Top Spots Tanzania

Tanzania is in many ways a natural extension of Kenya. The Serengeti-Masai Mara Ecosystems (supporting the most diverse migration of grazing mammals on earth) stretches over 24,000km² of land with the Serengeti in Tanzania in the south and the Masai Mara in Kenya to the north.

Tanzania includes the spice islands of Zanzibar, Pemba, and Mafia and contains Africa’s highest point—Kilimanjaro, at 5,895 meters (19,340 feet).

• Tanzania is the largest country in East Africa and is just over twice the size of California
• There are over 120 languages are spoken, with English and Swahili being the official languages
• Africa blackwood trees (Mpingo trees) provide the most expensive hardwood in the world
• Home to Mount Kilimanjaro; the highest free-standing mountain in the world
• The largest crab in the world, the coconut crab, can be found in Zanzibar
• More than a quarter of both Kenya and Tanzania is protected through National Parks, nature reserves and protected areas
• Kenya and Tanzania have the greatest numbers of wild large mammals on earth

Any foreigner seeking to enter the United Republic of Tanzania is subject to the following entry requirements:

• a passport or Travel Document which is valid for not less than six months;
• a Residence Permit or a Pass or his name is endorsed upon the same;
• A valid Visa (where applicable) from any Tanzania Mission abroad or on arrival at any designated entry points.

Entry authorisation

Upon complying with the entry requirements, a visitor is issued with a Visitor's Pass with validity not exceeding three months. For more information visit http://www.immigration.go.tz/index.php/en/

In Tanzania, the unit of currency is the Tanzanian Shilling, which is divided into 100 Cents. Notes are issued in denominations of 500, 1000, 2000, 5000, and 10000 Shillings. Coins are issued in denominations of 50, 100 and 200 Shillings.

Banks are open from 9:00am to 3:00pm Monday to Friday. Many banks are equipped with 24 hour ATM machines. 

Credit cards and travellers checks are not widely accepted in Tanzania. Where they are accepted can high service fees and poor exchange rates be expected. Major foreign currencies—particularly USD—are accepted in Tanzania and are convertible at banks and bureau de changes in the main towns and tourist areas. If bringing cash in US $, please make sure bank notes are in good condition, with no cuts or damage and are not older than 2004. Most banks offer higher exchange rates for US $ 100 / US $ 50 bank notes compared to US $ 20 / US $ 10 or US $ 5 bank notes.

Airports

Precision Air run regular services, mostly via Dar es Salaam, Kilimanjaro or Zanzibar, to all main towns and other destinations in East Africa and beyond. All national parks and some of the top-end luxury lodges have airstrips and Coastal Air operates between these and the main airports on the mainland and the islands of Zanzibar, Pemba and Mafia. ZanAir has frequent connections between Zanzibar, Pemba and the mainland.

Driving

If you are visiting a number of parks and reserves in Tanzania, you can either drive or fly between them. Roads in most of the wilderness areas are in poor condition and unmarked, and self-driving is not recommended. Operators will supply you with a driver who doubles as an informal guide; alternatively, you can arrange to fly to your destination and utilize a car and driver supplied by the lodgings. Elsewhere in Tanzania, towns and cities are linked by a steady stream of buses and dala-dalas (minibuses), and in the cities, there is public transport in the way of buses, dala-dalas, taxis, and, in some places, bicycles or tuk-tuks.

Driving is on the left hand side of the road

Children on Safari

There is no greater pleasure than watching your child discovering a different world and the joys of an old-fashioned childhood. East Africa is ideal for family holidays; we welcome children and many camps and lodges have family suites.

• Young children: attention span is short, children tire quickly. We recommend families opt for exclusive use of a vehicle.
• 6 to 12 years: a perfect age to be on safari—identifying animal tracks, fishing, walking, horse-riding, identifying “dung”, tracks and butterflies.
• 13 to 16 years: these optimistic young adults with developing opinions are interested and passionate about our planet, conservation, cultural diversity, and have their own knowledge of biodiversity facts.

Malaria

Malaria is common in Africa, however most safari areas are at altitude and in remote areas with little human population, so can be considered “malaria free”. Avoiding the mosquito bite is the cornerstone of protection including:

• mosquito bed nets when not in a tent;
• wear long clothing after dark;
• repellents/insecticides (sprays, creams & mosquito coils) again, after dark; and
• oral prophylaxis.

