TANZANIA

Travel Notes

These notes cover some of the practical aspects of a visit to Tanzania.
Some sections may not apply to you, depending on your itinerary.
You should study this carefully and take the advice given.
The benefits could range from giving you a more enjoyable trip to not dying.

Visas

Visas are at present required for citizens of commonwealth countries. This may change in the future and so it is worth delaying application until about a month before departure. They are expensive - £38 - and so another reason to delay application is in case you are not able to travel. It is possible to get a visa on entry. This is cheaper but a very bureaucratic process and causes great delays.
Passports should have at least 6 months validity after your return.

Tickets

Your full ticket will be sent to you a few weeks before departure. Please check all details. The return will need to be reconfirmed a few days before your return, but this can usually be done through our agent.

Health Requirements & Information

At present Yellow Fever immunisation is needed for entry to Zanzibar. This is often not checked but since the protection lasts 10 years it seems worth it. The following immunisations are advisable but not essential:- Tetanus (if not vaccinated in the last 10 years), Polio (as above), Typhoid, Meningitis A and C, Hepatitis A (Havrix gives long term protection) Antimalarial - Paludrine and Chloroquine and/or Mefloquine (this can have serious side effects).
Newer drugs are becoming available. Malaria tablets are a strict requirement and must be started at least two weeks before leaving the country to give full protection. This should also ensure that you will not have an adverse reaction while abroad. Remember that tablets do not give full cover against malaria - the only sure way is not to get bitten. So insect bite precautions are essential.
Insect repellent containing DEET (Autan or Jungle formula recommended) and long sleeves and trousers at dawn and dusk. Nets are provided in hotels. Most GP's will give these vaccinations and general advice with the exception of Yellow Fever. They will however, have the address of the nearest clinic to have this injection.

The London School of Tropical Medicine will also give advice and immunisations. We must stress that our suggestions for medical protection are purely advisory and you should consult your GP in good time for the latest information.
A small personal first aid kit is recommended.

Latest update 24/01/08 on Yellow Fever

All travellers will now need a Yellow Fever Vaccination card. The only exception at present is with KLM direct from Amsterdam or via the Middle East, but this may change.

You will have the opportunity to get your Yellow Fever Vaccination on arrival at Kilimanjaro airport and this will cost US$50 per person. This means that on arrival you are required to go to the health desk first and then proceed to the Immigration desk, no passport will be accepted at immigration desk without a stamp from the Health Department.

Fitness

The well worn phrase "Kilimanjaro can be climbed by any normally fit person" is true, but it's a lot easier if you are fit and you are used to the boots you will climb in. The best training is hill walking; but jogging in good running shoes is a reasonable substitute if it suits you. Walking poles are recommended if you have knee problems, and if you want to prevent them.

Tourist Facilities

Tanzania is a poor but developing country and standards, while perfectly acceptable, are not always as you might like or as we have described. We have tried to be as accurate as possible in our descriptions of
locations, hotels, transport etc. We have visited almost every facility and we have chosen hotels, lodges, and restaurants from the highest category. However, very occasionally, you may find that the services such as hot water and electricity may be intermittent. You should also be aware that in hot countries insects such as lizards, beetles etc. are commonplace indoors. Roads are often poor and transport and safari vehicles are designed to be robust rather than luxurious. Most of our transport is carried out in either long wheel base Landrovers, Toyota microbuses and Toyota 4WD Landcruisers.

Currency

Currency is the Tanzanian Shilling. The exchange rate is approximately 1US$ = Ts545 (cash) and Ts515 (travellers cheques). You cannot obtain currency before leaving the U.K. so US$ travellers cheques and cash is the best option. The black market is illegal and so all offers of foreign currency exchange should be avoided. Tanzanian currency cannot be exported and any surplus, up to a maximum of 4,000 shillings, should be reconverted.
Major credit cards are accepted at the larger hotels around the country but their use is limited and it is difficult to obtain cash with them. However if you do decide to use credit cards retain all the slips and check amounts carefully. Try to ensure that your card does not leave your sight. Not all merchants are honest! Rickshaw Travel, Sheraton Hotel in Dar will sell you Amex travellers cheques against your credit card. This is probably the easiest way to get cash from your card. There are an increasing number of ATMs but the service is not yet reliable.

Climate

Tanzania is very near the equator and so there are minimal temperature changes throughout the year. Altitude is the main factor, with Arusha / Moshi being much cooler than the coast. Coastal areas are hot and humid, with an average day temperature of 30c, although this is tempered by onshore breezes. The "long rains" are from March to May with occasional rain between October and December.
The sun is high and intense and so a good sun cream is needed, as well as a lip salve with a built in sun protector.

Dress Code

Zanzibar islands and the beach resorts on the mainland are predominantly Muslim, so please observe traditional courtesies. Unsuitable clothing such as beach wear and brief shorts are not acceptable in towns and villages away from the main tourist resorts.

Security

There is a certain amount of petty theft in Tanzania and Zanzibar, although violent crime is rare. Muggings at night in Arusha, Dar and Stonetown are becoming more frequent but can usually be avoided with common sense. Be discreet and sensible with all your possessions, particularly those, which are obviously expensive (and think whether you need to take them anyway). Money, passport and airline tickets are difficult to replace, and so it is advisable to carry them under your clothes and preferably in different pouches. A separate purse or wallet for day to day expenditure saves conspicuous public groping. Use hotel safes whenever possible. Photocopies of important documents are a bit belt and braces, but invaluable if you do loose something.

Departure Taxes

Remember that on departure you will normally pay a departure tax. This is currently $30 but can change. You will get a sticker or a stamp in your passport. Some airline tickets already include the tax so check this. When taking internal flights an airport tax is also payable but only a few dollars.

Weight Limits

Most internal flights are on small planes and there is often a restriction on baggage weight. This is usually 15kg compared with the international allowance of 20kg.

Photography

Taking photos whilst travelling can be very rewarding and there will be many amazing subjects. Remember that your camera gear may be worth a year's income for many local people and so be discreet with it. Anything vaguely military or strategic should not be photographed. Many people find it offensive to be photographed without being asked - it is much better if a photo can be the result of a natural meeting or shared experience rather than being the reason for it. Always test the situation by imagining changing roles - would you like to be photographed without being asked.

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Any of this information may be rendered inaccurate, misleading and downright untrue by circumstances unimaginable from cosy Britain. If you are not travelling for excitement, adventure and challenge, ask yourself why you are going. Have faith that most people are on your side most of the time and you will have a memorable trip.

Tanzania Adventure Travel with Footloose