Tanzania Safari Fact Sheet

COUNTRY SAFARI GUIDE

Tanzania, formerly known as Tanganyika, is located on the East Coast of Africa, south of the Equator. It borders Kenya and Uganda in the north, Burundi, Zaire and Rwanda in the west, and Mozambique and Zambia in the south. Off the Tanzania mainland lie Zanzibar, Pemba and Mafia Islands in the Indian Ocean. The country's terrain is plain along the coast, central plateau and highlands in the north and south. The mainland has a coastline of about 500 miles of palm fringed beaches but the country's major attractions are the national parks; Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest point in Africa; bordered by three of the largest lakes in Africa: Lake Victoria (the world's second largest freshwater lake) in the north, Lake Tanganyika (the world's second deepest) in the wet and Lake Nyasa in the southwest.

GENERAL INFORMATION

FULL NAME: United Republic of Tanzania
CAPITAL: Dar es Salaam (Commercial), Dodoma (Administration)
INDEPENDENCE: 1961
POPULATION: 37 million
AREA: 945,037 square kilometres (includes the islands of Mafia, Pemba and Zanzibar)
MAIN CROPS: Coffee, tea, sisal, cashew nuts, cotton, pyrethrum, cloves
MAIN INDUSTRIES: Mining, agriculture, tourism
MINERAL RESOURCES: Gemstones, diamonds, gold, natural gas, nickel, tin, iron ore, coal, hydropower, phosphates.

CLIMATE
Tanzania climate varies from tropical along the coast where it is hot and humid (rainy season March – May), to temperate in the highlands with short rains in November – December, and long rains in February – May. June to October is mostly dry and sunny. It is drier in the plateau region with considerable sessional variations in temperature. The average temperature is 70-80 degrees Fahrenheit in June to August and 80-100 degrees Fahrenheit in October to February. At Ngorongoro Crater it can be quite cool/cold at the rim, where wind, fog and heavy dews can be expected at any time of the year.

VISA REQUIREMENT
All visitors are required to carry a passport that is valid for six months beyond the intended stay. Depending on nationality and country of origin, a visa may be obtained on arrival at the airport. However, it is advisable to obtain visa in advance. Visa cost is US $50 and usually issued for three months.

VACCINATION
Vaccination certificate for certain diseases is a requirement when entering Tanzania. Contact your local doctor for inoculation requirements for Tanzania. Note that Yellow fever vaccination is required if transiting or travelling to and from Kenya.

Personal situation such as pregnancy, allergies, the length of your stay or the places you intend to visit will determine the kind of vaccination you will have to take.

INSURANCE
We strongly recommend that you take out travel insurance, which includes curtailment and cancellation cover as well as medical cover, upon confirmation of your booking.

EXIT REGULATION
There is a departure tax from the international airports of US $20.00, payable in US dollars only. There is however no tax if you are departing overland to Kenya.

CURRENCY
The unit of currency is the Tanzanian Shilling (TSH).

CREDIT CARDS
Credit cards are accepted in major hotels (major credit cards: MasterCard, Visa, Diners Club and American Express). Smaller establishments that accept credit cards often charge an exorbitant surcharge of 5% to 10%. It is therefore advisable to bring US dollars and traveller's cheques in addition to credit cards.

BANKS
National and international banks have branches in major cities of Tanzania including Arusha. Banking hours: Monday to Friday 0900 – 1430 hrs.

TIPPING AND GRADUITIES
Most major hotels and restaurants include a service charge. Tipping is not obligatory but at your discretion. A gratuity of 10% is customary at restaurants and bars where a service charge is included. Tipping a driver/guide is included and, once again, is at your discretion; you could tip US $2.00 to $5.00 per person per day. Porters at airports, hotels and lodges and laundry maids may be tipped; this too is at you discretion.

COMMUNICATION
The international dialling code for Tanzania is +255. The code of the commercial capital city, Dar es Salaam, is 51 and Arusha is 27. Mobile phone coverage in Tanzania is excellent. Robert Lee-Steere Safaris carries a worldwide satellite phone for 24-hour communication in remote areas. Most hotels have Internet and facsimile services.

ELECTRICITY
230/240 volts, 50/60 cycles AC.

LANGUAGE AND CULTURE
Kiswahili (Swahili) is the national and official language; English is the second official language primarily used for commerce, administration and higher education; Arabic is commonly spoken in Zanzibar and Pemba, and many local languages are widely spoken. Tanzanians involved in the tourism trade speak good English.

CULTURE
Tanzania is a country rich in culture - a blend of African, Arabic, Indian and European influences. Tanzanians are generous and hospitable yet conservative. They are welcoming but want people to treat their culture with respect.

In the offshore islands of Zanzibar and Pemba people are very conservative; therefore, wear clothes that cover your body. Respect the holly months of Ramadan if you happen to be in the Islands.

TIME
GMT + 3 hours

WHAT TO WEAR
Cotton is the most comfortable fabric to wear while on safari (casual wear). A sweater and warm jacket should be taken for evenings (also for day time for chilly areas like the Ngorongoro Crater). A few changes of shorts, long pants, T-shirts would be sufficient for an average weeklong safari.

WHAT TO BUY
Tanzanite, one of the most rare gemstones of this generation and only found in Tanzania. Woodcarvings are especially good, the most famous being the Makonde Art made of ebony wood. Masai jewellery, baskets and other traditional items are readily available in market areas. Do not buy any ivory or elephant hair jewellery as it is illegal to sell these items in Tanzania and you are not allowed to import them to many countries.