Jun
15th

Travelling to Tanzania for a holiday

 

Making known to yourself about what to anticipate and how to brace oneself for your trip to the United Republic of Tanzania is one of the most effective things you can do to make certain that your journey is pleasurable and becomes very successful. Here, we avail you with all the relevant information regarding everything that you’ll need to equip yourself for your trip to be very successful. Information such as bank information and details about how to convert money, health precautions to acquire  extra information about malaria prevention and consciousness, travel insurance policies, where to find hospitals and clinics, information on  how to arrange your visas, and a brief overview of security while you are enjoying your holiday in Tanzania. Once you get to know the basic information then, you’ll be well-informed and ready for your stay in this beautiful country of Tanzania, very confident in all the situations and prepared for the trip of that you’ll not forget.

 Travel Insurance

Forethoughts are a necessary part of staying healthy, and while you’ll of course make every attempt to stay fit and safe during your trip, it is ever wise to plan for any emergencies. International travel insurance policy and emergency medical insurance plans are available for purchase before you even leave your home. This is to be sure that you provide for yourself in the event of any unforeseen circumstances.

 

It is always important to have a medical insurance policy that will insure you while you are travelling, and cover any theft, loss, or any form of health emergencies that you may experience while you are away from home. Verify your insurance policy’s evacuation criteria and give notice to your travel agent of any essential extra information.

Hospitals

For modest aching and pains during your trip, there are always several hospitals and clinics around the country that will take care of you and be able to prescribe any kind of medication you might need. For emergency cases Dar es Salaam has got the new Agha Khan hospital that will provide excellent care, as does the Nairobi Hospital and the Agha Khan Hospital in Nairobi Kenya.  African Air Rescue (AAR) have got clinics and out-patient care centers in both Arusha and Dar es Salaam, and  other smaller clinics will be in position to offer consultations and lab services all around the country.  Some lodges have also got doctors that can always be called on to assist in case of any medical emergency. For any extra information you may contact your country’s embassy or consulate.   

 

Health

One thing you must know is that Tanzania is situated in tropics meaning that the climate may be different from what you are used to. You will encounter different bacteria, flora, and fauna than you are accustomed to and because of this it is advisable to take a few health precautions when travelling to ensure that your trip goes on as comfortably and smoothly as possible. a number of tropical diseases here that you must be cautions of.

Malaria

This is normally top on the list of visitors’ worries, and prevention goes a long way towards keeping you protected. Though it is believed that the anopheles mosquito, the species that carries malaria, hunts only at night, you must make sure that all exposed areas are well slathered in insect repellant at all times. Sleep under a mosquito net; you may get some very good travelling mosquito nets that are available now, but budget travellers are well-advised to bring their own since the nets at most low-end guesthouses may have some holes or are invariably too small. If you’re to sleep in a tent that doesn’t have a net, make it a point to spray insect repellant inside, close the flap, and allow for a few minutes.

 

Make sure to visit your doctor to get a prescription for some anti-malarial drugs that will best suit your health and condition - there are some very good ones available on the market now, but tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breast feeding. If you feel achy, have chills and hot flushes, headaches, or a fever either during your trip or up to two weeks afterwards, visit a doctor immediately to be tested for malaria. If your symptoms persist, don’t hesitate in seeking a second opinion. A malaria test only takes about fifteen minutes and involves a simple finger prick, and it’s available around the country. Treatment is widely available and recovery times are fast, provided that you get diagnosed as soon as you notice any possible symptoms. After all this advice, it’s worth noting that not every mosquito has malaria and that if you’re conscientious and take precautions, it’s unlikely that you will be exposed.

 Vaccinations

 The yellow-fever vaccination is no longer officially required when entering Tanzania, yet because the disease is endemic many doctors will recommend it as a precaution. Other vaccinations that might be considered before you travel include typhoid, hepatitis A and B, meningitis, and tetanus. For more information, contact your doctor.

Food and water: It’s best to drink bottled water when travelling through Tanzania - numerous brands are widely available and served in all restaurants and lodges. Steer clear of ice, raw vegetables, and salads when eating at street restaurants. High-end lodges and restaurants will clean their produce in antiseptic solution, but should you feel wary about anything on your plate, leave it. Try to avoid eating in empty restaurants - the food may have been sitting out for some time - and order your meat well done. On the coast, seafood and fish are usually fresh, but again, make sure everything is well-cooked. While on holiday, it’s always better to err on the side of caution.

 Getting there

These days there are many ways to travel to Tanzania. Overland railways connect the country, the roads are easy to navigate and well-maintained, cruise ships and passenger liners stop frequently at the ports, and international air carriers arrive and depart daily from the many airports located around the country. Travel to Tanzania is easier and more convenient than it has ever been before. World-class airport facilities and on-the-ground assistance make sure that your visit to the country is perfect from the first moment of arrival.

 

Whether you’re travelling independently or with a tour operator, be sure to book your ticket well in advance and make sure your return flights are confirmed. Travel agents in major cities can assist you in making any last-minute changes to your itinerary and flights.

