Tanzania Travel Info

Electricity
In Tanzania, the power plugs and sockets are of types D and G. The standard voltage is 230 V and the standard frequency is 50 Hz. You can use your electric appliances in Tanzania, if the standard voltage in your country is in between 220 - 240 V. If the standard voltage in your country is in the range of 100 V - 127 V, you need a voltage converter in Tanzania. You can also consider a combined power plug adapter/voltage converter.

Time Zone
Tanzania GMT + 3

Currency
Tanzanian Shilling (TZS; symbol TSh). Notes are in denominations of TSh10,000, 5000, 2,000, 1,000 and 500. Coins are in denominations of TSh200, 100, 50, 20 and 10 but these are worth very little and are rarely used. In Kiswahili, it is shilingi and written prices are often denoted with the symbol /=; i.e. 100/= is the same as TSh100.

Credit cards
Most high-end hotels, safari lodges, airlines and tour operators accept Visa and MasterCard (American Express and Diners Club less so), though a commission of 2-5% is usually charged. Budget hotels and most restaurants and shops do not accept credit cards, and they are rarely accepted for payment outside the main tourist areas.

Mobile Phones
Roaming agreements exist with most international mobile phone companies. Tanzania's many cellular networks cover almost all towns, the urban sections of the coast, Zanzibar and the tourist areas, but not some of the parks and reserves or the southwest of Tanzania away from the towns and the main road. SIM and top-up cards for the pay-as-you-go mobile providers are available just about everywhere; in the towns and cities they often have their own shops, but you can buy cards from roadside vendors anywhere, even in the smallest of settlements.

Bugs
With Tanzania being located in Africa you may encounter all manner of local wildlife (insects, reptiles, small mammals, rodents, cockroaches). Lights attract bugs so don’t leave your lights on when you leave your room.
Mosquitoes are best dealt with by using mosquito repellent, long baggy clothing in the evenings and sleeping under a mosquito net. Regarding medication in malarial areas please follow the advice of your local health practitioner and the World Health Organisation.

Security
Please ensure that your passport, air tickets and money are securely stored in your room safe. Do not leave jewellery, mobile phones, cameras or any other valuables in your room or in public areas.
In terms of your physical safety if you are on an organised safari then risks are minimal, if you are guiding yourself ask for local advice before heading off. Tanzania is a relatively safe country, but crime is escalating in the major hubs, particularly in Zanzibar and Dar es Salaam, so it is best to be alert in these areas and keep valuables concealed. Avoid walking alone at night, especially in cities and on beaches.

Tipping
In Tanzania tipping is not expected, but a tip of around 10% for good service is greatly appreciated by restaurant and hotel staff, who generally receive very low pay.

Safety on Safari
The basic rules of safari are:
Don’t feed animals you don’t own.
If you don’t know ask.
Always listen to your guide.
Do not go walkabout without a guide.
Wild animals are called that because they are wild and unpredictable.
Many rivers are populated with crocodiles and hippos, even if you can’t see them.

Road Safety
Tanzania has a decent network of tarmac and all-weather roads connecting the major towns. Away from the main highways, however, the majority of roads are bad and hazardous. Most of the minor roads are unmade gravel with potholes: there are many rough stretches and they deteriorate further in the rainy season. While there is a tarred road from Arusha to the Ngorongoro Crater, beyond there (and in other parts of the country) road conditions in the parks and reserves of Tanzania are extremely rough, and during the rainy season, many are passable only with high clearance 4-wheel drive vehicles.

Health
These are merely guidelines please follow the advice of your local health practitioner and the World Health Organisation.
Before leaving home, visit the doctor or a travel clinic for advice on vaccinations, malaria prophylactics and general advice. Basic traveller vaccinations recommended include yellow fever, tetanus, typhoid and hepatitis A. It is vital to take out comprehensive travel medical insurance, and it is essential that is should include repatriation to your home country in the event of an emergency.
Malaria and Cholera is a risk throughout Tanzania. Mosquitoes, malarial and otherwise, are best dealt with by using mosquito repellent, long baggy clothing in the evenings and sleeping under a mosquito net. All water should be boiled first or simply stick with bottled water that is easily available.

Compulsory Vaccinations
A Yellow Fever certificate is required if arriving within 6 days after leaving or transiting countries with infected areas. Exempt: Children under 1 year, those not leaving the airport whilst in transit and those entering Tanzania not having left an airport during transit in affected countries.

Recommended Vaccinations
Hepatitis A, Typhoid, Hepatitis B, Diphtheria, Tetanus, Poliomyelitis, Rabies, Tuberculosis & Cholera.

Visas (all subject to change without notice)
All travellers need a valid passport (usually valid for 6 months after your trip), with sufficient pages for entry and exit stamps (usually at least two).

Citizens of all countries must obtain a visa in advance from the Tanzania Embassy, High Commission or Consulate in the country where you reside.
Nationals of the following countries do not need a Tanzania visa (up to 90 days):
Antigua & Barbuda, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, Botswana, Brunei Darussalam, Cyprus, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Kenya, Kiribati, Lesotho, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Malta, Mauritius, Namibia, Nauru, St. Kitts & Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent & Grenadines, Sao Tome & Principe, Seychelles, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Swaziland, Tonga, Tuvalu, Uganda, Vanuatu, Zambia & Zimbabwe.

Language
The official languages of Tanzania are Swahili and English, although Arabic and many local languages are widely spoken.

Religion
The majority of the Tanzanian population follow Islam, although Christianity and Traditional religions are also represented.

Culture and Customs
The people of Tanzania are open and friendly, especially in the rural areas. They are a proud nation and take traditions and customs very seriously. Elders are revered and treated with great respect. Handshaking is the common form of greeting when meeting and departing. Tanzanians usually indulge in a lengthy greeting, often enquiring about your day, health and family. Women should dress modestly especially in Zanzibar, which is predominantly Muslim. Ramadan is the fasting month and Muslims are expected to abstain from food and drink from sunrise to sunset. At sunset families will gather to share Iftar (breaking fast) and festivities often go on well into the night.
Swimwear is perfectly acceptable on beaches and hotel pool areas, but nudity is not allowed. As many people in rural Tanzania follow their traditional way of life, visitors should be sensitive to customs which will inevitably be unfamiliar to them. Bear in mind that outside urban areas and safari destinations, people may well not be used to visitors.

Photography
Do not photograph government institutions / buildings without checking with your guide. When photographing people ask permission especially when you come across the Masai, as in some tourist areas it is customary to pay to take photographs.

When to travel 
The best time to travel depends largely on which activities you would like to engage in. February to March is the ideal time to view the calving and the Great Migration of wildebeest and zebras. The dry season from June to November is the preferred time for safari as this is when animals are congregate at the water holes. If you are planning to climb Kilimanjaro then January, February and September are best, since the weather is warm and dry. The beaches in Zanzibar and Pemba are best during July and October when it is not as crowded and there is less chance of rain. Avid bird watchers will find December to May the best time for birdlife.