Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
INSURANCE
Unless you're covered from other sources, such as your credit card, it's advisable to take
the full coverage offered by hire companies.
ROAD CONDITIONS & HAZARDS
Around one-third of Tanzania's road network is sealed. Secondary roads range from good
to impassable, depending on the season. For most trips outside major towns you'll need
4WD.
If you aren't used to driving in East Africa, watch out for pedestrians, children and an-
imals on the road or running into the road. Especially in rural areas, many people have not
driven themselves and aren't aware of necessary braking distances and similar concepts.
Never drive at night, and be particularly alert for vehicles overtaking blind on curves. Tree
branches on the road are the local version of flares or hazard lights and mean there's a
stopped vehicle, crater-sized pothole or similar calamity ahead.
ROAD RULES
Driving is on the left (in theory), and traffic already on roundabouts has the right of way.
Unless otherwise posted, the speed limit is 80km per hour; on some routes, including Dar
es Salaam to Arusha, police have radar. Tanzania has a seat-belt law for drivers and front-
seat passengers. The traffic-fine penalty is Tsh20,000.
Motorcycles aren't permitted in national parks except for the section of the Dar es
Salaam-Mbeya highway passing through Mikumi National Park and on the road between
Sumbawanga and Mpanda via Katavi National Park.
Hitching
Hitching is generally slow going. It's prohibited inside national parks, and is usually fruit-
less around them. That said, in remote areas, hitching a lift with truck drivers may be your
only option. Expect to pay about the same or a bit less than the bus fare for the same route,
with a place in the cab costing about twice that for a place on top of the load. To flag down
a vehicle, hold out your hand at about waist level, palm to the ground, and wave it up and
down.
Expat workers or well-off locals may also offer you a ride. Payment is usually not expec-
ted, but still offer some token of thanks, such as a petrol contribution for longer journeys.
As elsewhere in the world, hitching is never entirely safe, and we don't recommend it.
Travellers who hitch should understand that they are taking a potentially serious risk. If you
do hitch, it's safer doing so in pairs and letting someone know your plans.
