| Getting to Tanzania |
Tanzania> Getting to Tanzania |
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There are many ways to travel to Tanzania. Overland railways connect the country, the roads are easy to navigate and well-maintained, cruise ships and passenger liners stop frequently at the ports, and international air carriers arrive and depart daily from the many airports located around the country.
Travel to Tanzania is easier and more convenient than it has ever been before. World-class airport facilities and on-the-ground assistance make sure that your visit to the country is perfect from the first moment of arrival. |
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By Air
Flying into one of Tanzania's three international airports - Dar es Salaam, Kilimanjaro (situated between Arusha and Moshi), and Zanzibar, near Stone Town is the fastest and most expedient way to enter the country. All three offer world class service and a warm welcome to the country. Recent security upgrades now also make travelling even safer than before. At the time of writing, international airlines that fly to Dar es Salaam include Air India, British Airways, Egypt Air, Ethiopian Airlines, Gulf Air, Kenya Airways, South African Airways and KLM. Other international air carriers fly to Nairobi, where there are daily connections to Arusha, Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar.
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ByRoad
The roads between major cities and towns in Tanzania are spacious and well paved. Work is underway to tarmac the route from Arusha all the way to the Ngorongoro Crater. Getting to more remote locations, including Serengeti National Park, involves driving over dirt roads that tend to deteriorate during the rainy season. Roads and junctions are not always well marked, so if you’re driving without a guide be sure to stop and ask directions at stopping points along the way. Four-wheel drive vehicles are recommended, and it’s best to make sure you have two spare tires and an operational jack. Public transport is an economical way to get around the country. Buses connect major towns and cities and smaller minivans called dala dalas stop off at smaller villages along the way. Buses leave each morning from a town or village’s central station and tickets can be bought ahead of time from the company offices. If you’re travelling by dala dala, find one going in your direction and flag it down – the driver will make sure it’s heading the right way and let you know when you’ve reached your stop.
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By Rail
Travelling by rail through Tanzania, in the style of the last century, is a romantic and unforgettable way to experience the country. In the last few years, rail travel through Tanzania has improved both in quality and service. The chance to relax and enjoy the scenery at a leisurely pace and see local villages up-close on the way. If you like to sit back and enjoy the journey, travelling by train through Tanzania can be a fantastic experience. Currently, trains connect Dar es Salaam to Mbeya and continue on to Zambia. The journey takes days, but is more comfortable and only slightly longer than travelling by road. 1st and 2nd class cabins are quite comfortable and bedding is provided by stewards on the train. You may want to self-cater at least part of the way, so be sure to stop off at a supermarket before you leave. Don’t leave luggage unattended and close your windows at night.
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By Sea
For those whose budget does not accomodate flying, travelling by sea or lake is often the only option when travelling to places on the Swahili Coast and around the lakeshores of Lake Victoria, Lake Tanganyika and Lake Nyasa. Most ferry companies are privately owned and run, and comply with national safety regulations and procedures. Be sure, when choosing a ferry company to travel with, to ask the advice and recommendations of other travellers, and to use a company that has an office and is listed in tourism directories. Ferries connecting Dar es Salaam with Zanzibar and Pemba leave daily from the harbour, and enough companies make the trip throughout the day to fit most schedules. Ferries also run on Lake Victoria, Lake Tanganyika, and Lake Nyasa, and shaded deck seating is often the most pleasant – and spacious – way to go.
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- Nicolas Guermont from France |
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