7 Days Wild Side Tanzania Safari

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!

Zanzibar to introduce mandatory insurance fee. Please ensure you hold a paper copy of your Travel Insurance to show to the immigration officer as the Mobile phone signal at Zanzibar airport is very poor.

Zanzibar officials have announced that from 01 October 2024, all travellers to Zanzibar will be required to purchase their inbound travel insurance at a cost of USD $44.00 per person (adult and child). Coverages is valid for 92 days and only valid during the time in Zanzibar. However, it does remain valid for multiple stays in Zanzibar during the 92 day period. 

The insurance coverage can only be purchased through the Zanzibar Insurance Corporation and is mandatory, even if travellers have other travel insurance. The government will provide a QR code to the link (not yet available) where the insurance can be purchased. Travellers will have to provide proof of purchase on arrival. The policy will be sent to travellers by email. We will update you when the QR Code is ready for use. Travellers who fail to purchase the insurance policy may be denied entry to Zanzibar.

Currency 

Local currency: Tanzanian Shilling 
Symbol: TSh 
ISO code: TZS 
Subunit: Cent 
Banknotes: 500, 1000, 2000, 5000, 10000, and 20000 shillings 
Coins: 1, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, and 200 shillings 

Banking 

Card Transactions: Yes 
ATMs: Yes 
Mastercard: Yes 
Visa: Yes 
American Express: No 
Diner’s club: No 

Banking Hours: 
Weekdays: 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM 
Weekends: Closed 
Public Holidays: Yes (limited hours) 
Foreign exchange services: Yes 

Air: 
Main airlines: Air Tanzania, Precision Air 
International Airports: Julius Nyerere International Airport (Dar es Salaam), Kilimanjaro International Airport 
Domestic Airports: Zanzibar International Airport 

Road: 
Driving on the: Left 
Tar roads: Yes 
Gravel roads: Yes 
Valid International Driver's License needed: Yes 
Car hire available: Yes 
Taxis: Yes 
E-hailing services: No 

Bus: 
Inter-city bus services: Yes 
Local city bus networks: Yes 

Rail: 
Railway system: Limited 
Subway System: No 

Water: 
Ferries: Yes 
Water taxis: Yes 
Leisure cruises: Yes 

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. 

Spring and Summer 
Cool, light, breathable and comfortable: Yes 
Lightweight warm clothes: No 

Winter and Autumn 
Jerseys, cardigans, sweaters, jackets: Recommended 
Heavyweight clothing and boots: No 

General 
Umbrella and raincoat: Yes 
Warm gloves, hat and scarf: Yes 
Swimming costume (bathing suit): Yes 
Hat, sunglasses and sunblock: Yes 
Walking shoes: Yes 
Casual: Yes 
Smart-casual attire: Yes 

As you will be travelling in vehicles and aircraft with limited space, luggage is required to be packed in a soft bag weighing a maximum of 15kg (33 lbs) which includes hand luggage and camera equipment. Type of luggage & dimensions: Soft bags with maximum dimensions of 35cm (13.7 inches) wide x 40 cm (15.7 inches) high and 70 cm (27.5 inches) long.

No hard suitcases are allowed, and oversized bags may not be carried on your lap. An additional seat can be booked for extra luggage, subject to availability. Airline luggage requirements will vary slightly between airlines – some will allow rigid frames or wheels according to strict internal guidelines. We recommend soft bags with correct dimensions as a default but can provide specific and up-to-date luggage rules on request.

These rules are often updated without notification so are best checked nearer departure. When travelling to any of our destinations in Africa, please remember that possession of wildlife trophies is illegal. A wildlife trophy is defined as “any protected animal, game animal, or game bird, alive or dead and any bone, claw, egg, feather, hair, hoof, skin, tooth, tusk or other durable portion whatsoever of that animal or bird or fish or other aquatic life whether processed, added to or changed by the work of man or not, which is recognizable as such a durable portion”. Any person found in possession of these restricted items, without the necessary permits, will be liable to a fine and/or prison term, with the said item being confiscated. In Kenya, certain items made from the ostrich and crocodile skin, both of which are being reared for the purpose, would be permitted as proper permits are issued by the dealers.

Plastic Bags Banned in Kenya and Tanzania Kenya and Tanzania join over 40 countries that have made plastic bags illegal, in a positive effort to reduce the impact on our environment. The ban applies to carrier bags with handles (and with or without gussets), and flat bags without handles and without gussets. The only exception is for re-sealable ‘Zip-Lock’ type bags remaining in guest luggage through the trip – only applicable to Tanzania. If you are travelling to Kenya and Tanzania, plastic bags that match the above description, including duty free bags, will be confiscated at the airport. However, there is a bigger risk that if anyone is caught using these plastic bags, the fine is KS h4 000 000 (approximately USD 38 000) or a prison sentence of up to four years. If you are travelling to these countries, please refrain from using all forms of ‘disposable’ plastic bags in both main luggage and hand luggage, to avoid inconveniences and possible prosecution. While we are aware that certain countries require carry on liquids to be packaged in clear bags for security reasons , we recommend purchasing a clear, non-disposable toiletry bag, as an alternative to zip-lock bags, when travelling to Kenya and Tanzania