:: home  >  Tourism

èçìåíèòü ÿçûê 

Tourism

General Information ^

Tanzania is one of the unique destinations on the African continent that has yet to be discovered by many. It is a land of many wonders hubbing an un-paralleled diversity of fauna and flora. Kilimanjaro, the highest permanently snow-capped free standing mountain in Africa, the exotic Islands of Zanzibar, the finest game sanctuaries of Serengeti, Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro Crater, Ruaha, Selous and the Marine Park of Mafia Island are only but a few of the living examples. The scenery, topography and very friendly people harbour the growth of excellent cultural tourism beach holidays, game hunting, historical and archaeological ventures – and certainly the best wildlife photographic safaris on the continent.

The tourism industry provides excellent investment opportunities in construction and management of hotels, lodges and restaurants, infrastructure ventures, aviation projects, training institutions, tour operations, travel agencies and marketing organisations.

The industry’s mission statement that forms the basis of the tourism policy is to develop sustainable quality tourism that is ecologically friendly to the conservation and restoration of the environment and its people’s culture. In so doing the industry seeks to maximise the net gains that emanate from the various tourism activities. It is for this reason that the Government is now highly concerned with the improvement of the infrastructure quality and diversity, ease of destination entry formalities, relaxation of foreign exchange regulations and controls, revision of applicable taxes and maintenance of peace, stability and security. As a stimulant, the private sector is increasingly investing in the various tourist plants, improvement of destination access from major sources and within marketing promotion and training of the human resource.

Entry Requirements

A valid passport;
A valid visa

How to get there

There are many flights from Europe to Dar es Salaam and Kilimanjaro International Airports and to Zanzibar Airport. Airlines serving Tanzania include, British Airways,KLM, Swiss International Airlines, Egypt Air, Air India, Ethiopian Airlines, Gulf Air, Kenya Airways,Royal Swazi, Emirates Airlines and of course Air Tanzania.

Border crossing procedures

Personal effects including binoculars, camera and film, may be imported temporarily duty free. A Customs bond may be demanded of visitors bringing in video/filming equipment, radios, tape recorders, and musical instruments to ensure the goods are re-exported. Note that electrical supply for domestic use is generally 230 volts AC, 50 Hz. All installations are British standard and all appliances should be fitted with pin plugs of British specification. Firearms require a special permit. A duty free allowance is effected on one litre of liquor; 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars or 250g of tobacco; and 250ml of perfume. Additional items are subject to Customs duty.

Currency

The Tanzania shilling (TSHS or TZS), divided into 100 cents, is the national currency. It is illegal to import /export the currency. Visitors may bring in as much foreign currency as they wish, and no currency declaration form is required. Foreign currency may be changed at authorised banks, forex bureaux and designated hotels. Credit cards (Access, Mastercard, Visa, American Express, Eurocard, and Dinners) are accepted by top tourist hotels around the country.

Banking

Banks and forex bureaux are available at the airport and in all main towns. Banking hours: Monday - Friday 08h30 - 12h30 Saturdays 08h30 - 13h30

A few branches in the major towns open until 16h00.

Shopping

Learn the art of bargaining, particularly in markets and curio shops. This is very much Tanzanian culture, as developing a good rapport between shopkeeper and customer takes precedence over the actual sale.

Time

Local time is same as in Moscow.
In summer time we take 1 (one) hour back.

Health

As requirements and regulations are subject to change at short notice, visitors are requested to contact the nearest Tanzanian Diplomatic Mission, or travel agent well in advance of their intended date of departure.

Public holidays

Unless otherwise advised, the public holidays in Tanzania remain the same every year. If any of the public holidays listed below falls on Saturdays or Sundays then the public holiday would be effected from the following Monday etc.

New Year - January 1st
Zanzibar Revolutionary Day - January 12th
Union Day - April 26th
Workers Day - May 1st
Industrial Day - July 7th
Peasants Day - August 8th
Independence Day - December 9th
Christmas Day - December 25th
Boxing Day - December 26th
Good Friday - As per calendar dates
Easter Monday - As per calendar dates

Islamic Festivals:
Iddi El Fitry - 2 Days on sighting the moon
Iddi El Haji - 1 Day on sighting the moon
Maulid Day - 1 Day on sighting the moon

Best Times to visit
Northern Tanzania: July through to March
Southern Tanzania: June through to March
Zanzibar and Mafia: July through to March
Western Tanzania: May through to March

Tourist Attractions

Parks and Reserves  ^

Northern Parks

The most developed, but unspoilt, Tanzanian tourist route is the Northern circuit which encompasses many of the parks and reserves in Northern Tanzania. The circuit includes many famous national parks and landmarks:

Southern Parks

In the south of Tanzania lie some of the most untouched game reserves in Africa:

Western Parks

In Western Tanzania, on the banks of Lake Tanganyika, lie two parks that are famous for their wild chimpanzees and the research that goes on into animal behaviour.

Zanzibar and Islands  ^

The Spice island of Zanzibar lies off the coast of Tanzania in the Indian Ocean
(see map). It is famous for once being the commercial centre of East Africa and the last place to abolish the slave trade. Today it combines ancient Islamic ruins, noble Arabic houses with miles of white sandy palm fringed beaches and coves. The ocean offers warm clear blue waters, idyllic islands excellent reefs for snorkelling and diving, fantastic deep sea fishing, water sports and of course delicious fresh fish. And if you thought that wasn't enough, visiting the Spice plantations (cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla, cardamom and others) or haggling for carvings in the Central Market is great fun too.

Where to stay in stone city
Where to stay on the coast
Where to eat
Activities
Getting There

Kilimanjaro  ^

Mount Kilimanjaro is located (see map) at the north/eastern tip of Tanzania. For the adventurous, a climb of Mount Kilimanjaro is a must taking you through the mists of equatorial jungle to reach the snows and breath-taking views from the summit.

