Tanzania

Tanzania is a country in East Africa within the African Great Lakes region. This country plays host to the greatest animal migration on earth each year, as the grassy plains of the Serengeti witness thousands of wildebeest, zebras and antelope brave the treacherous crossing of the Mara River in search of new pastures. Tanzania is home to many of the best and biggest parks in Africa, and some of the most varied and unique landscapes. From grasslands to woodlands, rock formations, and mountain peaks. There is no question that Tanzania features some amazing opportunities for sightseeing, and photo-hunting alike.

Highlights

National Parks

by, David Berkowitz https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/

Beaches

Matt Kieffer from London, United Kingdom, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Trekking

Woodlouse, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Wildlife

Gary Bembridge from London, UK, CC BY 2.0, by/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

Zanzibar islands

by Koen Muurling Attribution (CC BY 2.0)

David Berkowitz, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Diving and snorkelling

by kamal karim (CC BY 2.0)

Cultural heritage

by David Stanley (CC BY 2.0)

Ron Van Oers, CC BY-SA 3.0 IGO, via Wikimedia Commons

When to go

The best time to visit Tanzania is during the dry season, (early-June to October), when wildlife viewing is generally at its best. During this period, coincides with the migration river crossings. Furthermore, all the parks offer amazing wildlife sightings because of grasses and bush are at their least dense. A second chance is between November to early-March, when the landscapes become much quieter and green, but there is a chance of rain showers. Also, it is a fantastic time for birdwatching as migratory species arrive in their thousands. The only season you tend to avoid is between March, April, and May, when heavy rains can disrupt wildlife viewing.

Snorkelling and Diving: Tanzania is a year-round diving destination. The diving is best in March and from October to November. During these months, the visibility is the best and the weather is warm.

Safaris/Wildlife viewing: the best time is between June to October is the best time.

Hiking: you can hike in Tanzania year-round, but the dry season months are generally considered the best times, especially for the big peaks such as Kilimanjaro and Meru. The dry season for these northern mountains is late December through to late March and late June to the end of October. However, there is always the possibility of weather changing dramatically, regardless of the season.

Zanzibar beaches: if it is a tropical beach holiday that you are after, the best time to visit Tanzania’s coast, Zanzibar and other islands is between June to mid- October.

Birdwatching: green season (November to April) offers superb opportunities, with migratory birds arriving in their thousands. At this time, many resident bird species are nesting and are in breeding plumage.

Great Wildebeest Migration: is the largest animal migration in the world. Every year, more than 2 million animals (wildebeest, zebra, and gazelle) migrate. The best time is from January to February (Southern Serengeti) and June to October for the wildebeest migration (Western and Northern Serengeti).

National Parks and reserves: the Southern and Western circuit parks are best visited during the dry season (June to October), unlike the Northern circuit parks that can be visited year-round. Chimpanzees in Gombe and Mahale Mountains: these reserves are perfect place for seeing how they really behave in their natural habitat, can be done throughout the year, but the odds of finding them quickly is better towards the end of the dry season, from July through October. Gombe does not get crowded any time of the year.

Practical information

Currency

The Tanzanian shilling is the official currency. The exchange rate approximately is 1 Euro between 2.621- 2735 Tanzanian shillings. 1 US Dolar is between 2.325 – 2.543 Tanzanian shillings.

Language

The Republic of Tanzania has evolved the greatest linguistic diversity in the whole of the African continent with four major African language bases, and with around 129 different ethnic groups. The official language is Swahili, English is the second official language and the country’s commercial language.

