Tips when planning a visit to Tanzania
Interesting to note that Barclay’s bank in Tanzania will be implementing a new policy whereby they will no longer be accepting US Dollar notes printed before the year 2000. Anyone who carries US Dollar notes printed before 2000, will be compelled to accept a rate of exchange lower than normal. Please note if YOU are travelling to Tanzania to make sure that any US Dollar currency notes which you bring with you were printed after the year 2000.
TANZANIA – COUNTRY INFORMATION
YELLOW FEVER:
Ten days prior to your departure for Tanzania (including Zanzibar), you are required to obtain a Yellow Fever certificate. The certificate is required for re-entry into South Africa.
MALARIA:
Tanzania is a malaria area and all travellers are advised to take prophylactics. Please ensure you consult a physician 6 weeks before your departure.
IMPORTANT NOTE:
The climate of Tanzania varies quite a bit. While the narrow lowland coastal region is consistently hot and humid, the central regions of Tanzania are sufficiently elevated so as to offer much cooler temperatures. The best time to visit Tanzania would be between July and October and December to March. The Period between July and October is a dry season and the time of the Great Migration. This is also the most expensive period to travel. Between December and March, there is rainfall but only short showers, usually in the late afternoon. Between November and March temperatures can reach over 30 degrees.
March to end May and further short rains in November.
Best time to climb Mt Kilimanjaro is June to September.
Effective 1 August 2009, the USD30 departure tax currently payable at Zanzibar airport will be collected by the various airlines and incorporated into the airfare. If your ticket was issued prior to 01 August 2009, you will still be required to pay the USD30 per person departure tax directly at Zanzibar Airport.
USD notes printed prior to 2000, with the small heads’ on them, are NOT being accepted by airport, immigration officials and many other vendors. Only the newer notes, with the large heads’ will be accepted.
When checking in at your hotel, a credit card imprint may be requested for security purposes. Should a credit card not be available, a cash deposit will be required. The deposit will be refunded when checking out of the hotel, less any additional charges that may have been incurred during your stay.
THE MIGRATORY PATH
OCTOBER & NOVEMBER
The arrival of the short summer rain calls the herds to begin their migration south. As November ends the migration makes its way back to the southern Serengeti and they once again give birth.
DECEMBER, JANUARY, FEBRUARY & MARCH
The Serengeti National Park and the Ngorongoro Conservation area is arguably the most impressive wildlife sanctuary in the world. During the period December through March the Conservation area is inhabited by enormous herds of wildebeest and zebra. This is the calving season and the herds concentrate at the Ndutu and Salei Plains and thus attract the attention of lions, cheetah and hyena.
APRIL, MAY & JUNE
Depleted plains are no longer able to sustain he huge herds. The migration moves from the short grass plains of the southern Serengeti and Ngorongoro Conservation area to the long grass of the Serengeti’s western corridor almost to Lake Victoria.
JULY, AUGUST & SEPTEMBER
Countless herds congregate along the swollen Mara River, the final barrier cutting them off from the sweet grass of the Masai Mara. They search for a shallow crossing place in an effort to cross safely. However, some get caught up in the deeper, fast running waters and drown while others may be attached by crocodile that lie in wait.
