Country Profile - TANZANIA

General Information

Area: 945,087 sq km (364,900 sq miles).

Population: 35,119,000 (UN estimate 2000).

Population Density: 37.2 per sq km.

Capital: Dodoma (administrative capital designate). Population: 1,502,344 (1995). Dar es Salaam remains the capital for the time being. Population: 1,651,534 (1995).

GEOGRAPHY: The United Republic of Tanzania lies on the east coast of Africa and is bordered by Kenya and Uganda to the north; by Burundi, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo to the west; by the Indian Ocean to the east; and by Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique to the south. The Tanzanian mainland is divided into several clearly defined regions: the coastal plains, which vary in width from 16 to 64km (10 to 39 miles) and have lush, tropical vegetation; the Masai Steppe in the north, 213 to 1067m (698 to 3500ft) above sea level; and a high plateau in the southern area towards Zambia and Lake Nyasa (Lake Malawi). Savannah and bush cover over half the country, and semi-desert accounts for the remaining land area, with the exception of the coastal plains. Over 53,000 sq km (20,463 sq miles) is inland water, mostly lakes formed in the Rift Valley. The United Republic of Tanzania includes the islands of Zanzibar and Pemba, about 45km (28 miles) off the coast to the northeast of the country.

Government: Federal Republic since 1964. Tanganyika gained independence from the UK in 1961. In 1964, Tanganyika joined with Zanzibar, which had been a British protectorate until 1963, and became Tanzania. Head of State: President Benjamin William Mkapa since 1995. Head of Government: Prime Minister Frederick Sumaye since 1995.

Language: Kiswahili and English are the official languages. The terms Swahili and Kiswahili are used interchangeably, though the term Swahili normally refers to the people while Kiswahili refers to the language. Originating along the coast, Kiswahili is a Bantu language with many words derived from Arabic. Other African languages such as Bantu and those of Nilo-Hamitic and Khoisan origin are also spoken.

Religion: Muslim, Christian, Hindu and traditional beliefs.

Time: GMT + 3.

Electricity: 230 volts AC, 50Hz. Plugs may be round or square three-pin, fused or unfused.

Communications:

Telephone: IDD is available. Country code: 255. Outgoing international code: 00. In some rural areas, international calls must go through the operator. There are many public call boxes in post offices and main towns.

Mobile telephone: GSM 900/1800 network. Operators include Celtel Tanzania Ltd, Mobitel, Tritel (website: www.tritel.co.tz), Vodacom Tanzania and Zanzibar Telecom. Coverage is limited to main urban areas.

Fax: Faxes can be sent from the Tanzanian Telecom Office in Dar es Salaam, and from some hotels.

Internet: ISPs include Africa Online (website: www.africaonline.com), Cats-net.com (website: www.cats-net.com) and TZ Online (website: www.tzonline.com). E-mail can be accessed in Internet cafes in main urban areas.

Telegram: Telegrams can be sent from most post offices and major hotels.

Post: Airmail to Europe takes 1 week. Courier services take less than 24 hours.

Press: The English-language newspapers are the Business Times, Daily News, The Express, The Family Mirror, The Guardian and Sunday News printed in Dar es Salaam.

Radio: BBC World Service (website: www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice) and Voice of America (website: www.voa.gov) can be received. From time to time the frequencies change and the most up-to-date can be found online.

Passport/Visa

Passport Required? Visa Required? Return Ticket Required?
British Yes Yes Yes
Australian Yes Yes Yes
Canadian Yes Yes Yes
USA Yes Yes Yes
OtherEU Yes Yes Yes
Japanese Yes Yes Yes

Note: The granting of a visa does not guarantee permission to enter Tanzania. The Immigration Officer reserves the right to grant or deny admission. Visa holders are subject to normal immigration control at the port of entry and should carry with them, for possible presentation to Immigration Officers, the documents submitted with their applications.

PASSPORTS: Passport valid for at least 6 months required by all.

