TANZANIA FACTS

TANZANIA is situated just south of the Equator and is 938,000 sq. km in area.

Population
Tanzania 35 million.
Dar Es Salaam 2.5 million

Time Difference
GMT + 3hrs GMT + 3hrs

International Dialing Code
+ 255, followed by the city code, followed by local number

Currency
Tanzania Shillings (TShs)

Entry Requirements
Foreigners seeking to enter the United Republic of Tanzania should be in possession of a valid passport. The passport is to be presented to the Immigration Control Officer at any entry point, border station, airport, harbour. The passport must be presented along with one of the following:
1) A valid visa
2)A resident permit

N.B.: A visitor must also present an onward or return ticket together with proof that the visitor has sufficient funds to support himself or herself while in Tanzania.

Language
Swahili is the national language, but English is widely spoken.

Some useful Swahili words to know:
Hello Jambo Tomorrow Kesho
Mister Bwana No Hapana
How do you do Habari gani To sleep Kulala
Thank you Ahsante Quickly Upesi
Bring here Lete hapa Tea Chai
Please Tafadhali Water Maji
To eat Kula How much Ngapi
Today Leo Sugar Sukari
Yes Ndio Food Chakula
Coffee Kahawa Milk Maziwa
Slowly Polepole Child Mtoto
Car Gari Come here Njoo hapa
Good bye Kwa heri


Electricity
230 volts Ac, 50 hz.

Airports
Three International Airports:
Dar-es-Salaam, Kilimanjaro and Zanzibar.

Bank Hours
0830-1500hrs Mon to Fri and 0830 -1200 noon on Saturdays

Major Credit Cards
Visa, Amex, MasterCard, Cash or Travelers Visa Cheque
Suggested to carry proof of possession of credit cards i.e. last credit card bank statement.

Travelers Cheque
Most denominations of U.S. dollars and Euros accepted
Suggested to carry the tavellers cheque purchase receipt.

Hotel Check-IN / Check-OUT
The standard checkout time is 10:00am hence rooms may not normally be ready for occupancy until 12:00hrs. Should an early arrival be anticipated, please reserve rooms from the preceding night. Day rooms up to 18.00hrs are usually available.

Shopping
9.00-17.30hrs, Mon to Sat
On Sunday few major supermarkets are open till 1300hrs.

Best Time To Visit
The Climate in Tanzania is tropical, The Central Plateau is dry and arid with hot days and cool nights, The cooler season is between June to September, The hottest season is between October and February the range of temperature is fairly limited and it is always hot (between 25o and 27oC in the north).The 'long rains' are from March to May and the 'short rains' are between October and December.Ocean temperature is between 240o and 28oC.

Health
Yellow fever vaccination: Visitors are advised, countries infected with Yellow Fever they must produce international certificates of vaccination, this is particularly relevant for those traveling from neighboring African countries like visiting Zanzibar from mainland Tanzania, a yellow fever certificate must be produced.The Department of Health also recommends vaccination against Hepatitis A, Polio and Typhoid. It is essential for a visitor to take a course of anti-malarial tablets, commencing two weeks before travel.

Sight Seeing in Tanzania
Wildlife the best game drive. The beauty of the land. Mount Kilimanjaro the Africa's highest mountain, Great Lakes, Hiking and nature trails such as the Usambara Mountains; and The famous Island of Zanzibar.

Water Sports
Tanzania with its Indian Ocean coast and its shores on the Great Lakes is the world of the water enthusiasts, Big game fishing, Diving, Snorkeling, Swimming and the best just relaxing on the beaches

Holidays:
Good Friday, Easter Monday, Idd-ul-Fitr, Islamic New Year and the Holy Prophet's birthday are public holidays and are celebrated on different days each year.

Other holidays include:
1 January - New Year's Day
12 January - Zanzibar Revolution Day
26 April - Union Day
1 May - International Labour Day
7 July - Public Holiday
8 August - Peasant's Day
9 December - Independence Day
25 December - Christmas Day