Tanzania is blessed with natural beauty and extraordinary wildlife. It is the largest country in East Africa, about a million square kilometers (386,109 square miles). Agriculture dominates the economy, with the vast majority of its crop exports consisting of coffee, tea, cotton, cashew, sisal, cloves and pyrethrum. Although a few unreliable cash flows impede farmers, government intervention has a significant and positive impact on a country's economy.
In 1986, to help improve the country's economy, the Tanzanian government developed a new policy, including reducing budget deficits, easing trade policies and reducing restrictions on food crops. In addition, thanks to significant funding in the USA and numerous international groups in the mining, agricultural, gas and oil industries, insurance and tourism, increasing its staff and presence in the country, Tanzania in 2007 increased its foreign direct investment by 16%.
Tanzania is growing at about 4% per year and is now a fully integrated democratic society that is developing into one of the most dynamic economies in Africa. Dodoma is the capital and is home to the country's parliament and government institutions. It is located 440 kilometers (273 miles) west of Dar es Salaam, the commercial capital. Dar es Salaam is a city that is more than five centuries old. This is a mixture of African, Arab, Asian and European cultures. Tanzanians are very friendly and will stop helping foreigners in any way.
For someone who first arrived in Dar es Salaam by air, they saw a large area with tall palm trees and mud dwellings, as far as the eye can see. Once upon a time, buildings on the ground are randomly built and not very clean. In contrast, international hotels are of good quality and well located to take advantage of the sea views.
The city is divided into 4 separate areas: "City Center" is a mixture of office buildings, hotels, restaurants, bars, nightclubs, parks and sports facilities. The Peninsula is the place where most diplomats and expatriates live. The hotel offers a breathtaking view of the sea, local restaurants, shops and the sailing club. Then there are coastal homes and resorts that stretch from 20 to 30 kilometers (12 to 19 miles) to the north and south of Dar es Salaam. The rest of the city, unfortunately, is characterized by low-cost housing with a large population of between three and four million living near the poverty line.
Over the past 15 years, Dar es Salaam has drastically changed from socialism to a more capitalist government. The influx of diplomats, major business and foreign aid grants responded to the gradual increase in the standard of living of the local population. Infrastructure and public facilities are also improving every year - frequent power failures in the past are becoming less common. Water and sanitation problems remain high on the government’s list of priorities.
Swahili is the official language of Tanzania, but English is almost always used for business communication. A person can function quite easily in a city without knowing Swahili, but studying it facilitates assimilation, shop and barter in local communities.
Being polite and welcoming to Tanzanians, this is the most important thing you can remember, and preferably, if it is done in Swahili. Visitors should try not to raise their voice, even if patience is checked. Dar es Salaam is a Muslim setting, and Muslim customs must be very well understood.
Dar es Salaam is very hot throughout the year, and if you do not have an office or home equipped with fans or a good air conditioning system, you will feel drained by the high temperatures, which are usually 30 degrees C (86 degrees F) and in summer, closer to 40 ° C (104 degrees Fahrenheit) with humidity very close to 100%. Torrential rains come and go without much attention. You can escape the heat on weekends by going to one of the many beaches.
Foreigners wishing to enter Tanzania must have a valid passport. A passport must be presented to an immigration officer at any point of entry, border station, airport or harbor. It must be submitted with a visa, residence permit or pass, which is intended for transit passengers on their way to another destination.
There are five types of visas: “Regular Visa” is issued at any Tanzanian mission abroad. However, if you arrive at a checkpoint without a visa, you can get it at the entry point for $ 50. A “business visa”, called CTA, is issued to potential investors or business people who are trying to establish professional contacts. It is valid for two months. It costs $ 100, in addition to the cost of an entry visa. If a business person leaves the country, they need to obtain an entry visa and a CTA visa upon entry. “Multiple entry visas” are issued to foreigners who, due to business commitments, are required to make several entries. Authenticity can range from one month to one year. A “reference visa” requires special permission from the director of the immigration or main immigration officer in Zanzibar. This usually applies to people from Lebanon, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nigeria, Somalia, refugees, stateless persons and any other country, as determined by the authorities. Applications are made to any Tanzanian representative offices abroad and cannot be received at the points of entry. Finally, the “Transit Visa” is issued to those who want to cross Tanzania, and the validity period is two weeks. This is for those people who hold tickets ahead.
