There is no really bad time to visit Tanzania however, it depends on which part of Tanzania you are interested to visit.

Our peak season starts from mid December to February for Christmas & New year  and this some how coincides with European winter. February can be good as it is the time of calving & nursing for Wildebeest Migration on the southern Serengeti at Ndutu area. Low season begins at middle March to May. Besides May being still wet it can be the good time to watch the Wildebeest Migration when they start migrating to other areas of Serengeti & at this time there will be few tourist around. You can take advantage by visiting Tanzania since lodges & camps rates are low, so you can travel cheap.

June – August is our winter time with perfect weather (balanced weather) & it is the best time for Wildebeest Migration, they will be wondering around Serengeti plains before starting crossing Mara River on their way to Masai Mara in Kenya  around middle of July to Nov. Serengeti is still the best place to visit with or without the Migration of herds.

Kilimanjaro Treks: The climb can be done at any time of year, however the rainy season runs from March to May.

Birdwatching: The greatest months to go birdwatching are October through April.

Zanzibar and Dar Es Salaam are open all year!

Tanzania has a tropical climate but has regional variations due to topography. In the highlands, temperatures range between 10°C and 20°C (50 – 68°F) during cold and hot season respectively. The rest of the country has temperatures rarely falling lower than 20°C (68°F). The hottest period extends between November and February while the coldest period occurs between May and August.

Seasonal rainfall is driven mainly by the migration of the intertropical convergence Zone. It migrates southwards through Tanzania in October to December reaching the south of the country in January and February, and returning northwards in March, April and May. This causes the north and east of Tanzania to experience two distinct wet periods – the sort rains, October – December and long rains, March – May while the southern, western and central parts of the country experience one wet season that that continues through October to April or May.

With tropical climate, we advise you to prefer clothes made of natural fibres (cotton and linen…..)in rather sober colours to blend in with the savannah. Don’t forget sunglasses, hut, sun-cream and mosquito repellent. We also recommend good and comfortable shoes.

Before you travel to Tanzania for your safari, there are a
few health measures you should take.

Malaria

A Visit to Tanzania

Malaria is the most feared sickness among most tourists in
Africa, If you are concerned about Malaria, speak with your doctor and obtain
antimalarial preventive medicines before traveling.

Is there a need for anti-malaria tablets while in Tanzania?

There is a risk of malaria in Tanzania so it is very
important to check with your doctor before you go, to see whether malarial
medication is required for the areas you are visiting. Generally, it is good
practice to avoid mosquito bites by wearing long sleeved, light coloured
clothes and wearing a mosquito repellent that contains at least 50% DEET. For
more information on the malaria risk in Tanzania visit the NsHS Fit to Travel page or the CDC Traveler’s Health page.

Also, bring a decent mosquito repellent with you (preferably
a good deet spray). All of the accommodations where you will stay will have
mosquito nets on your mattresses, and the rooms will be sprayed with insect
repellents before you go to bed in the evening.

Vaccination Issues when visiting Tanzania

Although coronavirus-related entry regulations differ by
nation, most commercial airlines flying to and within Africa require passengers
to have a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours of their departure.

We hope that once the coronavirus vaccine becomes more
widely available, those who have been inoculated will be able to travel more
freely. However, because the rollout is still in its early stages and
specialists are evaluating the vaccine’s efficacy, no decision has been made on
whether vaccinated travelers will reach African countries without a negative
COVID-19 PCR test.

Although the yellow fever vaccination is no longer needed
for entry into Tanzania, many doctors will still recommend it as a preventative
step due to the disease’s endemicity in surrounding countries such as Kenya.
Suppose you are traveling to Tanzania from a yellow fever endemic country. In
that case, you must present a yellow fever vaccination certificate at any
entrance point, as must anyone who has spent more than 12 hours in a yellow
fever-endemic country like Kenya or Ethiopia while in transit.

Typhoid fever, hepatitis A and B, tetanus, and meningitis
are some of the other immunizations that may be considered before traveling to
Tanzania but are not required. Please contact your Tanzania safari specialist
or your doctor for more information on any required vaccines (since they may
change from time to time).

Visas are required by most visitors, They can be obtained on arrival at any international airport or land border – a straightforward procedure that requires no photographs, nor any other documentation aside from a passport.

A standard tourist visa is normally valid for three months after arrival and allows for multiple entries to Tanzania from neighbouring Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda, but not from other countries.

For those who prefer to arrange a visa in advance, Tanzanian embassies or high commissions exist in Angola, Belgium, Britain, Burundi, Canada, China, CIS, Congo, Egypt, Ethiopia, France, Germany, Guinea, India, Japan, Kenya, Mozambique, Namibia, Netherlands, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sudan, Sweden, Uganda, USA, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Whether on vacation or business, most foreign visitors to Tanzania are needed to obtain a visa.

