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TANZANIA DESTINATION GUIDE
time zone
GMT + 3 hours.
language
Tanzania's official language is Swahili.
money matters
Tanzania's currency is the shilling. Notes are issued in
denominations of 500, 1000, 2000, 5000 and 10000 shillings. Coins
are issued in denominations of 10, 20, 50, 100 and 200 shillings,
although the first two are seldom used. The local currency you may
need during your stay in Tanzania should be obtained at authorised
facilities such as banks and foreign exchange bureaus. US Dollars
and British Pounds can also be exchanged at the airport on arrival.
It is very difficult to exchange the shilling outside of Tanzania
so we recommend that you change only as much as you will need.
Major credit cards are accepted at most outlets in Tanzania. At our
Sanctuary camps in Tanzania, we accept Visa, MasterCard or Amex, as
well as cash and travellers cheques.
tipping
Tipping is not compulsory and the following suggestions are only
guidelines:
US $1 per bag for a porter, US $5-7 per traveller per day for a
driver-guide - this is normally paid on the last day and is based
on 4-6 travellers in the vehicle. If there are only 2 or 3
travellers you may consider increasing this amount to US $6-8 per
traveller per day. US $10-14 per traveller per day for Private
Luxury Camping - this should be given to your guide on the last day
for distribution among all camp staff. Again, smaller groups (in
this case 5 or less) might consider tipping in the slightly higher
range of US $12-14 per traveller per day
Passport & Visa information
Travellers should check for visa requirements pertaining to their
citizenship, as entry requirements vary between countries. All
travellers, however, must be in possession of a passport with at
least six months of validity left beyond the intended departure
date from Tanzania.
weather
Tanzania has a tropical climate which is mainly characterised by
warm days and cool evenings. December to March are usually the
warmest months of the year, while June to August are the
coolest. April and May often see intermittent rains, and from
September to November the days are warm with short scattered rains
falling in November.
health
For up to date information on the latest health and vaccination
recommendations, please consult with a qualified health
professional at least 6 weeks before your intended departure.
Anti-malarial medication is strongly recommended for all visitors
to Tanzania. No vaccinations are currently required for entry into
Tanzania if arriving directly from North America or Europe. If you
are arriving (or planning to re-enter) from a country where yellow
fever is endemic, then you are required to have a yellow fever
vaccination. This vaccination is also recommended if you are
travelling outside of urban areas. Do not drink or brush your teeth
with tap water. Mineral water is available at our camps.
electricity
In Tanzania, electricity runs at 220/240 volts. You may want to
bring an international converter kit complete with a set of adapter
plugs as lodges are unable to provide adapters. We do,
however, suggest that you consider battery-operated appliances
wherever possible - and bring a supply of extra batteries. However,
be aware that Kusini and Swala camps usually switch to inverter
power at 10pm and therefore charging should be done before this
time when the generator is running.
photography
Many travellers, viewing this as their "trip of a lifetime" for
animal photography, bring more than one camera in case of a
malfunction. Sun filters will help block glare and heat haze. A
dustproof camera bag and an air brush will help protect your
equipment from heavy dust. If you plan to travel with digital
photographic and/or video equipment, make certain to pack the
specific charging apparatus for each piece of equipment (as well as
the appropriate socket plug adaptor and voltage converter if
required). When photographing people, especially members of the
Maasai tribe, always ask permission first. Because so many
local people are asked for permission to be photographed, many will
expect a tip or an outright fee for this. There are some places
where photography is prohibited, and these areas are usually
clearly marked.
clothing
Dress on safari is entirely casual. Because it can be dusty,
neutral colours are most practical for game viewing. Remember
to include one or two smart casual outfits for dining. Temperatures
tend to be cooler in the early morning and after sunset - but warm
up considerably by midday. To be prepared for such
temperature variations and to maximise the versatility of your
travel wardrobe, we recommend packing lightweight clothing that can
be layered. Casual clothing of "breathable" fabric (such as cotton)
is the most comfortable. In the cooler months (June to August) you
should pack a heavier jacket, sweater, and pair of trousers made of
warm, lightweight material (such as wool).
Good sunglasses and sun block lotion are essential for protection
from the strong sun. You may also want to bring a sun hat.
Binoculars will maximise the enjoyment of game viewing and bird
watching. A compact and lightweight pair is suggested.