Tanzania Map

Map Tanzania

Weather Tanzania

07.09.2010
partly cloudy
28°C
Sunrise 06:18:00
Sunset 18:21:00

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Tanzania

Tanzania is the largest country in East Africa, comprising both the mainland and the Zanzibar Archipelago. The capital, Dodoma, is in the centre of the country, while Dar es Salaam, the economic capital is on the east coast. Tanzania has more land devoted to National Parks and game reserves than any country in the world (over 100 000km2).

Tanzania is home to some of the most incredible tribal diversity in Africa. The country includes all of the major ethnic and linguistic groups on the continent. Over the past few years, cultural tourism has become an increasing attraction for visitors from around the world and visits to tribal villages are often a highlight on safari itineraries. The Maasai are perhaps the most well known of Tanzania’s tribes and inhabit the northern regions of the country. Maasai tribal life revolves around protecting and caring for their herds of cattle and finding ample grazing land in their region.

We arrange trips to the northern and southern circuit in Tanzania in two to five star accommodation. Packages combining Tanzania and Zanzibar are possible.

Tanzania Reviews

Tanzania

From: StevenSent: 29 January 2010 10:46To: Helen MannSubject: Tanzania and Zanzibar

 

Hi Helen, we are back safe and sound thanks.

I do have a few comments about the trip that I would like to make. Most of the comments may seem pretty petty but to put them in context, this was an expensive holiday and for that reason my expectations were very high.

First off I have only praise for Predator Safaris and especially their representative (Mohammad) that accompanied us around the game parks. They were brilliant with no qualification. The game viewing was just as good, it surpassed my expectations by a long way.

I was quite disappointed however with the quality of “Lodge” range of accommodation (Ngaruroro Lodge, Serengeti Lodge and Lake Manyara Logde)  and the SG Hotel in Arusha. While almost all the hotels were well finished and neat, they were all (except the Sopa) extremely noisy. If someone walked past the room, spoke in the room next door or used the plumbing anywhere in the building it felt as if they were in the same room we were in. This made sleeping quite difficult. I think this is a design flaw with these hotels and so would strongly urge anyone making this type of trip to stay in a different range of hotels where the rooms are not all next to each other (I think this is the case with the Sopa range).

Zanzibar: Matemwe was good but is not in the same league as Medjumbe. While the level of service was exceptional, part of the problem may have been due to the fact that the Island has no power and the small local generators could not be run 24h a day. It was therefore very hot when the power was off and there were plenty of mosquitoes.

Just to put these comments into context, it was only because the trip was expensive that my expectations were so high.

Steve

 

 

Tanzania Top Attractions

  • Lake Manyara National Park: Beneath the cliffs of the Manyara Escarpment, this park has a range of ecosystems and breathtaking views. The alkaline soda of Lake Manyara is home to an incredible array of bird life. Lake Manyara’s famous tree-climbing lions. 2½ hour drive from Arusha.
  • Ngorongoro Crater: Within the crater rim large herds of zebra and wildebeest graze while lions laze in the sun. Just outside the crater’s ridge, tall Masaai herd their cattle and goats over green pastures along the highland slopes. Ngorongoro Conservation Area includes its famous crater, Olduvai Gorge, and huge expanses of highland plains, scrub bush, and forests that cover approximately 8 300km2. A four hour drive from Arusha and 2 hours from Lake Manyara.
  • Serengeti National Park: The annual wildebeest migration through the Serengeti and the Maasai Mara attract visitors from around the world, who flock to the open plains to witness the largest mass movement of land mammals on the planet. Hot-air ballooning over the Serengeti plains has become a safari rite-of-passage for travellers.
  • Selous Game Reserve: The Reserve remains one of the untouched gems of Tanzania’s national parks. The Rufiji River Delta is a striking feature of the game reserve. Along its shores hippo sleep in the mud and sun themselves, mouths wide open. Forty-five minutes by plane from Dar es Salaam. The reserve is open from June to February.
  • Mikumi National Park: Is the closest wildlife park to Dar es Salaam, about 4 hours by road. It lies between the Uluguru Mountains to the north-east, and the Rubeho Mountains, Udzungwa Mountains and Rift Valley escarpment to the south-west.
  • Ruaha National Park: Game viewing on the Great Ruaha River banks is spectacular with vast numbers of game and birds.

