made safari?

Lana Goodwin, Safari Travel Planner

Free safari planning advice from destination experts

HELP ME PLAN
Copyright © Discover Africa Safaris | Languages Spoken in Tanzania | Last Updated: 29 September 2023