Tanzania, United Republic Overview Country Overview The United Republic of Tanzania lies on the Indian Ocean bordered by Kenya, Uganda, Burundi, Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique. The capital city and also a major port, Dar es Salaam is the natural starting point for trips in Tanzania. It is near Mount Kilimanjaro, Dodoma and the nearby island of Zanzibar. Many beautiful beaches are within easy reach of Dar es Salaam, such as those at Kunduchi, Mjimwena and Mbwa Maji. Kunduchi, 24km (15 miles) north of the city, is a fishing village with nearby ruins of Persian tombs and mosques. The beautiful island of Zanzibar is only 20 minutes’ flight from Dar es Salaam. Mount Kilimanjaro, at 5895m (19,341ft), Africa’s highest mountain is a major attraction for mountaineers. The ascent takes about three days. Tanzania’s national parks extend over some 33,660 sq km (13,000 sq miles). The Serengeti National Park is a plain-dwellers’ stronghold of 14,763 sq km (5678 sq miles), claimed to be the finest in Africa. Here are 35 species of plain-dwelling animals, including wildebeest and zebra, and also an extensive selection of birdlife. The Selous Game Reserve is larger than Switzerland and covers one-sixth of Tanzania’s land surface. Generally, the nightlife centres are in the top tourist hotels and restaurants. General Information Area: 945,087 sq km (364,900 sq miles). Population: 32,793,000 (1999). Population Density: 34.7 per sq km. Capital: Dodoma (administrative capital designate). Population: 1,502,344 (1995). Dar es Salaam remains the capital for the time being. Population: 1,651,534 (1995). GEOGRAPHY: The United Republic of Tanzania lies on the east coast of Africa and is bordered by Kenya and Uganda to the north; by Burundi, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo to the west; by the Indian Ocean to the east; and by Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique to the south. The Tanzanian mainland is divided into several clearly defined regions: the coastal plains, which vary in width from 16-64km (10-39 miles) and have lush, tropical vegetation; the Masai Steppe in the north, 213-1067m (698-3500ft) above sea level; and a high plateau in the southern area towards Zambia and Lake Nyasa (Lake Malawi). Savannah and bush cover over half the country, and semi-desert accounts for the remaining land area, with the exception of the coastal plains. Over 53,000 sq km (20,463 sq miles) is inland water, mostly lakes formed in the Rift Valley. The United Republic of Tanzania includes the islands of Zanzibar and Pemba, about 45km (28 miles) off the coast to the northeast of the country. Government: Federal Republic since 1964. Tanganyika gained independence from the UK in 1961. In 1964, Tanganyika joined with Zanzibar, which had been a British protectorate until 1963, and became Tanzania. Head of State: President Benjamin William Mkapa since 1995. Head of Government: Prime Minister Frederick Sumaye since 1995. Language: Kiswahili and English are the official languages. The terms Swahili and Kiswahili are used interchangeably, though the term Swahili normally refers to the people while Kiswahili refers to the language. Originating along the coast, Kiswahili is a Bantu language with many words derived from Arabic. Other African languages such as Bantu and those of Nilo-Hamitic and Khoisan origin are also spoken. Religion: Muslim, Christian, Hindu and traditional beliefs. Time: GMT + 3. Electricity: 230 volts AC, 50Hz. Plugs may be round or square three-pin, fused or unfused. Communications:   Telephone IDD is available. Country code: 255. Outgoing international code: 00. In some rural areas, international calls must go through the operator. There are many public call boxes in post offices and main towns. Mobile telephone GSM 900/1800 network. Operators include Celtel Tanzania Ltd, Mobitel, Tritel (website: www.tritel.co.tz), Vodacom Tanzania and Zanzibar Telecom. Coverage is limited to main urban areas. Fax Faxes can be sent from the Tanzanian Telecom Office in Dar es Salaam, and from some hotels. Internet ISPs include Africa Online (website: www.africaonline.co.tz), Cats-net.com (website: www.cats-net.com) and TZ Online (website: www.tzonline.com). E-mail can be accessed in Internet cafes in main urban areas. Telegram Telegrams can be sent from most post offices and major hotels. Post Airmail to Europe takes a week. Courier services take less than 24 hours. Press The English-language newspapers are the Daily News, Sunday News, Business Times, The Express, Family Mirror and Guardian, printed in Dar es Salaam. BBC World Service and Voice of America frequencies: From time to time these change. BBC (website: www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice): MHz 17.89 15.42 9.630 6.005 Voice of America (website: www.voa.gov): MHz 15.58 11.98 6.035 0.909 Passport/Visa   Passport Required? Visa Required? Return Ticket Required? British Yes Yes Yes Australian Yes Yes Yes Canadian Yes Yes Yes USA Yes Yes Yes OtherEU Yes Yes Yes Japanese Yes Yes Yes Note: The granting of a visa does not guarantee permission to enter Tanzania. The Immigration Officer reserves the right to grant or deny admission. Visa holders are subject to normal immigration control at the port of entry and should carry with them, for possible presentation to Immigration