VISAS: Required by all nationals except the following for stays of up to 3 months (who are issued with a visitor's pass on arrival): Antigua & Barbuda, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, Botswana, Brunei, Cyprus, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Kenya, Kiribati, Lesotho, Malaysia, Malawi, Maldives, Malta, Mauritius, Namibia, Nauru, St Kitts & Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent & the Grenadines, São Tomé e Príncipe, Seychelles, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Swaziland, Tonga, Tuvalu, Uganda, Vanuatu, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Note: Note: Nationals who do not require visas for stays of up to 3 months may still need entry permit clearance, except nationals of Kenya and Uganda. All other nationals must obtain visas in advance except nationals coming from a country where there is no Tanzania Embassy, High Commission or Consulate to issue a visa. In this case, these nationals may obtain a visa on arrival at one of the following four main entry points, provided all immigration and health requirements are met: Dar es Salaam International Airport, Kilimanjaro International Airport, Namanga Entry Point (Tanzania-Kenya border crossing) and Zanzibar International Airport.

Types of visa and cost: Tourist: £38 (single-entry); £45 (multiple-entry). Business: £50 (single-entry); £60 (multiple-entry). Cost of Tourist visa depends on nationality of applicant. The above prices are for UK nationals; Irish nationals always pay £5. For postal applications, fees are payable only by postal order. Please note that once visas are processed, fees are non-refundable.

Validity: Single-entry: 3 months from date of issue; Multiple-entry: 6 months from date of issue.

Application to: Consulate (or Consular section at High Commission or Embassy); see Contact Addresses section.

Application requirements: (a) One completed application form. (b) Two recent passport-size photos. (c) Valid passport. (d) Fee, payable in cash or by postal order, made payable to the Tanzania High Commission (nationals must pay by postal order only for postal applications). (e) Pre-paid self-addressed, stamped envelope for postal applications. (f) For business visitors, a letter indicating the nature of the trip and the business contact in Tanzania.

Note: All nationals may be asked to attend an interview and/or supply further documents.

Working days required: Normally 24 hours. Up to 7 days for postal applications.

Temporary residence: Enquire at High Commission or Embassy.

Money

Currency: Tanzanian Shilling (TSh) = 100 cents. Notes are in denominations of TSh10,000, 5000, 1000, 500 and 200. Coins are in denominations of TSh200, 100, 50, 20, 10, 5 and 1, and 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5 cents.

Currency exchange: Money may be changed at banks, authorised dealers and bureaux de change. A receipt should be obtained and kept until departure.

Credit & debit cards: Major credit cards are accepted in larger hotels. Check with your credit or debit card company for details of merchant acceptability and other facilities which may be available.

Travellers cheques: May be cashed with authorised dealers or bureaux de change. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take travellers cheques in US Dollars or Pounds Sterling.

Currency restrictions: The import and export of local currency is prohibited. The import of foreign currency is unlimited, subject to declaration. The export of foreign currency is limited to the amount declared on arrival.

Exchange rate indicators: The following figures are included as a guide to the movements of the Tanzanian Shilling against Sterling and the US Dollar:

Date Aug ’03 Nov ’03 Feb ’04 May '04
£1.00= 1705.42 1779.25 2022.84 1994.77
$1.00= 1069.10 1048.50 1111.30 1116.83

Banking hours: Mon-Fri 0830-1230 (some places are open until 1600), Sat 0830-1300.

Duty Free

Duty-Free: The following items may be imported into Tanzania without incurring customs duty:

200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250g of tobacco; 1 bottle of alcoholic beverages; 570ml of perfume.

Public Holidays

Public Holidays: Jan 1 2004 New Year's Day. Jan 12 Zanzibar Revolution Day. Apr 26 Union Day. May 1 International Labour Day. Jul 7 Saba Saba (Industry's Day). Aug 8 Nane Nane (Farmer's Day). Nov 14-16 Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan). Dec 9 Independence and Republic Day. Dec 25 Christmas Day. Dec 26 Boxing Day. Jan 1 2005 New Year's Day. Jan 12 Zanzibar Revolution Day. Apr 26 Union Day. May 1 International Labour Day. Jul 7 Saba Saba (Industry's Day). Aug 8 Nane Nane (Farmer's Day). Nov 3-5 Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan). Dec 9 Independence and Republic Day. Dec 25 Christmas Day. Dec 26 Boxing Day.

Note: Muslim festivals are timed according to local sightings of various phases of the moon and the dates given above are approximations. During the lunar month of Ramadan that precedes Eid al-Fitr, Muslims fast during the day and feast at night and normal business patterns may be disrupted slightly. Some disruption may continue into Eid al-Fitr itself. Eid al-Fitr and Idd El Haji (Eid al-Adha) may last anything from 2 to 10 days, depending on the region. For more information, see the World of Islam appendix.

