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As with your travel to TANZANIA and the booking of accommodation, so with journeys within the country it is best to make as many arrangements as possible in advance through your travel agent or airline. Apart from the greater convenience, this will often give you the benefit of group prices. Most tours of the game areas are made by mini-buses or landrovers, often specially modified for game-viewing.

Most of the main towns are linked by good tarmac roads and access to the parks is also by tarmac in most cases. Within the parks and in rural areas there are all-weather improved dirt roads.

You can hire self-drive or chauffeur-driven cars from a number of reliable touring companies and the major credit card companies are represented. Rates vary considerably and are further complicated because Tanzania has recently officially changed from miles to the metric kilometre system. Many charges will be quoted in miles, at rates varying from 300 / - to 500 / - per mile for self-drive.

If you take a taxi, make sure it is licensed. The major groups have metred vehicles. The smaller operators, often owner-drivers, have yellow lines on the side of their vehicle. If a cab has no metre you should agree with the driver on the price of the journey before you set off. If you are staying at an out-of-town hotel you will find it cheaper to use the hotel’s own bus service.

The use of local country or urban buses is not advisable for visitors, unless you are looking for adventure and a particular chance to meet the people. Some of the Inter-city buses are of a good standard and relatively cheap.

Driving Licence of your own country or International Permit and International Plate on arrival at the Tanzania frontier. In any case consult your own motoring Organisation before leaving home. Domestic driving licences are valid for 90 days but must be endorsed at a Police Station on arrival.

The main railway line spans the country from East to West. This and a number of branch lines link most of the towns. The leisurely overnight mail trains between Dar es Salaam and Kigoma provide excellent sleeping and catering facilities. A single journey will cost about USD60, meals are extra.

There are four flights a day between Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar coast All major towns are linked by internal air services operated by Air Tanzania Coporation while places of special tourist interest are served by regular flights of local light-aircraft companies.

For many areas, especially the remoter parks and places of interest, air charter Is the most convenient way of travel. Indeed, it can work out cheaper than surface routes in some cases. It is considered a normal method of travel in Tanzania and the large number of public and private landing fields are evidence of its popularity. Modern single and twin-engine aircraft can take you to any part of the country, Nearly all places of interest, including the remoter parts of the National Parks, the camps on Lake Victoria and the forts and oases of the North-West Zone are accessible by air.

By the way, don’t forget that Tanzania drives on the left, also remember that in the Parks and on the open road elephants and other game have the right of way.

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