Tanzania Travel and Safari Guide
- Manish Putane
- Sep 5, 2019
- 9 min read
Updated: Jul 9
The United Republic of Tanzania, universally known simply as Tanzania, a truly captivating nation nestled in East Africa. Its vibrant eastern coastline meets the expansive Indian Ocean, while its borders extend to eight fascinating neighbors: Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Zambia, Malawi, and Mozambique.
Dodoma proudly stands as Tanzania's official capital. While Swahili is the national language and most commonly spoken tongue, English is widely understood in urban centers and key tourist areas, ensuring seamless communication for international visitors eager to explore its wonders.
Introduction
Tanzania, historically known as Tanganyika, stands out as a premier wildlife destination, celebrated for the incredible array of safaris it provides. For those embarking on their very first safari adventure, this country presents an unparalleled choice, thanks to its immense natural diversity and abundant wildlife opportunities.
Beyond its mainland marvels, Tanzania is also home to the world-renowned Zanzibar Island, a true tropical paradise famed for its pristine white-sand beaches and a vast spectrum of thrilling water activities. And, overlooking it all, looms the majestic Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest free-standing mountain on Earth. It's no wonder Tanzania is proudly referred to as "the land of Kilimanjaro, Zanzibar, and the Serengeti."
Navigating Tanzania
Choosing your arrival airport is key to kickstarting your Tanzanian adventure efficiently.
Julius Nyerere International Airport (DAR) in Dar es Salaam stands as Tanzania's primary international gateway. This bustling hub is typically your best point of entry if your safari dreams lead you to the wild, untouched beauty of Southern Tanzania's safari circuit.
However, if your sights are set on the iconic wildlife reserves of the Northern Circuit or the challenge of an Mount Kilimanjaro hike, Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) is your recommended destination. For those prioritizing a swift start to their northern safari, a domestic flight into Arusha Airport (ARK) offers a convenient alternative, located just 60 km (approximately a 1.5-hour drive) from JRO. Arusha itself serves as the undisputed launchpad for Northern Tanzania's renowned safaris.
Beyond safaris and climbs, if tranquil beach relaxation on Zanzibar's famous beaches is your desire, then direct international arrival at Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (ZNZ) on Zanzibar Island is highly advised. While other regional airports exist across Tanzania (like in Mwanza or Dodoma), they are less frequently utilized by international tourists.
VISA Requirements
Ensuring you have the correct documentation and health preparations is key to a smooth start to your Tanzanian adventure.
Visa on Arrival
Most international travelers are eligible for a Tourist Visa on Arrival, valid for up to 90 days. This visa also allows visits to Zanzibar Island. The cost is:
USD 50 for most nationalities (single-entry visa).
USD 100 for U.S. citizens (single-entry visa).
Note: Visa fees are subject to change by the Tanzanian government, so verify the latest costs before traveling.
Since August 2019, the visa-on-arrival process at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) has been updated. Travelers must:
Obtain a Government Control Number at the airport.
Pay the visa fee at a designated bank counter within the airport.
Proceed to the Immigration desk for visa verification and issuance.
This process can take over two hours, depending on queue lengths. To avoid delays, consider applying for a visa online in advance.
Online Visa Application (Recommended)
For a more efficient experience, apply for your e-Visa through Tanzania’s official immigration portal at https://visa.immigration.go.tz/. The online application requires detailed information, including travel plans and personal details. Processing typically takes 2–3 weeks, and the visa is delivered electronically, streamlining your arrival. Ensure you apply early to account for processing times.
Certain nationalities may face visa restrictions or require special permissions. Check the Tanzanian immigration website for specific requirements based on your citizenship.
Vaccination Requirements
Proper health precautions are critical when traveling to Tanzania. Consult a travel health clinic or your physician at least three months before departure to discuss recommended vaccinations. Below are key vaccinations to consider:
Mandatory Vaccination
Yellow Fever: Required for all travelers arriving in Tanzania. You must receive the vaccine at least 10 days before arrival. Carry your vaccination certificate, as immigration officials may request it.
Recommended Vaccinations
Tetanus: Ensures protection against infections from cuts or wounds, common during outdoor activities like safaris.
