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Welcome
to Tanzania
The Tanzania Experience
Tanzania, truly, is a safari destination without peer.
The statistics speak for themselves: an unparalleled
one-quarter of its surface area has been set aside for
conservation purposes, with the world-renowned Serengeti
National Park and incomprehensibly vast Selous Game
Reserve heading a rich mosaic of protected areas that
collectively harbor an estimated 20 percent of Africa's
large mammal population.
And yet there is more to Tanzania than just safaris.
There is Mount Kilimanjaro and Meru; respectively the
highest and fifth highest peaks on the continent. And
Lakes Victoria, Tanganyika and Nyasa, the three largest
freshwater bodies in Africa. Then, of course, there
is the magical 'spice island' of Zanzibar, the highlight
of a vast Indian Ocean coastline studded with postcard-perfect
beaches, stunning offshore diving sites, and mysterious
mediaeval ruins.
Tanzania has also, over the past 20 years, emerged from
comparative obscurity to stand as one of Africa's most
dynamic and popular travel destinations: a land whose
staggering natural variety is complemented by the innate
hospitality of the people who live there.
How to define the Tanzanian experience? Surprisingly
easy, really. It can be encapsulated in a single word,
one that visitors will hear a dozen times daily, no
matter where they travel in Tanzania, or how they go
about it: the smiling, heartfelt Swahili greeting of
"Karibu!" – Welcome.
Passport and Visa Information
All visitors to Tanzania require a return or onward
ticket and a valid passport with an entry or re-entry
visa, duly endorsed. Visas are not required for visitors
from some Commonwealth countries and other specified
countries. Visas can be obtained from any Tanzania Diplomatic
Mission or Consulate abroad, and at main entry points
including international airports, seaports and border
posts.
Health
Visitors originating from or transiting through countries
endemic with cholera or yellow fever may need valid
vaccination certificates, but it is not mandatory. Visitors
are advised to take anti-malaria tablets and make use
of mosquito nets and insect sprays where provided. Health
insurance through your travel agent or any other agent
is recommended.
Customs
Personal effects including binoculars, cameras, film,
may be imported (temporarily) free of duty. Visitors
buying local handicrafts must keep cash sales receipts
and ownership certificates for wildlife trophies for
presentation to Customs officials on departure.
Clothing
Light tropical clothes, especially cotton slacks, shirts
and skirts are most suitable. Some warm clothing is
needed in the higher altitude areas around Ngorongoro
Crater, Mt.Kilimanjaro, and Arusha, especially in the
evenings and early in the morning. Comfortable walking
shoes are recommended on safari and guests are advised
to carry some insect repellents.
Flying Doctor Membership
A temporary Flying Doctor membership is recommended
to cover air medical evacuation to Nairobi. Participation
fee is US $25 for Northern Tanzania and US$ 50 for Southern
Tanzania.
Departures
An airport tax of US$ 30.00 is levied on all visitors
departing the country by air. In many instances, this
fee is included in your airline ticket. Visitors departing
by air from Kenya must pay at the airport, however.
Baggage is weighed at check-in counters and may be inspected
by Custom officials. Airport departure tax for domestic
flights is about US$ 6.00. All fees are subject to change.
How to Get There
Several international airlines operate in and out of
Tanzania through Dar es Salaam and Kilimanjaro International
Airports.. One can also arrive via Nairobi JKIA which
may be cheaper as Nairobi has many international flights.
Language
The national language is Kiswahili but English is widely
spoken and is the language of the tourist trade and
other international businesses.
Climate
The climate is tropical. The coastal areas are hot and
humid with an average day temperature of 30 degrees
centigrade. The central plateau is dry and arid with
hot days and cool nights. In the northwest highlands
around Arusha and Ngorongoro, the climate is temperate
and cooler between June and September. The long rains
are from March to May and the short rains fall between
October and December. The hottest months are between
October and February.
Time
Tanzania has only one time zone. Local time is GMT +
3 and Daylight Savings Time is not used.
Electricity
215 - 230 Volts, 50 Cycles AC
Currency
The unit of currency is the Tanzania Shilling (TShs)
which is divided into 100 cents. Visitors can bring
with them any amount of foreign currency but it is against
the law to import or export Tanzania Currency. Foreign
currency in cash or in traveler’s cheques may
be exchanged at the commercial banks, authorized dealers,
or at the bureau de changes operating at the international
airports, major towns and border posts.
Tanzania
Itineraries
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