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HEALTH
HEALTH
Yellow
fever vaccination is no longer compulsory. Malaria is
endemic but is
preventable:
use insect repellent, cover up at sundown, sleep under a
mosquito
net
and take anti-malaria prophylactics as advised by your
doctor. Bring
prescription
medicines, spare glasses, contact lenses and solution as
well as
sunscreen,
a fi rst aid kit, cream for bites/stings and diarrhoea
remedy. Drink only
boiled
or bottled water, bottled or canned drinks, avoid ice
cubes and salads.
HIV/Aids
is widespread, especially in the main tourist areas.
(See Mt. Kilimanjaro
section
for altitude sickness advice.)
CLIMATE
Generally
dry and hot with cool nights/mornings June-October;
short rains
November
to mid-December; long rains March-May but the seasons
can vary.
The
coastal strip is hot and humid all year round.
Temperatures on Mount
Kilimanjaro
and Meru drop to below freezing.
CLOTHES
Pack
lightweight, washable clothes plus a sweater for early
morning game drives,
as
well as a sun hat, sunglasses and sunscreen. Long
sleeves and trousers in
light-coloured
fabrics help discourage insect bites. You can buy
clothes in Dar es Salaam and Arusha Shorts for women are
acceptable (but not too short!). Women should carry
a
wrap to cover legs in the villages and towns as
revealing clothes can cause
offence,
especially in Zanzibar and Moslem areas. On the beach
and within the
confi
nes of beach hotels normal swimwear is acceptable (but
not nudity).
For
climbing on Kilimanjaro or Meru, take thermal underwear,
light layers, sweater,
rain
jacket, good socks and sturdy boots.
ON
SAFARI
Distances
in Tanzania are vast, and travel by road can be wearing.
Plan to spend
more
time in fewer parks. You’ll see more and won’t
return home exhausted.
Keep
your distance from animals and be quiet to avoid
distressing the
wildlife.
Follow instructions of rangers or guides. Don’t leave
your vehicle in
the
parks except in designated places. Keep to recognised
tracks to avoid
damaging
vegetation.
PHOTOGRAPHY
Bring
fi lm (especially slide fi lm) and batteries for your
camera with you. Protect
your
cameras from dust and keep equipment and fi lm cool. It
is courteous to
ask
permission before photographing local people. If you
intend to take a lot
of
people pictures, be sure to bring an instant camera with
you so that you can
leave
a picture with the people you photograph.
INSURANCE
Take
out travel insurance to cover loss of baggage or
valuables, personal accident
and
medical expenses.
TIPPING
Not
obligatory, but a tip for exceptional service (max 10%)
will be appreciated.
$10
- $15 per day for driver or tour guide. An excessive tip
can make it diffi cult
for
the next customer.
TIME
3
hrs + GMT.
ELECTRICITY
230V,
but power failures, surges and troughs are common. Bring
a universal
adaptor
and a torch (fl ashlight) or headlamp.
CAR
HIRE
Self-drive
vehicles are available mainly for local running or
tarmac use. 4x4
vehicles
for safaris usually have to be hired with a driver.
DRIVING
On
the left. An international licence is required. Plan
long safaris carefully,
ensuring
your vehicle is road worthy with two spare tyres, an
operational jack and
tool
kit. Carry extra fuel, spares and water.
TRAVEL
WITH CHILDREN
Tanzanians
love children and are especially helpful to mothers.
However, canned
baby
foods, powdered milk and disposable nappies may not be
available
outside
major towns.
VISAS
Check
current requirements with the nearest Tanzanian High
Commission, embassy
or
consulate, or your travel agent. Visas, if required, can
be bought on arrival at all
international
airports and overland borders.
SECURITY
Tanzania
is a generally safe country, but don’t invite
temptation. Keep an eye on
your
belongings. Don’t walk in the towns or cities at night
- take a taxi. Don’t
carry
cameras or large amounts of cash; beware of pickpockets.
Use hotel safety
deposit
boxes to safeguard valuables and obtain a receipt. Leave
valuable
jewellery
at home.
GIFTS
Don’t
indiscriminately hand out pens, money and sweets like a
wealthy Western
Santa
Claus - it just encourages begging. As anywhere, gifts
should be given as a
true
expression of friendship, appreciation or thanks.
SHOPPING
The
tourist areas and hotels sell a wide range of souvenirs,
jewellery and trinkets.
Don’t
be afraid to haggle at roadside curio stalls. |