Visa

Citizens of most countries like the EU, the UK, Australia, New Zealand, the US and Canada, and citizens of many other Latin American and Asian countries (excluding Hong Kong and Singapore), must apply for a visa before traveling to Tanzania, but getting one is a straightforward process for most nationalities. Visitors coming into the country for tourism must apply for what is known as an “ordinary visa”, which grants a single entry to Tanzania for a stay lasting up to three months. Tourists from most countries should apply for a Tanzania e-Visa in advance. The online system makes applying for a visa quicker and more convenient for travellers. The Tanzania e-Visa process is 100% online. Foreign nationals can complete their application from a smartphone or computer, they do not need to make an appointment at the embassy. The visa application form is a simple form that can be completed and submitted online. After submitting your visa application and paying the visa fee, your Tanzania visa request will be processed and ultimately accepted or denied. Tanzania e-Visa processing is also fast. Most applicants receive the approved visa in 4 to 6 business days. Visitors are advised to apply as soon as they know their travel plans in case of any delays. As well as, you also have the option to obtain a visa on arrival in Tanzania (citizens of countries that require a referral visa cannot use the visa-on-arrival process). To avoid any headaches, check the latest information on entry requirements on the Tanzania Immigration Services Department website before you book your trip.

On-arrival visas are available at the international airports at Dar es Salaam, Kilimanjaro, and Zanzibar, at the Namanga border post between Tanzania and Kenya, and at the Tunduma border crossing between Tanzania and Zambia.

ATM & credit card

ATMs are available in the bigger towns, and all are open 24 hours. But they are occasionally out of service or out of cash, so you should have back-up funds. In large cities, queues at ATM machines on Friday afternoons are notoriously long, take care of your banking before then. Stanbic Bank, Standard Chartered, Barclays and CRDB are your most reliable banks, accepting Maestro, MasterCard, and Visa. Bring additional cards, as the daily uptake with a foreign card is limited at ATMs in Tanzania. Tanzania’s park entrance permits are paid by credit card, but all other expenses during your travels in Tanzania are mostly paid for in cash. Also, fuel is paid in cash. Most restaurants, lodges or campsites do not accept foreign debit cards. Paying with foreign credit cards (Visa and Mastercard) is possible, but only at the more upmarket hotels and restaurants, often with a commission averaging from 5% to 10%. Tanzania is a cash economy. We strongly recommend bringing some additional Euros or US Dollars with you in cash for unforeseen things. This can easily be changed to Tanzanian Shillings at any Forex Bureau in most provincial towns.

Opening times

The work week is Monday to Friday and office hours are generally between 08:00 and 17:00. Government offices tend to close earlier, at 15:30. In Zanzibar, business and government are closed Friday afternoons. Restaurants and bars open from 11:00/12:00 to 23:00 or mid-night. Shops and supermarkets and tourist shops open on Sunday, while Muslim-owner shops close on Friday’s afternoon, but may be open on Sunday. Some shops close noon, around 12:00-15:00, but stay open later around 19:00.

Time: GMT + 3hours.

Main airports

Julius Nyerere International Airport (is in the southwest of the city Dar es Salaam. The distance from the airport to the centre of the city is 12 kilometres. By car, it takes 30 minutes to get to the centre)

Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (is in the south of Zanzibar City. The distance from the airport to the city centre of Zanzibar is 8 kilometres. By car, it takes 20 minutes to get to the centre)

Kilimanjaro International Airport (located in the north of Tanzania, close to Mount Kilimanjaro National Park. The distance from the airport to the centre of Moshi is 41 kilometres. By car, it takes 60 minutes to get to the centre)

Public transport

When the travellers visiting Tanzania are here to enjoy the wild and natural landscapes that Africa offers, but it is important to know that getting around within Tanzania can be a little daunting, particularly if you are traveling independent of a tour agency or do not speak Swahili, the national language. The roads connecting destinations on the popular Northern Circuit, linking the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Kilimanjaro National Park, and a string of other sights and wildlife reserves, are well-maintained. Away from these touristed areas, however, overland travel can be slow and uncomfortable. Many prefer to cover long distances by plane, particularly when accessing remote lodges and tented camps in Tanzania’s national parks, though this can be expensive.

