ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS: A passport and visa are required for travel
to
Tanzania
.
U.S.
citizens with valid passports may obtain a visa either before arriving in
Tanzania
or at any port of entry staffed by immigration officials. The current fee for a
visa has recently risen to $100 for a 12-month multiple-entry tourist visa to
reciprocate the fee the
United States
charges visa applicants.
Communications: The international country dialing code for
Tanzania
, as well as
Zanzibar
, is +255. The outgoing code is 000, followed by the relevant country code (e.g.
00027 for
South Africa
). City/area codes are in use, e.g. (0)24 for
Zanzibar
and (0)22 for Dar-es-Salaam. International calls made from rural areas may have
to go through the operator. Mobile phones work in the main urban areas and
Zanzibar
; the network operators use GSM 900 and 1800 networks. Travelers should contact
their service provider to ensure they have international roaming. Avoid making
telephone calls from hotels; they can charge as much as $10 per minute. Internet
cafes are available in the main towns and resorts.
Time: GMT +3.
Electricity: 230 volts AC, 50Hz. Rectangular or round three-pin plugs are
used.
Language: Swahili and English are the official languages. Several
indigenous languages are also spoken.
Health: Most visitors will need vaccinations for hepatitis
A and B, typhoid, yellow fever
and polio. Those arriving from an infected country are required to hold a yellow
fever vaccination certificate. There is a risk of malaria all year and outbreaks
of Rift Valley Fever occur; travelers should take precautions to avoid mosquito
bites and take prophylactic Malaria medication. Food prepared by unlicensed vendors should also be avoided, as meat and
milk products from infected animals may not have been cooked thoroughly.
Sleeping sickness is a risk in the game parks, including the Serengeti, and
visitors should avoid bites by tsetse flies. There is a high prevalence of
HIV/Aids. Cholera outbreaks are common throughout the country and visitors are
advised to drink bottled or sterilized water only. Medical services are
available in Dar-es-Salaam and other main towns, but facilities and supplies are
limited; visitors with particular requirements should take their own medicines.
Comprehensive medical insurance is advised. Team members are required to fill
out team medical
forms and submit them prior to leaving on a mission.
Travel Insurance may be obtained through several companies. We have
used this one in the past: http://www.travelguard.com/
Money: The official unit of currency is the
Tanzanian shilling (TZS), divided into 100 cents. The tourism industry prices
everything in US Dollars and they are the preferred unit of currency. Major
currencies can be exchanged in the larger towns. Foreign exchange bureau in the
main towns usually offer a better rate on travelers cheques than do the banks.
ATMs are available in major cities only. Major lodges, some hotels and travel
agents in urban areas accept credit cards, but these should not be relied on and
can incur a 10% surcharge.
