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Tanzania: General Information

The country is situated just south of the Equator bordering the Indian Ocean and is 930,704 sq. km. in area. Of this, inland waters cover 53,000-sq. km. and 247,537-sq. km. is devoted to the protection of wildlife. The island of Zanzibar is 2,760 sq. km. in area.

Population

Tanzania has a cosmopolitan population of 30 million people.

Climate

Tanzania is a land without winter. Temperatures in northern Tanzania range between 60F-70F during the day and 40F-50F at night, from May to October. From November to March the daytime temperature varies from 70F-90F and from 60F-75F at night. However, if you are travelling to high altitude areas, of course the temperature drops substantially.

The long rains are between April and early June while the short rains are in November.

Passports and Visas

All visitors to Tanzania must have a passport valid for travel to Tanzania. Except for exempted countries all visitors require a visa to enter Tanzania. For South Africans, visas may be obtained from the Tanzanian High Commission, Pretoria. Please enquire for details. Visas may also be obtained on arrival, at the airport, currently USD 50 per person, single entry. (April 2005)

Health

Visitors should have an International Certificate of Vaccination against Yellow Fever – although rarely checked when entering Tanzania, it is endemic to the region and you WILL be checked upon re-entry to your home country if outside of East Africa. Anti-malaria tablets are recommended and are to be taken a few days prior to arrival, during your stay, and for a short period after returning. Precautions against other tropical diseases should be taken – consult a specialist.

Currency

There is no restriction on the importation of foreign currency. The import or the export of Tanzanian shillings is prohibited. The current rate of exchange is around T.Shs 1100 to US$1. Visitors can change their foreign currency at any of the Bureaux de Change, which give a better rate than the banks, and at certain hotels. This money can be used for personal expenses like shopping, meals and drinks in town restaurants or safari lodges. Note that USD notes printed PRIOR to 1994 are often not accepted. We recommend a combination of cash and travellers cheques, preferably in small denomination notes - otherwise you will end up carrying large wadges of Shillings around!

Credit Cards

Some of the major lodges and hotels are now accepting credit cards on mainland Tanzania - we do suggest that you take sufficient cash/travellers cheques and use a credit card as a back-up only. In some cases a surcharge will be added to credit card payments – 5% being average.

In some of the bigger towns, eg Arusha, Moshi and Dar-Es-Salaam, it is possible to use a bank card (visa) – subject to the bank being on line! We don’t recommend you rely on this, but could be used for emergencies (as with a credit card).

Electricity

230 volts, 50 cycles AC. British plugs (3 pin square). Most of the better quality hotels/lodges will have adaptors for round pin plugs.

Insurance

You are strongly advised to have your own insurance cover to cover baggage, personal accident and medical attention. South Africans - minimum R500 000 medical and related expenses cover is suggested. Wild Frontiers offers travel insurance through TIC for South African travllers only.

Airport Tax

International airport taxes are normally included in your ticket from MAINLAND Tanzania. Zanzibar departure taxes for both domestic and international flights are payable in CASH.Mainland domestic departure taxes are sometimes included in your ticket – please check with your travel consultant.

Flights

It is imperative that you reconfirm your flights from within Tanzania a minimum of 72 hours prior to departure. Failure to do so will result in your seat being cancelled. It is suggested you try to do this before you depart on safari , or immediately on arrival in Tanzania .