Health

Special Precautions Certificate Required?
Yellow Fever Yes 1
Cholera Yes 2
Typhoid and Polio 3 N/A
Malaria 4 N/A

1: A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required of all travellers over 1 year of age travelling from infected areas and travellers coming from countries considered to be endemic by the Tanzanian authorities. The risk of yellow fever is highest in northwestern forest areas.

2: According to 1973 WHO guidelines, a cholera vaccination is no longer required for entry into Tanzania. However, cholera is a risk throughout the country and precautions are essential. Up-to-date advice should be sought before deciding whether these precautions should include vaccination as medical opinion is divided over its effectiveness. For more information, see the Health appendix.

3: Vaccination against typhoid is advised.

4: Malaria risk, predominantly in the malignant falciparum form, exists all year throughout the country below 1800m (5906ft). The strain is reported to be highly resistant to chloroquine and sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine.

Food & drink: All water should be regarded as being potentially contaminated. Travellers should use bottled water for drinking, brushing teeth, washing vegetables and reconstituting powdered milk. Other food hygiene precautions should be strictly observed.

Other risks: Bilharzia (schistosomiasis) is present. Avoid swimming and paddling in fresh water; swimming pools which are well chlorinated and maintained are safe. Sleeping sickness (trypanosomiasis) occurs. Hepatitis A and E also occur; hepatitis B is endemic. There has been a recent outbreak of meningococcal meningitis. Immunisation against diphtheria and tuberculosis is sometimes recommended. Plague is present in the Tanga region.
Rabies is present. For those at high risk, vaccination before arrival should be considered. If you are bitten, seek medical advice without delay. For more information, see the Health appendix.

Health care: Private health insurance is recommended. There are over 2000 hospitals and clinics and some Christian missions also provide medical treatment; however, facilities are limited and medicines are often unavailable. All treatment must be paid for.

Travel – International

Note: There is a high threat from terrorism in Tanzania, including Zanzibar, as there is in other countries in East Africa. Visitors should be particularly vigilant in public places, including tourist sites and hotels. Armed robberies, especially at remote sites, are increasing. There is no suggestion that these attacks are terrorist-related. Tourists should avoid the area bordering Burundi.

AIR: Tanzania's national airline is Air Tanzania (TC). Other airlines flying to Tanzania include Air India, British Airways, Emirates, Ethiopian Airlines, Gulf Air, KLM-Royal Dutch Airlines, South African Airways and Swiss.

Approximate flight times: From Dar es Salaam to Londonis 11 hours 15 minutes and from Kilimanjaro is 12 hours 30 minutes (excluding stopover).

International airports: Dar es Salaam International (DAR) is 13km (8 miles) southwest of the city (travel time - 25-30 minutes). A shuttle bus service and taxi services are available to the city. Airport facilities include outgoing duty-free shop, car hire, post office, banking and currency exchange facilities (National Bank of Commerce), a bar and restaurant.
Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) and Zanzibar Airport (ZNZ). Shuttle bus services and taxis are available to Arusha from Kilimanjaro. Airport facilities include shops, post office, bar and restaurant.

Departure tax: None.

SEA/LAKE: Dar es Salaam port is served by ocean freighters and passenger liners. Other ports include Mtwara, Tanga, Zanzibar and the Indian Ocean ports of Kilwa, Lindi and Mafia. The MS Sepideh runs services between Tanzania and Mombasa (Kenya). Passenger services run on Lake Tanganyika to Bujumbura (Burundi), Congo (Dem Rep of) and Mpulunga (Zambia); Lake Victoria connecting Tanzania with Kenya and Uganda; and Lake Nyasa linking Tanzania with Malawi and Mozambique.

RAIL: There is a twice weekly restaurant car service by Tanzania - Zambia Railway Authority (Tazara) from Dar es Salaam to Kapiri Mposhi (Zambia), with a change of train at the border. Tanzania Railways Corporation (TRC) provides services between Tanzania, Burundi, Congo (Dem Rep of), Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda. Trains may get very crowded but officials can be readily persuaded to find seats for tourists. Travellers should take special care of their baggage. It is unwise to forward luggage.

ROAD: The tarmac road connecting Tanzania with Zambia is in good condition, as is the road north to Kenya. From Lusaka in Zambia, the Great North Road is paved all the way to Dar es Salaam. Road links from Rwanda and Mozambique are poor.

