The well-established ‘Northern Circuit' safari of northern Tanzania offers some of the world’s most diverse safari experiences, consisting of National Parks, game reserves, conservation areas and private concessions. Among these are the world-famous and iconic Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Crater, and of course their less well-known  Neighbours, Tarangire National Park and Lake Manyara National Park.

Tanzania is a safe and stable democracy in East Africa. By African standards, it is fertile and prosperous. Tanzania is home to the world’s most famous wildlife parks, such as the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater. Its inhabitants, including the famous Maasai, are as colourful  as the country itself. And the backyard of our office offers a breathtaking view of Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest peak in Africa at nearly 6000 metres above sea level! Zanzibar, a jewel in the Indian Ocean, is located just off the coast of mainland Tanzania.

Karibu means ‘welcome’ in Swahili, and you’re certainly going to feel at home when you arrive in Tanzania and get the opportunity to explore its national parks and meet its people.
Below you’ll find all of the information you’ll need to prepare for your upcoming trip to Tanzania.

To make your entry into Tanzania as easy as possible, we recommend you apply for Tanzania VISA online before buying a flight ticket, however, visitors from some countries can get a visa at major airports and at border crossings.

Masai boys may have many responsibilities, but they are also every bit as mischievous and adventurous as children everywhere.
Tanzania has two official languages: Swahili and English. Swahili, which has its origins in Zanzibar, is the most commonly spoken language in both Tanzania and Kenya.
English is widely spoken; however, you may wish to bring along a Swahili to English phrasebook to give you access to the basics. The locals are always appreciative if you know a little bit of Swahili!

Below you’ll find a few useful Swahili phrases to get you started.

• Karibu: Welcome.
• Habari/Hujambo: Hello.
• Habari?/Habari yako?: How are you?
• Nzuri: Good. Standard reply to how are you.
• Samahani: Sorry.
• Asante: Thank you.
• Chakula: Food.
• Rafiki: Friend.
• Hapana: No.
• Ndio: Yes.

Tanzania is in the +3 GMT time zone. The sun rises at approximately 6.30 in the morning and sets at around 18.45 in the evening.

The locals also use what is known as Swahili Time, which is quite a bit different to the conventional way of keeping time as we know it.  1:00 in the morning is the first hour after the sunrise (approximately 7am) and 1:00 in the evening is the first hour after sunset (approximately 7pm).

That being said, most businesses will operate using the standard way of measuring time.

It is not safe to drink tap water in Tanzania. In fact, it is advisable to use tap water only for showering or washing your hands.

To avoid health problems, use only bottled or filtered water for drinking and brushing your teeth.

Bottled water is cheap and readily available in Tanzania, and all  lodges and restaurants will have it available. Shadows of Africa’s  safari vehicles always come stocked with plenty of bottled water to  ensure you remain hydrated while on safari.
 

The official Tanzanian currency is the Tanzanian Shilling. They have  coins for 50, 100, and 1000 shillings; and notes for 500, 1000, 2000,  5000, and 10,000 shillings.
The US Dollar is widely used, but may not be accepted in some  establishments. It is also important to note that most businesses that  do accept US currency will not do so if it is torn or wrinkled.
Notes must not be older than 2006, as local businesses will automatically reject these due to a past counterfeiting problem.
 

Currency can be exchanged at banks, currency exchange offices (which  are plentiful in the city), and in most hotels. Hotels generally offer  the least favourable exchange rates.
Banks in Tanzania are open from 9am until 3.30pm Monday to Friday, and from 9am until 11am on Saturdays.
 

The tax rate in Tanzania amounts to 18% for most products and  services. There is no process for reclaiming this amount upon departing  the country.
 

ATMs that accept both Visa and MasterCard are available in most cities. You will be able to withdraw from your accounts in local (Tanzanian shillings) currency by entering your PIN. The daily withdrawal limit amounts to roughly $300 USD.
Be sure to alert your bank that you will be traveling to Africa. Many banks will deem transactions made out of your native country suspicious and and may lock access to your accounts if you have not forewarned them.
 

