7 Day Safari Tours - Tanzania

This Update: July 2021

AN OVERVIEW

With Uganda in the North, Kenya in the North-east, Mozambique and Malawi in the South, Zambia in the South-west, Rwanda, Burundi and the DRC in the West, the United Republic of Tanzania in East Africa lies within the African Great Lakes region. Three of Africa's Great Lakes are partly within the country: Lake Victoria, Africa's largest lake, Lake Tanganyika, the continent's deepest lake, known for its unique species of fish, and Lake Malawi. Tanzania’s hot and humid eastern shore has the Zanzibar (Unguja) Archipelago, with Pemba and Mafia Island just offshore and is home to Zanzibar's largest marine protected area - the Menai Bay Conservation Area.

People have lived in Tanzania for over 6 million years, and many important hominid fossils have been found here. The oldest remains are found near Lake Olduvai. German rule began in mainland Tanzania during the late 19th century when Germany formed German East Africa. At the end of World War 1, Tanzania fell under British rule with the mainland known as Tanganyika. The Zanzibar Archipelago had a separate colonial jurisdiction. After independence in 1961 and 1963, the two entities merged in 1964 to form the United Republic of Tanzania. The country is still a member of the Commonwealth.

With a population slightly smaller than South Africa, Tanzania is the second most populous country located entirely south of the Equator. The population is composed of about 120 ethnic, linguistic, and religious groups. Over 100 different languages are spoken in Tanzania, making it the most linguistically diverse country in East Africa. The national language is Swahili and is used in parliament, the lower courts, and in primary school education. English is used in foreign trade, in diplomacy, in higher courts, and in secondary and higher education, although this may be discontinued in the future.

Like most Eastern and Southern African countries, Tanzania is most famous for its non-urban landscapes and wildlife. It is the quintessential African landscape known to the rest of the world.

The second highest uninterrupted waterfall in Africa and the 12th highest in the world, the Kalambo Falls, is located on the Kalambo River and apart from being One of the most important archaeological sites in the whole of Africa, forms the border of Tanzania and Zambia, before flowing into the famous Lake Tanganyika. The Kalambo is 235 meters high. It is one of the more remote waterfalls in Africa. To reach it requires a 3-to-4-hour hike through the spray of the crashing water, up the side of the falls in a stunning mix of steep gorge and lush plateaus.

One of the most famous mountains in the world, and which is part of the ‘Seven Summits’ is Tanzania’s Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa's highest mountain stands at 5895 meters above sea-level. Africa’s lowest point, 1471 meters below sea-level, is the floor of Lake Tanganyika.

Highly biodiverse, Tanzania is most famous among travellers for the vast lands set aside for its over 21 National parks, reserves, 1 conservation area, and 3 marine parks, spread over more than 42,000 square kilometres and around 38% of the nation's area. The game and forest reserves, include the Gombe Stream National Park where Jane Goodall's ongoing study of chimpanzee behaviour takes place, the unique Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Tarangire National Park, Lake Manyara National Park and the world-famous Serengeti National Park. Huge migrations take place across the Serengeti every year between June and September. More than 2 million wildebeest and 200,000 zebras migrate in a constant clockwise fashion a distance of 2,900 kilometres from the Serengeti in Tanzania to the Masai Mara in Kenya, searching for food and water supplies. This migration is listed among the Seven Natural Wonders of Africa.

The ‘Big Five’ - buffalo, elephant, leopard, lion, and rhinoceros, as well as reptiles, and birds can be found in the national parks and game reserves across the country.

There is much to see and enjoy in Tanzania. Safaris and the Great Migration, not to mention Mt Kilimanjaro obviously, but also Mount Meru, the old slave market, the Kikuletwa hot springs, historic Stone Town, the spice island of Zanzibar, and Prison Island with an array of exotic inhabitants of the wildlife variety. Have a unique dinner on a sunset cruise in a dhow off the coast, and snorkeling among marine creatures and thriving coral reefs in crystal-clear water at Nakupenda Beach, Paje Beach and Blue Lagoon. Explore the ruins of the long-vanished community of Kilwa Kisiwani, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Currency
TSh, the Tanzanian shilling, or shilingi in Swahili, is made up of 100 cents, or senti. The cost of items is written in the same way as British prices used to be before the UK changed to decimalisation. One of the quirks left over from colonial times. It looks like this: shilling amount/cents amount. An equals sign (=) denotes a zero amount. So, for example, a product which costs 5 shillings and 45 cents will be written as 5/45, whereas a product which costs only 45 cents is written as =/45.

Currently in circulation bank notes come in denominations of 500, 1000, 2000, 5000 and 10,000 shilingi. Coins, all of which are brass except for the 500 shilling, which is nickel-plated steel, come in denominations of 50, 100, 200, and 500. Don’t be confused if you hear people using the word bob! This is also a remnant of former British colonial times and is slang for a shilling.

