Tanzania (Tansania)

Member Name: cezzybunny

Product:	Tansania
Date:	11/06/09 (15 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Pretty, nice people, cheap, safe

Disadvantages: none! Just stay off the roads at night!

I spent a total of 6 weeks in Tanzania last summer, most of it doing voluntary work and a week or two travelling on. To begin with, Africa is a truly amazing place, but be prepared for an interesting standard of living while you're here. If you have lots of money, you'll find it easier, but if you don't hae so much, or want to see a more authentic view of the country, then be prepared to rough it a bit.

Zanzibar is one of the biggest tourist draws, I've already writted a separate review about this so won't go on here. The Serengeti and Ngorongoro crater are famous places to go on safari, and there is a huge range of wildlife here, howere this doesn't come cheap, I think around $400-$500 is the cheapest you'll find for a 3 day safari based inArusha. Arusha is a good place to plan safaris, or go to Moshi to climb Kilimanjaro, from. It's not hugely exciting itself but it is a transport hub and you can restock while here. Dodoma, the landlocked capital, is equally uninspiring, but also a transport hub on to more exciting places. Areas around lake malawi and lake vicotria are popular for visitors and people looking to chill out. A number of people now go to areas further from Arusha to go on safari, for a quieter and cheaper experience.

Transport is interesting, the roads are paved on the main routes only, otherise it's dirt track. There is some interesting driving going on, never travel by road at night. There is a train from Dar es salaam to kigoma, but this takes a long time, nearly 2 days i think, and carriages can be cockroach infested. Book all the seats on a 2nd class carriage so you don't have to share.

On the whole, Tanzania is a safe country, and cheap to visit. A budget of £10 should do you for sleeping in hostels and eating in cheap restaurants. A beer costs 50p a pint. Enjoy!

Summary: Beautiful country, just be prepared to rough it a bit.