Serengeti & Zanzibar Safari

Tanzania is home to some of the largest and most famous protected areas In Africa. Add to this Africa's highest point atop Mt Kilimanjaro, it's largest lake in Lake Victoria, nearly 900 miles of Indian Ocean coastline and exotic spice islands and you have a serious bucket-list destination!

All 16 national parks are diverse and fascinating in their own right. No doubt the star attractions are the wildlife-rich Ngorongoro Crater and the great wildebeest migration of the Serengeti and rightly so. Constructing a safari involves finding the right space in these popular areas and then mixing it with options from the chimpanzees in Mahale to cruising the Rufiji River in Selous or tracking elusive lions on the beach in Saadani. Some choose the challenge of the multi-day hikes up Mt Kilimanjaro or Mt Meru whilst others pack in as much safari as possible. With options to visit forests, arid zones, lakes and classic savanna there is alot to consider. Tourism infrastructure is well developed in some areas and still rustic in others so options to camp or stay 5 star are readily found. Distances can be great on rough roads, so use of easy flying safari routes should definitely be considered.

Whichever of these incredible holidays you choose, you will undoubtedly be welcomed by the fabulously friendly and peaceful Tanzanian people. 120 different ethnic groups make up this 'Swahili nation' and you will be enthralled by the language, culture and diverse food experience on offer. The most difficult part of creating your Tanzanian vacation is likely to be deciding where to go and for how long you can afford to stay!

Travellers to Tanzania require a valid Visa each time they enter the Republic. Visas can be obtained at any Diplomatic or Consulate Mission of the United Republic of Tanzania abroad, normally within one business day. Visitors are urged to do so to avoid any possible inconvenience at point of entry in Tanzania. If you do not have time to obtain a visa beforehand you are able to get one on arrival in Kilimanjaro. Please check well in advance of travel.

Update 2019: The Government of Tanzania has enacted a ban on the use of plastics in an effort to protect the environment. All travellers to Tanzania must be aware that no plastic carrier bags may be brought into the country. (Ziplock plastic bags for personal use storing toiletries and medicines are allowed but please be aware that one may still encounter problems with this.)

Currency

In Tanzania, the unit of currency is the Tanzanian Shilling, which is divided into 100 Cents. Notes are issued in denominations of 500, 1000, 2000, 5000, and 10000 Shillings. Coins are issued in denominations of 50, 100 and 200 Shillings.

Banking

Banks are open from 9:00am to 3:00pm Monday to Friday. Many banks are equipped with 24 hour ATM machines.

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 2006. Most banks offer higher exchange rates for US $ 100 / US $ 50 bank notes compared to US $ 20 / US $ 10 or US $ 5 bank notes.

If you are visiting a number of parks and reserves in Tanzania, you can either drive or fly between them. Roads in most of the wilderness areas are in poor condition and unmarked, and self-driving is not recommended. Operators will supply you with a driver who doubles as an informal guide; alternatively, you can arrange to fly to your destination and utilize a car and driver supplied by the lodgings. Elsewhere in Tanzania, towns and cities are linked by a steady stream of buses and dala-dalas (minibuses), and in the cities, there is public transport in the way of buses, dala-dalas, taxis, and, in some places, bicycles or tuk-tuks.

Precision Air run regular services, mostly via Dar es Salaam, Kilimanjaro or Zanzibar, to all main towns and other destinations in East Africa and beyond. All national parks and some of the top-end luxury lodges have airstrips and Coastal Air operates between these and the main airports on the mainland and the islands of Zanzibar, Pemba and Mafia. ZanAir has frequent connections between Zanzibar, Pemba and the mainland.

Driving is on the left hand side of the road

Being prepared will minimise travel health risks and allow you to enjoy your well-earned vacation!

Below is a summary to assist you in recognising & understanding some of the major travel health risks you may face whilst visiting Tanzania. This information does not replace getting advice from your doctor or trusted medical travel professional. We recommend ideally visiting them 6-8 weeks prior to departure. Check that your basic immunisations are up to date.

