Basic Information About Mwanza and Tanzania

Mwanza Region also known as the Rock City lies in the Northern part of Tanzania, located between latitude 1. 30 degrees and 3 degrees south of the Equator. Longitudinally the region is located between 31. 45 degrees and 34. 10 degrees East of Greenwich. The Northern part of Mwanza is surrounded by the water of Lake Victoria which is nearly 69,000 square kilometers, the African largest tropical lake and the second largest fresh water Lake in the world. It is the source of the great river Nile. Mwanza, formerly known as the Sukumaland, is the second largest city in Tanzania after Dar es Salaam.

Average Minimum and Maximum Monthly Temperature in Mwanza
monthly maximum and minimum temperature of Mwanza

Basic Information About Tanzania
Administrative capital Dodoma
Commercial capital Dar es Salaam

Climate
Tanzania's climate is predominately tropical. Tanzania has two rainy seasons; the long rains from late March to June and the short rains from November to January. The long rains fall in heavy downpours, often accompanied by violent storms, but the short rains tend to be much less severe. The hottest time of the year is from December to March, before the long rains begin. The coolest months are June, July and August, when the weather is often overcast. In high-altitude areas such as Kilimanjaro and the Ngorongoro Highlands, temperatures can fall below freezing.

Visa Issuing Centres and authorities
A Visa may be obtained at the United Republic of Tanzania Mission abroad or Consulate and also on arrival at all designated entry points. In case of Referral and Multi Visas, applicants are required to submit their applications to the office of the Principal Commissioner of Immigration Services or at the office of the Commissioner of Immigration Services Zanzibar.
Visa Fees
Standard rate for ordinary Visa Fee is 50 USD, for Multiple Entry Visa is 100 USD, Business Visa is 250 USD, Student Visa is 250 USD and Transit Visa is 30 USD except for the following Nationals with their specific Visa rates in brackets; USA-(100 USD) and Ireland-(100 USD). For more information please visit Tanzania Immigration website.

Airport tax
Departure tax from mainland Tanzania is included in the price of your ticket, however in Zanzibar there is a departure tax of US $30 payable at the airport. There is a TSH 5,000 (approx US $5) tax levied on passengers within Tanzania.

Official languages: Swahili and English

Currency
The Tanzania shilling (Tsh or TZS) is the national currency although some of the Hotels / Tourist attractions are accepting cash of US Dollar or Pound or payment through card swap.

Banking
Banks and bureau de change are available at airports and in all major towns. Banking hours are from Monday - Friday 8:30 am - 4:00 pm, Saturdays 8:30 am - 1:30 pm. A few branches in the major cities are open on Sunday 10:00 am - 12:30 am. Please note that most banks are closed on Sundays and public holidays except for few Bank agents which mostly deal with local transactions.

Credit cards and travellers' cheques
Credit cards (Access, MasterCard, Visa, American -Express, and Eurocard) are accepted only at major lodges, hotels, tourism attractions and travel agents. A surcharge may be added for this service. ATM and 24-hour cash machines are available in branches of banks. Travellers' cheques in pounds sterling or US dollars are recommended, though it may be difficult to exchange them outside the main cities.

Local Time: GMT +3

Electric Current: 220 volts AC50Hz

Communications
International Direct Dial is available. The country code for Tanzania is +255. The outgoing international code is 00 for the United States, or 000 for all other countries. Public call boxes in post offices and main towns operate on a card system, available from most small shops. Several cellular phone companies operate in Tanzania and roaming lines work near most major cities and towns. Internet cafes are plentiful in major city centres.

Health
Tanzania has a tropical climate and different bacteria, flora, and fauna than most visitors are accustomed to, so it is advisable to take a few health precautions when travelling to make sure that your trip goes as comfortably and smoothly as possible.
Malaria is usually top on the list of visitors' worries, and prevention goes a long way towards keeping you protected. Make sure to visit your doctor to get a prescription for the anti-malarial drugs that best suit you. The yellow-fever vaccination is no longer officially required when entering Tanzania; however this is still a requirement if you wish to visit Zanzibar. Other vaccinations should be considered. For more information contact your doctor well in advance of your visit.
Although Tanzania has reliable private and government hospital scarttered all over the country with large hospitals in the major cities providing 24 hours health services.

Security
Tanzania is a safe country to travel in, Tanzanians are warm-hearted and generous people and are eager to help visitors get the most out of their stay. Tanzania is a politically stable, multi-democratic country. As in all countries, a little common sense goes a long way and reasonable precautions should still be taken, such as locking valuables in the hotel safe and not walking alone at night.

Best time to visit
• Northern Tanzania: July to March
• Southern Tanzania: June to March
• Zanzibar and the coast: June to March
• Western Tanzania: May to March

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Basic Information About Mwanza and Tanzania

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Basic Information About Mwanza and Tanzania