Visiting Tanzania Faq

The following information is important for your safety and well‐being during your trip. We have summarized the essential details that you might find useful to prepare for your safari starting soon.

CLIMATE

Tanzania has a tropical climate but has regional variations due to topography.
The hottest period extends between November and February (25–31 °C) while the coldest period occurs between May and August (15–20 °C). On the Ngorongoro Crater Rim, temperatures are quite chilly early in the morning, less than 10°C.

CLOTHING – SAFARI

  • Casual, comfortable clothes are key when traveling in Tanzania.
  • During the day it is hot so our advice is to pack lightweight layers in natural fabrics that will keep you cool
    and are easier to wash and dry.
  • For safari, we suggest keeping to light colors.
  • Avoid blue or black clothing – the tsetse flies are drawn to these colors.
  • Dinner dress is casual and comfortable.
  • Nighttime and early morning game drives can be cold, so pack a warm hat, scarf, and a fleece or jacket.

CLOTHING – KILIMANJARO TREK

Use your Kili daypack as your carry-on luggage while flying to Tanzania, so if your bags are delayed the contents of your daypack will determine whether or not you can climb the mountain. Follow this list:

  • Hiking boots (wear them on the plane)
  • Underwear and long underwear, top and bottom
  • Hiking t-shirts and Hiking trekking trousers
  • Warm mid-layer or down jacket
  • Gore-Tex or warm rainproof jacket
  • Sunglasses and cap
  • Toiletries, sunblock, insect repellant, and prescription medication

We suggest wearing a number of these items on the plane. It is always worth being prepared for the unlikely event that your baggage doesn’t reach Tanzania at the same time as you do. In case your bags are delayed or lost we still want you to be able to climb and we will assist with readily available rental gear from our office.

CURRENCY

US Dollars are accepted in all locations. However, only bills that are dated 2010 or newer are accepted. Moreover, Euro and British Pound can be accepted in some places. Payment by card (Visa, Master, Amex) can also be an option. Note that a bank commission (surcharge) will be applied (3 to 6%).

ELECTRICITY

We use 220-240 volts and our sockets are 3-square pin, like the UK. Most camps/lodges use generators, which are sometimes switched off during the day as well as between midnight, and 5 am. You will receive relevant information from the manager while checking in.

HEALTH

We strongly recommend you only drink bottled water and not tap water. Nature Discovery will provide you with unlimited drinking water in the safari vehicle. If you do not feel well, please advise your safari guide so that we can determine if a doctor is needed. If medical assistance is needed, your guide will assist you and take you to the nearest medical facility. Moreover, in some camps/lodges, a nurse or a doctor might be available. Please seek assistance from the manager.

LUGGAGE

Space for luggage in a safari car is limited so please limit your number of bags on safari. Excess luggage can be left behind for storage in our office in Arusha which will be returned when you’re back from safari. Luggage can also be stored in hotels you will be returning to.

PASSPORT/VISA REQUIREMENTS

Ensure that your passport has enough pages and is valid for at least 6 months.

Please allow a minimum of two weeks for your visa application to be processed. Visit Tanzania’s Visa Application System for more information.

SAFETY

Tanzanians are warm-hearted and generous people and are eager to help visitors get the most out of their stay. However, as in all countries, a little common sense goes a long way and reasonable precautions should still be taken, such as locking valuables in the safe and not walking alone at night.

TIPPING

Although not mandatory, tipping is an appropriate way to share your satisfaction with your guide and varied staff. Tipping is at your discretion. We remind you to follow tipping guidelines given by your agent. You may find during your safari a number of children jostling for all and everything. Although very tempting to give them, its best to give such donations to your guide who can take them to schools, orphanage, projects etc.

VACCINATIONS

There are no mandatory vaccinations to enter Tanzania for travellers from the European Union or the United States, as well as many other countries. However, please see the below list for recommendations for your trip:

Yellow Fever

If you are from or have visited a country that is at-risk for Yellow Fever, a vaccination for Yellow Fever is required upon entry to Tanzania. If you do not have one, you may purchase it as you pass through immigration.

Please check on this document if you require a vaccination, and we recommend you keep a copy of this for your entry into Tanzania as sometimes officials can confuse travellers with incorrect information.

If you have not come from or travelled to a country with a risk of Yellow Fever, then you do not need to provide proof of this vaccine. If you have been in transit for 12 or more hours in a yellow fever country, you will need a vaccination.

COVID-19

You must present a certificate of immunization against COVID-19 if you are vaccinated, however, if you are not immunized, a negative PCR test is equally appropriate. It is a prerequisite that the PCR test is performed no earlier than 72 hours before arrival in Tanzania.

The Travel Advisory is the latest update from the Tanzanian government and is updated from time to time

Read Nature Discovery’s COVID Policy here >>

Malaria Precautions

Proven effective vaccines against malaria do not yet exist. There are only medicines that can act as preventive measures to reduce one’s risk of contracting malaria. In some cases, these medications should be taken before and during your travel to Tanzania.

Please discuss anti-malaria options with your doctor before travelling, as there are different side effects with these medications.

WILDLIFE

Tanzanian National Parks have rules that are intended to keep you and the animals safe. Please abide by all the rules that your guide may highlight to you, particularly in terms of not disturbing or harassing animals.

IMPORTANT NOTICE

It is a crime of significant gravity to carry/buy/travel with ANY Government trophies without any papers from relevant authorities. This includes bones, plants, animal skins, or anything of that sort. Request a receipt and/or certificate from relevant authorities/buyers.

Photography of government buildings or personnel as well as police and military is strictly forbidden. Drones are strictly forbidden too.