Hepatitis A: This is a viral disease of the liver which is transmitted through eating contaminated food or drinking contaminated water. It is the most common vaccine preventable disease that occurs in travellers to less developed areas of the world. It is strongly recommended for travel to Tanzania. Hepatitis B: This is a viral disease of the liver that is transmitted via blood, blood products or bodily fluids. It is vaccine preventable. Hepatitis B immunisation is now part of the childhood immunisation schedule. Many adult travellers have missed this very important immunisation & travel may be a good reason for vaccination. Typhoid Fever: is caused by a bacteria found in contaminated food & water. It is endemic in the developing world & vaccination is recommended for travellers to areas where environmental sanitation & personal hygiene may be poor. The adventurous eater venturing ‘off the beaten’ path should certainly consider vaccination. Tetanus, Pertussis & Diphtheria: Tetanus is caused by a toxin released by a common dust or soil bacteria, which enters the body through a wound. Diphtheria is a bacterial infection of the throat & occasionally of the skin. It is found world wide & is transmitted from person-to-person by coughing & sneezing. Pertussis (Whooping cough) is a highly infectious respiratory infection responsible for 300,000 deaths annually, mainly in children. Diphtheria & pertussis vaccines can be added to the tetanus vaccine. Because many adults no longer have immunity from childhood immunisation it is advised that travellers to less developed countries have a tetanus, diphtheria & pertussis booster. Measles, Mumps & Rubella: Childhood immunisation coverage in many developing countries is not good. As such, travellers whose birth date is after 1966 should check they have had 2 doses of measles vaccine. Since 1990 this may have been as the combination vaccine MMR (measles, mumps & rubella). Those born prior to 1966 are most likely to have long term immunity from previous exposure as a child. Chickenpox: This very common infectious disease can now be prevented through immunisation. Many people miss the disease in childhood only to have a significant illness as an adult. Travel puts one at higher risk of exposure & if one cannot elicit a history of having had the illness, a test can show whether the traveller is at risk.

Most camps, lodges or hotels cater specifically to tourists and serve Western-style food, ranging in standard, but generally are excellent. Game lodges tend to offer a daily set menu with a limited selection, so it is advisable to have your tour operator specify in advance if you are a vegetarian or have other specific dietary requirements. First-time visitors to Africa might take note that most game lodges in and around the national parks have isolated locations, and driving within the parks is neither permitted nor advisable after dark, so that there is no realistic alternative to eating at your lodge.

Tap water in Tanzania is generally not safe to drink, and most travellers try to stick to mineral water. Filtered and bottled water can be difficult to find you are travelling outside of main town and so it is advisable to stock up. Most camps, lodges and hotels have bottled water readily available.

Just south of the equator, Tanzania is huge and its sheer size means that the climate varies considerably within it. However, generally the main rainy season, or the 'long rains', lasts during about March, April and May. Afternoon tropical downpours are the norm – which are heavier and more predictable beside the coast and on the islands. The humidity is high and daily temperatures reach the low-mid 30°s.

The long dry season lasts throughout June, July, August, September and October is when rainfall is unusual, even on the islands. Temperatures vary hugely with altitude and location, but it's usually a fine, clear sky and sunny weather – it's a great time to visit Tanzania. During November and December there's another rainy season: the 'short rains'. These are much lighter than the main rains and less reliable.

If it has rained during the short rains, then it normally dries up for a few months, January and February, which is Tanzania's 'short dry season', before starting to rain again in earnest in March.

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.

If visiting Zanzibar or any coastal town don't forget to take a swimsuit, as it is invariably warm. Ladies are recommended to take cotton skirts, blouses and dresses. Sandals are a must for this environment! On the beaches and within the confines of hotels, normal swimwear is acceptable but nudity is not.

Be mindful that as over a third of the population in Tanzania is Muslim, it is therefore not etiquette in Zanzibar outside of resorts and in larger cities for ladies to walk around in public displaying their legs and shoulders. Remember to dress modestly as short shorts, miniskirts, vests and tank tops will be frowned upon. Please note this does not apply whilst on safari or at your resort.

Tanzania has good Internet Service Providers with email and internet services offered by many hotels and lodges (free / paid). In most towns there are plenty of private business centres and cyber cafes offering email and internet access, although the speeds might be somewhat slower than what you are used to. 

For Tanzania you will need adaptors BS 546 (5 A/250 V earthed). This plug is commonly used in countries colonized by the British as well as the standard British 3-pin rectangular blade plug or the “13- amp plug”. The official name is BS 1363 (British 13 A/230-240 V 50 Hz earthed and fused).

Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Kilimanjaro, Zanzibar, the names roll off the tongue like a roster call of Africa’s most alluring destinations, all packed into one country. Resonating with hints of the wild and exotic, these four alone are reason enough to justify packing your bag and heading off to Tanzania. Within the space of several hours, it’s possible to go from lazing on idyllic beaches to exploring moss- covered ruins of ancient Swahili city-states; from climbing mist- covered slopes in the Southern Highlands to trekking through the barren landscapes around the active Ol Doinyo Lengai, guided by a spear- carrying Maasai warrior.

Yet, despite its attractions, Tanzania has managed for the most part to remain unassuming and low-key. It has also remained enviably untouched by the tribal rivalries and political upheavals that plague many of its neighbours, and this – combined with a booming tourism industry – makes it an ideal choice for both first-time visitors and Africa old hands. The diversity and size of the national parks is unparalled in Africa.