INTERNATIONALFLIGHTS
British Airways fly direct to Dar
es Salaam, from Heathrow, three
times weekly. Flying time is
9hours 40 minutes. Other carriers
operate to Tanzania via Europe.
KLM from Amsterdam to Dar es
Salaam and Kilimanjaro. Swiss
from Zurich to Dar es Salaam. Air
India fly to Dar es Salaam via
Mumbai; Emirates via Dubai; and
Ethiopian via Addis Ababa. Gulf
Air/Oman Air fly to Dar es
Salaam and Zanzibar via Muscat.
Regional carriers into Tanzania
include Air Tanzania, AirKenya,
Kenya Airways, Precision Air and
South African Airways. Domestic
carriers Air Tanzania, Coastal
Aviation, Precision Air, Regional
Air Services and ZanAir link the
major cities, tourist attractions
and game parks in Tanzania. Air
Tanzania, Precision Air, Coastal
Aviation and ZanAir fly between
the mainland and Zanzibar.
INTERNATIONAL AIRPORTS
International flights serve Dar es
Salaam (DAR), eight miles from
the city centre and Kilimanjaro
(JRO), 31 miles from Arusha.
Zanzibar (ZNZ) airport is five
miles from Kisauni.
PASSPORTS AND 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 on them prior to
departure. They can also be
obtained on arrival at Dar es
Salaam and Kilimanjaro
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 your travel
arrangements. Although part of
the union of Tanzania, Zanzibar
remains independent, so
passports/ Tanzania visas are
required even on a day’s visit.
IMMUNISATION AND HEALTH
Visitors from countries infected
with cholera and yellow fever
must produce international
certificates of vaccination, this is
particularly relevant for those
travelling from neighbouring
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 anti-malaria tablets,
commencing two weeks before
travel.
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.
WHAT TO TAKE
Don’t forget the camera,
camcorder and binoculars and
take a torch for finding your way
around your camp at night. Stock
up with replacement batteries for
all these goods.
Take sun-glasses, hat, sun lotion,
lip balm - and some insect
repellent, it is better not to get
stung even if you are taking antimalaria
tablets.
It’s best to take any medicines
required for the duration of the
visit. A spare pair of glasses or
contact lenses is also a good idea.
Take plenty of film, it is 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
take plenty of cash.
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TRAVEL LIGHT
Some safaris/air charters limit
baggage to a 10-15 kilo
maximum.
LANGUAGE
English is widely spoken but a
few words of Swahili are always
appreciated.
CURRENCY
The unit of currency is the
Tanzania shilling which is
divided into 100 cents. Visitors
can take in 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
travellers’ cheques are accepted
and are convertable at banks and
bureaux de change in the main
towns and tourist areas. Credit
cards are not widely accepted and
carry poor exchange rates.
Visitors will probably be expected
to pay park entrance fees in
foreign currency. Do NOT change
money in the street however
favourable the rate appears.
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, it can be 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 -
walking through the bush is not
like strolling through Hyde Park -
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 $10-$15 per day
for drivers or tour guides but
remember an excessive tip can
make it difficult for the next
customer.
AIRPORT TAX
An airport tax of US$30 is levied,
which may be included in the
price of an air ticket.
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