Travel to Tanzania

Well in our journey to take a ride all over the world , i was thinking about creating a journey talking only about the African beauty , why don’t we Call it « Nomads of Africa »

The first country that we are going to visit is Tanzania , after being in Oran,Algeria .

 Tanzania my nomad friends is that country that nobody appreciate and give it her rights, at first when you hear the word Tanzania Your picture about it will be blur, specially when add to you that it desalinated in Africa , you will boo at me and say that it’s a desert and nothing special in it.

Well you are wrong  .after this article you will change your mind totally about all Africa and specially Tanzania.

Language

Tanzanian people use Swahili and sometime English in there everyday business , Swahili is also a language used in Kenya .

If you know some English words you won’t get lost because English is widely spoken. Tanzanian people are always appreciative if you talk with them by Swahili, just some basic phrases  and they will love you.

Where to get some Swahili phrases ? in the end of the article

Food

(beef,fish and chicken) meat in general is what defined Traditional Tanzanian food, using vegetable, rice flour and water and it’s eaten by hand .

Seafood is what Tanzanians prefers and love, because Tanzania is a culinary heaven for freshly caught fish lovers .

Vegetarians are also well catered for in Tanzania. With fresh fruits such as mangoes, coconuts, and pineapples available in abundance. With Tanzanian food so rich in vegetables, legumes, and rice – you’ll be able to find delicious vegetarian food without any trouble.

No matter effect, the Tanzanian food is defenetly safe to eat and to love. As an advise try to avoid cold ,pre-prepared foods.

Water

In Tanzania,It is advisable to use tap water only for showering or washing your clothes. Because the tap water in Tanzania is not quite safe to drink.

Use only filtered or bottled water for drinking and that’s just to avoid the health problems. Bottled water is always available in Tanzania and in a cheap prize.

Money,credit cards and ATMs

Currency

The official Tanzanian currency is the Tanzanian Shilling. They have coins for 50, 100, and 1000 shillings; and notes for 500, 1000, 2000, 5000, and 10,000 shillings.

The US Dollar is widely used, but may not be accepted in some establishments. It is also important to note that most businesses that do accept US currency will not do so if it is torn or wrinkled.

Notes must not be older than 2006, as local businesses will automatically reject these due to a past counterfeiting problem.

Banks & Currency Exchange

Currency can be exchanged at banks, currency exchange offices (which are plentiful in the city), and in most hotels. Hotels generally offer the least favorable exchange rates.

Banks in Tanzania are open from 9am until 3.30pm Monday to Friday, and from 9am until 11am on Saturdays.

Tax

The tax rate in Tanzania amounts to 16% for most products and services. There is no process for reclaiming this amount upon departing the country.

ATMs

ATMs that accept both Visa and MasterCard are available in most cities. You will be able to withdraw from your accounts in local (Tanzanian shillings) currency by entering your PIN. The daily withdrawal limit amounts to roughly $300 USD.

Be sure to alert your bank that you will be traveling to Africa. Many banks will deem transactions made out of your native country as suspicious, and may lock access to your accounts if you have not forewarned them.

Credit Card

International credit cards (especially Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Thomas Cook) are accepted in most stores, restaurants, hotels, camping sites, lodges, car rental companies, etc. Many smaller stores will not have EFTPOS facilities, so it is generally better to carry cash.

Credit cards typically attract a 5-15% tax.

Traveler’s Cheques

Traveler’s cheques are not accepted anywhere in Tanzania.

Visas and Passport

To enter Tanzania all you need is a valide transport and Tanzanian visa.

Who needs a visa?

With the exception of Hong Kong, Jamaica, Barbados, Malaysia, and roughly a dozen African nations; everybody entering Tanzania is required to have a tourist visa.

Passport

To enter Tanzania, you’ll also need a passport with at least six months validity remaining. If you are planning to apply for a visa upon arrival, you will also need two free, adjacent pages remaining in your passport.

How to obtain a visa

Visas are available upon arrival in Tanzania, whether you’re landing at the airport or are making a border crossing.

The cost of a visa upon arrival is $50 for non US citizens, and $100 for US citizens. This should be paid in USD. Other currencies are not accepted.

If you have any further questions about the visa process, please don’t hesitate to contact us. That’s what we’re here for!

Tipping

Tipping is customary in Tanzania, and is very much a part of the incomes of many people in the hospitality and tourism industry.

As a general rule of thumb, tipping for satisfactory service should be as follows:

• · Safari and Kilimanjaro climbing guides: $$20 per person per day.
• · Cooks, Porters, Caddies etc.: $15 per person per day.

Safety

Tanzanian Safari is generally very safe, because Tanzania is considered as one the safest countries in Africa and a peaceful area, however you should you should be careful on the road you never know what’s will happen. Criminal activities got it place in Tanzanian society just like any other country all over the world.

Don't show your valuable items in public that’s will leave an unwanted attention to you, thief and pocket steallers are widely spread in the touristic areas, so pay attention and be cautions when you are in the touristic areas and cities.

It is advised to your valuable (credit cards, electronics and Money…) in your hotel room safe and secure.

It is always a good idea to make copies of all of your important documents and keep them in your luggage.

Rules and Regulations

Tanzania, like all countries, has rules and laws that need to be followed. These include:

· It is illegal to sunbathe topless;

· It is illegal to urinate in public;

· The buying, selling, and use of drugs is illegal;

· It is advisable not to talk on the telephone while inside a bank;

· It is forbidden to take plants, animals, seeds, minerals, archaeological finds, corals, ivory, or sea turtle shells out of Tanzania;

· Without prior authorization, you should not photograph the President or certain public facilities such as military bases, airports, bridges, police stations etc.

Dress Code

There is no dress code for safari, however it is advised that you were inconspicuous clothes in brown, green, beige, khaki, or other neutral colors so as not to draw attention to yourself or frighten the animals away.

As driving distances can be quite long while on safari, it is advisable that you dress lightly and comfortably. With evenings able to get quite cold, it is also advisable to bring along warmer clothes.

Guests of certain lodges may also be expected to wear trousers and collared shirts for dinner (for men) or dresses (for women)

Tanzania is a conservative country, so don’t dress provocatively.

Internet and Telephones

The international code for calling Tanzania is +255

You can find Internet cafes in Dar Es salaam, Karatu,and Arusha. Approximately all of Tanzanian composites and lodges offer internet and phone services.

Postal service

In Tanzania there is no problem at all in sending and receiving letters,. And by Fax,email,and internet are offered in most hotels, , you can say that the postal services is well organized.

You can buy stamps at the post office, souvenir shops, and in most hotels.

Animals and Safari

Never feed animals while you are in safari. And try to remain as quiet as you can and still as possible as  not to startle the animals. When it comes to Tanzanian Safari guides you should always listen to there instructions because they are experts and, and will advise how best to act and to survive.

Never get out from the vehicle. You never know who is waiting for you under the hidden grass.

Useful Swahili Phrases

                • Karibu: Welcome.

                • Habari/Hujambo: Hello.

                • Habari?/Habari yako?: How are you?

                • Nzuri: Good. Standard reply to how are you.

                • Samahani: Sorry.

                • Asante: Thank you.

                • Chakula: Food.

                • Rafiki: Friend.

                • Hapana: No.

                • Ndio: Yes.