The Banks of Tanzania
Among the 40 international banks in Tanzania some of the most well-known are Barclays Bank of Tanzania, Citibank, First National Bank of Tanzania, Stanbic Bank Tanzania Limited, and Standard Chartered Bank

Money can easily be exchanged at all banks, but we suggest only transacting with the international banks. However, all major banks, exchange bureaus, and some hotels will exchange your currency. Don’t bother with traveller’s cheques; they are more hassle than they’re worth.

Twenty-four-hour exchange services also exist at the airports in Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar. U.S. dollars, British pounds, and euros are the easiest currencies to exchange, and most safari destinations, upmarket resorts and hotels quote their prices these currencies, but the exchange rate will work against you. If you aren’t staying in upmarket accommodation then it’s worth remembering that the further you are from major urban hubs, the less likely stores and artisans will be willing to accept foreign currency. Make sure you have some Tanzanian shillings on you for expenses such as tipping, shopping, restaurant and bar visits, and incidental expenses.

Banks in Tanzania have been known not to accept older U.S. bills (2006 and earlier) as they are easy to forge. Try to carry only new ones.

Whatever you do, don’t change money on the black market. Not only is it illegal but, at the worst, you risk being arrested, and you don’t want to go to jail in Africa. At the least, you may, more than likely, be swindled if you operate in the black market. The easiest and best way to get cash away from home is from an ATM. More information on that lower down.

The most important thing to remember is that Tanzania does not allow you to export currency, so plan to have as little local currency on you before heading to the airport to fly home.

Credit and Debit Cards
Be sure to inform your bank of your travel plans so that your card is not blocked due to suspected fraud. Importantly, Visa is preferred to Mastercard which also carries a 5% surcharge per swipe. Most places won’t accept other cards such as American Express, and Diner’s Club will elicit only blanks looks and a firm ‘No!’. Some small safari camps don’t have credit card facilities and settlement of your outstanding account will be expected to be made in cash. In Arusha or Moshi even up market restaurants have been known to refuse credit card payments under $80. There will also be a 5% to 7.5% surcharge on any credit card bill. Be sure to keep your receipts if you do use credit or debit cards in Tanzania, so that if a charge looks mysterious when you return home, you’ll have a paper trail to prove the miscalculation.

ATM Withdrawals and Cash
Most banks in Tanzania have ATMs. They take four-digit PINs. However, remember that outside the major cities of Arusha, Moshi, Dar, Zanzibar, etc., they are few and far between. Withdraw what you need before you head off into the remoter areas. The daily maximum you can withdraw is 400,000TSh, less than USD $200. Overseas withdrawals may charge an additional fee by your home bank.

Banking Hours
Banking hours differ from bank to bank. Stanbic Bank’s operating hours are Monday-Friday between 6am to 10pm and Saturday, Sunday and public holidays between 8am and 4pm. Absa Bank Tanzania Limited’s working hours are 8:30am to 5pm. Please acquaint yourself with the working hours of the bank of your choice.

On a more general note, the average work week in Tanzania is Monday to Friday and usually between 8am and 5pm, unless you’re in Zanzibar, when business closes on Friday afternoons.

By Air
Travelling by plane is the quickest and most comfortable option for long distance travel in Tanzania. Julius Nyerere International Airport is the main international airport and is in Dar es Salaam, the largest city in Tanzania. It used to be the capital but that honour now falls to Dodoma.

There are 27 airports in Tanzania, not counting those on the island of Zanzibar. There are a few domestic airlines linking the most popular safari destinations and providing flights to the coast. But the number of internal flights is limited and they will probably be ‘milk runs’, stopping at a number of destinations along the way to drop off or pick up passengers. However, if you are staying at one of the more upmarket safari lodges, they will probably have their own airstrips and use small planes operated by private air charter companies. A word of advice – it’s best not to schedule any domestic flights too close to your international departure in case your internal flight is delayed or cancelled. All taxes are included in the price of an air ticket.

By Road
You must be over 23 years of age to hire a car in Tanzania. You will need an International Driver’s licence on the mainland. If you are on Zanzibar, you will need a Zanzibar Driving Permit which you can obtain from your car hire company. In Tanzania, you drive on the LEFT. If you can. We say this because the roads are not always well maintained and frequent potholes are a problem, and everyone does pretty much as they please. Traffic in Dar es Salaam is famously chaotic.

Keep your speed down. Non-residential areas the speed limit is 120kms per hour and 60 in residential areas. Wearing a seatbelt is compulsory. The network of tarred roads connecting major towns is usually in good shape. Beyond this though the roads will be best handled in a 4 x 4 safari vehicle equipped with extra jerry cans of fuel, a shovel and a jack, particularly in the wet seasons, when the roads is parks and reserves often become impassable. A 4 x 4 is essential.