Officers, the documents submitted with their applications. PASSPORTS: Passport valid for at least six months required by all, except nationals of Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. VISAS: Required by all except the following for stays of up to three months (who are issued with a visitor’s pass on arrival): (a) nationals of Antigua & Barbuda, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, Botswana, Brunei, Cyprus, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Kenya, Kiribati, Lesotho, Malawi, Maldives, Malaysia, Malta, Mauritius, Namibia, Nauru, St Kitts & Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent & the Grenadines, Sao Tome e Principé, Seychelles, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Swaziland, Tonga, Tuvalu, Uganda, Vanuatu, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Note: All other nationals must obtain visas in advance except nationals coming from a country where there is no Tanzania Embassy, High Commission, or Consulate to issue a visa. In this case, these nationals may obtain a visa on arrival at one of the following four main entry points, provided all immigration and health requirements are met: Dar es Salaam International Airport, Zanzibar International Airport, Kilimanjaro International Airport, Namanga Entry Point (Tanzania-Kenya border crossing). Types of visa and cost: Tourist: £38 (single-entry); £45 (multiple-entry). Business: £50 (single-entry); £60 (multiple-entry). Cost of Tourist visa depends on nationality of applicant. The above prices are for UK nationals; Irish nationals always pay £5. For postal applications, cheques are not accepted. Validity: Single-entry: three months from date of issue; Multiple-entry: six months from date of issue. For a one-year Multiple-entry visa (business only), contact the Tanzanian Trade Centre (see Contact Addresses section). Application to: Consulate (or Consular section at High Commission or Embassy); see Contact Addresses section. Application requirements: (a) One completed application form. (b) Two recent passport-size photos. (c) Valid passport. (d) Fee (payable in cash or by postal order). (e) Self-addressed, stamped envelope for postal applications. (f) For business visitors, a letter indicating the nature of the trip and the business contact in Tanzania. Working days required: Normally 24 hours. Up to seven days for postal applications. Temporary residence: Enquire at High Commission or Embassy. Money Currency: Tanzanian Shilling (TSh) = 100 cents. Notes are in denominations of TSh10,000, 5000, 1000, 500 and 200. Coins are in denominations of TSh200, 100, 50, 20, 10, 5 and 1, and 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5 cents. Currency exchange: Money may be changed at banks, authorised dealers and bureaux de change. A receipt should be obtained and kept until departure. Credit & debit cards: Major credit cards are accepted in larger hotels. Check with your credit or debit card company for details of merchant acceptability and other facilities which may be available. Travellers cheques: May be cashed with authorised dealers or bureaux de change. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take travellers cheques in US Dollars or Pounds Sterling. Currency restrictions: The import and export of local currency is illegal. The import of foreign currency is unlimited, subject to declaration. The export of foreign currency is limited to the amount declared on arrival. Exchange rate indicators The following figures are included as a guide to the movements of the Tanzanian Shilling against Sterling and the US Dollar: Date May ’02 Aug ’02 Nov ’02 Feb ’03 £1.00= 1432.53 1475.27 1565.59 1632.85 $1.00= 983.00 970.00 990.00 1025.50 Banking hours: Mon-Fri 0830-1230 (some places are open until 1600), Sat 0830-1300. Duty Free The following items may be imported into Tanzania without incurring customs duty: 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250g of tobacco; 1 bottle of alcoholic beverages; 570ml of perfume. Public Holidays Dec 6-8 2002 Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramdan). Dec 9 Independence and Republic Day. Dec 25 Christmas Day. Dec 26 Boxing Day. Jan 1 2003 New Year’s Day. Jan 12 Zanzibar Revolution Day. Feb 12 Eid al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice). Apr 18 Good Friday. Apr 21 Easter Monday. Apr 26 Union Day. May 1 International Labour Day. May 14 Moulid (Birth of the Prophet). Jul 7 Saba Saba (Industry’s Day). Aug 8 Nane Nane (Farmer’s Day). Nov 26-28 Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan). Dec 9 Independence and Republic Day. Dec 25 Christmas Day. Dec 26 Boxing Day. Jan 1 2004 New Year’s Day. Jan 12 Zanzibar Revolution Day. Feb 2 Eid al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice). Apr 9 Good Friday. Apr 12 Easter Monday. Apr 26 Union Day. May 1 International Labour Day. May 2 Moulid (Birth of the Prophet). Jul 7 Saba Saba (Industry’s Day). Aug 8 Nane Nane (Farmer’s Day). Nov 14-16 Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan). Dec 9 Independence and Republic Day. Dec 25 Christmas Day. Dec 26 Boxing Day. Note: Muslim festivals are timed according to local sightings of various phases of the moon and the dates given above are approximations. During the lunar month of Ramadan that precedes Idd El Fitry, Muslims fast during the day and feast at night and normal business patterns may be disrupted slightly. Some disruption may continue into Idd El Fitry itself. Idd El Fitry and Idd El Haji (Eid al-Adha) may last anything from two to ten days, depending on the region. For more information, see the World of Islam appendix. Health   Special Precautions Certificate Required Yellow Fever Yes 1 Cholera Yes 2 Typhoid and Polio 3 N/A Malaria 4 N/A 1: A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required of all travellers over one year of age travelling from infected areas and travellers coming from countries considered to be endemic by the Tanzanian authorities. The risk of yellow fever is highest in northwestern forest areas. 