TANZANIA TRAVEL GUIDE
HOW TO GO TO TANZANIA?
We have here listed some helpful informations for you:
TANZANIA
is one of the safest destinations in Africa, with more than 1 million tourists visiting the country every year.
POPULATION OF TANZANIA
is almost 68 million. One of Africa’s most ethnically diverse countries, around 125 different ethnic groups live in Tanzania, with more than 100 different languages spoken nationwide.
The Tanzanian people are well-known for their hospitality, often warmly welcoming tourists to experience their beautiful nature, wildlife and culture. Meeting the locals is one of the best ways to really learn more about a country and its culture and is well recommended on your Tanzania journey.
VISA FOR TANZANIA
You will need a visa to travel to Tanzania. Your visa can be requested online through the official visa website from the Tanzanian government. Here is the official link:
https://visa.immigration.go.tz/
It is also possible to get a tourist visa on arrival at the airports in Tanzania. This visa for Tanzania is valid for three months. You may be asked to provide proof of your return journey, and costs are $50 per person.
Passports should have at least six months of validity after the final day of travel.
VACCINATONS
In addition to standard vaccinations such as MMR and TDP, the CDC and WHO recommend vaccinations for Tanzania, such as Hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and typhoid. Yellow fever and rabies vaccinations are also recommended.
As with all international travel, we always advise you to consult your physician for professional health advice before travelling to Tanzania.
CURRENCY
Tanzanian shilling is the official currency of Tanzania. You can use the Tanzanian shilling for smaller expenses like shopping at local markets, restaurants and supermarkets. The US dollar is used in many places, too, especially in tourist areas where many locals prefer to receive US dollars over local currency.
1 US Dollar is 2.5oo Tanzanian shilling
CLIMATE
Due to its proximity to the equator, there are no major seasonal differences in Tanzania. The weather is usually pleasant and mild. In the many higher areas it is noticeably cooler with a big gap between night and day temperatures.
The coastal areas usually offer a much warmer and wetter climate. Temperatures there can rise above 35° C. Tanzania has two rainy seasons, a short one from mid October to the end of November and a long one from early April to the end of May. It is definitely possible to visit Tanzania during the rainy season. Most roads are still accessible, the national parks are all fresh and green, and there are fewer travellers and fewer vehicles. However, there is a risk of getting stuck on unpaved roads during heavy rain. This time is especially suitable for the adventurous.
AIRPORT IN TANZANIA
Kilimanjaro International Airport – Tanzania’s second international airport – serves the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Tarangire and Lake Manyara. You need to transfer to nearby Arusha Airport for charter flights to these safari destinations. International flights often arrive at Kilimanjaro Airport late in the day, so an overnight stay in Arusha is usually necessary.
Dar-es-Salaam International Airport – Tanzania’s main airport – is the gateway to the Indian Ocean coast and Zanzibar, as well as Nyerere National Park (previously Selous) and Ruaha National Park.
REGIONAL AIRPORTS
Arusha Airport – the gateway to northern Tanzania’s safari airstrips – is located about 30 kilometres from Kilimanjaro International Airport.
SAFARI VEHICLES
Guided road transfers and game drives in Tanzania are conducted in closed 4x4s with big windows and pop-up roofs. Most safari destinations have extensive road networks and closed vehicles are therefore the norm when doing long-distance road transfers between airstrips, camps and lodges in Tanzania. A closed 4×4 game drive vehicle generally has three rows of seating and features a pop-up roof hatch that can be raised for game viewing and taking photographs.
ROAD CONDITIONS
Roads between towns and the national parks of the Northern Safari Circuit are generally well-maintained and a comfortable ride (except for the road to the Serengeti). Inside the national parks all roads are pretty rough and not maintained so well. They become muddy during the rainy season and dusty during the dry season.
ON SAFARI
The term Safari (Kiswahili) simply means “journey”; nowadays the word is often used as a synonym for game drives. The most popular animals are the so-called Big Five: lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard and rhino. But in East Africa there are many other impressive animals and a variety of very colourful birds. Our guides are happy to share their extensive knowledge of the fauna and flora of Tanzania.
