Travel Tips & Information
LANGUAGE
English is widely spoken but a few words of Swahili can be useful and will be appreciated greatly by locals.
English is widely spoken but a few words of Swahili can be useful and will be appreciated greatly by locals.
MONEY
Major foreign currencies - particularly US$ - and travellers cheques are accepted and are convertible at banks and bureaux de changes in the main towns and tourist areas. Credit cards are not widely accepted and carry poor exchange rates. Some banks in Arusha, Dar es Salaam and Moshi offer ATM facilities against international credit cards, but ATMs are not available elsewhere. Visitors may be expected to pay in foreign currency for game parks. Don’t change money in the street.
Major foreign currencies - particularly US$ - and travellers cheques are accepted and are convertible at banks and bureaux de changes in the main towns and tourist areas. Credit cards are not widely accepted and carry poor exchange rates. Some banks in Arusha, Dar es Salaam and Moshi offer ATM facilities against international credit cards, but ATMs are not available elsewhere. Visitors may be expected to pay in foreign currency for game parks. Don’t change money in the street.
HEALTH
Yellow fever vaccination is no longer compulsory. Malaria is endemic but is preventable: use insect repellent, cover up at sundown, sleep under a mosquito net and take anti-malaria prophylactics as advised by your doctor. Bring
prescription medicines, spare glasses, contact lenses and solution as well as sunscreen, a fi rst aid kit, cream for bites/stings and diarrhoea remedy. Drink only boiled or bottled water, bottled or canned drinks, avoid ice cubes and salads. HIV/Aids is widespread, especially in the main tourist areas. (See Mt. Kilimanjaro section for altitude sickness advice.)
Yellow fever vaccination is no longer compulsory. Malaria is endemic but is preventable: use insect repellent, cover up at sundown, sleep under a mosquito net and take anti-malaria prophylactics as advised by your doctor. Bring
prescription medicines, spare glasses, contact lenses and solution as well as sunscreen, a fi rst aid kit, cream for bites/stings and diarrhoea remedy. Drink only boiled or bottled water, bottled or canned drinks, avoid ice cubes and salads. HIV/Aids is widespread, especially in the main tourist areas. (See Mt. Kilimanjaro section for altitude sickness advice.)
CLIMATE
Generally dry and hot with cool nights/mornings June-October; short rains November to mid-December; long rains March-May but the seasons can vary. The coastal strip is hot and humid all year round. Temperatures on Mount
Kilimanjaro and Meru drop to below freezing.
Generally dry and hot with cool nights/mornings June-October; short rains November to mid-December; long rains March-May but the seasons can vary. The coastal strip is hot and humid all year round. Temperatures on Mount
Kilimanjaro and Meru drop to below freezing.
ON SAFARI
Distances in Tanzania are vast, and travel by road can be wearing. Plan to spend more time in fewer parks. You’ll see more and won’t return home exhausted. Keep your distance from animals and be quiet to avoid distressing the
wildlife. Follow instructions of rangers or guides. Don’t leave your vehicle in the parks except in designated places. Keep to recognised tracks to avoid damaging vegetation.
Distances in Tanzania are vast, and travel by road can be wearing. Plan to spend more time in fewer parks. You’ll see more and won’t return home exhausted. Keep your distance from animals and be quiet to avoid distressing the
wildlife. Follow instructions of rangers or guides. Don’t leave your vehicle in the parks except in designated places. Keep to recognised tracks to avoid damaging vegetation.
PHOTOGRAPHY
Bring film (especially slide film) and batteries for your camera with you. Protect your cameras from dust and keep equipment and fi lm cool. It is courteous to ask permission before photographing local people. If you intend to take a lot of people pictures, be sure to bring an instant camera with you so that you can leave a picture with the people you photograph.
Bring film (especially slide film) and batteries for your camera with you. Protect your cameras from dust and keep equipment and fi lm cool. It is courteous to ask permission before photographing local people. If you intend to take a lot of people pictures, be sure to bring an instant camera with you so that you can leave a picture with the people you photograph.
INSURANCE
Take out travel insurance to cover loss of baggage or valuables, personal accident and medical expenses.
Take out travel insurance to cover loss of baggage or valuables, personal accident and medical expenses.
TRAVEL WITH CHILDREN
Tanzanians love children and are especially helpful to mothers. However, canned baby foods, powdered milk and disposable nappies may not be available outside major towns.
Tanzanians love children and are especially helpful to mothers. However, canned baby foods, powdered milk and disposable nappies may not be available outside major towns.
VISAS
Check current requirements with the nearest Tanzanian High Commission, embassy or consulate, or your travel agent. Visas, if required, can be bought on arrival at all international airports and overland borders.
Check current requirements with the nearest Tanzanian High Commission, embassy or consulate, or your travel agent. Visas, if required, can be bought on arrival at all international airports and overland borders.
SECURITY
Tanzania is a generally safe country, but don’t invite temptation. Keep an eye on your belongings. Don’t walk in the towns or cities at night - take a taxi. Don’t carry cameras or large amounts of cash; beware of pickpockets. Use hotel safety deposit boxes to safeguard valuables and obtain a receipt. Leave valuable jewellery at home.
Tanzania is a generally safe country, but don’t invite temptation. Keep an eye on your belongings. Don’t walk in the towns or cities at night - take a taxi. Don’t carry cameras or large amounts of cash; beware of pickpockets. Use hotel safety deposit boxes to safeguard valuables and obtain a receipt. Leave valuable jewellery at home.
GIFTS
Don’t indiscriminately hand out pens, money and sweets like a wealthy Western Santa Claus - it just encourages begging. As anywhere, gifts should be given as a true expression of friendship, appreciation or thanks.
Don’t indiscriminately hand out pens, money and sweets like a wealthy Western Santa Claus - it just encourages begging. As anywhere, gifts should be given as a true expression of friendship, appreciation or thanks.
SHOPPING
The tourist areas and hotels sell a wide range of souvenirs, jewellery and trinkets. Don’t be afraid to haggle at roadside curio stalls.
The tourist areas and hotels sell a wide range of souvenirs, jewellery and trinkets. Don’t be afraid to haggle at roadside curio stalls.
CLIMBING GEARS
The following gears are necessary for climbing - Mountain boots, Sleeping bag, Warm jackets, Warm trouser, Balaclava (Hat) Sunglasses, Ski poles, Rain gears, Warm socks, Water bottle and Mud flaps.
The following gears are necessary for climbing - Mountain boots, Sleeping bag, Warm jackets, Warm trouser, Balaclava (Hat) Sunglasses, Ski poles, Rain gears, Warm socks, Water bottle and Mud flaps.