Tanzania is the land of the ultimate safaris. In it’s beautiful National Parks it is possible to see incredibly large numbers of wildlife in a short time. World famous are the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro crater. In addition to the famous Big Five, the extensive National Parks guarantee great landscapes. The annual migration of hundreds of thousands of wildebeest and zebras is one of the largest migrations of wildlife on earth.
Tanzania is also known for its rich culture, the snowy mountaintop of Kilimanjaro and exotic Zanzibar.
The super friendly population, divided into 120 different tribes and cultures, lives in harmony with each other.
A Tanzania trip means seeing wildlife, sleeping in a tented camp with western comfort in the middle of a National Park, encounters with local people, hiking & cycling in nature and relaxing on tropical beaches. A trip through Tanzania is a once in a lifetime experience.
Facts
- Capital – Dodoma
- Largest city – Dar es Salaam
- Currency – Tanzanian Shilling
- Population – about 56 million (the figures vary considerably)
- Tribes – 120 tribes of which the Maasai is the most famous tribe
- Languages – Swahili and English
- Land area – 945,087 square kilometres (23x the size of the Netherlands, 31x Belgium)
- National Parks – 17
- The country has measured the highest animal density in the world per square kilometre
- Neighbouring countries – Kenya, Uganda, Congo, Rwanda, Burundi, Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique
- Highest point – Kilimanjaro 5,895 meters
- Time difference – Tanzania is GMT/UTC +3h Standard Time
- Most famous attractions – Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Crater, Kilimanjaro and Zanzibar
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
For Tanzania you need a visa. The visa costs USD 50 per person. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months after returning from Tanzania.
There are 3 ways to arrange the visa for Tanzania.
- On arrival at the airport. The visa for Tanzania can be arranged at the airport upon arrival in On the plane you often already get a form to fill out. If not, the forms will be ready on arrival at the terminal. First, you’re going to line up to sign up. In the second row, you’re going to pay. It is convenient to have USD 50 per person cash with you, exchanging euros is often a problem. In the 3rd row fingerprints and a picture are taken. Then the visa will be added to your passport. It’s Africa, of course, read: not very efficient. So, you have to have a little patience.
- Apply for the visa Since 2019 it is possible to apply for the visa in advance and pay online. The website to do this
is: https://eservices.immigration.go.tz/visa. It is important to make the online application no later than 3 weeks before you travel to Tanzania. The disadvantage of the system is that a lot of questions are asked, so you are working on it. On arrival in Tanzania, you will be shorter in line but patience is still required.
- You can also arrange the visa yourself in advance by going to the Tanzanian embassy in your country, or using a visa agency, but of course there are always costs involved.
BANKING AND CURRENCY
The currency in Tanzania is the Tanzanian Shilling, which is divided into 100 cents. Notes are issued in denominations of 1.000, 2.000, 5.000 and 10.000 Shillings. Coins are issued in units of 50, 100, 200 and 500 Shillings.
Payment for hotels, lodges, park entrance fees, flights and vehicles in Tanzania is entirely in US dollars. For other items you can always pay in Tanzanian shillings. Most hotels set the exchange rate once a month.
At local shops you can only pay in Tanzanian shillings. It is therefore always useful to have some shillings with you during the trip.
Before you go home, it’s wise to spend your shillings. Outside Tanzania it will be difficult to exchange Tanzanian shillings.
At many accommodations you can pay with a credit card. However, there is a surcharge of 4% to 7% on the account.
Collecting money using a pin code during the trip can be done at Kilimanjaro airport, in Arusha, and in Karatu (on the way out of the Serengeti). In Zanzibar you can pin in Stone Town. At beach accommodations, the pin possibilities are zero.
Make sure your debit card is converted to ‘outside Europe’.
It is advisable to bring some cash dollars. It is important that the notes are younger than the year 2006. In that year there was a major fraud with dollar notes in Africa. People still don’t trust it, and it’s hard to get rid of older bills. It is therefore not convenient to use the dollar ATMs at the airport. If you say you’re going to East Africa, they already know they have to give you young bills.
TRAVEL, TRANSPORT AND GETTING AROUND
Safari car
The safaris take place in 4 WD (four-wheel drive) Toyota Landcruiser.
During the safari you will travel in a private safari car with private driver who is also a guide. The driver will stay with you throughout the safari.
