Tanzania Destinations

Tanzania, officially the United Republic of Tanzania, is a country in Eastern Africa. The country borders Uganda and Kenya to the north, Burundi, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the west, Malawi, Mozambique and Zambia to the south, and the Indian Ocean to the east.

The capital city of Tanzania is Dodoma. The Zanzibar Archipelago is located on the eastern shore.

Tanzania has three safari circuits, and each one of them, in its own right, would make Tanzania a top wildlife destination.

The popular Northern circuit with the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater offers one of the best classical safaris in Africa, especially if timed with the annual wildebeest migration.

Tanzania boasts both the lowest and highest points in Africa, with Mount Kilimanjaro at 5,895m above sea level and the floor of Lake Tanganyika at 352m below sea level.

This large country is brimming with unique sights, from the sprawling beaches, towering Mount Kilimanjaro and majestic wildlife to the impressive ruins and fascinating cultures.

Arriving in Tanzania

Most travelers arrive by air into one of the international airports – Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar or Kilimanjaro.

Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) is situated 46km east of Arusha, the gateway of Tanzania’s most popular Northern safari circuit.

Tanzania’s main airport is Julius Nyerere International Airport (DAR) located 13km southwest of Dar es Salaam. It is the entry-point for visitors to the southern parks.

Popular Safari Destinations in Tanzania

Amazing Deals

LET US HELP YOU

Start planning your dream holiday with us. You can create an itinerary from scratch or modify one of our suggested itineraries.

Travel Tips

A passport is required for all foreign visitors and has to be valid for at least six months and must have a full visa page for endorsement. Citizens of most countries require a visa. A list of countries that don’t need a visa is available.

We recommend you purchase your visa in advance at any Diplomatic or Consulate Mission of the United Republic of Tanzania abroad. It is possible to get the visa online; this can take at least ten days and up to 3 weeks. For more information and to apply for the visa please visit – https://eservices.immigration.go.tz/visa/ 

You can also obtain a single-entry visa on arrival in the following airports – Dar es Salaam, Kilimanjaro, Zanzibar International Airports, Namanga Entry Point (Tanzania-Kenya border point), Kasumulu Border crossing, Isebania Border crossing.

Visas can also be obtained on arrival but this is a lengthy process that can take one to two hours. The visa costs around $100 for US citizens and $50 for other nationalities. The standard visa will allow 1 month entry; however up to three months can be granted on request.

At the present time you do not require a multi entry visa to Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda due to an agreement between the three countries (e.g. if you exit Kenya to Tanzania you can re-enter Kenya on the same visa). However if your trip visits Tanzania twice after a visit to a country other than those listed above, you may need to purchase two visas.

Yes. The CDC and the WHO advise for the following routine vaccinations to be up to date when visiting Tanzania: Measles, Mumps & Rubella (MMR), Tetanus, Diphtheria & Pertussis (TDAP), Chickenpox, Shingles, Pneumonia, Influenza, Meningitis and Polio. They also recommend the following vaccinations for travel to Tanzania: Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Typhoid, Yellow Fever and Rabies.

Malaria is considered a moderate risk in Tanzania. Vaccinations are not available against Malaria, which is a disease transmitted by mosquitoes that can be very serious and sometimes fatal. You should avoid mosquito bites by covering up bare skin with clothing such as long sleeves and long trousers and applying insect repellents to exposed skin. When necessary, sleep under a mosquito net. Mosquitoes are most active during and after sunset. You should consult with your GP/medical practitioner/travel clinic about the most appropriate malaria prophylactic medication to take for the regions you are visiting. Make sure you are well-stocked with necessary DEET mosquito repellents.

Inoculation against Yellow fever may be mandatory depending on the country where the travel originates. Anyone entering Tanzania from or through a Yellow Fever infected area, must be in possession of a valid International certificate of Vaccination against Yellow Fever.

We recommend that all travelers check with their government or national travel advisory organization for the latest information before departure:

The World Health Organization also provides useful health information. Go to: http://www.who.int/en/

Tanzania lies just south of the equator and therefore is hot most of the year, there are two wet seasons, the long rains in April and May & short rains in November.

 Jun-Oct, Jan-Feb or the dry season

The dry season in Tanzania offers visitors the best wildlife viewing experience, when the bush is drier so it’s easier to spot animals as they congregate at water sources. The wildebeest migration can be observed in the Serengeti National Park during June & July. However, it is advisable to pack warm clothing, as morning game drives will be cold. 

During January and February, calves are born in the southern Serengeti making it another great time for game drives. 

November

Short rains fall in November, but it’s still an excellent time to visit Tanzania. If you are more interested in seeing Tanzania’s incredible birdlife, thousands of birds migrate over in the thousands between November and March.

