TANZANIA FACTS AT YOUR FINGERTIPS
 

Local Time:  GMT + 3

Daylight:  Sunrise around 6:30am and sunset at 6:45pm.  12 hours of daylight year round.

Electricity: 230 volts Ac, 50 hz.

Airports: Three international airports, Dar es Salaam, Kilimanjaro and Zanzibar.
Regional and domestic services to major national parks and game reserves.

Currency: Tanzanian shilling. It is advisable to carry American dollars and travellers cheques.  Money changers also accept the major convertible currencies including the yen. Travellers cheques are exchangeable in larger towns.  Major credit cards are accepted in the larger hotels but otherwise use is extremely limited.

Visas: Visas are required for all, except citizens of the Commonwealth, Scandinavian countries and the Republic of Ireland. You must obtain a visa in advance from any Tanzania Embassy.  Cost is around $50 US.

Climate: The climate is tropical on the coast, the islands and in Selous.  It is temperate in the other parks and can be quite cool at night and during the rainy season. October to mid-march is the hottest period and from June to September, the coolest. There is light rainfall in November and the rainy season is from mid March to June.  Ocean temperature is between 24 and 28 c.

Health: You will be required to have a Yellow fever vaccination and will most likely be asked to show an international immunization certificate as proof.  Visitors are advised to contact your doctor or local travel clinic several weeks before departure as you may need to get other vaccinations that can take several weeks to become effective.  You should ask about malaria prophylaxis and start taking the medication two weeks before you depart and for several weeks after returning home.  Personal insurance is recommended with comprehensive travel insurance - a policy that will fly you home in an emergency.  Your local bookstore and library will have more extensive information on staying healthy in Tanzania and it is well worth your time to be informed before you come.

Clothing: For safaris in the north, during the day, light clothing, sturdy shoes and a jacket are recommended as well as sun hats.  At night, casual wear with a light cardigan or pull over (for altitudes between 1500 m in Arusha and 2400 m in Ngorongoro).  On the coast summer wear.  For Kilimanjaro or other treks, check with a mountain specialist before departure.  Bring: sunscreen, lotions, sunglasses, mosquito cream, personal water bottle and binoculars.

Safety: Theft and muggings do happen in Tanzania, especially at bus stations and busy markets where pickpockets congregate.  It is best to leave valuable jewellery at home, carry your spending money in your front pocket and the bulk of your cash in a hidden money belt.  Do not flash large amounts of money or wear a "fanny pack".  Avoid overnight busses.  Do not walk at night, even in a group - it is more expensive to take a cab, but good insurance.  Do not change money with people on the street, they are con men and will not give you a better rate than the bureau of change, no matter what they say.  Exercise common sense and a little extra caution and you should have no troubles.

Danger from wild animals is minimal on safari as most creatures avoid direct contact with humans unless threatened.  Respect the advice of your guide who is experienced with the environment and has your best interests and safety at heart.  Believe it or not, the most dangerous animal you are likely to encounter in Tanzania is the mosquito!

Cuisine: There is a variety of food.  You'll find international cuisine in the hotels, restaurants and lodges.  On the coast, fish and lobsters with local dishes such as biryanis and meat or fish curries.   Specialties: spiced tea or coffee and "Halua", a sweet desert with almonds.  Drink only boiled or bottled water.

Behaviour: The protection of nature is everyone's concern. On safari, do not collect or buy bones, skins, horns, teeth, feathers or shells. And on the coast do not bring back coral, shells or starfish which play and important role in the fragile ecosystem. Do not litter.  The protection of culture is also everyone's concern.  Keep this in mind when visiting remote cultures.  The guides know the local habits and customs. It is always advisable to ask someone's permission before taking his/her photograph, especially Maasai with spears.

Shopping: Locally made products are available at good prices.  Negotiation is expected.  On the mainland, you can find batiks, tinga tinga paintings, objects in ebony, cutlery, jewelery, sculptures, furniture, basket ware, beaded Maasai necklaces, precious gems (gold, diamonds, tanzanites and other stones). In Zanzibar, you can find textiles (wrap-around - kikoi for men and khanga for women), carved chests, perfumes, natural lotions and spices.

Public Transportation:  Busses and taxis are available in most larger towns.  Bus fares are low and taxi fares are negotiable.  Trains are cheap, slow and subject to delay.  Do not rely on timetables, book in advance.  1st, 2nd and 3rd class compartments are available;  1st differs from 2nd only in the number of beds per compartment, 2 instead of 6.  Third Class is said to be uncomfortable and risky.  There is ferry service between Zanzibar and the mainland.

Car Hire:  Available in larger towns, offering a range of vehicles from small, two door to 4 wheel drive.  Most charge a daily rate plus mileage, insurance and petrol.  You can also hire a driver.  Payment is usually in foreign currency.

Religion: There is freedom of worship in Tanzania.  Approximately 32% of the population adheres to traditional beliefs.  33% Christian, 33% Muslim and 2% Hindu.

Business Hours:  Government offices are open 8:00am to 3:00pm M-F and 8:00am to 12:30 on Saturday.  Shops are open, in general,  8:30am to 5:00pm M-S with a lunch break from 12:30-2:00pm every day.  They are usually closed on Sunday, with some exceptions, especially in tourist areas.  Banking hours are 8:00am to 3:00pm M-F and 8:00am to 11:30 on Saturday.  Businesses are closed on Public Holidays.

Holidays: Good Friday, Easter Monday, Idd-ul-Fitr, Islamic New Year and the Prophet's birthday are all public holidays and are celebrated on different days each year.  Other holidays include:

1 January - New Year's Day
12 January - Zanzibar Revolution Day
26 April - Union Day
1 May - International Labour Day
7 July - Public Holiday
8 August - Peasant's Day
9 December - Independence Day
25 December - Christmas Day

Tipping: In better hotels, tips are included in your bill.  If you want to tip someone who has been especially helpful, 10% is generous.  Remember that too small a tip is an insult, while an overly generous tip makes it awkward for those who come after you.  Be sure to tip your guide.

Medical Services:  Medical services are for the most part, under developed and would not be considered adequate by Western standards.  It is advisable to carry medical evacuation insurance and check with your insurance company before you leave home.

Chemists/Pharmacies: Medical supplies are limited in Tanzania so bring all medicines you will need with you.  An exception to this is malaria medication which is widely available and most likely cheaper than you will find it in the Western world.

Communications: The post is well organized but phone calls are expensive and lines are limited.  Hotels add a hefty surcharge to international and local calls and the connections are often unreliable.  E-mail services and internet access are available in a few of the larger towns but often hard to find and expensive.  Be prepared to wait and to try more than once before getting connected.

For more information contact:

NYIKA TREKS & SAFARIS LTD.
ARUSHA RESORT CENTER
FAYA ROAD
200 M SOUTH OF CLOCK TOWER

P.O. BOX 13077
ARUSHA - TANZANIA

TEL: +255 754 393331 / +255 713 405306 / +255 784 393331

EMAIL: nyika@habari.co.tz

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