About the Region

Tanzania is situated in eastern Africa, just south of the equator. The Indian Ocean borders its coastline. There are plains along the coast, a central plateau, and highlands in the north and south. Kilimanjaro (19,340 ft.) in the north of the country is the highest mountain in Africa. Three large lakes lie on its borders: Victoria, the second-largest freshwater lake in the world, Tanganyika, the second deepest lake in the world, and Lake Malawi.

Even though three great African rivers, the Nile, the Zaire, and the Zambezi, have their origin in Tanzania, the country has few permanent rivers. During half the year, the central plateau has no running water, but in the rainy season, flooding presents a problem. The climate varies from tropical along the coast to temperate in the highlands.

The Musoma-Mara region of Tanzania is located in the northeastern part of Tanzania near Lake Victoria and the Serengeti Plains, which is a popular tourist attraction for safaris.

Malaria-carrying mosquitoes are endemic to the area, with malaria having a particularly burdensome effect on the elderly and babies. The people, especially children, suffer from malnutrition due to droughts and lack of clean water. Medical care is poor with a lack of drugs and nearby hospitals. Education is also lacking, and only a very few can afford school fees. The schools lack the basic needs such as pencils, paper, and books.