|
Safari Destinations – Tanzania
home > safari destinations > tanzania
Introduction
Tanzania has whatever you are dreaming about - be it tropical islands, climbing the highest mountain in Africa, diving for marine treasures or watching the annual migration of plains game. Tanzania is without doubt one of the most exciting countries in the world. Tanzania boasts some of the most romantic and tropical beaches in Africa - Zanzibar and Pemba. Zanzibar Stone Town was once home to Sultans and explorers and is the land of exotic spices, azure waters and white sandy beaches.
Full Name: United Republic of Tanzania (formerly United Republic of Tanganyika and Zanzibar)
Capital: Dar es Salaam
Population: 31,270,820 (estimated July 1999)
Time Zone: GMT + 3 hours
Currency: Tanzanian Shilling
Religion: Predominantly Islam
International Dialing Code: + 255 27 followed by local number
Visas and Entry Requirements
This is a guide only - please check with your nearest Tanzanian Consulate for up to date information.
Most visitors require visas with the exception of certain countries of the Commonwealth (British, Canadian and South African nationals require visas).
It is advisable to obtain a visa in advance of travel as certain airlines insist on them prior to departure.
Depending on nationality and country of origin, a visa may be obtained on arrival at Dar es Salaam and Kilimanjaro airports and at Namanga Gate on the Tanzania/Kenya border.
Zanzibar remains independent although it is a part of the union of Tanzania. Passports and a Tanzanian visa are required even on a day's visit. Requirements may change so you are advised to contact your nearest Tanzanian Consulate before finalizing your travel arrangements.
Visas cost US$10-60 depending on nationality and are usually valid for three months. Requirements for obtaining a visa are: a passport, valid for six months beyond the intended length of stay, two passport photographs, two application forms and a detailed itinerary stating reason for visit.
All visitors require a passport, valid for the duration of their stay.
Points in Tanzania currently offering visa on entry, are Dar es Salaam and Kilimanjaro International Airports, and Namanga on the road border between Tanzania and Kenya.
Some nationalities do not require visas, so it is advisable to check with your Tanzanian Embassy.
Getting Around / Border Posts
Just south of the equator, Tanzania borders Kenya and Uganda in the north; Zaire, Rwanda and Burundi in the west; and Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique in the south. Namanga Gate (between Tanzania and Kenya) is open 24 hrs per day.
If you carry firearms you will require a special permit.
The duty free allowance is limited to one liter of liquor; 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars or 250g of tobacco; and 250ml of perfume. Any other items are subject to customs duty.
Roads
There are 88,200 km of highways in Tanzania, but only 3,704 km of these are tarred. The key roads are in good condition, though the majority is bad and hazardous. Conditions in the reserves and national parks of Tanzania are extremely rough. During the rainy season, many roads are passable only with four-wheel drive vehicles. Tanzania is definitely not recommended as a self drive destination. Any four-wheel drive vehicles for safaris usually have to be hired with a driver. Watch out for cyclists, pedestrians, livestock and wild animals. Most car rental companies do not allow self drive outside of Dar es Salaam.
Driving is on the left side of the road. Your home driving license, with English translation if necessary, is accepted.
Language
The official language is Swahili (Kiswahili), which is generally spoken, and various local languages abound. Kiswahili is the language the primary schools teach in.
English is the second official language and the country's commercial language as well as the main teaching language for all the scientific subjects in secondary schools and higher education institutions.
Arabic is widely spoken in the coastal areas, particularly in Zanzibar.
Culture
Tanzania's culture is a result of African, Arab, European and Indian influences. The African people of Tanzania represent about 120 tribal groups. The largest group is of Bantu origin including Dukuma, Nyamwezi, Makonde, Haya and Chagga. The Maasai are of Nilotic origin, as are the Arusha and the Samburu.
Tanzania is one of the least urbanized countries in Sub- Saharan Africa, but traditional African ideals are being deliberately adapted to modern life.
The Tanzanians are friendly people, to foreigners and amongst themselves. Politeness, respect and modesty are highly valued. It is recommended that you learn some Swahili greetings (see "Language"). Handshakes are very important and you may continue holding hands during conversation. Note that the right hand is usually used for eating, while the left is traditionally used for toilet duties. Immodest attire, public affection and open anger are disrespectful to the Tanzanian people.
In Zanzibar, it is important for women to dress modestly out of respect for Muslim cultural beliefs. Men should not wear shorts on the main island, and women should wear dresses that cover their shoulders and knees. This does not apply on Mnemba Island.
Money / Currency
The unit of currency is the Tanzanian Shilling (TSh).
Notes are issued as TSh10,000; 5000; 1000; 500; 200 and 100.
