Tanzania Travel Information
Luxury Safari Lodges in Tanzania
Singita Sasakwa Lodge
Singita Sabora Plains Tented Camp
Singita Faru Faru Lodge
Ngorongoro Crater Lodge
Lake Manyara Tree Lodge
Grumeti River Camp
Kleins camp
Mnemba Island Lodge
Basic facts on travel to Tanzania
Total area: 945,087 sq km
Coastline: 1,424 km
Capital City: Dar es Salaam [Business Capital]
President: Mr. Benjamin William Mkapa
Getting there:
Usually the most convenient option is to first fly into Kenya and then, from Nairobi, take a road shuttle to Arusha or Moshi or alternatively book a scheduled flight to Tanzania. Kenya is easily accessible by most of the world’s major airlines via the countries two international airports – the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi and the Moi International airport in Mombasa.
You can fly direct to Dar es Salaam with Air Tanzania or via Nairobi [Kenya] with Kenya Airways.
Visas are required for most nationalities for both Kenya & Tanzania. Information and current charges can be obtained from any of your local Kenya/Tanzania Tourist Offices or the Kenyan/Tanzanian Embassy. If you choose to fly to Tanzania via Nairobi, you will require a visa for Kenya, too.
Major domestic airports in Tanzania are: Dar es Salaam, Arusha Kilimanjaro, Kishni [Zanzibar].
Climate:
Tropical climate is experienced along the coast and Selous. Summer falls between October & March and Winter between April & September. The long rains occur between late March and May during the winter time, late October to December [summer] are times for the short rains. The dry season falls between June & October. On Mount Kilimanjaro & Mount Meru temperatures falls may fall to below freezing point. Mnemba Island is generally hot with evenings being cool, Serengeti and Lake Manyara tend to be warm as well. Ngorongoro Crater rim, being on a higher altitude enjoys a cooler weather, getting very cold between June & August.
Clothing:
Casual lightweight clothing is recommended. Since mornings and evenings can be cold in some regions, it is advisable to carry some moderately warm clothing and sweaters. Comfortable walking shoes and a hat are essential items. There are plenty of shops available within Nairobi and Mombasa to buy any extra clothing during your visit and most lodges and hotels have safari boutiques where it is possible to purchase some safari gear. Casual wear is acceptable in most restaurants.
Communications:
International and domestic telephone and fax services are widely available and direct overseas dialing is possible from most city centers & major hotels. Where there are no telephone lines available such as within far off safari lodges, radio communication is possible with the hotel / lodge’s head office. Internet services are becoming more popular in the Business Districts of the major cities [Arusha, Moshi & Daresalaam] with over a hundred ISPs in the country. International dialing code is +255.
Currency:
The Tanzanian Shilling (TZS or Tshs.) is widely exchangeable and most major credit cards are accepted. VISA & MASTERCARD are widely accepted, American Express however is not too popular. It is advisable to carry some amount of cash US Dollars.
Time:
GMT +3
Language:
Swahili is national language & English is the official language. Arabic is also widely spoken along the coastal islands such as Zanzibar.
Baggage:
On safari, whether by road or air, it is advisable to carry a soft duffel bag packing only the necessary items as most hotels can store the extra luggage for you while you’re on safari. The baggage allowance on local airlines is usually 20 kg’s per person however this may be reduced to 10-15 kg’s if a lightweight aircraft is used [as is the case for flights between the game reserves].
Accommodation:
Varies from Campsites to Luxurious 5 Star Resorts. Food in almost all the hotels is Pan African cuisine with occasionally one or two local dishes to sample.
Working hours:
Shops: 0900hrs to 1700hrs, Banks: 0900hrs to 1500hrs.
Tipping:
Though most hotels, lodges and restaurants include the service charge in their billing, it is customary to tip waiters and safari guides/drivers. In restaurants, a tip of 5% - 10% of your bill is appropriate. For Safari driver/guides USD5 – USD10* per day is appreciated. [*You should tip at your discretion, these amounts are only indicated as an average guideline.]
Health & Security:
Drink only bottled (mineral or purified) water, which is widely available in supermarkets, restaurants & hotels. Tanzania has good medical and evacuation facilities, most lodges have a resident doctor on call. Precautions as in all other destinations should be taken & as in all major cities walking in the streets at night should be avoided.
Transportation:
Taxi services are widely available. It is possible to rent a car and copies of your passport and international driver’s license will be required together with a deposit for the vehicle. However, driving in Tanzania is very rough as most of the time you are driving on non-tarmac dust tracks and despite a map it would be easy to get lost. Also, as there are often cattle on the roads you have to be on the lookout which can be a rather stressful experience. If you are a first time driver in Tanzania, driving is not recommended. Always let a safari operator or domestic airline arrange your transfers between lodges.
Taxes:
VAT (Value Added Tax) is charged for meals and drinks taken in restaurants. A catering levy is also charged to support the local hotel and tourism training.
Electricity:
220/240 volts 50HZ.
Photography:
Please seek the permission of local people before photographing, in many cases you may be requested to pay for it. When on safari please always remember that the animals are not tame and it is not advisable to get out of the vehicle to take pictures. A camera bag is essential to protect your camera and equipment from dust.
Advance booking:
Advance booking is advisable if you plan to visit Tanzania during the high & peak seasons [December-March / June-October]. The best time for Mt. Kilimanjaro Climbing occurs between January to March and August to October.
Insurance:
Appropriate insurance cover is recommended before you travel into the country.
Map of Tanzania
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