About Tanzania

The breathtakingly beautiful country of Tanzania is famous for its island of Zanzibar. Tanzania budget travel is also famous for its prime game viewing opportunities, with a range of affordable activities to suit all budgets.

Tanzania Budget Travel

Below is a list of Tanzania's top destinations, click on the link to view all details and tours.

Arusha, Dar Es Salaam, Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Serengeti National Park, Zanzibar Island

Fast Facts

Currency
Tanzanian Shilling (TZS)

Dialing Code
255

AIDS

Tanzanian HIV/AIDS is a major health risk for many locals, with factors such as poor healthcare, lack of education, prostitution, poverty, tribal customs and inherited wives adding to the problem. Awareness campaigns are not strong enough, and very few locals can afford proper treatment and often transmit the disease due to lack of understanding about AIDS. The AIDS rate is lower in Zanzibar, which is a predominantly Muslim area.

Airports

Tanzania airports include:
• Julius Nyerere Dar es Salaam International Airport
• Kilimanjaro International Airport
• Zanzibar International Airport

Birdlife

With well over a thousand species and in fact one of the highest bird counts in Africa, Tanzania birdlife is rich and diverse - and includes a number of endemic species and migratory species among its rich and varied habitats. Key birding areas range from coastal regions to forest areas, woodlands, savannas, wetlands and even icy mountainous areas near Mount Kilimanjaro.

Conservation

Tanzania conservation efforts are controlled well and the government has funded many successful conservation efforts. The country has a well-developed eco-tourism programme, with pristine beaches and a wide range of protected areas which rank among the worlds most beautiful and well-preserved. This makes Tanzania one of the key wildlife safari destinations in Africa, ideal for game and bird spotting.

Culture

Tanzania cultures include the following:
• Cuisine and food is inspired by the East as well as traditional African cuisine
• Architecture is influenced by colonial eras and Arab influence
• Music and dance plays a key role in many cultures
• Traditions and customs have a range of influences
• Art plays a key role in traditional and current cultures

Customs

Tanzania customs includes free import of:
• 250g of tobacco, 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars
• 1 bottle of alcoholic beverages
• 1 pint of perfume

Health

Tanzania health risks are fairly low; however as the country is a third world country precautions should be taken to ensure a healthy and safe trip. The most common ailments are upset tummies, so to be on the safe side, stick to bottled water. Malaria is rife in many areas, and other insect carried illnesses include tick bite fever and sleeping sickness, so take care to protect yourself against insects.

Innoculations

The following Tanzania inoculations are required:
• Yellow Fever
• Hepatitis A & B
• Typhoid
• Polio
• Rabies

Languages

Tanzania languages include the following:
• Swahili (official language)
• English
• Arabic

Malaria

Tanzania malaria medication includes the following:
• Mefloquine (Lariam)
• Doxycycline
• Atovaquone/proguanil (Malarone)

Money

Tanzania money and banking information is as follows:
• Credit cards are accepted in large hotels and in the city, but not in rural areas
• US Dollars are accepted at many hotels and stores
• Travellers cheques can be exchanged at banks, some hotels and airports
• Most large towns have a number of ATMs, many of which accept foreign cards
• Banking hours are Monday to Friday 08h30-12h30 and Saturday 08h30-13h00

People

Tanzania people includes the following groups:
• Sukuma
• Chagga
• Tumbatu
• Masaai
• Swahili

Phrase

Tanzania local phrases in Swahili include:
• Hello/welcome! - Jambo!
• No problem - Hakuna matata!
• Thank you very much - Asante Sana
• What is the price? - Bei gani?
• I don't understand - Sielewi

Plants

Tanzania plants are mostly comprised of open grassland, woodland and savannah areas, with a range of palms and crops such as fruit trees and spice crops to be found. There is a very small percentage of forest, with over 2000 species of plant to be found within the small area. Miombo woodland, acacia woodlands and vast plains such as the beautiful Serengeti are typical vegetation to be found in the country.

Population

A November 2006 UN estimate puts the population in Tanzania at 40,000,000.

Religion

Tanzania religion groups include the following:
• Muslim 35%
• Indigenous beliefs 35%
• Christian 30%
• Zanzibar over 99% Muslim

Safety Tips

• Tanzania is generally safe for travel with a fairly low crime rate
• Armed robbery and muggings have been on the increase in Dar es Salaam and large cities however
• Keep valuables safe and out of sight, and keep certified copies of passport and ID somewhere safe
• Be cautious at game parks and do not camp or walk in remote areas
• Roads can be very bad, so be cautious when travelling by taxi or car
• The areas near the Burundi border are unsafe and fighting is frequent

Transport

Tanzania local transport includes:
• Plane
• Bus
• Taxi
• Car

Travel Books

Tanzania recommended travel books include:
• Tanzania Lonely Planet Country Guide by Mary Fitzpatrick
• Tanzania Bradt Travel Guide 5th Edition by Philip Briggs
• The Rough Guide to Tanzania 2nd Edition by Jens Finke
• Tanzania Globetrotter Travel Pack by Graham Mercer
• Life in Tanzania by John Ndembwike

Visa Requirements

• Most foreign nationals require a visa to enter Tanzania
• Visas are generally valid for up to 3 months from date of application
• A valid passport of 6 months minimum is required
• A yellow fever certificate may be required if travelling from an infected zone
• Return air tickets plus proof of sufficient funds are required

What To Buy

• Sleeping bag and camping mattress if you are on an overlanding tour
• Disposable underwater camera
• Tanzania travel guide and Swahili phrase book, plus a current map
• Good backpack plus a decent moneybag to keep valuables and travel documents
• First aid kit stocked with basic supplies and medicines

What To Pack

• Sunglasses, sunscreen, sunhat and swimming costume
• Comfortable walking shoes as well as sandals
• Long skirts or long pants and t-shirts covering shoulders for women
• Loose, lightweight clothing with long sleeves to keep out mosquitoes
• Camera, batteries, spare film or memory cards and binoculars

When To Go

• Tanzania offers year-round travel with each season offering its own charm
• Late June to September offers the coolest, driest weather but this can be the busiest time – especially during August
• December to February is the hottest time across the country
• Rainy season is generally from March to May, with less tourists
• Christmas and New Years (late December to early January) are busy times

Wildlife

Tanzania wildlife accounts for about 90% of the country's tourism, and the country has some of the most important game areas in Africa, including the famous Serengeti National Park and the game-rich Ngorongoro Crater Conservation Area. Key species include large predators such as lion, leopard and cheetah, plus large herds of elephant. The number of mammals to be found in Tanzania totals approximately 364 species.