Tanzania Travel Advice

There’s nothing like up-to-date, relevant travel information direct from the experts – get Tranquil Journeys Tours’s essential Tanzania travel advice before you go.

Money & Spending
Tanzania’s unit of currency is the Tanzanian Shilling but our advice is to use US Dollars only – and in cash: credit cards and traveller’s cheques (although accepted in most establishments) incur hefty transaction fees.

ATMs are found throughout the major towns in Tanzania but in case they are out of service you should always have a supply of back-up cash.

Note that due to the number of fake notes in circulation, no US Dollar bills printed before 2003 will be accepted in Tanzania.

Tipping
Tipping lodge staff and drivers/guides is customary for good service on a Tanzania safari, but check first to see whether a service charge has been added to your bill. Tipping is always in addition to the price quoted by your operator and the amount varies depending on the size of your group, the level of luxury of the safari and whether you thought an exceptionally good job was done.

When travelling in the major Tanzania cities, a 10% tip is customary in restaurants and bars when a service charge is not included.

For in-depth tipping guidelines, enquire with one of our Africa Safari Experts – they’d be happy to share their knowledge with you.

Climate

Average summer temperatures: 18°C to 29°C

Average winter temperatures: 15°C to 26°C

Rainy season: mid-March to May (“long rains”) and November to December (“short rains”).

Refer to “best time to visit Tanzania” for climate charts, details on the best wildlife-viewing times and when to witness the Serengeti migration.

What to Pack
When packing for your Tanzania safari, light casual clothing in practical, neutral colours and a warm jacket for evening game drives are a safe bet throughout the year. For more on what to pack for a safari, refer to our Africa Safari Guide travel advice section.

When visiting Zanzibar it is important for women to dress modestly out of respect for Muslim cultural beliefs. T-shirts that cover the shoulders, long skirts and capri pants are generally better options than tank tops and shorts.

Etiquette
Religious belief is strong in Tanzania with Christianity and Islam dominating. Most Muslims live on the coast and in Zanzibar; visitors should be aware of the conservative nature of these destinations and dress and behave accordingly.

Tanzanians are renowned for being friendly and harmonious people; however it is courteous to ask permission before photographing people.

Dar-es-Salaam International Airport: Tanzania’s main airport is the gateway to the Indian Ocean coast and Zanzibar as well as Selous Game Reserve.

Kilimanjaro International Airport: Tanzania’s second international airport serves the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Tarangire and Lake Manyara. However, you need to transfer to nearby Arusha Airport for charter flights to these destinations and, as international flights often arrive at Kilimanjaro Airport late in the day, a night in Arusha is usually necessary.

Arusha Airport: located 30km from Kilimanjaro Airport, this is the gateway to northern Tanzania’s fly-in safari airstrips.

Given the size of Tanzania and the condition of its roads, charter flights are considered the best way to get around the country.

Road transfers and game drives in Tanzania are conducted in open-sided 4X4 vehicles though visitors to Gombe and Mahale will enjoy a boat transfer across Lake Tanganyika.

Visa & Passport Requirements
Almost all visitors to Tanzania require a visa, which costs between US$20 and US$50 for a single-entry visa valid for three months. You should try to obtain a visa for Tanzania before departing your home country (especially if you require multiple entry); however, visas can also be purchased at Dar es Salaam and Kilimanjaro airports as long as you are able to pay cash in US dollars.

Visitors to Tanzania must possess a passport that is valid for six months after the initial date of travel.

Scroll to Top