Tanzania Travel Tips

  • Getting there: South African Airways and Kenyan Airways fly from Johannesburg to Dar es Salaam regularly. Regular flights from Europe. Daily charters to and from Dar es Salaam to Arusha.
  • Visas: All visitors need visas. Travellers are advised to obtain these in advance although they can be issued on arrival for last minute bookings.
  • Currency: Tanzanian Shilling (TZS). It is advisable to carry US$, or major foreign currencies. Traveller's cheques can be exchanged in some places and major credit cards are accepted in the larger hotels.
  • Health: Yellow fever vaccination is recommended for the mainland and compulsory for Zanzibar. Take malaria prophylactics.
  • When to go: October to mid-March are the hottest months, and June to September the coolest. Rainy season is from mid-March to the end of May. Climate on the coast and in Selous is tropical.
  • What to pack: Take light, casual clothing sturdy shoes and canvas hats. If you are visiting Ngorongoro Crater take a jersey as it can get cold at night even in summer. Torch, insect repellent and binoculars.
  • Luggage allowance: 20kgs for international flights and 15kgs for regional flights. Airlines will not accept luggage over 32kg or 900mm x 720mm x 450mm. Plastic wrap your baggage, especially if departing from OR Tambo International Airport.
  • Charter flights: Strict baggage allowance of 15kgs for checked in baggage (soft bags only) and one small item of hand luggage (5kg).
  • Power supply: 230v, 3 prong square or 3-pin round triangular plugs.
  • Customs allowance: 1 bottle of wine or spirits, 200 cigarettes.
  • Time: GMT + 3 hours.
  • Languages: Kiswahili and English.

Terms and Conditions

These terms and conditions will apply to your holiday and the arrangements which you make. Please read them carefully as you will be bound by them.

By making a booking, the client confirms that all of the people named in the booking made by him/her have read these conditions, and have agreed to be bound by them and all the other terms of the contract, and that he/she has the authority to accept these terms and conditions on their behalf.

1.    Regardless of the place of execution, performance or domicile of the parties, this contract, together with all modifications and amendments, shall be governed by, construed under and in accordance with the laws of the Republic of South Africa.

2.    All packages and tours are sold subject to our standard terms and conditions. Reservations must be signed on a booking form. If the services of a courier are employed during this process, the costs shall be borne by the client.

3.    A 20% deposit is payable on confirmation, unless otherwise stated on the booking form. The balance must be paid 6 weeks prior to your departure. No contract is made between the client and Unusual Destinations until the deposit or, where required, the full price has been paid, whether or not a booking confirmation has been issued by Unusual Destinations or one of its agents. Failure by the client to pay any sum by due date shall entitle Unusual Destinations to cancel the booking, and to charge a cancellation fee as set out below (see point 17 below).

4.    Quotations are based on the exchange rates valid at the time that they are sent to the client. Unusual Destinations reserves the right to increase any prices where currency fluctuations occur, until such time as they have been paid in full. It is the client’s responsibility to check on possible price increases prior to full payment. Airfares are subject to prices quoted by airlines, and Unusual Destinations can therefore not accept responsibility for unexpected fare increases.

5.    It is the clients’ responsibility to obtain travel documents including a valid passport and air tickets. It is also the clients’ responsibility to contact the airlines at least 72 hours prior to departure to reconfirm all flights. All clients who, at the time of departure, are under the age of 18 years, must be accompanied by a client aged 21 or over who will at all times during the tour or trip be responsible for their welfare, conduct and behaviour. Clients are expected at all times to conduct themselves in an appropriate manner with due regard to the health, safety, comfort, enjoyment and general well- being of all the other people who may be on the tour or trip, or other people who may be staying in the relevant hotels. If it appears that the client’s conduct or behaviour is such as to be a breach of this requirement, or is likely to endanger the client’s own health or safety, or that of others, or where their actions or conduct impedes the operation of the trip, then Unusual Destinations reserves the right to refuse the further participation of any such client. No refund will be considered in respect of any client whose participation in the trip is terminated for these reasons. Further, where the client is repatriated pursuant to this clause at Unusual Destinations’ expense, or where Unusual Destinations is put to any additional expense as a result of the client’s conduct, then Unusual Destinations shall have the right to recover such costs upon demand. Under no circumstances, at any time, shall Unusual Destinations have any liability for the denial of boarding or expulsion from an aeroplane by any airline contracted in terms of this contract, such denial being at the sole discretion of the airline concerned.