Visas can be obtained at the airport and upon arrival on land or at sea at the port of entry. Although the government has officially stopped requesting yellow fever certificates, it is still recommended to obtain and have a valid certificate of violation of yellow fever. Weapons, pornographic materials, fresh food and cars for more than 10 years should not be bought in Tanzania.
There are two types of work permits, each of which requires different documents, including resumes, cover letters, academic qualifications and personal photos. A special type of work permit is granted specifically to those who successfully apply and possess rare qualifications or skills. They are usually provided to those in high-tech occupations that are not available in the local labor market, including doctors, pilots, lawyers and accountants.
If a residence permit is available, spouses and dependents are allowed to remain in Tanzania for the duration of their stay in the working group. Usually they do not work, but there are some exceptions based on specific criteria. A passport is the main document used to verify identity in Tanzania. In addition to obtaining a license for a Tanzanian driver, no other documentation is required.
The local currency is the Tanzanian Shilling (Shillingi). Notes: TSH 10000 (red, elephant), TSH 5000 (purple, rhino), TSH 1000 (blue, late president Nyerere), TSH 500 (green, buffalo) and TSH 2.00 (brown, fort Zanzibar). The coins are TSH 200, 100, 50 and 25. TSH 20, 10 and 5 are out of circulation and, although they can still be used in banks, are no longer issued or not used. The bureau of stock exchanges is located throughout the city. Prices vary, so it is wise to go shopping. Hotels will also exchange currency, but with higher rates.
Cash is the most commonly used payment for daily purchases, such as groceries, etc. This is important for such things as cooking gas, fuel for cars, restaurants, drinks in bars, taxis and most other daily purchases. Recently, large stores have begun to accept Visa and MasterCard, and some places will take American Express, but it is still advisable to have cash in case of problems with unreliable machines.
Credit cards are accepted in hotels and in some restaurants that charge 5%. In most cases, you will need Tanzanian shillings. Foreign cash is accepted, but at shocking exchange rates. Some institutions insist on paying in US dollars, but you are allowed to pay in Shillings. However, you are likely to get a bad exchange rate.
As a foreigner, you can open a private bank account with a minimum of 50,000 Tanzanian shillings, $ 1,000 and sometimes with € 1,000, but you will need a work permit / residence permit, two passport-size photos, a letter of appointment from your employer and a cash deposit for this. All banks use English and Swahili as the language of correspondence. If you have enough funds, you can transfer and transfer any currency outside the country. Conversely, you can transfer as much as you want, but it will be converted into the currency of your accounts.
Opening hours on weekdays are usually from 08:30 to 15:30 and on Saturdays, from 09:00 to noon. More than 30 banks with Barclay, Standard Chartered, Stanbic, Bank of Baroda, FBME and Citibank are better known internationally. Most banks have ATMs and offer Visa and MasterCard services. Cash is distributed in Tanzanian shillings. TSH 400,000 is usually the maximum allowed to shoot at a time. Travel checks are usually accepted and exchanged only in banks, hotels and exchange offices. Credit cards are slowly being introduced, but when working with locals in cash is the only acceptable tender.
When you are looking for a place to stay in your city, the most important factor for you is your budget. The cost of living is extremely high, and the standards are relatively low. Another factor to consider is the distance to work and study, because traffic jams are problematic, especially in the morning.
Oisterbay and the peninsula are the two most popular quarters for immigrants. Rentals in Oisterbay and the peninsula range from $ 2,500 to $ 15,000 per month. The most visible and thoughtful places are Masaki (near the yacht club), the Msasani peninsula and Oysterbay. All of them are located close to the most popular schools, shopping centers, hospitals, hotels and restaurants. These areas have been developing at an amazing pace in the last five to seven years, and now you have a choice of all types of housing. Many of them have swimming pools, sports halls, tennis courts and security systems. Since these areas are in high demand, rents are much higher and payment terms are less than a year.
