Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Travellers with Disabilities
While there are few facilities for the disabled, Tanzanians are generally quite accommod-
ating and willing to offer whatever assistance they can. Some considerations:
»A small number of lodges have wheelchair accessible rooms (noted in individual listings).
But, few hotels have lifts (elevators) and many have narrow stairwells, especially in Stone
Town on Zanzibar, where stairwells are often steep and narrow. Grips or railings in the
bathrooms are rare.
»Many park lodges and camps are built on ground level. However, access paths - in an
attempt to maintain a natural environment - are sometimes rough or rocky and rooms or
tents raised. Inquire about access before booking.
»As far as we know, there are no Braille signboards at any parks or museums, nor any fa-
cilities for deaf travellers.
»Minibuses are widely available on Zanzibar and on the mainland and can be chartered
for transport and for customised safaris. Large or wide-door vehicles can also be arranged
through car-rental agencies in Dar es Salaam and with Arusha-based tour operators. Taxis
countrywide are usually small sedans and buses are not wheelchair equipped.
Helpful contacts include:
Accessible Journeys
(
www.disabilitytravel.com
)
Access-Able Travel (
www.access-able.com
)
Holiday Care
(
www.tourismforall.org.uk
)
Mobility International
(
www.miusa.org
)
National Information Communication Awareness Network
(
www.nican.com.au
)
Source
(
www.access-able.com
)
For information on the
Tanzania Association for the Physically Disabled
(Chawata) and
other organisations in Tanzania, see
http://mnada.net/shivyawata
.
Another local contact:
the
Zanzibar Association of the Disabled
( 024-223 3719; uwz@zanzinet.com).
Visas
Almost everyone needs a visa, which costs US$50 for most nationalities (US$100 for cit-
izens of the USA and of Ireland) for a single-entry visa valid for up to three months. It's
best to get the visa in advance (and necessary if you want multiple entry), though visas
are currently readily issued at Dar es Salaam and Kilimanjaro airports and at most border
crossings (US dollars cash only, single-entry only).
