1. Is Tanzania safe to travel?
Once you are on planning to travel in Tanzania bare in your mind that Tanzania is a very safe the land where its people are very helpful for visitors. As in all countries, a little common sense goes a long way and reasonable
precautions should still be taken, such as locking valuables in the hotel safe, do not carry a lot of camera equipment especially in the major cities, do not wear too much jewel and do not carry too large amounts of cash with
you, etc. Be sure that Giraffe Safari Guides will be responsible for your safety in cities and in the game areas. From time to time generalized travel statements are issued concerning travel conditions in the area. For the current
Department of State announcements and Consular information see
2. What are essential documents do I need to travel with to Tanzania?
You will need to require a valid passport at least six months after your date
of entry. If you are arriving from a country in which Yellow Fever is endemic
(such as Kenya), you will require an immunization certificate or health card.
Each traveler is responsible for sorting out their own passport and visa
requirements, and we cannot offer much assistance in this matter. If you do
not yet have a passport, apply for one early, as they can take some time to
arrive. If you already have a passport, double check when it expires.
While Tanzania is a commonwealth country, UK citizens definitely do need a
visa to enter. This is also true for citizens of South Africa, Australia, New
Zealand, India, Nigeria and Canada. Visas usually cost in the neighborhood of
$50 (around £40), but visas from the US can cost $100. Tanzanian visas expire
three months after they are issued so be careful not to apply too soon.
Visas can be purchased upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport (IATA
code: JRO), but you can expect long queues, and for the process to take an
extra hour or more. The Tanzanian High Commission has stressed that they have
the right to deny visas applied for on arrival. We have never had a report of
this happening, but it is a danger best avoided.
For these reasons, we highly recommend that travelers get their visa in
advance if at all possible. More information about applying for a Tanzanian
visa in the UK can be found here. On the other hand, many US travelers prefer
to avoid risking their passports in the mail, and other potential delays, by
applying upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airports.
3. How safe is the water and food in Tanzania?
Giraffe Safaris is located in the Arusha region where there is a great
source of clean drinking water from the mountain. Although we always encourage
our customers to reduce using plastic bottles by refilling yours with our
boiled water (please ask if you require), it is still best to drink bottled
water when travelling through Tanzania – numerous brands are widely available
and served in all restaurants and lodges. You also can buy bigger sizes like
5-10-20liter. Steer clear of ice, raw vegetables, and salads when eating at
street restaurants. High-end lodges and restaurants will clean their produce
in an antiseptic solution, but to be on the safe side, fruit and vegetables
should always be washed and peeled. 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 make sure
everything is well-cooked.
4. What is typical food in Tanzania?
The food served in the safari camps/lodges varies, but is tasty and delicious.
Gourmet cooks bake fresh bread, and produce soups, salads, and entrees that
could easily grace tables at the top restaurants around the world. Meals are
international in flavor with soups, salads, cold meats, pasta dishes, meat and
fish dishes, and breads. Your day normally starts with tea and biscuits before
your morning activity.
Returning to your lodge or camp late morning, brunch is enjoyed – cereals,
fruit, bacon, eggs, sausage, and toast. Buffet lunches are typical with a warm
dish such as stew served with salads, quiches and cold meats. Dinner consists
of an appetizer followed by meat, fish and pasta dishes served with assorted
vegetables and sauces. Dinner is followed by coffee/ tea, cheeses, and
stunning desserts.
In Tanzania's towns and villages, the food is usually simpler. Nyama choma
(grilled meat) is very popular and often served with sauce, rice, chips, or
ugali (cornmeal). Indian cuisine is also widespread. The locally brewed beer
is good, including Serengeti, Safari, Kilimanjaro, mbege (home brew from the
Chagga people originally from Kilimanjaro region) and banana beer; imported
beers (e.g. Tusker from Kenya) and wine are also excellent.
5. Do I need Vaccination on Travel to Tanzania?
Here is some recommended vaccination to travel to our country:
Hepatitis A or Immune globulin (IG). Transmission of hepatitis virus
can occur through direct person-to-person contact: through exposure to
contaminated water, ice, or shellfish harvested in contaminated water:
or from fruits, vegetables, or other foods that are eaten uncooked and
that were contaminated during harvesting or subsequent handling.
