Practical information · 2026
Tanzania Travel Information
Everything You Need to Know.
Visas, flights, health, money, language, packing, and safety - the practical information that makes a Tanzania trip go smoothly. Updated for 2026.
01
When to go
Tanzania works year-round, but the timing changes what you will see. The dry season (June to October) is best for big game and the Great Migration; the wet season (November to April) is best for birding, the calving, and lower prices.
Jan
Peak
Feb
Peak
Mar
Shoulder
Apr
Wet
May
Wet
Jun
Peak
Jul
Peak
Aug
Peak
Sep
Peak
Oct
Peak
Nov
Shoulder
Dec
Peak
June to October - dry season
The classic safari months. Wildlife concentrates around permanent water, vegetation is thin, and the Great Migration is in the northern Serengeti (Mara River crossings, July–October). Warm days (25–30°C), cool nights, almost no rain. Book well in advance - peak season.
January to February - calving season
The southern Serengeti is the stage for the wildebeest calving - about 500,000 calves are born over a few weeks, and the predator action is the best of the year. Warm but not too hot, mostly dry. Excellent for photography.
March to May - long rains
The low season. Afternoon showers, lush green landscapes, fewer visitors, and the lowest prices of the year. Some lodges close in April. Best for birding and budget travel. We don't recommend the safari in April - but the southern parks are magical.
02
Visas and entry
Most visitors need an eVisa, applied for online before travel. East African passports (Uganda, Rwanda) and most SADC members are visa-free. Your passport must be valid for 6+ months with at least 2 blank pages.
| Nationality | Requirement | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| USA | eVisa required | $100 | Multiple-entry available |
| UK | eVisa required | $50 | Multiple-entry available |
| EU | eVisa required | $50 | Multiple-entry available |
| Canada | eVisa required | $100 | Multiple-entry available |
| Australia | eVisa required | $50 | Multiple-entry available |
| Most others | eVisa required | $50 | Check visa.immigration.go.tz |
| East Africa (UG, RW) | Visa-free | Free | ID card sufficient |
| SADC members | Visa-free | Free | Passport required |
A few practical notes
- Apply at least 2 weeks before travel at visa.immigration.go.tz. Avoid third-party sites that add a fee.
- The US$100 visa for US and Canadian passports is the multiple-entry tourist visa - well worth it if you plan to make multiple entries.
- A visa-on-arrival option exists, but we recommend the eVisa - it's faster, cheaper, and avoids the queue at JRO.
- Yellow fever certificate is required only if arriving from a country with risk of transmission.
03
Flights
Most international flights arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) for the safari circuit, or Abeid Amani Karume (ZNZ) for Zanzibar direct. Dar es Salaam (DAR) is the main hub for the southern parks and the coast.
Amsterdam (AMS) → Kilimanjaro (JRO)
KLM
Daily, via Amsterdam, no connection change
Doha (DOH) → Kilimanjaro (JRO)
Qatar Airways
Daily, via Doha
Istanbul (IST) → Kilimanjaro (JRO)
Turkish Airlines
Daily, via Istanbul
Dubai (DXB) → Dar es Salaam (DAR)
Emirates
Daily, via Dubai
Addis Ababa (ADD) → Kilimanjaro (JRO)
Ethiopian Airlines
Daily, via Addis Ababa
Johannesburg (JNB) → Kilimanjaro (JRO)
South African Airways
Several per week
Internal flights
Getting around Tanzania
Most safari itineraries use small aircraft (Cessna Caravan, 12-seater) for transfers between parks. These are bookable as part of your safari package. The two main operators are Auric Air and Coastal Aviation - both safe, both bookable through us.
- Baggage limit on internal flights is 15kg in a soft bag. Hard suitcases are not accepted.
04
Health
Visit a travel doctor 6–8 weeks before departure. Malaria is the main health concern below 1,800m. Medical facilities outside Arusha and Dar es Salaam are limited - your travel insurance should cover evacuation.
Vaccinations
- Yellow fever (required if arriving from an endemic country)
- Hepatitis A and B
- Typhoid
- Tetanus, diphtheria, polio (routine boosters)
- Rabies (recommended for longer trips or off-the-beaten-track travel)
- Influenza (seasonal)
Malaria
- Present in all safari areas below 1,800m
- Take anti-malarial prophylaxis (consult your doctor - common options: Malarone, doxycycline, Lariam)
- Use DEET-based repellent on exposed skin, especially at dawn and dusk
- Sleep under mosquito nets (provided at all safari lodges)
- Cover up at dawn and dusk with long sleeves and trousers
Food, water, and medical care
- Stick to bottled or filtered water - provided at every lodge
- Hot, cooked food is safe; avoid salads washed in tap water
- Fruit you can peel is fine
- Carry a small first-aid kit: rehydration salts, plasters, antiseptic, painkillers
- The Aga Khan Hospital in Dar es Salaam is the best private hospital in East Africa
- Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre handles most safari-area emergencies
- Evacuation by air to Nairobi is the standard for serious cases - make sure insurance covers it
- Pharmacies in Arusha and Stone Town stock most common medications
05
Money and tipping
The Tanzanian shilling (TZS) is the local currency. USD is widely accepted at lodges and for tips, but you need shillings for small purchases, taxis, and markets. ATMs are reliable in cities.
Payment methods
Cash (USD or TZS)
Bring USD bills in good condition (post-2013, no tears or marks). Most lodges accept cash as a backup.
Credit cards (Visa, Mastercard)
Widely accepted at lodges, larger restaurants, and shops. Surcharges of 2–5% are common.
