Difference between revisions of "Tanzania"
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Hitching for free is possible on the main routes as there is relatively dense traffic. | Hitching for free is possible on the main routes as there is relatively dense traffic. | ||
| − | There are not a lot of main routes, so be sure to plan your journey well. | + | There are not a lot of main routes though, so be sure to plan your journey well. A paved ring road is being built around the country (as of 2013), but most of the long distance rides will still be on unpaved surface. Traffic culture in Tanzania is chaotic and road accidents are common. |
Most private car's drivers will stop for ''white'' people as they consider them ''not dangerous''. | Most private car's drivers will stop for ''white'' people as they consider them ''not dangerous''. | ||
| − | In a more remote areas (or less visited) you must be exceptionally lucky to get a free lift as the only mean of transport is a shared taxi. You do get very cheap buses travelling long distances, however be very aware of "swahili time" if you do end up booking a bus. | + | In a more remote areas (or less visited) you must be exceptionally lucky to get a free lift as the only mean of transport is a shared taxi. You do get very cheap buses travelling long distances, however be very aware of "swahili time" if you do end up booking a bus. Instead of midnight, the swahili time starts at sunrise (Western 6am) and ends at sunset (Western 6pm). Therefore 11 in the morning might mean 5am. |
Food is amazingly cheap and most people very hospitable, especially if you're quite obviously a traveller from a different country. | Food is amazingly cheap and most people very hospitable, especially if you're quite obviously a traveller from a different country. | ||
| − | It's worth learning some Swahili as aside from the largest cities, you won't find very much English. You will also probably encounter a million greetings a day and it's lovely to be able to reply with the correct answer! | + | It's worth learning some Swahili as aside from the largest cities, you won't find very much English. You will also probably encounter a million greetings a day and it's lovely to be able to reply with the correct answer! Most people's first language is their tribal language, and Swahili is the language which unites everyone. |
Be careful of travelling by yourself as a woman. Normally you may just get chatted up for your exotic look, but keep your own safety in mind. | Be careful of travelling by yourself as a woman. Normally you may just get chatted up for your exotic look, but keep your own safety in mind. | ||
Revision as of 00:48, 17 August 2013
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This article is a stub. This means that the information available to us is obviously insufficient. In these places little information is available or the description is severely outdated. If you have been there, whether hitchhiking, for travel or as part of an organized tour − be sure to extend this article! |
 Tanzania | |
|---|---|
| Information | |
| Language: | Swahili, English |
| Capital: | Dar Es Salaam |
| Population: | 43,750,000 |
| Currency: | Tanzanian shilling |
| Paved roads: | 4,250 km (5%) |
| Hitchability: | <rating country='tz' /> |
| Meet fellow hitchhikers on Trustroots | |
| <map height='350' lat='-6.68643125265198' lng='35.2001953125' zoom='5' view='0' float='right' /> | |
Tanzania is a country in Eastern Africa.
Hitching for free is possible on the main routes as there is relatively dense traffic. There are not a lot of main routes though, so be sure to plan your journey well. A paved ring road is being built around the country (as of 2013), but most of the long distance rides will still be on unpaved surface. Traffic culture in Tanzania is chaotic and road accidents are common. Most private car's drivers will stop for white people as they consider them not dangerous. In a more remote areas (or less visited) you must be exceptionally lucky to get a free lift as the only mean of transport is a shared taxi. You do get very cheap buses travelling long distances, however be very aware of "swahili time" if you do end up booking a bus. Instead of midnight, the swahili time starts at sunrise (Western 6am) and ends at sunset (Western 6pm). Therefore 11 in the morning might mean 5am.
Food is amazingly cheap and most people very hospitable, especially if you're quite obviously a traveller from a different country. It's worth learning some Swahili as aside from the largest cities, you won't find very much English. You will also probably encounter a million greetings a day and it's lovely to be able to reply with the correct answer! Most people's first language is their tribal language, and Swahili is the language which unites everyone.
Be careful of travelling by yourself as a woman. Normally you may just get chatted up for your exotic look, but keep your own safety in mind.
Tanzania outside of the big cities is quite conservative, and often old school Christian or Islamic. It makes sense to cover up reasonably, which is helpful anyway for the heat!
