Country info for backpacking in Tanzania

Geography

A large central plateau makes up most of the mainland (at between 900m and 1800m) and the mountain ranges of the Eastern Arc and the Southern and Northern Highlands cut across the country to form part of the Great Rift Valley. A land of geographical extremes, Tanzania has the highest peak – Mount Kilimanjaro, the lowest point – the lake bed of Lake Tanganyika, and shares the largest lake – Lake Victoria - on the African continent.

Climate

Tanzania's weather varies from humid and hot in low lying areas such as Dar es Salaam, to hot during the day and cool at night in Arusha. There are no discernible seasons such as Winter and Summer, only the dry and wet seasons. Tanzania has two rainy seasons: the short rains from late-October to late-December, a.k.a. the Mango Rains, and the long rains from March to May. Climate Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec High(°C) 35 35 34 30 30 28 27 27 28 30 34 35 Low(°C) 25 25 23 21 21 20 18 18 21 24 25 25 Note: Many popular resorts and tourist attractions on Zanzibar and Mafia Island Marine Park close during the long rains, and many trails in the national parks are impassable during this period, so in most cases tours are restricted to the main roads in the parks. Travelers should plan their trip accordingly. During the dry season temperatures can easily soar to above 35°C in Dar. You should seek shelter from the sun during the midday heat and use copious amounts of sunblock, SPF 30+. Best times to visit are:

• June to August: This is the tail-end of the long rainy season and the weather is at its best at this time of year. Bearable during the day and cool in the evening. However, this is not necessarily the best time of year for safaris as water is plentiful in the parks and animals aren't forced to congregate in a few locations to rehydrate, such as in the middle of the dry season right after Christmas.
• January to February: This is the best time to visit the Serengeti as it is usually at this time that huge herds of Wildebeest, Zebra and Buffalo migrate to better grazing areas. At this period you could observe some of the 1.5 million Wildebeest that inhabit the Serengeti undertake their epic journey. Be advised this is probably the hottest time of year in Tanzania when even the locals complain about the heat. You've been warned!

Theft

By African standards, Tanzania remains a relatively safe destination, but like many impoverished countries caution should always be exercised in touristic areas such as Arusha, Stone Town (Zanzibar) and Dar es Salaam. Violent crime against foreigners in very uncommon, but pickpockets and con artists aren't. Pickpockets work crowded markets like Kariakoo and bus stations. Don't be fooled by small children who are often forced into a life of crime by older kids or parents. So never carry anything of value in your pockets and don't have expensive camera equipment dangling from your neck.

Robberies

Robberies against travelers are uncommon unless you frequent isolated areas such as beaches and dark street after night fall. Police make very little effort to identify the culprits, but obtaining a police report is useful if you plan on filing an insurance claim later. So be aware: If you are catching an early buses use a trustworthy taxi. Never walk alone after dark, this also applies in remote villages. If you have been the victim of a crime and your official documents have been stolen, make sure that the police report indicates your papers were stolen or you may have difficulty leaving the country. You should immediatly contact your local embassy or consulate in the event your passport has been stolen.

Walking

There are very few sidewalks in Tanzania so walking can be difficult and somewhat dangerous. You should always pay careful attention to the traffic and be prepared to move as vehicles will not make much effort to avoid pedestrians. In Tanzania, cars have priority.

Corruption

Tanzania, like many developing countries, suffers from rampant corruption, especially within the ranks of elected officials, bureaucrats, and authority figures such as police officers. Many people are very much averse to paying a bribe to anyone, especially in a country with so many needy but honest citizens. Generally, tourists have limited interaction with such individuals. However, should the occasion arise where you are solicited for a bribe by an official willing to turn a blind eye to your infraction, fabricated or otherwise, here are some suggestions for what to do: A word of caution: Police in Tanzania carry guns and batons and have been known to beat and even kill people. There are only rumours of incidents involving tourists, but that doesn’t mean it can’t happen. Always demonstrate respect for their authority, never raise your voice, swear or insult them, especially with other people around. Whether you are right or not does not matter at this point. With some patience and polite banter you may get away with only a verbal warning. The basic idea is to discourage the individual’s attempts at soliciting a bribe from you.

