15 Day Tanzania & Zanzibar Ultimate Luxury

Welcome to Tanzania, a land of contrasts and extremes!

When you think of Tanzania, images of the Serengeti, the Great Migration, and the Maasai may come to mind. But Tanzania has so much more to offer. It is home to the continent's largest lake, Lake Victoria, as well as the deepest, Lake Tanganyika. Here, you'll also find Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa and the tallest free-standing mountain in the world.

Tanzania’s vegetation is incredibly diverse, ranging from lava rock deserts to the eternal ice of Kilimanjaro’s glaciers. Two-thirds of the country is covered by dry forests and savannas, with the Miombo woodlands serving as transitional zones between savannas and tropical mountain rainforests. In the southern and western regions, you’ll find famous national parks like Gombe, Mahale, and Udzungwa.

Tanzania is renowned not only for its rich wildlife and vegetation but also for its diverse culture. Over 100 languages and dialects are spoken across the country, and throughout history, various regional art and cultural traditions have developed. One example is the Makonde woodcarving tradition, widely practiced in southeastern Tanzania and northeastern Mozambique.

Visitors to the Mwenge Market in Dar es Salaam can watch artists at work and admire a wide range of carvings. Traditionally, these carvings were made from precious ebony. However, due to its slow growth rate and resulting scarcity, ebony is now often replaced with African blackwood, which also has a distinguished appearance.

Please keep in mind that during your travels in Tanzania, you may encounter unforeseen or unexpected situations. Flexibility, patience, and an open mind are always valuable companions and often the key to a wonderful journey.

• A tourist visa is mandatory and must be obtained online in advance via the official e-visa portal. https://visa.immigration.go.tz
• Visa fee: USD 50 per person (single-entry, valid up to 90 days).
• Passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the date of entry.
• Entry is denied to travelers bringing in plastic bags – plastic bag ban in effect since June 1, 2019.

Important for Zanzibar:

• All travelers (even those in transit) must purchase mandatory ZIC Health Insurance.
  • Cost: USD 44 per adult
  • This applies to all tourists entering Zanzibar since October 1, 2024.

• Official currency: Tanzanian Shilling (TZS)
• US dollars (USD) are widely accepted and preferred over Euros, which are rarely used.
• Credit cards (Visa, MasterCard) are accepted in most hotels and larger establishments.
• ATMs are available but use them cautiously and never accept assistance from strangers.

Travel Tips:

• Always carry some cash for tipping and small purchases.
• Avoid paying in Euros: rates are often unfavorable and calculated 1:1 with USD.
• In Zanzibar, withdraw cash at the airport as ATMs on the island are limited.

• Luggage restrictions for domestic bush flights:
  • Max 20 kg per person in soft-sided bags only
  • Recommended dimensions: 25 x 30 x 62 cm
• Hard-shell suitcases are not accepted on small aircraft.

Medical Care

• Medical standards vary significantly: urban areas offer private clinics and hospitals of international standard, while rural areas are more limited.
• Comprehensive travel health insurance including emergency evacuation is strongly recommended. Prepayment is often required before treatment.

Vaccinations & Travel Medicine

• No mandatory vaccinations for entry from the US/UK, unless arriving from or transiting through a yellow fever risk area (in which case proof of yellow fever vaccination is required).
• Recommended vaccinations:
  • Routine immunizations (e.g., Tetanus, MMR, seasonal flu)
  • Hepatitis A
  • Depending on your itinerary: Hepatitis B, Typhoid, Rabies
• Malaria risk is present throughout most of the country, including Zanzibar and national parks. Preventive medication is strongly advised.

Health Advice

• Consult a travel health specialist 4–6 weeks before departure.
• Bring high-SPF sunscreen and insect repellent (available locally too).
• Seek medical attention if you develop a fever during or after your trip.

• Avoid walking alone at night or in isolated areas.
• Keep valuables, cash, and important documents securely stored.
• Use only registered taxis or recommended transfer services.
• Withdraw cash only from ATMs in secure locations (e.g., inside banks or shopping malls).
• Lodges often require safety briefings and liability waivers upon check-in.

Emergency Numbers:

• Police / Fire / Ambulance: 112 / 111
• U.S. Embassy in Tanzania: + 255-22-229-4000
• British Embassy Tanzania: +255 777 333 287

• Local specialties include:
  • Ugali (maize porridge), chapati, flavorful curries, and grilled meats or seafood.
  • Tropical fruits like mango, jackfruit, and passionfruit.
• Popular drinks: Coconut water, fresh juices, Tanzanian coffee

Tap water is not safe to drink – use sealed bottled water, avoid ice cubes and raw food washed in tap water.

• An Küsten (z. B. Dar es Salaam): heiß & feucht (25–30 °C), Regenzeiten: März–Mai und Nov–Dez.
• Inland / Hochland (Arusha, Kilimandscharo): tagsüber ≈ 20 °C, nachts kühl – ggf. Frost oder Schnee auf dem Kilimandscharo.

• Sandals for the lodge, sturdy shoes for safaris and walks.
• Avoid blue clothing – it attracts tsetse flies.
• Best colors: beige, khaki, olive for safari environments.
• Zanzibar dress etiquette is important:
  • In towns and villages: Shoulders and knees should be covered, especially for women.
  • Respect for cultural and religious customs is mandatory and enforced by local authorities.

Tip: Choose lightweight, breathable layers (cotton/linen). Dress modestly outside hotels and beaches.

• Most hotels offer Wi-Fi.
• For mobile internet, buy a local SIM card (e.g., Airtel, Vodacom) at official stores or petrol stations.
• Alternatively, consider a global eSIM like Airalo for convenient data access.

• Voltage: 230–240 V / 50 Hz
• Plug types: Type D and G (UK plug is usable, but bring a universal adapter).
• Power outages may occur, especially in rural or safari areas.

Tip: Pack a power bank and portable flashlight for outages.

Time Zone

• Tanzania is +3 hours ahead of GMT.
• Difference to UK time: +3 hours (winter), +2 hours (summer)
• Difference to US (Eastern): +8 hours (winter), +7 hours (summer)

Tipping Guidelines

Tipping is not mandatory but greatly appreciated, as many service workers rely on it. Suggested amounts:

• Safari guide or private driver: USD 12–18 per person/day
• Lodge staff or ranger: USD 10–20/day (pooled staff tip box)
• Porter, cleaner, camp cook: USD 5/day
• Restaurants: 10–15% if not already included
• Taxi drivers: Round up, typically USD 5–10 depending on distance

Final Tips

• Bring flexibility, patience, and a spirit of adventure – it makes all the difference.
• Respect local customs, be polite, and take time to connect with locals – Tanzanians are warm and welcoming.