2: According to 1973 WHO guidelines, a cholera vaccination is no longer required for entry into Tanzania. However, cholera is a risk throughout the country and precautions are essential. Up-to-date advice should be sought before deciding whether these precautions should include vaccination as medical opinion is divided over its effectiveness. For more information, see the Health appendix. 3: Vaccination against typhoid is advised. 4: Malaria risk, predominantly in the malignant falciparum form, exists all year throughout the country below 1800m (5906ft). The strain is reported to be highly resistant to chloroquine and sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine. Food & drink: All water should be regarded as being potentially contaminated. Travellers should use bottled water for drinking, brushing teeth, washing vegetables and reconstituting powdered milk. Other food hygiene precautions should be strictly observed. Other risks: Bilharzia (schistosomiasis) is present. Avoid swimming and paddling in fresh water. Swimming pools which are well chlorinated and maintained are safe. Sleeping sickness (trypanosomiasis) occurs. Hepatitis A and E also occur; hepatitis B is endemic. There has been a recent outbreak of meningococcal meningitis. Immunisation against diphtheria and tuberculosis is sometimes recommended. Plague is present in the Tanga region. Rabies is present. For those at high risk, vaccination before arrival should be considered. If you are bitten, seek medical advice without delay. For more information, see the Health appendix. Health care: Private health insurance is recommended. There are over 2000 hospitals and clinics and some Christian missions also provide medical treatment; however, facilities are limited and medicines are often unavailable. All treatment must be paid for. Travel - International AIR: Tanzania’s national airline is Air Tanzania (TC) (website: www.airtanzania.com). Other airlines flying to Tanzania include Air India, British Airways, Emirates, Ethiopian Airlines, Gulf Air, KLM-Royal Dutch Airlines, South African Airways and Swiss. Approximate flight times: From Dar es Salaam to London is 11 hours 15 minutes and from Kilimanjaro is 12 hours 30 minutes (excluding stopover). International airports: Dar es Salaam International (DAR) is 13km (8 miles) southwest of the city (travel time – 25-30 minutes). A shuttle bus service and taxi services are available to the city. Airport facilities include outgoing duty-free shop, car hire, post office, 24-hour banking and currency exchange facilities (National Bank of Commerce), a bar and restaurant. Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) and Zanzibar Airport (ZNZ). Shuttle bus services and taxis are available to Arusha from Kilimanjaro. Airport facilities include shops, post office, bar and restaurant. Departure tax: There is no departure tax from Dar es Salaam Airport. The tax from Zanzibar is US$20. SEA/LAKE: Dar es Salaam port is served by ocean freighters and passenger liners. Other ports include Zanzibar, Tanga, Mtwara and the Indian Ocean ports of Kilwa, Lindi and Mafia. The MS Sepideh runs services between Tanzania and Mombasa (Kenya). Passenger services run on Lake Tanganyika to Bujumbura (Burundi), Mpulunga (Zambia) and Congo (Dem Rep of); Lake Victoria connecting Tanzania with Kenya and Uganda; and Lake Nyasa linking Tanzania with Malawi and Mozambique. RAIL: There is a twice weekly restaurant car service by Tanzania – Zambia Railway Authority (Tazara) from Dar es Salaam to Kapiri Mposhi (Zambia), with a change of train at the border. Tanzania Railways Corporation (TRC) provides services between Tanzania, Burundi, Rwanda, Congo (Dem Rep of), Uganda and Kenya. Trains may get very crowded but officials can be readily persuaded to find seats for tourists. Travellers should take special care of their baggage. It is unwise to forward luggage. ROAD: The 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. Travel - Internal AIR: Air Tanzania (TC), Coastalair (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. Departure tax: For all departures from Zanzibar to destinations within Tanzania, the tax is TSh2000. SEA/LAKE: There is a daily speedboat service between Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar which takes 60–90 minutes in each direction. Alternatively, the 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, Mwanza and Musoma. RAIL: Tanzania Railways Corporation (TRC) (website: www.trctz.com) provides the principal services, including routes to Northern Tanzania, while those on the route to Zambia are run by Tazara. TRC runs a daily service from Dar es Salaam to Mwanza on Lake Victoria and Kigoma on Lake Tanganyika with a restaurant car. For further information, contact TRC, PO Box 468, Dar es Salaam (tel: (22) 211 0599; fax: (22) 211 6525). ROAD: Traffic 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 four-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. Bus: Inexpensive buses connect most places; for example, there are services from Dar es Salaam to Arusha, Moshi and Morogoro. Visitors should avoid travelling by bus during the April/May rains. 