• Play dumb. Politely explain to the person that you don't understand the nature of the infraction, even if you do. Tanzanians are not direct and prefer to imply what they want instead of outright asking. Tell them you've only just arrived in the country, even if it's your 100th visit. If you know some Kiswahili, I wouldn't mention it. It may only make things harder.
• On-the-spot-fine is the term used for bribe. This is proposed in an effort to initiate a conversation about money. They will tell you that the real fine is 40,000 Tsh or more and that for 20,000 or 30,000 Tsh, paid to him/her right now, you can be on your way and avoid a trip to the Police Station to pay the higher fine. In this situation I’ve requested a receipt with an official stamp, which has been met with much confusion and concern. The idea is to show that you don’t know that this is a bribe and are simply trying to play by the rules.
• Hopefully, after 10 or 20 minutes of a circular, but always polite, conversation, they may send you on your merry way.
• I've also proposed, with success, that we go to my Embassy and have an official there help translate, due to my poor knowledge of the local language and laws, even when they speak decent English. They usually have a look of horror on their face at this point, since they don't want any real officials involved. Asking for bribes is illegal and there is an office of corruption where you can report them.
• Don't discuss money or negotiate the fine, as this shows that you understand the nature of the conversation.
• Never start accusing the officers of corruption, or mock them for it. It's important that you allow the officer to save his or her face.
• If after a prolonged conversation it's apparent that the official will not take "I don't understand" for an answer, politely call his/her bluff and agree to go to the police station. They don't really want to go there, because they will not get any money from you. If you're lucky, you'll end up driving around for a bit "looking" for the police station, after which he may stop the vehicle thank you for being so polite and send you on your way without having to pay a fine. It is not recommended that you allow a cop to get into your vehicle. Misunderstandings happen when you suggest going to the police station. If they ask for a lift, politely say no. You are not obliged to drive them to the station. Furthermore, they carry AK-47's, which could potentially/accidentally go off. It's unclear how much training police have in handling firearms.
• Finally, if they escort you to the police station, just pay the fine. This may end up costing you more than the bribe, but at least this cop won't get any money out of it, and may think twice before flagging down another foreigner.

Comment: Cops, like many others, earn very little money. It's thought as little as $40 a month. Some individuals and a few well known travel guides suggest that travelers negotiate and pay the agreed to fines so as to avoid any problems. They may disagree with the approach proposed above, and reason that paying a small fine is not such a big deal, that this how things are in Africa, and that the real problem is with corrupt governments who don't pay decent wages. Although this is true, contributing to the ongoing problem is not helping. If officials can no longer make money off bribes, perhaps they will start to pressure the government to increase their salaries.

