A Short History The first European arrival to what is now Tanzania was the Portuguese explorer, Vasco da Gama who visited the coast in the late-15th century, after which most of the region came under Portuguese control. The Portuguese also controlled Zanzibar until 1699, when they were ousted from the island by Omani Arabs. In the late-19th century, along with Rwanda and Burundi, the territory of Tanganyika, named after the lake on its western boundary, was absorbed into the colony of German East Africa, as a consequence of a deal between the British and Germans in the European colonial carve-up of Africa. Other than an anti-colonial rebellion in 1905 – known as the Maji Maji revolt, which was suppressed by German troops – Tanganyika was a fairly quiet part of the German empire, until the end of World War I. Then, following the German defeat, it was administered by the British under successive League of Nations and United Nations mandates. Tanganyika became independent within the Commonwealth in 1961, after a period of self-government during which the principal nationalist party, the Tanganyika African National Union (TANU) emerged as the dominant political force. Its charismatic leader, Julius Nyerere, held the post of President from independence to 1985. In 1964, Tanganyika joined with Zanzibar and became Tanzania. Prior to that, Zanzibar had been a British protectorate (established in 1890) and an independent sultanate in 1963. A former teacher, Nyerere introduced a socialist one party state, which included nationalisation of industry, and a programme of 'villiagisation' - meaning the moving of peasant families into cooperative villages where they could supposedly work on their land together more productively. But this wasn't successful and the economy crumbled, and when Nyerere relinquished his presidency voluntarily in 1985, he admitted that his policies had failed. In 1979, despot dictator of Uganda, Idi Amin invaded and tried to annex the northern Tanzanian province of Kagera, but Tanzania not only drove the Ugandan forces out, but invaded Uganda itself and helped oust Amin who fled into exile. Nyerere handed over power to Ali Hassan Mwinyi in 1985. In October 1995, one-party rule came to an end when Tanzania held its first ever multi-party election. Benjamin Mkapa was sworn in as the new president, and in 2005, Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete was elected the 4th president of Tanzania. Climate The climate is tropical and coastal areas are hot and humid, where the rainy season lasts from March to June. The central plateau is dry and arid, while the north western highlands are cool and temperate and the rainy season here lasts from November to December and February to May. Kilimanjaro has snow year round on its upper peaks. On all our tours, it's best to bring warm clothing - raincoat, warm hat, socks etc. - as across Africa wet/dry and hot/cool climatic periods change invariably. Start or Finish in Tanzania Dar Es Salaam Affectionately known simply as Dar, Tanzania's largest city is a balmy and busy port and the springboard for ferries to Zanzibar. It's steeped in the Swahili culture and the downtown architecture lie testament to its colonial history, and there are some fine beaches to relax at before and after your excursion to Zanzibar. Accommodation We can organise pre and post accommodation for you at Kipepeo Camp, which has good basic banda accommodation on a stunning beach, with communal facilities, restaurant and bar; Bed only and p/p/p/n; Triple: US$10, Twin: US$12, Single: US$17; One Way Airport Transfer: US$30. Health Matters Yellow fever: A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from travellers over one year of age coming from infected areas. Malaria: A malaria risk, predominantly due to P. falciparum, exists throughout the country. P. falciparum is resistant to chloroquine and sulfadoxine - pyrimethamine. Recommended prophylaxis: mefloquine. Precautionary measures to take to prevent contact with mosquitoes include: insect repellent, cover up at sundown, sleep under a mosquito net and wear long sleeve clothing and long trousers in the evenings. Other: Seek advice from your doctor or travel clinic at least six weeks prior to departure about what vaccinations you require. Typically the list includes typhoid, tetanus, polio, hepatitis A and B and meningitis. Untreated water should be considered unsafe to drink. Hospital facilities are generally good in towns and cities but in rural regions medical facilities are limited. Insurance: Health insurance is essential; adequate medical provision is often only provided privately and may require health insurance or a cash payment before admission. It is recommended that visitors carry personal medical supplies with them. Money Guide Currency: Tanzanian Shilling (TSH) Exchange rates: US$1 = TSH1,280 GB£1 = TSH2,500 The following information is provided to assist you in planning the finances you will require for your safari. It is intended as a general guide only and may change with local conditions. African currencies tend to fluctuate more rapidly than your own currencies. On arrival in Arusha or Dar es Salaam you can change money into TSH. The bureau de changes are the easiest place to change money. US$, GB£, and Euro cash and traveller's cheques are all accepted. US$ cash needs to be post 2000. Cash is changed with no commission. Exchange rates vary depending upon the denomination of the note that you want to change and generally smaller notes attract a lower exchange rate than high ones. Traveller's cheques are more difficult to change and require proof of purchase and often have restrictions of about US$100 a day maximum. Please note that there is a surcharge when paying by traveller's cheques (approx. 5%) ATMs are available at Barclays and Standard Chartered banks. Dar es Salaam is one of the most consistent areas for successful transactions. This is a great opportunity to use your ATM to withdraw Tanzanian shillings and then to buy US$ cash at good rates. Stone Town on Zanzibar also has banks, although there are no ATMs, and exchange bureaus that accept both visa and MasterCard (maestro) linked credit cards, as well as changing traveller's cheques at a relatively good rate. All unused Tanzanian shillings can be changed to Kenyan shillings or Malawi Kwacha on the borders. Please ask the advice of the trip leader as to the best way to change your money. In Tanzania you need TSH to pay for snacks, drinks, laundry, guides, taxis etc. TSH can also be used to pay for accommodation in Zanzibar as well as activities such as a Spice Tour or dolphin swim. Optional activities in Tanzania include the Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Crater excursion and Zanzibar accommodation, food and activities. The Serengeti excursion costs US$340 till the end of June 2007, thereafter it will be US$380 and is best paid in US$ cash or traveller's cheques (traveller's cheques attract a 5% commission). GB£ and TSH can also be used. Credit cards attract a surcharge of 17% so this method of payment is not advised. All accommodation and activities in Zanzibar can be paid with US$ cash or TSH, while meals are paid for in TSH. Visa Requirements: All single entry visas are available on the border and cost U$50 for all nationalities. They can be paid for in US$, GB£ or Euro cash. The three East African countries of Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda have an agreement that you can travel freely between these countries and do not have to get another visa when returning to each. If you exit this region and enter any other country, including Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, you will need to get new visas for Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. Average Costs: Internet, TSH500 per 30 minutes. Beer, TSH2000-3000. Bag of laundry, TSH8000. Postage stamp, TSH500.