Welcome to Tanzania, where the enchanting savannah is home to magnificent lions, zebras, and giraffes. Picture yourself strolling along the endless white beaches that adorn its coastline and islands. Embrace the excitement of exploring this developing country, and read on for essential facts and tips to make the most of your journey!
Tanzania overview
Nestled in East Africa, Tanzania shares its borders with the Indian Ocean and neighboring countries like Kenya, Mozambique, Congo, Malawi, and Rwanda. The nation boasts a diverse population of 58 million individuals, belonging to more than 120 different tribes, each contributing to Tanzania’s cultural mosaic. The largest city, Dar es Salaam, is situated along the scenic coast and is home to approximately 2.6 million inhabitants, offering a bustling urban experience. However, it’s noteworthy that the official capital, Dodoma, a smaller city, lies in the central part of the country, serving as a symbol of national unity. The linguistic diversity in Tanzania is remarkable, with more than 100 spoken languages reflecting the country’s rich heritage and history. Among the prominent tribes, the Sukuma, Nyamwezi, Haya, Nyakyusa, and Chaggastam stand out, each boasting a membership of over a million people. Importantly, Tanzania’s stable political climate is attributed to the equitable representation and influence of these various tribes.
Tanzania’s official languages are English and Kiswahili, with many tribes having their own mother tongues. Kiswahili extends beyond Tanzania and is partially spoken in neighboring countries, derived from Bantu but influenced by English and Arabic. In Tanzania, most people primarily speak Kiswahili, their mother tongue, and occasionally English.
Tanzania is a land of fascinating facts:
- Capital: Dodoma
- Currency: Tanzanian Shilling
- Population: 58 million
- Official languages: Kiswahili and English
- Area: 886,000 km²
- Water surface: 59,000 km²
- Neighboring countries: Kenya, Uganda, Congo, Rwanda, Burundi, Zambia, Malawi, and Mozambique
- Highest point: Mount Kilimanjaro, standing tall at 5895 meters (Join us for a Kilimanjaro climb!)
- Time difference: Summer time UK – 2 hrs later; Winter time UK – 3 hrs later; US 7-10 hrs later
- Most popular places: Experience the wonders of Serengeti National Park, the magnificence of Ngorongoro Crater, the challenge of Mount Kilimanjaro, and the allure of Zanzibar.
Safari in Tanzania
Embark on a remarkable Safari in Tanzania, a term derived from Kiswahili, signifying a voyage of discovery. In the western world, safari conjures images of thrilling wildlife encounters across Africa. Royal Climb and Safaris takes you on a journey to witness the Big Five – lions, elephants, buffaloes, leopards, and rhinos – each emblematic of the untamed beauty of the wild. However, Tanzania’s natural wonders extend well beyond these iconic creatures, encompassing diverse animal species and a vast array of vibrant birds. With Tanzania Specialist, your safari experience is exclusive and personalized. Travel in a private 4×4 Landcruiser Jeep, boasting a foldable roof for optimal wildlife observation. Your dedicated guide, well-versed in the intricacies of the animal kingdom and local flora, will enlighten you with fascinating insights. The beauty of this bespoke safari lies in its flexibility – you dictate the starting and ending points of your adventure, and with your guide’s assistance, you can tailor the day’s schedule to match your desires. Whether you opt to unwind by the pool or venture deeper into the wild, keep your eyes peeled, as you might just spot some unexpected wild visitors.
Embark on a Fascinating Cultural Journey during your Tanzania Safari – Connect with Local Tribes!
- Maasai Tribe: Renowned for their nomadic lifestyle, the Maasai people’s existence revolves around cattle herding. Adorned with exquisite pearl jewelry, wielding long spears, and draped in vibrant red shukkas, they exude a captivating aura. Embrace their mesmerizing traditional dance, featuring astonishing high jumps.
- Hadzabe Tribe: Experience the timelessness of the oldest tribe in Tanzania, the Hadzabe, residing near Lake Eyasi. Once isolated, they now welcome tourists, offering a glimpse into their authentic lifestyle centered around hunting for sustenance. Fascinatingly, they communicate through a unique click language. Remember, wildlife activity peaks during sunrise and sunset, presenting prime safari moments. Nonetheless, abundant wildlife sightings can be enjoyed throughout the day.
Money in Tanzania
In Tanzania you pay in the local currency. The local currency is the Tanzanian Shilling, which is available in 1000, 2000, 5000 and 10,000 Tsh banknotes, as well as 50, 100, 200 and 500 Tsh coins.
The Tanzanian shilling is not available and tradable outside of Tanzania. It is therefore best to bring cash (banknotes) in Euro or US dollars (banknotes from 2006). It’s also nice to bring some change so you can tip the staff if you wish. The best way to change money is when you arrive at the airport.
You can find ATMs at international airports as well as in the larger villages and in the city. Unfortunately, they don’t always work, so it is good to plan ahead.
Credit cards can also be used. Mastercard is accepted everywhere, Visa and American Express not in all places. In the lodges, you can pay with Euros, US-Dollars or credit cards and also exchange US dollars or Euro for Tanzanian shilling at an (usually) average exchange rate. In the camps, it can be difficult to pay by credit card sometimes due to the remote location and poor connections.
Tips
Tipping is not mandatory in Tanzania. However, the wages in Tanzania are not high and the employees appreciate tips. We recommend that you only tip if you are satisfied with the service. This often includes small amounts, such as a $ 10 per person tip for those carrying your suitcase to the hotel room. Often it is also possible to give a general tip to the staff when checking out. At the reception there is usually a box specially designed for this purpose.
You can tip your private guide at the end of the safari. Of course, tips should always come from the heart and cannot be an obligation. As a general guideline, we advise to give 10 – 25 USD per day per person in your group, for the duration of the safari, as the guide is available to you for the entire safari. Our guides earn decent salaries, but these tips are often used as savings for the extended family (and can for example help a cousin finish school)
Photography and video
Many people want to take beautiful nature photos during a game drive. In this case, it is good to keep a few things in mind:
- Bring enough memory cards and extra batteries. These are not or hardly available in Tanzania
- Bring lens caps, cleaning cloths, and a tight-fitting camera bag to protect the camera from dust
- Bring a UV or light filter for the highlands and to protect the lens
- A zoom lens (e.g. 300 mm) is recommended for photographing wild animals
- When charging batteries, note that some tent camps are only powered by a generator for a few hours a day and the voltage fluctuates
- The use of drones is not permitted
- When taking pictures of locals, always ask for permission. Nowadays people are more used to cameras, but not everyone likes them. Seeking permission shows respect!
Phone calls from Tanzania
With a cell phone, you have coverage in many places, but there are places where there isn’t. The lodges and camps in the national parks usually always have a hand radio. They can therefore be reached in an emergency, but this connection is not intended for long phone calls home. Tanzania’s country code is +255.
Would you also like to enjoy a vacation in Tanzania?
Can you already picture your vacation? Relax on the white beaches of Zanzibar with a cocktail in hand and gather exciting and unique impressions during the safari. Tanzania has many highlights and promises unforgettable memories. Would you like to learn more about booking a vacation to Tanzania? Then take a look at our Tanzania tours. The trips are carefully planned by us in accordance to your preference, but you can also organize your trip to Tanzania yourself. Do you have any specific questions? Please contact us and we will be happy to inform you about all the possibilities!
