The 10 Essentials when Traveling to Tanzania
Home to Mount Kilimanjaro and one of the most impressive safaris in the world, Tanzania is an East African country for tourists who enjoy exploring nature. The Serengeti National Park alone is a piece of land that stretches over 14,763 square kilometers (5,700 sq mi) and includes 1.5 million hectares of savannah. If you are looking for a relaxing beach holiday, Tanzania has over 800 km (500 mi) of coastline with breathtaking white sand beaches. This amazing and unique country hosts over 120 ethnic groups that manage to get along despite their cultural and religious differences. In this article, we will discuss general travel in Tanzania advice and talk about some of the best tourist destinations.
Starting from March, every year Tanzania has three-month-long rainy seasons. The weather is highly unpredictable during this time and it can rain almost every day. It is recommended to avoid these months and to visit during the best time for safari in Tanzania, from July to September. If you would like to come during the off-season, try October to December when the rains are not as frequent and heavy.
Before making the trip to Tanzania consider getting vaccinated against Yellow Fever, Typhoid, Hepatitis A, and Hepatitis B. When in the country, beware of Chikungunya, a mosquito-transmitted virus that can completely ruin your vacation. Although the lethal cases are mostly attributed to other preexisting conditions, Chikungunya will cause severe pains, headache, rash and nausea. Make sure to acquire travel medical insurance that includes Tanzania and travel to Dar es Salaam right away when feeling ill as it is the best place to get adequate healthcare assistance in the country.
A local sim card can be purchased at the airport upon arrival. Vodacom or Airtel sim cards have the best coverage and will not be expensive to an average traveler. Another Tanzania travel tip is using an e-sim card that can be bought online and used without any physical installation.
The local currency is called the Tanzanian Shilling, one dollar of which costs roughly 2340 Tsh. Although American Dollars are mostly accepted in tourist areas, you should still have some local cash on you. Currency exchange points can be found in any major city as well as in airports. You can also withdraw cash at any ATM or pay with your credit or debit card (Visa or Mastercard) at most tourist locations such as safari parks, hotels, restaurants and souvenir shops. Generally speaking, tipping in Tanzania is not expected by most venues but is highly appreciated.
To travel between the cities and villages, you can either take a train or a bus. The latter is the most popular and affordable way of traveling with modern design, air-conditioning and complimentary drinks. Within the cities, you can travel by taxis, tuk-tuks or boda-bodas which are a form of scooter taxi. Be very careful when accepting a ride from locals and make sure they are trustworthy and don’t have bad intentions. To avoid getting into trouble, download apps like Taxiye, ROVA, QTaxi Tanzania and others to safely order a taxi or tuk-tuk.
Unless you are from India, Sri Lanka or Nepal, acquire a power plug adapter prior to traveling in Tanzania. Tanzanians use types D and G which is not common outside of the aforementioned countries and a few African regions.
There are two main rainy seasons: a heavy season from March to May and a light one from October to mid-January. The driest time starts in June and goes until September making it the best period to visit the country. During this time, the average temperature ranges from 20°C/68°F to 30°C/86°F.
Among the most vital things to know about Tanzania is its crime scene. Predominantly in Dar es Salaam, crime is pretty high with armed robbery, pickpocketing and threats of violence. Another common crime is bag snatching from a moving vehicle. It is highly recommended to use only registered taxis or applications to avoid encountering people with bad intentions. A general rule of thumb is to dress casually without exposing pricey jewelry or gadgets. Additionally, be aware of scammers that impersonate authorities to get a bribe from you. Finally, women are not recommended to travel to Tanzania alone, especially in remote locations.
Tanzania has a lot to offer, from vibrant cities and culture to astonishing mountains and beaches. In this section, we will go over the most popular places to visit in Tanzania.
The largest city in East Africa, Dar es Salaam is a cultural and economic center of Tanzania. It is one of the fastest-growing cities in the world and continues to attract business and investment. Despite a population of over six million people, the city feels laid back thanks to its relaxing beaches. The city is fairly new and until 1865 was a small fishing village. Nowadays, it’s a booming city with modern architecture, numerous museums, restaurants and clubs. Look into the tours in Dar es Salaam to explore this dynamic megapolis.
The highest mountain in Africa, this 5,895 meters (19,341 feet) tall mount is one of Tanzania's tourist attractions that appeal to active tourists. However, be prepared for a five to eleven days long climb with three to eight hours of hiking per day. Please, evaluate your physical strength and endurance before taking on this immense challenge. Research tours you can take to conquer this mountain and follow the instructions pertaining to altitude acclimation to ensure your own safety. If you are up to the task, you will have one of the most memorable and amazing experiences of your life during tours in Kilimanjaro.