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 licence to drive is available from the police on presentation of a valid national driving licence. URBAN: Buses 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 authorised taxis. Accommodation HOTELS: Tanzania has a range of accommodation from very good, expensive hotels to cheaper hotels which, although adequate, lack comfort. Although accommodation is on the expensive side, it is often possible for two people to share a single room except in top hotels. The less expensive hotels are often fully booked. The island of Zanzibar is currently experiencing a major tourism development phase and several new package hotels, many owned by Italian firms, have recently been built on its eastern coast. For more information, contact Tanzania Tourist Board (see Contact Addresses section). WILDLIFE LODGES: There are wildlife lodges in all national parks. Reservations can be made through the Tanzania Tourist Board or by contacting the lodges. GUEST-HOUSES: These are often offshoots of local bars and provide cheap accommodation, but there may be problems with drunken behaviour and theft. Sharing a room is advisable and special attention to possessions should be paid while staying there. These are not bookable in advance. Prices are higher in the larger towns, but in general the quality can be assessed from the tariffs. CAMPING/CARAVANNING: There are campsites in Arusha, Arusha National Park (four), Tarangire National Park (two), Lake Manyara National Park (two), Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority (two), Serengeti National Park (seven), Kilimanjaro National Park (one), Mikumi National Park (two) and Ruaha National Park (two). Some have standard facilities, including taps, toilets, bivouac huts and firewood; others are more basic. Permits for entry to each park and also for photography and filming must be obtained before arrival. It is advisable to check the prices and site procedure before arrival. Further information can be obtained from Tanzania National Parks (see National Parks section) or Wildlife Explorer Ltd in the UK (e-mail: info@wildlife-explorer.com; website: www.wildlife-explorer.co.uk). YOUTH HOSTELS: There are youth hostels in Lake Manyara National Park (primarily educational groups) and Serengeti National Park, YMCA hostels in Moshi and Dar es Salaam, and a YWCA hostel, which takes couples as well as women, in Dar es Salaam. The Coast DAR ES SALAAM: Once the capital city (this function has now moved to Dodoma), the major port of Dar es Salaam is the natural starting point for trips in Tanzania. It is near the island of Zanzibar (see below). Parts of Dar es Salaam have a tranquil air that belies industrial and commercial growth. Further attractions include the National Museum, housing the skull of Nutcracker Man; Observation Hill, which contains the campus and facilities of the University of Dar es Salaam; and the Village Museum, with exhibits of traditional housing and crafts. EXCURSIONS: The fishing village of Msasani, 8km (5 miles) from Dar es Salaam, contains tombs dating back to the 17th century. Further south, at Kilwa Klsiwani, there are ruins of Portuguese and Arab architecture. Many beautiful beaches are within easy reach of Dar es Salaam, such as those at Kunduchi, Mjimwena and Mbwa Maji. Kunduchi, 24km (15 miles) north of the city, is a fishing village with nearby ruins of Persian tombs and mosques. Mbudya Island is an uninhabited island forming part of a protective coral reef which is a good place for diving, snorkelling and fishing. Sinda Island, some 14km (9 miles) off Dar es Salaam, also offers facilities for snorkelling and shell fishing. ELSEWHERE: A 72km (45-mile) drive north of Dar es Salaam is Bagamoyo, a one-time slave port and terminus for the caravans. This tiny township is the nearest mainland point to Zanzibar and possesses sandy beaches set in a beautiful bay. Livingstone’s body rested in the tiny chapel of the convent here on its way back to London. The town mosque and Arab tombs date from the 18th and 19th centuries. Some 5km (3 miles) to the south is the village of Kaole, near which are the ruins of a mosque and pillars believed to be 800 years old. To the north of Bagamoyo, near the Kenyan border, is the country’s second port, Tanga. From here, the visitor can drive to the beautiful Usambara Mountains and Moshi on the slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro (see National Parks section). Zanzibar & Mafia Island ZANZIBAR: The island of Zanzibar, once the metropolis of East Africa, variously ruled by Shirazi Persians, the Portuguese, the Omani Arabs and British colonials, is only 20 minutes’ flight from Dar es Salaam (ferries also available). Otherwise known as the ‘Spice Island’, Zanzibar’s golden age was under the Omani Arabs in the early 