TANZANIA

Tanzania will tantalize your senses with its smells, sights, sounds, tastes and textures. Exotic aromas, whether of sweet cinnamon, pungent peppercorns or smoky campfires will stay with you long after your visit. The sights are breathtaking, changing from the snow capped peak of Kilimanjaro to the coral reefs of Mafia to the vast crater of the Ngorongoro.

The sounds thrill the mind, beginning from the early morning call of the muezzin in Zanzibar to the thunder of hooves as the wildebeest stampede their way across the plains of the Serengeti and the clamor of voices rises in the marketplace to the rhythmic drumbeats of the Swahili musicians. The smooth gloss of carved ebony and the texture of native fabrics lure visitors by their very touch as food being prepared on open fires sets the taste buds tingling.

Tanzania is the ultimate in African destinations – it has Africa’s tallest mountain, its biggest game reserve, its most famous national park and the oldest fossils ever found on the Dark Continent. Visitors to Tanzania are spoilt for choice, as the travel options are endless, coral islands, grasslands and rainforests, mountains and volcanoes, animal safaris and deep-sea fishing, scuba diving and snorkeling, trekking or big game hunting. Tanzania is the perfect place for an African “Safari” – the Kiswahili word for a journey.

Capital:  Dodoma

Best time to visit:

  1. Most visitors descend on Tanzania in the peak season between January and February when the weather is drier, and so more comfortable.
  2. The best time to go depends on the part of the country travelers are heading for but generally speaking any time between July and October or between December and March is good for a trip here.
  3. Tanzania has two main rainy seasons – the heavier spell begins around the end of March and lasts till June and the short rains begin in November and last until January.
  4. These months are strictly no -gos for travelers as the roads are nearly impassable and Tanzania does not live up to expectations.

Minimum days required: 7 days

Places of Interest:

  1. The Serengeti, Northern Tanzania
  2. Mount Kilimanjaro, Northern Tanzania
  3. Zanzibar, East Coast
  4. Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Northern Tanzania
  5. The Selous, Southern Tanzania
  6. Tarangire National Park, Northern Tanzania
  7. Mafia Island, East Coast (Indian Ocean)
  8. Ruaha National Park, Southern Tanzania

Climate:

  1. Tanzania has a tropical climate with soaring temperatures and high humidity factor in the coastal areas and the islands of Zanzibar.
  2. The climate eases up a bit as the terrain changes and the altitude increases but continues to be hot though less sultry.
  3. The central plateau is dry and arid while the highlands in the northwest are cool and enjoy a more temperate climate.
  4. The average maximum temperatures in the coast are around 32ºC with minimums of 25ºC and humidity factor of 70% through the year. The higher reaches have average peak temperatures of 30ºC and minimum of 15ºC with humidity between 42 –71%.
  5. July to October is the hot and dry season with little or no rain. A short rainy season lasting from November to December follows before the weather becomes both hot again in January, February and March.
  6. The second spell of seasonal rain begins in March and lasts till June. The higher altitude areas of Tanzania receive rain from November to December, with a dry January in the middle and a second bout of rains from February to May.

Currency:  Tanzanian Shilling

Things to carry:

  1. Take along plenty of mosquito and insect repellents, even though most accommodation is mosquito proofed; a first aid kit put together with advice from your GP, containing amongst other medication, anti-histamines and anti-diarrhea medicines.
  2. Suntan creams with a high SPF of 30 + is an absolute necessity. Travelers planning to do some fishing or mountaineering should carry along their own gear.
  3. Clothing requirements are met by lightweight cotton clothes or wash and wear fabrics but the higher altitudes in places like Arusha where temperatures can fall to below 10ºC demand warmer garments.
  4. Cameras, binoculars, backpacks, good sturdy shoes and solar/sun hats are good items to pack in for the safaris.

How to get there:

Air:

  1. Tanzania has three international airports at Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar and Kilimanjaro. The national airline Air Tanzania (TC) connects the country to destinations in Asia, Africa and Europe.
  2. The Dar es Salaam International (DAR) is 15km from the city centre and shuttle bus services and taxis are available for the 20/25 minute ride to the city.
  3. Other facilities available at the Dar es Salaam airport include duty-free shop, car rental agencies, post office, 24-hour banking and currency exchange facilities, bar and restaurant.
  4.  Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) and Zanzibar Airport (ZNZ) are a short distance from the main town and shuttle bus services and taxis are available between Kilimanjaro and Arusha. Airport facilities include shops, post office, bar and restaurant.