With one of the richest collection of wildlife in the world, the East African country of Tanzania has a thriving tourist industry and a stable government. Tanzania has a population of 43 million and 80% of the workforce is engaged in agriculture. Life expectancy is 54 years, and the vast majority of Tanzanians live in rural areas.
Entry Requirements
Tourist visas can be obtained by U.S. citizens upon arrival in Tanzania, but it is recommended to secure it in advance to avoid long lines. Travelers doing volunteer work cannot use a tourist visa, and this is strictly enforced by the government. Regardless of the type of visa that is obtained, passports need to be valid for six months beyond the visa date.
Visit the Tanzanian U.S. embassy website at http://www.tanzaniaembassy-us.org/ for additional information on visas. Travelers in Tanzania should carry copies of their passports with them at all times.
Travel Within Tanzania
Tanzania offers a variety of transportation options both for long and short trips throughout the country. When riding on buses or other public transport, however, travelers should never accept food or drink from strangers. There have been reports of Americans being drugged by accepting these items.
Also, the quality of transportation equipment varies greatly, so travelers should be careful not to use buses and other vehicles that are in obvious disrepair. The U.S. State Department recommends using taxis for in-town transportation and avoiding the micro-buses which are often overcrowded and poorly maintained. The micro-buses are also common places for petty thefts.
During the rainy season of late March to mid-June, many roads throughout Tanzania are only passable by four wheel drive vehicles.
Safety
Although most visitors to Tanzania do not have any problems, crime is on the rise and is becoming increasingly more violent. Petty theft, pick pocketing and purse snatching are special concerns in tourist areas like Arusha and in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania’s major city. Dar es Salaam is also seeing an increase in muggings and attacks on vehicles. Cameras are highly coveted by thieves throughout the country, so travelers are encouraged to pay close attention to their equipment.
Two particular areas of safety concern are the Tourè Drive on Msasani Peninsula in Dar es Salaam, which is a beach road leading from the Sea Coast Hotel, and in Arusha on the far side of the Themi River. Tourè Drive sees frequent muggings and thefts from cars, even during the day. It is advised to avoid it, both on foot and by car.
It is recommended that the far side of the Arusha’s Themi River be avoided at all times by foot. Carjackings are also a concern when driving in and around Arusha and visitors are encouraged to drive with their doors locked and windows up.
We’ll continue our look at Tanzania in our next blog as we examine tourism, money issues and health concerns.