Behavior
In Tanzania, introductions are important. Take time to greet someone, even if you are just asking for directions. Greetings and introductions are more elaborate in Tanzania. A person will most likely not limit their introduction to “Hello, I am John Smith.” Often introductions take a while. Shake hands with your right hand when you meet someone (either male or female) and look them in the face. Pay attention during the whole introduction even if it lasts what feels like a long time. Tanzanians will often keep a handshake going for an entire conversation, or shake hands repeatedly during a conversation (and again at the end).
When you meet someone, try to repeat the name of the person to yourself, because names can become confusing if you meet several people at one meeting.
Other than shaking hands, avoid physical touching between men and women (even married couples) whenever possible. Africans are not as touchy-feely as Americans. Physical affection, hugging and holding hands is okay between two women or two men (this is a considered a demonstration of friendship and is not homosexual in nature), but you may want to avoid it so that you don’t forget and also touch the opposite sex.
The left hand is traditionally the bathroom hand. Do not shake hands, eat or give objects with your left hand. That would be considered dirty and impolite. I’m sorry to all you lefties!
Since language will be a barrier, gesturing will become an important means of communication. If you are gesturing for someone to come towards you, make sure that your palm is face down. In America, we have our hands palm up and crook our fingers to indicate that someone should come near. This could be considered an offensive gesture in Tanzania, so be careful to gesture with the palm down using all the fingers together rather than just one.
Host gifts and thank you gifts are customary and appreciated. However, if you are giving a gift, do not be surprised if the appreciation is not expressed verbally. In fact, they may wait to open the gift until after you’ve left! This doesn’t mean that they don’t appreciate the gift. Gift giving etiquette is just different.
Drinking alcohol and using tobacco products has a very bad connotation in Tanzania. Participating in these activities will make you look bad and will compromise the Christian witness of the local pastors and your mission team. Please note that we will not be participating in those activities while we are in Africa.
Please refrain from using loud voices and rude/bad language. This is a society that is very soft spoken, polite and respectful. When we gather in groups in America, we sometimes become good naturedly boisterous while visiting and having fun. Tanzanians don’t really use loud voices while visiting, having dinner or in anger. It is extremely important that we never speak to them in any kind of harsh manner or lose our tempers. Any difficult problem should be handled by one of the long-term missionary team members traveling with the group. We will designate a translator for you.
Seatbelts are required by law in Tanzania. Please wear your seatbelt at all times while traveling. We may get stopped for inspection by local police while traveling and we don’t want to get a fine.
Tanzanians love to feed guests- even if they do not have very much themselves. Please be gracious about accepting offerings of well cooked food. Guests are honored and are expected to eat first. You do not have to eat some of every single food item. What is important is that you DO eat enough to give the impression that you enjoyed the meal. A simple statement, which will be translated by your translator or one of our team, “Thank you, I am not accustomed to that food,” is acceptable. Fairly profuse thanks should be given after every meal—both to the host/hostess and the local leaders. Unlike in America where our kitchens are open and we cook for and with our guests at dinner parties, the cook will probably prepare the meal quietly in another room. When she (or sometimes he) does appear, don’t forget to thank him or her as well and, of course, give your complements to the “chef”!
Clothing
Short sleeved clothing is fine, but do not pack sleeveless clothing unless you are covering up the sleeveless top with something with short sleeves like a scarf or unbuttoned short sleeved shirt. It is important to cover the shoulders. Also, Tanzanian women dress modestly and show little to no chest. Please don’t pack anything low-cut in the front or back. Please don’t pack tight fitting stretchy shirts.
Part of Tanzanian modesty includes the knees. Please make sure that you pack clothing that covers the knees- pants for men, longer skirts for women. Showing the knees in public is considered indecent so please be sensitive to that.
Please do not pack or wear rope, yarn, string, leather thong or bead bracelets/anklets/necklaces. These are associated with protection “spells” and will give the impression that we do not put our full faith in Christ.
Bring comfortable shoes for walking and work. Sport shoe type sandals (Tevas, Chacos, Keens) are okay and versatile. Tennis shoes are also okay. If you pack dressier sandals or shoes, just make sure they are comfortable. You don’t want to be walking around with a blister (which can easily become infected). If you don’t opt for tennis shoes or dressier shoes, pack a lightweight pair of flip flops for the bathroom/shower. Often the shower floor is the whole bathroom floor and it gets wet. Also, when using communal bathrooms, you will want to use them as shower shoes.