Cheli & Peacock Safaris teams up with the foremost authority on tropical diseases in East Africa who keeps us updated with the latest prophylaxis and general inoculation advice. 

East African Flying Doctors Medical Evacuation (AMREF)

All Cheli & Peacock Safaris guests are registered with AMREF Flying Doctors, who operate the most comprehensive and professional air ambulance services in East Africa. They also have international evacuation capabilities. The purpose of the membership is to ensure immediate evacuation response in case of emergency and is separate and additional to guest's own medical insurance, which is mandatory for safari participation.

Sources: Dr Mauro Saio, www.gov.uk, www.travel.state.gov

We care about your well being and peace of mind.  Here are the answers to a few questions that we have received from operators around the world.

Travel Advisories

Travel advisories have been in place for over 30 years and are usually updated annually; whether there are changes or not. The message that is communicated can cause unnecessary concern as the annual travel advisory update may lead the public to believe that the security situation has changed, when in fact it has remained the same.

No areas within Tanzania are currently under travel advisory.

Book with a trusted and reputable company

We have extensive international public liability insurance, we are fully licensed, have long-standing experienced staff and the best on the ground advice and support.

Beware of “briefcase operators”.  Despite sending slick safari proposals; having a lovely website, if you look carefully there is no office, only one mobile telephone number and one email.

Safari Support

We have a duty manager available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, with additional officers on call for any emergency!

Sources: Dr Mauro Saio, www.gov.uk, www.travel.state.gov

Most camps, lodges or hotels cater specifically to tourists and serve Western-style food, ranging in standard, but generally are excellent. Game lodges tend to offer a daily set menu with a limited selection, so it is advisable to have your tour operator specify in advance if you are a vegetarian or have other specific dietary requirements. First-time visitors to Africa might take note that most game lodges in and around the national parks have isolated locations, and driving within the parks is neither permitted nor advisable after dark, so that there is no realistic alternative to eating at your lodge. 

Water

Tap water in Tanzania is generally not safe to drink, and most travellers try to stick to mineral water. Filtered and bottled water can be difficult to find you are travelling outside of main town and so it is advisable to stock up. Most camps, lodges and hotels have bottled water readily available.

Tanzania lies 12 degrees South of the Equator and the safari areas have two distinct regional climates

The northern highlands, close to Kenya have a similar climate to the Kenyan highlands, with warm dry sunny days, and chilly evenings. And with short rains in October and November, and the longer rains between April and May.

The rest of the country, southern, central and western areas, ie Ruaha, Selous, and the great lakes, rarely experiences temperatures lower than 20°C (68 °F). Similar to Southern African they experience one rainy season that continues from October through to April or May.

The coastal region can reach a dry and comfortable 35°C (95°F) during the day, with cool and pleasant evenings.

It never gets really cold in Tanzania so lightweight clothing, preferably cotton or linen, is recommended. While on a game viewing safari, avoid brightly coloured clothing, stick to whites, beiges, khakis and browns. There may be long days sitting in safari vehicles, so it is advisable to wear light comfortable clothing such as short sleeved shirts and cotton/linen trousers or shorts. Denim will become too hot and extremely uncomfortable. Walking shoes and socks will be required.

The evenings will be chilly, so long sleeved shirts and trousers should be worn. A sweater may be needed. These will also prevent you being bitten by insects. A hat should be worn at all times outside. The sun may sometimes not feel hot, but it can still easily burn, especially if it is cloudy and overcast.

As over a third of the population in Tanzania is Muslim, it is therefore not etiquette for ladies to walk around in public displaying their legs and shoulders. Remember to dress modestly as short shorts, miniskirts, vests and tank tops will be frowned upon.

Electric Power is 220V-240V running at 50Hz. The plug type used in Kenya is the 3 large flat prong (UK). If your appliances are compatible with 220V-240V electrical output, an adapter is all that you will need, if not a voltage converter will be necessary. 

Tanzania offers lots of small private boutique camps in lovely locations e.g. in the Ngorongoro area you can stay away from the crowds by staying in one of the renovated nearby colonial farm houses or baroque opulence of Crater Lodge. Southern Tanzania has a different climate and some camps are closed between February and May. Child policies may differ from camp to camp.