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FAQ > Answers |
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HOW TO GET TO TANZANIA Tanzania can be reached by Air, Sea and Land.
International carriers fly to Tanzania; they include Air Tanzania, British Airways, KLM, Gulf Air, Emirates Airlines, Swissair, South African Airways, S.A. Alliance Air, Air France, Air India, Air Zimbabwe, Egypt Air, Ethiopian Airlines, Kenya Airways and other regional airlines.
A number of destinations within and around Tanzania can be reached by scheduled flights as well as by chartered aeroplanes, run by: Air Tanzania, Air Zanzibar, Costal Aviations, Zanair, Sky Tours, Tanzanair, Precisionair and Eagle Air.
Tanzania operates three International Airports, namely: Dar es Salaam International Airport (DIA) approximately 8 km from the city centre, Zanzibar International Airport (ZIA) 5 km from city centre and Kilimanjaro International Airport (KIA), about 30 km from Arusha and 35 km from Moshi town.
Airport Departure Tax US $ 20 is required when flying out of Tanzania; in many cases it will have been added to the price of the air ticket. When leaving Zanzibar for the mainland, a tax of US $ 2 is applicable if leaving by air and US $ 5 if travelling by sea.
Regular hydrofoil services operate between Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar by Sea Express, Mega Speed Lines, Azam Marine, Flying Horse, Zanzibar Shipping Corporation Sea Star services and others.
Two Railway networks operated by Tanzania Railway Corporation (TRC) and Tanzania Zambia Railway Service (TAZARA) with the main terminals in Dar es Salaam.
Bus stands for country buses are located in all towns; in Dar es Salaam the main country bus stand is at Ubungo approximately 3 km from the city centre. Taxis and Car Hire Services are available in most towns.
VISA AND ENTRY REQUIREMENTS Visas are issued by Tanzania Missions, Embassies and Consulates overseas. Visitors from countries where there is a Tanzania Embassy or Consulate MUST obtain their visa prior to going to Tanzania. For more information, please visit appropriate link on this website.
Types of Visa: Travel visa and Transit Visa.
Visa Categories for Travel visa:
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・Leisure & Holidays
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・Meeting/Visiting friends and relatives
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・Missions
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・Meetings, Conferences
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・Other business
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・Studies
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・Health treatment
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・Diplomatic
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・Official
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・Same day visitor
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Visa Issuing Stations: Visas are issued by: Tanzania Embassies and Consulates abroad. For more information, forms and fees, please visit appropriate link on this website.
International centificates of vaccination are not required.
Preventive measures against malaria:
Visitors are strongly advised to take a full course of prescribed anti-malaria tablets commencing two weeks before travel.
CUSTOMS CLEARANCE AND ALLOWABLE DUTY FREE ITEMS Personal effects including binoculars, cameras, and film for personal use may be brought in free of duty.
A custom's bond may be demanded from those bringing in video/filming equipment, radio, tape recorders and musical instruments. The bond is redeemed in full at the time of re-exporting the goods.
Duty free allowances are 200 Cigarets, 50 Cigars, or 250 grams of tobacco plus one pint of spirit provided the traveller is over 16 years. Importation of firearms without special permission is criminal offence.
At the time of departure, Customs will require to see receipts of items purchased locally for export.
The basic unit is the Tanzania shilling, whose exchange rate stands at average of 800 to 850 TShs to 1 $USA (1120 TShs to £1). Money changes accepted in the larger hotels. The exchange rate is flexible and the actual transactions may vary from one bureau de change to another.
There are restructions in taking out the local currency; visitors are therefore advised to exchange foreign currency only to the extent of their requirements.The local currency is freely convertible to foreign currency in banks and bureauxdechange at a commission.
Standard Charter, Barclay Bank, CITIBank, Stanbic, CRDB Bank Ltd., Kenya Commercial Bank, Diamond Trust Bank (T), Euroafrican Bank, Exim Bank (T) Ltd., First Adili Bank, Trust Bank (T) Ltd., Habib African Bank (T) Ltd., Int'l Bank of Malaysia (T) Ltd., NBC (1997) Ltd., NMB Ltd.,
Banking Hours: Monday to Friday 8:30 - 15:00, some banks are open on Saturday from 8:30 - 11:30. It is advisable to check hours with each bank.
Credit cards (Access, MasterCard, Visa, American -Express, and Eurcard) are accepted only at major lodges, hotels, and travel agents. A surcharge may be added for this service. ATM and 24-hour cash machines are available in branches of major banks. Travelers’ cheques in pounds sterling or US dollars are recommended, though it may be difficult to exchange them outside the main cities.
New Year - January 1, Zanzibar Revolutionary Day - January 12, Union Day - April 26, Workers Day - May 1, Industrial Day - July 7, Peasants Day - August 8, Independence Day - December 9, Christmas Day - December 25, Boxing Day - December 26, Religious Festivals: Idd El Fitry, Idd El Haji, Maulid Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday.
TRAVELLERS TIPS Tanzania is a tropical country with off-shore islands and a long coast line on the eastern side. Its topographic features include mountain ranges and some high peaks - Mt. Kilimanjaro rises to 1934 ft / 5895 m and Mt. Meru rises to 4567 m above sea level. The southern highlands (Tukuyu, Udzungwa and Rungwe areas) and the northern highlands (Kilimanjaro, Arusha and Ngorongoro areas) are characterised by cool climates with temperatures ranging from 5 to 26 degrees Centigrade.
Except for these highland areas, it never gets really cold. For safaris avoid brightly coloured clothes as they may alarm animals. In the northern wildlife parks, it is recommended to wear casual light clothing, canvas hats and sturdy shoes, whereas in the parks to the south it is much warmer thus lighter clothes are more comfortable. At night, casual wear with a light cardigan or a pull over is recommended especially in high altitudes.
Tanzanians, in general, are modest people with deep cultural and traditional values. Hence, whatever you wear must be equally modest and respectful.
Neither topless nor nudity is allowed at beaches or at any other public places.
Along the coast temperatures may reach 32 degrees centigrade during the hottest months of January - March but as low as 18 degrees centigrade during June - August. Wear light cotton clothes. Sun cream, sunglasses and broad hats are essential for sunbathers along the beach.
What to Carry: A camera, a camcorder and a binocular are better than the best memory. Carry enough supplies of film and batteries if travelling outside the major cities. For those going camping, remember to carry a torch, sunglasses, a hat, lotion lip-balm and some insect repellent is desirable.
To minimise the chance of insect bites (especially mosquito) avoid dark areas in the evenings, wear long trousers and long sleeved shirts / blouses and sleep under a mosquito net.
Swahili is the national and official language while English is the business language. Arabic is widely spoken along the coast. Speakers of other languages including French, Italian, Spanish, German, Japanese, Russian, Chinese can be found. In major towns and tourist areas a visitor should be able to get along quite well in English.
GMT +3 hours winter time and +2 hours summer time.
The time difference with Japan : Tanzania is 6 hours behind (-6 hrs) Japan's time.
Analogue and mobiles phones are widely used. The country code for Tanzania is +255.
230 volts AC, 50 Hz.
GENERAL
SECURITY MATTERS Tanzania is a peaceful country with a stable political system and harmony among its diverse ethnic and religious diversity. Tanzanians are very welcoming and friendly to visitors. The economy is dynamic and record numbers of foreign visitors are coming every year up from 295,312 in 1995 to 482,331 in 1998 and 627,325 in 1999.
Karibu Tanzania !