Tanzania allows some foreign people (mainly African and Asian) to travel visa-free for up to three months. However, they must still acquire entry permit approval unless they are from Kenya, Uganda, Burundi, or Rwanda.

Visa requirements: A visa upon entry is available for $50 USD for Australia, the United Kingdom, and Canada. A multiple-entry visa upon arrival is offered for $100 USD for citizens of the United States. For the most up-to-date information, all nationalities should contact their consulate.

Check out our guide on how to apply for a Tanzania e-visa. It is necessary to have a passport that is valid for at least six months beyond the date of visa issue and/or date of arrival, as well as at least one blank visa page. Visitors with visas must show proof of round-trip transportation and adequate finances to cover their stay. When entering or leaving Zanzibar, or traveling across the mainland, be prepared to produce your passport and explain your visa status.

Volunteering is illegal on a tourist visa, even if the traveler is paying for the experience. Please contact the Tanzanian Embassy in Washington, D.C. before applying for a visa if you intend to conduct business or commercial transactions in Tanzania.

Tanzanian Shilling is the official currency of Tanzania. The Tanzanian shilling (TZS) is the country’s currency, and there are no lesser denominations. The average currency rate for individuals arriving from the United Kingdom is TZS 2000/1 UK pound, and the exchange rate for a dollar was TZS 1400/1 US dollar as of November 2010. Please inquire about current rates at the time of your travel.

Major currencies (such as the US dollar, the British pound, and the Euro) are easily exchanged in large cities and primarily through bureau de change.

Several banks, including Standard Chartered Banks, CRDB, National Bank of Commerce (NBC), FMBE, EXIM, and Barclays Banks, offer ATM machines throughout the country that allow you to withdraw cash from your VISA or MasterCard accounts. Only big lodges, motels, and travel agencies accept credit cards. Travelers checks are no longer accepted in most places, including banks, and it is recommended that you carry no or a small number of them. Kenya Commercial Bank is one bank that still accepts traveler’s checks (KBC).

Changing money in a bank takes longer than in a bureau de change. If you’re bringing dollars, make sure they’re not from the year 2000 series

Always keep your money secure on your money belt or bag while traveling in Tanzania, and only have a few notes on hand for immediate usage if necessary. While your safari organizer will do everything required to ensure that your vacation is as safe as possible, leaving large sums of money on the streets or in congested locations may attract opportunists, so be cautious!

Before living, remember to bring adaptors for your electrical devices. The sockets are 3-pin; 2 horizontal and 1 vertical.

In Africa, there are about 2,000 different languages spoken. That’s one-third of all languages said on the planet! This is due to millions of years of evolution and environmental influences that have occurred on the continent (Source). Tanzania has 26 official languages, but don’t worry, English is one of them and is commonly spoken.

Is it Safe to be in Tanzania

Tanzania is East Africa’s and Africa’s most peaceful country. While Tanzania’s police and military services work tirelessly to ensure that the country remains peaceful at all times, the population is also highly kind and prepared to assist if an issue arises. Most locales, especially significant tourist destinations, have police stations nearby. Tanzania Safari organizers collaborate with all peacekeepers to ensure that all tourists are safe at all times and that any problems are resolved quickly. You will also be accompanied by a professional guide throughout your organized excursion, who will ensure that you have a safe and pleasurable experience.

Tips on how you will safeguard your valuables

In Tanzania, robberies are widespread. When foregners take cabs at airport, bus stations, hotels, or streets, they become victims. Travelers should use designated or well-known means of transportation to reduce risk. They might also consider leaving their ATM cards at home and only bringing a small number of credit cards with them to Tanzania.

Walking on beaches, pathways, and highways, especially in Zanzibar, Dar es Salaam, and Arusha, should be done with caution.

When out in public, avoid carrying a bag, wearing flashy jewelry, or utilizing personal electronics.

Stay vigilant to your surroundings while on safari, visiting parks, hiking, mountain climbing, and reporting anything strange to your tour guide, park ranger, or poacher.

Culture

Typically, you will spend your vacation at tourist attractions such as theme parks. Villages with local residents surround these game parks. Chagga tribes live on the Kilimanjaro slopes, whereas Masai people live in the Ngorongoro reserve region. As a result, your tour guide will provide you instructions on what to do and how to act when you encounter locals. This contributes to the development of love, trust, and harmony among the locals. More information is available on the Tanzania Travel Wiki and Tour Forum. Learning a few words in the most widely spoken native African language in Africa is also a good idea. Swahili is a Swahili language.