19th century. By the middle of the century, it had become the world’s largest producer of cloves and the largest slave-trading post on the African eastern coast. Zanzibar’s old Stone Town is a labyrinth of narrow, winding streets lined with exotic shops, bazaars, colonial mansions, mosques and squares. The visitor can still see the house where Dr Livingstone lived, as well as that used by Burton and Speke. The Anglican Cathedral Church of Christ stands on the site of the Old Slave Market, off Creek Road, while on the seafront are the palace of the former sultan and the towering Beit-el-Ajaib (The House of Wonders). Zanzibar is a fascinating place with palaces, forts, stone aqueducts and baths; its history as a cosmopolitan centre of trade gives it a unique atmosphere. The guided Spice Tours are recommended (see also Sport & Activities section). Within the vicinity lie many offshore islands ringed with coral reefs, the most famous and most visited being Changuu Island (also known as ‘Prison Island’). There are also many superb beaches, particularly on the east coast, although there are now several package hotels there. Note: Visitors to Zanzibar should observe Muslim conventions regarding dress when away from the beach. For more information, see the World of Islam appendix. MAFIA: Some 40 minutes’ flight south of Dar es Salaam, the island of Mafia is renowned for big-game fish as well as being a unique marine park. Power boats and tackle are available for hire. National Parks Tanzania’s national parks extend over some 33,660 sq km (13,000 sq miles). In addition, there is the unique Ngorongoro Conservation Area (see below), in which wildlife is protected and where the Masai tribespeople also live and herd their cattle. There are also some ten game reserves where government-approved hunting safaris operate under licence and about 40 controlled areas where the hunting of game is controlled by a quota system. Further information can be obtained from Tanzania National Parks, PO Box 3134, Arusha (tel: (27) 250 1930 or 250 3471; fax: (27) 254 8216; e-mail: tanapa@yako.habari.co.tz). For more information on safaris, see the Sport & Activities section. Mount Kilimanjaro: At 5895m (19,341ft), Africa’s highest mountain is a major attraction for mountaineers. Expeditions must be accompanied by a guide and very warm clothes are required for the last section of the climb. The ascent takes about three days, allowing for rests at the three huts and a day or so at the final hut to acclimatise before tackling the final stage to the summit. Serengeti National Park: This is a plain-dwellers’ stronghold of 14,763 sq km (5678 sq miles) reaching up to the Kenyan border and claimed to be the finest in Africa. Here are 35 species of plain-dwelling animals, including wildebeest, zebra, gazelle, cheetah and lion, which feature in the spectacular Serengeti migration, and also an extensive selection of birdlife. Probably the best time to see the migrating herds is from November to May. Ngorongoro Conservation Area: Rising high above the plains of the Serengeti, this vast protected area stretches from Lake Natron in the northeast (the breeding ground for east Africa’s flamingos) to Lake Enaysi in the south and Lake Manyara in the east. The area includes the still active volcano Ol Doinyo Lengai (Mountain of God), which last erupted in 1983. The park’s centrepiece is the Ngorongoro Crater, a collapsed volcano forming a crater that is 610m (2000 ft) deep, 20km (12.5 miles) in diameter, covering an area of 311 sq km (122 sq miles). The crater accounts for just one tenth of the conservation area, which is home to almost every species of African plains mammal (except for the impala, topi and giraffe) and particularly well known for the endangered black rhino. It also has the densest population of predators in Africa. The rich birdlife includes flamingoes which are attracted by the soda content in Lake Magadi on the crater floor. Lake Manyara National Park: Famous for its elephants and tree-climbing lions. The wall of the Great Rift Valley forms a backdrop to the park, before which lies forest, open grassland, swamp and the soda lake. Wildlife includes lions, herds of buffalo, baboons, elephant, rhino, impala, giraffe, leopard, zebra, bushbuck, reedbuck, waterbuck and blue and vervet monkeys. Manyara is also noted for its birdlife, particularly the flamingoes. Arusha National Park: This park lies within the Ngurdoto Crater, a volcano that has probably been extinct for a quarter of a million years. Visitors are able to see buffalo, rhino, elephant, giraffe and warthog. Mikumi National Park: This park, 1300 sq km (500 sq miles) in area, offers a chance to see lion, zebra, hippo, leopard, cheetah, giraffe, impala, wildebeest and warthog. A popular spot for visitors is the Kikaboga Hippo Pool. Although December to March is the ideal time for viewing at Mikumi, there are animals throughout the year. Tarangire National Park: Only 130km (80 miles) from Arusha and 8km (5 miles) off the Great Cape to Cairo road, it is nonetheless an area which compares favourably with the Serengeti in terms of wildlife density. Ruaha National Park: Tanzania’s second-largest and wildest park and the world’s largest elephant sanctuary, Ruaha is located 118km (73 miles) from Iringa in the Southern Highlands along an all-weather road. The