Central Tanzania

Central Tanzania is the country's plateau region, with grasslands and national parks in its south and arable land in the north.

• -6.183535.7461 Dodoma - the nominal capital
• -4.51666735.3833332 Katesh - between Singida and Arusha
• -4.90457835.7822563 Kondoa - one of the largest collections of rock paintings in Africa
• -6.82416737.6633334 Morogoro - at the crossroads of Dar Es Salaam, Dodoma, and Iringa, at the base of the Uluguru mountains
• -6.3536.4833335 Mpwapwa
• -4.81861134.7505566 Singida - to the north of Dodoma, on the way to Arusha or Mwanza

• -7.3537.151 Mikumi National Park
• -7.53111134.6369442 Ruaha National Park
• -937.43 Selous Game Reserve (including Nyerere National Park)
• -7.836.6833334 Udzungwa Mountains National Park

Central Tanzania is characterised by broad plateaus, dry savanna, semi-arid landscapes and important administrative centres. The area includes the national capital, Dodoma, as well as towns such as Singida and Tabora, and serves as a link between Tanzania's coastal regions and the western and northern parts of the country.

Central Tanzania is largely situated on the East African Plateau. Much of the region has a drier climate than the humid coastal areas, and the landscape is dominated by grassland, savanna, woodland and cultivated land.

Agriculture and livestock keeping are important economic activities, while administrative services, trade and transportation are concentrated in the larger towns. The region is also culturally diverse, with several ethnic communities maintaining distinctive languages and traditions.

Dodoma is the political centre of Tanzania and has grown significantly as government institutions have been transferred from Dar es Salaam.

Central Tanzania generally has a tropical savanna to semi-arid climate, depending on location and elevation. Rainfall is seasonal and is usually concentrated in a single rainy season, followed by a long dry period. Days can be hot, particularly during the dry season, while nights may be considerably cooler because of the region's elevation and distance from the coast.

Buses and shared minibuses are widely used for travel between towns and villages. Taxis and private vehicles are useful within larger urban centres.

• Northern Tanzania — For major safari destinations and the Kilimanjaro area.
• Dar es Salaam — Tanzania's largest city and principal commercial centre.
• Southern Tanzania — Known for extensive wilderness areas and national parks.
• Western Tanzania — Home to remote landscapes and destinations around Lake Tanganyika.