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| Tanzania and Zanzibar
Always check up-to-date information before travelling to Tanzania and Zanzibar. It is recommended that you read one of the guidebooks listed below and contact the Foreign and Commonwealth Office - tel: 020 7008 1500, website: www.fco.gov.uk - for details of the current political situation.
At the time of writing, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office advises travellers to be extra vigilant when travelling in Tanzania because of an increase in thefts and robberies. If approached by police officers and asked for money, always ask to see official identification before accompanying them to the police station. Tanzania is recognised as country where there has been an increase in the threat to British interests because of the rise in global terrorism. Report any incidents to the British High Commission, Umoja House, Mirambo Street, PO Box 9200, Dar es Salaam, tel: (255) 22 211 0101. Name United Republic of Tanzania Surface area 945,090 square kilometres (364,900 square miles) Situation Eastern Africa, between Kenya and Mozambique and bordered by the Indian Ocean Capital Dar es Salaam Estimated population 31,270,820 Languages Swahili is the official language, while English is widely spoken for administrative and business purposes. Religion Muslim 35%, Christian 45%, plus a range of indigenous beliefs Currency 1 British pound = 1,303.78 Tanzanian shilling Terrain The north is a highland plateau with plains, foothills and mountains. The south is much less developed than the north, and has a flatter, more undulating landscape. Budgets Travellers on all budgets will appreciate Tanzania. According to the Lonely Planet, $20 per day will ensure the bare minimum in food, travel and accommodation, while a daily budget of $35 will provide quite a reasonable standard. Safaris can cost from around $100 per day. Climate The rainy season is from April to May and is usually torrential. Temperatures vary with altitude and season. In January, the hottest time of the year, the temperature averages 31°C (88°F) but can drop to 24°C (75°F). June is the coolest season, with temperatures rising to 29°C (84°F) and dropping to a minimum 19°C (66°F). Health All visitors are required to produce an International Yellow Fever Immunisation Card upon arrival. The following vaccinations are recommended: typhoid, cholera, hepatitis A. Tanzania is a malaria area so precautions such as anti-malaria tablets, repellent and sleeping under nets are advised. You should contact your GP for information on medication and jabs. Visas and documentation All British passport holders require a visa to visit Tanzania. Visas can be applied for in person (and will be granted within 24 hours), or by post from the Tanzania High Commission, 3 Stratford Place, London W1C 1AS, tel: 020 7569 1470. Visas cost £38.00; also required is a full ten-year British passport, valid for more than six months after you depart on your journey. Getting there KLM, British Airways, Air France, Alliance Air and Swiss Air fly regularly into Dar es Salaam. Check for availability and prices. Specialist tour operators Tanzania Odyssey Hoopoe Adventure Tours What to expect Tanzania is an economically poor country but it does offer a wide variety of spectacular natural locations for the traveller, from the peaks of Mount Kilimanjaro to the beautiful coast and islands of the Indian Ocean. There are a great range of activities for travellers: wildlife-spotting safaris, beach holidays and island-hopping, trekking and climbing in areas such as Mount Kilimanjaro, and the world's greatest and largest game reserves. Attractions Zanzibar See below Mount Kilimanjaro The highest peak in Tanzania, the volcano encompasses a variety of terrains, from rainforest at the bottom to the barren, volcanic landscape of the twin peaks. Ngorongoro Conservation Area Formed by a volcanic explosion and protected as a World Heritage Site, Ngorongoro is home to over 25,000 large mammals and 100 species of birds. Serengeti National Park The Serengeti covers over 14,763 sq. km (9,174 sq. miles) and is one of the world's greatest game reserves. Many tourists go there to spot and photograph the wildlife. One of the most spectacular sights is the annual migration of over two million wildebeest, followed by their predators. Getting around Internal flights within Tanzania run by private companies are efficient and cheap. Much cheaper, but slower, are the buses that run throughout the country. Trains are very limited and unreliable.
Name Zanzibar, island state within the United Republic of Tanzania Location East Africa off the coast of Tanzania Language Swahili Area 1,683 sq. km (1,046 sq. miles) Principal town Stone Town Population 80,000 Religion 99% Muslim Getting there Gulf Air is the only airline that flies directly into Zanzibar. British Airways, KLM, Alliance Air and Swiss Air all have regular flights into Dar es Salaam on mainland Tanzania, from which there are daily connecting flights. However, most travellers arrive in Zanzibar by sea: services run throughout the day, take between one-and-a-half to two hours, and cost around $30.00. Getting around Local buses cover the entire island, and travellers can also hire taxis and mini buses. Car hire is possible but only with an international driver's permit. Climate Zanzibar is near the equator so stays warm all year round, with temperatures ranging from 20°C (68°F) to 35°C (95°F). The island has two rainy seasons: from July to October and from December to March. What to expect Zanzibar is characterised by miles of beaches and the ancient spice centre of Stone Town. Over the years, Zanzibar has been influenced by the many different cultures that have settled on the island: Egyptians, Indians, Chinese, Dutch and, in particular, Persians and Arabs have all have left their mark. Zanzibar is ideal for diving, snorkelling and swimming with dolphins. The island has an exotic feel and is the perfect place to relax after a safari on the mainland.
Tanzania - Visa and passport information Tanzania Tourist Board www.tanzaniatouristboard.com/ Lonely Planet - Tanzania The Zanzibar Travel Network Zanzibar.org Tanzania, Zanzibar and Pemba by Mary Fitzpatrick (Lonely Planet, 1999) £11.99. Globetrotter Travel Guide to Tanzania by Graham Mercer (New Holland, 1996) £6.99. Traveller's Guide to Tanzania by Lisa Asch and Peter Blackwell (New Holland, 1997) £14.99. |
