Tanzania over view:
Tanzania is the
largest country in East
Africa, covering an area of 945,166 sq km (364,929
sq miles) with a population of between 35 and 37
million. The
United Republic of Tanzania was
created in 1964 when recently independent Tanganyika
(1961) joined with the island state of Zanzibar,
following the overthrow of the Arab government.
Tanzania is a peaceful, welcoming and friendly country,
which has much to offer the tourist. For those who want
to go on safari (Swahili word meaning journey), the game
viewing in Tanzania is considered by many to be amongst,
if not the best in Africa. This is not surprising when
one realizes that 20% of the continent’s large mammals
are to be found in Tanzania and 25% of the country is
classified as national parks and Protected Area. If
it is beaches that you want, the Tanzanian mainland, and Zanzibar in
particular, have mile upon mile of pristine white sandy
beaches, fringed by coconut palms. For those wanting a
cultural experience, Tanzania has considerable variety,
from the strong Arabic influences in Zanzibar to
the curator of the Maasai Museum tribes on the mainland.
Tanzania has so much to offer to the tourist, but only
receives a small number when compared to Kenya and South
Africa. This lack of tourists is particularly marked in
Tanzania. For example, only 3,000 tourists visiting Serengeti
National Park in
2004. When one considers that the national park is the
size of Northern Ireland and has a variety of Animals
especially it is great migration of millions of
Wildebeest and Zebra, make easy to see that why those
consider this part of Tanzania to be one of the best
kept secrets in Africa.
Tanzania's
natural endowment as a wildlife safari destination is
unrivalled. Wild animals roam in vast areas as God
intended on that sixth day of the creation. These areas
are designated as national parks and game reserves and
have a high reputation for being uncrowded and unspoilt.
The magnificent collection of game sanctuaries to the
north of the country, near the border with Kenya, is
referred to as The Northern Circuit. This is the most
popular and accessible wildlife safari route in
Tanzania. You can positively say that this is one of the
finest game viewing areas anywhere in the world. The
game aside, the spectacularly diverse cluster of
eco-systems and habitats is a dazzling experience for
many a visitor.
Below is some basic travel info for the visitor to
Tanzania
HEALTH
Malaria:
Is not to be taken lightly. It is a potentially fatal
disease transmitted by the female anopheles mosquito.
Certain factors influence the risk of contracting
malaria. For example low-lying equatorial swamp will be
high-risk all year through, a dry Montana plateau set at
subtropical latitude will probably carry no risk at all,
and places falling between these extremes often show a
marked seasonal pattern – medium to high risk in the wet
summer months, low to no risk in the dry winter. Remote
areas tend to be lower risk as there are fewer people to
act as vectors for malaria. Our rule of thumb is to
take malaria prophylaxis when in doubt. Ask your doctor
for his advice.You can also lessen the risk by avoiding
being bitten. Wear long sleeves, trousers and socks and
douse any exposed skin with a good mosquito repellent
shortly before it gets dark (the anopheles mosquito is
active at dawn and dusk), and always sleep under a net
when provided. Should you experience any combination of
headache, fever, nausea, flu-like aches or
disorientation within three months of returning home,
get yourself tested immediately – malaria responds best
to treatment when detected early.
Sunburn:
The African sun is very strong and harmful. Use lots of
sun block and a hat particularly if you are on foot, in
a boat, or in an open vehicle. That tan may look good
for a few days after you get back from safari, but skin
cancer is a high risk for everybody – especially
fair-skinned people.
Water:
It is very important that you drink plenty of water to
limit the effects of dehydration, especially during the
warmer months. Note that tea, coffee and alcoholic
beverages act as diuretics and can actually contribute
to dehydration. Ask your lodge manager if tap water is
safe to drink. Most lodges provide bottled water.
It is
recommended to take vaccinations against hepatitis A,
polio and typhoid. HIV-AIDS is prevalent in the country
and I cannot emphasize enough the need for protection
measures. Some fresh water lakes and rivers carry the
risk of Bilharzia and you are advised not to swim in
such areas. Though proof of vaccination is not required,
cholera is a risk throughout the country and precautions
are necessary. Modern hospitals and chemists are
available in Dar es Salaam, Arusha and other major urban
centers.