International credit cards (especially Visa, MasterCard, American  Express, and Thomas Cook) are accepted in most stores, restaurants,  hotels, camping sites, lodges, car rental companies, etc. Many smaller  stores will not have EFTPOS facilities, so it is generally better to  carry cash. Credit cards typically attract a 5-15% tax.
 

Entering Tanzania requires both a valid passport and a Tanzanian  visa. While the information below is up to date at the time of writing,  it is advisable to always check ahead to ensure visa processes or  charges have not changed.
 

With the exception of Hong Kong, Jamaica, Barbados, Malaysia, and  roughly a dozen African nations; everybody entering Tanzania is required  to have a tourist visa.

To enter Tanzania, you’ll also need a passport with at least six  months validity remaining. If you are planning to apply for a visa upon  arrival, you will also need two free, adjacent pages remaining in your  passport.

Visas are available upon arrival in Tanzania, whether you’re landing at the airport or are making a border crossing.

The cost of a visa upon arrival is $50 for non US citizens, and $100 for  US citizens. This should be paid in USD. Other currencies are not  accepted.
If you have any further questions about the visa process, please don’t hesitate to contact us. That’s what we’re here for!

Apply for Tanzania VISA online today 

Tanzanian power outlets use 220-240V, 50Hz. If you are traveling from a country with a voltage less than 220V should check whether or not their electronic devices have a dual voltage power supply. If not, you may need to purchase a converter before leaving.

Generally speaking, most electronics (smart phones, digital cameras, tablets, and computers) work on a dual voltage basis. Electrical appliances such as razors and hair dryers do not.

Tanzania uses the 3 pin ‘British’ plug, which is composed of three square/rectangular pegs. Travel adaptors can be purchased at airports and at most larger department stores.

When on safari, it is advisable to bring along items that run on  batteries. While most hotels and our Shadows of Africa safari vehicles  do have power outlets in which you can charge your devices, in campsites  or lodges that run on generators, you may not have access to  electricity to charge your appliances.

Tanzania is one of the safest countries in East Africa, but you never can be too careful when you’re on the road. While safari areas are generally very safe, the country is no stranger to criminal activity.  Like any other country in the world, there is always some risk of theft.

It is advisable that you listen closely to your guide’s advice at all times, and that is especially true in some urban areas. Either leave your valuables (such as electronics, credit cards, and documentation) behind in your hotel room safe, or carry them with you in concealed inner pockets.

Don’t flaunt your valuables in public, as this may draw unwanted attention to you. Pickpockets are particularly active in heavily touristed areas, so it pays to be cautious when in cities and areas popular with tourists.

It is always a good idea to make copies of all of your important documents and keep them in your luggage.

As a developing country, Tanzania has issues with a number of  potential harmful diseases. Thankfully, many of these can be vaccinated  against before you travel.

Before departing for your trip, it is advisable that you speak with  your physician about getting vaccinated against the following:

• Typhoid
• Hepatitis A & B
• Meningitis
• Rabies

These are in addition to the vaccinations that all travelers should have up to date regardless of where they are traveling, such as: MMR (measles, mumps, rubella), diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis, chickenpox, polio, and a flu shot.

It is also advisable that you speak with your physician about measures that you can take to minimize your chance of exposure to malaria and cholera.

Finally, if you are traveling from an area where yellow fever is a problem, you will be required to have a yellow fever vaccination as a condition of entry. If you are traveling from such an area and do not have a vaccination certificate, your visa application may be denied.

Malaria is prevalent throughout Tanzania, except in high altitude areas (above 1,800m) such as Mt. Kilimanjaro and Ngorongoro. Malaria medications differ from country-to-country dependent on conditions, so be sure to advise your physician that you’ll be traveling to Tanzania.  Saying you’ll be traveling to Africa is not enough, as conditions differ greatly between countries.  You should begin taking your malaria medication a few days before your trip and continue to take it for a short period after you have returned home.

HIV/AIDS are no more a problem here than they are anywhere else in  the world. Provided you are not taking undue risks, you have nothing to  fear.

When it comes to medical attention, nurses and doctors in Tanzania are highly qualified, especially in cities such as Arusha and Dar Es Salaam. Most camping sites, lodges, and hotels have on site physicians and are in close contact with the Flying Doctors Service should an evacuation be needed.