Tanzania
Tanzania, a land of the Serengeti and Mount Kilimanjaro (Africa’s highest peak), is one of the largest countries in Africa. A trip to Tanzania is like a walk into the belly of life, as you join one of the world’s largest wildest animal populations. The country has been blessed with beautiful sand beaches, spectacular land scape, various National parks and Zanzibar isle, the land of spices. Tanzania lies on the east cost of Africa, between 1 and 11 degrees south of Equator.
Tanzania is the only country in the whole world that has allocated about 25%of its total area to wildlife National parks and game reserves.
ZANZIBAR
Zanzibar is truly an enchanted island, only few beaches in the world can equal Zanzibar’s long fine white sand beaches which lead into warm aquamarine waters and provide the backdrop for superb diving. There is no other place quite like Zanzibar in many ways; Stone Town carved wooden doors, Jozani tropical rainforest, spice plantation, dolphin cruises and the final touch of powder white and fine beaches of the north and east costs will surely give you a new story to tell.
Time
Local time is GMT +3
Travel information
Getting to Tanzania
There are various ways of getting to Tanzania depending on ones location; likewise there are several flights to Tanzania. Julius Nyerere International Airport, located in Dar es Salaam is Tanzania’s main Airport. The airport is only 10 kms from Dar es Salam city center. Kilimanjaro International Airport located in Kilimanjaro ranks second in size and is preferred by visitors going to the North circuit.
Visitors from neighbouring countries or other International visitors coming to Tanzania through other countries have the option of either taking a bus or a plane. A bus will take a long time but for those in the mood of exploring and seeing the country from the road point of view it will surely be a nice option
There are various flights serving Tanzania from different places namely Europe, Middle East and Asia just to mention some.
Europe
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines (Amsterdam) – Daily flights with a stopover in Kilimanjaro
British Airways (London-Heathrow) – 3times a week (Tuesday, Friday and Sunday) with a stopover in Nairobi
Swiss International Airlines (Zurich) – Daily flights
Middle East and Asia
Emirates- Daily flights
Qatar Airways- Daily
Egypt Air
Africa
South African Airways
Ethiopian Airways
Kenya Airways
Air Malawi
Mozambique Airlines
Zambezi Airlines
Air Uganda
Domestically
The domestic airlines provide daily service to and from Dar es Salaam to all major cities including Arusha, Mwanza, Mbeya and Zanzibar.
Air Tanzania- Operates locally and internationally to Johannesburg daily
Precision Air
Coastal Aviation
ZanAir
Currency
The Tanzania shilling (TSH or TZS) is the national currency. There are five notes and 6 coins.
Notes- 10,000(Red) 5,000(violet) 2,000(Brown) 1,000(Blue) and 500(Green)
Coins- 200,100,50,20,10 and 5
Upon visiting Tanzania one may bring as much foreign currency as they please, no currency declaration form is required. Once in Tanzania foreign currency may be changed at authorised banks and various forex bureaus.
Forex bureaus are usually quicker and offer higher rates although smaller towns don’t have them.
There are various facilities that provide currency exchange service at the airport. MasterCard, Visa and American Express are accepted in top tourist’s hotels and can as well be used in some of the ATMs.
Visitors who wish to visit Zanzibar should be informed that any foreign currency is to be declared at the Zanzibar Airport.
Tanzania Public Holidays
Unless otherwise advised, public holidays in Tanzania remain the same every year.
New Year – January 1st
Zanzibar revolution –January 12th
Union day- April 26th
Workers day- May 1st
Industrial day – July 7th
Independence Day – December 9th
Christmas Day- December 25th
Boxing Day- December 26th
Good Friday- As per calendar dates
Easter Monday-As per calendar dates
Iddi El Fitry- 2Days on sighting the moon
Iddi El Haji – 1 Day on sighting the moon
Maulid Day- 1Day on sighting the moon
Explore Tanzania with US
XCAR Rent a Car- Tanzania’s most reliable car rental