CLIMATE
East Africa is considered to have climatic perfection. Although it can be hot and sticky by the sea, inland the air is dry and even at midday the temperatures are comfortable.
Sunrise occurs between 0600hrs and 0630hrs while sunset takes place 1800 - 1830hrs.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
A valid visa for those not exempted.

IMMIGRATION

Tourist visa for American (USA) citizens has been raised from USD 50 to USD 100, effective September 2007. The visa is now called “Multiple Entry Visa”, regardless of visitor traveling on a single entry arrangement, and will be valid for three months. There has not been any change on visa fees for other nationalities.

BORDER CROSSING
Personal effects including binoculars, camera and film, may be imported temporarily duty free.
A Customs bond may be demanded of visitors bringing in video/filming equipment, radios, tape recorders, and musical instruments to ensure the goods are re-exported.
Firearms require a special permit.
A duty free allowance is effected on one liter of liquor; 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars or 250g of tobacco; and 250ml of perfume. Additional items are subject to Customs duty.

TRANSPORTATION TO TANZANIA
There are many flights from Europe to Dar es Salaam and Kilimanjaro International Airports and to Zanzibar Airport.
Airlines serving Tanzania include:
Air Tanzania, Alliance Air, Air Zimbabwe, Air India, British Airways, Egypt Air, Ethiopian Airlines, Gulf Air, Kenya Airways, KLM, Royal Swazi, Swissair, Lufthansa, Aeroflot, Air India, Pakistan International Airline and Emirates Air.
Coach, Bus and Taxi services are available.
Airport facilities include a duty-free shop, restaurant, bank, post office, car hire and hotel reservations.

Tanzania is accessible by Sea through Dar es Salaam.
Tanzania is also accessible by Rail and Road from other countries. Please make arrangements with us if you intend to enter the country this way.

AIRPORT TAX
A US$ 20 departure tax in cash is payable by all passengers departing on international flights. Departure from Zanzibar into a destination within Tanzania, the tax is TShs.200. An additional 10 per cent of the ticket value will be paid as sales tax on all tickets issued in Zanzibar. Please check with us on the prevailing amounts payable prior to your flight departure.

CURRENCY
The Tanzania shilling (TSHS or TZS), divided into 100 cents, is the national currency. It is illegal to import /export the currency. It is a legal offence to deface local currency.

FOREIGN CURRENCY
Visitors may bring in as much foreign currency as they wish, and no currency declaration form is required. Foreign currency may be changed at authorized banks, Forex bureau De Change and designated hotels.
Credit cards: (Access, MasterCard, Visa, American Express, Euro card, and Dinners) are accepted.
PTA travelers' cheques, Sterling pounds, US dollars or Rand are recommended.
Visitors to Zanzibar are required to pay for their expenses in hard currency. Any amount of foreign currency brought into Zanzibar must be declared at the airport. The currency may be exchanged at the National Bank of Commerce or with an authorized dealer and the receipt obtained should be preserved until the time of departure.

TELECOMMUNICATIONS:
Telephone (including GSM technology), Fax, E-mail, Internet and telex services are generally available to most parts of the world.

GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION:
Tanzania is on the Eastern side of the African continent:
30 degrees - 40 degrees East of Greenwich
2 degrees - 12 degrees South of the Equator

HEALTH
Visitors must be in possession of valid health documentation on arrival. The regulations vary depending on nationality and country of origin and should be checked with the nearest tourist office or diplomatic mission. Inoculation centers in the country of origin will provide updated information and advice on health regulations and recommendations (yellow fever and cholera vaccinations are recommended as is anti-malaria medication). Malaria exists throughout the year in all areas including urban areas. Resistance to Chloroquine is confirmed.

YELLOW FEVER VACCINATION

It is provided at Kilimanjaro International Airport at a cost of 50$ per person.

Procedure.

On arrival the passengers must first go to the health desk then to Immigration desk, no passport will be accepted at immigration desk without a stamp from Health department.

MEDICAL ADVICE:
Visitors need feel no concern for their general health during their stay. However, malaria is endemic in certain areas and anti-malaria medication should be taken according to prescription recommendations. Visitor requiring special medication should pack sufficient supplies. Chemist shops are available, but we recommend you carry your own supplies.

THE FLYING DOCTORS' SOCIETY OF AFRICA:
We would strongly recommend that clients take out a temporary tourist membership of this Society, if not covered already by their international insurance. In case of serious illness or injury, the Flying Doctors' Society will provide emergency treatment and air transportation to the nearest hospital. Please note that enrollment does not include the cost of medical expenses incurred.

SECURITY:
Normal precautions as in any other destination worldwide should be taken. Keep a close watch on handbags, wallets and cameras when walking in crowded places and avoid walking at night, you should take a taxi. Please put all valuables in safety deposit boxes at hotels and lodges and only carry little amounts of cash. Wear as little jewelers as possible, if any, and never leave valuables on show in an unattended car or tour bus.

ADVISABLE VISITING TIMES
Northern Tanzania: July - March
Southern Tanzania: June - March
Zanzibar and Mafia: July - March
Western Tanzania: May - March

TIME
Local time is GMT + 3hrs.

CLOTHING:
Cotton tops, khaki trousers and light comfortable shoes with absorbent socks. Light-weight clothing supplemented by sweaters for the evening is most practical. Rainwear is needed during the rainy season. Safari clothing should be casual and comfortable. Please try to respect Tanzania's traditions on modesty in public places.

PUBLIC HOLIDAYS
If any of the public holidays listed below falls on Saturdays or Sundays then the public holiday would be effected from the following Monday etc..
New Year - January 1st
Zanzibar Revolutionary Day - January 12th
Union Day - April 26th
Workers Day - May 1st
Industrial Day - July 7th
Peasants Day - August 8th
Independence Day - December 9th
Christmas Day - December 25th
Boxing Day - December 26th
Good Friday - As per calendar dates
Easter Monday - As per calendar dates
Islamic Festivals:
Eid El Fitri - 2 Days on sighting the moon
Eid El Haji - 1 Day on sighting the moon
Maulid Day - 1 Day on sighting the moon

PHOTOGRAPHY:
We recommend you bring your own film as film in Tanzania. An ultra violet filter, waterproof dust cover and spare batteries are essential. A pair of good quality binoculars for each person will be a great asset.
Note: Taking photographs at airports, near military installations, of policemen, the President, the national flag, the State House, state lodges, soldiers, prisons and prisoners etc., is prohibited. Before photographing local people, permission should be obtained. Seek the assistance of your driver/guide in this matter.

BANKING
Banks and Forex bureau De Change are available at the Airport and in all main towns.
Banking hours:
Monday - Friday: 08h30 - 12h30
Saturdays: 08h30 - 13h30 A few branches in the major towns open until 16h00.

HOTEL CHECK-IN/CHECK-OUT:
The standard check-out time is 10.00hrs hence rooms may not be ready for occupation until 12.00hrs. Should an early arrival be anticipated, please reserve rooms from the preceding night. Day rooms up to 18.00hrs are usually available.

DRIVING:
Driving is on the left in Tanzania. A national driving license or International Driving Permit is required.

LAUNDRY:
Most hotels, game lodges and safari camps offer a 24-hour laundry service.

ELECTRICITY
Electrical supply is generally 230 volts AC, 50 Hz. All installations are British standard and all appliances should be fitted with pin plugs of British specification.

LUGGAGE:
We recommend you get personal luggage insurance before leaving home.

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