Coins are TSh100; 50; 20; 10, 5 and 1.
Major foreign currencies - particularly US$- and travelers cheques are accepted and are convertible at banks and bureau de changes in the main town and tourist areas.
Credit cards are not widely accepted and carry poor exchange rates. Banks usually don't offer ATM facilities. Visitors may be expected to pay in foreign currency for game parks.
Don't change money in the street.
Banks
Banks and forex bureau are available at the airport and in all main towns.
Banking hours: Mon - Fri: 08:30 - 12:30 Sat: 08:30 - 13:30
A few branches in the major towns open until 16:30 on weekdays. Foreign currency in cash or traveler's cheques may be exchanged through authorized dealers, commercial banks and at Bureau de Change at the international airports, major towns and border posts.
Visitors are strongly advised against changing money on the black market.
Some of the black marketers are undercover policemen, while others are likely to be con artists.
Exchange Rate
The exchange rate is in your favour. Generally you will find that fine cuisine, wine and entertainment cost a fraction of the tariff charged by equivalent establishments elsewhere in the world.
As a guide, petrol costs around TSh480 per liter.
Credit Cards
Visa and MasterCard are accepted by most top hotels and lodges around the country. In addition to credit cards, clients should bring US dollars cash and traveler´s cheques.
Tipping
Service charges are included in the bill and tips are forbidden, but are still accepted as a friendly gesture. Haggling is quite acceptable in shops selling local handcrafts. Not obligatory, but a tip for exceptional service (max 10%) will be appreciated, $10-$15 per day for driver or tour guide.
Health
Visitors must produce a valid yellow fever certificate obtained no less than ten days prior to travel. It is imperative that you obtain malaria prophylactics before entering Tanzania. When purchasing these please tell your doctor or pharmacist that you intend visiting Tanzania.
Precautionary measures to take to prevent contact with mosquitoes include: insect repellent, cover up at sundown, sleep under a mosquito net and wear long sleeve clothing and long trousers in the evenings.
Immunization against cholera, polio, hepatitis A & B, typhoid and tetanus is recommended if traveling by road.
There is a current warning that certain immigration authorities are insisting on cholera certificates or will administer a vaccine themselves.
All visitors are required to present an International Yellow Fever Immunization Certificate upon arrival.
It is also advisable to take anti malarial precautions before departure or consult your doctor or Travel clinic before you plan your journey to East Africa.
Medical Services
Medical facilities are limited and medicines are often unavailable. If medical assistance is given, doctors and hospitals require immediate payment. It is therefore advisable to obtain medical insurance prior to travel. Emergency services and first aid is unavailable outside major cities and tourist areas.
It is wise to bring with you any medication which you may require as you will not have access to pharmacies in most of the areas which you will be visiting.
There is great concern about AIDS; recent estimates suggest that 10% of the population may be HIV-positive. There are many hospitals in Tanzania, but they are mostly very understaffed.
When to Go?
Tanzania offers an astonishing diversity and concentration of wildlife, from the immense Serengeti and towering Mount Kilimanjaro to the remote national parks of Katavi and Mahale. The best months for climbing Mount Kilimanjaro are August to October and January to March.
Tanzania boasts over 1 000 bird species, with Lake Manyara alone being home to more than 400.
It is a year round birding destination, but at the height of the northern winter, some 160 species of migrating birds make their way south.
Botanically, Tanzania is a treasure-trove, with habitats ranging from Afro-Alpine to semi-desert.
The months immediately after the two rainy seasons provide the best floral displays.
See under National Parks and Tourist Attractions for information on the migration.
Tanzania offers excellent game viewing throughout the year as not all animals migrate and are year-round residents.
Weather, Seasons & Climate
Generally dry and hot with cool nights/mornings June-October, short rains November to mid-December, long rains March-May but the season can vary.
Summer: December to March
Winter: March to May
The climate is tropical on the coast, on the islands and in Selous. It is temperate in the other parks.
Temperatures on Mount Kilimanjaro and Meru drop to below freezing. Late March - late May is traditionally the long rainy season and is considered the "winter period" in Tanzania.
June - late October is the dry season.
June, July and August can be very cold on the rim of Ngorongoro Crater. Mnemba Island is lovely at this time of year, the evenings are cool (not cold) and the daytime can be hot.
Late October - mid December is when the short rains occur. These are usually in the form of daily thunderstorms. The Ngorongoro Crater rim has a wonderful climate at this time of year. The Serengeti and Lake Manyara are quite warm and Mnemba is very hot.
