Tanzania Mini Guide
   Source: World Travel Guide

Overview

With highlights like Kilimanjaro, the Serengeti, the Ngorongoro Crater and Zanzibar, Tanzania is definitely a country to be recognised both in terms of wildlife and beauty. For many, it's the ultimate safari destination, and with national parks and game reserves covering some 33,660 sq km (13,000 sq miles) or 28% of the country, Tanzania has more land devoted to wildlife than anywhere else in the world.

The Serengeti National Park is a plain-dwellers' stronghold of 14,763 sq km (5,678 sq miles), claimed to be one of the best places to watch game in Africa. The Selous Game Reserve is larger than Switzerland and covers one-sixth of Tanzania's land surface.

Tanzania's most famous attraction, Mount Kilimanjaro, at 5,895m (19,341ft), is Africa's highest mountain and the only free-standing mountain in the world that can simply be walked up.

The former capital city and major port Dar es Salaam is within striking distance of Zanzibar - a beautiful island jewel in the Indian Ocean with a fascinating spice and slaving legacy and palm-backed beaches.

In addition to its beautiful landscape, Tanzania has approximately 120 ethnic groups and Tanzanians value their country's multicultural heritage. The tall red-robed Masai are the best known of Tanzania's peoples, inhabiting the northern regions of the country. Visits to their villages are often a highlight of safari itineraries.

Zanzibar, Pemba, Mafia and the entire Tanzanian coast is home to the Swahili people, a vibrant mix of Arab, Indian and Bantu origins. A predominantly Islamic region, old mosques and coral palaces scatter the area. Swahili culture centres on the dhow, a wooden sailing boat powered by the seasonal wind.

The United Republic of Tanzania became independent in 1961 and merged with Zanzibar in 1964. It has generally stood out as a stable democracy in a region that has witnessed too many vicious civil conflicts.

Whether you enjoy the tranquillity of the Swahili coast, game watching in the magnificent parks or the challenge of ascending Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania has it all.

Passport/Visa

Passports

Passport valid for at least six months required by all nationals referred to in the chart above.

Visas

Required by all nationals referred to in the chart above except:
1. nationals of Cyprus and Malta for stays of up to three months and issued with a visitor's pass on arrival, but may still need entry permit clearance. It is possible for British nationals to obtain a tourist visa for single entry at any one of the main port of entries to Tanzania,  subject to the fulfillment of all immigration requirements. All other visitors must obtain visa prior to travelling to Tanzania.

Visa Note

Nationals not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the embassy or high commission to check visa requirements (see Contact Addresses).

Types of Visa and Cost

£38 per single-entry (prices are for application at high commission in London). US visas: US$100 (single or double-entry, six months); US$120 (express service).

Validity

Tourist single-entry: three months from date of issue; Business single-entry: two months.

Applications to:

Consulate (or consular section at high commission or embassy); see Contact Addresses.

Working Days Required

Normally three. Up to 10 for postal applications. 24-hour service is available at an extra charge of £5.

Money

Currency

Tanzanian Shilling (TZS; symbol TSh). Notes are in denominations of TSh10,000, 5000, 2,000, 1,000 and 500. Coins are in denominations of TSh200, 100 and 50. In Kiswahili, it is shilingi and written prices are often denoted with the symbol /=; i.e. 100/= is the same as TSh100.

Currency Exchange

Money may be changed at banks, authorised dealers and bureaux de change. A receipt should be obtained and kept until departure.

Credit/Debit Cards and ATMs

Major credit cards are accepted in larger hotels and by airlines. Cash can be withdrawn from ATMs using Visa or MasterCard and any sizeable town now has at least one bank with an ATM.

Traveller's Cheques

May be cashed with authorised dealers or bureaux de change. They are now accepted by Tanzania National Parks for park entry fees. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take traveller's cheques in US Dollars or Pounds Sterling. Some places may ask to see the traveller's cheques purchasing agreement - in theory the document you are supposed keep separate from your traveller's cheques.

Currency Restrictions

Restrictions apply.

Banking Hours

Mon-Fri 0830-1230 (some places are open until 1600); Sat 0830-1300. Bureaux de change have longer hours and in the cities open on Sundays.

Exchange Rate Indicators

Health

Vaccinations

* A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from all travellers over one year of age.

