Tanzania

Visitor Information

Climate | Latest Travel Advice | Visas & Immigration | Money | Local Time | Getting Around | Car Hire | Public Holidays | Electrical Power | Travel Insurance

CLIMATE

There are three main climatic areas in Tanzania; the coastal area and immediate hinterland, where conditions are tropical with temperatures averaging 26.6°C (80°), rainfall varying from, 40 to 76 inches and high in humidity; the central plateau, which is hot and dry (rainfall 20 to 30 inches), although with considerable daily and seasonal temperature variations and the third region is the semi-temperate highland areas, where the climate is healthy and cool. There is seasonal variation in the Lake Victoria area. The eastern sections average only 30 to 40 inches of rain, while the western parts receive up to 90 inches. A small area north of Lake Malawi receive 100 inches of rain. There are two rainy seasons; from November to December and from April to mid-June.

Climate Chart for Dar es Salaam

For today's weather forecast see     CNN - Africa Weather Forecasts

LATEST TRAVEL ADVICE

Foreign & Commonwealth Office (London)
US State Department - Travel Warnings

VISAS & IMMIGRATION

All visitors wishing to enter United Republic of Tanzania must OBTAIN AN APPROPRIATE VISA that will enable him\her to enter the country, except nationals of the listed countries below, (who though may need entry permit clearance, they do not need visa) provided they are traveling on national passport of any of the following countries:
- Antigua & Barbuda, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, Botswana, Brunei, Cyprus, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Kenya, Kiribati, Lesotho, Malaysia, Malawi, Malta, Maldives, Mauritius, Namibia, Nauru, Sao Tome & Principe Island, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent, Saint Christopher and Nevis, Seychelles, Singapore, Solomon Island, Swaziland, Tuvalu, Tonga, Uganda, Vanuatu, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Nationals of the East African Community need neither visa nor entry permit to enter United Republic of Tanzania.

Visa requirements are likely to change so please check with your local embassy or representative.

Passport must be valid for at leave six months.

Listing of Tanzania Tourist offices and/or embassies located around the world

MONEY

Official Currency:    Tanzania Shilling=100 cents
Current Exchange Rate:    Today's Exchange Rate

Mastercard, Access and Diners Club have a limited acceptance. Travellers cheques can be exchanged with authorised deals and bureaux de change and are best taken in US Dollars or Pounds Sterling. Many hotels and national parks require you make payment in foreign currency either in cash or by Travellers Cheque.


BANKING & BUSINESS HOURS

Banking:    Monday to Friday: 0830-1500     Saturday: 0830-1300
Shops:     Monday to Saturday: 0830-1200 and 1400-1800


Barclays Bank Cash Machine Locations

LOCAL TIME

Tanzania is three hours ahead of GMT

TRANSPORT & GETTING AROUND

Air Travel :
Domestic Flights	Domestic flights within Tanzania departing Arusha, Kilimanjaro and Zanzibar On-line booking available .... Dar es Salaam to Arusha, Bukoba , Kilimanjaro, Mtwara, Mwanza, Zanzibar Arusha to Bukoba, Dar es Salaam, Manyara, Mwanza, Seronera , Shinyanga, Zanzibar Seronera to Grumeti Kilimanjaro to Arusha, Bukoba, Dar es salaam, Grumeti, Mwanza, Seronera, Shinyanga, Zanzibar Zanzibar to Dar es salaam, Pemba
International Flights	Regional flights within Africa Click for flights from Europe with KLM Click for flights from Europe with BA.com
Train:	Tanzania's main populations centers are connected by rail link. Trains are of various standards and on longer routes you can choose between 1st class sleeping (two berth cabins) 2nd class sleeping or 3rd class seats. Tanzania Railways Corporation
Sea:	Ferries from Dar es Salaam to Zanzibar leave fairly regularly. There are three high speed ferries companies to choose from and each has about two departures per day. The journey takes about one and half hours. No need to purchase ticket in advance, they can be brought at the port. Times change regularly, but there is usually a boat ever hour or two. Lake Tanganyika and Lake Victoria have a steamer service.
Bus:	Most the roads in Tanzania are in poor condition and pot-holed. All towns are connected by bus services and on long haul routes there is a choice between luxury or ordinary service. You may need to book in advance on long haul journeys. Scandinavia Express Services Cross border Bus Service between Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia
Self Drive / Car Hire:	The Africa Guide's recommended Map Globetrotter Travel Map of Tanzania   (Maps Worldwide) Published by New Holland Publishers - Series Globetrotter Travel Maps This map allows the traveller to locate cities, towns, major roads and scenic routes. It also features airports, holiday resorts, parks, nature reserves and other places of interest. City plans of the major centres highlight historical monuments, key buildings and areas of special interest Other Maps & Atlases for Sale
	Driving is on the left hand side and an International Driving Licence is required and before hiring a car, most establishment require that these are endorsed by the police. Self drive car hire is expensive but most companies offer car with driver. Click to Rent a car in Tanzania

PUBLIC HOLIDAYS

ELECTRICAL POWER

TRAVEL INSURANCE

If you need medical care whilst in Tanzania, it is best to be aware that medical providers may not accept payment through your insurance company. In these circumstances you will have to pay in full after your treatment and file a claim with your insurance company for reimbursement. Therefore you should have access to cash, either from a credit card or by wire transfer. If you need assistance contact the country's local embassy or representative.

To be compensated you must be treated by licensed medical personnel and provide your insurance company with proper documentation and receipts.

It is advisable to always ensure you have a comprehensive travel insurance policy which covers you for repatriation to your home country.

You can check out the following websites which specialise in long term travellers, adventure travellers, backpackers and workers based abroad.

	Insure and Go - UK Travellers whether it's for a one off holiday or if you travel many times over the year, if you're off backpacking before university or you're retired and looking to explore the world; if you're after winter sports cover or if it's for a business trip, a wedding abroad or a golfing weekend away, we have a policy at the right price to ensure you have the peace of mind that you are covered for the unexpected while you're away.
	- UK Travellers Offering a full range of policies, single trip, young travellers, long stay, annual cover for UK residents. Get your quote and policy on-line....
	Insure My Trip - USA travellers offer 63 different travel insurance plans from 14 different companies - no other site has such product depth or comparison features. You can compare each policy giving you the information you need to make an informed decision about your travel insurance needs. .
	Downunder Insurance - UK - Australia and New Zealand Travellers offers travel insurance to travellers and residents in the UK, Australia and New Zealand. Our cover ranges from basic to highly comprehensive, with affordable policies aimed at backpackers and gap-year students, but with cover available to travellers and holiday makers up to 55 years of age.