Foreigners are not allowed to buy real estate. Only companies are allowed to buy under a lease for 99 years. So, as a rule, housing is removed. Landlords property on the peninsula require prepayment for one year. In other areas, some owners ask for only six months.
When looking for your home, you may consider furnishing in a short-term rental. Ask for a list of available numbers, but order in advance, because Dar es Salaam is small. There are only two international housing management companies: Knight Frank and Pam Goulding. However, there are three or four good local firms. There are more than 40 hotels and furnished apartments in Dar es Salaam and surrounding areas: the more well-known hotels of the Holiday Inn, Movenpick, Kempinski, Protea and Sun International hotels.
Utilities are usually not included in the rental price. Water is a factor to consider when moving to an area. In some areas, such as the yacht club and Masaki, a home for a family of four requires water to be sent four times a month at a cost of $ 50 for delivery. If DAWASCO, a local water distribution company around Dar es Salaam, connects to your home, it can cost about 100,000 TSH ($ 85 a month).
Electricity is another costly factor. A house that consumes electricity for air conditioners and household appliances can be up to 500,000 tons ($ 430 per month). TANESCO sells prepaid electricity through its LUKU offices from Monday to Saturday. Some garages offer round-the-clock service for the sale of LUKU. Gas is a very useful alternative to electricity and is easily available, and most DUKA (local shops) sell it late in the evening. The system voltage is 220, but due to fluctuating voltage. Most households buy a lot of protective plugs to prevent their devices from being destroyed by sharp peaks and valleys. Most devices operate in Tanzania.
Tanzania is considered safe, but there has been an increase in petty theft and some gang-related attacks on lonely people. Fire in the house is rare, but you need to use round the clock security.
Expats in Dar es Salaam usually enroll children in mainstream private schools. There are more than a dozen schools in Dar es Salaam, including IST (Tanganyika International School) in Oisterbi for senior children and IST Elementary School in Upanga. IST is by far the most popular school of choice for expatriates and for this reason alone it is difficult to accommodate students right away. Sometimes your luck is determined by those who leave a certain class. The school is extremely expensive, but it has the best record in the city. There are also seven selected schools in the areas of the peninsula, Ada and Uganga, which serve preschoolers. School buses are available, but heavy traffic means that children spend a very long time on the bus from the very early morning. Here, many families lead their children to school and back.
All schools except IST begin in January and end in December. IST begins in September and ends at the end of June. Schools tend to insist that their students wear uniforms. Sport is not a top priority, but IST has some activities other than academic.
It is recommended that you get yellow fever and cholera vaccinations as a precautionary measure, and talk with your doctor about medicine to prevent malaria. You will not be denied medical care, but in Aga Khan and public hospitals access to them will be relatively cheap. Most expatriates go to the IST clinic, the International School of Tanganyika Clinic, which employs professional doctors who charge in US dollars for all services. Local facilities will refer patients to Kenya, South Africa, if required.
You can dial 112 for help because of emergency medical care, a fire, or if you need to contact the police, but these numbers are rarely answered. It is best to get the emergency numbers of your security company. There are three or four security firms that offer reliable ambulance and medical assistance services. Daktari "is the word for" doctor "in Swahili." Duka la Dawa "is a store for medicine.
Traffic Dar es Salaam can be very overloaded, especially in the morning and evening hours. A definite advantage is to have your own car. If a company car is not available to transport your family, you may need a second car. Many expatriates use drivers to avoid stresses in traffic and the dangers of possible accidents. You can use the driver to perform both functions, and, in general, these people are very reliable and willing to work odd hours. Cars, as a rule, have all-wheel drive type, because the roads are not in good condition. A new car of this type is priced at between 30,000 and 50,000 USD, but good used cars are available in the range of 8,000 to 15,000 USD.
A license for a Tanzanian driver is required within six months upon arrival. The licensing authority requires both checking the current driver for verification; three passport-size photographs and an eye examination by a reputable expert (the cost of TSH is 30,000 or US $ 26). Insurance is not compulsory, but it is strongly recommended to withdraw full comprehensive insurance, since very few local citizens have insurance, and you need to protect your assets.
