Are you thinking about what are some of the most important things before booking your ticket to Tanzania? If so, the first thing you should know is that it is often described as “the country that offers the best adventures”, which is quite logical when you consider that it is the home to more than 4 million animals.
If your goal is to make your trip planning easier, less time-consuming, and less overwhelming, this article can be quite helpful for you. The text below is going to feature the most important things you should know and do before you leave for your trip to this wonderful country. Let’s take a look:
1. The People Are Kind And Hospitable
The one thing that you should definitely choose to do while there is to meet as many people as possible. Tanzania does have more than 110 ethic communities, and there are various cultural aspects that you can learn delicious traditional meals that you must try, and a lot of stories to hear while there. These are, perhaps, only a few of the reasons why you should get involved in the communities over there, especially since you can learn about their traditions and culture first hand.
2. The Traditional Cuisine Will Blow Your Mind
The traditional cuisine incorporates a wide range of meats – particularly chicken, seafood, and beef – and, of course, a lot of veggies and rice. It is relatively simple, however, the species used will definitely leave your taste buds craving for more. Vegetarians and vegans are also properly cared for in the nation, more specifically, there are various traditional dishes that they can enjoy, without needing to eat meat.
3. You’ll Hear English, But Swahili is Mostly Spoken
English is one of the official languages, however, most people choose to speak Swahili. Additionally, the locals love when someone takes interest in the language which is one of the reasons why you might want to learn simple expressions such as “Hujambo” which means “Hello”, “Asante” meaning “Thank You”, and “Chakula” meaning “Food”.
Now, you are probably wondering – are there some programs or platforms that I can utilize for translating Swahili? Yes, there are hundreds of them such as KL Translations that will do just that. All of them will provide you with a way to easily translate Swahili, which means that you can communicate with the locals without any obstacles or hindrances.
4. Do Not Drink The Tap Water
You should keep in mind that it is not safe to consume tap water over there. Actually, it is only recommended that you shower and wash your hand with it, which means that you should not even clean your teeth with it. Hence, if you wish to avoid any wellness issues, you should always consume distilled or bottled water for cleaning your teeth, staying hydrated, and even preparing food.
Bottled water is relatively inexpensive and you’ll be able to find it at all shops, resorts, motels, establishments, and coffee shops. Additionally, if you choose to go on a safari or a tour, do not forget to bring at least 2 or 3 bottles of water in order to ensure that you stay hydrated under the sun.
5. Always Have Cash
Firstly, you should know that the currency there is shilling. Yes, you can pay with United States Dollars, however, some establishments might not accept them, which is why it is best if you always carry shillings. It is best if you choose to exchange your money at banks or exchange offices since hotels can charge a huge exchange rate.
You can also find that most ATMs do accept cards that are Visa or MasterCard, and by inserting your password, you can withdraw shillings from all the machines. There is one thing that you should do before going, notify your bank that you’ll be staying in Africa. This can ensure that they do not block your account because banks always find is suspicious if you withdraw money in a foreign country.
6. You’ll Probably Need a Visa
You should have a visa and a legitimate passport before entering this country. If you are from countries such as Jamaica, Malaysia, Hong Kong, or Barbados, you won’t need one, but, for the rest of the world, obtaining a visa is crucial. You can obtain the visa in three ways, online, at the boundary, or at the airport. The costs are around 50 dollars for people that are not from the USA, and if you are, you have to pay 100 dollars for your visa.
7. You’ll Be Completely Safe
People often think that it is dangerous to visit Africa, and although this is true for some of its nations, Tanzania is the safest one. Of course, this does not mean that you should not be careful, which is why you might want to leave all of your important stuff such as electronic devices, cash, credit cards, and documents locked in your bedroom. Additionally, it is always smart to have copies of the visa and identification with you, especially if you must show them to the authorities.
8. You’ll Need to Get Vaccinated
Tanzania is a developing nation, hence, there are some potentially dangerous illnesses, but, most of them can be prevented if you choose to get vaccinated before your journey. Some of the vaccines that all health officials recommend getting before going to most African countries include ones for rabies, meningitis, typhoid, and hepatitis A & B.
You should also consider taking malaria pills, especially if you plan on climbing Mount Kilimanjaro or if you are thinking about going on a safari tour in the national park. Of course, these are all things that you should discuss with your doctor, especially since they can tell you what you’ll need.
Conclusion
There are various things that you’ll need to do before your trip, however, all of them will make your entire experience more pleasant, enjoyable, and more fun. So, now that you know the most important things, you should not lose any more time. Instead, go through the tips above, write down all of the things that you should do, and start planning the trip of your life!
