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Tanzania travel guide
Visas, what to pack, plugs, money and health — the practical details for a smooth safari.
- Capital
- Dodoma (Dar es Salaam is the largest city)
- Currency
- Tanzanian shilling (TZS); US dollars widely accepted for tourism
- Languages
- Swahili and English
- Time zone
- UTC+3 (East Africa Time)
- Electricity
- 230V, 50Hz
- Plug type
- Types D and G
- Dialling code
- +255
- Drives on
- The left
Tanzania is East Africa at its most spectacular: the endless grass of the Serengeti, the crater walls of Ngorongoro, vast elephant herds in Tarangire, and the white-sand shores of Zanzibar all within one country. It rewards first-time safari travellers as few places do, and we build each journey here around first-hand knowledge of the parks and the seasons.
Getting around is straightforward once you arrive: most travellers fly into Kilimanjaro (JRO) for the northern circuit, Julius Nyerere International (DAR) for Dar es Salaam and the southern parks, or straight into Zanzibar's Abeid Amani Karume International (ZNZ), which takes direct flights from Europe and the Gulf. English is widely spoken alongside Swahili, the people are famously warm, and a little planning before you fly means you can relax into the experience the moment you land.
Tanzania is a top-tier African safari destination. The country has 3 tourist safari circuits: The northern circuit, the Western circuit, and the Southern circuit. The Northern circuit is the most popular with Serengeti National Park, and Ngorongoro crater offering the best safari in Tanzania. When matched with the annual wildebeest migration, you are in a position to witness the best safari of a lifetime.
Best time to go at a glance
Indicative pattern for Tanzania's northern circuit. The migration's position depends on the rains; exact timing varies year to year.
Getting into Tanzania
Most visitors need a visa to enter Tanzania, and the official online eVisa, applied for in advance, is now the standard route; it is no longer possible to obtain a visa from a Tanzanian high commission abroad. A single-entry tourist visa can in some cases be issued on arrival at main ports of entry, but this is not guaranteed for every nationality, so the safest approach is to apply for your eVisa before you fly. Separately, all visitors to Zanzibar must hold mandatory inbound travel insurance from the Zanzibar Insurance Corporation, which is bought through the official Zanzibar tourism portal and is checked on arrival; ordinary international travel insurance does not satisfy this requirement. A yellow fever certificate is required if you are arriving from a country at risk of yellow fever transmission. Entry rules change, so please confirm the current requirements for your nationality and routing before you travel and use the visa tool on this page to check what applies to you.
Visa checks & applications are handled by VisaHQ. Always confirm the current entry rules for your nationality before you travel.
Getting around on safari
Once you land, safaris move between the parks by light aircraft, with short road transfers at either end. Small planes hop between grass airstrips on set routes, and your guide and vehicle meet you at the strip — the drive to camp is often the first game drive. Wildtouch stitches the flights, transfers and drive times into every itinerary.
Weather & climate
Tanzania is yet another country that lies within the tropics. The climatic condition is not clear therefore the country does not experience clear weather patterns e.g. winter, summer, autumn, or spring. Therefore, the weather is defined as dry season and rainy season.
The Dry season is from the months of June – October with temperatures ranging from 20°C/68°F – 30°C/86°F. There is little to no rainfall and humidity is at a low. During the night time it cools off and we recommend you pack warm.
The wet season runs from November to May, with daytime highs around 30°C/86°F on the lower ground and noticeably cooler air in the highlands and on the crater rim. Mornings and nighttime are cold and we advise you to pack warm.
November & December- this is the short rain season. The rains last for a month in between those months. Within the Northern touristic circuit, rains begin as early as October.
January & February- during these months, there is a dry spell of rain in the Northern circuit and coastal region. Other parks may not experience it.
March, April & May – these months experience heavy rainfall almost every day. However, the rain is experienced during the late afternoon and nighttime and will rarely affect your game drive experience.
Best time to visit
The best time to visit Tanzania is during the dry season (June to October). This is the prime time and best time to see the wild game. June and July put you in the Serengeti as the migration moves north, which is one of the great wildlife spectacles anywhere. To witness the Calving season, visit Tanzania in the months of late January to February.
