Congratulations and Welcome!
You are embarking on an unforgettable journey to one of the most exotic and exciting countries in the world. Your memories of this extraordinary country and its peoples will be vivid and with you for the rest of your life. Nothing is monochrome in this fabulous part of Africa where the colours of everyday life are both brilliant and sometimes very blue. Never boring, Tanzania will richly reward the curious and can drive those seeking normalcy right up the wall.

The aim of this information is to make those moving to Tanzania more aware of typical problems that can be encountered and overcome in day to day life and is perhaps more useful to those who will be residing in Dar es Salaam (normally referred to as "Dar"). Let us presume that your company has already found you accommodation in an expatriate-type area and that it is ready for your occupation.

Moving to Tanzania
Choose a quality mover for your relocation to Tanzania. Worldwide Movers is the oldest professional international moving company in the country and we have seen all sorts of insufficiently packed shipments arrive by air and sea. Select a moving company that specializes in overseas moves: they know how to pack and they know how to load your possessions to prevent damages. We would suggest that you designate and international mover that belongs to the Fédération Internationale des Déménageurs Internationaux (F.I.D.I.): membership manifests competency. Don't worry about customs clearance and delivery, we do it every day. If you need any special information, call our France based director, Val Prinsep in Paris. He knows Tanzania well and will be pleased to help.

Language
The official language of Tanzania and Zanzibar is KiSwahili which is spoken by nearly all Tanzanians. Don't confuse KiSwahili with the Swahili spoken as a second language in Kenya and parts of Uganda and the Congo. Tanzania is the home of this colourful language that includes many linguistic nuances and is a badge of sophistication when spoken in places like Nairobi. English is widely spoken in most business and tourist areas, but outside those places, try learning some useful and much appreciated phrases. Your efforts will endear you to Tanzanians and will elicit many a rewarding smile - albeit that they may not understand a word of what you are saying. Swahili language tapes are available in most of the better book shops in New York, L.A, London and Toronto. Alternatively, "Speak Swahili Perfectly in a Couple of Hours" type books are available in most book shops overseas. The selection in Dar' is improving. Try the book shop at the Slipway..

Safety
Tanzania is generally an extremely safe country, among the safest on the continent. In fact it is one of the few African countries that has not suffered tribal unrest. There is no evident ethnic majority in Tanzania and this has nurtured a patient attitude towards politics and politicians. The country enjoys one of the highest literacy rates in Africa and this too owes credence to a generally safe society. However Dar' is a different story. The burgeoning rural population encourages the young to throng the pavements of gold and unemployment has become unacceptably high for both the work-hungry and those who are not. Although muggings are occasional only, it is sensible, for example, not to wear a visible watch while driving in the not-so-friendly parts of town: that watch could feed a snatch-and-grabber for a month or two. And the same goes for jewelry.

Humidity on the Coast
Humidity in Dar and the other coastal towns is all pervading and a working air conditioner is a welcome addition to any apartment or home. During the rainy season (April through June), everything becomes a little damp so it's worth keeping things like gummed envelopes and stamps in a sealed bag on in your freezer (otherwise you have to steam them open and re-stick them). Computers and printers are particularly prone to rusting in the salty air, so keep them and other electronic property in the driest room during this period. It's a great idea to take a box of peel-off envelopes with you.

Telephones
Although landline service has improved in recent years, failures are still frequent.
EVERYONE in Tanzania owns and relies on a cell phone.  Vodacom, Celtel and Mobitel all provide reliable mobile phone service.  International telephone rates are quite high and many expats subscribe to "call back" services although the legality of this remains questionable.

Faxes and E-Mail
Remember that faxes are only as useful as the effectiveness of the local exchange and the electricity supply. Without considerable alteration to accommodate a different Hz supply, north American 110V fax machines do not work in Tanzania. Most people use their office faxes where (and if) cut-in generators provide a constant power supply. Daily 2-4 hour power cuts are par for the course nowadays. Email system has considerably improved in the last couple of years and the number of providers has increased. The wireless line is being introduced in the Dar' region which, providing there is electricity, will certainly further improve access to the internet.

Housing
Adequate expatriate housing in 2002 is a little more plentiful and less expensive than before. It is not easy to find exactly what you want in Dar'. There are four parameters that govern house or apartment hunting in Tanzania and they are:

• Location and Commute
• Electricity and constant Water Supply
• Security
• Telephone

Although several Real Estate Agencies can now be found in Dar', much of the housing is available through referrals and word of mouth.. A good place to start is the various club notice boards: no doubt your company has contacts that will yield some properties to inspect.

