General travel information

Credit cards

Credit cards are only accepted by the major airline companies and by most of the bigger hotels and lodges. Do not rely on credit cards as a source of cash while in Tanzania. In some cases a surcharge will be added to credit card payments. We suggest that you take sufficient cash and use the credit card as a back-up only. Travellers checks are accepted at most banks and some hotels, however a surcharge normally apply to exchange travellers checks into cash. Please note many shops / hotels don’t accept travellers checks.

Climate

There are two seasons of rain in Tanzania: the long rainy period (monsoon) which runs from late March until June and a short rainy period, which runs from November until mid January. The long rains fall in heavy downpours, often accompanied by violent storms. The short rains tend to be much less severe.

Currency

The Tanzanian Shilling is the local currency, but travellers checks and cash in US$ are recommended. The current exchange rate is approximately Tsh 1500 = US$ 1. It is possible to change foreign currency at any Bureaux de Chance, which generally gives better rates than hotels and most banks. If you bring US $ cash or receive US $, please make sure the bank notes are in good condition with no cuts or damage and that the bank notes are not older than 2004.

Make use of the currency converter to check the exchange rate.

Duty free

The following is duty free:

250g of tobacco
50 cigars
200 cigarettes
One litre of wine
0.25 litres of perfume

Electricity

The local electricity supply is 220 volts, 50 cycles ac. You will need to supply your own international standard adapter for your electrical appliances.

Health requirements

Official regulations for the Yellow fever vaccination currently look as follows:

If you fly to Nairobi or Addis Adaba (or any other Yellow fever infected area) to Kilimanjaro airport will you need the yellow fever vaccination card. Technically as per Tanzania Government if you stay 6 hours or less at Nairobi or Addis Adaba do you not need the vaccination card, but from experience at Kilimanjaro airport have we seen they request the card either way.
If you fly from Amsterdam to Kilimanjaro airport directly, do you not need the yellow fever vaccination card.
If you fly to Kilimanjaro airport directly must you also check with the next destination. For example when we fly from South Africa to Kilimanjaro airport do we not need the yellow fever vaccination, but when we return to South Africa are we required to show the vaccination card. Some countries see Tanzania as yellow fever infected, while some don’t.

Please recheck regulations before travelling, as the above is subject to change without notice.
Malaria occurs below 1800 meters and you should use the recommended prophylactics. Please consult your doctor about these. Woman using oral contraceptives should consult their physicians before using prophylactics. The best way to prevent contracting Malaria is to try and avoid mosquito bites by using an effect insect repellent, by sleeping under mosquito nets and to wear proper clothing after sunset. Meningitis can be present during the dry seasons.

Recommended Immunisations

As a sensible precaution we recommend that you consider getting at least some of the following recommended immunisations:

Hepatitis A & B
Typhoid
Cholera
Tetanus (lockjaw)

Please check with your local travel clinic for the latest recommendations.

Immigration & customs

An onward ticket and sufficient funds are required when entering Tanzania. Tanzanian people are friendly and will always offer a helping hand.

Insurance

It is strongly advised to take out travel insurance which should cover baggage as well as personal accident and medical insurance and specifically covering your Kilimanjaro expedition.

Language

The official languages are Ki-Swahili and English. There are more than 120 tribal vernaculars.

Religion

Mainly Muslim, Christian and Traditional beliefs. Please keep in mind that you are entering a different country with strong religious customs.

Security

As with any other town, walking alone at night is not advisable, and it is preferable to use taxis which are available at most hotels. Do not leave cash or valuables in your hotel room and use a safe deposit box.

Make use of a safe deposit box to keep your belongings safe, and do not leave anything of value lying around in your hotel room.

Visa and entry requirements

Visas are required by most visitors to Tanzania. Visas are available at your local Tanzanian Embassy. Costs vary from country to country. Visas are valid for 3 months. It is possible, however, to obtain a tourist’s visa for a single entry at any ONE of the FOUR MAIN ENTRIES into Tanzania -subject to the fulfilment of all immigration and health requirements-, for those who could NOT apply for visa from Tanzania Mission abroad. These are:

Dar-es-Salaam International Airport
Zanzibar International Airport
Kilimanjaro International Airport
Namanga Entry Point (Tanzania-Kenya boarder point)

Payment, at all these points, is in US Dollars or its equivalent in Sterling. For all other entry points in Tanzania, visitors must hold valid visa prior to approaching those entry points in Tanzania. However, in order to avoid unnecessary delays, those who proceed to Tanzania from a country where there IS a Tanzania Diplomatic Mission or Consular Office are strongly advised to obtain their entry visa prior to departure to Tanzania.

Tanzania Diplomatic Missions

Below is a list of Tanzania Diplomatic Missions, which you can also download (PDF size: 184Kb).

Belgium
363 Avenue Louise, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
Tel.: 640 6500/640 6527,
Fax: 646 8026,
Telex: (046) 63616
tanzania@skynet.be

Canada
50 Range Road, Ottawa, Ontario KIN 8J4, Canada
Tel.: (613) 232 1500 / 1509,
Fax: (612) 232 5184/Tlx: (021) 533569
tzottawa@synapse.net

China
No. 53 Dong Liu Jie,
Beijing, China;
Tel.: 5321491, 5321719,
Fax: 5324985,
Telex: 22749
tzbejing@info.iuol.cn.net

France
13 Avenue Raymond, Pointcare, 75116 Paris, France
Tel.: 00331 4755 0546, Fax: 003315370 6366
tanzanie@infonie.fr

Germany
Theaterplatz 26, 5300 Bonn 2,
West Germany
Tel.: (0228) 358051-54,
Fax: (0228) 358226,
Telex: (041) 885569
balozi@tanzania-gov.de

Italy
9,Via Giambattista Vico, 00196,
Rome
Tel.: 06 3610901, Fax: 4549660
tanzarep@pcg.it

Japan
21-9, Kamiyoga 4, Chome Setagaya – Ku, Tokyo 158, Japan
Tel.: (03) 425 4531/3,
Fax: (008133) 425 7844/Tlx: (072) J22121
tzrepjp@japan.co.jp

South Africa
P. O. Box 56572, Arcadia, 0007, Pretoria, South Africa
Tel.:3424371/93/Fax: 002712 434 383
tanzania@cis.co.za

Russia
Pyatnitskaya, Ulitsa 33, Moscow, Russia
Tel.: 231 8126, 231 5431, Fax: 230 2968
Telex: (064) 413352
tanmos@wm.west-call.com

Sweden
Oxtorgsgatan 2 – 4, Box 7255, 103-89,
Stockholm, Sweden
Tel.: 08 244870, Fax: 00468 109815
Tel.: (054) 10514
mailbox@tanemb.se

Switzerland
47 Avenue Blanc, CH, 1201 Geneva, Switzerland
Tel.: (004122) 731 8920, Fax:(4122) 732 8255,
Tel.: (045) 412661
mission.tanzania@itu.ch

UK
43 Hertford Street, London W1Y 8DB
Tel.: (0171) 499 8951 & 491 3600
Fax: 0171-491 9321,
Telex:(051) 262504
tanzarep@tanzania-online.gov.uk

USA
205 East 42nd St., New York, N.Y. 10017, USA
Tel.: (212) 972 9160, Fax: (212) 682 5232
Tel.: (023) 234702
TZREPNY@AOL.COM

2139 R. Street, Washington D. C.
20008 U .S. A.
Tel.: (202) 9939 6129
Fax: 001 202 797 7408/Tlx: (032) 64213
tanz-us@clark.ne