Tanzania

The official currency in Tanzania is the Tanzanian Shilling (TZS). US Dollars are also widely accepted in many tourist areas, especially for tips, park fees, and at Wilderness camps. Euros and UK Pounds may be exchanged at banks and bureaux de change. Major credit cards such as Visa and MasterCard are accepted at most lodges and hotels.

Tanzania operates on East Africa Time (EAT), which is GMT +3 hours. The country does not observe daylight savings time.

Visa and MasterCard are the most widely accepted credit cards in Tanzania, including at Wilderness camps and lodges. American Express may be accepted at select hotels, though not everywhere. Diners Club is rarely accepted. Debit cards are generally not accepted as a form of payment at camps, so carrying some cash in US Dollars and Tanzanian Shillings is recommended.

Tanzania uses 230V power with Type G sockets (three rectangular pins, as used in the UK). While properties may also provide universal adaptors and charging stations, we recommend bringing a reliable adaptor for charging devices and camera gear throughout your journey.

Tanzania is generally warm but can get cooler in winter, particularly on early morning and late evening game drives. Pack a rain jacket, and warmer clothing for winter, with light clothing for summer. Bright colours and white are not recommended for a safari, with khaki-coloured clothing generally recommended for travel in the African wilderness.

For light aircraft transfers, luggage must be packed in soft-sided bags with a maximum weight of 20 kg (44 lbs), including hand luggage. Neutral-coloured clothing such as khaki, green, and beige is best, while avoiding bright colours, black, or white. Pack layers to accommodate cool mornings and warm afternoons, and include comfortable walking shoes for bush walks. If combining your safari with Zanzibar, remember to add swimwear, sandals, and casual beachwear.

Tanzania is in East Africa, bordered by Kenya and Uganda to the north, Rwanda, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of Congo to the west, and Zambia, Malawi, and Mozambique to the south. To the east, it has a long Indian Ocean coastline, including the islands of Zanzibar, Pemba, and Mafia.

Tanzania is renowned for the Serengeti and the Great Migration, Mount Kilimanjaro (Africa’s highest peak) and the Ngorongoro Crater, the world’s largest intact caldera. The country is home to extraordinary biodiversity, rich cultural traditions, and idyllic Indian Ocean islands like Zanzibar. Together, these create one of the most diverse safari and travel destinations in Africa.

There is much to do in Tanzania. A visit to Zanzibar’s golden beaches with a dhow cruise on the warm Indian Ocean is a must. Discover the rich culture of Tanzania by visiting Stone Town, the famous spice market and enjoy eating delicious local food.  Explore the bustling city of Dar es Salaam. Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro is many people’s most aspirational African adventure.

Tanzania has the largest animal population density of any country in the world. Animals native to Tanzania include cheetah, lion, wildebeest, gazelle, ostrich, elephant, leopard, jackal, hyena and giraffe, and over 1,100 different bird species. Tanzania also has the highest number of predators in Africa.

Swahili and English are widely spoken in Tanzania.

Almost 40% of the country is protected through wildlife reserves, conservation areas and marine conservation areas. Tanzania has 17 national parks that cover more than 16,000 square miles. Our Wilderness teams can arrange accommodation in beautiful safari camps situated in the country’s most sought-after wildlife areas.

If you are travelling to Tanzania’s popular northern safari circuit you will land at Kilimanjaro International Airport. Tanzania's main airport is Julius Nyerere International Airport, in Dar es Salaam.

 The graceful giraffe is Tanzania’s  national animal.

Yes, travellers from most countries need a visa to travel to Tanzania. A single entry e-visa can be obtained online before travelling.

Always chat to your travel clinic or doctor before travelling to Tanzania. As a guide, tetanus, typhoid, hepatitis A, diphtheria and polio vaccinations are recommended. You will also need to show your yellow fever vaccination card.

No. Over 93% of the population in mainland Tanzania live in malaria transmission areas. We advise all our guests to chat to their physician about the best anti-malaria medicine to take. Please note, many anti-malaria tablets need to be taken a few weeks before departure.

We address all concerns surrounding COVID in line with the latest recommendations from the World Health Organization and other leading authorities. Please speak to your Travel Designer for the latest travel advisory updates, to ensure that you are prepared for all COVID travel requirements in Tanzania before your departure.

Travellers do not currently need a vaccine to enter Tanzania. Also, COVID vaccination passports or certificates are not mandatory to enter the country.