PASSPORTS & VISA

All visitors to Tanzania require a return or onward ticket and a valid passport with an entry or re-entry visa, duly endorsed. Visas are not required for visitors from some member countries of the Commonwealth and other specified countries. Visas can be applied online or obtained from any Tanzania Diplomatic Mission or Consulate abroad, and at main entry points including international airports, sea ports and border posts.

HEALTH

Visitors originating from or transiting through countries endemic with yellow fever are required to produce valid yellow fever vaccination certificates at entry points. Visitors are advised to take anti-malaria tablets and make use of mosquito nets and insect sprays where provided. Visitors are also advised to obtain travel insurance that would cover medical expenses among many other things.
YELLOW FEVER – link

CUSTOMS

Personal effects including binoculars, cameras, film, may be imported (temporarily) free of duty. A custom bond may be demanded from visitors bringing in professional video/filming equipment, radios, tape recorders and musical instruments to ensure the goods are re- exported. Firearms require a special permit that should be obtained in advance. Visitors buying local handicrafts must keep cash sales receipts and ownership certificates for wildlife trophies for presentation to Customs officials on departure.

CURRENCY

Tanzania Shilling is the official currency of the United Republic of Tanzania. It is against the law to import or export Tanzania Shilling. Visitors can bring with them any amount of foreign currency up to the equivalent of USD 10,000 but amounts above this have to be declared on arrival or departure. Foreign currency may be exchanged at the commercial banks, authorised dealers, or at the bureaux de change operating at the international airports and major towns. Your local driver-guide will be in hand to assist. It is illegal to exchange money to individuals who are not authorised dealers.
US dollar bills, Pound Sterling and Euros, as well as Visa and MasterCard are accepted in most hotels and lodges, and in tourist areas. American Express is not widely accepted even by major hotels. Cash can be withdrawn from ATMs in major towns using Visa and MasterCard. Small denomination USD bills are useful for miscellaneous expenses on safari but change will be given in Tanzania Shillings.

DEPARTURES

An airport tax of USD 30 is levied on all visitors departing the country by air. In most instances, this fee is included in passenger’s airline ticket. Baggage is weighed at check-in counters and may be inspected by Customs. Airport departure tax for domestic flights is about USD 6. All taxes are subject to change. There is no departure tax when traveling by road.

LUGGAGE

Safari vehicles and small aircraft provide limited space for luggage. It is therefore recommended to travel with light soft-sided bags since bulky suitcases will overload and might not be taken on board.

CLIMATE

Situated on the east coast of Africa just south of the Equator, Tanzania enjoys a tropical climate constantly warm throughout the year, humid at the coast, fresh and bracing in the highlands, and tempered by Indian Ocean breezes on the islands. In the northern highlands around Arusha, Ngorongoro, Mt Kilimanjaro and Usambara, and in the southern highlands around Iringa and Mbeya area, the climate is temperate and cooler between June and September. The warmest period is between October and February.
Twice yearly rainy seasons, short rains from November to January and long rains between March and May, bring the vital green seasons to the bush and help to maintain the abundant wildlife and big game for which Tanzania is justly world famous.

CLOTHING

Light tropical clothes, especially cotton slacks, shirts and skirts are most suitable. Some warm clothing is needed in the higher altitude areas around Usambara, Ngorongoro Crater, Mount Kilimanjaro, Arusha and the southern highlands – especially in the evening and early morning. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended on safari and guests are advised to carry some insect repellents and sunscreens. In Zanzibar visitors are requested to dress modestly; swim suits, mini skirts and other revealing clothing should not be worn outside hotels, beaches and resorts.

THINGS TO TAKE ON SAFARI 

As you will want to capture as much as possible of this amazing tour, don’t forget a camera, camcorder with lots of films, tapes, and replacement batteries for all these. A torch light would come in very handy.
Sunglasses, hat, sun lotion, lip-balm, insect repellents and your own toiletry requirements, small first-aid kit, a spare pair of glasses or lenses if you are using one. Don’t forget a swimming costume and you might want to include a good book for the relaxing hours. Sleeping-bags and towels if you are planning for camping safaris must be included.

