Social ConventionsWhen meeting and parting, hands are always shaken; this applies throughout the country in both rural and urban areas. It is the convention to use the right hand, not the left, to shake hands or pass or receive anything. The standard greeting when addressing an individual is
Jambo to which the reply is also
Jambo. The greeting for a group is
Hamjambo to which the reply is
Hatujambo. People are delighted if visitors can greet them in Kiswahili. There is no fixed protocol to do with hospitality. Dress is smart and a good appearance is highly
regarded. Suits and ties or safari suits are worn by men and suits or dresses by women. Ashtrays are usually an indication of permission for a visitor to smoke. Smoking is prohibited in cinemas and on public transport.
Photography: In some places, a charge will be levied on visitors wishing to take photographs; elsewhere a permit may be required.
International Travel:Getting There by AirThe national airline is
Air Tanzania (TC) (website:
www.airtanzania.com).
Departure TaxNone.
Main AirportsDar es Salaam International (DAR) is 13km (8 miles) southwest of the city (journey time - 30 minutes).
To/from the airport: A shuttle bus service and taxi services are available to the city.
Facilities: Outgoing duty-free shop, car hire, post office, banking and currency exchange facilities, a bar and restaurants.
Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) is 50km (31 miles) from Arusha.
To/from the airport: Shuttle bus services and taxis are available to Arusha from Kilimanjaro.
Facilities: Shops, post office, bar and restaurant.
Zanzibar Airport (ZNZ) is 8km (5 miles) from Kisauni.
Getting There by WaterMain ports: Dar es Salaam port is served by ocean freighters and passenger liners. Other ports include
Mtwara,
Tanga,
Zanzibar and the Indian Ocean ports of
Kilwa,
Lindi and
Mafia.
Ferries operate between Dar es Salaam and Mombasa (Kenya). Passenger services run on Lake Tanganyika to Bujumbura (Burundi), Congo (Dem Rep of) and Mpulunga (Zambia); Lake Victoria connecting Tanzania with Kenya and Uganda; and Lake Nyasa linking Tanzania with Malawi and Mozambique.
Getting There by RailThere is a restaurant car service by
Tanzania - Zambia Railway Authority (Tazara) (website:
www.tazara.com.tz) from Dar es Salaam to Kapiri Mposhi (Zambia).
Tanzania Railways Corporation (TRC) (website:
www.trctz.com) provides services between Tanzania, Burundi, Congo (Dem Rep), Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda. Trains may get very crowded. Travelers should take special care of their baggage. It is unwise to forward luggage.
Getting There by RoadThe tarmac road connecting Tanzania with Zambia is in good condition, as is the road north to Kenya. From Lusaka in Zambia, the Great North Road is paved all the way to Dar es Salaam. Road links from Rwanda and Mozambique are poor.
Coach: Scandinavia Express (website:
www.scandinaviagroup.com) runs coaches from Dar es Salaam to Nairobi (Kenya) and Kampala (Uganda), and from Dar es Salaam to Lusaka (Zambia).
OverviewThe following items may be imported into Tanzania without incurring customs duty:
200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250g of tobacco;
one bottle of alcoholic beverages;
570ml of perfume.
Internal Travel:Getting Around By AirAir Tanzania (TC) (website:
www.airtanzania.com),
Coastal Aviation (website:
www.coastal.cc) and
Precision Air (website:
www.precisionairtz.com) run regular services to all main towns. Check with the airline office before leaving for the airport. All national parks have airstrips and there are several charter companies operating single- and twin-engine aircraft to any town or bush airfield or airstrip in the country.
NoteDeparture taxFor all departures from Zanzibar to destinations within Tanzania, the tax is TZS5000.
Getting Around by WaterAzam Marine runs comfortable, air-conditioned ferry services daily between Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar (travel time - about two hours). Alternatively, the faster
Sea Express, a hydrofoil, and the
Flying Horse, a large catamaran, make this connection. There is also a crossing from Zanzibar to Pemba Island. Timetables and tickets can be obtained at the booking office at the main passenger port. Both Lake Tanganyika and Lake Victoria have steamer services. First-, second- and third-class seating is available on both services; first class has more comfortable seats and is likely to be less crowded. The service on Lake Victoria calls at the ports of Bukoba, Musoma and Mwanza.
Getting Around by RailTanzania Railways Corporation (TRC) (tel: 211 7833; website:
www.trctz.com) provides the principal services, including routes to northern Tanzania, while those on the route to Zambia are run by
Tazara (website:
www.tazara.co.tz).
TRC runs a daily service from Dar es Salaam to Mwanza on Lake Victoria and Kigoma on Lake Tanganyika with a restaurant car.
Getting Around by RoadTraffic drives on the left. Tanzania has a good network of tarmac and all-weather roads connecting all major towns. Most minor roads are not all-weather, becoming impassable to all except 4-wheel-drive vehicles during the long rains in April and May. It is not advisable to drive at night because of wild animals, cattle and goats on the road. There are often petrol shortages and spare parts for vehicles can be hard to find. There are a large number of road accidents.
Bus: Inexpensive buses connect most places; for example, there are services from Dar es Salaam to Arusha, Morogoro and Moshi. Visitors should avoid traveling by bus during the April/May rains.
Scandinavia Express (
www.scandinaviagroup.com) is one of the more reliable and comfortable intercity operators.
Car hire: Self-drive car hire is available in major cities, although it can be expensive. Vehicles with drivers are also available.
Documentation: An International Driving Permit is required for car hire and must be endorsed by the police on arrival. Otherwise an International Driving Permit is recommended although it is not legally required. A temporary license to drive is available from the police on presentation of a valid national driving license.
Getting Around Towns and CitiesBuses and minibuses operate in Dar es Salaam on a flat-fare basis. Services are often crowded. Taxi services are available. It is advisable to use authorized taxis.
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