By car, driving in Tanzania can be dangerous because everyone does pretty much as they please, and traffic in Dar es Salaam is especially chaotic. The roads are not always well maintained and frequent holes are a problem, so keep your speed down and avoid driving at night because of the danger of domestic and wild animals on the road. Many of the roads in rural areas and in the parks and reserves are not tarred, so a four-wheel-drive vehicle is essential, particularly in the wet seasons, when these roads often become impassable. Cars drive on the left-hand side and you can hire cars from several different rental companies, if you are over 23 and have an international or English language driver’s licence.

By ferry, Tanzania has a few different ferry services of varying standards. The AZAM Marine ferry is probably the best and most reliable service and the best option for getting to Zanzibar (other than flying) for passengers. The ferry is quick (usually around 1.5 – 2 hours). You can book and pay online. Most hotels can also arrange it for you but you will probably pay more than the normal rate. Tickets usually sell out so it is best to book as early as you can. If you book online, read carefully. Some dhows (is a type of boat used in the Middle East) can be used for short distances, and some even go to Zanzibar, but these can be unsafe, especially when the sea is rough. There are also some ferries on the lakes, such as Lake Tanganyika, Lake Malawi, or Lake Victoria. Most of these ferries are quite basic and rustic, and some have sunk in previous years.

By bus, buses are the most popular and cheapest way of getting around, and they operate between all major towns. There are different types of busses for long and short distances: Daladalas, these are minibuses that connect the areas outside of the larger towns/cities to the centres. They are uncomfortable but super cheap so if you are on a very low budget, they are one of your best bets. Every daladala has its fixed route that you can read on the outside, but it is simple if you can ask someone from your hotel to tell you which route to take and where exactly the bus passes. If you take the daladala from the bus stop in town, simply ask around, there’s always people trying to get clients to their busses that also know about the other routes so they will be able to help you.If you take a daladala from the bus stop, you will have to wait until it is full before it leaves. Daladalas do not have fixed schedules. The second option is Coasters. Coasters are something between a daladala and a big bus. These are often used for transport between cities and can cover long distances, there is space on the roof for luggage as well but no inside storage for big luggage. The third choice is Coaches. They are ideal for traveling long distance. They either leave from the main bus stand or have their own office and these offices are usually located not far from the main bus stop. These busses have fixed departure times, routes, and stops and it is recommended to arrive about half an hour early and check availability and book a few days before. Busses come in different classes and often the same company has different classes. Options are standard, luxury and VIP. There is however only one company that offers VIP-seats for this trip and there is only 6 of these seats on the bus, so book early. I would not recommend booking a standard bus as they usually do not even have decent AC, but for some routes they are your only option. The most reasonably efficient and comfortable buses are operated by Selous, Tavavili Express or Nacharo Royal, etc. For more information check this website.

By train, train travel is not the easiest or most reliable and longest form of travel in Tanzania. The TAZARA train line, which runs from Dar es Salaam all the way to Zambia through national parks and stunning landscapes. It is a rather unreliable service, over a day delay is not unheard of. It often runs out of water midway through, so passengers are advised to take their own beverages and food and approach this service with a certain sense of adventure. Now, the company is unable to offer online sale of tickets, however, they accept reservations via email, although you would then have to purchase your ticket physically at any of our stations before or on the actual day of travel. Important note: remember that you will need to purchase your ticket either a few days before the journey or on the actual day of travel. Therefore, you need to choose the most convenient booking office, from where you will also buy your ticket. If you have not bought your ticket in advance, but have made an advance booking, you need to arrive at the station earlier, say an hour or two before the expected departure time.

By taxi, taxis are available in all major cities and towns, but they have normally not used a taximeter, so it is best to negotiate the fare before starting the journey. If we compare with buses or “daladala,” taxis can be rather expensive in Tanzania. They are identifiable by them with number plates, and you can hail on the street, although a safer option is to find one at a taxi stand.

