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Kilamanjaro, Tanzania

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Getting Around Tanzania

Air: 

Air Tanzania (www.airtanzania.com) and Precision Air (www.precisionairtz.com) run regular services, mostly via Dar es Salaam or Arusha/Moshi, to all main towns and other destinations in East Africa and beyond. Departure times and schedules change frequently, so check with the airline office to confirm flights before leaving for the airport. All national parks and some of the top-end luxury lodges have airstrips and Coastal Aviation (www.coastal.cc) operate single- and twin-engine aircraft between these and the main airports on the mainland and the islands of Zanzibar, Pemba and Mafia. ZanAir (www.zanair.com) has frequent connections using small planes between Zanzibar, Pemba and the mainland.

Departure tax: 

For all departures from Zanzibar to destinations within Tanzania, the tax is TZS5,000. The international departure tax is US$30 but this is usually included in the price of an airline ticket.

Side of road: 
Left
Road quality: 

Tanzania has a decent network of tarmac and all-weather roads connecting the 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.

There are a large number of road accidents.

Car hire: 

Car hire: Self-drive car hire is available in major cities, although costs are more expensive that in Europe or the US. Vehicles with drivers are also available. International car hire companies are represented in Dar es Salaam.

Coach: 

Regulations: 

Regulations: In non-residential areas, speed limits are 120kph (75mph) and 60kph (35mph) in built up areas. It is compulsory to wear a seat belt and obligatory that all vehicles carry two red triangles to be placed 20m (66ft) in front and behind the vehicle in the event of a breakdown.

Documentation: 

Documentation: An International Driving Permit is recommended although it is not legally required, and a valid national driving licence is accepted as long as it is in English.

Getting around towns and cities: 

Buses and minibuses (called dalla dallas) operate in Dar es Salaam on a flat-fare basis. Services are often crowded and pickpockets are common. Taxi services are available, though they are unmetered and you will need to negotiate a fare beforehand. It is advisable to use authorised taxis, which can be arranged by your hotel.

Rail: 

Tanzania's railways are in feeble condition, with breakdowns and cancellations of already infrequent services all too common. Tanzania Railways Corporation (TRC) (tel: (22) 211 7833; www.trctz.com) provides the principal service, which runs between Dar es Salaam and eastern Tanzania. The line splits at Tabora in the middle of the country and one branch continues to Kigoma on the shores of Lake Tanganyika, while the second branch goes north to Mwanza on Lake Victoria. The route between Dar es Salaam and Kapiri Moshi in Zambia is run by the Tanzania and Zambia Railway Authority (Tazara) (tel: (22) 286 5137; www.tazara.co.tz). First class in two- to four-berth cabins, while second class is in six-berth cabins and third class is sitting. Trains can get overcrowded and theft can be a problem - keep compartment doors locked.

By water: 

Azam Marine (tel: (24) 223 1655) and Sea Express (tel: (24) 223 4690), among many other companies at the port in Dar es Salaam, run comfortable, air-conditioned ferry services several times a day between Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar by hydrofoil or catamaran (journey time - 1 hour 30 minutes). There is also a crossing from Zanzibar to Pemba Island. Timetables and tickets can be obtained at the booking offices at the main passenger port.

Both Lake Tanganyika and Lake Victoria have steamer services. The overnight service on Lake Victoria runs between the ports of Bukoba and Mwanza and takes 10 hours. The service on Lake Tanganyika runs between Kigoma in the extreme west of Tanzania and Mpulunga in Zambia at the south of the lake. On both, first class is in a two-berth cabin, second class in a four- or six- berth cabin, while third class is seating on deck.

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