park affords views of unparalleled scenery along the Ruaha Gorge, with many sightings of antelope. Iringa is also connected with Dar es Salaam and other centres by air and bus service. The best time to visit is from July to November. Selous Game Reserve: The Selous Game Reserve in southern Tanzania covers an area larger than Switzerland (about one-sixth of Tanzania’s land surface), making it one of the biggest in the world, with a massive elephant population. There is also a high concentration of stalking lions and other game. UNESCO declared the game reserve a World Heritage Site in 1982. Gombe National Park: This park is near Kigoma on the shores of Lake Tanganyika and is the home of about 200 chimpanzees, more easily seen here in their natural habitat than anywhere else in the world. This is the place where Jane Goodall devoted her life to recording chimpanzee ethology in a 37-year study. Other national parks: These include Katavi, Mahale Mountains, Rubondo and Udzungura Mountains. There are also marine parks at Kilwa Reserve, Tanga Coral Gardens, Rufigi Delta and Latham Island Reserve. Sport & Activities Safaris: Less busy than neighbouring Kenya, Tanzania’s national parks and game reserves provide some of the world’s best destinations for viewing wildlife in their natural habitat. Tanzania is home to one of Africa’s most magnificent game reserves, the Selous Game Reserve, as well as the endless plains of the Serengeti National Park, where one of the world’s great natural spectacles, the annual migration of some two million wildebeest followed by their predators, can be observed. The Selous Game Reserve is inaccessible during the rainy season (from March to May) owing to floods. Numerous tour operators can organise tailor-made safaris, either by vehicle, on foot, on horseback or by balloon. Some areas, such as the Mahale Mountains National Park, are only accessible by plane or boat. In parks such as the Arusha National Park, it is possible to drive around without a guide, but those on foot must take an armed guide or ranger. Accommodation is either in luxury lodges or designated camping sites. For details, contact the Tanzania Tourist Board (see Contact Addresses section). For further information on national parks and game reserves, see also National Parks in the Resorts & Excursions section. Mountaineering: It is possible to climb Africa’s highest mountain, Mount Kilimanjaro, but it is essential to have the right equipment (such as warm clothing, boots, gloves and a hat) and some experience. All climbers should be aware that guides and porters are essential even for the lower peaks. Organised climbs with food and staff can be arranged at some cost through selected hotels. It is advisable to book well in advance. Alternatively, climbers can bring their own supplies and hire staff and equipment (arctic sleeping bags and extra trousers) at the park gate. Although Kilimanjaro may be attempted by any strong mountain walker, visitors should be aware of the dangers of high altitude sickness which, in extreme cases, can be fatal. There are no known indicators as to who might suffer from altitude sickness (fitness, age and experience are irrelevant) and the only cure is an immediate descent to lower altitudes. Watersports: Tanzania has 804km (503 miles) of coastline with superb beaches. Scuba diving and snorkelling are particularly good around the islands of Zanzibar and Mafia, which have recently gained a high reputation amongst divers. Mafia’s Chloe Bay is part of a protected marine park, with an unbroken reef running the length of the island. There are also many secluded beaches. Offshore from Zanzibar are several islands ringed with coral reefs. Both Zanzibar and Mafia are also renowned for excellent deep sea fishing. There are numerous resorts and operators offering diving and fishing excursions. The main fishing season is from September to March. Dolphin safaris and Dhow trips are also popular. Spice tours: Organised tours to Zanzibar’s spice and fruit plantations are available all over the ‘Spice Island’ (as Zanzibar is also known). Along the way, visitors will be invited to taste and buy spices, herbs and fruit. Sadly, because of a decline in world prices, the spice industry and, particularly, its mainstay product – cloves – is now near collapse. Social Profile Food & Drink: Most hotels serve local Tanzanian food while the major hotels offer Western and other international food. There is a variety of good seafood such as prawns and lobsters and an abundance of tropical fruit such as coconuts, pawpaws, mangoes, pineapples and bananas. Table service is normal in restaurants. Coffee and tea are of high quality. Tanzania is a secular state and alcohol is not prohibited. A good lager, Safari, is produced locally, as is a popular gin called Konyagi, a chocolate and coconut liqueur called Afrikoko and a wine called Dodoma, which comes in red or rosé. Bars generally have counter service. Nightlife: In Dar es Salaam, there are several nightclubs, cabarets and cinemas. Generally, the nightlife centres are in the top tourist hotels and restaurants. Shopping: The city and town centres usually have markets which sell curios such as African drums, old brass and copper, carved chess sets, jewellery, and a speciality, large wooden salad bowls carved from a single piece of