From the peaks of Mt.Kilimanjaro to the vast Serengeti Park, Tanzania is a country that is well endowed with nature’s marvels. Hence the country gets its reputation as a preferred tourist destination in Africa for most travelers. As a nation and travel destination, Tanzania is considered to be relatively safe with thousands of people mostly tourists visiting the country on yearly basis to enjoy various Tanzania safaris.
LANGUAGES: There are many languages spoken in the country however, Swahili and English have become the primary languages in the nation. The use of these two languages does not hinder multilingualism as other international languages such as French, Spanish, Italian just to mention but a few are in use as well.
CLIMATE: Tanzania has a tropical climate with long rains from April to May, short rains in November-December. The dry season is from June to October. From the peaks of Mt.Kilimanjaro to the vast Serengeti Park, Tanzania is a country that is well endowed with nature’s marvels. Hence the country gets its reputation as a preferred tourist destination in Africa for most travelers. The climate of Zanzibar is almost similar to Tanzania's mainland climate. For Zanzibar, long rains are usually between March, April, May. During these months afternoon rains are very common, the daily temperatures are mid at 30centidegres and the humidity is high. From June, July, August, September, and October it is usually a dry season and rainfall patterns are unusuaL, the temperatures vary the sky is clear and sunny weather is predominant, this makes the best time to visit Zanzibar. November and December are rainy months, the rains are much lighter and uncommon.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS: All visitors to Tanzania require a visa, Tanzanian visa can be issued on arrival, contact with relevant authorities in ample time to ascertain entry to Tanzania to make sure you have the relevant permits and visas. Visitors should also possess a passport that is valid for six months after the initial date of travel.
HEALTH: Check with the center for disease control, it outlines the various health precautions for various destinations Tanzania included. Insect repellents should be made use of after dusk and suitable cover up clothes should be worn in the evenings.
PACKING: When packing for Tanzania, light casual clothing, neutral colors, warm jacket for evening game drives. For Zanzibar, women should dress modestly out of respect for Muslim cultural beliefs. It is advisable to carry a small suitcase with a small first aid kit with antihistamines, sunscreen, antibacterial strips.
MONEY MATTERS: Tanzania's currency the Tanzanian Shilling, more advisable to use US Dollars preferably in cash: credit cards attract a 5% surcharge. ATMs can be found in main towns and cities in Tanzania, not in the national parks and game reserves.
Note: US Dollar bills printed before 2006 are not accepted in Tanzania.
Tipping is advisable as a way of saying thank you as well as a motivation factor and appreciating the effort of the various staff, guides, porters, etc. We recommend that this be governed by your generosity and give from your heart.
AIRPORTS IN TANZANIA:
1.Kilimanjaro International Airport – Tanzania's second international airport famous for the Northern circuit.
2.Dar-es-Salaam International Airport, Tanzania's main airport, is the gateway to the Indian Ocean coast, and Zanzibar famous for the Southern circuit.