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East African Travel Tips
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TRAVEL TIPS TO TANZANIA & ZANZIBAR
VISA
Visas are compulsory for all visitors, ranging from $30 to $50 depending on your home country. Visas are obtainable at the airport when you arrive, but rather have one before you land, as officials tend to “not have change”. Please contact us with your location, and we will advise you where the nearest office is for you to obtain a visa.
YELLOW FEVER
A Yellow fever inoculation certificate is a pre-requisite to enter Tanzania. Yellow fever inoculations are available at travel clinics around the country.
MALARIA TABLETS
Zanzibar is situated in a malaria zone, so it is recommended that you consult your physician on the prescription right for you. Pregnant women are not allowed to take Malaria prevention drugs, and are cautioned before entering any malaria area.
Insect/ Mosquito repellent
Mosquitoes favor night conditions. Be sure to take a repellent, and cover all exposed areas of your body (e.g. neck and arms). We recommend that you wear trousers at night and long sleeved shirts should you be outdoors. If the heat is too much and you wear a short sleeved shirt, make sure you smear/ spray your arms with repellent. At night before you go to bed, make sure your mosquito net is either touching the ground, or is tucked in, and your exposed areas (especially your ankles) are protected with repellent.
GENERAL TIPS:
Currency
Traveler's cheques and cash are accepted at hotels and Bureau de Changes. US$ are the preferred currency. If you plan on taking cash, make sure you take large bills (e.g. $50 or $100) as these always get a better rate. Don't go running to that first Bureau you see at the airport, as these, along with the hotels and resorts, normally have the worst exchange rate. If you are planning on taking a taxi into town, rather pay the fare in US$ and go to a bureau in town. There are many all over town. Try to negotiate a better rate, you never know.
Try to pay for as much as possible in the local currency (Tanzanian Shillings), always bearing in mind the exchange rate. If the locals see you have foreign currency, they will try to relieve you of it. ALWAYS haggle and try to pretend you know what you are doing. Remember to keep some of your home currency for your return, just in case. You will also have to pay a departure tax of $33 when you leave.
Airport departure taxes
Please note that you will have to pay $25 in cash for the airport departure taxes when leaving Zanzibar.
Embassies
There are a few consulates on the island, but all embassies are situated in Dar Es Salaam.
Medical
Make sure you consult your physician before going to Zanzibar if you have any health problems. Medical facilities in the island are very restricted, so best to make sure. The flying Doctor service is available.
Travel insurance
It is imperative that you have travel insurance. Even though they do not check any certificates when you enter the airports, for your own peace of mind, make sure that you are adequately covered.
Passports
You need at least 3 months validity on your passport, otherwise you will not be allowed to exit your home country, and will not be allowed to enter Zanzibar. If your passport is within 3 months from its expiry date, we suggest that you obtain a new passport.
What to pack
• Light sandals or rubber flip-flops. Some places require you to remove your shoes before entering.
• Good walking shoes if you plan on doing a lot of sight seeing.
• Raincoat or umbrella if you are traveling in the rainy season. Monsoon rains are heavy.
• Flashlight for power cuts. Many hotels do have generator backup systems though.
• Clothes – these should be light as it is very hot and humid. A jersey or windbreaker is recommended for those winter nights (just in case).
• Women are “frowned upon” for wearing revealing clothes. Mini-skirts are a definite no. Try to wear shorts (no hot pants) or a long skirt, and try to keep the shoulders covered.
Communications
There are many Internet cafes in Stone Town and at some of the resorts, so in a non-emergency this is the best form of communication. Charges range from Tsh 1,000 to Tsh 5,000 (about $1 to $5) for an hour's connection. The local Telephone Company TTCL is inadequate, so if you need to phone internationally, best you ask at the Internet café. They usually have facilities, or they will be able to direct you to someone who has. Be careful, it may be expensive.
Electricity
This is the same voltage as the UK and in South Africa i.e. 220/230 V. South Africans will need to buy a square pin adapter (same plugs as UK). Do not leave appliances plugged in all day, as there are many power fluctuations, which might destroy them. US Citizens will have to get an adapter and a transformer for Zanzibar power. If your plug does not match, then enquire at a local shop, they should be able to assist.
Driving
If you are planning on renting a car or motorbike, make sure you have a VALID international driver's license or else you will be stopped in one of the many roadblocks. Bribery has become rampant amongst the police, so make sure you have the correct documentation, to avoid having to pay a bribe.
If you plan on driving in Stone Town, make sure you know the roads, as there are many one way streets and the drivers are reckless. If a police car approaches with a siren hailing, you have to pull over to the side of the road and stop, no matter which way it is going. Once it has passed, you may pull out and continue.
Crime
As with all cities, Zanzibar is not free of crime. Unfortunately it has been on the increase, so make sure you do not take valuables on holiday with you. If you do take expensive jewellery, make sure it is either locked up when you go out, or hidden from sight.
Be careful not to walk the streets at night alone, this invites trouble. If you are confronted, do not resist, and try to report the matter to the police as soon as possible. An attempt will be made to recover your property.
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