Volunteer Travel Guide Tanzania - Volunteering Abroad Tanzania www.abroaderview.org

Nov. 4, 2008 - PRLog -- The largest country in East Africa, Tanzania boasts the highest mountain on the continent, the exotic spice islands of historical Zanzibar, and the famous Serengeti National Park whose seemingly endless plains stage one of the greatest spectacles of animal behavior, the annual migration of millions of wildebeest and zebra followed by their predators.

The Great Rift Valley gives rise to the unique geological formations found in the magnificent Ngorongoro Crater and Mt Kilimanjaro. It is also home to the world's largest game reserve, the Selous, covering an area larger than Switzerland.

Tanzania is richly endowed with many animal and bird species and offers some of the finest game viewing on the continent. Dar-es-Salaam is the largest city, a hustling, bustling and surprisingly scenic tropical seaport that is a common starting point for trips into the country.

A dusty safari into the vast wilderness is superbly complemented by time spent on the refreshing Zanzibar islands, with white palm-fringed beaches, beautiful coral gardens, and historic Stone Town - an exotic reminder of its days as a major spice and slave trade center.

Tanzania is home to hundreds of different ethnic groups and cultures, from the red-clad herders of the Masai tribes on the Serengeti plains to the modestly veiled women of Zanzibar's Islamic Stone Town.

The warmth and smiling faces of its friendly people will touch the heart of every traveler.

The Basics
Time:
GMT +3.

Electricity:
230 volts AC, 50Hz. Rectangular or round three-pin plugs are used.

Language:
Swahili and English are the official languages. Several indigenous languages are also spoken.

Health:

Travelers are advised to take medical advice at least three weeks before leaving for Tanzania. Most visitors will need vaccinations for hepatitis A, typhoid, yellow fever and polio. Those arriving from an infected country are required to hold a yellow fever vaccination certificate. There is a risk of malaria all year and outbreaks of Rift Valley Fever occur; travelers should take precautions to avoid mosquito bites. Food prepared by unlicensed vendors should also be avoided, as meat and milk products from infected animals may not have been cooked thoroughly. Sleeping sickness is a risk in the game parks, including the Serengeti, and visitors should avoid bites by tsetse flies. There is a high prevalence of HIV/Aids. Cholera outbreaks are common throughout the country and visitors are advised to drink bottled or sterilized water only. Medical services are available in Dar-es-Salaam and other main towns, but facilities and supplies are limited; visitors with particular requirements should take their own medicines. Comprehensive medical insurance is advised.

Customs:

Visitors to Zanzibar should be aware that it is a predominantly Muslim area and a modest dress code, especially for women, should be respected when away from the beach and in public places. Topless sunbathing is a criminal offense. Smoking in public places is illegal.

Communications:

The international country dialing code for Tanzania, as well as Zanzibar, is +255. The outgoing code is 000, followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 00027 for South Africa). City/area codes are in use, e.g. (0)24 for Zanzibar and (0)22 for Dar-es-Salaam. International calls made from rural areas may have to go through the operator. Mobile phones work in the main urban areas and Zanzibar; the network operators use GSM 900 and 1800 networks. Travelers should contact their service provider to ensure they have international roaming. Avoid making telephone calls from hotels; they can charge as much as $10 per minute. Internet cafes are available in the main towns and resorts.

Contacts
Visa Agencies
Travel Visa Pro, San Francisco, USA. 1-888-470-8472 or www.TravelVisaPro.com

Tourism
Tanzanian Tourist Office: +255 (0)22 512 7671 (Dar es Salaam) or www.tanzaniatouristboard.com

Tanzania Embassies
Embassy of Tanzania, Washington DC, United States: +1 202 939 6125.
High Commission of Tanzania, London, United Kingdom (also responsible for Ireland): +44 (0)20 7569 1470.
High Commission of Tanzania, Ottawa, Canada: +1 613 232 1500.
High Commission for the United Republic of Tanzania, Tokyo, Japan (also responsible for Australia and New Zealand): +81 (0)3 3425 4531.
High Commission of Tanzania, Pretoria, South Africa: +27 (0)12 342 4371/93.

Foreign Embassies in Tanzania
United States Embassy, Dar-es-Salaam: +255 (0)22 266 8001.
British High Commission, Dar-es-Salaam: +255 (0)22 211 0101.
Canadian High Commission, Dar-es-Salaam (also responsible for Madagascar, Comoros and Seychelles): +255 (0)22 216 3300.
South African High Commission, Dar-es-Salaam: +255 (0)22 260 1800.
Irish Embassy, Dar-es-Salaam: +255 (0)22 260 2355.
The New Zealand High Commission, Pretoria, South Africa (also responsible for Tanzania): +27 (0)12 342 8656.

Tanzania Emergency Numbers
Emergencies: 112/999

Airports
Julius Nyerere International Airport (DAR)

Location: The airport is situated eight miles (13km) southwest of Dar-es-Salaam.
Time: Local time is GMT +3.
Contacts: Tel: +255 (0)22 284 4562/3/4/5.

Facilities: The airport has a post office, banks, a bureau de change, restaurants, cafeterias, bars, wireless Internet connection, Business Lounge, duty free shop, newsagent/tobacconist, pharmacy, gift shop, travel agent, and tourist help desk. Facilities are available for disabled travelers.

Climate

Ghana is a tropical country lying just north of the equator. The rainy season lasts from April to October in northern Ghana and from April to June and again from September to October in the south. Temperatures range from about 70°F to 90°F (21°C to 32°C) and the humidity is relatively high. The rest of the year is hot and dry with temperatures reaching up to 100°F (38°C). In most areas the temperatures are highest in March and lowest in August, after the rains. Variations between day and night temperatures are small.

Passport & Visa

Visa Agencies:

Avoid the stress and queues, get a visa agency to arrange your visa.
Travel Visa Pro, San Francisco, USA. 1-888-470-8472 or www.TravelVisaPro.com
Global Visas, London, UK. 0207 190 3903 or www.globalvisas.com

Entry requirements for Americans: A visa is issued on arrival, and a passport valid for six months from date of entry is required.
Entry requirements for UK nationals: A visa is issued on arrival, and a passport valid for six months from date of entry is required.
Entry requirements for Canadians: A visa is issued on arrival, and a passport valid for six months from date of entry is required.
Entry requirements for Australians: A visa is issued on arrival, and a passport valid for six months from date of entry is required.
Entry requirements for South Africans: A visa is issued on arrival, and a passport valid for six months from date of entry is required.
Entry requirements for New Zealanders: A visa is issued on arrival, and a passport valid for six months from date of entry is required.
Entry requirements for Irish nationals: A Visitor's Pass is issued on arrival, and a passport valid for six months from date of entry is required.

Passport/Visa Note: All visitors entering Tanzania require a visa. Visitors may obtain a visa on arrival at Dar-es-Salaam or Zanzibar airports for US$50, payable in cash. All visitors also require proof of sufficient funds and should hold documentation for their return or onward journey. Passports should be valid for at least six months from date of entry. Those arriving from an infected country must hold a yellow fever vaccination certificate.

Note: Passport and visa requirements are liable to change at short notice. Travelers are advised to check their entry requirements with their embassy or consulate

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