teak, mninga or ebony. Haggling is accepted, indeed often expected. Shopping hours: Mon-Fri 0830-1200 and 1400-1800, Sat 0830-1230. Some shops open on Sunday. Special Events: The Sukuma (or Bujora) Museum, 15km (9 miles) east of Mwanza, gives approximately weekly performances of traditional dances of the Wasukuma tribe, including the Bugobobobo (Sukuma Snake Dance). During the Muslim festival of Eid al-Fitr, there is an event at Makunduchi in Zanzibar in which men from the north and south flail each other with banana branches, followed by the townswomen singing traditional songs and a night of feasting and dancing. In July, the Mwakakongwa Festival and the Tamasha Festival are held in Zanzibar. For an up-to-date list of events celebrated during 2003, contact the Tanzania Tourist Board (see Contact Addresses section). Social Conventions: When 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. Tipping: Not generally encouraged, though waiters and porters in tourist hotels and restaurants may expect to be tipped. Business Profile Economy: Agriculture employs around 80 per cent of the working population. Cash crops, including cotton, coffee, tea, sisal, tobacco and cashew nuts, are the country’s main export earners, although depressed prices have kept Tanzanian revenues at a static level despite increases in production. There is an expanding mineral sector: diamonds are mined commercially, as are other gemstones and gold. Coal, phosphates, gypsum, tin and other ores are also extracted. Reserves of uranium, nickel, silver and natural gas have been located. The Government granted oil and gas exploration in the mid-1990s, which is starting to pay dividends: natural gas production is due to come on stream from the Rufiji delta. Tourism is one of the most important industries after mining and worth about US$700 million a year. The industrial sector is small and concentrated in agricultural processing and light consumer goods: sugar processing, brewing, textiles and the manufacture of cigarettes are the most important. Recent economic policy has sought to attract private sector capital through a wide-ranging privatisation programme. Of 400 companies earmarked for sale under the original 1995 plan, 80 per cent had been disposed of (although some have since failed in private hands). Liberalisation of trade and the financial sector were also implemented as part of an IMF-supported structural adjustment programme. On the whole, the economy has performed fairly well since the mid-’90s. GDP growth in 2002 was over six per cent. Little headway has been made, however, in tackling Tanzania’s massive external debt, which remains a considerable burden on the economy. The country is a recipient of foreign aid from both bilateral and multilateral donors, and in 2000 benefited to the tune of $2 billion from the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries initiative. Tanzania is a member of the African Development Bank, the Southern African Development Community and the East African Community (EAC). Its principal trading partners are the UK, Japan, Germany, India, Kenya and Congo (Brazzaville). Business: Normal courtesies should be shown when visiting local businesspeople. Almost all executives speak English. Office hours: Mon-Fri 0800-1200 and 1400-1630, Sat 0800-1230. Government office hours: Mon-Fri 0730-1530. Commercial Information: The following organisation can offer advice: Tanzania Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture, PO Box 9713, Dar es Salaam (tel: (22) 211 9436 or 212 1421; fax: (22) 211 9437; e-mail: tccia.hq@cats-net.com; website: www.tccia.co.tz). Conferences/Conventions: For information concerning conferences and conventions, contact the Arusha International Conference Centre (AICC), PO Box 3081, Arusha (tel: (27) 250 2593/5 or 250 8008; fax: (27) 250 6630; e-mail: md@aicc.co.tz; website: www.aicc.co.tz). Climate The climate is tropical and coastal areas are hot and humid. The rainy season lasts from March to June. The central plateau is dry and arid. The northwestern highlands are cool and temperate and the rainy season here lasts from November to December and February to May. Required clothing: Tropical clothing is worn throughout the year, but in the cooler season, from June to September, jackets and sweaters may be needed, especially in the evenings. History and Government History: The present country came into being with the union of Tanganyika and Zanzibar in 1964. There are over 120 tribes on the mainland, most of which migrated from other parts of Africa. The first European arrival was the Portuguese explorer, Vasco da Gama, who visited the coast in the late-15th century, after which most of the littoral region came under Portuguese control. The Portuguese also controlled Zanzibar until 1699, when they were ousted from the island by Omani Arabs. In the late-19th century, along with Rwanda and Burundi, Tanganyika was absorbed into the colony of German East Africa, as a consequence of a deal between the British and Germans – one process in the European colonial carve-up of Africa. Other than an anti-colonial rebellion in 1905 – known as the Maji Maji revolt, which was suppressed by German troops – Tanganyika was a fairly quiet part of the German empire, until the end of World War I. Then, following the German defeat, it was administered by