Archive for the ‘Tanzania’ Category

Dar Es Salaam

Wednesday, March 10th, 2010

Dar Es Salaam is the largest and richest city in Tanzania. When you translate its name, it means House of Peace in Arabic. The city was formerly named Mzizima, before the Sultan of Zanzibar needed a port on the mainland. Dar Es Salaam grew fast after World War II. It is located on the east on a natural harbour on the Indian Ocean and has a population of around two million people.

Dar Es Salaam is not the official capital city of Tanzania. The city is however home to the head offices of various governmental organisations. Most tourists see the city as a necessary stop, but it has lots of things to offer. It is a busy place with a great atmosphere, culture, beaches, markets and historical buildings. The harbour looks very picturesque and you can visit water parks. You can easily go shopping and eat at good restaurants. The city has a mix of African, Arabic and South Asian influences, and has Swahili roots, which offers many great sights around the centre.

The main sights of the city are the interesting Kariakoo market, the National Museum and the Botanical Gardens. You can also visit the Makumbusho Village Museum, the Askari Monument and Kivukoni Front. Or go see the Karimjee Hall, the Azania Front Lutheran Church and the St. Joseph’s Cathedral. The largest building in the city is the Benjamin William Mkapa Pension Tower that has more than 21 stores. When you are done walking through the city, you can relax at the beaches. Or you can enjoy scuba diving or deep sea fishing. Nearby sites close to the city are Bagamoyo, Bongoyo Island and Mbudja.

It is best to check the official website of Tanzania’s embassy in the United States for the latest information. Dar Es Salaam has relatively stable temperatures during day and night. It has a tropical wet and dry climate, as well as one short and one long rainy season. Most of the year it is hot and humid. The best time to visit is between June till early October, when it is dry and cool.

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Arusha

Friday, January 22nd, 2010

Arusha is a city located in the north of Tanzania, situated below Mount Meru nearby the Great Rift Valley. The city has a pleasant climate since it’s close to Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Manyara, Olduvai Gorge, Tarangire National Park, and Mount Kilimanjaro. Arusha is being surrounded by some of Africa most famous landscapes and national parks. As of latest measurement the city has a population of 310 thousand people.

Arusha is known by locals as “A Town”, which helps understanding that Arusha is not a particularly attractive city. The city is often used by travelers as a stop over before safaris and sightseeing elsewhere in Tanzania. However, it’s natural charm and ambiance of the Tanzanians locals and the buzz of the fast growing city life makes Arusha having plenty to offer to travelers who are willing to see beyond air conditioned hotel rooms and safari trucks.

Arusha has two airports, the Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) which has regular flights from Amsterdam with KLM and other international travel destinations, and the Arusha Municipal Airport (ARK) which is only in use for domestic destinations. Before continuing to your next destination or safari try to enjoy the following sightseeing’s including climbing Mount Meru, such trip can be done in 2 to 4 days. Contact the Tanzania Tourist Board in order to arrange it. Another highlight of the town, besides various markets, malls, and nightlife is the Century Cinema.

It is best to check the official website of Tanzania’s embassy in the United States for the latest information. As of early 2010, Visas-on-arrival are available at Kilimanjaro International Airport for $50, or $100 for U.S. nationals.

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Selous Game Reserve

Tuesday, February 24th, 2009

For the adventurous soul, a trip to Tanzania’s Selous Game Reserve is a must. There are adventures for the eyes and even for the whole body. This is because you get to enjoy the sight of wild animals and the lush, calming green vegetation. You also have the benefit of experiencing boating, walking and camping. In fact, Selous offers the only African safari that can be done on foot. A photographer’s dream, Selous is about 21 thousand square miles of preserved wildlife, making it one of the largest wild animal reserves.

Selous is home to large numbers of animals. This means that you may feel terrible if in case you have forgotten your camera. You can only recount the experience to your friends and family back home as best as you can. Being a Tanzanian tourist takes on a different level in the Selous Game Reserve. Here, you are an awestruck observer of overwhelming natural sights and sounds. If you are not satisfied with just the safari, you can stay in any of the lodges in the area. You may want to make your stay luxurious or next to all-natural.

You do not have to worry much about how to get to Tanzania. It is served in Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Africa. The country’s two major airports are Kilimanjaro International Airport and Julius Nyerere International Airport. From the airport, you can travel to Selous by bus or by shared taxi. You can also get more comfortable by renting out a motorcycle or a car. Hitching is also very popular in Tanzania. However, it is prohibited in the wildlife reserve. Expect warm days and cool nights in Tanzania. Avoid visiting the Selous Game Reserve from March to May because the park’s trails may be difficult to pass through because of heavy rains.

It is best to check the official website of Tanzania’s embassy in the United States for the latest information. As of early 2010, you will most likely be given a multiple entry passport costing about 100 US dollars.

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