TRAVEL ADVICE

updated March 2006

Please note that this page is offered as help, we are not expert travel advisers;
and that especially in the case of medical and health matters, you should always consult your Doctor.

General

Visas and Embassies

Documents and Customs

Money Matters

Medical and Health

What to wear

Weather

GENERAL

Language
English is widely spoken but a few Swahili words are always appreciated.

Tipping
In restaurants a tip for exceptional service - a maximum of 10% - will be appreciated.

Airport tax
For International flights an Airport tax of US$ 30 is levied, which  may be included in the price of an air ticket.
When leaving on domestic flights from Dar or Zanzibar, an Airport tax of USD 5 is usually charged.

Religions in Tanzania
Christian, Indigenous Beliefs, predominantly Muslim in Zanzibar

Time
GMT + 3 hours

Opening hours in Tanzania
Government offices: 7.30am to 3.30pm Monday to Friday
Banks: 09:00 - 16:00
Businesses: 8.00am to 5.00pm Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 1.00pm Saturday
Shops often close for lunch and sometimes on Friday afternoons for mosque services.
Many are open for part of Saturdays and Sundays.

International Dialling Code
+255

Radios
BBC KHz: (daytime) 17885,11940,9770, (evening)21470,11940,6005

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VISAS

In the United Republic of Tanzania (which includes Zanzibar) visas are required by almost all nationalities.
The cost can be as high as USD 70, depending upon your nationality.
Tourist visas usually have a one month validity, unless you request a longer period.
Visas can be obtained before travel, from Tanzanian Embassies and High Commissions around the world. See list below, or use:
http://www.tanzania.go.tz/tanzaniaembassiesabroad.htm

Tanzanian Embassies & Consulates around the world

Belgium : T 02 640 6500 F 02 646 8026 : 363 Ave Louise, 1050 Brussels

Canada : T 0613 232 1500 F 0613 232 5184 : 50 Range Road, Ottawa, Ontario KIN 8J4

France : T 01 53 70 63 70 F 01 53 70 63 66 : 13 Ave Raymond Poincare 75116 Paris

Germany : T 0228 358051 F 0228 358226 : Teaterplatz 26, 53177 Bonn

Italy : T 06 321 0923 : Rome Japan : T 03 425 4531 F 03 425 7844

Japan: 21-9, Kamiyoga4, Chome, Setagaya-Ku, Tokyo 158

Kenya : T 02 331056 F 02 218269 : Continental House, Corner of UhuruHighway/Harambee Ave, Nairobi

Mozambique : T 258 1 490110 : Ujamaa House, PO Box 4515, Maputo

South Africa : T 012 342 4371 F 012 430 4383 : PO Box 56572 Arcadia 0007, Pretoria

Switzerland : T 022 731 8920 F 022 732 8255 : 47 Ave Blanc, CH-1201, Geneva

Uganda : T 256 41 256 292 F 256 41 242890 : 6 Kagera Road, PO Box 5750, Kampala

United Kingdom : T 0207 569 1470 F 0207 491 3710 ; 3 Stratford Place, London W1C 1AS :
http://www.tanzania-online.gov.uk/visa/visa.html

USA : T 1 202 939 6125 F 1 202 797 7408 : 2139 R Street, NW, Washington DC 20008
http://www.tanzaniaembassy-us.org/

Zambia : T 260 1 253320 : Ujamaa House, 5200 United Nations Avenue, Lusaka

Zimbabwe : T 26 3 472 1870 : Harare

If you have been unable, or have not had time to procure a Visa in advance, it is possible to obtain a tourists' single entry visa at Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar or Kilimanjaro International Airports, and also at the Namanga entry point (Tanzanian-Kenya road border point) subject to the fulfilment of all immigration and health requirements. You will need to carry USD in cash to pay for these.

 

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DOCUMENTS AND CUSTOMS

Driving Licence
If you intend to drive in Tanzania, international driving licences are required. Failing this you can use your national licence to get a temporary Tanzanian licence from the traffic police, but this is much more hassle.

Health Card
Visitors from countries infected with Cholera and Yellow Fever must produce international certificates of vaccination.

Customs
It is illegal to export shells, coral, ivory and turtle shell. Please don't do it.

There is no limit to the amount of foreign currency you can take into the country although sums over $10,000 must be declared. The amount of local currency you can take out of the country is restricted to 2000 TZS.

Visitors arriving at Zanzibar pass through local Immigration and Customs, even if arriving from mainland Tanzania.

Baggage
It is a good idea to have smaller cases rather than one large one, if you are planning to take internal flights around Tanzania. Some safaris/air charters limit baggage to a 10 - 15 kilo maximum.

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MONEY MATTERS

Currency
The unit of currency is the Tanzanian Shilling (TZS).
Note denominations are 10,000, 5,000, 1,000, 500, 200 and 100 shillings and coins of 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5 cents.

CURRENCY CONVERTER

1 Tanzanian Shilling (TZS) is equal to:
0.0007943 US Dollar (USD)
0.0004523 British Pound (GBP)

1 US Dollar is equal to 1258.94 TZS
1 British Pound is equal to 2210.69 TZS

Updated 20.03.2006

Link to Tanzanian Shilling exchange rate service

Changing money
It is best to carry your hard currency in US Dollars.
You can change hard currency, travellers cheques in plenty of places.
You can not change travellers cheques for USD.
Keep hold of your changing receipts so that you can change your shillings back to hard currency when you leave.

Almost all hotels, car hire, diving, safari operators, airlines etc. will require you to pay in US Dollars currency.
Travellers cheques are usually changed at around 5% to 10% lower than cash. Credit cards are accepted in many hotels etc. but a charge of up to 20% may be levied.
Sometimes airport tax is only accepted in USD, which means you must have some with you. In Dar, Zanzibar and Arusha you can get cash against Mastercard and Visa cards, at the Coastal Travels Offices.
The exchange rate isn't great though and there is a TZS 4000 charge. Exchange here is limited to USD 600 per day.
There are few cash machines in Zanzibar. There is no black market of any note. Ignore offers on the street - it's probably a set-up.

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MEDICAL AND HEALTH

General
Don’t drink tap water - bottled water is widely available and should be used at all times.

Malaria
Malaria is endemic to the region, especially on the coast. It is transmitted by infected mosquitoes.
You are advised to take preventative medication  Ask your doctor about prophylactic pills.
Remember that mosquitoes are most active during the evening and night

If infection is suspected medical advice should be sought immediately. Malaria is detectable with a simple blood screen, but the sample is best taken during a high cycle of the fever, when the infection is at its most active

VACCINATION TABLE

Modern Medical services are available in Dar es Salaam, at the Aga Khan Hostpiatl, the IST Clinic and the Nordic Clinic.
Visitors are advised to bring their own personal medicines with them.

 

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WHAT TO WEAR
It never gets really cold in Tanzania so lightweight clothing is normal.
On safari avoid brightly coloured clothes, they may alarm the animals. Browns, beiges and khaki are preferred. Short-sleeved shirts or blouses, and shorts are ideal but do pack a warm sweater - it can be chilly in the early morning and in the evening, especially in northern Tanzania.
Wear a hat to avoid sunstroke and don't forget sunglasses, sun cream and a swimsuit. Shoes should be sensible for walking in the bush.
Shorts for women are acceptable - but not too short. Women should carry a wrap to cover their legs in towns or villages as revealing clothes can cause offence especially in Zanzibar and other Muslim areas.
On the beach, and within the confines of beach hotels, normal swimwear is acceptable but nudity is not.

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WEATHER IN TANZANIA

Link to site which gives current weather in Tanzania.