Top Ten Tanzania



If you were to draft a list of the top ten natural wonders of the whole of Africa, then Tanzania would have three of the top five ... Serengeti, Kilimanjaro and Ngorongoro.

Add to this the fact that Tanzania receives only one fifth of the number of visitors as Kenya each year and you can see why this country is considered to be one of the hottest places to visit ...



Number 1 : The Great Migration : Serengeti

Certainly one of nature's greatest spectacles, the great wildebeest migration around the Serengeti can be an awesome sight.

But visitors should beware ... the migration is not a constant phenomenon and timing a visit to co-incide with the surges of activity that climax with the crossing of the Grumeti River is not so easy (usually early June and mid-November).

A more reliable and equally impressive time to visit is during the calving season in February. It's certainly a favourite time of year for the lion of South Serengeti.



Number 2 : Mount Kilimanjaro

Northern Tanzania is a region of spectacular volcanic activity.

Geological instability in the region derives from a split in the rift valley escarpment at Ngorongoro, around which a range of volcanoes has arisen, amongst which are the three great extinct giants of Kibo, Mawenzi and Shira, the three volcanoes that comprise the Kilimanjaro massif.

Kilimanjaro is the highest walkable mountain in the world and a life-punctuating expedition for those who attempt to reach its snow-clad summi



Number 3 : Ngorongoro Crater

It is said that before its collapse the peak of the great volcano of Ngorongoro stood even higher than that of Kilimanjaro. But around 3 million years ago there was a massive shrink-back of molten material within the volcano and its great peak collapsed, leaving what we see now - the largest unflooded caldera in the world.

The crater is a natural paradise and a vast array of animals and birds inhabit this Eden, whose pastures are fed by permanent water sources on the floor of the caldera.



Number 4 : Olduvai Gorge : Southern Serengeti

Not so well known perhaps as its illustrious neighbours in this list, Olduvai Gorge is sometimes called the place where man was born and as such is one of the most important geological sites in the world.

Located in South Serengeti, the Olduvai area has been subject over the millennia to a cycle of prolonged wet and dry periods and the resultant strata of lake sediments are slowly yielding to their excavators the story of human evolution.



Number 5 : Lake Tanganyika & the Mahale Mountains

There is a commonly quoted fact about Lake Tanganyika that seems absurd it is so unimaginable ... that it is so deep that it contains over a third of all the fresh water in the world. Burton and Speke's repeated circumnavigations were in search of an outlet that did not exist, for since the time of its creation as part of the Great Rift Valley fault, the lake has simply been filling up.

Lake Tanganyika is a crystal clear lake, filled with a myriad of beautiful and unique marine species. The inaccessible Mahale Mountains, whose steep forests echo with the sound of chimpanzees, rise sheer from the white sand beaches.



Number 6 : Chole Bay : Mafia Island

The island of Mafia is another of Tanzania's well-kept secrets. It is a back-water on the old Swahili Coast.

Chole Bay is a large marine inlet to the Southern side of Mafia Island, which is the largest marine park in East Africa. The reason for this designation is because of the huge variety and quality of coral and small fish species that are to be found here. Not only that, but the enclosed nature of the bay means that the coral here was protected from the bleaching effects of El Nino and remains in perfect condition.



Number 7 : Oldonyo Lengai : Natron area

Amongst the volcanoes of Ngorongoro, Oldonyo Lengai is the only one which remains active. This picture-book volcano, which straddles the Rift Escarpment in an other-worldly area of soda lakes and lava floes, Lengai is the Maasai Mountain of God. Sulphurous fumes escape from the fumeroles in its awesome crater and every fifteen years or so, the great mountain belches forth huge plumes of ash.

It is possible to hike the summit in a single (very tough) day, returning down via the Ngare Sero waterfalls for a much-needed shower.



Number 8 : Rufiji River : Selous National Park

The Selous National Park is the largest game park in Africa and a vast uncharted area of swamp and riverine forest, home to over half of Tanzania's elephant.

But even the Selous looks small when you consider the whole of the basin drained by the great Rufiji River, whose most famous feature is an enormous and largely unexplored delta ... an unhospitable, mosquito ridden mangrove swamp whose muddy channels are home to some wonderful marine life, including, so it is said, even the elusive dugong ...



Number 9 : Lake Manyara

In any other country the beautiful Lake Manyara in its picturesque setting below the Rift Escarpment would be a highlight. In the superb landscape of Northern Tanzania it is reduced to something of a sideshow, but a very worthy one.

