Top Things To Know Before Visiting Tanzania In 2024–2025

Top Things To Know Before Visiting Tanzania In 2024–2025 : Tanzania may be the nation in Africa that people know the most about. It is the nation whose names have come to be associated with Zanzibar, Mount Kilimanjaro, and the Serengeti. To go on safari in some of the world’s best national parks, travelers from all over the world swarm to Tanzania. The nation is breathtakingly beautiful, has a welcoming Swahili culture, and has some of the world’s best wildlife.

You should be aware of a few things before traveling to Tanzania or any other African nation to ensure your safety and comfort. Tanzania is undoubtedly a beautiful region of Africa with a lot to offer tourists from abroad. Even so, it’s useful to be prepared for a trip by knowing where to go, what to expect when you get there, and how to stay safe on the ground from necessary health requirements to security precautions. The following is our top travel advice for Tanzania:

VISA

Most foreign visitors to Tanzania, whether traveling for leisure or business, must obtain a visa. Some foreigners (primarily those from Africa and Asia) are permitted to enter Tanzania without a visa for a period of up to three months. Unless they are from Kenya, Uganda, Burundi, or Rwanda, they must still obtain entry permit approval.

 Visa requirements: Australia, the United Kingdom, and Canada can purchase an entry-level visa for $50 USD each. The cost of a multiple-entry visa upon arrival is $100 USD for US citizens. All nationalities should get in touch with their consulate for the most recent information.

One blank visa page and a passport that is valid for at least six months after the date the visa is issued and/or the date of arrival are required. Visa holders are required to provide proof of round-trip transportation as well as sufficient funds to cover their stay. Be prepared to show your passport and provide an explanation of your visa status when entering or leaving Zanzibar or traveling across the mainland.

 On a tourist visa, volunteering is prohibited, even if the participant is paying for the opportunity. If you wish to conduct business or engage in commercial transactions in Tanzania, please get in touch with the Tanzanian Embassy in Washington, D.C., before submitting an application for a visa.

LANGUAGE

Around 2,000 different languages are spoken in Africa. That represents one-third of the world’s spoken languages. This is a result of the continent’s millions of years of evolution and environmental influences. Although there are 26 official languages in Tanzania, English is one of them and is widely used.

MONEY

Tanzania’s national currency is the Tanzanian shilling. There are no lower denominations of the nation’s currency, the Tanzanian shilling (TZS). As of Now time of writing, the average currency rate is TZS 2500 per US dollar. At the time of your travel, kindly inquire about the current rates.

 Major currencies can be easily exchanged in big cities, mostly through bureau de change (like the US dollar, British pound, and Euro). In comparison to a bureau de change, banks require more time to exchange money. Make sure the money you bring isn’t from the 2000 series if you’re bringing it.

The majority of places will charge you a low, fixed price (some places won’t buy them). ATMs are available all over the nation from a number of banks, including Standard Chartered Banks, CRDB, the National Bank of Commerce (NBC), FMBE, EXIM, and Barclays Banks, enabling you to withdraw money from your VISA or MasterCard accounts. Credit cards are only accepted by large lodges, motels, and travel companies. It is advised that you carry no or very little in the way of travelers checks because they are no longer accepted in the majority of locations, including banks. One bank that still accepts travelers’ checks is Kenya Commercial Bank (KBC).

While traveling in Tanzania, always keep your money safe in your money belt or bag, and only keep a few notes on hand for emergency use. While your safari tour operator will take all necessary precautions to make sure that your trip is as safe as possible, be careful not to attract opportunists by leaving large sums of cash lying around on the streets or in crowded places.

HEALTH AND VACCINATIONS IN TANZANIA

There are a few health precautions you should take before traveling to Tanzania for a Tanzania safari. Tanzania has a tropical climate, which encourages bacteria, flora, and fauna that are unfamiliar to most visitors.

Malaria: A Visit to Tanzania

Malaria is the most feared disease among African tourists, and you might be one of them, aren’t you? If you are worried about malaria, consult your doctor and obtain antimalarial preventive medication before traveling.

Bring a good mosquito repellent (preferably Deet spray) with you as well. All of your accommodations will have mosquito nets on your mattresses, and the rooms will be sprayed with insect repellent before you go to bed in the evening.

Vaccination issues when visiting Tanzania:

Although coronavirus entry regulations vary by country, most commercial airlines flying to and within Africa require passengers to have a negative COVID-19 PCR test within 72 hours of departure.

 We hope that once the coronavirus vaccine is widely available, those who have received it will be able to travel more freely. However, because the rollout is still in its early stages and experts are assessing the vaccine’s efficacy, no decision has been made on whether vaccinated travelers will be allowed to enter African countries without having a negative COVID-19 PCR test.