Activities

The upward track wends through forests that vary constantly with the altitude and finally opens out into open moorland below rocky, snow covered Kibo plateau. It has 3 volcanic centres, Shira, Kibo, and Mawenzi. 5, 7 & 8 day climbs are easily arranged from Moshi or Arusha, and is the perfect start to your trip in Tanzania.

When to Climb

It can be climbed at any time during the year. However, Christmas and New Year are usually fully booked and April, May and November is the rainy season. See Climate Chart.

Safety

Please check with your doctor to ensure you are fully aware of the dangers of climbing at this high altitude.

Accommodation

For places to stay, please click here.

Getting There

For details on travelling to Mt. Kilimanjaro, see facts.

Tanzania Touroperators  ^

Cordial Tours & Travel,
P O Box 1679,
DAR ES SALAAM
Tel: 255-22-2136259
Fax: 255-22-2112300
e-mail:cotcord@intafrica.com
Website:www.cordialtours.com

Tanzania Photographic Tours & Safaris,
P O Box 284,
ARUSHA
Tel: 255-27-2508790/2503090
Fax: 255-27-2508896
e-mail:tzphotosafaris@habari.co.tz
website:www.tzphotosafaris.com

Kearsley Travel & Tours,
P O Box 801,
DAR ES SALAAM
Tel: 255-22-2115026-30
255-22-2114962
Fax: 255-22-2115585
e-mail:kearsley@raha.com
website:www.kearsley.net

Shah Tours and Travel,
P O Box 1821,
MOSHI
Tel: 255-27-2752998/2752370
Fax: 255-27-2751449
e-mail:kilimanjaro@eoltz.com
website:www.kilimanjaro-shah.com

Bobby Tours and Safaris,
P O Box 2169,
ARUSHA
Tel: 255-27-2503490/2508176
Fax: 255-27-2508176
e-mail:travel@bobbytours.com
website:www.bobbytours.com

Bon Voyage Travel Centre Ltd.,
Dar es Salaam
Tel: 255 22 2118003-4/21255753
Fax: 255 22 211
Email:sales@bonvoyagetz.com
Website:www.bonvoyagetz.com

Russian Tour Operators Selling Tanzania ^

ASTRAVEL
Phone: +7 495 781 2700; Fax: +7 495 781 2701
E-mail:africa@astravel.ru
Website:www.astravel.ru

TEAMEX
Phone: 7 495 101-3042
E-mail:travel@teamex.ru
Website:www.teamex.ru

ULTRA TRAVEL
Phone:7 495 955-0515
7 495 955-0311
E-mail:ultra-travel@mtu-net.ru
Website:www.ultra-travel.ru

SV TOUR AND CO.
Phone: 7 495 291-7796
7 495 291-6138
E-mail:info@svtour.ru
Website:www.svtour.ru

LANDS
Phone: 7 495 926-4296
7 495 926-4875
E-mail:lands@aha.ru
Website:www.lands.ru

WILD EXCLUSIVE
Phone: 7 495 782-4863
7 495 782-2126
E-mail:Elena@wild-ex.ru
Website:www.wild-ex.ru

SUN PLANET
Phone: 7 495 241-6089
7 495 241-4149
E-mail:elena@sunplanet.ru
Website:www.sunplanet.ru

BON VOYAGE TOUR
Phone: 7 495 2091694/1703, 200 3896
Fax: 7 495 2003896
E-mail:mailbox@bvtour.ru
Website:www.bvtour.ru

MOSCOW INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL SERVICE
Phone: 7 495 244 9175, 244 2030
Fax: 7 495 9155
E-mail:mits@mits.ru
Website:www.mits.ru

CORUS TRAVEL
Phone: 7 495 938 0792, 930 6276, 930 6346
Fax: 7 495 938 0792, 930 6276, 930 6346
E-mail:corus@km.ru
Website:www.corus.narod.ru

Tour Collection
Phone: 7 495 924 1803
Fax: 7 495 101 0777
Website:ivanova.natalia@mail.ru

Feliz Tropical Safaris
Phone: 7 495 514 8385
E-mail:safari@ftsafari.ru

V Mire Fantazyi
Phone: 7 495 450 0728
E-mail:tourism@iwf.ru

Hotels,Lodges and Camps  ^

The lodges, hotels and camps are listed by area, and while by no means exhaustive, this list represents much of the decent accommodation in Tanzania.
For Further details of these and other lodges including a downloadable brochure and prices please enter the site Tanzania Odyssey

Mafia Island ^

Mafia is - in the truest sense - a perfect island retreat for adventure divers, game fishermen and those seeking simple feet-up relaxation.

Chole Bay

Chole Bay, Mafia's protected deep-water anchorage, is part of a protected marine park. Its natural horseshoe shape is studded with lovely beaches. Outside the bay an unbroken reef runs the length of the island. The diving here is amongst the most spectacular in the world and includes colourful coral gardens, walls at various levels and many shelves and coral heads.

Kunasi Lodge

Kinasi is a small luxury lodge for twenty guests. Built with natural materials and traditional palm thatching, the lodge is situated on a hillside overlooking the Bay and the islands of Chole, Jibondo and Juani. Large rooms are decorated with hand-made furniture, each with an elevated wooden veranda shaded under thatch, private bathroom, armchairs, tables and hammock. Each room is designed for total comfort, privacy, to catch the sea breezes and allow for individual views of the Bay. For more information and pictures of Kinasi lodge,click here.

Forest walks, picnics to inlets and secluded beaches, swimming, snorkelling, scuba diving, sailing bird watching and of course relaxation by the pool or on the beach provide lots to do at Kinasi.