      

Apr
14th

Tour Tanzania

British Airways fly three times a week direct from London to Dar es Salaam with a total flying time of 9 hours 40 minutes.
Other carriers operate to Tanzania via Europe KLM Royal Dutch Airlines (from Amsterdam) to Dar es Salaam and Kilimanjaro; Swiss (from Zurich) to Dar es Salaam. Gulf Air serves Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar via Muscat or Abu Dhabi.
Tanzania can also be reached via African gateways served by Air Zimbabwe, Egypt Air, Ethiopian Airlines, Kenya Airways and South African Airways.

INTERNATIONAL AIRPORTS

International flights serve Dar es Salaam, eight miles from the city centre and Kilimanjaro, 31 miles from Arusha. Zanzibar airport is 5 miles from Stone Town.

PASSPORTS/VISAS

Most visitors require visas with the exception of citizens of certain countries of the Commonwealth. It is advisable to obtain them in advance from Embassies and High Commissions as several airlines insist of them prior to departure. They can also be obtained on arrival at international airports and at the Namanga Gate on the Tanzania / Kenya border.
Requirements may change, so you are advised to contact the appropriate diplomatic or consular authority before finalising travel arrangements.

IMMUNISATION/HEATLH

Visitors from countries infected with cholera and yellow fever must produce international certificates of vaccination. This is particularly relevant for those travelling from other African countries.
The UK Department of Health recommends vaccinations against hepatitis A, polio and typhoid. It is essential for visitors to take a course of malaria prophylaxis.
Modern medical services are available in Dar es Salaam and other major centres. There are only a limited number of chemists in the country, so visitors are advised to bring their own medicines with them.

CLIMATE

Coastal areas are hot and humid with an average daytime temperature of 30ºC. Sea breezes make the climate very pleasant from June to September. The central plateau experiences hot days and cool nights. The hilly country between the coast and the northern highlands has a pleasant climate from January to September, with temperatures averaging around 20ºC. Temperatures vary around Kilimanjaro according to the season, registering a low 15ºC during May - August rising to 22ºC during December - March.
For the whole country, the hottest months are from October to February. The main, long rainy season is from mid-March to May.

WHAT TO TAKE

Don’t forget the camera, camcorder and binoculars, and take a torch for finding your way around the camp at night. Stock up with replacement batteries for all these goods. The main electricity supply is 220V, 50Hz. Plugs are usually the 13-amp 3-pin square (British) type.
Take sun-glasses, hat, sun lotion, lip balm and some insect repellent. It is better not to get stung, even if you are taking anti-malaria tablets.
A spare pair of glasses or contact lenses is also a good idea.
Take plenty of film, it can be difficult to obtain outside the main centres.
While traveller’s cheques can be exchanged in cities and towns, banking facilities in remote areas are restricted, so cash is useful too.

TRAVEL LIGHT

Some safaris / air charters limit baggage to a 10 - 15 kg maximum.

LANGUAGE

English is widely spoken but a few words of Kiswahili are always appreciated.

CURRENCY

The unit of currency is the Tanzanian Shilling (TShs), which is divided into 100 cents. Visitors can take any amount of foreign currency, no currency declaration is required, but import and export of Tanzanian currency is illegal.
Most major currencies, particularly US Dollars, and traveller’s cheques are accepted and are convertible at banks and bureaux de change in the main towns and tourist areas. Credit cards, mainly visa and mastercard, are generally only accepted in larger establishments.

ON SAFARI

Distances in Tanzania are vast, and travel by road can be tiring. It is wise to spend more time in fewer parks. You will see more and won’t return home exhausted. Keep your distance from animals and be quiet to avoid distressing them. Always follow the instructions of your ranger or guide. Don’t leave your vehicle in the parks except in designated places. Keep to recognised tracks to avoid damaging vegetation.

WHAT TO WEAR

It never gets really cold in Tanzania, so lightweight clothing is the norm. On safari, avoid brightly coloured clothes, they may alarm the animals. Browns, beiges and khaki are preferred. Short-sleeve shirts / blouses and shorts are ideal, but pack a sweater as it can be a bit chilly in the early morning and in the evening. Wear a hat to avoid sun-stroke and don’t forget a swimsuit. Shoes should be sensible, and for climbing Kilimanjaro or Mount Meru, take thermal underwear, a rain jacket, good socks and sturdy boots. Shorts for women are acceptable - but not too short. Women should carry a wrap to cover their legs in towns or villages as revealing clothes can cause offence, especially in Zanzibar and other Muslim areas. On the beach, and within the confines of beach hotels, normal swimwear is acceptable, but nudity certainly is not.

TIPPING

Not normally obligatory, but a tip for exceptional service - a maximum of 10% - will be appreciated. Tip US$15 per day for drivers or tour guides but remember that an excessive tip can make it difficult for the next customer.

AIRPORT TAX

An international airport tax of US$30 is levied, which may be included in the price of an air ticket. Airport tax for domestic flights is 5,000 TShs (approximately US$5).