Travel – Internal

AIR: Air Tanzania (TC), Coastalair (website: www.coastal.cc) and Precision Air (website: www.precisionairtz.com) run regular services to all main towns. Check with the airline office before leaving for the airport. All national parks have airstrips and there are several charter companies operating single- and twin-engine aircraft to any town or bush airfield or airstrip in the country.

Departure tax: For all departures from Zanzibar to destinations within Tanzania, the tax is TSh2000.

SEA/LAKE: There is a daily speedboat service between Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar which takes 60 to 90 minutes in each direction. Alternatively, the Sea Express, a hydrofoil, and the Flying Horse, a large catamaran, make this connection. There is also a crossing from Zanzibar to Pemba Island. Timetables and tickets can be obtained at the booking office at the main passenger port. Both Lake Tanganyika and Lake Victoria have steamer services. First-, second- and third-class seating is available on both services; first class has more comfortable seats and is likely to be less crowded. The service on Lake Victoria calls at the ports of Bukoba, Musoma and Mwanza.

RAIL: Tanzania Railways Corporation (TRC) (website: www.trctz.com) provides the principal services, including routes to Northern Tanzania, while those on the route to Zambia are run by Tazara. TRC runs a daily service from Dar es Salaam to Mwanza on Lake Victoria and Kigoma on Lake Tanganyika with a restaurant car. For further information, contact TRC, PO Box 468, Dar es Salaam (tel: (22) 211 0599; fax: (22) 211 6525).

ROAD: Traffic drives on the left. Tanzania has a good network of tarmac and all-weather roads connecting all major towns. Most minor roads are not all-weather, becoming impassable to all except 4-wheel-drive vehicles during the long rains in April and May. It is not advisable to drive at night because of wild animals, cattle and goats on the road. There are often petrol shortages and spare parts for vehicles can be hard to find. Bus: Inexpensive buses connect most places; for example, there are services from Dar es Salaam to Arusha, Morogoro and Moshi. Visitors should avoid travelling by bus during the April/May rains. Car hire: Self-drive car hire is available in major cities, although it can be expensive. Vehicles with drivers are also available. Documentation: An International Driving Permit is required for car hire and must be endorsed by the police on arrival. Otherwise an International Driving Permit is recommended although it is not legally required. A temporary licence to drive is available from the police on presentation of a valid national driving licence.

URBAN: Buses and minibuses operate in Dar es Salaam on a flat-fare basis. Services are often crowded. Taxi services are available. It is advisable to use authorised taxis.

Accommodation

HOTELS: Tanzania has a range of accommodation from very good, expensive hotels to cheaper hotels which, although adequate, lack comfort. Although accommodation is on the expensive side, it is often possible for two people to share a single room except in top hotels. The less expensive hotels are often fully booked. The island of Zanzibar is currently experiencing a major tourism development phase and several new package hotels, many owned by Italian firms, have recently been built on its eastern coast. For more information, contact Tanzania Tourist Board (see Contact Addresses section).

WILDLIFE LODGES: There are wildlife lodges in all national parks. Reservations can be made through the Tanzania Tourist Board or by contacting the lodges.

GUEST HOUSES: These are often offshoots of local bars and provide cheap accommodation, but there may be problems with drunken behaviour and theft. Sharing a room is advisable and special attention to possessions should be paid while staying there. These can not be booked in advance. Prices are higher in the larger towns, but in general the quality can be assessed from the tariffs.

CAMPING/CARAVANNING: There are campsites in Arusha, Arusha National Park (four), Kilimanjaro National Park (one), Lake Manyara National Park (two), Mikumi National Park (two), Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority (two), Ruaha National Park (two), Serengeti National Park (seven) and Tarangire National Park (two). Some have standard facilities, including taps, toilets, bivouac huts and firewood; others are more basic. Permits for entry to each park and also for photography and filming must be obtained before arrival. It is advisable to check the prices and site procedure before arrival. Further information can be obtained from Tanzania National Parks (see National Parks section) or Wildlife Explorer Ltd in the UK (e-mail: info@wildlife-explorer.com; website: www.wildlife-explorer.co.uk).

YOUTH HOSTELS: There are youth hostels in Lake Manyara National Park (primarily educational groups) and Serengeti National Park, YMCA hostels in Dar es Salaam and Moshi, and a YWCA hostel, which takes couples as well as women, in Dar es Salaam.

