Getting Around Tanzania

Photography

For digital cameras its advisable to carry a extra batch of rechargeable batteries

For wildlife photography a 35mm single reflex camera, with a telephoto lens of 200mm to 300mm is recommended.

Larger lenses which require a tripod, or double reflex cameras are generally impractical. An ultra violet filter, dust cover and spare batteries are essential. A pair of good quality binoculars for each person will be a great asset. Photography of military installations is forbidden In Tanzania. Individuals have been detained and their cameras and film confiscated for taking pictures of hospitals, schools, bridges, industrial sites, and airports

Shopping

Shop for local handicrafts , gems, pottery, Makonde carpets, Zanzibar chests, and sculptures, Tingatinga paintings , colorful fabrics, cheap soapstone carvings, cloth paintings of Mt. Kilimanjaro and suede. Bargaining is expected anywhere the prices are not marked.

Clothing

Safari clothing can be casual and comfortable. Cotton slacks and shirts, with skirts and culottes for ladies, and a light during the day. When going on safari, bright coloured clothing may get you in trouble with wild animals. It is wise you pack brown, beige and khaki clothing. Short sleeve shirts, shorts and trouser for men are sufficient Pack suntan lotion, swimwear, a small first aid kit and a flashlight. Please do not offend local customs by wearing skimpy shorts and miniskirts. Swimwear should be reserved for the beach and pool. It is advisable to wear clothes that are more of natural colored so that if they get dirty, they do not easily show

Security

Visitors should take the same care, as they would normally take in any other destination world-wide. Keep a close watch on handbags, wallets and cameras when walking in crowded places. Avoid walking at night and place all valuables in safe deposit boxes at hotels and lodges.

Luggage

We strongly recommend that luggage is limited to one piece per person. A small overnight bag is essential. All city hotels provide secure storage for left luggage. Luggage is restricted to one reasonable sized piece and one overnight bag per person.

Tanzania Weather & Climate

Tanzania is normally hot throughout the year and is humid at the coast and dry on the central plateau. Heavy rainfall lasts from March to June and can make untarmarked road travel difficult. The hot, dry weather in January and February attracts the most tourists.

The best time to visit the Serengeti is from January to March when the grazers are calving and there are plenty of lion to see, or to witness the wildebeest migration to and from Kenya which occurs at the onset of the dry season and again with the first rains, usually the beginning of June and mid-November.

Tanzania lies close to the equator that seasonal variations in temperature are not that extreme. The elevation in the north is such that it doesn't ever get too hot. As you approach the top of Kilimanjaro, temperatures can be well below freezing year-round, especially at night. Click here to view the current weather info in tanzania.

Many of the northern wildlife reserves are about 10 degrees F/5 degrees C cooler year-round than elsewhere. Take along a heavy sweater and a windbreaker or jacket.

View the current Tanzania weather update in selected towns.

Tanzania Road Conditions

Traffic and road conditions in Tanzania differ from those found in the other countries and require drivers to exercise continual alertness and caution on the road. Traffic moves on the left side of the road. All the major towns in Tanzania are connected by tarmac all weather roads. But outside this network, quality deteriorates. You can enjoy speedy connections by bus or car to Arusha, Morogoro, Moshi and Dar es Salaam. It is useful to find out first the quality of the roads and estimated travel time when traveling overland.

It is not uncommon to find roads not marked and lack streetlights. Car-jacking and other related crimes are common during the nighttime hours. Traveling in rural areas after dark is strongly discouraged. Pedestrians, cyclists, and animals are encountered on unlit roads after dark, as are slow-moving trucks and cars traveling without lights.

Though a number of city highways are repaved regularly and maintained, the maintenance programs are often erratic and even good roads deteriorate in periods of bad weather. During the rainy season, many roads both in urban and rural, are passable only with four-wheel-drive vehicles. However, be prepared for bumpy rides throughout the year for even in the parks, the roads are not tar roads. The bumpy ride adds to the excitement of traveling in 'safari style'.

Excessive speeding and lack of basic safety equipment on many vehicles pose serious traffic hazards to the road users.

In urban areas in Tanzania, it is common to find main roads paved and maintained, while secondary streets are severely rutted and passable only with high-clearance vehicles. Traffic lights are often out of order, and care should be exercised at any traffic intersection, whether controlled or not, as many drivers disregard traffic signals.

Tanzanian law requires all motor vehicle to be in possession of a valid driver's license. Visitors to Tanzania staying for six months or less are allowed to use a valid foreign driver's license after validation by local traffic authorities, or an international driver's license. Persons intending to remain in Tanzania for more than six months are required to obtain a Tanzanian driver's license. All vehicles are required to carry third-party liability insurance.

Tanzania's traffic regulations are governed by the Road Traffic Act of 1973. Some subsequent legislation has amended the 1973 act by requiring, for example, the use of seat belts. However, other aspects of modern driving, such as the use of child seats, are not addressed or required .