Footloose – Tanzania Travel Notes
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Tanzania TravelThese notes cover some of the practical aspects of a visit to Tanzania. Some sections may not apply to you, depending on your itinerary. You should study this carefully and take the advice given. The benefits could range from giving you a more enjoyable trip, to not dying! Visas – Tickets – Health requirements and health information – Mountain sickness – Fitness – Tourist facilities – Currency – Climate – Security – Departure taxes – Weight limits – Photography
VisasVisas are at present required for citizens of Commonwealth Countries. This may change in the future and so it is worth delaying application until about a month before departure. They are expensive – £38 – and so another reason to delay application is in case you are not able to travel. It is possible to get a visa on entry. This is cheaper but a very bureaucratic process and causes great delays. Passports should have at least 6 months validity after your return.
TicketsYour full ticket will be sent to you a few weeks before departure. Please check all details. The return journey will need to be reconfirmed a few days before your return, but this can usually be done through our agent.
Health requirements and health informationAt present Yellow Fever immunisation is needed for entry to Zanzibar. This is often not checked but since the protection lasts 10 years it seems worth it. The following immunisations are advisable but not essential: Malaria tablets are a strict requirement and must be started at least two weeks before leaving the country to give full protection. This should also ensure that you will not have an adverse reaction while abroad. Remember that tablets do not give full cover against malaria – the only sure way is not to get bitten. So insect bite precautions are essential too. Insect repellent containing DEET (Autan or Jungle formula recommended) and long sleeves and trousers at dawn and dusk. Nets are provided in hotels. Most GP's will give general advice and give the vaccinations listed above. The exception is the Yellow Fever immunisation, however they will have the address of the nearest clinic able to give this injection. The London School of Tropical Medicine will also give advice and immunisations. We must stress that our suggestions for medical protection are
purely advisory A small personal first aid kit is recommended. If you are with a group, the leader will have a more extensive kit.
Mountain sicknessMost people will experience some form of mountain sickness during the climbs of Mt Kilimanjaro and Mt Meru. This is due to lack of oxygen and is not related to age or physical fitness. Some will develop symptoms at 3,500 metres (11,500 ft), but usually it is higher before any serious problems occur. Many more will experience the symptoms if a rapid ascent from 3,500 to 5,000 metres is undertaken. However, for all of our tours we have arranged itineraries to include appropriate periods for acclimatisation. The symptoms of mountain sickness include headache, fatigue, forcible heartbeat, nausea, poor sleep and loss of appetite. These are usually accompanied by general feelings of malaise. They are common and not serious. If heart and breathing rates do not return to normal after about an hour's rest, you should not normally go higher. In the very rare and unlikely event of pulmonary or cerebral oedema (both very serious conditions) you must descend rapidly and receive medical attention. A drug, Diamox, helps toward the prevention of mountain sickness. There are however some side effects and it is only obtainable on prescription from your doctor. Some doctors are reluctant to prescribe this and can be referred to: BMJ (1987) 294, 1380 - 1382. Our guides and leaders all have experience of dealing with mountain sickness and should be heeded at all times.
FitnessThe well worn phrase 'Kilimanjaro can be climbed by any normally fit person' is true, but it's a lot easier if you are fit and you are used to the boots you will climb in. The best training is hill walking; but jogging in good running shoes is a reasonable substitute if it suits you. Walking poles are recommended if you have knee problems, and if you want to prevent them.
Tourist facilitiesTanzania is a poor but developing country and standards, while perfectly acceptable, are not always as you might like or as we have described. We have tried to be as accurate as possible in our descriptions of locations, hotels, transport etc. We have visited almost every facility and we have chosen hotels, lodges, and restaurants from the highest category. However, very occasionally, you may find that the services such as hot water and electricity may be intermittent. You should also be aware that in hot countries insects such as lizards, beetles etc. are commonplace indoors. Roads are often poor and transport and safari vehicles are designed to be robust rather than luxurious. Most of our transport is carried out in either long wheel base Landrovers, Toyota microbuses and Toyota 4WD Landcruisers.
CurrencyCurrency is the Tanzanian Shilling. You cannot obtain currency before leaving the U.K. so US$ travellers cheques and cash are the best option. The black market is illegal and so all offers of foreign currency exchange should be avoided. Tanzanian currency cannot be exported and any surplus, up to a maximum of 4,000 shillings, should be reconverted. Major credit cards are accepted at the larger hotels around the country but their use is limited and it is difficult to obtain cash with them. However if you do decide to use credit cards retain all the slips and check amounts carefully. Try to ensure that your card does not leave your sight. Not all merchants are honest! Rickshaw Travel, Sheraton Hotel in Dar will sell you Amex travellers cheques against your credit card. This is probably the easiest way to get cash from your card.
ClimateTanzania is very near the equator and so there are minimal temperature changes throughout the year. Altitude is the main factor, with Arusha / Moshi being much cooler than the coast. Coastal areas are hot and humid, with an average day temperature of 30°C, although this is tempered by onshore breezes. The 'long rains' are from March to May with occasional rain between October and December. The sun is high and intense and so a good sun cream is needed, as well as a lip salve with a built in sun protector.
SecurityThere is a certain amount of petty theft in Tanzania and Zanzibar, although violent crime is rare. Muggings at night in Arusha, Dar and Stonetown are becoming more frequent but can usually be avoided with common sense. Be discreet and sensible with all your possessions, particularly
those, which are obviously expensive (and think whether you need
to take them
Departure taxesRemember that on departure you will normally pay a departure tax. This is currently $30 but can change. You will get a sticker or a stamp in your passport. Some airline tickets already include the tax so check this. When taking internal flights an airport tax is also payable but only a few dollars.
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