TanzaniaTravel FAQ
Practical answers for travellers planning a safari, a Kilimanjaro climb or a Zanzibar holiday: visas, health, money, packing and the best time to go.
Planning and Booking
How to plan and confirm your trip with us.
For the busy June to October season and the Christmas holidays, we recommend booking three to six months ahead, as the best lodges fill up early. For other months, a few weeks is often enough. Kilimanjaro climbs and short trips can sometimes be arranged at short notice.
Yes. Our safaris are private by default, with your own vehicle and driver guide. You decide how long to stay at each sighting.
Yes. Every package is a starting point. We can add or remove days, change lodges, and combine a safari with Kilimanjaro or Zanzibar.
No. Our prices cover your trip in Tanzania. International flights to Kilimanjaro, Dar es Salaam or Zanzibar are booked separately.
Yes. We plan family safaris regularly. Please tell us your children's ages so we can suggest suitable lodges and send the correct price.
Visas and Entry
What you need to enter Tanzania.
Most visitors, including travellers from the USA, the UK and the European Union, need a visa. You can apply online through the official Tanzania e-visa website before you travel. Please check the latest rules for your nationality before booking flights.
Your passport should be valid for at least six months after your arrival date and have blank pages for your visa and entry stamps.
A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required if you arrive from, or have recently travelled through, a country with a risk of yellow fever. Check the current rules with your doctor or airline before you travel.
Yes. Zanzibar is part of Tanzania and uses the same visa. Visitors to Zanzibar must also have travel insurance, which can be bought online before arrival.
Health and Safety
Staying healthy and safe on your trip.
Please speak to your doctor or a travel clinic six to eight weeks before you travel. They will advise on routine vaccinations and malaria prevention, which is usually recommended for safaris and Zanzibar.
Tanzania is a popular and welcoming destination. As in any country, use common sense in towns and cities. On safari you are always with your guide, who knows the parks and the safety rules well.
We strongly recommend travel insurance that covers medical treatment, evacuation and cancellation. For Kilimanjaro climbs, make sure your policy covers trekking up to 6,000 metres.
Drink bottled or filtered water only. Drinking water is provided in your safari vehicle and on Kilimanjaro climbs.
Money and Payments
Currency, payments and tipping.
The local currency is the Tanzanian shilling. US dollars are widely accepted for tourist services. Bring US dollar notes printed in 2013 or later, as older notes are often refused.
Payment details, the deposit amount and the balance due date are set out clearly in your written quote and booking confirmation. Please read our Terms and Conditions before booking.
Larger hotels and lodges usually accept cards, sometimes with a small fee. ATMs are available in Arusha, Moshi and Stone Town, but carry some cash for small purchases and tips.
Tips are not included in your trip price and are always your choice, but they are customary and much appreciated by guides, drivers and Kilimanjaro crews. We are happy to share simple guidelines before you travel.
Packing and Clothing
What to bring for safari, mountain and beach.
Light, neutral coloured clothing such as khaki, beige or green, a warm layer for early mornings, a hat, sunglasses and comfortable shoes. Avoid bright colours and camouflage clothing.
Warm layered clothing, a good waterproof jacket, broken in hiking boots, a warm sleeping bag and a headlamp. We send a full packing list when you book your climb.
Light aircraft flights, for example to and from the Serengeti or Zanzibar, usually allow around 15 kg per person in soft sided bags. Check your flight details before packing.
Swimwear is fine on the beach. In Stone Town and villages, please cover your shoulders and knees out of respect for local culture.
Weather and Seasons
When to travel to Tanzania.
Tanzania offers good wildlife viewing all year. June to October is dry, with animals gathered around water. January and February is calving season in the southern Serengeti. April and May bring rain, greener landscapes and fewer visitors.
The driest months, January to early March and June to October, are the most popular. Climbs are possible all year, but the long rains in April and May make the trails wetter.
June to October and December to February are usually sunny and dry. March to May is the main rainy season, with quieter beaches.
Our high season runs from June to March and our low season is April and May, when many prices are lower.
Ask Our Local Team
We live and work in Tanzania and are happy to answer anything about your trip. Send us a message and we will reply within 24 hours.
Ask a Question
Tell us your plans and our team in Arusha will reply by email, usually within 24 hours.
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