• A premier African safari destination
• World's highest free-standing mountain: Mt Kilimanjaro
• Famous for the annual "Great Migration"
• World Heritage Site: Ngorongoro Crater
BASIC FACTS:
PUBLIC HOLIDAYS:
Full Name:
United Republic of Tanzania (formerly United Republic of Tanganyika
and Zanzibar) Capital: Dar es Salaam (business capital) Dodoma (administrative
capital) Independence: 9 December 1961 Time: GMT +3 hours Population: 31 270 820 (estimated July 1999) Area: 945 090 (886 040km² land including Zanzibar, Mafia
and Pemba Islands; 59050km² water) Currency: Tanzania shilling (TSh or TZS) President: President Benjamin William Mkapa (since 23
November 1995)
New Year’s Day - 1
January
Zanzibar Revolution Day - 12 January
Eid al Fitr (end of Ramadan) (varies)
Eid al Kebir (also called Eid al Haji) (varies)
Good Friday (varies)
Easter Monday (varies)
Union Day - 26 April
Labour Day - 1 May
Maulidi (Mohammed’s Birthday) (varies)
Saba Saba (Peasant’s Day) - 7 July
Nane Nane (Farmer’s Day) - 8 August Independence Day - 9 December
Christmas - 25 December
Boxing Day - 26 December
COMMUNICATION:
ELECTRICITY:
The international dialling code
for calling Tanzania is +255. A direct international dialling
service is available from the major hotels. Both local and long
distance calls are metered on a time basis and you pay for every
second. Satellite phones are available at certain lodges at
a rate of US$10 per minute.
The international exchange is very reliable outside of major
towns. Mobile telephone services are also available. Telex and
fax facilities are available at most hotels. E-mail and Internet
facilities are also available at major international hotels.
Internet use has picked up rapidly in Tanzania and there are
over 100 services providers in the country.
Electricity is available at 230/240
volts AC, 50 Hz. Plugs are square three-pin, fused or unfused.
British plugs are used.
LANGUAGE:
CULTURE:
The official language is Swahili (KiSwahili), which
is generally spoken, and various local languages abound.
Swahili 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.
USEFUL SWAHILI GREETINGS:
English
Swahili
Greeting
(to locals)
-habari gani
Greeting
(to foreigner)
-jambo, shikamuu
Thank
you
(correct reply to greeting)
-marahaba
Thank
you
-asante
Goodbye/We’ll
see you
-kwaheri / tutaonana
You are
welcome, come in
-karibu
Tanzania’s culture is a result of African, Arabian, European
and Indian influences. The African people of Tanzania represent
about 120 tribal groups.
The largest group are 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 urbanised 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. 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.
GEOGRAPHY & LANDSCAPE:
Tanzania lies on the Indian Ocean and incorporates the Zanzibar
archipelago (the fertile, coral islands of Zanzibar and Pemba).
The mainland consists of several clearly defined regions.
The plains along the coast have lush, tropical vegetation;
half the country is savannah and bush and other regions are
semi-desert.
About 6% of mainland Tanzania is lakes, including Africa’s
largest lake, Lake Victoria, in the north-west; Lake Tanganyika,
the world’s longest lake, in the east and Lake Malawi in the
south.
The main mountain ranges are found in the north-eastern,
central and southern sections, with a volcanic belt in the
centre of the country near the Ngorongoro Crater. Africa’s
highest mountain, Mount Kilimanjaro, is found in the Eastern
Arc range, in the north-east.
CLIMATE:
Summer: October – March Winter: April – September
The climate is tropical on the coast, on the islands and
in Selous. It is temperatein the other parks. Temperatures
on Mount Kilimanjaro and Meru drop to below freezing.
Late March to late Mayis traditionally the long rainy
season and is considered the winter period in Tanzania. June
to 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 temperatures can be hot. Late
October to mid-Decemberis 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 to March is summer weather.
It is dry and very warm until March. Due to its altitude,
Ngorongoro Crater is much cooler than elsewhere.
ACCOMMODATION:
Accommodation tends to be of rondavel
or banda-type (huts made from traditional palm matting,
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 flushing 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
and at least one 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. “Special” 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 travelled
in Tanzania, it is strongly recommended that you make all
your arrangements in advance. During the great migration and
peak season, availability is at a premium.
WHEN TO
GO:
WHAT TO PACK:
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 Climate.) See under Attractions for information on
the great migration.
Tanzania offers excellent game viewing throughout the year
as not all animals migrate and are year round residents.
Generally, casual comfortable
clothing is suitable throughout the year.
