Highlights |
Serengeti - Endless plains to watch vast herds of wildebeest, zebra and antelope migrating through the heat. |
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Chimpanzees - Mahale Mountains and Gombe Stream National parks are excellent destinations for observing chimpanzees. |
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Useful Information |
Visa - Yes, US$30-US$50 for 30 days issued at some borders. |
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Vaccinations - Yellow fever, Hepatitis A, Typhoid, Malaria, Polio |
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Driving Regulations - International driving permit and a temporary local driving licence. |
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Embassies - 43 Hertfort St, London, W1Y 8DB, 020-7499 8951 or CRN Mirambo St & Garden St, Dar Es Salaam (255) 211 0101 |
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Country Code - 255 |
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Introduction |
Tanzania lies just south of the equator in East Africa and is roughly four times the size of Britain. Tanzania is predominantly surrounded by water. The great lakes; Victoria, Tanganyika and Malawi surround most of Tanzania’s western and northern boarders. |
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The other significant water surrounding Tanzania is the Indian Ocean that forms the east coastline of the country. It also has land borders with Uganda and Kenya to the north, Mozambique and Malawi to the south, Zambia to the southwest and Zaire, Burundi and Rwanda to the west. With many of the countries having no other access to the coast Tanzania is an important link for them to getting the imports that they need to survive the harsh climate the African continent is. |
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Due to the close proximity to the equator Tanzania has little contrast between summer and winter. There is a slight difference between the seasons, October and April are slightly hotter than May to September and most of the rainfalls between November and May. |
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People |
Tanzania is fairly free from tribalism, which has torn most of Africa apart over the years. Even though there are 120 different known tribes they all live in harmony most of the time, this is mainly as a result of a law that was passed banning tribal leaders and the adoptions of Swahili as a single national language. |
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The peaceful living is also as a result of the nation being very family orientated, which does not just included their relatives but the whole nation. This is why Tanzanians address prefect strangers politely as dada (sister) or Kaka (brother). Families all look after each other and the fortunate ones are expected to help the less fortunate ones. This means that when one member of the family is doing well they are expected to share their wealth, whether it is in money or cattle’s. Therefore, if they ever fall on hard times they know they will have their families to help them. The spirit of co-operation extends to strangers- if you ask for directions, be prepared for someone to grab your hand and lead you there- however far. |
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Food |
Ugali is the unofficial dish for Tanzania. Ugali is a stable starch component of many African meals, especially in southern and east Africa. It is generally made from maize flour and water, and varies in consistency from porridge to a dough-like substance. More appealing to foreign plates are dishs made from marinated meat kebabs, grilled over coals at street stalls. In main cities Indian food is a speciality as a result of the strong Asian populations. |
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There are also special spice tours that should not be missed just outside Zanzibar, not only do you get to taste the numerours different spices grown in the kitchen gardens and governemnet planations but you also see a small gimpse into the way of life of the rural population. |