Drinking Water

Bottled water is reasonably priced and widely available in stores, resorts, motels, restaurants, and coffee shops. Additionally, if you choose to go on a safari or a tour, remember to bring at least 2 or 3 bottles of water to stay hydrated while out in the sun.

Is it safe to drink tap water in Tanzania?

The tap water in Tanzania is not considered safe to drink. You should drink bottled mineral water, which is readily available from shops, hotels and restaurants. Make sure you purchase this from reputable outlets and that the seal on the bottle is not broken.

What is the plastic bag ban?

From June 1st 2019, the Tanzanian authorities banned plastic bags in an effort to curb single-use plastic use and to protect the country’s rich environmental resources. All travellers arriving at a Tanzanian airport could face heavy fines for using plastic bags These include shopping bags, garbage bags and “zip-lock” plastic bags used for transporting liquids and cosmetics.

We recommend that you avoid packing any plastic bags in your suitcase or carry-on luggage before travelling to Tanzania. If you do purchase any items at your departure airport, be sure to take them out of their plastic bags. Double-check your hand luggage before disembarking and leave any plastic bags on the plane.

Is it standard to tip in Tanzania?

There is no set procedure when it comes to tipping in Tanzania but be aware that most people in the service industry earn very little and depend on gratuities to make up their income. Safari guides should be tipped the equivalent of about USD $10-15 per day and a few dollars should go to the driver, cook and porters when travelling on an overland safari. If you eat in a restaurant then 10% on top of the bill is a suitable amount to leave. When it comes to taxis, rounding up the fare is a nice way to show your appreciation, especially if they have successfully navigated the chaotic streets.

How about as a member of the LGBTQ community?

Currently, homosexuality is illegal in Tanzania, and sexual activity with someone of the same gender is punishable with prison, especially for males. Whilst an outdated view, this does not mean that Tanzanians are inhospitable or unfriendly people. In fact, Tanzania is generally a very welcoming country, homosexuality is just not accepted like it is in other parts of the world today. This is part of travel and something that travellers have to accept, unfortunately.

What is the duty free allowance for Tanzania?

Travellers over 17 are permitted to bring the following into Tanzania:

• 250g of cigarettes, cigars and tobacco (combined weight)
• 1 litre of spirits or wine
• 500ml of perfume and eau de toilette, of which no more than a quarter may be perfume

Unlicensed firearms and ammunition are banned from being imported into Tanzania.

What sort of plugs do I need for Tanzania and what is the voltage?

Standard voltage is 230 – 240 volts. Primary sockets generally require the 3 square-pin variety, similar to the United Kingdom sockets. We recommend that you pack a universal travel adaptor. You will need a voltage converter and plug adaptor in order to use U.S. appliances.

What time zone is Tanzania on?

Tanzania is 3 hours ahead of GMT and does not observe daylight savings.

Is WiFi widely available in Tanzania?

WiFi is common in Tanzania’s main cities but be aware that connections can be slower and less secure than you might be used to back home. In the national parks there is very rarely a WiFi connection as guests are encouraged to disconnect and immerse themselves in nature. Some higher-end lodges will have internet access in communal areas for you to use, sometimes for a small fee and sometimes for free.

Travelling with Children

In Africa selected departures of our overland safaris are classified as ‘Family Friendly’ and these are noted under ‘Prices and Dates’ on the relevant tours. Family Friendly departures welcome children aged 6 – 17 years travelling with their parents on tour. Please note children will be occupying a seat on the overland truck, therefore they pay full price. Parents must be aware that travellers aged 18 years and older still frequent the trip and the tour is a participation overland tour.

Children aged eight and above travelling with a parent or guardian are also welcome on lodge safaris in Tanzania on a request basis and subject to the agreement of the other passengers. Please note that children aged 12+ pay adult price. We can tailor-make private safaris for families and those travelling with younger children.

Is it safe for a single woman to travel in Tanzania?

A lot of travellers visit Tanzania as part of a safari tour and in this context, visiting Tanzania is very safe for solo women as they will be away from crowded cities and under the protection of their guide and lodge at all times. However, those who visit Tanzania independently might have a slightly different experience. Harassment from local men is common but is usually just an annoyance rather than a threat. Nevertheless, you will want to avoid this by dressing conservatively, wearing sunglasses to avoid eye contact and carrying a photo of a man in your purse who you can say is your husband. You should also try to limit your night time travel as much as possible.

Is it safe for LGBT traveller

wishing to explore Tanzania would be best to behave with discretion and not to engage in any flirting or sexual activity with anyone of the same sex whilst visiting the country. As long as travellers act with discretion, there is no reason to expect any problems.