FAQ

The best time to visit Tanzania to view wildlife and experience the best weather is between June and February - choose your month based on what you want to do. March and April is the wet season and can be very difficult to travel around.

A valid passport and visa are required to enter Tanzania. Please check with your local Tanzanian Embassy for the latest information on visa requirements. You can obtain a visa at all airports in Tanzania as well as at the border crossings, but it is advised to obtain one before you travel.

If you are travelling directly from Europe, the USA or China, no vaccinations are currently required by law to enter Tanzania. However, if you are travelling from a country where yellow fever is present you will need to provide a certificate showing that you gave been inoculated. We would recommend that you visit a health professional at least 4 to 6 weeks before your trip to check whether you need any vaccinations and discuss any preventive measures. Several vaccinations are highly recommended when travelling to Tanzania: Yellow Fever; Typhoid; Hepatitis A; and Diphtheria. It is also recommended that you are up to date with your polio, tetanus and rabies vaccinations. Anti Malaria medication should be seriously considered and mosquito repellent carried at all times. As medical facilities are limited across the country, please make sure you have adequate travel health insurance and accessible funds to cover the cost of medical treatment including evacuation by air ambulance and repatriation.

It is recommended that you drink only bottled water at all times. Tanzanian food is very tasty but please be careful of fresh fruits, vegetables and salads which are served to you. They may have been washed with dirty water. Freshly cooked, hot food is always a safer choice.

Tanzania is a large country. It can be hot at the coast and cold in the Ngorongoro highlands – you’ll need to bring clothing for all weather if you are travelling around. What you bring depends a lot on what you are planning to do – climbing Kilimanjaro obviously require extra equipment! The Swahili coast can be hot and humid and there will be mosquitoes, so pack long trousers and sleeves plus mosquito repellent! For hiking, bring layers and comfortable hiking boots. For the beach, bring a sarong not a beach towel, to blend in with the locals! You will need a hat, sunglasses and suncream; and we also recommend that you bring some rich moisturiser – the air in places can be very drying!

NO! As of June 2019, travelers to Tanzania will no longer be allowed to bring plastic carrier bags into the country. All plastic bags will be confiscated on arrival from your luggage, the only exceptions made will be for Ziploc bags used to carry personal items. Tanzania is committed to reduce plastic waste within the country.

Women account for over 50% of the population in Tanzania so you will not stand out! Dar es Salaam is quite cosmopolitan and has a growing fashion scene, however in rural Tanzania and the coastal areas the dress code is a little conservative. Dress respectfully and you’ll get less hassle from men, and won’t offend any locals. In general shorts are fine for the daytime, but bring a skirt or dress for evening. You could bring a Pashmina in case you need to cover your shoulders. Things you can’t leave at home are: tampons and any feminine hygiene products or sexual protection; prescription medication; malaria tablets; bug repellent.... But don’t bring too much! You will have less weight to carry and less to lose! Most clothes and essentials can be picked up in shops at local prices and any purchase will help the local economy .

The local currency is the Tanzanian shilling (Tsh). It is best to carry a small amount of shillings in your pocket for drinks, tips etc. Major currencies (US Dollar, English Pound and the Euro) are easily changed in large towns, with US Dollars being the preferred choice - larger bills can offer a better rate at money exchanges. Credit cards are accepted only at major lodges, hotels, and travel agents. ATM’s are available in banks around the country which allow you to withdraw cash from VISA and/or MasterCard accounts; however, there are daily limits for withdrawals (e.g. USD$200) and fixed transaction costs are applied so it is more cost effective to withdraw higher amounts.