Sport & Activities

Safaris: Less busy than neighbouring Kenya, Tanzania's national parks and game reserves provide some of the world's best destinations for viewing wildlife in their natural habitat. Tanzania is home to one of Africa's most magnificent game reserves, the Selous Game Reserve, as well as the endless plains of the Serengeti National Park, where one of the world's great natural spectacles, the annual migration of some 2 million wildebeest followed by their predators, can be observed. The Selous Game Reserve is inaccessible during the rainy season (from March to May) owing to floods. Numerous tour operators can organise tailor-made safaris, either by vehicle, on foot, on horseback or by balloon. Some areas, such as the Mahale Mountains National Park, are only accessible by plane or boat. In parks such as the Arusha National Park, it is possible to drive around without a guide, but those on foot must take an armed guide or ranger. Accommodation is either in luxury lodges or designated camping sites. For details, contact the Tanzania Tourist Board (see Contact Addresses section). For further information on national parks and game reserves, see also National Parks in the Resorts & Excursions section.

Mountaineering: It is possible to climb Africa's highest mountain, Mount Kilimanjaro, but it is essential to have the right equipment (such as warm clothing, boots, gloves and a hat) and some experience. All climbers should be aware that guides and porters are essential even for the lower peaks. Organised climbs with food and staff can be arranged at some cost through selected hotels. It is advisable to book well in advance. Alternatively, climbers can bring their own supplies and hire staff and equipment (arctic sleeping bags and extra trousers) at the park gate. Although Kilimanjaro may be attempted by any strong mountain walker, visitors should be aware of the dangers of high altitude sickness which, in extreme cases, can be fatal. There are no known indicators as to who might suffer from altitude sickness (fitness, age and experience are irrelevant) and the only cure is an immediate descent to lower altitudes.

Watersports: Tanzania has 804km (503 miles) of coastline with superb beaches. Scuba diving and snorkelling are particularly good around the islands of Mafia and Zanzibar, which have recently gained a high reputation amongst divers. Mafia's Chloe Bay is part of a protected marine park, with an unbroken reef running the length of the island. There are also many secluded beaches. Offshore from Zanzibar are several islands ringed with coral reefs. Both Mafia and Zanzibar are also renowned for excellent deep sea fishing. There are numerous resorts and operators offering diving and fishing excursions. The main fishing season is from September to March. Dolphin safaris and Dhow trips are also popular.

Spice tours: Organised tours to Zanzibar's spice and fruit plantations are available all over the 'Spice Island' (as Zanzibar is also known). Along the way, visitors will be invited to taste and buy spices, herbs and fruit. Sadly, because of a decline in world prices, the spice industry and, particularly, its mainstay product - cloves - is now near collapse.

Social Profile

Food & Drink: Most hotels serve local Tanzanian food while the major hotels offer Western and other international food. There is a variety of good seafood such as prawns and lobsters and an abundance of tropical fruit such as coconuts, pawpaws, mangoes, pineapples and bananas. Table service is normal in restaurants. Coffee and tea are of high quality. Tanzania is a secular state and alcohol is not prohibited. A good lager, Safari, is produced locally, as is a popular gin called Konyagi, a chocolate and coconut liqueur called Afrikoko and a wine called Dodoma, which comes in red or rosé. Bars generally have counter service.

Nightlife: In Dar es Salaam, there are several nightclubs, cabarets and cinemas. Generally, the nightlife centres are in the top tourist hotels and restaurants.

Shopping: The city and town centres usually have markets which sell curios such as African drums, old brass and copper, carved chess sets, jewellery, and a speciality, large wooden salad bowls carved from a single piece of teak, mninga or ebony. Haggling is accepted, indeed often expected. Shopping hours: Mon-Fri 0830-1200 and 1400-1800, Sat 0830-1230. Some shops open on Sunday.

Special Events: The Sukuma (or Bujora) Museum, 15km (9 miles) east of Mwanza, gives approximately weekly performances of traditional dances of the Wasukuma tribe, including the Bugobobobo (Sukuma Snake Dance).

The following is a selection of special events occurring in Tanzania in 2004; for more information or exact dates contact the Tanzania Tourist Board (see Contact Addresses section):

Jun-Jul Festival of Dhow Countries, Zanzibar. Jul Mwakakongwa Festival, Zanzibar; Tamasha Festival, Zanzibar. Nov 14-16 Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan), Makunduchi.