As a rule of thumb, suitable apartments range from US$1,000 - 2,000 per month with houses ranging from $1,000 well out of town to $2,000 and upwards on the Msasani peninsula, closer to town. Remember that these prices do not generally include a working telephone, appliances, electricity costs and most-times, security guards. If the premises boasts a working telephone, it is a major advantage. It is essential to have security guards as pilferage and theft is endemic. Security alarm companies enjoy great success in Dar' but they should only be an addition to your own guards in most cases.

Landlords frequently demand six, twelve and sometimes 24 months rent in advance. It is important to try to pay as little in advance as possible which might encourage the lessor to undertake repairs should anything go wrong during the term of the lease. It may be a good idea to discuss with the landlord some kind of discount off your rent if you include some mildew-proof exterior paint in your household effects as you can be sure that any painting done prior to your occupancy will deteriorate badly within 12 months. Mildew-free paint is still not manufactured in Tanzania.

Furniture and Appliances
Simple furniture is available in Dar'. Neither design nor quality are remarkable and you may find that doors and drawers warp because of the high humidity, but they serve their purpose. 220V appliances are available, quite expensive, mostly, of lower quality and of questionable origin. Remember that in many cases, large refrigerators and stoves do not fit into the niches provided in some kitchens and washer/dryers are a mixed blessing. If you elect to bring appliances, make sure you purchase stabilizer and surge protectors before you leave.

Television
If you enjoy watching your favorite videos, it may be worth bringing your PAL system television and VCR with a 220V converter. There is now television in Tanzania (that started in 1995) with a couple of local commercial channels that are broadcasting for 8-10 hours per day in KiSwahili and English and dish reception (DSTV from South Africa which includes the news channels CNN, BBC and Skynews) is now available for a monthly subscription of about 65 US$ for 13 channels. PAL is the system used in Tanzania.

Domestic Staff
It is common to employ house staff, cooks, gardeners and security guards. Salaries are extremely reasonable and they add greatly to the quality of life overseas. So think twice about taking the washer and dryer. Those expatriates who are leaving Tanzania always try to find good employment for their reliable staff after their departure and you should have no problem finding recommended help with good references. Nannies are wonderful with children.

Schools
There are several foreign schools in Tanzania, principally in Dar' and Arusha. They are namely the Upper and Lower International Schools of Tanzania (IST), the German School, the Dutch School and the French one. Your embassy or High Commission will assist you with introductions.

Clubs
Clubs and Sporting Clubs are very popular in Tanzania and form the principal avenues of the social life of the expatriate. The year-long sunshine encourages participatory sports that are available at the Dar es Salaam Yacht Club, the Gymkhana Club for riding and golf, in fact there are all kinds of clubs catering for everyone from scuba divers to Auto Rallying and most can squeeze in another member if necessary. For those with Stage Ambitions, try the Little Theatre who may put you on the stage more quickly than Broadway.

Embassy Registration
It's always a good idea to register with your Embassy or High Commission as soon as you arrive in Tanzania. Not only is it appreciated by the mission, but also a good way to meet other nationals at the drink parties that are held from time to time. Most of the diplomatic missions are fairly laid-back in Dar' and are much more helpful than in other larger countries.

Shopping
Many a time one hears "I wish I brought that with me from home!". Invariably, its food items that were forgotten, so if you enjoy pumpkin pie, haggis or confit of goose, take it with you in cans. Out-of-the-ordinary goods are simply not available anywhere in Tanzania. Your friends will enjoy the additions too.

Newspapers and Magazines
Newsweek and Time and some foreign newspapers are available at the leading hotels and the Slipway. We would suggest that, if interested, you should subscribe to your local newspaper before leaving for Tanzania (sometimes known as "TZ"). The post office is slow and fairly reliable. To keep up to date with the latest news, many residents take a short-wave radio with them that provide hourly newscasts emitted by the BBC, VOA, Radio Canada, RAI, RFI and others and Satellite dish reception for televisions is available at a price. PAL is the system used in TZ.

Restaurants
Dar' is not one of the world's prime destination for gourmets. The good news is that there are new restaurants are appearing almost weekly and this is a huge leap forward from just a few years ago where there were only two or three restaurants in town that didn't give you a runny tummy. Now, honest Italian, Chinese, Indo/Pakistani and International cuisine abounds and prices by South African measures is similar, by north American standards are reasonable and downright inexpensive with a European purse. Run of the mill type wines are available from South Africa and this is punctuated with the occasional bright spots heralded by French wines from time to time. Beers, local and a variety of imported are freely available as are most liquors in restaurants and grocery stores.