Despite the fact that entry into Tanzania no longer requires the yellow fever vaccination, many medical professionals still advise it as a preventative measure due to the disease’s endemicity in neighboring nations like Kenya. Let’s say you are leaving a nation where yellow fever is endemic and arriving in Tanzania. In that case, as well as for anyone who has spent more than 12 hours in transit in a country where yellow fever is endemic, such as Kenya or Ethiopia, you must present a yellow fever vaccination certificate at any entrance point.

Other immunizations that may be considered before traveling to Tanzania include typhoid fever, hepatitis A and B, tetanus, and meningitis. For more information on any required vaccines (which may change from time to time), please contact your Tanzania safari specialist or your doctor.

THE BEST TIME TO VISIT TANZANIA

Seasons undoubtedly have an impact on the type of experience you’ll have and when you’ll have it, so do your research ahead of time to ensure you get the trip you want!

• Safaris: The best months to go on a game safari are January–March for the baby season and June–September for the end of the wet season.
• Kilimanjaro Treks: Although the climb can be completed at any time of year, the rainy season lasts from March to May is not the ideal time for climbing.
• Birdwatching: The best time to go birdwatching is from October to April.

SECURITY DURING YOUR SAFARI

Tanzania is the most peaceful country in East Africa. While Tanzania’s police and military services work tirelessly to keep the country peaceful at all times, the population is also very friendly and willing to help if an issue arises. Most places, particularly popular tourist destinations, have police stations nearby. Tanzania Safari organizers work with all peacekeepers to ensure that all tourists are safe at all times and that any issues are resolved as soon as possible. Throughout your organized excursion, you will also be accompanied by a professional guide who will ensure that you have a safe and enjoyable experience.

LOCAL CUSTOMS

It’s best to refrain from touching people of the opposite sex in public because it might offend some people, especially in crowded places. Avoid using taxis that do not have meters or, at the very least, demand payment up front. Women should wear modest clothing, especially in urban areas.

CULTURE

You will typically spend your vacation at tourist hotspots like theme parks. These game parks are surrounded by local villages. Masai people reside in the Ngorongoro Reserve, while Chagga tribes reside on the Kilimanjaro slopes. Your tour guide will therefore give you instructions on how to behave when you come across locals. This helps the community members grow in love, trust, and harmony. It’s also a good idea to pick up a few words in the native African tongue that are used the most frequently. Swahili is the official language.

DRINKING WATER

Keep in mind that the tap water there is poisonous to drink. You should not use it to brush your teeth; it is only advised that you use it to shower and wash your hands. Therefore, you should always use distilled or bottled water to brush your teeth, stay hydrated, and even cook if you want to avoid any health issues.

 Bottled water is inexpensive and widely accessible in shops, hotels, resorts, dining establishments, and coffee shops. Furthermore, if you decide to take a safari or tour, don’t forget to pack at least two or three bottles of water to stay hydrated while outside in the heat.

CASH ON HAND

You should know that the Tanzania local currency is the shilling before you go anywhere. Yes, you can pay with US dollars; however, some businesses might not accept them, so it’s best to always carry shillings with you. Additionally, it is advisable to exchange your money at banks or exchange offices because hotels occasionally demand a high exchange rate.

 Additionally, you’ll discover that the majority of ATMs accept Visa or MasterCard cards, and by entering your password, you can withdraw shillings from any machine. One thing you must do before departing is let your bank know that you will be staying in Africa. Because banks are always suspicious when you withdraw money from a foreign country, this will stop them from blocking your account.

SAFETY AND SECURITY

There are many robberies in Tanzania. Americans become victims when they call for cabs at airports, bus stops, hotels, or on the street. Victims are taken around town to empty their accounts at all available ATMs after being taken into custody until they reveal credit or debit card information. The victims are routinely released several hours later. A number of travelers have been robbed while en route to the airport. To lower their risk, travelers should use designated or well-known modes of transportation. Additionally, they might think about leaving their ATM cards at home and only bringing a few credit cards to Tanzania.

Exercise caution when crossing roads, highways, and beaches, particularly in Zanzibar, Dar es Salaam, and Arusha. Avoid using personal electronics, flashy jewelry, or carrying a bag when you’re out in public.

If you must carry a bag, hold it loosely by the handle so you can quickly release it if someone in a passing car tries to grab it, and you won’t get hurt. Since you run the risk of being dragged and seriously injured, you shouldn’t wear the strap across your chest.

While on a safari, visiting parks, hiking, or mountain climbing, be aware of your surroundings and alert your tour guide, park ranger, or poacher to anything odd. In the event of a robbery, immediately surrender all of your belongings, accede to the demands, and avoid making eye contact with the offenders.