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Tanzania: General Information
Tanzania is home to one of Africa's
most magnificent game reserves, namely the Selous Game
Reserve and is also the seemingly endless plains of
the Serengeti National Park, where one of the world's
greatest natural spectacles, the annual migration of
some two million wildebeest followed by their predators
can be observed. The Serengeti holds some of the largest
concentrations of lion, cheetah and leopard in Africa,
and is probably the best national game park on the continent
to see these predators.
This great country can be explored
by land in comfortable 4x4 cars such as Land Rovers
or Land Cruisers or by flying into an area and taking
safaris from there. Safaris to may be by vehicle, on
foot, on certain reasons on horseback, or even from
a balloon. Time on safari can easily be complemented
by time on a deserted beach or island before the African
Dream comes to an end.
This site tries to answer frequently
asked questions for tourists and visitors to Tanzania.
There are, however, always questions that remain unanswered,
therefore don't hesitate to email us and we would be
delighted to answer them for you.
Entry Requirements to the Republic
• A valid passport;
• A valid visa for those not exempted
How to get there
There are many flights from Europe
to Dar es Salaam and Kilimanjaro International Airports
and to Zanzibar Airport. Airlines serving Tanzania include,
Air Tanzania, Alliance Air, Air Zimbabwe, Air India,
British Airways, Egypt Air, Ethiopian Airlines, Gulf
Air, Kenya Airways, KLM, Royal Swazi, and Swissair,
Lufthansa, Aeroflot, Air India, Pakistan International
Airline and Emirates Air.
Border crossing procedures
Personal effects including binoculars,
camera and film, may be imported temporarily duty free.
A Customs bond may be demanded of visitors bringing
in video/filming equipment, radios, tape recorders,
and musical instruments to ensure the goods are re-exported.
Note that electrical supply for domestic use is generally
230 volts AC, 50 Hz. All installations are British standard
and all appliances should be fitted with pin plugs of
British specification. Firearms require a special permit.
A duty free allowance is effected on one litre of liquor;
200 cigarettes, 50 cigars or 250g of tobacco; and 250ml
of perfume. Additional items are subject to Customs
duty.
Airport tax
A US$ 20 departure tax in cash is payable
by all passengers departing on international flights.
Departure from Zanzibar into a destination within Tanzania,
the tax is TShs.200. An additional 10 per cent of the
ticket value will be paid as sales tax on all tickets
issued in Zanzibar.
Currency
The Tanzania shilling (TSHS or TZS),
divided into 100 cents, is the national currency. It
is illegal to import /export the currency. Visitors
may bring in as much foreign currency as they wish,
and no currency declaration form is required. Foreign
currency may be changed at authorised banks, forex bureaux
and designated hotels. Credit cards (Access, Mastercard,
Visa, American Express, Eurocard, and Dinners) are accepted
by top tourist hotels around the country. PTA travellers'
cheques, or those in Sterling pounds, US dollars or
rand are recommended. Visitors to Zanzibar are required
to pay for their expenses in hard currency. Any amount
of foreign currency brought into Zanzibar must be declared
at the airport. The currency may be exchanged at the
National Bank of Commerce or with an authorised dealer
and the receipt obtained should be preserved until the
time of departure.
Banking
Banks and forex bureaux are available
at the airport and in all main towns. Banking hours:
Monday - Friday 08h30 - 12h30
Saturdays 08h30 - 13h30
A few branches in the major towns open
until 16h00.
Shopping
Learn the art of bargaining, particularly
in markets and curio shops. This is very much Tanzanian
culture, as developing a good rapport between shopkeeper
and customer takes precedence over the actual sale.
Time
Local time is GMT + 3.
Health
As requirements and regulations are
subject to change at short notice, visitors are requested
to contact the nearest Tanzanian
Diplomatic Mission, or travel agent well
in advance of their intended date of departure.
Public holidays
Unless otherwise advised, the public
holidays in Tanzania remain the same every year. If
any of the public holidays listed below falls on Saturdays
or Sundays then the public holiday would be effected
from the following Monday etc.
New Year - January 1st
Zanzibar Revolutionary Day - January
12th
Union Day - April 26th
Workers Day - May 1st
Industrial Day - July 7th
Peasants Day - August 8th
Independence Day - December 9th
Christmas Day - December 25th
Boxing Day - December 26th
Good Friday - As per calendar dates
Easter Monday - As per calendar dates
Islamic Festivals:
Iddi El Fitry - 2 Days on sighting
the moon
Iddi El Haji - 1 Day on sighting the
moon
Maulid Day - 1 Day on sighting the
moon
Best Times to visit
Northern Tanzania
July through to March
Southern Tanzania:
June through to March
Zanzibar and Mafia:
July through to March
Western Tanzania:
May through to March
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