Capital City: Dodoma

Largest City: Dar es Salaam

Population: 61.7 million

Government: Republic

Currency: Tanzania Shilling (USD, English Pounds, and Euro also used.)

Time: 3 hrs+ GMT

Weather and Climate

Tanzania enjoys a tropical climate year-round, the dry season is between June and October, and the green season is between November and May. However, November can bring a light shower, and late March to May can get more severe rain, depending on the area.

Language

Swahili is the National language of Tanzania; however, English is widely spoken.

Security

Tanzania is generally a safe country but does use common sense. Keep an eye on your belongings. Don’t walk in the towns or cities at night – take a taxi instead.

Airports

International flights serve Julius Nyerere International Airport (Dar es Salaam), 12 km from Dar es Salaam City Centre, Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), and 42 km from Arusha town, Zanzibar International Airport (ZNZ), 8 km from Stone Town of Zanzibar.

Getting There

Many international airlines fly direct to Dar es Salaam, Kilimanjaro and Zanzibar, including KLM, Swiss, Emirates, Ethiopian Airlines, Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines, Kenya Airways, Oman Air, EgyptAir, Etihad and Fly Dubai. In addition, numerous regional carriers fly into Tanzania from Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Mauritius, Seychelles, Comoros, Rwanda, South Africa, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Domestic airlines include Air Tanzania, Auric Air, Coastal Aviation, Precision Air, Regional Air Services and Safari Airlink.

Luggage

Due to limited space available for storage in safari vehicles, we strongly recommend using soft duffle bags. Some air charters limit baggage to a 10 – 15 kg maximum.

Insurance

Take out travel insurance to cover loss of baggage or valuables, personal accidents and medical expenses.

Tipping

Tipping is not obligatory but a tip for exceptional services.

Electricity

230V, but power failures are standard. Bring a universal adapter and a torch (flashlight) or headlamp.

Cuisine

Local and international cuisine is served in the lodge, camps and hotels.

Check current requirements with the nearest Tanzanian High Commission, embassy, or travel agent.

Yellow fever vaccination is required if travelling from susceptible countries; Malaria is endemic but is preventable. Proof of yellow fever vaccination is only required upon arrival if you are travelling from a country with a risk of the virus. This list currently does not include any country in Europe and the United States. View the full list of Yellow Fever high-risk countries.

COVID-19 fully vaccinated passengers are exempt from pre-departure testing requirements. However, passengers must present a valid vaccination certificate with a QR code for verification upon arrival. The EU Digital COVID Certificate is accepted, and travellers are advised to carry a printed copy. The only acceptable vaccines are those approved by the Ministry of Health of Tanzania and the WHO.

Passengers who are not fully vaccinated or unvaccinated and those not eligible for vaccination will be required to present a negative COVID-19 RT PCR certificate with a QR code obtained within 72 hours before departure.

Passengers who are not fully vaccinated or unvaccinated who arrive in Tanzania with no negative COVID-19 RT PCR certificate will be tested for COVID-19 upon arrival using a Rapid Antigen Test at the cost of USD10 for mainland Tanzania, except children aged 12 years and below.

If found positive, a further RT PCR test will be administered at the cost of USD 50. Positive ground-crossing cases will be handled based on bilateral and joint border agreements.

Transit passengers are exempt from vaccination certificates and COVID-19 testing requirements unless stated otherwise by their travel operator or the authorities in their destination country.

Some of Tanzania’s parks can be visited all year round; however, the best time to visit Tanzania for wildlife safaris, mount trekking and beach holiday is during the dry season from late June to October for the best wildlife viewing, with the wildebeest migration as its absolute highlight, roads and trekking routes are highly accessible.

Moreover, the short rains fall in November and December, followed by a partial drying out in January and February, still offers the chance for easier to track and spot the wildlife and trek.

Heavy rain between March and May makes road travel difficult in some national parks, thus challenging trekking, wildlife tracking, and spotting.