The most practical items to pack are:
Khaki, brown, white and beige colours
Light cotton tops and cotton trousers/shorts in summer
Long-sleeved blouses/shirts for game drives; they will
protect you from the sun and from mosquitoes
Safari trousers for evenings and cooler days
Fleece or sweater and a warm windbreaker for game drives
(and at Ngorongoro Crater)
Swimwear is a must for the beach and at Klein’s and Grumeti
which have a pool
A hat, sunglasses and sunscreen
Comfortable, walking shoes
For climbing Mount Kilimanjaro and Meru, thermal underwear,
light layers, sweater, warm jacket, good socks and sturdy
boots.
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.
VERY IMPORTANT: Packing space is limited on all modes
of safari transport so you will need to restrict your baggage
to 12–15kg (preferably packed in a soft bag) plus a reasonable
amount of camera equipment.
ROADS, TRAINS
& AEROPLANES:
Border Posts:
Just south of the equator, Tanzania borders Kenya and Uganda
in the north; Zaïre, Rwanda and Burundi in the west; and Zambia,
Malawi and Moçambique in the south.
Namanga Gate (between Tanzania and Kenya) is open 24 hours
a day. If you carry firearms, you will require a special permit.
The duty free allowance is limited to one litre of liquor;
200 cigarettes, 50 cigars or 250g of tobacco and 250ml of
perfume. Any other items are subject to customs duty.
Rail & Bus:
Tanzania has two rail lines. The Tazara line links Dar es
Salaam with New Kapiri Mposhi in Zambia via Mbeya and Tunduma.
The central line links Dar es Salaam with Kigoma and Mwanza
via Morogoro, Dodoma and Tabora.
Rail is a safer, though a slower option of travel. Food
can be purchased on board.
Express and ordinary buses operate along major long distance
routes. Express buses are slightly more expensive but are
more comfortable. Ordinary buses tend to make more stops. Reservations are
not always possible, so get to the bus with plenty of time before
the scheduled departure. Buses are not permitted to operate
at night. Ordinary buses and dalla-dallas (minivans)
serve shorter routes. These are a slower and more dangerous
option.
Airports:
Domestic air services operate between the major airports:
Dar es Salaam (DAR)
Kilimanjaro (JRO)
Kishni
Zanzibar (ZNZ)
There are a total of 129 runways in Tanzania, of which only
ten are paved. Air services have become the most significant
form of internal transport for official and business travel.
Small planes, from charter companies, fly to towns and to
bush airstrips.
Roads:
There are 88 200km of highways in Tanzania, but only 3 704km
of these are tarred (about 4%). The key roads are in good
condition, though the majority are not.
Road 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 licence, with English translation if necessary,
is accepted.
HEALTH
REQUIREMENTS & SERVICES:
Health Requirements: Visitors must produce a valid yellow fever certificate
obtained no less than ten days prior to travel.
You will have to get malaria prophylacticsbefore
entering Tanzania. When purchasing these, 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-sleeved clothing and long trousers in the
evenings.
Immunisation against cholera, polio, hepatitis A & B, typhoid
and tetanusis recommendedif travelling by
road. It is advisable to obtain medical insurance prior to
travel. Emergency services and first aid is difficult to obtain
outside major cities and tourist areas, so bring with you
any medication which you may require.
Insurance:
We strongly recommend that you take out travel insurance,
which includes curtailment and cancellation cover, as well
as medical cover, upon confirming your booking.
If you are coming on safari with Afro Ventures, you will
automatically be covered by our Emergency Evacuation Insurance,
underwritten by Europ Assistance. This guarantees all reasonable,
practical assistance in obtaining primary and/or emergency
medical services for an insured person who suffers illness
or injury. Please note that this is evacuation insurance only
and does not replace the normal travel insurance which you
need to purchase.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS:
(as at August 2000)
Most visitors require visas with the exception of certain
countries of the Commonwealth. Zanzibar remains independent,
although it is a part of the union of Tanzania:
British, Canadian and South African nationals require
visas for Tanzania
Passports and a Tanzanian visa are required even on a
day’s visit to Zanzibar
It is advisable to obtain a visa in advance of travelas
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.
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
This is a guide only – please check with your nearest Tanzanian
consulate for up-to-date information.
SOUVENIRS:
PHOTOGRAPHY:
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 centres 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 garments
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.
Although film is available at most lodges, it is recommended
you bring film and batteries with you.
For game and bird photography a telephoto lens of 210-300m
is recommended.
A lens head and ultra violet filter are advisable and a dust
cover is essential.
It is courteous to ask permission before photographing Tanzanians.
The Maasai usually request payment prior to having their photo
taken.
MONEY MATTERS:
Currency:
The unit of currency is the Tanzanian shilling (Tsh). There
is no limit on the amount of foreign currency that can be
imported.
Notes are issued as TSh10 000, 5 000, 1 000, 500, 200 and
100. Coins are TSh100, 50, 20, 10, 5 and 1.
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 litre.
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.
Banks:
Banks and forex bureaux 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 traveller’s cheques may be exchanged
through authorised 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.
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 traveller’s cheques.
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African Safari Destinations