In Tanzania you are driving from the left. Through periodical complaints in the press about dangerous driving, dirty form and easy loud music, Dar es Salaam public transport is surprisingly effective, and you can get almost anywhere within a city radius of 20 kilometers (12 miles) in less than a thousand shillings. (less than 1 usd). “Daladaly” are common minibuses that are located throughout the city and operate from 5 am to 10 pm. For short, often used distances, the route is serviced by an inexpensive three-wheeled motorcycle that seats from two to three passengers. Taxis can be found everywhere. Trips to the airport are between TSH from 20,000 to 30,000 (from 17 to 26 US dollars). В городе транспорт безопасен, но, как правило, очень переполнен и может быть очень жарким и перегруженным.
Автобусы дальнего следования доступны, чтобы вывезти экспатов из города. Они хорошего качества и довольно недороги, но, как известно, водители имеют скорость. Если расстояние в пределах 40-50 километров (24-30 миль), то такси будет хорошим вариантом. Из-за огромных расстояний от Дар-эс-Салама до других крупных туристических мест многие путешественники пользуются местными авиакомпаниями и чартерными компаниями, чтобы добраться до этих мест.
Есть много продуктовых магазинов, где можно купить продукты и туалетные принадлежности, включая Shoppers Plaza, Shop rite (три магазина), Game, Village Supermarket и Shrijee (три магазина). Для свежих продуктов существуют и другие «дуки», но нужно быть готовыми к обмену по лучшей цене, поэтому большинство экспатриантов, как правило, делают покупки в магазинах основного потока и обычно покупают на странном придорожном Дуке. Помимо свежих продуктов, все другие товары импортируются и поставляются с завышенной стоимостью. Вы можете получить большинство вещей, включая бытовую технику на местном уровне и довольно многообразие.
Есть также несколько блестящих мебельных магазинов. Танзанийцы - очень хорошие производители мебели и переименованы в кровати Занзибара, сундуки, книжные полки, боковые столы и журнальные столики и многое другое. Занзибарские двери - это большие входы для большого количества домов.
Сообщество экспатриантов очень дружелюбное, и для развлечения есть много развлечений. Клубы и группы доступны для встреч и общения с другими иностранными экспатриантами и местными жителями, такими как Бридж-клубы, Британский совет, яхт-клуб Дар-эс-Салам, Дипломатическая супружеская группа, Ирландское общество, Маленький театр, Маджонг, Общество охраны дикой природы Танзании и многие другие. Существует не так много радиостанций и, кроме телевидения, общественная жизнь ограничена выходом в кино и обедом. Есть несколько групп, которые приветствуют «Карибу», новичков. Есть ночные клубы и множество баров, но предполагается, что новичок только отправляется в эти места, когда узнает город. Есть много одиноких, профессиональных эмигрантов, которые находятся на задании на контрактный период.
Перечень вещей для супругов - это почти бесконечно. Чаще всего супруги посещают острова недалеко от Дар-эс-Салама, наслаждаются солнечным светом и едят свежесобранную рыбу и чипсы. Спортивные мероприятия ограничены, но гольф, теннис и крикет - все это очень популярные социальные мероприятия. В отеле Sea Cliff на полуострове есть боулинг и подводное плавание, а по выходным - активный отдых.
Няня доступны и, как правило, имеют опыт работы с другими семьями-эмигрантами. Они очень надежны и могут удвоиться как домохозяйки. Внутренние трудовые контракты имеют важное значение, заработная плата является очень доступной.
В то время как Kunduchi Hotel и Beach Resorts являются самыми популярными аттракционами для детей в этом районе, другие детские мероприятия довольно ограничены, и семьи, как ожидается, будут развлекать своих детей большую часть времени. Помимо мероприятий, организованных в школах, предлагается, чтобы семьи по-прежнему были вовлечены в выбор возможных путей для своих подростков, прежде чем позволить им самостоятельно исследовать. Обсудите любые проблемы безопасности для детей в этом городе. Для детей нет реальных опасений, но подросткам рекомендуется не посещать город самостоятельно.
