Livingstone Tanzania Trust

Travel information

Before you go we recommend you buy and read a Tanzania travel guide. The Rough Guide is particularly good, but the Lonely Planet book also covers lots of useful points.
  • Medical precautions: We advise that you consult to either your local doctor or to a travel clinic to get the most up to date medical advice. You may need to have injections and will need to take anti-malaria tablets to prevent you catching malaria. We recommend you bring a medical first aid kit that contains at the very minimum mosquito repellent, sun tan lotion, diarrhoea tablets and rehydration tablets (I've never needed this, but we are all different), bandages, your own sterile needles and syringes, antibiotics, aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs, anti-bacterial ointment. Bottled water is readily available across Tanzania and we recommend that tap water be avoided. Heat exhaustion is a hazard and so we recommend water is carried with you always.
  • Clothing: This is obviously up to you. Tanzania is a very respectful society and clothing ought not in any way be provocative or contain inappropriate images. Because of the sun and because of mutual respect, most people cover their bodies. Women cover themselves at all times and do not advertise their gender like in western society, so we recommend that female cover their legs to over knees. We can arrange when you are there a "kanga lesson". The kanga or chitenge, is the cloth that ladies use to wrap around themselves, wrap their babies into etc. Learning how to ties these is an art in itself. Tanzanian men never wear shorts, so volunteers ought not to as well, however long shorts would be acceptable. All clothing ought to be breathable because it is very hot and the sun is a danger to your skin. Whilst you are working you will want to consider your clothing, it ought not get in the way and ought to offer protection from the sun. Shoes especially must be suitable and cover your feet totally. We recommend you bring a hat!
  • Flights: This is something you need to book for yourself, we can make suggestions or recommend travel agents if you wish. Tanzania has two International airports serving Europe, ensure you are going to Kilimanjaro International and NOT Dar es Salaam.
  • Travel Insurance: This is vital. Accidents and incidents do happen and you need to be protected by some insurance. Bring the documentation with you, and read it thoroughly, the procedures you must follow are stated therein and failure to follow the correct action can lead to claims not being accepted.
  • Visa: You will need a visa. It is easiest to get one in advance as the queues at the airport for visa are large and chaotic and if this is new to you could take hours. You ought to apply for a tourist visa to cover the entire length of you trip, maximums 3 months.
  • Attitude: You need to be flexible in your approach. In developing countries many of the things that we take for granted simply are not there and this can lead to frustrations. There maybe electrical shortages and power cuts, the Internet access may be infrequent, buses breakdown, etc. The way of life in Tanzania is to accept these without complaint. Complaining gets people nowhere and upsets people in the process. Tanzanians do not get angry and do not expect others to get angry. Tanzanians chose their words with great care to get their message across and one ought to listen carefully to what is being said and what is being implied. If you get angry with a Tanzanian, they will shut down and fail to co-operate with you. We expect all our volunteers to be polite and respectful at all times, and that any problems they face will be directed to the local rep or your guide who will try to resolve it for you. Tanzania is a very respectful society and in Babati you will be expected to show respect for your elders and the youngsters. Shaking hands and holding hands between men is a big thing and if someone wants to hold your hand it is a friendly act. You must always ask after people's health when you meet them and show concern for their well-being. In Tanzania people tend not to have TV's so they talk to each other and love to gossip. If your actions are inappropriate, it will spread very quickly throughout the community, like wise if you are polite and respectful. You will be judged on your behaviour and it will impact on you
  • Security: Tanzania is a safe country, but that is not to say that there is no theft. Care ought to be taken at all times. You would be well advised not to take anything with you of sentimental value, and refrain from advertising your wealth. You will automatically be richer than everyone else there and so a target, so take precautions. We advise that you do not wear jewellery or expensive watches. Take a money belt and use it. Carry a wallet with only small money in it. Keep your mobile phone hidden. In Arusha it is advised that you do not go walking about after dark and during the day keep your wits about you. Pickpockets in the markets will work in gangs to distract you. The bus station is a popular centre for pickpockets so be alert. Babati is a safer town but still one ought to be cautious. Poverty and high unemployment can tempt people.
  • Mobile Phones: Tanzania has two mobile phone services, in our experience Celtel is the best. Sim-cards can be bought in Arusha and top ups are available everywhere. Please ensure your phone is capable to taking other sim cards before you leave, some phones may be locked into the original supplier.
  • Language: Each tribe has their own language and are taught KiSwahili, the national language, at school. They are then taught English as a 3rd language. It is good to know the basics of the language and people will be pleased that you have made the effort. The traditional greetings are a must for all visitors to master as this will get you a long way and make people smile.
  • Gifts: If you are bringing gifts for the projects, please consider carefully who is going to get them and who is not going to get them. I bought a football for the boys and alienated the girls very quickly, so the following day o bought them a football too, they were very pleased with me!! There are 15 teachers, and 400 kids. When bringing things with images on, please think if those images are appropriate. But please do not let this put you off as gifts are always well received!! If you need any help, please ask!
  • Home: You will be living in a local guesthouse or at a family home. All our accommodation is safe and secure. All accommodation has mosquito nets.