Language
English is widely spoken but a few Swahili words are always
appreciated.
Tipping
In restaurants a tip for exceptional service - a maximum of 10% -
will be appreciated.
Airport tax
For International flights, an Airport tax of Us $ 30 is levied,
which may be included in the price of an air ticket.
When leaving on domestic flights from Dar or Zanzibar, an Airport
tax of USD 5 is usually charged.
Religions in Tanzania
Muslim,
Christian, Indigenous Beliefs, predominantly Muslim in Zanzibar
Currency
Tanzania Shilling (TZS)
Time
GMT + 3 hours
Opening hours in Tanzania
Government offices: 7.30am to 3.30pm Monday to Friday
Banks: 09:00 - 16:00
Businesses: 8.00am to 5.00pm Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 1.00pm
Saturday
Shops often close for lunch and sometimes on Friday afternoons for
mosque services. Many are open for part of Saturdays and Sundays.
International Dialling Code
+255
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Visas
Zanzibar is part of the United Republic of Tanzania.
Visas are required by almost all nationalities. The cost can be as
high as USD 60, depending upon your nationality.
Tourist visas usually have a one month validity, unless you request
a longer period.
Visas can be obtained before travel, from Tanzanian Embassies and
High Commissions around the world.
See list below, or use:
http://www.tanzania.go.tz/tanzaniaembassiesabroad.htm
If you have been unable, or have not had time to procure a Visa in
advance, it is possible to obtain a tourists' single entry visa at
Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar or Kilimanjaro International Airports, and
also at the Namanga entry point (Tanzanian-Kenya road border point)
subject to the fulfilment of all immigration and health
requirements. You will need to carry USD in cash to pay for these.
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Documents & Customs
Driving Licence
If you intend to drive in Tanzania, international driving licences
are required. Failing this you can use your national licence to get
a temporary Tanzanian licence from the traffic police at the cost of
approximately 7USD.
Health Card
Visitors from countries infected with Cholera and Yellow Fever must
produce international certificates of vaccination.
Customs
It is illegal to export shells, coral, ivory and turtle shell.
Please don't do it.
There is no limit to the amount of foreign currency you can take
into the country, although sums over $10,000 must be declared. The
amount of local currency you can take out of the country is
restricted to 2000 TZS.
Visitors arriving at Zanzibar pass through local customs, even if
arriving from mainland Tanzania.
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Baggage
It is a good idea to have smaller cases rather than one large one,
if you are planning to take internal flights around Tanzania.
Some safaris/air charters limit baggage to a 10 - 15 kilo maximum.
Money Matters
Currency
The unit of currency is the Tanzanian Shilling (TZS). Note
denominations are 10,000, 5,000, 1,000, 500, 200, 100 shillings
and coins of 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5 cents.
Changing money
It is best to carry your hard currency in US Dollars.
You can change hard currency, travellers cheques in plenty of
places.
You can not change travellers cheques for USD.
Keep hold of your changing receipts so that you can change your
shillings back to hard currency when you leave.
Almost all hotels, car hire, diving, safari operators, airlines etc.
will require you to pay in US Dollars currency.
Travellers cheques are usually changed at around 5% to 10% lower
than cash. Credit cards are accepted in many hotels etc. but a
charge of up to 20% may be levied.
Sometimes airport tax is only accepted in USD, which means you must
have some on you if you want to get on your flight.
In Zanzibar you can get cash against Mastercard and Visa cards at
Barclays Bank, NBC Bank and Federal Bank of the Middle East.
There is no black market of any note. Please Ignore offers on the
street - it's probably a set-up.
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Medical and Health
General
Don’t drink tap water - bottled water is widely available and should
be used at all times.
Malaria
Malaria is endemic to the region, especially on the coast. It is
transmitted by infected mosquitoes.
You are advised to take preventative medication Ask your doctor
about prophylactic pills.
Remember that mosquitoes are most active during the evening and
night
wear light coloured clothing - mosquitoes don't like to be seen
wear long trousers and long sleeved shirts in the evening
use mosquito repellents, preferably with natural ingredients, as
some of the chemicals used in some brands can give unpleasant
side-effects
avoid wearing perfumes or aftershaves
If infection is suspected medical advice should be sought
immediately. Malaria is detectable with a simple blood screen, but
the sample is best taken during a high cycle of the fever, when the
infection is at its most active.
Modern Medical services are available in Dar es Salaam, Arusha,
Zanzibar and other major centres.
Visitors are advised to bring their own personal medicines with
them.
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