TRAVEL TO TANZANIA

From the vivid aquamarine shades of the Indian Ocean to the enchanting strangeness of the flora on the slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania is a startlingly beautiful land. Famed for its striking wildlife bounding across the acacia and other big trees-studded savannah of game parks, such as The Arusha National Park, The Tarangire National Park, Lake Manyara National Park, Ngorongoro Conservation Area and the vast Serengeti National Park on the Northern Circuit on the one side and the Katavi, Selous, Mikumi, Udzungwa and Ruaha National Parks on the Southern Circuit, Tanzania is a safari – fanatic’s dream; vast national parks and many other reserves encompassing over 27% of Tanzania’s surface, spanning arid, semi arid, grasslands and dense mountain forests.
       
Tanzania’s human population is equally as fascinating: around 126 different tribes live in Tanzania, including the Chagga, the Sukuma, the proud and beautiful red-clad Maasai, who still lead a semi-nomadic lifestyle of cattle-herding mainly along the northern border with Kenya and some scattered almost all over the country looking for water and food for themselves and their livestock.

On the balmy Swahili Coast and Zanzibar Spice Islands, African, Arab and Asian culture blends together, the result of a tradition of ocean-going commerce which stretches back for millenniums. Even today, romantic dhows (sailing boats) still ply these waters. 

THINGS TO DO IN TANZANIA

Tanzania nightlife
Most of the major hotels in Arusha and Dar es Salaam and the holiday resorts along the coast and the Spice Islands of Zanzibar have dancing with live bands or discos each evening. There are also a few local nightclubs in all major cities and towns that stay open until down; these can get very crowded and prostitution abounds – do not go in a crowd and – avoid going in a strangers’ crowd by taking a taxi. You are also strongly advised to avoid doing neglected sex for HIH Aids is very rampant looking for its unsuspecting victims to kill.

Increasingly, modern multi-screen cinema complexes are appearing in Arusha, Dar es Salaam and all the other up-coming cities and major towns, which show mainly Hollywood movies, while in the smaller towns are old colonial-style cinemas showing mainly old Kung Fu or Indian films. Theatres and museums are popular in Arusha, Dar es Salaam and all major towns including Zanzibar. There is a National Theatre and several small dramatic groups and quite often, traditional tribal dancing and drumming is performed in the National Parks and Beach Resorts.

Shopping in Tanzania  

The City and Town Centers usually have markets that sell curios such as African drums, old brass and copper, batiks, soapstone knick-knacks, carved chess sets, and large wooden carvings of animals or salad bowels carved from a single piece of teak, mninga, or ebony. Maasai items such as beaded jewelry, decorated gourds and distinctive red – checked blankets and sheets worn by the Maasai men and women make good souvenirs. Khanga, Kitenge and kikoi clothes are ideal to use as sarongs (common in East Africa for both men and women), and Tanzanian baskets made from sisal and leather are also popular. Most of the Tourists areas have abundant stalls and markets selling these items; you will be expected to haggle good-naturedly over prices.
 

Note:
Exporting souvenirs made from wildlife skins (including reptiles) and shells is forbidden unless after obtaining a permit from the Authorities concerned.
Shopping Hours:

Mon – Sat 08:30 – 13:00 and 14:00 – 17:00. Some Muslim businesses close on Friday afternoons (from 13:00 – 15:00) for prayers.
 

PLACES TO VISIT IN TANZANIA

Arusha
Arusha is the largest city in the Northern Tanzania and home to the East African Community Headquarters making it the Region’s commercial hub and Tanzania tourism, agricultural produce , different types of precious stones and political heart. It is also the region’s youngest, most modern and most rapidly developing city and has enjoyed a relentless growth curve.

