About Tanzania

The United Republic of Tanzania consists of the mainland, and the offshore islands of Unguja and Pemba, the two islands collectively known as Zanzibar. Located just south of the equator, the mainland covers an area of over 885,800 sq km, neighbouring Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, the DRC, Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique.

CAPITAL  Dodoma is the administrative capital and Dar-es-Salaam is the commercial capital.

INTERNATIONAL TELEPHONE CODE  +255

CURRENCY   The unit of currency is the Tanzanian shilling (TZS). See today's exchange rate.  Euros and US dollars are also accepted in many places.  Note that US dollars older than the year 2000 are not accepted. Local currency can be bought at Forex Bureaux, from banks and with an international credit card. ATMs will also give you local currency.

CULTURE
Tanzanian culture has been shaped by Persian, Turkish and Portuguese influences dating back to the 16th and 17th centuries. The 30 million inhabitants of Tanzania comprise 120 indigenous peoples and Arab, Asian and European subpopulations. The national language is Kiswahili. English is the language of commerce, administration, and higher education.
As always travellers should be sensitive to local culture and dress accordingly.

CLIMATE
There are three main climatic regions in Tanzania: the coastal area and immediate hinterland, where conditions are tropical with temperatures averaging 27°C; the central plateau, which is hot and dry; and the semi-temperate highland areas, where the climate is cool. There are two rainy seasons: one from November through to December and one from April through to mid-June.

PUBLIC HOLIDAYS

•  1 Jan               New Years Day
•  3 Jan               Maulid (The Prophets Birthday)
•  12 Jan             Zanzibar Revolution Day
•  Varies              Good Friday
•  Varies               Easter Monday
•  7 Apr                Sheikh Abeid Amani Karume Day
•  26 Apr              Union Day
•  1 May               International Workers’ Day
•  7 July               Saba Saba Day (Dar es Salaam Trade Fair)
•  8 Aug               Nane Nane Day (Farmers Day)
• 14 Oct               Nyerere Day
•  25 Dec             Christmas Day
•  26 Dec             Boxing Day
•  Varies               Eid El Fitr 
•  Varies               Eid El Haji 
   

VISAS
To find out more about visas contact your local Tanzanian Embassy or High Commission.
All visitors who travel from Yellow Fever endemic areas are required to have a yellow fever vaccination certificate.

AIRPORTS
Julius Nyerere International Airport (JNIA) is located about 12 kms southwest of the city centre.  Airport taxis and city bus services are available outside the arrivals hall. The journey time to the city centre is variable depending on the time of day and traffic. There are two other international airports in Tanzania: Zanzibar International Airport (ZIA) and Kilimanjaro International Airport (KIA) in the north of the country (Arusha is the closest big town). Regional flights operate from Mwanza Airport, located in northern Tanzania near the shores of Lake Victoria.  

TRAVEL TIPS
Be prepared to show your passport and explain your visa status when travelling around the mainland or when entering or departing Zanzibar.  If you travel by ferry to Zanzibar, opt for the high-speed ferry unless you have plenty of time. Purchase your tickets only inside the ferry terminal, not from vendors outside.
Visitors are advised to use reputable taxi companies and to negotiate a price before setting off, as taxis are often not metered.

Use dala-dala microbuses and bajaji three-wheeled taxis (often poorly maintained) at your own risk.