Tanzania
Light suits and tie are typically worn for business meetings, Safari jackets are acceptable in very hot weather. Tanzanians are generally polite, helpful and warm-hearted. The private sector is slowly growing and maturing. Patience, specificity and flexibility are essential for success. Almost all executives speak English. Office hours are 0800-1200 and 1400-1630 Monday to Friday and 0800-1300 Saturday. Government office hours are 0730-1530 Monday to Friday.
Most visits to Tanzania are trouble-free, but armed crime is increasing. Mugging and robberies, sometimes accompanied by violence or the threat of violence, occur throughout Tanzania. Avoid walking alone, especially in isolated areas and on beaches, particularly after dark. Notable incidents include:
--In March 2007, two tourists and a tour guide were shot when their group, which included a British national, were attacked by armed robbers near Lake Duluti in Arusha.
--In February 2007 a party of five tourists were robbed by armed bandits near the Ngorogoro crater.
--In November 2006 a foreign tourist was robbed at knifepoint on a beach near Ras Nungwi in Zanzibar.
--Around Paje, on the southeast coast of Zanzibar, there has been a series of robberies from guest rooms in some of the cheaper hotels and from tourists on foot.
--There have also been a few attacks targeting scuba trips.
While visits to Dar es Salaam and urban areas are relatively trouble-free, there have been cases of armed crime over the past year in Dar es Salaam, including in the peninsula area and Coco beach, which is popular with expatriates. Take sensible precautions. Avoid walking after dark. Do not make yourself an obvious target for muggers and pickpockets. Do not carry cameras or large sums of cash in the streets or wear expensive-looking jewellery or watches – do not carry anything you are not willing to lose. Be alert to the risk of theft of personal property from cars and taxis stationary in traffic. Keep windows up and doors locked at all times. Keep separate copies of important documents.
Businesspeople in Dar es Salaam have noted an upsurge in crime at bars and nightclubs in the city and its suburbs. Many businesses have been forced to organize their own security forces, as the police force is already overtaxed and poorly equipped. Trends change as criminals adapt to police crackdowns; gangs will be especially active at 11:00 p.m., when bars are required by law to close; then, when the regular and auxiliary police run patrols late at night, robbers attack establishments in the early evening hours. Restaurateurs have noted that bandits appear to have more sophisticated weaponry than both the police and licensed gun owners.
One common form of banditry includes theft of money and attacks on unwary motorists as they pull in to gas stations; while the fuel-pump handle is in the car, the tourist cannot escape. Some stations have armed security guards.
Be very wary of drinks in nightclubs; it is a common criminal tactic to spike travelers’ drinks.
Tanzania has a range of accommodation from very good, expensive hotels to cheaper hotels which, although adequate, lack comfort. There are critical shortages of housing in all urban centers of Tanzania. Most visitors to urban centers stay in tourist hotels, although the amenities and comfort levels fall below standards.
Telephone IDD service is available. The country code is 255 and the outgoing international code is 00. In rural areas, international calls must go through the operator. Tanzania's telecommunications infrastructure within the country is poor and overburdened. International communications by phones, fax and telex are generally reliable, though they can be difficult to obtain, and comparatively expensive. There are many public call boxes in post offices and main towns.
Electricity is 240 volts AC, 50Hz. Plugs may be round or square 3-pin.
230 volts AC, 50Hz. Plugs may be round or square three-pin, fused or unfused.
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Most hotels serve local Tanzanian food while the major hotels offer Western and other international food.
Things to know: Table service is normal in restaurants. Bars generally have counter service. Tanzania is a secular state and alcohol is not prohibited. Zanzibar's population is predominantly Muslim. Alcohol is available in some tourist hotels and restaurants, but should not be drunk in public.National specialties:
• Seafood such as prawns and lobsters.
• Tropical fruit such as coconuts, pawpaws, mangoes, pineapples and bananas. National drinks:
• A good lager,
Safari, is produced locally.
• Konyagi is a popular gin.
• A chocolate and coconut liqueur called Afrikoko.
• A wine called Dodoma, which comes in red or rosé. Tipping:
Not generally encouraged, though waiters and porters in tourist hotels and restaurants may expect to be tipped.Nightlife
In Dar es Salaam, there are several nightclubs, cabarets and cinemas. Generally, the nightlife centers are in the top tourist hotels and restaurants.