Avoid driving at night in rural areas because of the danger of domestic and wild animals on the road. In all parts of Africa, the best advice is never drive too close behind a bus or a mini-van taxi as they brake without warning. Always watch for disembarking passengers darting across the road.

If you are looking for parking in a town, it will usually involve paying a parking attendant on the street a small fee, and they will display a ticket on your windshield.

By Public Transport
If you are travelling over water, there are ferry services from Dar es Salaam to Zanzibar, and an overnight steamer on Lake Victoria between Bukoba and Mwanza.

On land, and if you're on a budget, the best and cheapest way to travel is by bus. Large buses and dala-dala crisscross the country, linking major towns. The longer routes link Dar es Salaam with the Kenyan cities of Nairobi and Mombasa. The most reasonably efficient and comfortable buses are operated by Scandinavian Express. You can choose your seat onscreen in their modern ticket offices in each of the towns and cities. Their buses are speed governed, most have air-conditioning, and complimentary drinks and biscuits/cookies are offered onboard. Royal Coach is the only other reputable bus company and runs a dedicated route between Dar es Salaam and Arusha. Be vigilant at the bus stations, as petty theft can be a problem.

For short distance travel there are regular taxis. Boda-bodas are a cheap and fun way to travel over short distances but be prepared to hang on tightly. For short distances in the beach resorts along the coast Tuk-tuks are available.  Negotiate the fee before climbing aboard.

By Rail
There are two railways that cross Tanzania and offer three to four services per week. However, the railways are not reliable with breakdowns and cancellations a frequent occurrence. Traveling by bus is generally safer, quicker, and cheaper. If you insist on traveling by rail, you should opt for first class as third class consists of wooden seating only and apart from sharing the space with other people, the car is often crowded with sacks of vegetables and livestock. Even in first class you must always lock your door, and NEVER leave your possessions unguarded. Thefts are common. You will most likely be handed a piece of wood by the stewards so you can jam your window to prevent it being opened from outside during night stops. Rail travel is also very slow in Tanzania.

In South Africa, it’s called pap, in Zimbabwe, sadza. In Zambia it’s known as nshima. In Tanzania, as in Kenya, the same cooked porridge is called ugali. This is the basic foundation of the diet of Kenyan locals. Eaten with your hands rather than with cutlery.

Tanzanian food is full of flavour, an exotic blend between African, Arabic and Indian cuisines and well worth trying. Even Western dishes will have Tanzanian spices among their ingredients. The cuisine includes, chicken, fish or seafood, beef, rice, beans, Indian chapattis and samosas, as well as an abundance of fresh fruit.  Food is often served on a large platter and shared especially if there is rice involved. On Zanzibar, one of the unique customs is to chew on cloves before the main meal. Street food is as delicious and is rich in carbs and proteins.

Tea is the most popular drink in Tanzania. The locals prefer chai tea. Coffee is another favourite and is often sold by street vendors. Fruit juices from pineapple, orange, tamarind, and sugar cane are also great ways to quench your thirst in this hot, tropical country.

The drinking age in Tanzania is 18. Local beers include Kibo Gold, Serengeti Lager and Tusker, while mbege is a beer made from bananas. As this is home-brewed there is little quality control and the degree of fermentation depends on how it was made, when it was made and how it was stored.

Along the coast and on the islands, the majority of the population are Muslim.  Alcohol is sold in tourist hotels but is not available in local restaurants.

Tap water in Tanzania is not safe to drink without filtering and boiling it first. You'll be briefed on the quality of the water and whether it's drinkable at each accommodation while on safari. Most places will provide bottled or filtered water in your room or tent. It may be added to the bill. Be wary of ice in drinks. Even washed salads and fruits can be tricky. If you can, rewash fruit using filtered and boiled water. Avoid reheated food or food that has been sitting around. This applies to both street food and food at a hotel buffet.

Tanzania has a pleasant, tropical climate but has large regional climatic variations influenced by several factors, including altitude. The hottest and most humid part of the country is the coast. Other low-lying areas, such as the western and southern parks, are also hot, but less humid. The rest of the interior is much milder and cools down significantly at night. Unlike Northern Hemisphere countries, Tanzania doesn’t have the 4 seasons of Summer, Autumn, Winter and Spring. Instead, like other Southern and East African countries, it has a distinct dry and wet season instead.

The Dry Season (June, July, August, September and October)
Afternoon temperatures are usually between 20 and 30°C. They vary greatly depending on altitude and location. Most days have a fine, clear sky and sunny weather. As it cools off at night, make sure you have some warm clothing like jeans and a jersey or a jacket as morning game drives in open vehicles will be cold, especially in the northern parks.