Social Conventions: When meeting and parting, hands are always shaken; this applies throughout the country in both rural and urban areas. It is the convention to use the right hand, not the left, to shake hands or pass or receive anything. The standard greeting when addressing an individual is Jambo to which the reply is also Jambo. The greeting for a group is Hamjambo to which the reply is Hatujambo. People are delighted if visitors can greet them in Kiswahili. There is no fixed protocol to do with hospitality. Dress is smart and a good appearance is highly regarded. Suits and ties or safari suits are worn by men and suits or dresses by women. Ashtrays are usually an indication of permission for a visitor to smoke. Smoking is prohibited in cinemas and on public transport. Photography: In some places, a charge will be levied on visitors wishing to take photographs; elsewhere a permit may be required. Tipping: Not generally encouraged, though waiters and porters in tourist hotels and restaurants may expect to be tipped.

Business Profile

Economy: Agriculture employs around 80 per cent of the working population. Cash crops, including cotton, coffee, tea, sisal, tobacco and cashew nuts, are the country's main export earners, although depressed prices have kept Tanzanian revenues at a static level despite increases in production. There is an expanding mineral sector: diamonds are mined commercially, as are other gemstones and gold. Coal, phosphates, gypsum, tin and other ores are also extracted. Reserves of uranium, nickel, silver and natural gas have been located. The Government granted oil and gas exploration in the mid-1990s, and some small projects are under way, such as natural gas from the Rufiji delta. The industrial sector is small and concentrated in agricultural processing and light consumer goods: sugar processing, brewing, textiles and the manufacture of cigarettes are the most important.
The government had pinned much of its hopes on development of its service industries, especially transport and tourism. Tanzania's relatively poor road network is the subject of a major programme of maintenance and construction, mainly financed by the EU. Tourism, which according to 2002 figures was worth about $1 billion to the Tanzanian economy, has suffered a serious downturn as a result of international terrorism.

The government had privatised several key industries, including the national airline and the main chain of hotels, in anticipation of a growing tourist market (Tanzania received 500,000 visitors in 2002). Both, along with a number of flagship industries, were bought by South African interests which are establishing a strong presence in Tanzania. Of 400 companies earmarked for sale under the original 1995 plan, over 80 per cent have been disposed of (although some have since failed in private hands). Liberalisation of trade and the financial sector were also implemented as part of an IMF-supported structural adjustment programme.
On the whole, the economy has performed fairly well since the mid-1990s. GDP growth in 2002 was over 6 per cent. Tanzania is a recipient of foreign aid from both bilateral and multilateral donors, and some efforts have been made to tackle its large foreign debt. In 2000 the country benefited to the tune of $2 billion from the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries initiative. Total external debt is now just under $7 billion. Tanzania is a member of the African Development Bank, the Southern African Development Community and the East African Community (EAC). Another attempt (the previous one failed in 1977) is being made to establish an East African Customs Union along with Kenya and Uganda. Its principal trading partners are the UK, Japan, Germany, India, Kenya and Congo (Brazzaville).

Business: Normal courtesies should be shown when visiting local businesspeople. Almost all executives speak English. Office hours: Mon-Fri 0800-1200 and 1400-1630, Sat 0800-1230. Government office hours: Mon-Fri 0730-1530.

Commercial Information: The following organisation can offer advice: Tanzania Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture, PO Box 9713, Dar es Salaam (tel: (22) 211 9436 or 212 1421; fax: (22) 211 9437; e-mail: tccia.hq@cats-net.com or tccia.info@cats-net.com; website: www.tccia.co.tz).

Conferences/Conventions: For information concerning conferences and conventions, contact the Arusha International Conference Centre (AICC), PO Box 3081, Arusha (tel: (27) 250 2593/5 or 250 8008; fax: (27) 250 6630; e-mail: md@aicc.co.tz; website: www.aicc.co.tz).

Climate

Climate: The climate is tropical and coastal areas are hot and humid. The rainy season lasts from March to June. The central plateau is dry and arid. The northwestern highlands are cool and temperate and the rainy season here lasts from November to December and February to May.

Required clothing: Tropical clothing is worn throughout the year, but in the cooler season, from June to September, jackets and sweaters may be needed, especially in the evenings.