Tanzania Practical Information

Most visitors to Tanzania require a tourist visa. Citizens of the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and most EU countries can obtain a tourist visa on arrival at Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam, or at Kilimanjaro International Airport (for those flying directly to Arusha). The visa costs approximately $50–100 depending on nationality and is valid for 90 days.

Requirements for the on-arrival visa: a passport valid for 6 months from your arrival date, at least one blank passport page, a return ticket or evidence of onward travel, and the visa fee in cash (USD only at the airport). You will also be asked to provide the address of your first accommodation in Tanzania.

Citizens of some countries — including India and China — require a visa in advance from a Tanzanian embassy or consulate. If you hold a passport from a country not listed on the Tanzanian immigration website as eligible for on-arrival visas, you should apply well before your trip. East African Tourist Visas (for Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, and Tanzania) are available for $100 and allow multiple entries across all four countries within 90 days — useful if you are combining Tanzania with a Kenya or Rwanda extension.

Yellow fever vaccination is required if you are arriving from a yellow fever-endemic country (including Kenya and Uganda), and is recommended for all travellers to Tanzania regardless of route. If you are entering Tanzania from an endemic country, you must carry a Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate — without it, you will be vaccinated at the border or denied entry.

The standard recommended vaccinations for Tanzania include Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Typhoid, Tetanus, and Diphtheria. Rabies vaccination is recommended for travellers who will be spending time in rural areas or working with animals. Your doctor or a travel health clinic will advise on what is appropriate for your specific itinerary.

Malaria is present in Tanzania, including in the national parks — particularly at lower altitudes and in areas near water. The risk is lower in the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater (due to altitude) than in the lower-lying parks like Ruaha and Nyerere, but it is not zero. Antimalarial medication is strongly recommended for most Tanzania safaris. Your doctor or travel clinic will prescribe the appropriate prophylactic based on your medical history.

A few additional health notes: Tanzania's altitude at Ngorongoro (2,200m) and on the Kilimanjaro slopes (up to 5,895m) can cause altitude sickness — this is relevant if you are combining a Kilimanjaro climb with a safari. Bottled water is readily available everywhere — do not drink tap water. Sun protection is essential even on overcast days — the equatorial sun is powerful and game drives often expose you to it for hours.

Comprehensive travel insurance is essential for a Tanzania safari. Your policy must cover medical evacuation — not just medical treatment, but the cost of emergency evacuation by air from a remote park to Nairobi, Dar es Salaam, or another major medical centre. Medical evacuation from the Serengeti by helicopter can cost $15,000–30,000, and your regular travel insurance is unlikely to cover this without explicit safari-specific provisions.

Look for policies that specifically include safari activities. Most standard travel insurance policies exclude adventure activities — and game drives, walking safaris, and particularly any activities involving firearms (some walking safaris use armed guides) may require an upgraded policy. If you are climbing Kilimanjaro, you will need mountaineering-specific insurance that covers high-altitude rescue.

We strongly recommend insurance that includes trip cancellation and interruption, particularly if you are travelling during Tanzania's green season (March–May) when weather-related flight cancellations are more common. Verify that your policy covers the specific parks and activities you have planned, and keep emergency contact numbers accessible — both the insurance hotline and the local emergency numbers for your operator.

The Tanzanian shilling (TZS) is the local currency, but US dollars are widely accepted in tourist areas, safari camps, and for all major purchases. Most camps and safari operators quote and accept payment in USD, and it is the currency of choice for most tourists. Carry some cash in small denominations ($1, $5, $10, $20 bills) for tips, drinks, and small purchases.

ATM availability is limited outside Dar es Salaam and Arusha. In Arusha, Dar es Salaam, and the main tourist towns, ATMs are available but can be unreliable — do not rely on them as your sole source of cash for a safari. We recommend bringing USD in cash as a backup and confirming with your operator before the trip what payment methods they accept.

Tipping in Tanzania is customary and an important part of income for safari guides, camp staff, and support workers. A guideline for a safari guide is $15–25 per person per day (or $20–30 per group per day if shared), and for camp staff $10–15 per person per day. Tipping is at your discretion and should reflect the quality of the service. Your operator can facilitate tipping or you can tip directly in USD or TZS.

Tanzania has two main seasons: the dry season (June–October) and the wet/green season (November–May, with a short dry spell in January–February). The best time for a safari is generally the dry season — wildlife concentrates around water sources, the grass is shorter making animals easier to see, and the weather is reliably sunny. The peak safari months are July–October, with September and October typically offering the best game viewing.

The green season (March–May) is lower season for a reason: the long rains make some roads in the parks difficult to navigate, game viewing is more challenging as wildlife disperses, and some camps and roads close. However, the green season has compensations — the landscape is at its most beautiful, birdlife is at its best (migrant species arrive), and rates are significantly lower. For photographers and travellers who prioritise atmosphere over concentrated wildlife sightings, the green season can be extraordinarily beautiful.

Temperature varies significantly by region and altitude. The Northern Circuit parks (Serengeti, Ngorongoro) are at altitude and can be cool to cold in the mornings and evenings — temperatures of 10–15°C at dawn are common, and you will need a warm layer for early morning game drives even in the dry season. The coast (Zanzibar) is tropical and warm year-round. Kilimanjaro's summit is below freezing even in equatorial summer.

Pack light and pack smart. Most safari camps and lodges have laundry service, so you do not need a different outfit for each day. A 15–20kg checked bag limit applies on most light aircraft flights within Tanzania — if you are taking a safari with connecting light aircraft flights, packing above this limit will result in additional charges or enforced cargo loading that can leave you without items for a day or two.

Essentials: neutral-coloured clothing (khaki, brown, green — avoid white and black, which attract dust and tsetse flies), a warm layer for early morning game drives, a waterproof jacket, sturdy walking shoes, high-factor sunscreen, insect repellent with DEET, a daypack, a headlamp or torch, and any prescription medications you require. Sunglasses and a wide-brim hat are essential. Binoculars — 8x42 or equivalent — will significantly enhance your wildlife viewing experience.

What not to pack: bright colours (especially white and black), camo-print clothing (illegal for civilians in Tanzania), excessive electronics (most camps have limited or no charging facilities), and open-luggage hard cases (soft-sided duffels are preferred for light aircraft loading). Electrical adapters: Tanzania uses British-style Type G plugs (230V), so bring appropriate adapters for your devices.