The driver is well trained and has a lot of knowledge and passion for the country, the animals and nature. He will indicate what is going to happen from day to day, but of course he is at your service so do not hesitate to make your wishes known.
Each safari car has 6 or 8 window seats, including the driver. When you’re in the parks, the roof will be open so you can stand to see the animals. In the safari car it is possible to charge phones/ cameras. Each safari car has a fridge to keep drinks cool.
In the safari car there is enough clean drinking water for the whole safari. We kindly ask you to bring a water bottle from home per person, so that we do not create plastic waste. There is also hot boiled water for coffee and tea, sugar and powdered milk to make your own coffee or tea on the way.
National flights
During the national flights from Arusha to Zanzibar, in addition to hand luggage, you may carry 20 kilos of checked baggage per person, packed in soft bags. The airplanes are small and round, hard suitcases don’t stow.
HEALTH AND MEDICAL INFORMATION
As advice for vaccinations and malaria prophylaxis often changes, we recommend that you contact your general practitioner or tropical doctor.
Some insurance policies reimburse vaccinations, it is good to check your insurance policy!
It is important to take your vaccination booklet with you, the authorities at the airport might ask for it.
SAFETY NOTICES
Tanzania is a safe country to travel and it is considered one of the most peaceful and political stable countries in East Africa.
It’s always important to keep a close eye on your belongings, as you would in any country. As a tourist you have a greater wealth than most local people. Don’t make yourself an even more attractive target by wearing jewelry, watches or other luxury items.
During the day it is safe on the streets, however as soon as it gets dark it is better to stay in Arusha and Dar es Salaam in the safe harbor of your hotel.
You need to be careful in traffic. Not all Tanzanians observe the traffic rules properly. So, don’t just cross over even if you have the right of way.
During the safari it is not allowed to walk outside the boundaries of the tented camps and lodges. That’s the habitat of the wild animals. The rules in the National Parks are very strict. It is not allowed in the parks to drive off-road. Safaris are only allowed in daylight. Do not make too much noise, watch the animals in silence and do not disturb the animals unnecessarily.
You are not allowed to venture out of the safari vehicle in the National Parks unless the guide permits this.
Need a toilet? Inform your guide in good time, so that he has time to find a safe place
FOOD, DRINK AND CUISINE ADVICE
Food and drinks in the lodges and tented camps, in Tanzania are mostly International oriented, with a number of Tanzanian dishes as an addition.
There is a big difference between international dishes and the local cuisine. The local cuisine is simple, but tasteful. We definitely advise to eat at least once an authentic Tanzanian meal during your trip. Just ask for ugali (cooked maize flower), nyama choma (barbecued meat) or chipsi mayai (chips with fried egg).
At every market in Tanzania, you will find stalls full of delicious fruit. Fruits that are expensive in Europe (and not very sustainable because imported by plane) such as avocados, mangoes and passion fruit can be found in Tanzania in abundance on the market. In Zanzibar there are many delicious tropical fruits you probably have never tasted such as, star fruit, lichee, tamarind, jack fruit etc. The taste of most fruit is much richer than we are accustomed to and it’s cheap. Buy a bag full and eat healthy all day long!
If you are a beer drinker you should definitely try the local beers with special names like Kilimanjaro, Serengeti, Tusker and Safari. All brewed locally, and Tanzanian are very proud of it!
International soft drinks brands are available everywhere.
Water from the tap is not suitable for consumption. In your room is always a bottle or a carafe with purified drinking water. There is plenty of drinking water in the safari car.
Make sure you drink enough water. The heat in Tanzania can cause you to unconsciously lose a lot of moisture.
If there are dietary requirements, we would like to hear this so that we can inform the camps and lodges in advance.
CLIMATE AND WEATHER
Tanzania is located just below the equator and therefore has a tropical climate. On average, temperatures are between 23 and 32 degrees.
On the mainland it is always pleasant. The average height is 1,500 meters above sea level. Locally, it may get a little warmer or colder, depending on the height at which you are staying. For example, the Ngorongoro highlands are located at about 2,300 meters, so it can be chilly in the morning and evening.
Zanzibar is a tropical island where temperatures are high and a tropical shower can occasionally fall.