the British under successive League of Nations and United Nations mandates. Tanganyika became independent within the Commonwealth in 1961, after a period of self-government during which the principal nationalist party, the Tanganyika African National Union (TANU), emerged as the dominant political force. Its charismatic leader, Julius Nyerere, held the post of President from independence to 1985; he occupied the position of Chairman until 1990. In 1964, Tanganyika joined with Zanzibar and became Tanzania. Prior to that, Zanzibar had been a British protectorate (established in 1890) and an independent sultanate IN 1963. The sultan lasted less than 12 months, before being deposed in a coup by radicals from the Afro-Shirazi Party, which quickly amalgamated with TANU on the mainland to form the country’s sole political party, Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM), the Revolutionary Party of Tanzania. Nyerere’s main objective was the successful application of socialist principles to an African agricultural society and economy. Nyerere’s ideas, particularly the introduction of ujamaa (his theory of socialist development, applied in a developing and largely agricultural economy), were articulated in the famous Arusha Declaration. Unfortunately, mismanagement and external events conspired to wreck Nyerere’s plans, with dire consequences for the economy. In foreign policy, Tanzania initially leant towards China rather than the USSR but has always maintained fairly good relations with the West, which have since flourished. Moreover, Tanzania has proved itself an active player in regional politics, having given consistent support to anti-colonial guerrilla movements in Southern Africa and intervened militarily in Uganda in 1979, to overthrow the Amin regime. Relations with the new government in South Africa are good. Tanzania was a founder member of the Southern African Development Co-ordination Conference and has been a prominent participant in the Organisation of African Unity. Nyerere retired from the presidency in 1985 and was replaced by Ali Hassan Mwinyi, former Vice-President and President of Zanzibar. Mwinyi favoured introducing market forces into the economy and plurality into the political system. Economic reform proceeded slowly in the face of a large and fairly corrupt state bureaucracy. On the political front, amendments to the constitution allowing for the introduction of a multiparty system were endorsed by the National Assembly, early in 1992. Restrictions on opposition parties were not fully removed until the presidential election of October 1995, at which three candidates took on the CCM candidate, Benjamin Mkapa, who nonetheless won comfortably. However, there was major discontent in Zanzibar, where relations with the mainland were already strained over the conduct of the election. In 1993, the island’s provincial government had applied to join and was accepted by the Organisation of the Islamic Conference (the island has a large population descended from Arab traders). Zanzibar has also experienced strong economic growth in recent years, in contrast with the stagnation of the mainland economy. Both factors are symptomatic of the growing distance between the two parts of Tanzania, although there is no immediate prospect of a separation. The Rwandan genocide had a major impact on the country, not least in the form of thousands of refugees who crossed into Tanzania – many remain there to this day, in camps near the border. Some of the perpetrators, meanwhile, have been extradited from elsewhere in Africa (Kenya and Gabon, for example), to be charged in a series of trials that are being undertaken in parallel with those in Rwanda itself. In August 1998, Tanzania was the scene of one of the year’s major terrorist incidents when a large truck bomb exploded outside the US embassy in Dar es Salaam; ten people were killed. (A similar device was simultaneously detonated, with much greater loss of life, in Nairobi). October 1999 was marked by the death of ex-president Julius Nyerere, whose funeral drew senior representatives from almost every government in the world. Political violence returned to the country at the end of 2000 and, once again, it was disputed elections that provided the fuse. The incumbent President Mkapa won a further term of office with almost 85 per cent of the vote, while the ruling CCM party took all but 25 of the national assembly seats. With widespread vote rigging and intimidation, the contest was, according to international observers, a ‘shambles’. While the result is likely to stand, it will certainly increase pressure in Zanzibar for greater autonomy. As one of Africa’s poorest countries, Tanzania has benefited greatly from a recently-inaugurated programme of debt relief. As a result, an estimated £2 billion owed by Tanzania was written off at the end of 2001. Government: Following constitutional changes implemented in 1995, legislative power rests with the unicameral National Assembly (Bunge), which is elected every five years. The Bunge has 274 members of whom 232 are directly elected, 37 are reserved for women appointed by the president and five allocated to members of the regional Zanzibar assembly. Executive power belongs to the president, who is directly elected every five years. Copyright © 2003 Columbus Publishing Ltd.