Apr
14th

Mountain of Tanzania

Tanzania’s rich volcanic birthright has bestowed gentle puff ups of hills and spectacular peaks that appear at odds with the perception of a land of flat plains. These give Tanzania a unique beauty over its neighbours.

Kilimanjaro: Rising 19,340 feet (5,895m) out of the Masai Steppe, Kilimanjaro is wreathed in legend and history. Africa’s highest mountain, the highest free-standing mountain in the world and as high a major summit as an average trekker can go, it is also one of the Seven Summits, the seven highest points on each continent in the world.

Mount Meru: Overshadowed by its more famous cousin, Meru is a mountain laudable of a reputation of its own. Standing at a slightly under 15,000 feet, Africa’s fifth highest mountain offers attractions of its own, including game-filled lower slopes, chattering forests of tropical birds and monkeys, a spectacular crater and, throughout, views of those famous snows across the Steppe.

Ol Donyo Lengai: The holy Masai ‘Mountain Of God’ is also a picture-perfect volcano in a remote nook of the Rift Valley. The only active Soda Carbonatite volcano in the world, still far from dormant, standing on the crater rim of Ol Donyo Lengai, watching the sun rise over the Rift Valley, is to bear witness to the primeval fires of the first dawn of creation.

Apr
9th

Experience Tanzania

Can any one mental snapshot encapsulate the Tanzanian experience? Thousands upon thousands of wildebeest that march in mindless unison on the annual migration through the Serengeti, perhaps? Or a family of elephants wading across the wide, muddy Rufiji/Tarangire River? What about a pride of well-fed lions sunbathing on the grassy floor of the majestic Ngorongoro Crater? Certainly, it is such images that tend to spring to mind when one thinks of Tanzania. And properly so!

Tanzania, truly, is a safari destination without peer. The statistics speak for themselves: an unparalleled one-quarter of its surface area has been set aside for conservation purposes, with the world-renowned Serengeti National Park and incomprehensibly vast Selous Game Reserve heading a rich mosaic of protected areas that collectively harbour an estimated 20 percent of Africa’s large mammal population.

Dec
23rd

JMT African Heart Expeditions

JMT African Heart Expeditions
Specialists in Serengeti and Kilimanjaro expeditions. Head quarters in Arusha with branch office in Zanzibar. All safaris are uniquely designed to suit client specific needs.

Our office in Arusha
Ilboru area, P.O. Box 12.155 - Arusha
Tel : *255-27-250.84.14
Mobile : *255-754-28.22.51 / 28.39.90
e-mail : contact@africanheart.com

Dec
23rd

Wild Things Tanzania Reviews

Wild Things Tanzania
Specializes in camping adventure, hot air balloon, climbing mount Kilimanjaro and so much more.Will take you to remote, ecologically and culturally important locations, which have been developed in cooperation with local communities.

Wild Things TZ Ltd.
Dar Es Salaam PO BOX 34514 Tanzania
Tel Office: +255 (0) 22 261 7166
Tel Mobile: +255 (0) 773 503 502
Email: enquiries@WildThingSafaris.com

Dec
23rd

Predator Safaris Club Review Tanzania

Predator Safaris Club

Formerly known as Khan Tours and Safaris, is one of the oldest safari operators in Tanzania. Inbound tourist specialist company for Tanzania safaris as well as beach holidays in the Island of Zanzibar.

Tanzania’s Professional Tours & Safari Operator
Email: predators@safarisno1.fsnet.co.uk
Tel/Fax: +255272506471 Cell / Mobile: +255754562254 Arusha - Tanzania

Dec
23rd

African Servalcat Safaris and Tours Review

African Servalcat Safaris and Tours Review, specializes in lodge safaris, budget and luxury safaris, daily departures, minimum 2 persons while camping safaris, its 4.

Summit House. Moi Avenue. P.O. Box 47545 (00100)GPO.Nairobi-Kenya.Tel/Fax:+254 20 251936 .Mobile :+254-721-204421, +254 -733-904294. Email: tours@africanservalcatsafaris.com servalcatsafaris@yahoo.com
Website: www.africanservalcatsafaris.com

Dec
23rd

Thomson Safaris Reviews Tanzania

Thomson Safaris Reviews Tanzania

No middleman,over 25 years of experience, exclusive tanzania safaris,Destinations include, Kilimanjaro, Selous, Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater and Tarangire as well as Zanzibar.

Contact Information.
Thomson Safaris,14 Mount Auburn Street, Watertown, MA 02472,
Toll Free: 800-235-0289 Fax: 617-923-0940 , Monday - Friday 9:00 AM - 5:30 PM, EST
E-Mail: info@thomsonsafaris.com

Dec
23rd

Tanzania Adventure Reviews

Tanzania Adventure Ratings
Operates in Arusha and Zanzibar.Over 8 years of experience in Tanzania safaris,Itineraries are tailor made / custom so no regular departures. Specialized in Honeymoon safaris.

Arusha (Sekei, Opposite Big Y Club) Tel/Fax:+255-73-2975210 Mobile:+255-784-448813
mail: info@tanzania-adventure.com