Things to know before going to Tanzania
When you decide to travel to Tanzania, you should be aware of certain things to know before going to Tanzania. We here do provide you with the travel tips to Tanzania which will be useful for your travel to Tanzania.
Things you should know before going to Tanzania
Let’s us discuss the thinking that you should remember when you travel to Tanzania. The short travel tips to Tanzania below will find helpful to you. To know more about travel tips to Tanzania, do not hesitate to be in touch
Visas
Visas are compulsory for all visitors, and cost from $50. Visas are obtainable at the airport when you arrive, but rather have one before you land, as officials tend to “not have change”. Visas are obtainable from the Tanzanian Embassy. Please contact us should you want the Embassy address in your area. You will need 2 passport photos and 2 completed forms. Should you not have the time to organize a visa, please contact us and we will gladly assist you for a small fee.
Yellow Fever inoculation certificate
The inoculation is obtainable from your nearest travel clinic or from your local physician. Staple it into the front of your passport if you are afraid of losing it. Most African countries require this certificate, so don’t ever be without it when travelling in Africa.
Malaria Tablets
Zanzibar is situated in a malaria zone, so it is recommended that you consult your physician on the prescription right for you. Pregnant women are not allowed to take Malaria prevention drugs, and are cautioned before entering any malaria area. To set your mind at rest, we stayed in Zanzibar for 2 years, and fortunately never contracted malaria. This is not to say you won’t get it. JUST BE CAREFUL.
Insect/ Mosquito repellent
Mosquitoes, like little vampires, favor night conditions. Be sure to take a repellent, and cover all exposed areas of your body (e.g. neck and arms). We recommend that you wear trousers at night and long-sleeved shirts should you be outdoors. If the heat is too much and you wear a short-sleeved shirt, make sure you smear/ spray your arms with repellent. At night before you go to bed, make sure your mosquito net is either touching the ground, or is tucked in, and your exposed areas (especially your ankles) are protected with repellent. Anti-histamine cream for those irritating bites
Currency
Traveler’s cheques and cash are accepted at hotels and Bureau de Changes. US$ are the preferred currency. If you plan on taking cash, make sure you take large bills (e.g. $50 or $100) as these for some unknown reason always get a better rate. Don’t go running to the first Bureau you see at the airport, as these, along with the hotels and resorts, normally have the worst exchange rate. If you are planning on taking a taxi into town, rather pay the fare in US$ and go to a bureau in town. There are many all over town. Try to negotiate a better rate, you never know. Try to pay for as much as possible in the local currency (Tanzanian Shillings), always bearing in mind the exchange rate. If the locals see you have foreign currency, they will try to relieve you of it. ALWAYS haggle or bargain and try to pretend you know what you are doing. Remember to keep some of your home currency for your return, just in case. You will also have to pay a departure tax of $30 when you leave.
Embassies
There are a few consulates on the island, but all embassies are situated in Dar Es Salaam.
Medical
Make sure you consult your physician before coming to Tanzania if you have any health problems. Medical facilities in the country are very restricted, so best to make sure. The flying Doctor service is available. Please contact us if you require any more info on this.
Travel Insurance
It is imperative that you have travel insurance. Even though they do not check any certificates when you enter the airports, for your own peace of mind, make sure that you are adequately covered.
What to Pack
Light sandals or rubber flip-flops. Some places require you to remove your shoes before entering. Good walking shoes if you plan on doing a lot of sight-seeing. Raincoat or umbrella if you are traveling in the rainy season. Monsoon rains are heavy. Flashlight, for those irritating power cuts. Many hotels do have generator backup systems though. Clothes – these should be light as it is very hot and humid. A jersey or windbreaker is recommended for those winter nights (just in case). Women are “frowned upon” for wearing revealing clothes. Mini-skirts are a definite no. Try to wear shorts (no not hot pants) or a long skirt, and try to keep the shoulders covered.
Communications
There are many Internet cafes in major towns and at some of the hotels and resorts, so in a non-emergency, this is the best form of communication. Charges range from Tsh1,000 to Tsh5,000 (about $1 to $5) for an hour’s connection. The local telephone company TTCL is inadequate, so if you need to phone internationally, best you ask at the Internet café. They usually have facilities, or they will be able to direct you to someone who has. Be careful, it may be expensive.
Electricity
This is the same as the UK and in South Africa, being 220/230 V. Do not leave appliances plugged in all day, as there are many power fluctuations which might destroy them. US Citizens will have to get an adapter and a transformer for Zanzibar power. If your plug does not match, then enquire at a local shop, they should be able to assist.
Driving
If you are planning on renting a car or motorbike, make sure you have a VALID international driver’s license. You will be stopped in one of the many roadblocks, and often police are just looking for a bribe. Bribery has become a culture amongst the police, so make sure you have the correct documentation, to avoid having to pay a bribe. If you plan on driving in Stone Town, make sure you know the roads, as there are many one-way streets and the drivers are reckless. If a police car approaches with a siren hailing, you have to pull over to the side of the road and stop, no matter which way it is going. Once it has passed, you may pull out and continue.
Crime
As with all cities, Zanzibar is not free of crime. Unfortunately, it has been on the increase, so make sure you do not take valuables on holiday with you. If you do take expensive jewelry, make sure it is either locked up when you go out, or hidden from sight. Be careful not to walk the streets at night alone, this invites trouble. If you are confronted, do not resist, and try to report the matter to the police as soon as possible. This is an important travel tips to Tanzania, and we request you never forget this travelling tips
If you value the above travel trips to Tanzania, you can enjoy a very good experience at Tanzania. We hope our travelling tips given above will help you.
