Tanzania Travel Information

Home to the famous snow-capped Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest peak on the African continent, the Serengeti National Park where the annual migration of millions of wildebeest and zebra takes place every year and the Ngorongoro Crater, the largest inactive, unbroken and unflooded caldera in the world, Tanzania provides the ingredients for a perfect African safari. Combine this with beautiful and unspoilt beaches, this is a destination waiting to be explored.

Getting There

The main international airport of Tanzania is:
Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam – (DAR)

Kilimanjaro Airport (JRO) is also frequently used, especially when arriving from neighbouring African countries.

You can check your best flight route here

Security & General Travel Safety

To view the current travel advisory to Tanzania click here: UK & USA

Our head office is based in Nairobi and we work with reputable safari companies who are located on the ground in Tanzania These companies are the eyes and ears on the ground and can inform our head office in Nairobi of any security situation as it may happen, ensuring that we can act and respond swiftly.

Other general travel safety advice:

In the cities and main tourist areas, be on the alert for handbag snatchers and pick pockets.
Do not travel with any precious jewellery items.
Make copies of your travel documents and keep these in a safe place – separate from the original documents.
Split out cash into separate bundles of small amounts and keep separately.
Ensure that luggage can be locked.
Always wear sear belts whilst traveling in vehicles and ensure doors are locked.

Currency

Tanzania Shilling is the currency used in Tanzania but US$ are also widely used and are easier to travel with. However please note that travelers are required to declare international currency valuing more than $10,000 on both entrance and exit from Tanzania.

Ensure to travel with lower denomination notes, as change given from high tender notes may not be easily available.

When tipping, do so in US$.

Many camps/lodges will be pre-paid before your safari, with tips needing to be settled upon departure. If you do need to settle something to a bill, please be aware that some camps/lodges in remote areas may not accept credit/bank cards, so it is advised to have enough US$ in cash to cover any additional costs.

Always inform your bank that you are travelling outside of the country as they might block any attempt to withdraw cash or use card machines if they have not been informed beforehand.

Non-residents (except Kenyans and Ugandans) may not import or export Tanzanian Shillings (TZS)

Tips & Gratuities

Tipping is entirely at your discretion and although it is not a requirement it is customary to tip for good service. There is not a set amount to tip, so please take the following information as a guideline:

Guides – US$10-$20 cash per person /per day
Camp Staff Team – US$10-$20 per person / per day
Camp Host – US$10-$20 per person / per day

Tips should be given in US$ cash and it is usual to tip at the end of your stay.
Some camps/lodges will have a tip box for the camp staff team.

Health Information

Malaria:

It is advised that visitors take malaria precautions when travelling to Tanzania. It is recommended that you contact your Doctor or Travel Health Clinic at least 6-8 weeks prior to travel.

You can reduce the risk of malaria by using prophylactics (which should be started before arriving in Tanzania and under your doctor’s guidance) and by following these simple procedures:

Wear long sleeves and long trousers to avoid bites from mosquitos, insects and ticks.
Apply mosquito repellents on a regular basis to exposed skin.
Where possible sleep under a mosquito net.
Burn an insect/mosquito repellent candle or coil.

All travellers should be aware of the signs and symptoms of malaria and should be advised to seek immediate medical attention if these occur either whilst abroad or up to a year after their return. Speak to your Doctor or Travel Health Clinic for more information.

Vaccinations:

Yellow fever required if traveling from a yellow fever endemic country.

The recommendations regarding vaccinations & anti-malaria tablets need to be discussed with a professional, therefore it is advised that you contact your Doctor/medical centre/ travel health clinic for up-to-date details, this should ideally be done at least 8 weeks before you travel.

Drinking Water & De-Hydration

Drinking Water:

Do not drink water straight from the tap, always drink from bottled water.

Also avoid ice as this may be used from tap water,

Brush teeth with bottled drinking water.

De-Hydration

Always take a bottle of drinking water in your day bag on any activity or excursions – even if it’s a short one – and take regular, small drinks of water.

Wear a hat and sunscreen at all times and cover up/take shade from the heat of the sun, especially during the hottest times of the day.

Bites & Stings

Bugs and small creatures are all a part of being in the wilds of Africa. It is of course important to take precautions against any opportunity for bites or stings, so being aware is important.

When walking in the bush always wear long trousers and enclosed shoes or walking boots , with thick socks covering the ankles for protection. When walking in long grass, check your legs and clothes for grass ticks – especially in the rainy season, even when you are wearing long trousers.

Check & shake out shoes and walking boots before putting them on.

Always look first to see where you are sitting, when picking something up or when putting your hand/foot into something, like a bag or shoe – check first!

If you think you may have been bitten or stung by something, always inform the Camp Manager & Safari Guide as soon as possible.

Internet, Electricity and Plug Standards

Internet availability and wifi can be sporadic whilst on safari in Tanzania. It is best to think of this trip as an opportunity to take a break from the world of tech and reconnect to nature. If necessary, we can check each camp individually if there is a wish to know if it has an internet connection.

Tanzania operates on a 230V supply voltage and 50Hz. Solar power is also common in safari locations.

Tanzania uses plug types D and G.

Climate

Tanzania has a long rainy season which happens from March – May. Some locations are not so easily accessed during these months and safari camps can be seasonally closed.

The green season in June is usually when the rains have finished but the landscape is still lush and green.

July – October are the dryer months, when safari viewing can be at it’s best but the temperatures are hotter before the rains begin again. This is peak safari season and it is advised to book well in advance.

Nov & December brings the shorter rainy season, when afternoon downpours are frequent but tend only to be for a couple of hours.

January – February are the hot and dry months.

Visa & Passport Requirements For Entry

PASSPORT

Passport valid for a least 6 months from your date of entry.
Return ticket to your country (or enough money to buy one).
Sufficient funds to cover your stay in Tanzania.
Enough blank pages (a min of 3) in your passport to fit the required entry visa.

VISA:

Visitors who require a Visa can apply for one on arrival into Tanzania, but this can be a lengthy process. We advise our clients to apply online for a visa in advance so that they have this before arrival. To check the latest Visa requirements and to apply click here

For more information from the Tanzania Embassy in US and UK

Clothing Suggestions

Pack lightly for your safari to include:

Comfortable, loose fitting cotton clothing in muted and natural tones is recommended.
Long sleeves and long trousers, shorts and t-shorts with enclosed footwear.
Jacket or fleece for early mornings and evenings, when it can get chilly.
Hat to keep the sun off and protect from sunburn.

Small day pack to hold water bottle, binoculars, notebook and pen, sunglasses, face/hand wipes etc
Please note that camouflage-patterned clothes are illegal, so avoid any item like this.

See here for our full clothing packing guide

Travel Insurance

All travellers must have adequate and comprehensive travel health insurance. Make sure your travel insurance covers all the activities you plan on doing in Tanzania and covers your full stay in the country and travel to/from.