Health:
Tanzania is located in a tropical climate with different bacteria, flora, and fauna than most visitors are accustomed to, so it is advisable to take a few health precautions when travelling to make sure that your trip goes as comfortably and smoothly as possible.
Malaria: This is usually top on the list of visitors’ worries, and prevention goes a long way towards keeping you protected. Although it is believed that the anopholes mosquito (the species that carries malaria) hunts only at night, make sure that you cover yourself up with long light (withe) clothing and that all exposed areas are well slathered in insect repellent at all times! Sleep under a net – there are some very good travelling mosquito nets available now, but budget travellers are well-advised to bring their own since the nets at most low-end guesthouses have holes or are invariably too small. If you’re sleeping in a tent that doesn’t have a net, spray insect repellent inside, close the flap, and leave for a few minutes.
Make sure to visit your doctor to get a prescription for the antimalarial drugs that best suit your health and condition – there are some very good ones available on the market now, but tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breast feeding. If you feel achy, have chills and hot flushes, headaches, or a fever either during your trip or up to two weeks afterwards, visit a doctor immediately to be tested for malaria. If your symptoms persist, don’t hesitate in seeking a second opinion. A malaria test only takes about fifteen minutes and involves a simple finger prick, and it’s available around the country. Treatment is widely available and recovery times are fast, provided that you get diagnosed as soon as you notice any possible symptoms. After all this advice, it’s worth noting that not every mosquito has malaria and that if you’re conscientious and take precautions, it’s unlikely that you will be exposed.
Vaccinations: The yellow-fever vaccination is no longer officially required when entering Tanzania, yet because the disease is endemic many doctors will recommend it as a precaution. Other vaccinations that might be considered before you travel include typhoid and cholera, typhoid, hepatitis A and B, meningitis, and tetanus. For more information, contact your doctor.
Food and water: It’s best to drink bottled water when travelling through Tanzania – numerous brands are widely available and served in all restaurants and lodges. Steer clear of ice, raw vegetables, and salads when eating at street restaurants. High-end lodges and restaurants will clean their produce in antiseptic solution, but should you feel wary about anything on your plate, leave it. Try to avoid eating in empty restaurants – the food may have been sitting out for some time – and order your meat well done. On the coast, seafood and fish are usually fresh, but again, make sure everything is well-cooked. Make sure no flies come in contact with your food! Wash your hand as often as possible with soap, specially after the toilet and before preparing and eating food. Use “single use towels” to dry your hands. While on holiday, it’s always better to err on the side of caution.
Picture: Waarusha, Kids
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Safety/Danger:
Road accidents claim more lives in Tanzania than any other cause of death!!! Please read the transport section!
A terroristic act is possible in in Tanzania (see Department for Foreign Affairs). Be cautious at public places, hotels used by foreigners, religions institutes and other places of interest.
Due to an increase of violence avoid uncontrolled beaches and rural areas. Driving and walks in unguarded areas at night is not recommended. One trick to rob tourists is to offer transportation. Extra care should be taken in Stone Town in Zanzibar and in Dar Es Salaam. In the past there have been reports of muggings in game reserves.
Although the government has stepped up security, it is better to be careful and to stay in close vicinity to other vehicles during your visit.
There are several poisonous animals in Tanzania. Amongst others snakes, spiders, scorpion, caterpillar, chilopod, ants and more. Don’t touch or provoke any animal. Take care before you sit/lay down, flip your bed cover/cloth/shoes… before you make use of them.
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Money:
Currency: Tanzanian Shilling
Exchange rate July 2008: 1US$=1160 TS/ 1£=2283 TS
but instead of exchanging your money, rather carry small denominations of US Dollar cash with you. Make sure the US Dollars are post-1996.
Budget: from US$20 to US$50 per day, but US$100 will make the jurney much more comftable.
Plan to carry enough money to cover your expected expenses, plus a small reserve – most people carry between $50 & $100 per person per day for all expenses.
Major credit cards are accepted at many of the larger lodges and hotels, but should only be used as a back up plan because power failures or credit card machine errors are not uncommon.
Haggling is not rude and is often expected. Singida baskets can be purchased directly from the villages surrounding Singida, or from craft shops. Gogo woodcarving, including vibuya (carved goods) and kangas (traditional African sarong-like garments) are amongst some of the traditional items available for purchase. The mbuzi is a device used for shredding coconut. It is a small wooden stool with a metal piece and is available at markets throughout the country.
Tipping in Tanzania and east Africa is entirely at your discretion. A rough guidance: • Game rangers, specialist guides – US $5per guest per day• Trackers – US $5 per guest per day • Game lodge, hotel staff – US $5 per guest per day placed in the communal tipping box to be distributed equally • Tour guides – US $5 half day• Transfers – US $2 per person • Restaurants – 10% for good service
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Helpful websites:
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/worldguide/tanzania/
http://tanzaniatouristboard.com/
http://www.seat61.com/Zambia.htm
http://www.serengeti.org/index.html
http://wikitravel.org/en/Tanzania
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Please note that the publisher doesn’t take the resposebility for the content of the site. Information might not be wrong or incomplete!
