Tanzania Travel Requirements

Traveling to Tanzania is relatively easy depending on where you are originating from and many airline carriers have non-stop flights directly into Tanzania.  We have outlined some of the regular flight options for you but as travel demands increase or decrease, flight schedules are adjusted.  If you have any questions, Contact Us and we can help you get your trip planned without hassle.

Visa/Passport

Regardless of your country of residency, you will need a visa to enter Tanzania.  This visa can be obtained at the airport upon arrival, just prior to passing through passport control.  However, you will likely end up in a very long line for visa processing and then be sent to the back of the passport control line once it is finished.  It is highly recommended to obtain your Tanzanian visa in your home country, if possible.  You don’t want your trip of a lifetime to start off with a 5-hour wait in a subpar airport!  We have provided links to our clients’ most common country of residence below.  Use your country’s link to find the nearest Tanzanian Embassy or Consulate.  If your country is not listed, you can use the last link below to navigate to the general Tanzanian Embassy website and search for the local branch.

• TZ Embassy in USA  (US $100)
• TZ High Commission in UK (£38)
• TZ  Consul in Australia (AU $95)

Travel Insurance

Many of our clients share a common concern about trip insurance.  To buy or not to buy….that is the question.  Tranquil Journeys makes the answer easy by requiring all clients to obtain travel insurance.  Everyone believes that their trip will be perfect in every way and nothing out of the ordinary will happen.  But as Murphy’s Law tells us, bad things happen when you least expect it.  Travel insurance is a great and affordable way to shift some of the liability from you to them.  For example, insurance has the ability to pay you back if you have to cancel your trip (for a set of conditions) or if your luggage is lost or damaged.  The trick with insurance is you have to get it as soon as you book your adventure.  Failing to obtain it promptly can disqualify you from most of the benefits of insurance, so it is critical to do this right away!  There is an abundance of travel insurance companies out there.  After sifting through the choices, most of our clients usually go with World Nomads because of their popularity (they are recommended by Lonely Planet) but we encourage you to shop around for the best deal and coverage.

Tanzania Currency

Money in Tanzania is the Tanzanian Shilling but most vendors and shop owners love American dollars.  The current rate of exchange is a little more than 1,600 Shillings for every 1 US or Australian dollar.  Because rates are fluid, we encourage you to check with your local bank or exchange for current rates.  You can also check the current USD to TZS exchange rate here.  It is important to note that US bills must be newer than 2003 or it will not be accepted in Tanzania.

Most people get their shillings from an ATM once they get into the country as that provides a secure transaction and provides you with reasonable rates.  When you use a bank or currency exchange in your home country, they may not do a lot of Tanzanian business and as a result, they may have poor rates or some won’t even have shillings available at all.  Avoid using currency exchanges in an airport if possible, as they typically give you lower exchange rates.  For these reasons we recommend using local ATMs once you arrive in-country.  For the trip in and for any needed tips, we recommend that you bring low denomination bills from the US as they are widely accepted and readily available for just about all nationalities.  US one-dollar bills newer than 2003 are perfect.

Be aware that Tanzania is a poor country.  Some Tanzanians may try to provide a service or help you out, whether you want them to or not.  While this makes some people feel uneasy, it is OK.  If someone provides good service or helps you do something, feel good and give them a dollar or two.  They will appreciate it and will show your generosity.  That being said, it is important not to overdo it.  You do not want to seem frivolous or flush with cash as that might attract the wrong element.  This can be easily avoided by simply being discrete and not overpaying for basic services.  It should come as common sense, but don’t pull out a wad of cash to pay for a $5 trinket.  When in town, keep smaller bills readily available in your pocket and leave your larger bills tucked away.

Medical Information

Medical Check-up
As with any new exercise or activity, being physically fit is important to your success and having a thorough check up with your family physician or GP.  Our training program is designed specifically for the non-athlete and will get you into proper shape before the hike but having the confidence from your physician that you are ready is a something that should not be overlooked.  You should ask if you have medical clearance to hike at high altitudes and if any of your medications might interact negatively with Diamox or if they will even be effective at high altitudes.

The minimum age for climbing Kilimanjaro is 10 and there is no maximum age, however if you are under 18 or over 60, you should gain approval from your physician before you secure your booking.

Immunizations
Proper immunization is very important for your journey to Africa but most people get confused trying to understand what is required versus what is recommended.  Required Immunizations, like Yellow Fever, are required before you will be allowed to enter the country if you are traveling from certain country listed on the CDC website and are over 1 year of age.  While it is not recommended if traveling only to Tanzania, most clients opt to obtain the vaccination anyway.  It is entirely up to the individual as to what they feel comfortable with.  It is always best to check periodically with the CDC to see if the requirements have recently changed.  Recommended immunizations are not required but suggested and as a result most clients also obtain these inoculations.  It is important that you get a documented record of your immunizations and bring that with you on the trip.  Elite Kilimanjaro’s recommendation is to always follow the CDC requirements and recommendations.

Malaria is a high risk disease that can be mitigated by taking medications designed to prevent the contraction of the disease.  Malaria is transmitted via mosquito bites and the risk of contracting it is high in most of East Africa.  The good news is malaria is 100% preventable by taking anti-malaria tablets that can be prescribed by your local physician and protecting yourself from open exposure to mosquitos and their larva.

For up to date information please visit the CDC Tanzania website.   The vaccination table below was pulled directly from the CDC website (all rights reserved by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention).  We have placed it here for your convenience, but you should always visit their site to ensure you have the latest info.