We have 2 rainy periods in Tanzania. The large rainy period is from mid-March to mid- May. It can rain long and hard. The small rain period is from early November to mid- December, there are occasional showers, especially at night.
In short, you can say that the mainland of Tanzania is very pleasant in terms of temperature. Zanzibar is a lot warmer, but there is always the sea and the pool available to cool off.
However, current climate change is also having an impact on East Africa. In some areas there is much more rain than normal and, in some areas, it is much drier.
Please be aware that laying in the sun at the pool in Arusha and on safari is very different than laying in the sun on the beach. This is because these places are at altitude and close to the equator so a lot closer to the sun, which makes the UV radiation very intense. If you can lay in the sun in Europe for maybe two hours before getting burned this is in Arusha and the parks maybe only 30 minutes, so use lots of sun screen. In Zanzibar at sea level this is less intense but sun screen is still essential.
CLOTHING AND DRESS RECOMMENDATIONS
It is advisable for a tour of Tanzania to bring (cotton) layered clothing, because in the evening it can cool down, especially in the higher areas like Ngorongoro and Kilimanjaro. A sweater or fleece is handy.
The coastal strip of Tanzania and Zanzibar is mainly inhabited by Muslims. For the ladies, that means covered shoulders and legs in public areas. You will notice that this is much appreciated.
If you’re going for a walk, we recommend socks and sneakers. Don’t forget flip flops, sun hat, suntan lotion and swimming trunks!
INTERNET AVAILABILITY
Most properties in Tanzania today have Wi-Fi. However, the connection will not be as strong as you are used to at home. Downloading large files is difficult, sending a WhatsApp is fine.
ELECTRICITY AND PLUG STANDARDS
The main voltage in Tanzania is 220/240 volts. The sockets are British (3-pin straight or 2-pin round) and can be different. So, bring a world plug, it fits everywhere.
These plugs are cheaply available in any Tanzanian supermarket (± 2 dollars / euros). The safari car has power sockets to charge batteries, phones and other appliances. The country number for Tanzania is +255.
With your mobile phone, you have reception almost anywhere in Tanzania, except in remote areas of the National Parks
GENERAL GUIDANCE
Tipping
In terms of tipping, we adhere to the guidelines that the Tanzania Tourist Board gives. The guideline for a safari guide is USD 25 a day. That seems like a lot, but a safari guide is an important aspect to the success of your trip. The guide speaks English, knows all about the animals and nature, has a special driving license, is a car mechanic and is a pleasant companion. It is common to give the tip to the guide at the end of the safari.
In the hotels there is usually a tip box at the front desk, the tips are shared with all the hotel staff. So, you don’t have to tip every time someone carries your bags.
For all other forms of service, you give what you want, a tip is a friendly gesture and very welcome.
Pocket money
It is always difficult to indicate how much pocket money you will spend on drinks, meals and gratuities per person. Of course, it makes a difference whether you drink a bottle of wine or a glass of water when you eat.
A small indication:
- A bottle of wine costs about USD 20 to USD 25
- A beer (half litre) USD 3 to USD 4
- A soft drink USD 2 to USD 3
During the safari all meals are always included. In Arusha, lunch is often not included. In Zanzibar, breakfast is often only included.
A lunch or dinner will cost about USD 10-15 per person.
For KLM flights
A good tip is to try to get airplane seats in the back of the aircraft on the way to Tanzania. The back door of the plane usually opens first. You’ll be out of the plane quickly and then be at the front of the queue at immigration control. Probably worth a try!
Plastic bags ban
Plastic bags and bags are prohibited by law in Tanzania. Plastic bags don’t get into the country. We advise not to carry plastic bags in checked baggage or hand luggage. The clear zip-lock plastic bags that some airlines require passengers to keep liquids, toiletries and the like separately in hand luggage may be carried.
Towels
Towels are available at all accommodations. Pool and beach towels are also commonly provided.
Mosquito net
All accommodations where there are mosquitoes will have mosquito nets around the beds. You don’t have to take mosquito nets on a trip.
Convenient to take with you on a trip
- Flashlight
- Binoculars
Water bottle
We organize our trips as plastic free as possible. We ask you to bring a water bottle (dopper or other bottle) from home. We provide clean drinking water in the safari car.
Time difference
Tanzania is GMT/UTC +3h Standard Time
