Sign In Sign-Up

Welcome!

Close

Would you like to make this site your homepage? It's fast and easy...

Yes, Please make this my home page!

No Thanks

  Don't show this to me again.

Close

VFA Tanzania Information

Country Overview
The United Republic of Tanzania lies on the Indian Ocean bordered by Kenya, Uganda, Burundi, Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique. The capital city and also a major port, Dar es Salaam is the natural starting point for trips in Tanzania. It is near Mount Kilimanjaro, Dodoma and the nearby island of Zanzibar. Many beautiful beaches are within easy reach of Dar es Salaam, such as those at Kunduchi, Mjimwena and Mbwa Maji. Kunduchi, 24km (15 miles) north of the city, is a fishing village with nearby ruins of Persian tombs and mosques. The beautiful island of Zanzibar is only 20 minutes’ flight from Dar es Salaam. Mount Kilimanjaro, at 5895m (19,341ft), Africa’s highest mountain is a major attraction for mountaineers. The ascent takes about three days. Tanzania’s national parks extend over some 33,660 sq km (13,000 sq miles). The Serengeti National Park is a plain-dwellers’ stronghold of 14,763 sq km (5678 sq miles), claimed to be the finest in Africa. Here are 35 species of plain-dwelling animals, including wildebeest and zebra, and also an extensive selection of birdlife. The Selous Game Reserve is larger than Switzerland and covers one-sixth of Tanzania’s land surface. Generally, the nightlife centres are in the top tourist hotels and restaurants.

General Information

Area: 945,087 sq km (364,900 sq miles).

Population: 32,793,000 (1999).

Population Density: 34.7 per sq km.

Capital: Dodoma (administrative capital designate). Population: 1,502,344 (1995). Dar es Salaam remains the capital for the time being. Population: 1,651,534 (1995).

GEOGRAPHY: The United Republic of Tanzania lies on the east coast of Africa and is bordered by Kenya and Uganda to the north; by Burundi, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo to the west; by the Indian Ocean to the east; and by Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique to the south. The Tanzanian mainland is divided into several clearly defined regions: the coastal plains, which vary in width from 16-64km (10-39 miles) and have lush, tropical vegetation; the Masai Steppe in the north, 213-1067m (698-3500ft) above sea level; and a high plateau in the southern area towards Zambia and Lake Nyasa (Lake Malawi). Savannah and bush cover over half the country, and semi-desert accounts for the remaining land area, with the exception of the coastal plains. Over 53,000 sq km (20,463 sq miles) is inland water, mostly lakes formed in the Rift Valley. The United Republic of Tanzania includes the islands of Zanzibar and Pemba, about 45km (28 miles) off the coast to the northeast of the country.

Government: Federal Republic since 1964. Tanganyika gained independence from the UK in 1961. In 1964, Tanganyika joined with Zanzibar, which had been a British protectorate until 1963, and became Tanzania. Head of State: President Benjamin William Mkapa since 1995. Head of Government: Prime Minister Frederick Sumaye since 1995.

Language: Kiswahili and English are the official languages. The terms Swahili and Kiswahili are used interchangeably, though the term Swahili normally refers to the people while Kiswahili refers to the language. Originating along the coast, Kiswahili is a Bantu language with many words derived from Arabic. Other African languages such as Bantu and those of Nilo-Hamitic and Khoisan origin are also spoken.

Religion: Muslim, Christian, Hindu and traditional beliefs.

Time: GMT + 3.

Electricity: 230 volts AC, 50Hz. Plugs may be round or square three-pin, fused or unfused.

Communications:  

Telephone

IDD is available. Country code: 255. Outgoing international code: 00. In some rural areas, international calls must go through the operator. There are many public call boxes in post offices and main towns.

Mobile telephone

GSM 900/1800 network. Operators include Celtel Tanzania Ltd, Mobitel, Tritel (website: www.tritel.co.tz), Vodacom Tanzania and Zanzibar Telecom. Coverage is limited to main urban areas.

Fax

Faxes can be sent from the Tanzanian Telecom Office in Dar es Salaam, and from some hotels.

Internet

ISPs include Africa Online (website: www.africaonline.co.tz), Cats-net.com (website: www.cats-net.com) and TZ Online (website: www.tzonline.com). E-mail can be accessed in Internet cafes in main urban areas.

Telegram

Telegrams can be sent from most post offices and major hotels.

Post

Airmail to Europe takes a week. Courier services take less than 24 hours.

Press

The English-language newspapers are the Daily News, Sunday News, Business Times, The Express, Family Mirror and Guardian, printed in Dar es Salaam.

