About Tanzania
The United Republic of Tanzania is a unitary republic composed of 30 regions. The Capital City is Dodoma and the major commercial city is Dar es Salaam. Official currency is Tanzanian Shilling and the National language is Kiswahili whilst English is widely used in official communication. Tanzania is a vibrant democracy and the government is seriously committed to good governance, rule of law and respect for human rights. You can read more from here
Before coming to Tanzania
Before your journey to Tanzania you are advised to read and see different sources of information regarding the culture and nature of this beautiful country. Although the country might be presented in a different way in media, it will get you excessively prepared. This is good for you as you will have all details checked for the most amazing experience you are about to enter. Be advised to visit your doctor also for you will be informed best ways to prepare health wise based on your country requirements. Our organisation can assist you at any time when you will have questions.
To bring along
You may want to carry comfortable walking shoes, mobile phone that can browse internet too. Not the most expensive one due to safety depending to where you will be going during your free time. Subscription or contract mobile phones may fail to work in Tanzania. Bring with you a phone to which you can change sim card whenever you want. Remember also long trouser and long sleeved shirts to keep you safe from mosquitos for the evening if you will spend time grilling or having a drink at a terrace pub. If you will go to Kilimanjaro, hiking shoes may be ideal due to the nature of the land. In case you have special medication, it is advisable that you bring them along. Tanzania otherwise should have possibility to buy good pain killers and other ordinary sickness medicines or antibiotics. Please check with us in case you are not sure about anything.
Dress code
It is advisable to wear light comfortable clothing such as short sleeved shirts and cotton or linen trousers or shorts as the weather might be warm. Walking shoes and socks will be required. Obviously for a night out you will need smart attire. For ladies an evening gown or a knee length mini dress will do for Dar es Salaam. If visiting Zanzibar, clothing that cover shoulders and a long skirts will be appreciated more. You can wear ordinary swim wear for swimming in the beach. Gentlemen attire is universal. The same jeans or short and shirt will do in Tanzania as long as your body is not too much exposed.
Vaccination
You will need a malaria, A and B hepatitis, Yellow Fever, Cholera, Typhoid Fever Tetanus and MMR. If you have had some of these vaccinations make sure that they are still valid otherwise renew them. In case you have any medical attention of chronic diseases let us know in time. We shall organize a hospital for you to be treated and advice the right insurances. You may want to consult your physician for your health discussions. You may want to take all your personal medication and medical prescriptions. A few stomach medications can be ideal to save you in case of diarrhoea or other stomach malfunctions. You can however get all ordinary medicines in Tanzania. You can read more about vaccinations here
Immigration and Insurances
Make sure you have a right insurance that can be used in the hospitals in Tanzania. If you plan a mounting climbing in Tanzania, your insurance must cover climbing as well. Ask for help in case you are not sure. Your passport must have six months after your Tanzania trip. For visa applications you may want to contact your nearby Tanzanian embassy. For some nationatilies visas can be obtained at the airport upon arrival. For internship purposes, the CTA-pass (Visa) will be required if your assignment is below three months. A residence permit will be required for any assignment more than three months. CTA-pass can also be obtained at the airport for some nationalities. Our company will be happy to assist in terms of any information regarding the immigration and insurances. More information can be found here. For visas and immigration you may also want to check here
Currency
Tanzania uses Tanzanian shilling as its currency. There are Bureau de changes in all canters of the country where you can change your money. US dollar is another currency that is widely used in Tanzania and can be accepted when buying things in big hotels or tourist shops. You are however advised to use Tanzanian shilling so that you will not be treated as a tourist. In very few chops and hotels you can pay by a credit or debit card. There are ATM machines around the canters where you can also draw cash by your card. We however advise you to have a little cash when you arrive just in case the ATM will not recognize your card.
Public transport
Tanzania’s public transport is not well organised. Traffic rules are also not well followed and in this case it is not advisable to drive if you have never driven in the chaotic environment. A local driver is advisable especially for Dar es Salaam or urban centres of Tanzania.