6.    While Unusual Destinations will do its best not to cancel or make any material alteration to the itinerary after a booking confirmation has been issued, it shall nonetheless be entitled at any time prior to departure to cancel the contract between the parties, or to change and/or curtail the scheduled itinerary where this becomes reasonably necessary on operational, commercial or other grounds. Unusual Destinations will however inform the client of any such cancellation or change of itinerary as soon as possible. Where such a change of itinerary amounts to a material alteration, the client shall be entitled to cancel the booking within 3 days of being advised of the itinerary change without any cancellation fee being applicable.

7.    Although Unusual Destinations attempts to make all itineraries as accurate as possible at the time of printing, they are to be considered an approximate indication of the schedule and scope of the tour rather than an inflexible chronicle of events. The itinerary may be subject to change due to circumstances beyond the control of Unusual Destinations, whether as a result of weather, government restrictions, transportation problems, road conditions, acts of God, terrorist threats, natural disasters, fires or other circumstances. Unusual Destinations however undertakes to do its best to maintain the itinerary, and will not unreasonably change it. However any such changes shall not constitute a material alteration of the contract, and Unusual Destinations shall in consequence have no liability to the client in respect thereof.

8.    Unusual Destinations will not be responsible for any additional costs occasioned by changes in the itinerary or flight schedules, such as additional flights, hotel nights or meals not included in the scheduled itinerary. Payment for such additional services will be required at the time when the amended itinerary is provided to the client. Further, any expenses incurred owing to unexpected extensions to packages, trips or tours caused by flight delays, bad weather, strikes or any other reason beyond Unusual Destinations’ control will be paid by the client upon demand.

9.    Where the client is making a booking with a tour, the rates quoted are based upon group participation, and no partial refunds will be given for unused trip arrangements or sightseeing tours for any reason whatsoever.

10.    Unusual Destinations, in order to provide the tour as set out in the brochure, group/individual tour or individual package, quotation and/or booking, is obliged to make arrangements with local operators who may themselves engage the services of local suppliers. Unusual Destinations endeavours at all times to appoint reputable and competent local operators to comply with the requirements and standards expected by the client. However, although these local operators are appointed by Unusual Destinations, they are acting as an agent on behalf of the client directly, and a direct contract is therefore entered into between the client and the local operator or service provider, and the terms and conditions of the local operator, whether or not contained in this brochure, will apply to arrangements made by them. Unusual Destinations makes the travel arrangements on behalf of the client on the express condition that it is not liable for any inconvenience, irregularity or expense occasioned by the failure of the local operator to comply with the itinerary provided, whether in relation to travel arrangements, airline scheduling, airline changes, cancelled flights, missed flight connections or any other factor not directly under Unusual Destinations’ control. In the event however that Unusual Destinations is, in spite of the provisions of this clause, found to be liable to the client, then its liability will be limited to the sum paid by the client in respect of the travel arrangement(s) in question.

11.    As Unusual Destinations acts only as an agent for local operators, it accepts no liability for any loss or damages which clients may suffer as a result of the failure by such local operators to fulfil their obligations whether in relation to travel flights, land arrangements, accommodation or otherwise. These local operators are independent suppliers who are not affiliated with Unusual Destinations in any way. Further, Unusual Destinations shall not be liable for any loss, damage, delay, accident or inconvenience caused to any person, their property or luggage under any circumstances.