Serengeti National Park offers the most popular safari in East Africa where you can see lions, leopards, cheetahs, 500 bird species and witness the famous Great Migration that involves Wildebeests, zebras, gazelles and other animals. The complex is enormous and provides various camps and mobile camps for tourists to spend a few days surrounded by wildlife.
Another prominent safari takes place at the Ngorongoro Crater and gives tourists an opportunity to interact with the local ethnicity called the Maasai. The safari is known for the Big Five: lion, leopard, black rhinoceros, African bush elephant and African buffalo. Lake Manyara National Park is home to unusual tree-climbing lions, numerous elephants, majestic pink flamingos, buffalos, giraffes and many other species. These three safaris are just a fraction of what Tanzania has to offer and you can find paid and free tours across the entire country.
An archipelago off the coast of East Africa, Zanzibar is one of the most sought-after beach holiday destinations in the world. You can enjoy every activity in the book: snorkeling, surfing, diving, jet-skiing and more. The islands have been influenced by multiple cultures throughout the centuries which has created an unusual food palette. The local cuisine is a mix of East African, Arab, Chinese and Indian traditional foods and offers a unique experience to every foodie. Check out the various beach tours in Zanzibar to enjoy an incredible vacation.
A main city of Zanzibar and one of the biggest Tanzania points of interest, Stone Town presents a unique fusion of Arab, Moorish, Indian, European and Swahili cultures which landed it on the UNESCO World Heritage List. You will be completely mesmerized by the cultural and language mish-mash of the streets of Stone Town. Discover the 17th-century Old Fort, the oldest structure in the city, explore numerous mosques and Catholic churches and study the unique and articulately designed Zanzibari doors.
Here is a short list of the most important items to bring along to your Tanzanian vacation:
Tanzania is a hidden gem that is worth exploring by tourists from all over the world. During your tours in Tanzania, you will enjoy the one-of-a-kind mixture of cultures and ethnicities, astonishing parks and beaches and thousands of animal species which will make you fall in love with this amazing country.
1. Best time to visit Tanzania
Starting from March, every year Tanzania has three-month-long rainy seasons. The weather is highly unpredictable during this time and it can rain almost every day. It is recommended to avoid these months and to visit during the best time for safari in Tanzania, from July to September. If you would like to come during the off-season, try October to December when the rains are not as frequent and heavy.
2. Medicine in Tanzania
Before making the trip to Tanzania consider getting vaccinated against Yellow Fever, Typhoid, Hepatitis A, and Hepatitis B. When in the country, beware of Chikungunya, a mosquito-transmitted virus that can completely ruin your vacation. Although the lethal cases are mostly attributed to other preexisting conditions, Chikungunya will cause severe pains, headache, rash and nausea. Make sure to acquire travel medical insurance that includes Tanzania and travel to Dar es Salaam right away when feeling ill as it is the best place to get adequate healthcare assistance in the country.
3. Tourist sim card in Tanzania
A local sim card can be purchased at the airport upon arrival. Vodacom or Airtel sim cards have the best coverage and will not be expensive to an average traveler. Another Tanzania travel tip is using an e-sim card that can be bought online and used without any physical installation.
4. Tanzania money
The local currency is called the Tanzanian Shilling, one dollar of which costs roughly 2340 Tsh. Although American Dollars are mostly accepted in tourist areas, you should still have some local cash on you. Currency exchange points can be found in any major city as well as in airports. You can also withdraw cash at any ATM or pay with your credit or debit card (Visa or Mastercard) at most tourist locations such as safari parks, hotels, restaurants and souvenir shops. Generally speaking, tipping in Tanzania is not expected by most venues but is highly appreciated.
5. Public transport in Tanzania
To travel between the cities and villages, you can either take a train or a bus. The latter is the most popular and affordable way of traveling with modern design, air-conditioning and complimentary drinks. Within the cities, you can travel by taxis, tuk-tuks or boda-bodas which are a form of scooter taxi. Be very careful when accepting a ride from locals and make sure they are trustworthy and don’t have bad intentions. To avoid getting into trouble, download apps like Taxiye, ROVA, QTaxi Tanzania and others to safely order a taxi or tuk-tuk.
6. Plug types in Tanzania
Unless you are from India, Sri Lanka or Nepal, acquire a power plug adapter prior to traveling in Tanzania. Tanzanians use types D and G which is not common outside of the aforementioned countries and a few African regions.