Things to avoid

Eating seafood or raw fruit and vegetables tend to be very difficult to sterilise

Using unlicensed taxis

Drink tap water

Using your left hand for Tanzanians, apparently this hand is reserved for toilet, try to always use the right hand instead

Taking pictures of people without permission is considered rude

Handing out sweets or other small gifts to the children you meet, as it can encourage them to drop out of school to beg full-time

Remember that Tanzania is a conservative country, so resist kissing or touching your significant other in public even if you are on your honeymoon in Zanzibar

Night travelling or isolated areas

Exporting seashells, coral, ivory and turtle shells, hitching inside national parks

Food

Tanzanian cuisine is diverse. The types of ingredients used and preparation methods vary greatly from region to region. Spicy foods are common and ingredients like ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and coconut milk are used in many dishes. Rice and ugali are staple foods while okra, spinach, beans, and cassava leaves are commonly used vegetables. At least seventeen varieties of plantains are known to grow in Tanzania. They are typically fried into chips or used as an ingredient in various soups and stews. The main Tanzanian dishes are: “Mchuzi wa Samaki” (is a Swahili dish consisting of fish that is cooked in a combination of onions, oil, garlic, curry powder, tomatoes, water, and lemon juice. The dish is often additionally flavored with freshly chopped coriander, typically served hot with fluffy white rice on the side), “Chipsi mayai” (or chips and eggs is a staple of Tanzanian street food. French fries are combined with eggs to make a dish that is like an omelette with fries dispersed throughout it. Alternatively, the dish can be made with additional ingredients such as bell peppers or onions), “Mchemsho” (traditional dish from Northern Tanzania consisting of numerous ingredients such as potatoes, green beans, carrots, bananas, tomatoes, cabbage, eggplant, sweet peppers, and a variety of spices, the vegetables are combined with meat or fish to make a full meal),“Kashata” (it is an African candy made from roasted peanut or dried coconut)

Electricity and plug types

For Tanzania there are two associated plug types, types D and G. Plug type D is the plug which has three round pins in a triangular pattern and plug type G is the plug which has two flat parallel pins and a grounding pin. Tanzania operates on a 230V supply voltage and 50Hz.

Health and insurance

The health delivery system in Tanzania has improved a lot in recent years. Even so, being a developing country with limited resources, Tanzania’s healthcare system is far from being as good as healthcare systems in developed nations. At present, the country’s public healthcare system is struggling with a shortage of trained medical staff, lack of funds, and limited access to adequate medical technology. Most of the hospitals in Tanzania are in cities, while those living in rural areas must come to cities to get treatment. Payment for treatment at most of these hospitals must be made in cash. Many serious medical conditions require air evacuation to Kenya or South Africa, which are the nearest countries that have the latest medical technology. If you are planning to stay in Tanzania can purchase international health insurance to get treatment in various private hospitals.

Tanzania has a tropical climate and different bacteria, flora, and fauna than most visitors are accustomed, so it is advisable to take a few health precautions when travelling to make sure your trip goes as comfortably and smooth as possible. Mosquito-borne illnesses such as malaria and dengue fever are prevalent in Tanzania, particularly in rural areas. Travelers in at-risk regions should take the recommended medication, sleep under a mosquito net, wear long sleeves and make use of insect repellents. Yellow fever has never been reported from Tanzania, but a proof of yellow fever vaccination is only required upon arrival if you are travelling from a country with a risk of the virus. Other vaccination should be considered. The best choice of vaccines for your trip depends on many individual factors, including your precise travel plans. Vaccines commonly recommended for travellers to Africa include those against Health Effects Such as Tetanus, Diphtheria, Polio, Typhoid, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Yellow fever, Rabies and Meningitis.

Pharmacies in Tanzania can be found attached to hospitals in large cities but are harder to find in more rural areas.

Other

Tipping in Tanzania is not expected in small local establishments or in rural areas. In major towns and touristic places, tips are expected. In restaurants rounding up the bill or adding about 10% to 15% is standard price. Safaris and treks, it is common practice to tip drivers, guides porters and other staff. Taxis is not common except a full-day trip.

Tanzania is a heavily religious country, so it is best for travellers to always have conservative dresses.

Almost half the Tanzanian population is Muslim and the festival of Ramadan is a noticeably significant time for the community. A lot of restaurants remain closed during the daytime and opens only at night during the festival lasting for one month.