ATMs (CRDB, NMB, Barclays)
Found in Arusha, Moshi, Stone Town, and Dar. Max withdrawal is usually TZS 500,000 (~$200) per transaction.
Mobile money (M-Pesa, Tigo Pesa)
Useful for small vendors and tipping. Requires a local SIM.
Tipping guidelines
- Safari guide$20–25 / day
- Camp/lodge staff (combined)$10–15 / day
- Kilimanjaro crew (per climber)$300–400 total
- Zanzibar driver/guide$15–20 / day
- Restaurant service5–10% (often added)
- Hotel porter$1–2 per bag
06
Language
The national language is Swahili, and English is widely spoken in the safari and beach areas. Learning a few Swahili phrases goes a long way - people genuinely appreciate the effort.
Hello
Jambo / Habari
JAHM-bo / hah-BAH-ree
Thank you
Asante
ah-SAHN-teh
Please
Tafadhali
tah-fah-DAH-lee
Yes / No
Ndiyo / Hapana
NDEE-yo / hah-PAH-nah
How much?
Bei gani?
bay GAH-nee
Good morning
Habari za asubuhi
hah-BAH-ree zah ah-soo-BOO-hee
Goodbye
Kwaheri
kwah-HEH-ree
Excuse me / Sorry
Samahani
sah-mah-HAH-nee
I don't understand
Sielewi
see-eh-LEH-wee
Water
Maji
MAH-jee
Delicious!
Tamu sana!
TAH-moo SAH-nah
Help!
Saidia!
sah-EE-dee-ah
07
Culture and customs
Tanzania is home to 120+ ethnic groups, with Swahili as the unifying language. The country is roughly 60% Christian, 35% Muslim (95%+ on Zanzibar), and the rest a mix of traditional beliefs. A few practical notes will help you get along well.
Dress
Tanzania is a conservative country, especially on Zanzibar. Cover shoulders and knees in Stone Town, villages, and mosques. On safari, neutral colours are the norm.
Greetings
Take your time greeting people. A handshake is the standard, and using someone's name after "Jambo" is appreciated. Rushing past a greeting is considered rude.
Photography
Always ask before photographing people, especially in Maasai villages and markets. Don't fly drones without a permit - most national parks ban them outright.
Bargaining
Bargaining is expected in markets, but keep it light and friendly. The first price quoted is usually 30–50% above the real price. Smile, walk away if you have to.
Tipping
Tipping is not compulsory but is a meaningful addition to guide and camp-staff wages. We include tipping guidelines in your trip folder - $20–25/day per guide is the standard.
Religion & culture
Tanzania is roughly 60% Christian, 35% Muslim (95%+ on Zanzibar), and the rest a mix of traditional beliefs. Respect prayer times, and don't walk into a mosque without an invitation.
08
What to pack
Neutral colours are the key - khaki, olive, beige, stone. Avoid white (shows every speck of dust), bright colours, and camouflage print (illegal in some East African countries). Most safari vehicles have a power inverter and storage for your bag.
Clothing
- Neutral-coloured shirts and trousers (khaki, olive, beige - no white, no bright colours)
- A fleece or warm jumper for early-morning game drives (June–August)
- A light waterproof jacket (long rains March–May, short rains November)
- Comfortable walking shoes or hiking boots
- Sandals for camp and the lodge
- Sun hat and sunglasses
Health & safety
- High-SPF sunscreen (reapply often)
- Insect repellent with DEET (20–30%)
- Anti-malarial medication (consult your doctor)
- Personal first-aid kit
- Hand sanitiser and wet wipes
- Any prescription medication in original packaging
Camera & tech
- Camera with extra batteries and memory cards
- Binoculars (essential - we have spare pairs if you forget)
- Power bank and universal adapter (Type G, British-style)
- Headlamp or small torch (for tented camps)
- Phone with offline maps downloaded
Documents
- Passport (valid 6+ months, 2+ blank pages)
- Visa (printed confirmation)
- Yellow fever certificate (if coming from an endemic country)
- Travel insurance details
- Photocopies of all documents (kept separately)
09
Safety
Tanzania is one of the safest countries in East Africa. Sensible precautions - like in any destination - are usually all you need. The bigger risks are road accidents and malaria, both of which can be mitigated.
Wildlife
Always follow your guide's instructions during game drives. Don't stand up in the vehicle, don't get out except where indicated, and never approach an animal on foot unless your guide is with you.
Towns & cities
Tanzania is generally safe, but use common sense in cities - don't flash cash or phones, and use a guide or registered taxi at night in Arusha and Dar es Salaam.
Health
Don't drink tap water. Use bottled or filtered water, including for brushing teeth. Avoid ice from unknown sources. Stick to hot, cooked food and fruit you peel yourself.
Connectivity
Mobile coverage is good in cities and most safari areas. WiFi at lodges is usually slow and patchy. Get a local Vodacom or Airtel SIM at the airport for data.
Travel insurance
We strongly recommend travel insurance that covers medical evacuation - flying from a remote safari camp to Nairobi or Dar es Salaam is expensive. We can recommend providers.
Emergency contacts
We are reachable 24/7 while you are travelling. You will have our office number, your guide's mobile, and the lodge manager's contact in your trip folder.
10
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a visa for Tanzania?
When is the best time to visit?
Is Tanzania safe for tourists?
Do I need malaria medication?
Can I use my phone / credit cards?
How do I get from the airport to the safari?
What about tipping?
Can I drink the water?
Do I need a yellow fever certificate?
What if I need help while I'm travelling?
Ready to start?
Tell us what you want from the trip
Send us a few lines - when you want to travel, who is coming, and what you are hoping to see. We will send a draft itinerary within 24 hours.