7. What is the weather like in Tanzania?
There are two main rainy seasons: a heavy season from March to May and a light one from October to mid-January. The driest time starts in June and goes until September making it the best period to visit the country. During this time, the average temperature ranges from 20°C/68°F to 30°C/86°F.
8. How safe is Tanzania for tourists?
Among the most vital things to know about Tanzania is its crime scene. Predominantly in Dar es Salaam, crime is pretty high with armed robbery, pickpocketing and threats of violence. Another common crime is bag snatching from a moving vehicle. It is highly recommended to use only registered taxis or applications to avoid encountering people with bad intentions. A general rule of thumb is to dress casually without exposing pricey jewelry or gadgets. Additionally, be aware of scammers that impersonate authorities to get a bribe from you. Finally, women are not recommended to travel to Tanzania alone, especially in remote locations.
9. Things to do in Tanzania
Tanzania has a lot to offer, from vibrant cities and culture to astonishing mountains and beaches. In this section, we will go over the most popular places to visit in Tanzania.
Dar es Salaam
The largest city in East Africa, Dar es Salaam is a cultural and economic center of Tanzania. It is one of the fastest-growing cities in the world and continues to attract business and investment. Despite a population of over six million people, the city feels laid back thanks to its relaxing beaches. The city is fairly new and until 1865 was a small fishing village. Nowadays, it’s a booming city with modern architecture, numerous museums, restaurants and clubs. Look into the tours in Dar es Salaam to explore this dynamic megapolis.
Mount Kilimanjaro
The highest mountain in Africa, this 5,895 meters (19,341 feet) tall mount is one of Tanzania's tourist attractions that appeal to active tourists. However, be prepared for a five to eleven days long climb with three to eight hours of hiking per day. Please, evaluate your physical strength and endurance before taking on this immense challenge. Research tours you can take to conquer this mountain and follow the instructions pertaining to altitude acclimation to ensure your own safety. If you are up to the task, you will have one of the most memorable and amazing experiences of your life during tours in Kilimanjaro.
Safari in Tanzania
Serengeti National Park offers the most popular safari in East Africa where you can see lions, leopards, cheetahs, 500 bird species and witness the famous Great Migration that involves Wildebeests, zebras, gazelles and other animals. The complex is enormous and provides various camps and mobile camps for tourists to spend a few days surrounded by wildlife.
Another prominent safari takes place at the Ngorongoro Crater and gives tourists an opportunity to interact with the local ethnicity called the Maasai. The safari is known for the Big Five: lion, leopard, black rhinoceros, African bush elephant and African buffalo. Lake Manyara National Park is home to unusual tree-climbing lions, numerous elephants, majestic pink flamingos, buffalos, giraffes and many other species. These three safaris are just a fraction of what Tanzania has to offer and you can find paid and free tours across the entire country.
Zanzibar
An archipelago off the coast of East Africa, Zanzibar is one of the most sought-after beach holiday destinations in the world. You can enjoy every activity in the book: snorkeling, surfing, diving, jet-skiing and more. The islands have been influenced by multiple cultures throughout the centuries which has created an unusual food palette. The local cuisine is a mix of East African, Arab, Chinese and Indian traditional foods and offers a unique experience to every foodie. Check out the various beach tours in Zanzibar to enjoy an incredible vacation.
Stone Town
A main city of Zanzibar and one of the biggest Tanzania points of interest, Stone Town presents a unique fusion of Arab, Moorish, Indian, European and Swahili cultures which landed it on the UNESCO World Heritage List. You will be completely mesmerized by the cultural and language mish-mash of the streets of Stone Town. Discover the 17th-century Old Fort, the oldest structure in the city, explore numerous mosques and Catholic churches and study the unique and articulately designed Zanzibari doors.
10. What to pack for safari in Tanzania
Here is a short list of the most important items to bring along to your Tanzanian vacation:
- Waterproof bag and raincoat, especially during the rainy season;
- Lightweight and durable footwear to sustain lengthy safari walks;
- Sunscreen and bug spray;
- A few items of warm clothing for cool nights;
- Medical kit;
- Binoculars to take a closer look at the animals during your safari rides.
Tanzania is a hidden gem that is worth exploring by tourists from all over the world. During your tours in Tanzania, you will enjoy the one-of-a-kind mixture of cultures and ethnicities, astonishing parks and beaches and thousands of animal species which will make you fall in love with this amazing country.