Food and Drink

All water should be regarded as being potentially contaminated. Travellers should use bottled water for drinking, brushing teeth, washing vegetables and reconstituting powdered milk. Ice should be avoided. Other food hygiene precautions should be strictly observed if eating in a local restaurant, but visitors should encounter few problems if eating in upmarket hotels and lodges.

Other Risks

Avoid swimming and paddling in fresh water; swimming pools that are well chlorinated and maintained are safe. Cases of Rift Valley Fever were reported in 2007; travellers should take precautions against mosquito bites. There is a high incidence of HIV/AIDS. Vaccination is recommended for Hepatitis B and sometimes for meningococcal meningitis.

Health Care

Private health insurance is recommended. There are numerous hospitals and clinics and some Christian missions also provide medical treatment; however, facilities are limited outside Dar es Salaam and medicines are often unavailable. All treatment must be paid for.

Getting There

Getting There by Air

The national airline is Air Tanzania (TC) (website: www.airtanzania.com).

Approximate Flight Times

From London to Dar es Salaam is 10 hours.

Main Airports

Dar es Salaam International (DAR) (website: www.tanzaniairports.com) is 13km (8 miles) southwest of the city (journey time - 30 minutes). To/from the airport: Taxi services are available to the city and the larger hotels can organise shuttle services. Facilities: Outgoing duty-free shop, car hire, post office, banking and currency exchange facilities, a bar and restaurants.

Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) (website: www.tanzaniairports.com) is 50km (31 miles) from Arusha (journey time - 1 hour). To/from the airport: Shuttle bus services are provided by Air Tanzania to their offices in Arusha and Moshi or taxis are available. Facilities: Shops, post office, bar and restaurant.

Zanzibar Airport (ZNZ) (website: www.tanzaniairports.com) is 4km (2.5 miles) from Stone Town (journey time 15 minutes). To/from the airport: Public minibuses and taxis are available for the short distance to Stone Town. Facilities: Bank.

Departure Tax

The international departure tax is US$20 but this is usually included in the price of an airline ticket.

Getting There by Water

Main ports: Dar es Salaam port is served by ocean freighters and passenger liners. Other ports include Zanzibar, Mtwara, Tanga, Kilwa, Lindi and Mafia (website: www.tanzaniaports.com).

Passenger ferry services run on Lake Tanganyika to Mpulunga (Zambia). They also used to run to Bujumbura (Burundi), and this service is likely to start up again in the future. There is sporadic and unreliable ferry service on Lake Nyasa linking Tanzania with Malawi.

Getting There by Rail

The route between Dar es Salaam and Kapiri Moshi in Zambia is run by the Tanzania and Zambia Railway Authority (Tazara) (website: www.tazara.co.tz). Trains get very crowded and travellers should take special care of their baggage.

Getting There by Road

The tarmac road connecting Tanzania with Zambia is in good condition, as is the road north to Kenya. From Lusaka in Zambia, the Great North Road is paved all the way to Dar es Salaam. Road links from Rwanda and Mozambique are very poor.

Coach: Scandinavia Express (website: www.scandinaviagroup.com) runs coaches from Dar es Salaam to Nairobi and Mombassa (Kenya), Kampala (Uganda) and to Lusaka (Zambia).

Climate

The climate is tropical and coastal areas are hot and humid. The rainy season lasts from March to June. The central plateau is dry and arid. The northwestern highlands are cool and temperate and the rainy season here lasts from November to December and February to May.

Required Clothing

Tropical clothing is worn throughout the year, but in the cooler season, from June to September, jackets and sweaters may be needed, especially in the evenings. Clothing appropriate to temperatures below zero is required on the higher slopes of Kilimanjaro and Meru. Also note that it can get very cold at night on the Ngorongoro Crater and early morning game drives may be chilly before the sun comes up.

Contacts

Tanzania Tourist Board

IPS Building, Samora Avenue, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Tel: (22) 211 1244/5.
Website: www.tanzaniatouristboard.com

High Commission for the United Republic of Tanzania in the UK

3 Stratford Place, London WC1 1AS, UK
Tel: (020) 7569 1470.
Website: www.tanzania-online.gov.uk
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 1000-1230 (visa applications) and 1400-1530 (visa collection only).

Embassy of the United Republic of Tanzania in the USA

2139 R Street, NW, Washington, DC 20008, USA
Tel: (202) 939 6125/7.
Website: www.tanzaniaembassy-us.org