HOW TO GET TO TANZANIA
Tanzania can be reached by Air, Sea and Land.
International carriers fly to Tanzania; they include Air Tanzania, British Airways, KLM, Gulf Air, Emirates Airlines, Swissair, South African Airways, Oman Air, Air France, Air India, Air Zimbabwe, Egypt Air, Ethiopian Airlines, Kenya Airways and other regional airlines.
Domestic Flights
A number of destinations within and around Tanzania can be reached by scheduled flights as well as by chartered aeroplanes, run by: Air Tanzania, Air Zanzibar, Costal Aviations, Zanair, Sky Tours, Tanzanair, Precisionair and Eagle Air.
Tanzania operates three International Airports, namely: Dar es Salaam International Airport (DIA) approximately 15 km from the city centre, Zanzibar International Airport (ZIA) 7 km from city centre and Kilimanjaro International Airport (KIA), about 40 km from Arusha and 35 km from Moshi town.
Airport Departure Tax US $ 20 is required when flying out of Tanzania; in many cases it will have been added to the price of the air ticket. When leaving Zanzibar for the mainland, a tax of US $ 2 is applicable if leaving by air and US $ 5 if traveling by sea.
Travel within the Country
Regular hydrofoil services operate between Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar by Sea Express, Mega Speed Lines, Azam Marine, Flying Horse, Zanzibar Shipping Corporation Sea Star services and others.
Two Railway networks operated by Tanzania Railway Corporation (TRC) and Tanzania Zambia Railway Service (TAZARA) with the main terminals in Dar es Salaam.
Bus stands for country buses are located in all towns; in Dar es Salaam the main country bus stand is at Ubungo approximately 8 km from the city centre. Taxis and Car Hire Services are available in most towns.
VISA AND ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Visas are issued by Tanzania Missions, Embassies and Consulates overseas (see details below). Passports should be valid for at least six months from the date of travel. Visitors from countries where there is a Tanzania Embassy or Consulate MUST obtain their visa prior to going to Tanzania.
Types of Visa: Ordinary Visa, Business Visa, Multiple Entry Visa and Referred Visa, Transit Visa.
For details (provide a link).
CUSTOMS CLEARANCE, ALLOWABLE DUTY FREE ITEMS, CURRENCY
Customs clearance, Allowable Duty Free Items
Personal effects including binoculars, cameras, and film for personal use may be brought in free of duty.
A custom's bond may be demanded from those bringing in video/filming equipment, radio, tape recorders and musical instruments. The bond is redeemed in full at the time of re-exporting the goods.
Duty free allowances are 200 Cigarettes, 50 Cigars, or 250 grams of tobacco plus one pint of spirit provided the traveller is over 16 years. Importation of firearms without special permission is criminal offence.
At the time of departure, Customs will require to see receipts of items purchased locally for export.
Currency
The Tanzanian shilling (Tsh.) is divided into 100cents. Notes are in denomination of 200, 500, 1000, and 10,000 shillings. Coins are in order of 10, 20, 50, 100 and 200 shillings. Money can be changed in banks, bureaux de change and other accredited points such as hotels. Credit cards (Access, Master Card, Visa, American Express, Euro Card and Diners) are accepted by large hotels around the country. Travellers' cheques in US dollars and Pound Sterling are recommended, although Euros are also accepted. Banking hours in major towns are from Monday to Friday (08.30 - 16.00 hrs), Saturday from 08.30 hrs - 13.30 hrs. These may vary in smaller towns. ATM and 24 hour cash machines are available in branches of major banks and accept international VISA cards. Please note that banks are closed on Sundays.
PUBLIC HOLIDAYS
Public Holidays;
New Year - January 1, Zanzibar Revolutionary Day - January 12, Union Day - April 26, Workers Day - May 1, Industrial Day - July 7, Peasants Day - August 8, Independence Day - December 9, Christmas Day - December 25, Boxing Day - December 26, Religious Festivals: Idd El Fitry, Idd El Haji, Maulid Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday.