THINGS TO TAKE ON MOUNTAIN CLIMBING

Sunglasses/Snow goggles, Rucksack & day pack, 3-4 season sleeping-bag, Insulation pad, Balaclava or woolen hat, Long sleeved shirt, Several pairs of socks, Gloves, Waterproof trousers & jacket, Warm sweaters, Anorak/raincoat, Gaiters, Water-bottle, Wooden walking stick, Hiking boots, Pair of light walking shoes, Warm scarf, Toiletry requirements, Flashlight with batteries, Sun protection cream, Small first aid kit, Lip salve, A whistle and some plastic bags.

SOUVENIRS

Tanzania offers a myriad of opportunities for souvenirs, including rare gemstones like Tanzanite. Tanzanite, the native gemstone of Tanzania, is sold in most gemstone shops alongside other locally mined stones like Ruby, Rhodolite and Tourmaline. Tanzanite was named after Tanzania, and was first discovered in 1967, in Arusha which, to date, remains the only commercially viable source in the world. Local curios like the bold Makonde carvings, Tinga Tinga works, batiks, Ebony carvings such as cutlery, bracelets, furniture and sculptures, Maasai belts, rings and necklaces made of colourful beads, Khanga for women’s wrap around and the famous miniature Zanzibar chests are available at very reasonable prices.

LANGUAGE

The national language is Kiswahili but English is widely spoken and is the language of the tourist trade and other international businesses. Leopard Tours, however, boasts of a number of multi-lingual operations staff and driver-guides.

AIR TRAVEL

Several international airlines operate in and out of Tanzania through Dar es Salaam, Kilimanjaro and Zanzibar International Airports. Travel within the country is by Precision Air, Regional Air, Air Excel, Coastal Aviation, Auric Air, As Salaam Air, and the national airline, Air Tanzania.
(KLM Royal Dutch with daily Flights out of Amsterdam into Kilimanjaro and Dar es Salaam, EMIRATES, KENYA AIRWAYS, ETHIOPIAN AIRLINES, QATAR AIRWAYS and EMIRATES. It is also possible to get flights arriving to Nairobi (Kenya) from where you can make arrangements to transfer to near city of Arusha – Arusha Airport)

SAFETY

Yes, Tanzania is a reasonably safe country. In fact, it’s regarded as one of the safest African countries, both for locals and tourists. According to the 2019 Global Peace Index, Tanzania is the seventh safest country in Africa.

TIME TO BOOK SAFARI

It is better to book as far in advance as possible to ensure availability at the time you wish to travel, especially during the high/peak seasons – June to Oct and Christmas/New Year season.

BEST TIME TO VISIT TANZANIA

Climate in Tanzania is always wonderful, all year round is the best for game viewing.
June to October – Dry Season

June and July are the best months to see the wildebeest migration.

Animals are easier to spot since they concentrate around waterholes and rivers and there is less vegetation.

There are fewer mosquitoes because there is little to no rain. Skies are clear and most days are sunny.

Even though most tourists visit during the dry season, the parks still don’t feel crowded, except for the Seronera area in the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater.

Mornings and nights get cold. It’s recommended to bring warm clothing for morning game drives in open vehicles during the months of June, July and August.

November to May – Wet Season

Late January to February is the time to see the calving in the southern Serengeti. This is an excellent time to see predator action.

The scenery is green and beautiful. It’s low season, meaning lower rates and less crowded parks.

Although wildlife is easier to spot in the dry season, you’ll still see plenty and most northern circuit parks offer good year-round game viewing.

Migratory birds are present and birdwatching is at its best.

Except for March, April and May, rains are mostly short afternoon showers

March to May is the peak of the wet season.

Most big wildlife has migrated out of Tarangire NP and game viewing in Katavi, Nyerere and Ruaha is clearly better during the dry season.

FLYING DOCTOR MEMBERSHIP

A temporary AMREF Flying Doctors membership is recommended to cover air medical evacuation to Nairobi. Participation fees are USD 5 for air ambulance coverage of Tanzania mainland, Zanzibar and Kenya (AREA 1), and USD 9 for air ambulance coverage of Tanzania mainland, Zanzibar, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi (AREA 2), all valid for a period of up to 30 days.

TIME

Tanzania has only one-time zone. Local time is GMT + 3 and Daylight Savings Time is not used.
ELECTRICITY
215 – 230 Volts, 50 Cycles AC