Tanzania Useful Information.

 

Best Times to Visit Tanzania

 

Tanzania can be visited all year round, but the coolest and driest time is from June to September,

which is viewed as the high season, especially for game viewing. This time is also the best trekking

conditions on Mount Kilimanjaro and Meru. Hotels and lodges during this time are at their fullest.

 

The short rains in October and November makes for a pleasant visit as there are fewer crowds and

the landscape is becoming greener.

Visitors will experience high temperatures from December until February. High season rates are charged

around the Christmas and New Year holidays. This is also an excellent time to view the annual migration

whilst visiting Serengeti National Park.

The long rains fall from March to May making it difficult to access some of the national parks and game

reserves. A few of the smaller and more exclusive lodges and hotels in the national parks and game reserves

are closed for a month during this period, in order for staff to take leave and for maintenance. During this

time Zanzibar and the mainland coast is heavy with humidity and the insects can be intolerable. This may

not be the best time to visit but this is when accommodation is offered at discounted prices.

 

When planning your Tanzania itinerary remember the following best times to visit:

Northern Tanzania:	July to March
Southern Tanzania:	June to March
Zanzibar and the coast:	June to March
Western Tanzania:	May to March

 

 When travelling within Tanzania it is important to remember that over a third of the country is Muslim,

and that their customs should be respected. It is offensive for ladies to walk around in public places

displaying legs and shoulders, so please dress modestly. Avoid sexual displays of intimacy in Islamic areas

and don't enter mosques without permission.

Please ask for permission before taking photographs of people and wanting to smoke in enclosed areas.

Knowing a few phrases of Kiswahili is important and people will value the effort.

While visiting towns, look out for 'flycatchers'. These are street people, who will latch onto you, offering

anything you might want, from souvenirs and safaris to drugs and gemstones. Don't assume that what

they are offering is in kindness, as there is always a fee involved. Visitors are strongly discouraged from

using these people. If approached, and their services are not required, firmly decline and walk on.

Tanzanian people are generally kind and friendly people, so remembering to be polite and having a bit of

patience, will go a long way to making your stay so much more enjoyable.

 

Tipping

The majority of Tanzanians earn a minimum wage, so a tip is always appreciated. There is no recommended amount for tipping, but a general rule for restaurants is 10% of the bill.

When booking into a hotel, check with the reception desk as to what tips should be given to the staff. If there is not a tip box, where proceeds are shared evenly amongst all the staff, then the staff should be tipped directly.

Only tip if you are satisfied with the service and NOT because you feel sorry for the person!

 

Geography

Tanzania is East Africa's largest country, with about 1,400 kms of coastline along the Indian Ocean. It is

bordered by Burundi, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda, Uganda, Zambia and the Democratiic

Republic of Congo, and has a land mass of 945,087 sq kms. Through the interior runs the Great Rift

Valley, where this has created many fascinating topographical features, such as Ngorongoro Crater and

Lake Tanganyika.

Whilst the central plateau is made up of expanses of savannah and sparse woodland, the interior is largely

arid. Tanzania's 800 kms of coastlines is lush and palm fringed as are the islands of Zanzibar, Pemba and

Mafia, The country's highest point at 5895 meters is Mount Kilimanjaro, which is also the highest point in

Africa. Tanzania's largest lake is Lake Victoria and the main river is the Rufiji.

Tanzania's natural resources consists of natural gas, gold, diamonds, nickel, cobalt, copper and base metals

, gemstones (apatite, nioblum, tanzanite), iron ore, coal, hydropower, tin, phosphates, fisheries and forests.

 

 

History

Tanzania has a rich and fascinating history and is the 'cradle of mankind'.  It was at Olduvai Gorge,

that the fossilised remains of homo habilis were discovered, calculated to be 1.75 million years old,

and is the fore-runner to modern man.  Since then homo erectus evolved, making way for clans of

hunter gatherers and cattle herders, who which over the years settled in what is modern day Tanzania.

Arab Traders arrived 2000 years ago on the east coast of Africa who were followed by Islamic settlers.

  The inter marriage of Arabs and the local population created the Swahili language and culture. 

Portuguese sailors arrived on the East African coast in the 16th century where they set up trade in slaves

and ivory that lasted for 200 years.  The Portuguese were ousted by the Omanis in the late 17th century,

who developed the infamous export slave trade, which thrived until it was abolished under pressure

from the Bristish Consul in 1873.

In the scramble for Africa in the late 19th century, Tanganyika, what was once Tanzania mainland

became

occupied by Germans and by the British in Zanzibar.  After World War 1 Germany surrendered its 

Tanganyika territory to the British, who ruled until its independence was achieved in 1961.  Zanzibar

gained independence two years later, and not long after, joined with mainland of which is now known

as the United Republic of Tanzania.

 

Health

Before travelling to Tanzania please consult your doctor or a travel clinic for advice on anti-malaria

l tablets and vaccinations.

East Africa's malarial strain has acquired resistance to some widely used anti-malarial tablets

(Prophylactics). The drugs mostly administered in East Africa are as follows:

• Malarone - taken daily (few side effects)

• Mefloquine - taken weekly (potential side effects - depression, dizziness and sleep

• disturbance)

• Doxycycline - taken daily (side effects from exposure to sun - skin and eyes)

On the Tanzanian coast, where it is extremely hot and humid, watch out for cuts as

these could easily turn into throbbing sores. Fungal infections also thrive in these

conditions, so after washing ensure that you dry yourself thoroughly. When going out in

the sun ensure that you are cover up with sunblock, especially on the back if you are

snorkeling. Limit the time spent in the sun, to avoid heat strokeand becoming dehydrated.

Although most Tanzanians can drink water from a tap, it is not advisable for visitors

to do so. First time visitors to Africa are usually not immune from minor bugs that are

found in the water and in some of the food. Bottled water can be purchased throughout

Tanzania, and boiled water will usuallybe served at remote lodges and hotels. Before

eating fresh fruit and vegetables from the market, make a point of washing them
thoroughly.If swimming in Tanzanian lakes, try to avoid areas where there are built up

areas (villages), river inletsand slow moving water around vegetation, as there is a danger

of being infected by bilharzia. This can easily be medically treated, and the main

symptom to look out for in bilharzia is lethargy (extreme tiredness).

Sometimes while passing urine, there will be burning pains and blood will be seen.

When packing for your trip it is advisable to include a small medical kit with the following:

• Imodium (anti-diarheal tablets)

• Antihistamine cream (for allergies)

• Antiseptic cream

• Aspirin (pain relief tablets)

• Plaster

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HIV is prevalent in Tanzania, as at least one in ten Tanzanians carry the virus. It goes without saying that a condom should always be used during casual sex. Remember that HIV in Africa is a deadly gamble and risks should not be taken! Condoms are openly sold in pharmacies and supermarkets, but remember to check the expiry date and that they are not sun bleached from boxes being exposed to the sun. There have been stories of condoms being stapled onto shop displays, that have then since been sold with holes .

 

Immunisation

On arrival in Tanzania, it is compulsory to show a yellow fever vaccination certificate if your passport hs a stamp from a country in an 'endemic zone'. Consult with your doctor or travel clinic which of these countries this includes.

The most commonly recommended vaccinations are for typhoid, tetanus, polio and hepatitis.