We are traveling to Tanzania and wonder what type of telephone card is best to purchase for use in this country.

Also, we understand that traveler's checks are difficult to use in Tanzania and that it is best to bring cash. Is this correct?

Georgette Rocheleau

There are many threads re mobile service, SIM cards, phone cards, etc. A search on this board will bring up the threads.

I can't comment, as I am incommunicado when on holiday and don't own a mobile.

As to currency, Travelers checks are difficult to exchange, but if you want these as backup in case of emergency, purchase in your home currency and then redeposit in bank once back home.

Otherwise, USD are widely accepted, but it's suggested to have a small amount of Tanzania shillings, which you can obtain at a Currency Exchange; your guide can stop at one for you to do so.

The local TSH can be used for staff tips, small souvenir purchases along the way. Use all of this by end of visit as it's difficult to reconvert at airport to your home currency.

Most towns have ATMs. I was in Mwanza a few weeks ago and it had plenty. Let your bank know you're travelling and you should be able to withdraw money.

I would also buy a local sim card. They're pretty cheap. As for phone cards... there are so many to choose from!

Are you asking about landlines or mobile phones? I have no experience with landlines and it seems they're an iffier proposition than mobile phone service in East Africa.

SIM cards and airtime for mobiles are easy to pick up. You need an unlocked GSM 900/1800 MHz phone.

Just returned last month from kenya and tanzania. Used celtel. The SIM card is free, you just buy the minutes. It was about $.02 a minute to call kenya or tanzania numbers and about $.33 a minute to call back to the US. Service was pretty good everywhere.

I see Celtel do some of the neighboring countries too. Do you know if the rates are the same for any country they cover?

it was the same for me for kenya and tanzania. there was no change when we crossed the border.

I THINK Celtel have a regional agreement with several countries, so that the rates are the same which ever country you're in (of the ones they cover). But if you email their customer services, they're not bad at getting back to you.

It's on their website. No roaming charges across 12 African countries http://www.celtel.com/en/news/press-...e59/index.html