Although the city contains a number of African Organizations HQs and a number of major UN agencies, it still has an air of lawlessness calling for one to be more careful, especially during the night. Its reputation for being hard and fast and dangerous earned it the unfortunate nickname of ‘Gangcity’ still has a ring of truth to it, resulting the need for street ventures to be a  bit street-smart commonsense with a view to avoiding any suspicious, on-coming group of people all through the city streets. It is advisable to always walk around the city with your guide who knows the place well and smart enough not to fall into the robbers’ spots.

This is a shame though, since Arusha is a vital and lively introduction to the real Tanzania where people are so kind and peaceful. The safari capital of the world, the city of Arusha, is actually an excellent base for travel and adventure. This Tanzania’s Tourism Capital is home to fascinating variety of people and the stimulating mix of cultures mean that there is buzz about the place at all times.

A cosmopolitan collection of shops, an unrivalled selection of cultural activities and centers, a varied restaurant scene and a definite café culture mean that the city has a surprisingly modern edge to it.

To escape the hustle and bustle of central city life and dodge the worst of the dangers though, head to the suburbs and take advantage of the city’s close proximity to a national park, the Arusha national park in particular, which is only a 40 minutes drive from the city centre, where wildlife and plenty of scenery is all abundant and leave alone the place where wildlife that was there long before the city existed now gaze on its skyscrapers.

Arusha has always been a frontier town and although it remains a little rough and ready, the city still has a distinct appeal, plenty of energy and, as East Africa’s most thrilling, upcoming and proud metropolis, really ought to be experienced properly by visitors to the country.

Other Destinations.
Tarangire National Park, Lake Manyara National Park, Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Oldupaai Gorge, the Ol Doinyo Lengai Mountain of fire, Lake Natron and the Serengeti National Park among others on the Northern Circuit – the cool and cloudy Rift Valley Parks inhabited with lots of large game, and millions of different species of birds and the Katavi, Selous, Mikumi, Udzungwa and Ruaha National Parks on the Southern Circuit, not forgetting the coast and Zanzibar and Arusha National Park which is virtually in Arusha and a great option to stay and view large game instead of putting up in some hotel in the city centre.
 

SOME OF THE FOOD AND DRINKS IN TANZANIA
  
In ARUSHA and DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania — A night out in these Northern and Indian Ocean port cities requires a few essentials. A deep-fried dinner of crispy French fries and dripping grilled meat. A club full of sweating bodies. Some thudding Bongo Flavor, Tanzania’s version of hip-hop.
And beer- Lots and lots of beer.

Beer is a big deal in Tanzania. And it’s not only a social lubricant, but also a source of national pride and a pillar of the economy. In fact, this summer, the suds have been at the center of a high-profile legal row — dubbed the Beer Wars in local media — about ownership of the two biggest local firms. At least one company executive has been quoted saying the dispute is of national importance.

The stakes may be high, but the disagreement is arcane. The two domestic rivals are Tanzania Breweries Limited, which controls 80 percent of the market, and Serengeti Breweries Limited, which has the remainder.

Meat in Tanzania is outstandingly good, as are tropical fruit and vegetables. Inland, a local freshwater fish, tilapia is popular and tasty. On the coast and in Zanzibar, Swahili cuisine features fragrant rice grilled fish and seafood curries with coconut milk. Indian and Middle Eastern food is available in most areas, and there is a wide range of International restaurants in Arusha, Dar es Salaam and all the other major towns. Tourist hotels provide buffet meals. Hotels in smaller towns offer a dish of the day, such as chicken and chips or stew and rice or ugali made from maize flour.   

                                                      
Regional Specialties:

1. Game Park lodges, sometimes serve game meat, which may be marinated in ginger & garlic, or in local  liqueurs and berries or garnished with wild honey and cream.
2. Nyama choma (barbecued meat) served with a spicy tomato relish or ugali (cakelike substance made from maize flour) or roasted bananas.
3. Tea/coffee served with Maandazi (doughnuts), samosas, sausages, etc. 

Tipping:
Optional. Most hotels include a 10% service charge in the bill; if they don’t, a small tip is customary.
World Travel and Tours Limited will be happy to take you to all places in Tanzania.