The Infinite Horizon

• Tanzania is just South of the Equator and has a pleasant, tropical climate.
• There are two rainy seasons.
• The Short Rains are in November and the Long Rains in April/May.
• The latter can sometimes be heavy enough to restrict travel in affected areas.
• Some camps close during the Long Rains.
• Inland the temperature average is about 30°C (86°F) in the summer and a few degrees cooler on the coast.
• It’s nearer 25°C (77°F) in the higher regions like Arusha and the Serengeti.
• The Ngorongoro Crater is higher still and therefore a few degrees cooler again.
• However the sun is strong at these altitudes and it is easy to burn

July to October:

• The days are warm, the nights cool, and the rains have finished.
• Water becomes less accessible for the animals and they begin to congregate around water holes.
• This makes for great game viewing.
• Most visitors choose this time of the year to come to Tanzania.

November to December:

• Short rains, less visitors at this time so popular areas are less crowded.
• Some wilderness camps closed.

December to February:

• This is the hottest time of the year in Tanzania (reaching over 30°C); game viewing is good and in February wildebeest usually calve.

March to June:

• The Long Rains fall in this period and many camps will close in April/May.
• While it is very green and pretty it is not quite so easy to spot animals.
• The grass is long and as there is abundant water for animals they will have dispersed from the permanent water sources.
• However, this can be the best time to view the most popular areas, like the Ngorongoro Crater, as it tends to be less crowded.
• Low Seasons: April to May and November to mid December are usually rainy but the lack of other visitors has its advantages both for exclusivity and availability of accommodation.
• High Seasons: July to September and January to February are the best, but also the busiest times of the year to visit Tanzania.

• Dress is casual with natural colours.
• Light layered clothing is generally advisable with a fleece or sweater for the evenings.
• Bring a pair of sturdy, light, waterproof walking shoes plus a comfortable pair for the beach or around the lodge.
• A light waterproof jacket is useful.
• Sunglasses, sunscreen and a wide brim hat are essential.
• Pack lightly – on internal flights in small aircraft the weight restriction is usually 15Kg.
• We will provide detailed clothing suggestions to suit your chosen safari

• While Tanzania is politically stable and relatively safe (particularly compared with many other African countries), it is recommended that you are still vigilant with your belongings.
• It is inadvisable to carry large amounts of cash, as quality hotels and lodges around the country accept major credit cards.
• ATM facilities are available at airports and major towns.
• Euros, pounds sterling and US dollars can be exchanged at banks and numerous bureau de change.

• Most visitors will need to a visa to enter Tanzania.
• You can get them at the airport (only US dollars are accepted) but it is preferable to get them several weeks in advance from the Tanzanian Embassy in your country.
• Travellers from the USA pay $100, travellers from the UK £38.

• Voltage is 220-240 volts and the plugs are the same as the square 3-pin plugs used in the UK.
• Some safari camps have limited electricity but almost all have facilities to charge cameras, phones, etc.

• Like visiting most African countries, it is important to check with your health travel advisor for the vaccinations currently required and which anti-malaria pills are most suitable for you.
• In addition to your normal medication, assemble a simple first aid kit to cover pain relief, minor cuts and grazes as well as an insect repellent and an antihistamine for soothing reactions from insect bites.
• From 2008 a Yellow Fever certificate is required for all visitors to Tanzania.

• Over 100 different tribal languages are spoken in Tanzania, but Kiswahili and English are the official languages. 
• Most of the people involved in travel or safari camps (including your guides) will speak good English.

The Tanzanian Shilling (Tsh) is the local currency; it has been relatively stable over the last few years. The exchange rates as at 1st  July 2008 were:

• 1 US Dollar = 1,175 Tanzanian Shillings
• 1 UK Pound = 2,340 Tanzanian Shillings

• Tanzania is just south of Kenya and few degrees below the Equator.
• It is bordered by the Indian Ocean to the east and Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Congo, Zambia, Malawi & Mozambique.
• This explains some of the country’s cultural diversity.
• It is roughly 945,000 Km² - about 4 times the size of the UK.
• The coast is typically lightly forested with drier savannah dominating when moving inland as the altitude increases to about 1500 meters.
• The Great African Rift Valley, as well as isolated volcanoes disrupts this pattern, increasing local rainfall and vegetation types.
• This has led to the great ecological diversity and a diverse mineral wealth (it is said that every type of gemstone in the world is found round the base of Mount Kilimanjaro).
• The Zanzibar Archipelago lies offshore North of Dar Es Salaam.
• Dar Es Salaam is the largest city and main commercial centre, but Dodoma (in the centre of the country) is the nominal capital.
• Other important towns are Arusha (the home of most safari companies), Mwanza, Tabora, Iringa and Mbeya.
• Over 25% of Tanzania is protected by National Parks and other conservation areas, which contain perhaps a fifth of all of Africa’s large mammals.
• There are still many parts of Tanzania that are little visited by tourists – the potential is enormous.

• Largely a grazing land for nomadic tribesmen like the Maasai, (who moved into the area about 300 years ago) Tanzania was explored by the British (Dr Livingstone) and various agreements were made with the local rulers.
• The Germans annexed it from the 19th Century up until the First World War, when it became a British colony.
• Tanzania was granted independence in 1963.
• Following independence, the country was steered by Julius Nyerere (who is still very highly respected by Tanzanians today) as a socialist regime.
• The country did not prosper during this period and Tanzania was among the world’s poorest countries.
• The socialist policies have now receded, political stability has attracted significant foreign investment and the economy is now growing strongly.
• Tourism now accounts for about 16% of Tanzania's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and up to 25% of its export earnings.
• In the last five years, Tanzania received an average of around 650,000 tourists a year.
• This is anticipated to grow to over one million per year by 2008. Most of these tourists are expected to include a safari as at least part of their visit.