Oral Polio: Advised to prevent polio transmission, particularly in regions with limited sanitation.
Malaria Prophylaxis: Tanzania is a malaria-endemic region. Consult your doctor about antimalarial medication and take precautions like using insect repellent and sleeping under mosquito nets.
Always verify vaccination recommendations with your government’s travel health guidelines, as requirements may vary.
Managing your Money
Navigating currency and payment options in Tanzania is straightforward once you're familiar with the local practices.
Local Currency & US Dollars (USD)
Tanzania's official currency is the Tanzanian Shilling (TSh), which is universally accepted across the country for all transactions. Alongside TSh, U.S. Dollars (USD) are widely used, especially in tourist-friendly areas such as hotels, restaurants, and safari operators. While convenient, we highly recommend converting a portion of your funds into TSh for smaller purchases, local markets, and to ensure you always have exact change.
A Crucial USD Tip: If you're bringing cash US Dollars from your home country, please ensure your notes were printed from 2009 onwards. Older denominations may not be accepted due to concerns about counterfeiting.
Digital Payments and ATM's
Digital payments are increasingly popular in Tanzania, particularly in urban areas and tourist establishments. Here’s what you need to know:
Credit/Debit Cards: Most hotels, restaurants, and tour operators accept international credit cards (Visa, Mastercard). However, a 3-6% card processing fee is typically applied to each transaction. This fee may vary slightly (by 0.5%–1%) at some locations.
Mobile Payments: Services like M-Pesa are common among locals, but international travelers typically rely on cards or cash.
Card Usage Tips: Always carry some cash as a backup, as smaller vendors or rural areas may not accept cards. Confirm card acceptance before making purchases.
Accessing local currency is convenient. You'll find numerous ATMs dispensing Tanzanian Shillings throughout the country. For withdrawing US Dollars, ATMs are primarily located at major international airports (such as Kilimanjaro's JRO, Zanzibar's ZNZ and Dar es Salaam's DAR) and within larger cities.
Safari in Tanzania
As said earlier, Tanzania is a top safari destination with spectacular landscapes and diverse wildlife, the experience of a Tanzania Safari is surreal and one among the best in the world. There are three main circuits in Tanzania Safari are (1) Northern Circuit (2) Southern Circuit and (3) Western Circuit.
(1) Northern Circuit
Northern Circuit is the most famous and widely toured in the whole country as all significant parks and destinations fall under this circuit. The northern course attracts most of the tourists around the world, making it the most visited wildlife destination. The nearest airport to start the north circuit is Kilimanjaro Airport (JRO), and the starting point is always Arusha, a town which is 1.5 hours drive from the airport. The main parks and destinations that are a part of this circuit are:
Serengeti National Park
Lake Manyara National Park
Tarangire National Park
Ngorongoro Crater
Lake Natron
Arusha National Park
(2) Southern Circuit
Southern Circuit is the second most famous route which people would like to visit when they are in Tanzania. The people who choose to do this circuit are the one who is just visiting Zanzibar or in the country for business purposes, staying for a limited time and enjoying the wildlife at the same time. The starting point is either Dar Es Salaam or Zanzibar. The main parks that are a part of this circuit are:
Selous Game Reserve
Mikumi National Park
Ruaha National Park
Saadani National Park
(3) Western Circuit
Western Circuit is also one of the famous circuits which consist of incredible national parks and reserves, but these are less travelled when compared to the other circuits. The main reason for this is the connectivity issue, you will have to take a local flight to visit these destinations as it is very far from the major cities, hence making it expensive. You can do chimpanzee trekking here, and it is one of the best in Africa. The main parks that is a part of this circuit are:
Mahale Mountains National Park
Gombe National Park
Katavi National Park
The Great Migration in Serengeti
The Great Wildebeest Migration is one of the best natural phenomena in the continent; you can witness the mass herds of wildebeest traveling from Tanzania to Kenya and the vice versa. The great migration will happen all year round. The wildebeest are accompanied by Zebras and Gazelles as well. The migration will start in Tanzania and end in Tanzania; these animals will go in search of freshly grown grass, thus traveling from Tanzania to Kenya and returning, they follow the rain.