Mid December - March is summer weather. It is dry and very warm until March. Due to its altitude Ngorongoro Crater is much cooler than elsewhere
General Accommodation Information
Most safari lodges vary in size and style, and are built to blend in with the environment. Accommodation tends to be of rondavel or banda type, with a lounge, central dining and bar in single unit hotels.
Do not be misled by the term "tented accommodation" - this usually refers to luxurious insect-proof tents that are permanently pitched on concrete bases, often including en suite bathrooms with flush toilets.
They are very popular and give the visitor the true experience of being close to nature without the inconvenience and discomfort that can be associated with camping in the open. All major towns in Tanzania have excellent luxury hotels.
All towns will at least have a good guesthouse. Note that the word hotel (or in Swahili, hoteli) means food and drink only, rather than lodging. It would be better to use the word guesthouse (or in Swahili, guesti).
Hotels often have their own restaurants. The main meal is at midday and many restaurants are closed in the evening. Local food is readily available. In the east, facing the rich Indian ocean, you will encounter wonderful seafood as well as great tasting fruit.
National parks offer "ordinary" campsites which provide toilets, fireplaces and usually water taps. Ordinary campsites usually only have a pit toilet. It is necessary to pre-book special campsites, and advisable to book ordinary ones. Camping is limited outside the national parks.
Due to the distances traveled in Tanzania it is strongly recommended that you make all your arrangements in advance. During the migration and peak season, availability is at a premium.
Clothes / What to Pack?
When visiting Zanzibar, it is important for women to dress modestly out of respect for Muslim cultural beliefs, men should not wear shorts on the main island and women should wear dresses that cover their shoulders and knees. This does not apply on Mnemba Island.
Pack lightweight, washable cloths plus a sweater for early morning game drives, a sunhat, sunglasses and sunscreen.
Long sleeves and trousers in light-coloured fabrics help discourage insect bites.
Shorts for women are acceptable (but not too short). Women should carry a wrap to cover legs in the village and towns as revealing cloths can cause offence.
If staying at a Lodge, bring your swimsuit along.
Electricity
230v, but power failures, surges and troughs are common. Bring a universal adaptor and a torch (flashlight) or headlamp.
Photography
Bring film and batteries for your camera with you. Protect your camera from dust and keep equipment and film cool.
It is courteous to ask permission before photographing local people.
If you intend to take a lot of people pictures, be sure to bring an instant camera with you so that you can leave a picture with people you photograph.
Shopping
Tanzania has a good selection of traditional local crafts. These are available from craft shops in Dar es Salaam, Arusha and other major towns.
There are also a number of craft centers and artists cooperatives where prices are good. Singida baskets can be purchased directly from the villages surrounding Singida, or from craft shops.
Gogo woodcarving, including vibuya (carved gouds) and kanga traditional sarong-like garment are amongst some of the traditional items available for purchase.
The mbuzi is a device used for shredding coconut. It is a small wooden stool with a metal piece and is available at markets throughout the country.
If you intend cooking dishes at home that you have eaten along the coast, you may find this a useful acquisition.
The Tourist areas and hotels sell a wide range of souvenirs, jewelry and trinkets.
Don't be afraid to haggle at roadside stalls (Your driver/ guide will guide you were to shop and advice you on the right price) the best known souvenirs are wood carvings, curios, and famous love stove which is a well known gem stone Tanzanite available widely at souvenirs shops.
Travel Tips / Safety
Tanzania is considered to be generally safe, however extra care should be taken in Zanzibar and Dar Es Salaam. In the past there have been reports of muggings in game reserves and although the government has stepped up security, it is always better to be careful and to stay in close vicinity of other vehicles during your visit. Owing to muggings, bad roads, stray and wild animals, driving at night is not recommended.
Tanzania is a generally safe country but don't be invite temptation. Keep your eye on your belongings.
Don't walk in the towns or cites at night - take a taxi. Don't carry cameras or large amounts of cash, beware of pickpockets and hawkers. Use hotel safety deposit boxes to safeguard valuables and obtain a receipt. Leave valuable jewelry at home.
Water
Drink only boiled or bottled water, bottled or canned drinks. If camping - bring your own drinking water and all other camping provisions.
Public Holidays
- New Year´s Day - 1st of January
- Zanzibar Revolution Day - 12th of January
- CCM Foundation Day - 5th of February
- Union Day- 26th of April
- Mayday Workers Day - 1st of May
- Peasant's Day (also called Saba Saba, which means 7-7) - 7th of July
- Tanganyika Independence Day - 9th of December
Muslim Festivals, including Ramadan, and Prophet´s Birthday, account for four days of public holiday, and their precise dates depend on the lunar calendar.
Good Friday and Easter Monday are also observed.
|