Apr-May or wet season

The long rains mean that accommodation is quieter and prices are low. During wet seasons it’s so green and lush which is stunning and pleasant for both visitors and wildlife!

In general, Tanzania is a safe place to visit if you take precautions and follow the government travel advisories. You should avoid isolated areas and take taxis at night. Almost a million tourists visit Tanzania every year, and most visits are trouble-free.

Wildlife viewing is generally very safe in our opinion. Your safari guide will ensure your safety at all times – always listen carefully to the instructions and follow the park rules. Self-drive safaris are safe as well. Below are some general safety guidelines and tips. Always follow your guide’s instructions and guidelines

  • Always keep your voice down when close to animals
  • Stay in the car during game drives except at designated areas where you are allowed to get out
  • Don’t stand up in the car, hang out of the window or sit on the roof
  • Don’t drive too close to animals if you are on a self-drive safari and back off if the animals seem disturbed
  • Don’t drive between elephants in a herd, especially females and their young
  • Stay together as a group close to your guide on a walking safari and always walk in single file
  • Never run or jog in a wildlife area as it entices predators to attack
  • Never walk between a hippo and water; it may panic and charge because its safety route to the water is blocked
  • Never leave food in your tent; it will attract wildlife
  • Cover your arms and legs in the evening and use insect repellent to protect against mosquitoes
  • Wear a hat, use sunscreen and drink plenty of water
  • Don’t wear bright and colorful clothes or too much perfume – especially on walking safaris
  • In tsetse-fly areas, it is recommended not to wear dark-colored clothing – such as black or dark blue – since it attracts these stinging flies

Bring warm clothes for morning game drives in open vehicles

Travel in Africa is generally safe in our opinion. Especially if on an organized tour or safari. However, as is the case all over the world, there is an increased risk of crime in large cities and urban areas. Visitors on guided activities are mostly shielded from these risks and their guide will ensure their safety. When unguided, normal safety precautions and common sense should keep you safe. Below are some general tips:

  • Ask at your hotel if it is safe to walk around the local area; when new in a place it’s always good to seek local advice on safety issues.
  • Don’t wear jewelry when walking in cities. and leave all valuables in a safety deposit box at your hotel.
  • Avoid walking alone in a large, unfamiliar city.
  • Don’t walk around at night; take a taxi.
  • Avoid getting engaged with people approaching you in the street.
  • Be careful when drawing money from an ATM; go elsewhere if you suspect people hanging around.
  • Always lock your car doors and close windows when driving in busy towns.

Never leave a car unattended with valuables or luggage visible.

It depends a little on where you are going! In the major cities and bigger towns you will have a fairly good connection. During safari most lodges and camps have WiFi available however in some remote areas the connections can be unreliable. Most camps/lodges only offer WiFi in the public areas, not in the rooms/tents. You can buy a local sim card from local mobile phone/internet providers who generally offer a 4G network which will work in most places. If it’s not crucial to your own business or other important matters, best not to let it bother you. Instead, enjoy nature and take a break from the hectic life back home!

Tipping in Tanzania is not obligatory and should always be dependent on the quality of service. For those working in the service industry, tipping can make up an important part of their income.

Restaurants – Most of the major hotels and restaurants in Tanzania include the tip in their service charge. Tipping is not essential, but appreciated, and entirely at your discretion. It is standard to leave a 10-15% tip.  

Guides – We always advise our passengers to tip your guides, no matter whereabouts in the world you are. Guides’ wages predominantly come from tips, so adding 10-20% can go a long way.

If you’re on a strict budget, we suggest you take at least $50 per day. This should cover budget accommodation, meals in local restaurants and bus travel. Between $50-200 per day would be enough for accommodation in a mid-range hotel, restaurant meals and car hire, and anything more would require at least $200 a day.

These costs, however, do not include safaris, which you would need to add on top. The cost of a safari varies depending on what kind of safari you wish to undertake e.g. luxury, budget, economy, etc. The cost is anywhere from $500-$3000 and above. This cost includes roundtrip airport transfers, accommodations, meals -three times full meals a day, domestic transportation, park fees, drinking water, etc.

The major exclusions from the cost are international flight expenses, visa costs, travel insurance costs, and extended tour stays. To get complete insights into how to travel on a budget in Kenya we suggest you contact our travel experts today!

There are many things to do and see when you travel to Tanzania – some of the best places to visit and enjoy a safari include Selous, Ruaha, Tarangire, Ngorongoro, Serengeti, and Lake Manyara

Read More

This depends on what all you want to accomplish while you’re in Tanzania – 8 – 10 days should cover the Northern Circuit (Tarangire, Ngorongoro, Serengeti) if you want to visit other areas; Lake Victora, Mahale Mountains, Ruaha, Selous, Zanzibar then you can keep adding as many days as you like.

What Our Clients Say