Illnesses and diseases

As in most African countries, the AIDS/HIV infection rate is high. Tanzania's HIV/AIDS infection rate was 9% at the end of 2003 UNAIDS [19]. This figure is deceiving, however, since many subpopulations such as artisanal miners, itinerant fisherman, truck drivers and sex workers, have HIV infection rates significantly higher than the national average. Do not have unprotected sex in Tanzania or anywhere for that matter. For most tourists to Tanzania, after food-borne illnesses, Malaria will be your greatest concern. Malaria is transmitted by mosquitoes and is endemic to Tanzania. You are at risk in almost every part of the country, although this risk is somewhat diminished when at altitudes above 2000m. Care should always be taken between sunset and sunrise, especially during the rainy season. Always sleep under a treated net, wear trousers and closed footwear, and use an effective repellent. It's amazing but many large hotels don’t automatically install mosquito nets in their rooms. However, a call to the reception requesting one is seldom ignored. In some cases, the nets have several large holes, but a bit of adhesive tape or a tying a small knot where the hole is should do the trick. Prior to leaving for Tanzania, you may also wish to consult a physician about taking some form of anti-malarial medication, before, during and after your trip. If in spite of your best efforts you do contract Malaria, it is usually easily treated with medication that is readily available throughout most of the country. If you plan on being in more isolated locations, you may wish to drop by one of the clinics and purchase a batch. Note that symptoms associated with Malaria can take up to two weeks to manifest themselves. The rule of thumb for ex-pats living in Tanzania is any fever lasting more than a day is a cause for concern and requires a trip to the clinic for a malaria test. Notify your doctor that you’ve been to a malaria infected country if you start to run a fever shortly after returning from Tanzania. Other major illnesses to avoid include typhoid and cholera. In theory, typhoid can be avoided by carefully selecting food and drink, and avoiding consumption of anything unclean. Typhoid infection, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) [20], is marked by 'persistent, high fevers...headache, malaise, anorexia, splenomegaly, and relative bradycardia.' Cholera infection is marked by vomiting and sudden, uncontrollable bowel movements which can dehydrate and ultimately kill the sufferer within 48 hours. It is important to seek medical attention as quickly as possible. Cholera is more or less a seasonal phenomenon in Zanzibar, where outbreaks frequently occur during the rainy seasons. Vaccines and/or oral prevention are available for both typhoid and cholera. Yellow Fever: Yellow fever is an acute viral disease transmitted through the bite of a particular mosquito. Although not as common as Malaria, it is nonetheless a serious disease and travelers to Africa should consult a physician about being vaccinated against it. If you plan on traveling to other countries after your stay in Tanzania, be advised that some countries such as South Africa, may require proof that you’ve been vaccinated against Yellow Fever before allowing you to enter the country. If you aren’t or can’t prove it, you will be offered two options: 1) receive the Yellow Fever vaccination at the airport, 2) immediately leave the country. WARNING: The Yellow Fever vaccine can have serious side affects for some people. Therefore, you may wish to get the vaccine in your home country under controlled conditions. Most physicians will not administer the Yellow Fever vaccine to children under the age of 1 year, a letter from a physician explaining this will ensure your infant child is not forced to receive it at the airport. Gastrointestinal Distress: A.k.a. traveler’s diarrhea is the result of one, some or all the following reasons: unhygienic food preparation and storage, changes in diet, fatigue, dehydration and excessive alcohol consumption. Prevention is your best defense. Only eat raw vegetables and fruits you can peel and which have been washed in clean water. Avoid street or restaurant food that appears to have been left in the open for extended periods of time. Only eat freshly fried or steamed food. You should only drink bottled water, which is available throughout the country. You should even brush your teeth with it. If you must drink the tap or well water, boil it for a minimum of 10 minutes or use a high quality filter. Rift Valley Fever: [21] In January 2007, there was an outbreak of RFV in the Kilimanjaro area. Consumption of unpasteurized milk and improperly cooked meat from infected cows led to a number of deaths in the area. Following the deaths, the sale of beef dropped sharply all over the country, despite the limited scope of the infection. In general, meat served in upscale restaurants is of superior quality, however, care should be taken when indulging in street foods or when in more remote areas.

Insects and Animals

Tanzania has its fair share of venomous and deadly insects and animals, such as Black and Green Mambas, scorpions, spiders, stinging ants, centipedes, lions, sharks, and so on. You should take care when walking through high grass, when visiting national parks or shoving your hand under rocks or into dark holes, unless you know what your doing, but in actuality the likelihood of encountering these and other similar dangers is remote. The insect/animal most residents fear is the mosquito.

Medical Facilities

Hospitals and dispensaries in Tanzania do not meet western standards. If you require surgery or any complex medical procedure you will have to be evacuated to Kenya, South Africa or Europe. You should ensure your medical insurance covers such expenses. Outside of Dar es Salaam, and especially outside of the larger cities and towns, you will be hard pressed to get even basic medical help as many doctors are poorly trained and/or have limited equipment and medication. You should ensure you have your own medical kit to hold you over in case of an emergency. Misdiagnoses are frequent for even common ailments such as malaria, as high as 70% of the cases. Dar es Salaam is served by a few clinics staffed by western trained physicians. However, procedures such as surgery still require evacuation out of Tanzania.

• IST Medical Clinic: Just off Haile Selassie Road past the Chole Road intersection, behind the International School of Tanganyika, Msasani Pinensula, Tel: +255 22 260 1307, Emergency: +255 754 783 393.
• Premier Care Clinic Limited: 259 Ali Hassan Mwinyi Road, Namanga, Kinondoni, P.O. Box 220, Dar es Salaam, Tel: +255 22 266 8385, Mobile: +255 748 254 642.
• Aga Khan Hospital: Corner of Ocean Road & Sea View Road, Tel: +255 22 211 5151.