Monthly Highlights:
Dry Season (JUNE – OCTOBER)
June & July – are the best months to see the wildebeest migration. There is a high visitor turnout it is crowded during this time.
August & September – are the best months to witness the crossing of the wildebeest at the Mara River. Due to little rainfall, you can easily spot game at the water holes where they concentrate for access to water. Skies are usually clear through the day in August and September, which is part of what makes the light so good for photography.
Wet Season (November – May)
January & February – this is the calving season, when roughly 8,000 wildebeest calves are born on a single day at the peak and something in the order of half a million across the few weeks it lasts. The concentration of newborns draws predators, so it is a strong window for seeing hunting. It plays out on the southern Serengeti plains and around Ndutu.
This is a low season where rates are generally low and therefore you can travel on a good budget.
Rain in the green season usually falls in the afternoon rather than through the morning, so drives generally go ahead; March, April and May are the wettest months and are the most likely to see a drive cut short.
Wildlife
Tanzania is a top-tier safari destination. The quality of wildlife and the whole safari experience is excellent. The country has 3 major touristic circuits: the Northern circuit, the Southern circuit, and the Western circuit. All of the circuits are very interesting with a combination of the different things that they offer, they make Tanzania an amazing wildlife destination.
The Big Five are what most first-time visitors hope for, and lion, elephant, buffalo and leopard are all seen regularly on the northern circuit; black rhino is the rare one, with Ngorongoro Crater the most likely place to find it.
Wildebeest Migration
The wildebeest Migration is one of the most unique wildlife phenomena in Africa, naturally occurring; the event takes place annually between Tanzania's Serengeti National park and Masai Mara National Reserve in late June – October.
Over 1.5 Million ungulates- mainly wildebeests, zebras, and gazelles migrate from Serengeti national park to the majestic Masai Mara in search of water and pasture. Crossing the Mara river is the climax of this event. The Mara river is infested with the long Nile crocodile and it is unfortunate that some of the migrants' pilgrimage tour ends there.
The calving season is the other great set-piece: around half a million calves are born on the southern plains in the space of a few weeks, with some 8,000 arriving on a single day at the peak. The concentration of newborns draws predators in numbers, so it is one of the best windows of the year for seeing a hunt.
Getting there
You can get to Tanzania through the major airports Kilimanjaro International Airport or Julius Nyerere International Airport.
Kilimanjaro International Airport is the entry point to visiting the most visited Northern circuit.
Julius Nyerere International Airport is the main airport of Tanzania and an entry point if you are seeking to explore the parks in the southern circuit.
Depending on where you would like to safari, we shall advise you on the best logistical arrangements to make your safari easy and smooth.
Your passport must be valid for at least six months and have at least one blank visa page.
Visa Application to Tanzania is an easy online process that can be done on the government portal https://visa.immigration.go.tz
A yellow fever certificate is required if you are arriving from, or have passed through, a country at risk of yellow fever transmission. Kenya is one, so carry proof of vaccination if you are combining Kenya with Tanzania. Flying in directly from the UK, Europe or North America, it usually does not apply.
Entry requirements and protocols may change with time and it is advisable to reach out to us for up-to-date information on what you need.
What to wear on safari
Stick to neutral earth tones: khaki, olive, beige, brown and soft greens that blend into the bush. Avoid bright white (it shows dust and stands out to wildlife), and avoid blue and black in particular, as those colours attract tsetse flies.
Dress in layers. Dawn game drives in an open vehicle can be genuinely cold, so bring a warm fleece or jacket you can peel off as the day heats up. Add a sun hat, sunglasses, high-factor sunscreen and lightweight long sleeves and trousers for both sun and insect protection, plus closed walking shoes for dust and uneven ground.
In towns and villages, and especially around Zanzibar's largely Muslim communities, dress modestly: cover shoulders and knees out of respect for local custom.
Electricity & plugs
Tanzania runs on 230V at 50Hz, so most UK, European and Australian devices work directly, while travellers from 110-120V countries should check that their chargers are dual-voltage (most phone and laptop chargers are).