BBC World Service and Voice of America frequencies: From time to time these change.

Travel - Internal

AIR: Air Tanzania (TC), Coastalair (website: www.coastal.cc) and Precision Air (website: www.precisionairtz.com) run regular services to all main towns. Check with the airline office before leaving for the airport. All national parks have airstrips and there are several charter companies operating single- and twin-engine aircraft to any town or bush airfield or airstrip in the country.

Departure tax: For all departures from Zanzibar to destinations within Tanzania, the tax is TSh2000.

SEA/LAKE: There is a daily speedboat service between Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar which takes 60–90 minutes in each direction. Alternatively, the Sea Express, a hydrofoil, and the Flying Horse, a large catamaran, make this connection. There is also a crossing from Zanzibar to Pemba Island. Timetables and tickets can be obtained at the booking office at the main passenger port. Both Lake Tanganyika and Lake Victoria have steamer services. First-, second- and third-class seating is available on both services; first class has more comfortable seats and is likely to be less crowded. The service on Lake Victoria calls at the ports of Bukoba, Mwanza and Musoma.

RAIL: Tanzania Railways Corporation (TRC) (website: www.trctz.com) provides the principal services, including routes to Northern Tanzania, while those on the route to Zambia are run by Tazara. TRC runs a daily service from Dar es Salaam to Mwanza on Lake Victoria and Kigoma on Lake Tanganyika with a restaurant car. For further information, contact TRC, PO Box 468, Dar es Salaam (tel: (22) 211 0599; fax: (22) 211 6525).

ROAD: Traffic drives on the left. Tanzania has a good network of tarmac and all-weather roads connecting all major towns. Most minor roads are not all-weather, becoming impassable to all except four-wheel-drive vehicles during the long rains in April and May. It is not advisable to drive at night because of wild animals, cattle and goats on the road. There are often petrol shortages and spare parts for vehicles can be hard to find. Bus: Inexpensive buses connect most places; for example, there are services from Dar es Salaam to Arusha, Moshi and Morogoro. Visitors should avoid travelling by bus during the April/May rains. Car hire: Self-drive car hire is available in major cities, although it can be expensive. Vehicles with drivers are also available. Documentation: An International Driving Permit is required for car hire and must be endorsed by the police on arrival. Otherwise an International Driving Permit is recommended although it is not legally required. A temporary licence to drive is available from the police on presentation of a valid national driving licence.

URBAN: Buses and minibuses operate in Dar es Salaam on a flat-fare basis. Services are often crowded. Taxi services are available. It is advisable to use authorized taxis.

Climate

The climate is tropical and coastal areas are hot and humid. The rainy season lasts from March to June. The central plateau is dry and arid. The northwestern highlands are cool and temperate and the rainy season here lasts from November to December and February to May.

Required clothing: Tropical clothing is worn throughout the year, but in the cooler season, from June to September, jackets and sweaters may be needed, especially in the evenings.

Zanzibar & Mafia Island

ZANZIBAR: The island of Zanzibar, once the metropolis of East Africa, variously ruled by Shirazi Persians, the Portuguese, the Omani Arabs and British colonials, is only 20 minutes’ flight from Dar es Salaam (ferries also available). Otherwise known as the ‘Spice Island’, Zanzibar’s golden age was under the Omani Arabs in the early 19th century. By the middle of the century, it had become the world’s largest producer of cloves and the largest slave-trading post on the African eastern coast. Zanzibar’s old Stone Town is a labyrinth of narrow, winding streets lined with exotic shops, bazaars, colonial mansions, mosques and squares. The visitor can still see the house where Dr Livingstone lived, as well as that used by Burton and Speke. The Anglican Cathedral Church of Christ stands on the site of the Old Slave Market, off Creek Road, while on the seafront are the palace of the former sultan and the towering Beit-el-Ajaib (The House of Wonders). Zanzibar is a fascinating place with palaces, forts, stone aqueducts and baths; its history as a cosmopolitan centre of trade gives it a unique atmosphere. The guided Spice Tours are recommended (see also Sport & Activities section). Within the vicinity lie many offshore islands ringed with coral reefs, the most famous and most visited being Changuu Island (also known as ‘Prison Island’). There are also many superb beaches, particularly on the east coast, although there are now several package hotels there.

Note: Visitors to Zanzibar should observe Muslim conventions regarding dress when away from the beach. For more information, see the World of Islam appendix.

MAFIA: Some 40 minutes’ flight south of Dar es Salaam, the island of Mafia is renowned for big-game fish as well as being a unique marine park. Power boats and tackle are available for hire.