In Dar es Salam there are busses that will easily take you to any direction of your visit. You will need to spare a little extra time to be able to reach your destination in time. Commuter busses are usually full and in small sizes. The bus fare varies from a quarter of a dollar to dollar depending to where you are going. There is a possibility to board an intercity bus as it is a cheaper way to travel to for example Arusha and Kilimanjaro. The prices go up to 20 Dollars per one route. For the intercity buses, the higher the price, the better the quality of the bus. In Kilimanjaro there are commuter busses and the situation is not so different. Only the traffic volume is much lighter in Kilimanjaro. From our house there are busses to the city and also until Arusha town. The bus fare goes up to 1.50 USD to reach Arusha. You may want to learn more about public transport and connections in Tanzania by checking this website.
Safety and Security
Tanzania is one of the most peaceful countries in all of Africa. People of Tanzania are always ready to help and friendly whenever a foreign citizen encounters them. The police and defence forces always strive to keep the country in peace and order. Having said so, it is always important to stay abreast with personal security while in Tanzania. Pick pockets and other individual robberies can happen may a person display too much of valuables. As a client of Tanzania Appointment we always ask you to ask our crew before you take any actions or become too open to people. Our work team will always accompany and give you feasible advise may you be following the wrong integration path.
If you choose to go to safari, all of our agent partners have good security teams that will accompany you during the safari. There should not be a problem. Trips to Zanzibar can be done independently. Our correspondent will direct you on the best way to realise your tour dream..
Standard of living
As one of the poorest countries in the world, the standard of living in Tanzania varies a lot. In a large extent people live below poverty line where as in some parts middle class lifestyle prevails. Even though accommodation is basic for many people it still serves their daily needs. Water and electricity cuts time to time impact many of Tanzanian residents. This situation will be totally different from the accommodations that you will be placed in. All of Tanzania Appointments accommodations have very good condition and will make you feel at home throughout your assignment. However, when you go to your daily assignments and see the areas around, you will learn that the standard of living in Tanzania is yet to be notable.
People, Lifestyle and Culture
As it is in many places around the world, culture is something that differs and the best thing one can do is to respect and learn from it. Tanzania has no exception. What you will need to prepare your mind for is a slow pace of doing things in Tanzania. Although things work out this is something all foreigners have to just live with. As a client of our organisation we are sure you will experience this during your assignment. Tanzanians are hierarchical but yet with lots of humbleness in them. Youths have mixed cultural etiquettes as they have adapted to new ways. Thanks to the power of technology and social media as such. You will see a lot of familiar things in terms of dress codes, speaking, and daily routines also music and ways to celebrate social lives. However when it comes to interpersonal encounters, people of Tanzania appreciate treating each other with dignity. The people in Tanzania expect to be nice and treated nicely back. Gift giving is common as it is usually considered as a sign of appreciation than bribery. Your friends in Tanzania may be eager to offer you gifts just to approve the friendships. At work small talk is very common and people tend to speak around the point: straight forward speaking might hurt a person. Nowadays this is changing with younger population. Before you start your assignment you will be reminded about these matters by our staff. Life in Tanzania should not be difficult to anyone as it is a combination of African, Arabic and Western. We do have many religions also which proves the reason for the diversity. You may want to visit different platforms that will highlight more about culture and experiences in Tanzania.
Local language
In Tanzania Swahili language is commonly spoken. Most of the working class people or students are also able to communicate in English. It is however necessary to know the basic words that will assist you in some situations. Our company will acquaint you with a local who will be one of our staff, to train you with some useful Swahili words. We do not however offer an official language course. Formal language course can be organised upon request. You may want to visit BBC website to learn your first words in Swahili
Climatic condition
Tanzania has a tropical climate but has regional variations due to topography. In the highlands, temperatures range between 10 and 20 °C (50 and 68 °F) during cold and hot seasons respectively. The rest of the country has temperatures rarely falling lower than 20 °C (68 °F). The hottest period extends between November and February (25–31 °C or 77.0–87.8 °F) while the coldest period occurs between May and August (15–20 °C or 59–68 °F).
Seasonal rainfall is driven mainly by the migration of the Intertropical Convergence Zone. It migrates southwards through Tanzania in October to December, reaching the south of the country in January and February, and returning northwards in March, April, and May. This causes the north and east of Tanzania to experience two distinct wet periods – the short rains (or "Vuli") in October to December and the long rains (or "Masika") from March to May – while the southern, western, and central parts of the country experience one wet season that continues October through to April or May.
The onset of the long rains averages 25 March and the cessation averages 21 May. A warmer-than-normal South Atlantic Ocean coupled with a cooler-than-normal Eastern Indian Ocean often causes the onset to be delayed. (Source Wikipedia)