Tanzania Travellers Information



Health / Vaccination Certificate :
All visitors traveling to Tanzania should have a valid international certificate of vaccination against Yellow Fever and Cholera.
Anti-malaria medication is strongly recommended when traveling within Tanzania. Anti-malaria tablets are recommended to be taken a few days prior to arrival, during your stay and for a short period after returning home. Visitors should consult their physicians before traveling to learn about prophylaxis and the possible side effects of various available medications.
falciparum malaria, the serious and sometimes fatal strain of malaria in Tanzania, is resistant to the anti-malarial drug.
Because travelers to Tanzania are at high risk for contracting malaria,We advises that travelers should take antimalaria drugs like mefloquine, doxycycline.
Traveler who is on an appropriate antimalarial drug has a greatly reduced chance of contracting the disease.
In addition, other personal protective measures, such as the use of insect repellents, help to reduce malaria risk. Travelers who become ill with a fever or flu-like illness while traveling in a malaria-risk area and up to one year after returning home should seek prompt medical attention and tell the physician their travel history and what antimalarial's they have been taking.
Water : You will find many different opinion of what is safe and what is not. We recommend local bottled mineral water to be drank for peace of mind.
Insurance : You are strongly advised to have your own insurance to cover baggage, personal injury or accident and medical attention.
Clothing : Clothing should be light weight, loose-fitting and of "breathable" fabrics, such as cotton. For the daytime, shorts and T-shirts are most comfortable. While out in the bush you will find that neutral colors are best as they blend in with the natural surroundings and show the dust least. It is advised to avoid bright colors. The nights at the higher elevations like Ngorongoro gets to be quite cool, so you should also bring a sweater or a jacket.
Some of the items to bring with you :
Binoculars, sun screen, eye drops, hat with a visor, insect repellent, small flashlight, personal medications, swim suit and cover-up, skin and hair moisturizers, pre-moistened small towelettes, sunglasses (neck string comes in quite handy) an extra pair of glasses /contact lenses and it’s fluids, two or three pair of comfortable shoes and a pair of sandals, three to five changes of casual clothing (shorts, T-shirts, long sleeve shirts, a sweater or jacket, slacks, sports shirts, blouses and a dress.).
It is also advisable to come with photo-copy of your passport, credit card(s), and airline ticket and to keep them separately form the originals.
Pictures : It is prohibited to take pictures of State house, airports, military installations, police stations, government facilities, any border post, soldiers or police or any person. Please always seek advice from your driver guide before taking pictures.
While on safari, make sure you have some way of protecting your camera from dust. As most of the safari game viewing takes place in the early morning and late afternoon.
Baggage : Baggage should be kept to a minimum, one main lightweight bag with soft sides and one overnight bag are adequate. On flying safaris, baggage is limited to 15 Kgs.
Currency : These vary tremendously from country to country. Tanzania Shillings (Tshs) is Tanzania currency. Traveller cheques and foreign currency must be changed at the bank, authorized Bureau De Change.
Most countries will accept any traveler’s cheques when making payment of service or goods. Credit Cards are rarely accepted and where accepted will attract bank charges.
Security : As in most major international cities, sensible security measures should be observed. Keep a close watch on purses, handbags, wallets and cameras. Avoid wearing expensive or flashy jewelry. It is advisable to hire a taxi if you wish to move around at night and for your personal safety, avoid dark, deserted lanes and streets.
Airport Departure Tax : Airport departure tax on international flights is to be paid in Cash Only. In some cases some airlines include the departure Tax in their ticket price, for more information go to Transport page.
Time : Tanzania has only one time zone. Local time is GMT + 3 and Daylight Savings Time is not used.
Climate : Tanzania is a land without winter. Temperatures in Northern Tanzania range from 60-75 Degrees Fahrenheit during the day and 40-50 Degrees Fahrenheit at night from May to October. From November to March, the day time temperature varies from 70-90 Degrees Fahrenheit and 60-75 Degrees Fahrenheit at Night, Please note that weather is highly unpredictable.
On account of its extremely varied topography, the weather in Tanzania can vary between regions, but generally it has two dry seasons split by two rainy seasons as described below:
December - March : this is when the north of the country is usually at its driest with hot, clear days and pleasantly warm nights. On average daytime temperatures rise to around 90F and then fall to a balmy 65F at night. The coastal region can experience more tropical temperatures with the influence of the 'kaskazi' monsoon wind that can push temperatures up to a humid 95F or higher. Whilst the north of the country is predominantly dry during this time, the southern areas of Selous and Ruaha usually experience their green season with intermittent rainfall.
April - May : As the end of March beckons, daytime temperatures and humidity begin to increase significantly with the onset of the long rains, although the effects in the northern highlands are normally tempered on account of the altitude. The long rains can sometimes cause temporary flooding as a result, but are usually short and heavy, with rainfall typically lasting for an hour or two before the sun shines again.
June - October : this is the coolest time of the year although daytime temperatures remain high at about 80F, contrasting significantly with the nights when the temperature can fall to 58F or cooler in the highlands. As September and October approach, so it starts to warm up again prior to the short rains in November. These months are generally dry although some rain may be encountered.
November : This month sees a rise in temperatures as the hot and dry season approaches, but this is also the time of the short rains, which can last into early December. Storms are generally short, sharp and very sporadic with travel arrangements little affected.
Passports & Visas : All visitors must have a valid passport and visa to enter Tanzania. Visa fees vary according to the country you originate from. Visas can be obtained from Tanzania Diplomatic Representatives abroad
Language : Swahili and English as the main languages





