Getting There And Around – Tanzania Safari

A Tanzania safari offers some of the most exciting and best wildlife viewing in Africa. Safaris to Tanzania are memorably rewarding, with Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater as well as other extensive national parks toping the list of the most popular destinations in Tanzania.

Tanzania is served internationally from Europe by KLM Royal Dutch Airlines (Amsterdam); British Airways (London-Heathrow) and Swiss International Air Lines. The Middle East and Asia by Emirates, Qatar Airways and for the thrifty traveler, Air India; and in Africa by South African Airways, Ethiopian Airlines and Kenya Airways from Nairobi. Carriers originating from Malawi, Mozambique and Zimbabwe also maintain regular flights to Dar es Salaam.

There are two major airports in Tanzania; one in Dar es Salaam, Julius Nyerere International Airport, and another in Kilimanjaro, Kilimanjaro International Airport, which lies halfway between Moshi and Arusha.

Domestically the best flight options are Air Tanzania, Precision Air, Coastal Aviation, ZanAir and Regional Air. Domestic flights are often late but generally reliable. They have improved considerably since the nineties when Air Tanzania (ATC) was teasingly known as; Any Time Cancellation.

Tanzania is also reached by rail via the Tanzania – Zambia train service, TAZARA. The train operates two times a week between New Kapiri Mposhi in Zambia, and Dar es Salaam. It leaves from Dar on Tuesdays and Fridays. A domestic railroad network links major cities in the country. It is routinely reliable, and ticket prices are reasonable but rates differ, according to ‘class’. First and Second classes offer cabins with two and four beds, in that order. Economy class is open seating.

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Tanzania has a unique code of road etiquette. This is prone to arbitrary change and the best advice would be to be alert at all times and more importantly to keep an open mind. Tanzanians drive on the left. Experienced drivers from ‘right-hand drive’ countries will need a few hours to adjust.

Dar es Salaam, Tanzania’s commercial capital, is a challenge for any class of driver. The city center is dramatically congested from 9AM-6PM, weekdays. There are few traffic lights, and the roads are narrow.

The two main highways in Tanzania are the Dar es Salaam/Mbeya road (A7/A17) and the Dar/Arusha and Serengeti road (B1). A7/A17 takes you to the south through the towns of Morogoro, Iringa, and Mikumi National Park, and near the Selous and Ruaha National Parks. On the other hand, B1 takes you to the north by Tanga and Moshi, and Mount Kilimanjaro, Saadani, Tarangire, Ngorongoro and Serengeti National Parks.

It is possible to reach Tanzania by road through the neighbouring Malawi, Uganda, Kenya and Rwanda. The bus is the most common way to travel around in Tanzania. Most buses have a simple design, and roads are poor. The lucky traveller might find first class air-conditioned buses on the Dar-Moshi-Arusha route. Nearly all buses go in and out of Dar es Salaam’s main bus station, Ubungo; 8km west of the CBD.