ACCOMMODATION
Due to the distances travelled 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.
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BANKS
/ FOREX
Banks and forex bureaux are available at the airport and in all main towns.
Banking hours:
Mon, Tues, Wed, Thu, Fri: 08:30 – 12:30
Sat: 08:30 – 13:30
A few branches in the major towns open until 16:30 on weekdays.
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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 Moçambique in
the south.
Namanga Gate (between Tanzania and Kenya) is open 24 hrs per day.
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BEST TIME 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. There are certain seasons for special interest
groups to take note of:
· Best months to climb Mount Kilimanjaro are considered to be 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 an all-year-round birding destination, but at
the height of the Northern winter, some 160 species of migrants 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 special note on migration
· Tanzania also offers excellent game viewing throughout the year as not
all animals migrate and are year round residents.
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CLIMATE
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. This period
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 hot.
Late October – mid December is when the "short rains" occur.
These tend to be in the form of a daily thunderstorm. The Ngorongoro Crater
rim has a wonderful climate at this time of year. The Serengeti and Lake
Manyara are very 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.
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CLOTHING
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 jacket from 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 the shoulders and
knees. This does not apply on Mnemba Island.
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COMMUNICATION
A direct international dialing service is available from the major hotels.
Both local and long distance calls are metered on a time basis and every
second counts in terms of costs. Satellite phones are available at all
CCAfrica properties at a rate of US$10 per minute. Internet facilities are
available in major towns like Arusha and Dar es Salaam.
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MONEY
CREDIT
CARDS
Visa and MasterCard are accepted by CCAfrica lodges and most top
hotels/lodges around the country. In addition to credit cards, clients
should bring US dollars cash and travellers cheques.
CURRENCY
The unit of currency is the Tanzania shilling, which is divided
into 100 cents. There is no limit on the amount of foreign currency that
can be imported. Foreign currency in cash or travellers 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.
ELECTRICITY
230/240 volts AC, 50 Hz. Plugs are square 3-pin, fused or unfused.
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ENTRY
REQUIREMENTS
Passports are required
by all and must be valid for six months beyond the intended length of stay.
Please ensure that there are sufficient blank pages for visas as well as for
entry stamps upon arrival.
Most visitors require visas with the exception of certain countries of the
Commonwealth. 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.
Requirements may change so you are advised to contact the appropriate
diplomatic or consular authority before finalizing your travel arrangements.
Although part of the union of Tanzania, Zanzibar remains independent, so
passports and Tanzanian visas are required even on a day’s visit.
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HEALTH
REQUIREMENTS
Visitors must produce a valid yellow fever certificate obtained no less than
10 days prior to travel. Cholera certificates may be requested. 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 that you can take to prevent
contact with mosquitoes include: insect repellant, cover up at sundown,
sleep under a mosquito net and wear long sleeve clothing and long trousers
in the evenings.
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LANGUAGES
KiSwahili and English are the official languages.
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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. It is also 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.
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MIGRATION
The migration traditionally
follows the rains to take advantage of the new grasses on the plains of the
Serengeti and Maasai Mara.
Theoretically, if traditional weather patterns occur annually, the following
is a basic idea of how the migration moves throughout the year:
Late December/early January – Ndutu region Tanzania
Traditionally this is when the calves are born. The migration remains
sedentary until April when the calves are strong enough to start moving
north.
Early April/May/June – Serengeti Tanzania
The migration begins moving NorthWest following the “long rains” across
the Serengeti plains towards the Western Corridor and the Grumeti River.
June/July – Western Corridor Tanzania
The animals gather in the Western Corridor
August/September – Maasai Mara Kenya
The migration crosses the Grumeti River and moves North East into the
Northern Steppes of the Maasai Mara
October/November/Early December – Maasai Mara Kenya/Northern
Tanzania/ Serengeti
As the short rains begin in
northern Tanzania the migration begins to move south back into the Klein's/
Lobo region of the Serengeti. From here they follow the rains through to
Seronera and end up at Ndutu for the calving season.
Due to the fact that the migration follows the rains there is no hard and
fast rule as to where the animals will be and when. Often the animals split
into two groups as they move, resulting in one group moving on the western
side and another group moving on the eastern side of the Serengeti finally
meeting up at Ndutu or in the Mara. Viewing of the migration can not be
guaranteed.