General Tanzania Information’s.
Tanzania is located a few degrees south of the equator and has a tropical climate, influenced mainly by its altitude. The main rainy season (called masika in Kiswahili) is in April and May, and typically there is heavy rain (especially in the afternoon) which is more regular on the coast than it is inland. June to October is certainly the driest time, with cooler temperatures than the rest of the year. The south wind, known as the kusi, keeps the islands and the coast breezy. The long dry season is followed by the short rains or mvuli, usually from mid-November to early December, during which the rains are scanter and more sporadic than during the masika. The shorter rainy season is followed by another dry season, lasting from late December to late March. During this time temperatures are higher than they are from June to October and there are occasional showers.
In general, the Northern Highlands enjoy lower temperatures and less humidity than the coastal lowlands and the islands.
Considering that climate change now affects the whole planet and that the weather has become increasingly unpredictable at all latitudes.
The best times to visit the north of Tanzania are from December to March and from June to October. Mid-January to early April is perhaps the best time to visit the Serengeti, because it is when the great migrant herds of wildebeest and zebras gather in the south-central sector. The wettest time is usually mid-April to mid-May. Occasional downpours between mid-November and mid-December will not disturb your itinerary in the north.
The best time tovisit the south of the countryis from June to December. From June to October temperatures are usually lower and from March to April is by far the wettest time.
Along the coast and on the Islands the best times are from December to March, when daytime temperatures exceed 30°C and the sea is incredibly warm, and from July to October, which are cooler and breezy.
CURRENCY
Local currency is the Tanzanian shilling, currently exchanged at 1 euro = 2,450 shillings / 1 dollar = 2,300 shillings (January 2022). Dollars and euros can both be used to purchase shillings from banks and bureau de change, while dollars are accepted in all the lodges (many show their rates in US dollars). The euro is often accepted but it will be exchanged slightly lower than the official rate, so it is a good idea to have some shillings for small expenses. US dollars issued before 2009 are not accepted for visa payment and are difficult to change, with the rate less favorable than that applied to the newer notes, so it is best to have dollars issued after 2009. Credit cards can be used in international hotels and lodges, but a commission is charged. Cashpoints can also be found in major cities now.
WHAT TO BRING
You should pack mainly summer garments including long cotton trousers and cotton shorts, shirts and t-shirts, a light windcheater and a sweatshirt or fleece for cooler evenings or to wear at higher altitudes, best if in neutral shades of khaki and beige. Don’t forget some swimwear (even for safaris as many lodges have pools), a sunhat, sunscreen, and sunglasses; if you use prescription spectacles it may be advisable to bring a spare pair. Sneakers and sandals will be fine for a trip that does not include heavy-duty trekking. Bring the medication you usually take, as well as a broad-spectrum antibiotic, an anti-emetic product, an intestinal disinfectant, and anti-histamine ointment. Don’t bring too much or pack a change of clothes for each day: most lodges offer a laundry service.
PHOTOS & FILMING
There are no restrictions on bringing photographic equipment into the country or its use but you should make sure you bring extra memory cards or film, and spare batteries. It’s also a good idea to bring a plastic bag to protect the equipment from dust or damp. A telephoto lens (at least 200-300 mm) and your own binoculars are highly recommended. Don’t forget that most African countries prohibit photography of airports, government buildings, military vehicles and installations, bridges, and uniformed military (sensitive targets). It’s also best not to take photographs of people without asking their permission.
FLIGHTS
Below is a list of the major airlines flying to Tanzania.
Ethiopian Airlines – serves Kilimanjaro, Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar via Addis Ababa.
KLM – serves Kilimanjaro, Dar es Salaam via Amsterdam and with its partner Kenya Airways also Zanzibar.
Turkish Airlines – serves Kilimanjaro and Dar es Salaam via Istanbul.
Qatar Airways – serves Kilimanjaro, Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar via Doha.
Swiss – serves Dar es Salaam via Zurich.
Gulf Air – serves Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar via Muscat.
Emirates – serves Dar es Salaam via Dubai.
NB: if you intend to visit the northern parks, we suggest flying to Kilimanjaro airport (JRO airport code) as the best option. If your destination is the southern parks, book for Dar es Salaam (DAR airport code). If you wish to combine a safari in the northern parks with a beach stay, ensure your outbound flight is to Kilimanjaro and the return leaves from Zanzibar (ZNZ airport) or Dar es Salaam. Please contact us before buying tickets and we’ll help you decide the best arrival and departure airports according to your itinerary.
VISA AND IMMIGRATION
In Tanzania, visas are required by most foreign nationals whether visiting for a holiday or to conduct business.
Tanzania does permit visa free travel for a period of up to three months to some foreign nationals, mainly those from African and Asian countries however in most cases, with the exceptions of Kenya and Uganda, these visitors will still need to obtain entry permit clearance. A Global Visas immigration will be able to advice you of the exact visa requirements for citizens of your country of residence traveling to Tanzania.
Visit Online Tanzania Visa Assessment Form now to get started on your visa application. The assessment form is quick and easy to complete, just answer a few simple questions and one of the immigration consultants will respond to your inquiry.