Africans dress nicer than Americans do. Slacks, skirts and button down shirts/blouses are usually worn (or traditional dress for women). T-shirts and jeans for men are acceptable for work, such as construction, but could show disrespect if worn to meetings and visiting in villages. I would suggest light weight khakis or inexpensive dress pants with button down shirts for men to wear in the villages. Ladies, in the villages, you need to wear a skirt. On safari, pants are more acceptable, but please avoid showing the knees (please no short capris or long “walking shorts”), even though you will see tourists wearing them. We are extremely conscious of our testimony during the entire trip. If you have an opportunity to witness while on safari you do not want your attire to divert their attention from your testimony. Everyone should also avoid tight t-shirts that emphasize the figure.
What to pack
Don’t forget to pack your passport and travel visa (unless you plan to get yours upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport)!! You will not be allowed to leave the US or enter Tanzania without your passport. Also, pack any eye contacts, medications and proper prescriptions that you will need for the full trip.
If you are planning on bringing spending money, please note that Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam accepts US currency and debit/credit cards. In Tanzania you will only be able to use a debit or ATM card or U.S. currency at selected locations. Once there, you will not be able to change bills that are dated before 2003, so request newer bills from the bank. Try to bring 50’s or 100 dollar bills for changing as smaller bills get a much less favorable exchange rate. You do not need spending money, unless you want to buy soda drinks, between meal snacks or souvenirs.
Please pack extremely lightly. Limit personal baggage to one carry on and one checked bag. Also, KLM does not kid around with carry-on bags. If your bag doesn’t fit in the little box, they will make you check it. If you are bringing a musical instrument (i.e. guitar), you will probably have to check it so make sure you have a hard case.
Don’t pack a lot of shoes. They are heavy and take up a lot of baggage space. With only one carry one and one suitcase, baggage space is a valued commodity.
You will need a durable water bottle with a spout if possible. We will furnish all the necessary purified water, but you will need to refill your water bottle often. The spout makes it easier to drink while traveling bumpy roads. Never skimp on drinking water! We have plenty and dehydration can sneak up on you and make you sick. You don’t want to be sick out in the field (see section on toilet facilities below).
Bring a camping clothes line if you have one. You will want to hand wash some of your clothes before the end of the trip.
If you use a wash cloth, you will want to pack one. Only towels are provided in hotels and guest houses in East Africa. Pack the very lightweight ones that dry quickly so that when you re-pack, it isn’t damp. I would recommend that you bring at least one wash cloth for every two days or so. You could leave them behind if you don’t want to return cheap washcloths. They can get pretty musty after a couple of days.
Pack some large size zip lock baggies in case you have some damp or extra dirty items.
Electricity can be spotty. Please pack a flashlight.
You will need to pack a sleeping bag and pillow for camping in the Serengeti. I suggest an inflatable pillow that can be used during your flight and deflated all the way flat for packing. In order to stay within the luggage requirements, you will need to use a down or down-substitute, stuffable sleeping bag. These guys can stuff down to just larger than a football and are very lightweight. They can be obtained from stores like REI or Dick’s Sporting Goods and online. If you don’t have a stuffable sleeping bag, and won’t be able to get one before the trip, you should get a sleeping bag liner and borrow a full size bag from the long-term mission team in Tanzania. Check the average weather conditions for Serengeti during June to determine how warm a sleeping bag you will need. Don’t assume that it will be warm. It can be chilly in the highlands at night.
Pack layers. This will help you adjust to changing temperatures (in Singida versus the highlands)as well as help your limited wardrobe last longer. For instance, wear a tee shirt with an open button up shirt over top. If it gets warm, you can take off the button up and wear it again another day. If it gets cooler, you can cover both up with a warm fleece top or hoodie.
You may want to pack two 3 oz bottles of shampoo, especially if you have long hair. It is very dusty in Tanzania. Also, you can use shampoo to wash your laundry when necessary.
You might want to pack a travel clock to help you wake up after jet lag.
Pack a caribener or S-hook to hang things from. Floors can be dirty. Also hanging delicate equipment (laptops, camera equipment, etc) can save it from damage when our truck is traveling the extremely bumpy roads.
Cell phone coverage is good in much of Tanzania, but calls may cost up to $5.00 US per minute. Be sure to check with your cell phone company to establish coverage before leaving home.
If you bring extra batteries for your flashlight, etc (the duracel or energizer type), pack them in checked luggage, because they could be confiscated (they can be used in explosives). However, most newer cameras and computers have lithium batteries now and those should be packed in your carry-on. In fact, most high-tech cameras and video cameras have to be taken out during security and scanned separately just like a laptop. In those instances, it is better to keep your lithium batteries in your electronics and carry them in your carry-on bags. Also bring a universal adapter kit. If your electronics are 3 pronged, make sure the adapter will fit your plug. Any electronics that don’t have a transformer in the cord (a fairly big, black box about halfway down the cord) will also need a transformer as part of the adapter kit.