Sockets are type D and type G. A type G plug is the same three rectangular pins used in the UK, so a UK plug often fits without an adapter; bring a universal travel adapter to be safe. Power can be intermittent at remote camps, where electricity may run on solar or a generator with limited hours, so charge devices whenever you can and consider a power bank.
Money & payments
The local currency is the Tanzanian shilling (TZS), but US dollars are widely accepted across the tourism sector. Bring US dollar notes printed in 2009 or newer, as older notes are frequently refused; keep a mix of small and larger denominations.
Cards are accepted at many hotels, lodges and larger establishments, though acceptance thins out in rural areas and smaller towns, so carry some cash for tips, markets and incidentals. ATMs are available in cities and larger towns. It is worth telling your bank you are travelling so your cards are not blocked.
Health & vaccinations
A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required if you are arriving from, or have recently passed through, a country at risk of yellow fever transmission. If you are flying in directly from the UK, Europe or North America this usually does not apply, but check your full routing, including layovers.
Tanzania is a malaria area, so antimalarial prophylaxis is advised; speak to your GP or a travel clinic well before departure, and pack insect repellent, cover up at dawn and dusk, and use the bed nets provided. Drink bottled or properly treated water. Discuss routine and recommended travel vaccinations with a healthcare professional several weeks ahead, and travel with comprehensive medical and evacuation insurance.
Staying connected
Mobile coverage is good in cities, towns and many populated areas, though it fades out across remote stretches of the national parks, which is part of the appeal. A local SIM or eSIM from a major Tanzanian network gives affordable data; you will usually need your passport to register a physical SIM.
Most lodges and camps offer Wi-Fi, but in remote areas it can be slow, shared and intermittent. Treat time off-grid as a feature of the safari rather than a fault, and download maps, music and reading before you head into the bush.
Tipping
Tipping is customary and genuinely appreciated in Tanzania's tourism industry. On safari, your guide is central to the experience, and a tip for an excellent guide is the norm, along with something for camp and lodge staff, often left in a shared staff box.
Bring some cash, ideally in US dollars or shillings, set aside for tips, as it is hard to tip by card. If you are unsure what is appropriate, your Safari Specialist is always happy to give you sensible, current guidance before your trip.
Safety & etiquette
Tanzania is a welcoming and largely safe destination for visitors who take normal sensible precautions: watch your belongings in busy markets and bus stations, avoid displaying valuables, and use arranged transport at night. Always follow your guide's instructions on safari, as the wildlife is wild and the rules exist to keep you safe.
Tanzanians value courtesy and a friendly greeting; a little Swahili such as 'jambo' (hello) or 'asante' (thank you) goes a long way. Dress modestly away from the lodges, and always ask before photographing people. Around Zanzibar and other Muslim communities, be especially mindful of conservative dress and local customs.
Safari packing checklist
- Neutral earth-tone clothing (khaki, olive, beige, brown)
- Warm fleece or jacket for cold dawn game drives
- Lightweight long-sleeved shirts and trousers for sun and insects
- Sun hat, sunglasses and high-factor sunscreen
- Closed walking shoes plus comfortable sandals
- Insect repellent for malaria areas
- Universal travel adapter (types D and G) and a power bank
- Reusable water bottle
- Small first-aid kit and any personal medication, including antimalarials
- Binoculars for game viewing
- Camera with spare batteries and memory cards
- US dollar notes (2009 or newer) plus some shillings for tips and cash payments
- Modest clothing for towns, villages and Zanzibar
- Copies of your passport, visa, insurance and yellow fever certificate
Tanzania safaris to start from
Sample routes, not fixed departures — each is a starting point we rebuild around your dates, pace and budget.
Tanzania safari — common questions
- Do I need internal flights for a Tanzania safari?
- Not always, but they often make the trip better. The northern circuit — Tarangire, Ngorongoro, Lake Manyara — links well by road, while the Serengeti is large enough that a short light-aircraft flight saves long hours. We lay out the road-versus-fly choice with the cost of each.
Still deciding? Tell us your dates and we'll advise — no obligation.