You can see the migration in Serengeti all year round, but if you want to see that in Kenya, then you will have to visit only in certain months (June, July, and August). In Serengeti, you can see migration, according to the table below.
January, February, and March - South Serengeti (Ndutu Region)
April, May - Western Serengeti (Moru Kopjes, Kirawira and Grumeti Region)
June - Central Serengeti (Seronera Region)
July August - North Serengeti (Ikorongo and Kogatende Region)
September - North Serengeti (Mara River and Bologonya Region)
October - West Serengeti (Loliondo and Lobo Region)
November, December - Central Serengeti (Seronera Region)
Since this is a natural phenomenon depending on the rain, it is hard to give the exact data, and all we can do is predict based on the previous year's cycles. This process might change approximately 15 days to 1 month based on the rainfall.
Weather and Climate
Tanzania is located just below the equator and has a pleasant, tropical climate, but it is becoming unpredictable, probably due to global warming. However, based on the study made and The Tanzania Climate Authority, below is the data.
Long Rains (March, April, and May) - This is the season where the country will get most of the rainfall, and it is the main rainy season. It tends to rain almost every day during the morning and evening. The humidity is always high, and daily temperatures reach the low-mid 30°s.
Dry Season (June, July, August, September, and October) - This is the season where the rains are very unusual, most of the areas will remain dry, and the temperatures vary hugely with altitude and location. Even though it is a dry season, it will be a cold night, clear sky, sunny weather, and it is the best time to visit Tanzania.
Short Rains (November and December) - This season is another rainy one, but it is lighter than the main rains and less reliable. The rains during this season are very unpredictable, and although this does not affect your safari much.
Short Dry Season (January and February) - This is another dry season, depending on the location. The land dries up for a couple of months if it has rained during the short rains season, before starting to rain again in earnest in March.
Wildlife and Birds
Tanzania offers the best wildlife viewing opportunity as 20% of Africa's large mammal population is found here in parks and reserves. Each of the circuits, as mentioned above, offers various wildlife viewing opportunities. The BIG 5 is the main attraction, although black rhino is a little rare and can be found in Ngorongoro Crater. Below is the list of animals that you can see when you are doing a safari in Tanzania, and obviously, the wildlife depends on the parks you visit. Wildebeests, Lions, Elephants, Giraffes, Hippopotamus, Zebra, Antelopes, Rhino, African Wild Dog, Monkeys, Apes, Chimpanzees, Crocodiles, etc
Tanzania is also one of the best birding destinations as it consists of 800 - 1000 different species of birds, and almost 200 of them are regular migratory birds. The best time for bird viewing is from November to April when then migratory birds come to Tanzania. The best national parks and destinations for bird viewing are Serengeti, Arusha, Lake Natron, Ruaha, Lake Manyara, Tarangire, and Ngorongoro Crater.
Safety Measures
Tanzania is one of the safest countries in Africa to visit, and we recommend booking a well-organized safari or trek rather than searching for one after landing. There are always small crimes in the city like theft, but it can always be avoided by following certain safety measures. Millions of tourists visit Tanzania every year, and 95% of those will never face any problem. We always recommend you follow the guidelines provided by the safari guide during the briefing session to be safe from the wildlife. It is not allowed to get down from the car when you are inside the reserve. We request all the tourists to follow the rules and regulations of the parks. There will be rangers everywhere who will be monitoring everything.
Zanzibar vacation
Zanzibar is one of the best beach destinations in Africa. All types of people visit this place, such as couples, family, backpackers, etc. It is because of the clean and white sand beaches. Also, western Zanzibar offers most of the water sporting activities such as surfing, snorkelling, dolphin watching, etc. Zanzibar is one of the most peaceful places to relax after the safari. Zanzibar also offers many types of accommodation, starting from cheap hostels to high-end luxury hotels so it will fit all kinds of people. According to the study made by the Tanzania Tourism Authority, almost 70% of the people who visit Tanzania for a safari purpose will visit Zanzibar before flying back home.