TRAVELLERS TIPS
Climate and What to wear
Tanzania is a tropical country with off-shore islands and a long coast line on the eastern side. Its topographic features include mountain ranges and some high peaks - Mt. Kilimanjaro rises to 1934 ft / 5895 m and Mt. Meru rises to 4567 m above sea level. The southern highlands (Tukuyu, Udzungwa and Rungwe areas) and the northern highlands (Kilimanjaro, Arusha and Ngorongoro areas) are characterized by cool climates with temperatures ranging from 5 to 26 degrees Centigrade.
Except for these highland areas, it never gets really cold. For safaris avoid brightly coloured clothes as they may alarm animals. In the northern wildlife parks, it is recommended to wear casual light clothing, canvas hats and sturdy shoes, whereas in the parks to the south it is much warmer thus lighter clothes are more comfortable. At night, casual wear with a light cardigan or a pull over is recommended especially in high altitudes.
Tanzanians, in general, are modest people with deep cultural and traditional values. Hence, whatever you wear must be equally modest and respectful.
Neither topless nor nudity is allowed at beaches or at any other public places.
Along the coast temperatures may reach 32 degrees centigrade during the hottest months of January - March but as low as 18 degrees centigrade during June - August. Wear light cotton clothes. Sun cream, sunglasses and broad hats are essential for sunbathers along the beach.
What to Carry: A camera, a camcorder and a binocular are better than the best memory. Carry enough supplies of film and batteries if travelling outside the major cities. For those going camping, remember to carry a torch, sunglasses, a hat, lotion lip-balm and some insect repellent is desirable.
To minimize the chance of insect bites (especially mosquito) avoid dark areas in the evenings, wear long trousers and long sleeved shirts / blouses and sleep under a mosquito net.
Activities
Sightseeing: Wildlife safaris, nature trails, walking safaris, mountain, climbing, spice tours, sun bathing.
Water Sports: With a long coastline along the Indian Ocean and extensive shores on inland lakes, Tanzania is a dream world for water enthusiast: big game fishing, freshwater fishing, diving, snorkelling, swimming, surfing etc..
Shopping: Locally made items: woodcarvings, batiks, tingatinga paintings, basket-ware, jewellery, colourfully printed and tie & dye textiles, traditional weapons and insignia.
Play your part in support of Tanzania's efforts to conserve nature for the present and future generations: while on safari do not collect or buy wildlife products such as bones, skins, horns, teeth, feathers or shells. And on the coast do not bring back pieces of coral, seashells or starfish because they all play an important role in maintaining the fragile ecosystem. Leave no litter whatever you visit.
Best Time to Visit: Tanzania can be visited any time of the year. June to September is the cooler season while October to March is the hot season with December to February the hottest. The "long rains" are from mid March to May and the "short rains" are between October and December. On the coast, it rains in November and December and from March to May. Coastal areas are hot and humid with sea breezes exerting pleasant soothing effect.
Languages
Swahili is the national and official language while English is the business language. Arabic is widely spoken along the coast. Speakers of other languages including French, Italian, Spanish, German, Japanese, Russian and Chinese can be found. In major towns and tourist areas a visitor should be able to get along quite well in English.
Local Time
GMT +3 hours winter time and +2 hours summer time.
The time difference with Japan : Tanzania is 6 hours behind (-6 hrs) Japan's time.
Telephone
Analogue and mobiles phones are widely used. The country code for Tanzania is +255.
Electricity
230 volts AC, 50 Hz.
GENERAL SECURITY MATTERS
Tanzania is a peaceful country with a stable political system and harmony among its diverse ethnic and religious diversity. Tanzanians are very welcoming and friendly to visitors. The economy is dynamic and record numbers of foreign visitors are coming every year up from 295,312 in 1995 to 482,331 in 1998 and 627,325 in 1999.
Karibu Tanzania !
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