NATIONAL PARKS & WILDLIFE AREAS
Tanzania's national parks extend over some 33,660 km² (13,000 miles²). In
addition, there is the unique Ngorongoro Conservation Unit, in which
wildlife is protected and where the Maasai tribespeople also live and herd
their cattle.
SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK
This is a plain-dweller's stronghold of 14,763 km² reaching
up to the Kenyan border and claimed to be the finest in Africa. Here are 35
species of plain-dwelling animals, including wildebeest and zebra, which
feature in the spectacular Serengeti migration, and also an extensive
selection of bird life. Probably the best time to see them is from December
to May. This is one of the best places in Africa to see lion and cheetah
close up. The vast, open grasslands of the Serengeti are without doubt one
of Africa’s finest wildlife areas, and being there at the height of the
migration is a never-to-be-forgotten experience.
NGORONGORO CONSERVATION AREA
The Ngorongoro Crater is the largest intact volcanic caldera
in the world, and some scientists maintain that before it erupted, it would
have stood higher than Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest point in Africa.
Covering a mere 260 km², the 600 metre deep crater is home to a permanent
population of more than 30 000 animals, and is one of the only places in
Africa where you stand a very good chance of seeing the “big five”
(lion, leopard, buffalo, rhino and elephant) in the course of a morning or
evening’s game drive. Nights on the crater rim (2 400 metres) where the
lodges are, can get icy cold. Unique to the crater is that the local Maasai
graze their cattle on the floor, and it is not unusual to see Maasai cattle
and buffalo grazing together, with a lion kill just a few hundred metres
away. There are around 100 lions in the crater, and about 20 black rhino.
The spectacular Lerai Forest is one of the best places in Africa to spot
leopard.
LAKE MANYARA NATIONAL PARK
This is one of the most diverse of Tanzania’s national
parks, a tiny (325 km²) combination of Rift Valley Lake, dense woodlands
and steep mountainside. Manyara was established specifically to protect the
elephant herds that have made the area world-renowned. But heavy poaching in
the 1970s and 1980s decimated the herds, although they are now recovering
and returning to their former strengths. Manyara is a birding paradise (more
than 380 species), especially for waterfowl and migrants, and the forests
are one of the best places to see leopards. Lions hunt on the grassy shores
of the lake, and are known for their habit of climbing trees. Best game
viewing months are December to February and May to July, tapering off in
August and September.
ARUSHA NATIONAL PARK
This park lies within the Ngurdoto Crater, a volcano that has
probably been extinct for a quarter of a million years. Covering 137 km²,
the terrain ranges from open savannah through acacia scrublands to
Afro-montane cloud and rain forest, and Afro-Alpine vegetation similar to
Mount Kilimanjaro. There are several alkaline lakes, and the spectacular
Ngurdoto Crater is unmissable. Mammal species include elephant, buffalo,
various primates, giraffe and leopard. Hiking is allowed if accompanied by
an armed guard, and the climb up Mount Meru is superb, often giving the best
views available of Mount Kilimanjaro.
MIKUMI NATIONAL PARK
This park, 1300 km² in area, offers a chance to see
lion, zebra, hippo, leopard, cheetah, giraffe, impala, wildebeest and
warthog. A popular spot for visitors is the Kikaboga Hippo Pool. Although
December to March is the ideal time for viewing at Mikumi, there are animals
throughout the year.
RUAHA NATIONAL PARK
At 12 950 km², Ruaha is only marginally smaller than the Serengeti,
and is pristine and untouched Africa, unsullied by minibus tourism and large
lodges with electric lights, discotheques and glitzy curio shops. Infested
with tsetse fly, Ruaha is bordered in the north by the Kizigio and Rungwa
River Game Reserves, and together they form a 26 500 km² conservancy, one
of the biggest in East Africa. By road, it is a five-hour journey from
Iringa, but there is also an airstrip at Msembe for fly-in safaris. The best
months to visit are from July to November when the animals congregate around
the water holes, but the park is stunning all year round. Ruaha is visually
a treat, with rocky outcrops and mountain ranges giving it a topography that
ranges from 750m to 1 900m on the peak of Ikungu Mountain, and the focal
point of the reserve is the Great Ruaha River, with its deep gorges,
swirling rapids – and excellent fishing. With over 10 000 elephant, 30 000
buffalo, 20 000 zebra and huge populations of lion and leopard (not to
mention more than 400 bird species) Ruaha is a naturalist’s paradise.