The Wet Season (November, December, January, February, March, April and May)
During most of the Wet season, afternoon temperatures are consistently hot at around 30°C. Above 1300m it is cooler and in most northern parks, mornings can be colder because of the high altitude. The most significant factor though is that the season is divided into the ‘Short Rains’ and the ‘Long Rains’.

The Short Rains:
November and December. This short period is unpredictable in its rainfall, and in Northern Tanzania, it can even happen in October. The rains will rarely interfere with your safari. January and February. There is often a break in rains in January and February especially in the northern parks and coastal areas. The other parks don't really experience a dry spell.

The Long Rains:
March, April, and May. These are the wettest months of the year. Humidity is high and daily temperatures reach the low-mid 30°Cs, especially in the hotter southern and western parks. Afternoon tropical downpours are the norm although not often for the whole day. The storms are heavier and more predictable along the coast and on the islands.

Sunblock, a brimmed hat and sunglasses are a good idea all year-round. Long-sleeved shirts and long trousers will also guard against the scorching sun rays and jeans and a jersey or a jacket will keep you warm on the early morning game drives. We recommend you wear light shoes, especially if your itinerary entails a lot of walking, unless you are hiking, then hiking boots are a necessity. Malaria is common in Tanzania. Cover up at night, use a 30% DEET product and take anti-malaria medication – you may have to start this medication before you leave home. Obtaining your yellow fever certificate before leaving home is also a good idea.

The Dry Season (June, July, August, September and October)
Light clothing for the day and jeans and a jersey or a jacket at night and for morning game drives will be all you should need.

The Wet Season (November, December, January, February, March, April and May)
Afternoon temperatures are consistently hot at around 30°C. Above 1300m it is cooler and in most northern parks, mornings can be colder because of the high altitude. The diversity of people living in Tanzania means there is a diverse cultural, religious, and customary dress styles. This is perhaps why there’s no strict or standardized dress code. But please be cognisant of the fact that many Tanzanians choose to dress conservatively, especially on the coast where the majority of the population is Muslim. Tanzania is a popular tourist destination, so they are used to more casual dress among travellers, however, if you are at the coast, it would be prudent, and polite, and have shorts, a skirt, a sarong or a wrap, and a T shirt to wear while walking from the pool or the beach back to your hotel, or while you wander the markets and shops.

Due to the heat and humidity, it’s best to wear light, cotton clothing.

When on business
If you are doing business in the country, especially in the corporate sector, business attire is preferred. Smart casual is probably best.

When on Safari
Please remember to wear appropriate clothing and shoes. Earth coloured clothes, such as browns, greens and tans are advisable. You don’t want to stand out as a tasty morsel to hungry lions. And on that note, if you are in the game parks, do not get out of your vehicle and keep the doors locked. If lions are around, close the windows.

When out on the town
If you are dining at an upmarket restaurant or seeing a show, smart-casual attire is recommended.

In April 2021, Tanzania was, for the 2nd year in a row, the country where smartphone internet access was the cheapest in East Africa. In 2019, Tanzania had a 49% internet penetration rate, well above the estimated African average penetration rate of 28.6%.

A universal travel adaptor is essential for all trips abroad. A voltage converter or transformer may also be necessary. Here’s why.

Universal Travel Adapter
Just think of the electronics we have in our lives these days that need to be plugged in to work, or to at least charge the battery - smartphone, tablet, laptop, headphones, camera or Bluetooth speaker, toothbrush, curling irons and travel kettle and travel iron. Avoid purchasing one at the airport as these are usually astronomically expensive.

It is important to note that a travel adapter, even a universal one, does NOT convert the voltage or the frequency. Travel adapters ONLY allow a device from one country to be plugged into the wall outlet of another country, using the universal adapter, as a link between the two.

There are 2 plug types used in Tanzania: Types D, and G. It’s important to remember that some travel adaptors are not suitable for any appliance that requires an earth connection. Please check your appliance first.

Voltage Converter or Transformer
Tanzania operates on a 230V supply voltage and 50Hz. It is extremely dangerous to use an electrical appliance rated at a different voltage from the supply. If the standard voltage in your country is in between 220 - 240 V (as is in the UK, Europe, Australia and most of Asia and Africa), you can use your electric appliances in Tanzania. If you're plugging in an appliance that was built for 230-volt electrical input, or an appliance that is compatible with multiple voltages, then a Universal Travel Adapter is all you need. If your appliance is NOT compatible with 230 volts, a voltage converter or transformer, will be necessary.

We strongly advise that, to be on the safe side, that you should bring both a universal travel adapter AND a voltage converter or transformer for your time in Tanzania.