The Groundwater Forest here is verdant all year round - a fact that is most accentuated as the landscape all around turns yellow with the onset of the dry season. At this time animals come into Manyara to seek refuge and this tiny park can heave with game. Notable highlights include flocks of flamingoes on the lake and the famous tree-climbing lions.



Number 10 : Katavi

Katavi is last but not least of this list ... although it is almost certainly the least visited of all these places. This vast wilderness consists of over one million hectares of parkland, which has probably, on average, fewer than ten visitors ... a fact which derives from the sheer remoteness of this park.

But whilst visitors are in short supply, not so the game. The greatest highlight is probably the great herds of buffalo that gather on the plains of Katavi, so numerous that from the air they look more like great trails of soldier ants.



Visas

Zanzibar is a part of the United Republic of Tanzania

Although it is possible to get visas in advance, many people these days get them on arrival at the main entry locations on presentation of a passport valid for at least 6 months and payment of around $60 cash US dollars. If you are entering the country on more than one occasion on this trip then you may be able to get a multiple entry visa.

If you do want to get a visa in advance, some embassies offer the application form on the internet, but the application process still has to take place in the real world.

Tanzanian Embassies & Consulates around the world

Belgium : T 02 640 6500 F 02 646 8026 : 363 Ave Louise, 1050

Canada : T 0613 232 1500 F 0613 232 5184 : 50 Range Road, Ottawa, Ontario KIN 8J4

France : T 01 53 70 63 70 F 01 53 70 63 66 : 13 Ave Raymond Poincare 75116 Paris

Germany : T 0228 358051 F 0228 358226 : Teaterplatz 26, 53177 Bonn

Italy : T 06 321 0923 : Rome

Japan : T 03 425 4531 F 03 425 7844 : 21-9, Kamiyoga4, Chome, Setagaya-Ku, Tokyo 158

Kenya : T 02 331056 F 02 218269 : Continental House, Corner of UhuruHighway and Harambee Ave, Nairobi

Mozambique : T 258 1 490110 : Ujamaa House, PO Box 4515, Maputo

South Africa : T 012 342 4371 F 012 430 4383 : PO Box 56572 Arcadia 0007, Pretoria

Switzerland : T 022 731 8920 F 022 732 8255 : 47 Ave Blanc, CH-1201, Geneva

Uganda : T 256 41 256 292 F 256 41 242890 : 6 Kagera Road, PO Box 5750, Kampala

United Kingdom : T 0207 569 1470 F 0207 491 3710 ; 3 Stratford Place, London W1C 1AS : web : www.tanzania-online.gov.uk/visa/visa.html

USA : T 1 202 939 6125 F 1 202 797 7408 : 2139 R Street, NW, Washington DC 20008 : web : www.tanzaniaembassy-us.org

USA : T 1 212 972 9160 : 201 E42nd Street, New York : open from 09.30 until 13.00hrs daily

Zambia : T 260 1 253320 : Ujamaa House, 5200 United Nations Avenue, Lusaka

Zimbabwe : T 26 3 472 1870 : Harare



Getting visas for other countries when in Tanzania

The following visas can be obtained in Tanzania ...

Burundi, Congo (Zaire), Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe



 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Embassies and Consulates in Tanzania

Belgium : T 112688 : 5 Ocean Road, Upanga, Dar es Salaam

Burundi : T117615 : Lugalo Road, Upanga, Dar es Salaam. Or in Kigoma 0695 2865

Canada : T 112831 : 38 Mirambo Street, Dar es Salaam

France : T 666021 : Bagamoyo Road, Dar es Salaam

Germany : T 117409 : 10th floor, NIC Life House, Samora Avenue, Dar es Salaam

India : T 117175 : 11th floor, NIC Life House, Samora Avenue, Dar es Salaam

Ireland : T 666211, 666348 : Msasani Streeet, off Haile Selassie Road, Dar es Salaam

Italy : T 115935 : 316 Lugalo Road, Upanga, Dar es Salaam

Kenya : T 112811 : 14th floor, NIC Life House, Samora Avenue, Dar es Salaam

Malawi : T 113240 : 6th floor, Wing A, NIC Life House, Samora Avenue, Dar es Salaam

Mozambique : T 25 Garden Avenue, Dar es Salaam

Netherlands : T 118593 : 2nd Floor, ATC House, Ohio Street, Garden Avenue, Dar es Salaam

Rwanda : T 130119 : 32 Ali Hassan Mwinyi Road, Upanga, Dar es Salaam

Uganda : T 117646 : 7th Floor, Extelecomms House, Samora Avenue, Dar es Salaam

UK : T 112953 : Samora Avenue at the Askari Monument, Dar es Salaam

USA : T 666010

Zambia : T 118481 : 5 to 9 Sokione Drive at Ohio Street, Dar es Salaam

Zimbabwe : T 116789 : 6th Floor, Wing C, NIC Life House Branch, Sokome Drive, Dar es Salaam



------------------------------------------------------------------------ Documents & Customs

Driving Licence

International driving licences are required. Failing this you can use your national licence to get a temporary Tanzanian licence from the traffic police, but this is much more hassle.