Hepatitis B Especially if you might be exposed to blood or body fluids
(for example health-care workers) have sexual contact with the local
population) or be exposed through medical treatment. Vaccine is now
recommended for all infants and for children ages 11-12 years who did
not receive the series as infants.
Meningococcal (meningitis) if you plan to visit countries in this
region that experience epidemics of meningococcal disease during
December through June.
Rabies, pre-exposure vaccination, if you might have extensive
unprotected outdoor exposure in rural areas, such as might occur during
camping, hiking or bicycling, or engaging in certain occupational
activities.
Typhoid fever can be contracted through contaminated drinking water or
food or by eating food or drinking beverages that have been handled by a
person who is infected. Large outbreaks are most often related to fecal
contamination of water supplies or foods sold by street vendors.
Yellow fever, viral disease that occurs primarily in sub-Saharan Africa
and tropical South America, is transmitted to humans through the bite of
infected mosquitoes. The virus is also present in Panama and Trinidad
and Tobago. Yellow fever vaccination is recommended for travelers to
endemic areas and may be required to cross certain international borders
(for country specific requirements, see yellow fever vaccine
Requirements and information on malaria Risk and Prophylaxis, by
country.)
Vaccination should be given 10 days before travel and at 10-year
intervals if there is on-going risk. As needed, booster doses for
tetanus-diphtheria, measles, and a one-time dose of polio vaccine for
adult.
Malaria is always a serious disease and may be a deadly illness. Humans
get malaria from the bite of a mosquito infected with the parasite. Your
risk of malaria may be high in all countries in East Africa, including
cities. All travelers to East Africa, including infants, children and
former residents of East Africa, may be at risk for malaria. Prevent
this serious disease by seeing your health care provider for a
prescription antimalarial drug and by protecting yourself against.
Please, consult your local immunization doctor before you travel abroad. You
can also check up-to-date at the Center for Disease control and receive the
guidelines.
6. What is the time zone in Tanzania?
Tanzania is three hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT+3). Tanzania does
not operate daylight saving time, hence there's no time difference between
their summer and winter months.
7. What is Tanzania& International Dialing code?
The International Dialing Code for Tanzania is +255, followed by the
applicable area codes (e.g. 22 for Dar es Salaam, or 27 for Arusha). Calling
out from Tanzania, you dial 00 plus the relevant country code (44 f5or the UK,
1 for the USA).
8. What is the Tanzania currency?
The official unit of currency is the Tanzanian shilling (TZS), divided into
100 cents. Notes are issued as TSh10,000; 5000; 1000; 500; 200 and 100. Coins
are issued as TSh100; 50; 20; 10, 5 and 1.
The tourism industry prices everything in US Dollars and they are the
preferred unit of currency. Major currencies can be exchanged in the larger
towns. Foreign exchange bureau in the main towns usually offer a better rate
on traveler's cheque than do the banks. ATMs are available in major cities
only. Major lodges, some hotels and travel agents in urban areas accept credit
cards, but these should not be relied on and can incur a 10% surcharge.
9: What are the Airlines travelling in Tanzania?
The major airlines travelling into Tanzania from Europe are British Airways
(London Heathrow – Dar Es Salaam), Virgin Express (London Heathrow to
Kilimanjaro), KLM (Amsterdam – Kilimanjaro), Turkish Airlines (Istanbul –
Dar Es Salaam) and Swiss (Zurich – Dar Es Salaam). From Asia, passengers will
usually connect in Singapore, the United Arab Emirates or India.
Alternatively, from Hong Kong, Guangzhou and Bangkok passengers can connect in
Nairobi with Kenya Airways.
There are many African airlines offering flights to either Dar or Kilimanjaro,
for example Ethiopian Airlines (from Addis Ababa), Kenya Airways (from
Nairobi), Zambian Airways (from Lusaka), or SAA (from Johannesburg).
Passengers travelling from the United States will have to take a connection in
one of the above mentioned European or African hubs, whilst passengers from
Australia or New Zealand will have to connect in an Asian hub and LungaLunga.
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