TARANGIRE NATIONAL PARK
At 2 600 km², Tarangire is far from being the biggest of the
Tanzanian parks, but it’s unrivalled landscape of open plains, dotted with
thousands of baobabs, is unforgettable. About 120 km south of Arusha on the
Dodoma road, Tarangire rivals the Serengeti for the size of the game herds
that congregate here at peak season (June to November). This is when many of
the animals crowd around the only source of permanent water in the park, the
Tarangire River. This is also the best place in Tanzania to see really big
herds of elephant – up to 300 at a time. Tarangire is another park known
for its tree-climbing lions, and for its very big herds of buffalo. This is
one of Africa’s little-known gems and should be on the itinerary of all
lovers of wilderness and solitude. The game numbers are staggering: 30 000
zebra, 25 000 wildebeest, 5 000 buffalo, 3 000 elephant, 2 500 Maasai
giraffe and over 1 000 fringe-eared oryx (gemsbok). Predators include lion,
cheetah and leopard, and birders will want to look out for the endemic ashy
starling, rufous-tailed weaver and black-collared lovebird.
GOMBE NATIONAL PARK
This park is on the shores of Lake Tanganyika and chimpanzees are
more easily seen here in their natural habitat than anywhere else in the
world. Gombe was created to protect the chimpanzees and is set in the
beautiful Mahale Mountains. It is renowned for fantastic sunsets over Lake
Tanganyika and Eastern Zaire, which makes it an essential stop for the keen
photographer. The habitats include rain forests, grasslands, alpine bamboo
and woodland. The best time to visit is between May and October.
SELOUS GAME RESERVE
This is the ultimate African wilderness experience, a vast region of
largely unexplored bush, teeming with wildlife, and with almost no roads
into the hidden interior. Selous is a birdwatcher’s paradise with over 350
species of bird. Walking is permitted (with an armed ranger). About 2 000
species of plants to see makes this a most diverse sanctuary to explore.
Bisected by the mysterious Rufiji River, the Selous is one of the most
remote and least visited parks in Africa and, at 55 000 km², is the
second biggest conservation area in Africa, and the largest game reserve on
the continent, and a proclaimed World Heritage Site. To give scale to these
figures, the reserve covers an area more than twice that of Denmark, is
bigger than Switzerland and is nearly four times the size of the Serengeti.
The Selous is a grand African experience. Once home to the biggest
concentration of elephant on the continent (over 110 000) the “Ivory
Wars” of the late 70s and early 80s had a devastating effect on the herds,
reducing numbers to an estimated 30 000 to 50 000 today. The black rhino
population was similarly laid waste, and today there are perhaps 150 to 200
left out of a population of 3 000 in the early 70s. It would be easy to
reduce the Selous to just a set of numbers - 120 000 buffalo, 150 000
wildebeest, 50 000 zebra, an estimated half the African population of wild
dog, some 4 000, 350 bird species, 50 000 impala, and a mere 2 000 visitors
a year – but that would be doing it an injustice.
The defining feature of the Selous is the great Rufiji River, which
naturally splits the ecosystem into two distinct parts. Stiegler’s Gorge,
100m deep and 100m wide, is a magnificent natural feature with a rickety and
gut-wrenching cable car that ferries safari vehicles across the river –
not for the faint of heart. While the bulk of the reserve is miombo
(brachystegia) woodland, there are sections of magnificent grass plains,
wetlands and swamps and areas of dense canopy forest.
Perhaps the most sublime way of exploring the reserve is by boat, meandering
through channels and swamps, and exploring hidden lagoons where elephant
often come to bathe. Angling in the river for tiger fish and the giant
catfish (vundu) which can reach up to 50kg, can be an exciting way to pass
an evening, keeping a wary eye open for crocodiles, hippo and lion.
Other national parks include Katavi, Kilimanjaro, Mahale Mountains, Rubondo
and Udzungura Mountains.
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PHOTOGRAPHY
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
210m-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.
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ROAD
CONDITIONS
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. 4x4 vehicles for safaris usually have to be hired with a
driver.
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TOURISM
SEASONS
See BEST TIME TO GO.
TRAVEL
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 CCAfrica, you will automatically be covered
by their 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 must purchase.
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VISAS
Also
see ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
WATER
Drink only boiled or bottled water, bottled or canned drinks.
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