Hand washing is common in Tanzania before meals, but you will want to supplement with germicide. Generally I consider water to be contaminated until proven otherwise. Bring a large bottle of Purell or other waterless germicide in your checked baggage, and bring a small (3 oz or less) bottle in your checked bag to carry with you and refill whenever necessary. There may be a time in some village when hand washing is unavailable or you prefer not to touch the public facilities.
Pack any large bottles of insect repellant in your checked bag. Any containers of liquids or gels over 3 oz. will be confiscated and thrown away by airport security.
Some of you may want to pack baby wipes.
Hygiene
Toilets don’t always flush and hot water usually has to be requested ahead of time. Let us know if you have plumbing issues or want to take a shower at an odd time and we’ll work on things for you.
Toilet paper is not always available in Africa. The cost of your trip includes plenty of TP. Make sure that you have the proper ”supplies” before you start doing your business. If you have run out of toilet paper or can’t find any, let me know and I will get you some more. You don’t have to pack your own.
Although we will have flush sitting toilets in our accommodations at night, they won’t always be available in the field. With trough toilets (aka squatty potties), the method of flushing is a bucket of water with a cup floating in it for scooping out water and washing everything down the “drain”. Please don’t retrieve the cup by putting your hands in the water buckets of a public restroom. Even in a private potty, that is discouraged. I will have latex gloves available if that sort of “flushing” is necessary. Again, please be sure that you have the proper “supplies” before you start doing your business. Also, not all things can be “flushed” down a squatty potty. (Ladies, please read the “Girls Only” section of this paper.) The other common potty is basically a deep hole in the ground. Everything goes in there with no flushing required, so just use your best aim! Wipe carefully because sinks are often not available in the field. Use your waterless germicide liberally and often.
Diarrhea will only make an unpleasant potty experience worse. The best way to avoid this scenario is to practice good eating and hygiene habits. We will have our own cook to make our meals, so they will be safe. The cost of your trip also includes plenty of purified water to refill your water bottle. When eating away from our camp, only eat hot foods that have just been cooked. Do not eat fruit that you did not peel yourself. Never drink or brush your teeth with water that didn’t come from our supply- and never from the sink. When washing out your water bottle, use purified water. Even after washing your hands, reapply waterless germicide before eating.
Jetlag
Jetlag is the unfortunate fate of all international travelers. Symtoms include dehydration, weakness, and exhaustion. However, it can be somewhat relieved by following these few simple suggestions.
- Drink lots of water. Start drinking water starting several days before leaving (at least 2-3 Liters per day).
- Do not skip meals to keep blood sugar levels regulated.
- Get up and walk around and stretch the legs while on the plane. Do not sit the whole time. (Since you’ll be drinking lots of water to hydrate yourself anyway, it’s the perfect chance to get up and stretch when nature calls.)
- When arriving to the point of destination or back home get on a regular sleeping schedule immediately.
o Do NOT take naps.
o Go to bed and get up at the normal times for that time zone. Sleeping in will only make the jetlag worse.
o On the day that you return home, try to stay up until 8 or 9 pm. This way, once you get a good nights sleep, you will wake up at a reasonable hour and be that one day closer to normal time. Once you return home, it won’t be unusual for you to be dead tired by 8 or 9 pm- even if you are a night owl. Remember, at 8pm, its 3 am on the other side of the world!
o Go go to bed early the first few days, but don’t sleep in. Wake up at a reasonable time the next day, so that you will return to your normal schedule more quickly. Its not unusual for a traveler to wake up at 4 am or 5 am and not be able to go back to sleep for a couple of days. That’s okay, but don’t take a nap! If you stay up all day, you will be able to go to bed at a reasonable hour.
Significant Phrases
Mungu asifiwe- (Moon-goo Ah-see-FEE-way) Praise the Lord or The Lord should be praised
Response- Amen (AH-men)
What’s your name- Jina lako nani (Jina LA-koh (ni) nani)?
My name is Tracie- Jina langu ni Tracie. (JI-nah LAN-goo nee Tracie)
I’m from America- Natoka Merikani. (Nah-TOH-ka Me-ree-KAH-nee)
Hello- Jambo (JAHM-boh)
How are you- Habari ?(Ha-BAH-ree)
Greeting (for elders)- Shikamoo (Shik-kah-MOH)
Response- Marahaba (Mah-rah-HA-bah)
Goodbye- Kwa heri (Kwa HE-ree)
Yes- Ndiyo (N-DEE-yoh)
No- Hapana (Ha-PAH-na)
Please- Tafadhali (Ta-fa-DHA-lee)
Thank you (very much)- Asante (sana) (Ah-SAN-te SA-nah)
You are welcome- Karibu (Ka-REE-boo)
Sorry- Pole (Poh-lay)
Excuse me- Samahani (sa-ma-HA-ni) This is also “Forgive me.”
Toilet- Choo (CHOH)