12.    Unusual Destinations will not be liable for bodily injury to, or death of any client, or damage to their property occasioned through the conduct or default of any company or local operator or individual engaged in providing these services or for any reason, including, but not limited to, acts of God, quarantine, strikes, industrial action, medical emergencies, civil disturbances, theft, detention, annoyance, natural or nuclear disaster, fire, closure of ports, changes in government regulations, terrorism, war, medical emergencies or failure of the conveyance to depart or arrive as scheduled.

13.    Unusual Destinations does not provide medical services during the trip or tour. However, wherever possible, Unusual Destinations will offer general assistance to any client who suffers illness, personal injury or death, whether or not arising from an activity forming part of the trip or tour, and whether or not the result of fault by any party.

14.    Clients should bring with an ample supply of any prescription medicines required, and a first aid kit.

15.    Any cost or expense which is reasonably incurred by Unusual Destinations for or on behalf of the client in respect of any form of medical, dental or similar treatment, hotel, transportation, repatriation, or any other expenses of whatever nature, shall be repayable by the client to Unusual Destinations on demand, whether or not such sum is covered by the client’s travel insurance.

16.    Travel insurance (medical and personal accident) is compulsory. However, clients are strongly recommended to take out insurance to cover the loss of their luggage, and the deposit or part of the tour fee through cancellation.

17.    Any changes and/or cancellations will incur penalties; in many cases air tickets are totally non-refundable. All cancellations have to be in writing. Unless otherwise stipulated, the following fees shall be charged by Unusual Destinations if a client cancels a reservation:

More than 6 weeks prior to departure:
10% of price

4 – 6 weeks prior to departure:
50% of price

2 – 4 weeks prior to departure:

75% of price

Less than 2 weeks prior to departure:

100% of price

18.    These terms and conditions, together with any other clauses set out on the application form, defines the responsibility of Unusual Destinations with respect to all of the trips/tours/arrangements made by them. Further, Unusual Destinations shall not be liable for the failure of performance or improper performance which is wholly attributable to any or all of the following:
    
a)    The fault of the client;

b)    The unforeseeable or unavoidable act of a third party unconnected with the provision of any services to be provided under this contract;

c)    Unusual or unforeseeable circumstances beyond the control of Unusual Destinations, the consequences of which could not have been avoided even if all due care was exercised;

d)    Any event which Unusual Destinations could not even with all due care have foreseen or avoided, including (but not limited to) an event or force major. Unusual Destinations further confirms that the carriage of passengers and their luggage by air is governed by various international conventions and the client shall be bound by the rules, regulations and conditions of contract laid down by any carrier upon which he / she may travel as a result of the reservations made, and Unusual Destinations shall be free from any liability in consequence thereof.

Northern Tanzania

The wildlife-packed Ngorongoro Crater and the vast plains of the Serengeti, northern Tanzania  embodies what is for many quintessential Africa. While the main attractions are trekking to the top of Africa  and wildlife watching on the northern safari circuit, there’s much more: haunting calls of water birds fill the air at serene Lake Eyasi; beautiful Mt Meru beckons with unforgettable sunrise panoramas from its summit; the barren landscapes of the Crater Highlands offer rugged but satisfying hiking; and lively rural markets draw traders from miles around to haggle over everything from a head of cattle to a kilo of maize. Enjoy delightful highland lodges amid the coffee plantations around Karatu, take in the Rift Valley vistas around Lake Manyara, experience the subtleties of the Tarangire ecosystem or simply take in all the contrasts, as world-class safari lodges jostle for space with mud-thatch houses, and red-cloaked Maasai warriors follow centuries-old traditions while office workers brush by in Western dress.

Packages to be loaded soon.

Southern Tanzania

The parks of Southern Tanzania are generally accessed by light aircraft, often in combination with some beach time in Zanzibar. This type of fly-in lodge-based safari is a relatively relaxed affair, with typically 3 or 4 nights at each lodge. Hopping directly between camps in this way ensures a very pure wilderness experience.The number one location is Selous, a wonderful languid reserve down on the coastal plateau, with great boat safari, birding and some pretty solid game-viewing. Ruaha is up on the central plateau and is very different in character and in many ways complementary to Selous.

Packages to be loaded soon.

 

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