Visas
All visitors require a visa except citizens of some
African and commonwealth countries. It is advisable to
obtain visa's in advance from Tanzania Embassies and
High Commissions as some airlines may require it before
allowing you to board. But you can also be issued with a
visa on arrival at Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar and
Kilimanjaro international airports and at the Namanga
Gate on the Kenya /Tanzania border. Passports must be
valid for at least six months.
Nationals of countries exempt from visa requirements
will be issued with a free visitors pass at the same
entry points. Those traveling to Zanzibar should be
aware that the Islands are nominally independent and
passports and Tanzania visas are required even for a
days visit. Visa requirements however vary from time to
time and you are advised to check on prevailing status
well ahead of travel.
Peoples & Culture
Tanzania is made up of 100 or so tribal groups of mainly
Bantu origin. None of these groups comprise more than
10% of the population and this perhaps contributes to
the tranquility the country has experienced. The most
numerous groups are the Sukuma of Lake Victoria, Chaaga
of Mount Kilimanjaro, Nyamwenzi of Tabora, Hehe of
Iringa and the Gogo of Dodoma.
Arab and Persian influence is strong in Zanzibar. The
interaction of Arabs and Bantu Africans has resulted in
the Swahili language now widely spoken in Eastern and
Central Africa. Those in the know say that the purest
Swahili dialect is spoken in Zanzibar. Swahili is now
the Lingua Franca of Tanzania although English is widely
understood in urban centers.
Make sure to experience the traditional food at the
coast and Zanzibar. This is quite good and is based on
seafood and rice dishes. Food in the mainland is
generally a little bit stodgy and less exciting. The
most popular drink is a very decent brew known as Safari
Lager. Tanzania music and dance is popular throughout
Eastern Africa and this attests to its quality. The
lyrics are usually in Swahili. Get to listen to some of
it and this may even help improve on your Swahili.
Communications
Telephone, fax, telegram, post and Internet services are
available in urban centers and in all locations popular
with tourists (Around and Inside national parks). Direct
dialing to many countries is available at most hotels in
urban areas and while on safari. The country code for
Tanzania is 255.
Mobile phones coverage is also available. Its network
covers all urban centers and in all tourists
attractions. Mobile telephony operators include Zain,
Tigo, Zantel, Vodacom and Zanzibar Telecom. You can
obtain a GSM card that will allow you to make
international calls to any country. E-mail is accessible
at Internet cafes to be found in urban centers and
almost in all hotels in National parks around the
country.
MONEY and Tipping
The currency in Tanzania is the Tanzanian shilling – TZS
or /=
It comes in denominations of: 10,000; 5,000; 2,000
1,000; and 500 notes
Which currency to bring US dollars are preferred and
almost anything in Tanzania can be purchased with US
currency. Bring plenty of small notes for tips and
incidentals but fifties and hundreds get a better rate
of exchange and most of the time make sure you have new
Dollars notes of year 2000 and above as old one’s are
sometimes a problem Cash is the easiest, but less
secure, so it is advisable to bring a mixture of
traveller’s cheques and cash.
Bring your proof of purchase papers when bringing
travelers cheques, as banks often want to see these.
Credit cards are not widely accepted in Tanzania and
there are often additional charges and high rates of
exchange associated with their use. Getting a cash
advance on a credit card is nearly impossible and there
are few, if any, ATM machines. Do not rely on credit
cards for anything other than an extreme emergency back
up. Bring enough $US cash or traveller’s cheques with
you.
What to spend it on Depending on your type of safari,
most things are included in your trip. Below are some of
the things that you may need money for:
· Drinks
while staying in lodges
· Souvenirs
and curios
· Books
and postcards
· Art,
if shopping in Arusha.
· Gratuities
TIPPING
Although tipping is optional and totally up to your
personal discretion, it is a safari tradition. Our
staffs are well paid but they do appreciate reward for
excellent service.
Typically, individual camp-crew members receive US$ 10
per day from the group.
Safari guides typically receive between US$ 40-120 per
day from the group, but it entirely depending on the
level of satisfaction.
