SAFARI GUIDE TO TANZANIA
Tanzania Travel Advice
When you book your safari with us, you’ll receive all the details for your trip before you travel–including must-have advice and expert travel tips. As you plan, here are a few essentials to keep in mind.
Airports & Flights
Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO)
- Located approximately 1 hour from Arusha and Moshi Town
- Entry-point for safari goers to Northern Tanzania & Mountain Climbers
Julius Nyerere International Airport (DAR)
- Located in Dar es Salaam on the east coast
- Entry-point for safari goers to Southern Tanzania
Zanzibar International Airport (ZNZ)
- Located directly on the island of Zanzibar
- Entry-point mainly for beach holidays
Arusha Domestic Airport (ARK)
- Located 20 minutes from Arusha city center
- Mainly used for domestic flights within Tanzania
Chartered or scheduled internal flights are an excellent option for getting around Tanzania. Transfers from airstrips to lodges are conducted in 4X4 vehicles.
Visas
Most visitors to Tanzania need to obtain a visa to enter the country. A single-entry visa is valid for a maximum of 90 days. It is possible to obtain the visa upon arrival (cash payment only) or apply for an E-Visa online prior to the arrival in Tanzania.
In addition, the passport must be valid for a minimum of six months beyond visa issuing and/or date of entry, and it must at least have one blank visa page.
Tanzania is currently not part of the East African Tourist Visa.
Please note that entry requirements can change at any time. It is therefore advised to check with your consular for complete details before traveling to Tanzania.
Health
A yellow fever vaccination certificate is not officially required to enter Tanzania unless you are coming from an infected area (transit through a country where yellow fever is endemic).
It is always recommended to consult a personal physician or travel clinic prior to your trip.
Currency
The official currency of Tanzania is the Tanzanian Shilling.
The US Dollar (USD), followed by the Euro, is also widely used. The tourism sector uses mainly US Dollars for accommodation, park fees, and transportation. Please note that USD notes older than 2009 may not be accepted, and notes may not be accepted if they are torn, stamped, or marred.
Currency can be exchanged at banks only. If you want to exchange into Tanzanian Shilling it is best to bring a mix of large and small denominations. Large notes (like EUR, USD 50 and 100) get better exchange rates than the smaller denominations.
ATMs accept both MasterCard and Visa and are available in the larger cities. You can only withdraw Tanzanian Shillings from an ATM with a maximum withdrawal per transaction of TSH 400,000. It is best to alert your bank and credit card companies beforehand that you will be travelling to Africa to avoid denial of a transaction.
It is also possible to pay by credit or debit card in most hotels and lodges (usually with an additional charge). However, as the network can sometimes be down, it is highly recommended to carry extra cash for such situations – especially if travelling in the bush.
What to Pack for Safari in Tanzania
It is generally advisable to pack light while traveling on safari, as visitors are often travelling between multiple parks on a single trip.
For international air travel, please check your airlines’ luggage guidelines prior to travel.
For domestic flights while on safari, kindly note that domestic airlines within Tanzania typically limit travelers to 15 kg (33 lbs) per person total for all luggage and handbags; excess luggage may not be permitted and, if permitted, may be subject to additional fees. Hard-sided suitcases are typically not accepted; soft-sided luggage is advised. Please ask prior to travel if you have any questions regarding domestic flights while on safari.
For more details on what to pack while on safari, visit our Packing List here on the Travel Guide.
