Kilimanjaro New Years Fact File

Area:

364,848 Sq Miles

Bank hours:

In larger towns or cities - Monday to Friday 8:30am - 4:00pm, Saturdays 8:30am - 1:00pm
Rural towns - Monday to Friday 8:30am - 12:30pm, Saturday 8:30am - 10:30pm

Capital:

Dodoma; Dar es Salaam is the administrative capital.

Credit cards:

Outside of use at larger hotels, credit cards are not very useful in restaurants and shops in Tanzania. ATMs are located in Arusha and Dar es Salaam, but are uncommon in other areas. Common credit cards such as Visas are more widely accepted. Bring enough cash or travelers checks to cover your costs (tipping, gifts etc) for the trip.

Cultural considerations:

There are large differences in cultural customs due to the large number of tribes and the divide between the half-Christian, half-Muslim population.

Try to learn some words in Swahili; any effort to learn some of the language will be appreciated.

Be cautious with your valuables. Leave passport, large amounts of cash, etc. in hotel safes when venturing into cities.

Avoid clothing that reveals the upper arms and legs. Longer sleeves and shorts are recommended.

Do not get involved with drugs; local law carries severe penalties for drug use and trafficking.

Currency:

The Tanzanian Shilling, often called the Bob. Check www.xe.com for up-to-date currency conversions. It is best to have small denominations of bills, as many small vendors cannot provide change. We recommend bringing travelers checks (American Express or Thomas Cook are the best).

Electricity:

Square three pin plugs (type G) on 220-240 volts 230v 50AC, but surges of up to 310v and troughs of as low as 150v are common. In Arusha this can vary from 160v to 240v and surges are common.

Embassy of Tanzania in the United States:

Website: www.tanzaniaembassy-us.org
Address: 2139 R Street NW, Washington D.C 20008.
Telephone: (202)884-1080, (202)939-6125/7
Fax: (202)797-7408
Email: ubalozi@tanzaniaembassy-us.org

Embassy of the United States in Tanzania:

Website: http://tanzania.usembassy.gov
Address: 686 Old Bagamoyo Road, Msasani
P.O. Box 9123, Dar es Salaam
Telephone: 255-22-266-8001
Fax: 255-22-266-8238 or 8373

Exchanging Money:

The Tanzanian shilling is a soft currency and is not available for exchange within the United States. However, US dollars are accepted in many places in Tanzania. Tanzanian Shillings cannot be exported, so convert your shillings back to dollars before leaving the country.

You must make all exchanges through the Bank of Tanzania, as all other exchanges are illegal. You can convert your cash or travelers checks to shillings in foreign exchange bureaus in most towns and cities.

Geography:

Tanzania is East Africa's largest country and is made up of plains, lakes, and mountains. Most of the land is high-plateau with some desert, semi-desert and savannah.

Hospitals/Pharmacies:

Hospitals and pharmacies are located in most towns and cities.

Language:

Swahili and English in addition to more than 100 tribal languages.

Passport/Visa:

You must hold a full ten-year passport with at least six months to run from the end of your expedition. Airlines are not permitted to carry passengers holding passports with less than six months validity.

You will need both Kenyan and Tanzanian Visas. We recommend purchasing your Kenyan Visa at the airport upon arrival in Kenya. Kenyan Visas are $25. You will also need a tourist Visa to enter Tanzania. We will purchase our Tanzanian Visas at the border on our way to Arusha. Visas for US citizens are $100.

Photography supplies:

It is illegal to take photos of any government buildings. This includes government offices, post offices, bridges, and railway stations. Please ask permission before taking pictures of people.

Population:

Approx. 33 million

Telephones:

The international direct dialing code for Kenya is 254 and 255 for Tanzania. Please check with your mobile phone provider if your network & contract enable you to have coverage in Kenya.

Tipping:

Please bring $150 - $200 in small American bills to tip our guide staff. There will be a tipping ceremony at the end of the trip.Tipping is expected for most services in Tanzania. Generally $1-$2 should be adequate for things like baggage handling, taxis etc.

Travelers Checks:

Travelers checks can be exchanged while in major cities at the beginning and end of the trip.

Vaccination & Health:

At present, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggests the following vaccines for travelers to Tanzania: Yellow Fever, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Typhoid, and Rabies. Check the CDC website (http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/) for current recommendations. It is advisable to visit a travel clinic or doctor?s office to find out what vaccines or medications you may need at the time of your trip. If you regularly use a prescription medicine, please inform your doctor of your upcoming trip to make sure there will be no unusual side effects. Please inform Adventure Challenges of any prescription medicines you are taking. Ask your doctor if you will need anti-malaria medication during your stay in Tanzania.

It is imperative that you drink at least five liters of water per day to limit the effects of dehydration and to combat the effects of altitude sickness. High altitude (usually from 10,000ft upwards) can cause headaches and dizziness, but the gradual acclimatization process of this itinerary will help to prepare you for the altitudes.

Water:

Water is not safe to drink straight from the tap, rivers or creeks in Tanzania. Your guides will provide you with ample boiled water every day. Boiled water is almost always the safest drinking option. If you would like, many companies now manufacture personal water purification bottles and filtration systems. They can be purchased at most outdoors or camping stores.

Weather:

The weather on the mountain is very unpredictable, so be prepared for a variety of climates. Check your packing list for appropriate clothing. Air temperatures during the day in the lowlands and foothills are around 70 - 80 degrees Fahrenheit, although evenings can be as cold as -15 Farenheit. We usually have a glorious warm sunny morning, with an overcast afternoon, occasional rain or mist, then a beautiful sunset and a clear star-lit night. Some nights higher up, however, can be well below freezing.