Destination Guide - Tanzania

Tanzania boasts so many accolades. From Africa's highest peak, Mount Kilimanjaro, to the tribal Masai warriors dressed in their colourful garb, the vast array of big game wildlife migrating along the Serengeti plains and the white sand beaches and turquoise seas of Zanzibar Island. The country is only half the size of Alaska, but has such a rich tapestry of unique places, people and experiences to be had. A trip to Tanzania will dazzle your senses and challenge your spirit of adventure. With so much to offer, Tanzania is a country that will send you home wanting more.

Rising 19,340 ft (5895 m) above the African plain, Kilimanjaro truly stands alone among the mountains of the world. The huge, solitary volcano is unaccompanied by any mountain chain. Though its size is immense, it also has one of the world's most accessible peaks. There are five distinct ecological zones along the way.

The lower slopes of the mountain are defined by coffee and banana fields that rise up and end where the mountain's forest begins. An average of 80 inches of rainfall a year make the forest home to some botanical treats. Tree ferns in this region are known to grow up to 20 feet and giant lobelias often reach 30 feet. At an altitude of about 9,000 feet, the forest gives way to grasslands and shrubbery and elephant can sometimes be spotted roaming the high slopes. At about 13,000 feet life begins to recede, a result of extreme weather conditions inhospitable to anything more than small mosses and lichens. Once the summit area is reached, three glaciers and three volcanic peaks sit in lofty, placid contemplation of the tremendous plains over 3.5 miles below.

It’s highly advisable to take the mountain slowly. The thin air is a known killer of impatient weekend climbers, who misjudge their abilities and ascend too quickly. There are six routes up the mountain with varying degrees of difficulty. Huts are available at different points along the way and the final ascent begins near midnight (so melting snow isn't a problem) and culminates with a spectacular sunrise at the peak.

Official Name: United Republic of Tanzania
Population: 35.92 million
Capital City: Dodoma (official); Dar es Salaam (administrative)
People: 99% Native African (over 100 tribes), 1% Asian, European and Arabic
Languages: Official languages are English and Swahili. Several indigenous languages are spoken throughout along with multiple Indian languages
Religion: 40% Christian, 40% Muslim, 20% Indigenous Beliefs
Currency: Tanzanian Shilling
Time: GMT/UTC + 3 hours
Electricity: 230V 50Hz (http://www.kropla.com)
Major Industries: Agriculture and tourism

IMPORTANT FACTS

Travel Documents

Visas are required by almost all nationalities and should be obtained well in advance of departure. Tourist visas are usually issued with a 3-month validity, although this is often restricted on entry to Tanzania, one month being the usual period. Passports should be valid for a minimum of six months from the date the visa is obtained, whether it is acquired beforehand or at the port of entry. It is obligatory by law to carry your passport with you at all times, although because of the obvious risk of losing your passport, it’s better to carry a photocopy instead of the original document.

Climate

Tanzania lies so close to the equator that there isn’t a large seasonal variation in temperatures. The elevation in the north is such that it doesn't ever get too hot. In the mountainous areas of Moshi, Arusha and Kilimanjaro the temperature occasionally drops below 15ºC (60'F) at night during the months of June and July, but the weather is best between June and September. October-March is also a good time to go, but avoid April and May, when the weather is at its rainiest. As you approach the top of Kilimanjaro, temperatures can be well below freezing year round, especially at night. Many of the northern game reserves are about 10 degrees F, 5 degrees C’ cooler year round than elsewhere. Take along a heavy sweater and a waterproof/windproof shell.

Food

Almost all of the 126 tribes have preferred cuisine and drink types. Along the coast, rice and green vegetables (mchicha) or fish or meat are the popular staple foods. In the interior of Tanzania, people eat cooked or steamed green bananas (matoke) or maize and millet meal eaten with relish such as beans, fish or meat relish. Relish for maize meal or rice is normally cooked with coconut stew obtained by grating the coconut and squeezing the fatty juice. Maize cooked with beans or meat (makande) is also the staple food of several tribes especially the Pare tribe of Kilimanjaro Region. Drinks are made of different types of grain, or banana, sugar cane, honey, bamboo juice or palm juice. After the drink is processed, it is left over night or several nights to ferment into a light or potent alcoholic drink. Unpasteurized milk should be avoided.

Water

Drink only treated or bottled water. This also includes brushing your teeth, do not use tap water. Bottled water, soft drinks, fresh juices and beer are readily available throughout Tanzania and are the safest things to drink.

Vaccinations

There are many recommended inoculations for Africa including tetanus, yellow fever, hepatitis and malaria tablets. An international certificate of vaccine against yellow fever is required. Plan ahead for your inoculations, as some of them require 30 days to take affect. We advise you to contact your nearest travel clinic for information on health requirements, as this information can and does change frequently. A good website for current information is The Centre for Disease Control at www.cdc.gov/travel/.

Tranzania Trips

CHOOSE YOUR ADVENTURE
1	Kilimanjaro & The Serengeti Roof of Africa Trekking, Safari Jeep, Mountain Biking & Hot Air Ballooning (15 Days)