Health Card

Visitors from countries infected with Cholera and Yellow Fever must produce international certificates of vaccination.

Travel Insurance

Absolutely essential to have comprehensive cover including ambulance and helicopter recovery and flights back home.

Customs do not presently ask to see your insurance policy, but this may change in the future.

Customs

It is illegal to export shells, coral, ivory and turtle shell. Don't do it.

There is no limit to the amount of foreign currency you can take into the country, although sums over $10,000 must be declared. The amount of local currency you can take out of the country is restricted to 2000Tsh.

Visitors arriving at Zanzibar pass through local customs, even if arriving from mainland Tanzania.

Baggage

Always try and pack your gear into a single rucksack. You will end up having to carry, it will be thrown around between boats and aeroplanes etc. If possible keep it small enough to take as hand luggage (usually around 10kg). We've travelled with this much and still felt way over-packed by the end of it.



------------------------------------------------------------------------ Money

Currency

The unit of currency is the Tanzanian shilling (Tsh). Note (bill) denominations are 10000, 5000, 1000, 500, 200, 100 and coins of 100, 50, 20, 10, 5 & 1.



Exchange rate guide :
Country
Unit

1Shilling =

Euro1250

UK1950

USA1100



 Changing money

It is best to carry your hard currency in US Dollars.

You can change hard currency, travellers cheques in plenty of places. You can not change travellers cheques for US$.

Almost all hotels, car hire, diving, safari operators, airlines etc. will require you to pay in US$. Sometimes airport tax is only accepted in US$, which means you must have some on you if you want to get on your flight.

Keep hold of your changing receipts so that you can change your shillings back to hard currency when you leave.

There is no black market of any note. Ignore offers on the street - it's probably a set-up.

Travellers cheques are usually changed at around 5% to 10% lower than cash. Credit cards are accepted in many hotels etc. but a charge of up to 20% may be levied.

In Zanzibar you can get US$ cash against Mastercard and Visa cards, next to the Serena Inn. The exchange rate isn't great though and there is a Tsh4000 charge. Exchange here is limited to $600 per day. There is now at ATM in Stone Town but you can only withdraw local currency.



------------------------------------------------------------------------ Communications etc.

Post

International post takes two to three weeks. Poste Restante is quite reliable and post offices will hold on to mail indefinitely. Make sure your surname is clear and underlined so that staff can file it correctly.

In Zanzibar the main post office in Kenyatta Road in the Shangani district of Stone Town is the most convenient.

Telephone

The telephone system in Tanzania is a little quirky, with plenty of interference, mis-dials and disconnections. There are call boxes in Post Offices and some card phone booths in major towns (only Stone Town in Zanzibar). We recommend a 2000 units card for international calls, which work out about $5 per minute. Hotels will often charge twice this rate.

In Zanzibar, use the phone booths at the Post Office in Kenyatta Road.

Mobiles are quite common in Tanzania. There is GSM reception in major towns including Dar es Salaam and Stone Town.

Internet

There is internet availability in many places in Arusha, Dar es Salaam and Stone Town. Expect to pay around TSH1000 per 15 minutes.

Fax

Faxes can also be sent and recieved in many locations. Expect to pay around Tsh3000 for an international fax.

Electricity

Mains supply is 230Vac, with frequent failures and surges. Plugs are British 3 square pin or two round pin types. International plug adaptors are usually fine.



------------------------------------------------------------------------ Medical & Health

Medical precautions are necessary for East Africa and all travellers should consult their doctor well in advance to get the appropriate vaccinations.

In addition to your doctor, there are various organisations who offer advice on such matters :

MASTA : www.masta.org

CDC : www.cdc.gov

British Airways : www.britishairways.com/travel/healthclinintro/public/en_gb



------------------------------------------------------------------------ Time

GMT + 3 hours

Opening hours

Government offices : 7.30am to 3.30pm Monday to Friday

Businesses : 8.00am to 5.00pm Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 1.00pm Saturday

Shops often close for lunch and sometimes on Friday afternoons for mosque services

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