Wild animals are most active at sunrise and sunset when they are looking for food. During the safari you will be driven in a 4×4 Toyota Land Cruiser with a pop-up roof. On a private Safari you and your guide can decide when and where you want to go on game drives. For example, if you prefer to relax in a lodge while you look out over the Savannah and enjoy a drink, this is easily possible. Even in the camps you can see the animals you would see during a game drive. On a group Safari you simply talk to your fellow travellers. To ensure that the whole trip goes well and safely, we ask you to observe the following rules:
- Always follow the rules and advice of your guide
- Never leave your vehicle in the bush without permission of the driver
- Be as quiet as possible when approaching animals. Do not make any large or unexpected movements and speak in a whisper, the driver will turn off the engine if you want to take a photo or stay in one place for a longer period of time
- Please collect your waste in your car and dispose of it at your lodge or campsite
- If you are bringing gifts for locals, talk to your guide first. He can help you divide them up fairly.
Your driver guide is probably the most important person for the success of your trip. If you want him to tell you more (or less) about the country, people and animals, you can always ask him. The guides are trained and specially instructed. Every guest has his own needs and preferences. Make sure that you tell the guide your wishes so that he can take them into account. Drivers in the national parks have some unspoken rules and traditions. For example, they sometimes stop to greet the driver of another car, exchange interesting information and discuss hotspots for wildlife watching. So please be patient, this exchange of information will enhance your own Safari experience.
CLOTHING
There are no strict dress code at lodges in Tanzania. Casual clothing is common on game drives, preferably cotton and in safari colours (khaki or olive green). We recommend that you do not wear dark colours (blue, black or red) during your safari, as these colours are more likely to attract flies and insects. Because of the mosquitoes it is advisable to wear long trousers after sunset. It is common to wear long trousers and a shirt or blouse for dinner. Also take a sweater or jacket for the early morning or cooler nights, especially for the Ngorongoro Highlands and when climbing mountains. Please remember light hiking boots should you have chosen to go on a walking safari. Some lodges have a pool, so don’t forget your swimwear! It is advisable to wear a headgear outdoors, especially during the lunch hours.
ACCOMODATION
We’ve made it our business to research in depth the lodges and tented camps available for your safari adventure, and we only choose to work with the ones that maintain excellent guest care standards. We’re very confident in our choices and this has been supported by our guest experiences and comments. We work hard to choose the best accommodation for you from our favourite lodges and we do this on the basis of what you want. You might want a luxury experience, or to be up close to the animals, or to have a pool, or all three! Maybe you’re budget-conscious, so we’d choose somewhere that’s still wonderful but suits your budgets. We’re not all millionaires! But we do have a great range of different kinds of lodging, from private luxury tented lodges to adventure camping to mobile camping and beyond.
ELECTRONIC DEVICES
Most lodges have outlets so you will be able to recharge batteries. The lodges are run on generators, the electrical current is not as strong as traditional electrical currents, and some lodges turn off their generators at midnight. Keep in mind Tanzania uses 220v electricity and you’ll need to bring the right converters and adaptors (Type D & Type G). Some of the campsites offer outlets in the dining area. Campsite etiquette dictates a first- come-first-servedprinciple.
Our safari jeeps have charging ports that you can use when you’re on the move.
LOCAL TRANSPORTATION
Dala-Dalas
are the small mini buses that operate in and between towns as well as rural areas. Besides foot this is the most inexpensive way of getting around Tanzania. Prices are fixed from 100 TZS to 400 TZS for town rides. Dala-dalas make a lot of stops and are never full, there is always some space to squeeze in. The route is painted on the front and back of the dala-dala and also shouted by the conductor.
Boda Bodas
are motorcycle taxis and the most common transportation for locals besides the dala-dalas.
Taxis
are a very convenient way for town rides starting from 2000 TZS (1.5 USD). Please negogiate the price before as taxis in Tanzania have no meters. Only use taxis recommended by your hotel or from official taxi stand.
TANZANIAN FOOD
is hearty, tasty and filling and yes, you should definitely eat like a Tanzanian. Staple foods found throughout Tanzania include ugali (maizemeal), chapati (thick naan-like bread), kichumbari (tomato, cucumber, bell pepper salad), nyama choma (barbecued meat- goat, chicken, beef) and mchicha (green vegetable stew). Dishes specific to Northern Tanzania include ndizi nyama (banana beef stew) and mahindi maharage (maize and bean stew).
SPECIAL DIET
Please let us know about your dietary requirements, whether they’re medical (Coeliac, food allergies), ethical (vegetarian, vegan) or religious (kosher).