Sacred Places of the Maasai

The name Tanzania conjures up images of wildebeest stampeding across vast savannah, rain forests teeming with monkeys and birdlife, and great plains brimming with legions of game. All of these natural wonders and more are on offer in this exceptionally diverse African nation. Visitors typically visit Tanzania to partake in at least one of the four well-known Tanzanian tourist experiences: a relaxing seaside vacation on the picturesque island paradise of Zanzibar, an underwater tour of some of the world’s most renowned dive sites around the gorgeous Spice Islands, a safari adventure in some of Africa’s most impressive game reserves, or a hiking excursion around Mount Kilimanjaro National Park. Whichever of these incredible holidays you choose, you will undoubtedly be welcomed by some fabulously friendly and peaceful inhabitants who, despite being divided into 120 different ethnic groups and cultures, live in harmony with one another and provide some of the most wonderfully exotic local cuisine you could imagine. With all of this diversity on offer, the most difficult part of your Tanzanian holiday experience is likely to be deciding where to go!

All visitors to Tanzania must have a valid passport which needs to be valid for 6 months after return date of travel and have at least 3 blank pages in it. Except for exempted countries all visitors require a visa to enter Tanzania. South Africans visiting on holiday currently do not require a visa. Visas are currently US$ 50 per person, single entry for most other nationalities. An exception is US citizens for whom a single-entry visa is US$100

Clients arriving without a visa need to complete the following process:

•    Queue for a Government Control Number
•    Queue to pay for this at the bank (USD cash, correct amount recommended)
•    Queue for Immigration to check and issue the visa

Unfortunately it’s a time-consuming process, and guests can expect long delays.

We recommend that all visitors to Tanzania apply via the e-visa portal: 

https://eservices.immigration.go.tz/visa. The online process asks for more information than a visa on arrival, and visas are issued within 2 - 3 weeks.

In Tanzania, the unit of currency is the Tanzanian Shilling. 

Credit cards and travellers checks are not widely accepted in Tanzania. Where they are accepted can high service fees and poor exchange rates be expected. Major foreign currencies - particularly US $ - are accepted in Tanzania and are convertible at banks and bureau de changes in the main towns and tourist areas. If bringing cash in US $, please make sure bank notes are in good condition, with no cuts or damage and are not older than 2004. Most banks offer higher exchange rates for US $ 100 / US $ 50 bank notes compared to US $ 20 / US $ 10 or US $ 5 bank notes.

Your private tailor-made safari is just that – personally designed for you, making  your journey with us fairly flexible. Our professional guides look forward to sharing their knowledge and passion for their beautiful country with you, so please feel free to discuss each day with them before setting off. On a ‘drive in’ safari they’ll do their best to break the drives between game parks with visits to local villages or places of historical/ cultural interest, ensuring your transfers are far from boring. 

Currently the situation is that officially, yellow fever vaccines are no longer required to enter Tanzania unless you have been via an endemic area. However, on the ground, it often differs and you are likely to be ASKED FOR YELLOW FEVER certificate, even if you have only been in transit via Nairobi. We strongly suggest you have a Yellow Fever vaccination in any case , as regulations can change and often staff at border posts have the incorrect information on this , which can cause delays.

http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/page/traveler-information-center

Food and water safety: 
Can you drink the tap water: No 
Fresh fruit and veg: Yes 
Ice: No 
Meat: Yes 
Street food: Yes 

Local cuisine: Tanzanian cuisine reflects its diverse cultural influences, offering a blend of Indian, Arab, and European flavors. Staple foods include ugali (maize porridge), nyamachoma (grilled meat), pilau (spiced rice), and chapati. Traditional dishes like mshikaki (marinated meat skewers) and samosas are popular street foods. Don't miss trying the Swahili cuisine with its rich seafood dishes. 

Drinks: Notable local drinks include Tangawizi (ginger soda), Tembo (local beer), and Konyagi (a spirit). 

Tipping: 10-15% 

Annual rainfall: Varies by region, averaging around 1,000 mm 
Average temperature: 25°C 

Summer: 
Average highs: 30°C 
Average lows: 20°C 

Winter: 
Average highs: 25°C 
Average lows: 15°C 

Best time to visit: The best time to visit Tanzania is during the dry season, from June to October, when wildlife viewing in national parks like Serengeti and Ngorongoro is optimal. 

It never gets really cold in Tanzania so lightweight clothing, preferably cotton or linen, is recommended. While on a game viewing safari, avoid brightly coloured clothing, stick to whites, beiges, khakis and browns. There may be long days sitting in safari vehicles, so it is advisable to wear light comfortable clothing such as short sleeved shirts and cotton/linen trousers or shorts. Denim will become too hot and extremely uncomfortable. Walking shoes and socks will be required.

The evenings will be chilly, so long sleeved shirts and trousers should be worn. A sweater may be needed. These will also prevent you being bitten by insects. A hat should be worn at all times outside. The sun may sometimes not feel hot, but it can still easily burn, especially if it is cloudy and overcast.