Tanzania Travel Guide
June–October is the dry season and best for the northern circuit. January–February is calving season in the southern Serengeti. Long rains fall March–May.
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Tanzania at a glance
Best time to visit Tanzania
June–October is the dry season and best for the northern circuit. January–February is calving season in the southern Serengeti. Long rains fall March–May.
Peak: July–October and Christmas — camps and Kilimanjaro routes book out.
Shoulder season: June and November: good conditions at noticeably lower camp rates.
Visa and entry
Visa required for most nationalities. e-Visa available at eservices.immigration.go.tz or visa on arrival at major ports. Zanzibar requires no separate visa.
Entry rules depend on your nationality and change frequently. Always confirm with an official embassy or consulate source before booking.
Money and tipping
Tanzania uses the TZS (TSh).
Expected. 10% at restaurants; USD 10–20 per day for safari guides; USD 5–10 for camp staff.
Getting around
Dar es Salaam's DART bus rapid transit is about TZS 650–1,000. Elsewhere it's dala-dalas, taxis or organised transfers, and safari travel is in the operator's vehicle.
When a pass pays off: Park fees dominate the budget, not transport — a shared safari vehicle beats a private one below about 4 people.
Local etiquette
Do
- Greet with “jambo” or “habari” before any transaction.
- Dress modestly in Zanzibar's Stone Town and away from beach resorts.
- Carry US dollar notes printed 2009 or later — older notes are often refused.
Avoid
- Don't photograph people, especially Maasai, without asking and agreeing any fee.
- Don't drink tap water.
- Don't wear beachwear away from the beach in Zanzibar.
Common scams and tourist traps
- Unlicensed Kilimanjaro and safari operators — check TALA licensing and never pay the full amount in cash up front.
- Park fees or “rescue” surcharges added late; get full inclusions in writing before you pay.
- Improvised taxi and dala-dala fares — agree the price before getting in.
Health
Yellow fever vaccination and malaria prophylaxis are commonly recommended for Tanzania, along with Hepatitis A and Typhoid vaccinations, and climbers of Mount Kilimanjaro should discuss altitude sickness prevention with a doctor. This is general information, not medical advice — consult a doctor or travel clinic before your trip.
When locals eat
Meal windows shift by country, and eating on the local clock is the difference between a full restaurant and a closed kitchen.
| Meal | Early riser | Typical | Night owl |
|---|---|---|---|
| breakfast | 6:30 AM | 7:30 AM | 9:00 AM |
| lunch | 12:30 PM | 1:00 PM | 2:00 PM |
| dinner | 7:00 PM | 8:00 PM | 9:00 PM |
Useful Swahili and English phrases
Swahili is the everyday language; English is used in tourism, business and secondary education.
- Hello
- Jambo / Habari(JAM-bo / ha-BA-ree)
- Thank you
- Asante(a-SAN-teh)
- Excuse me
- Samahani(sa-ma-HA-nee)
- How much is this?
- Bei gani?(bay GA-nee)
Staying connected
eSIM providers that cover Tanzania: Airalo, Holafly. Buying an eSIM before you fly avoids airport queues and roaming charges.
Tanzania travel FAQ
- When is the best time to visit Tanzania?
- June–October is the dry season and best for the northern circuit. January–February is calving season in the southern Serengeti. Long rains fall March–May.
- Do I need a visa to visit Tanzania?
- Visa required for most nationalities. e-Visa available at eservices.immigration.go.tz or visa on arrival at major ports. Zanzibar requires no separate visa. Entry rules depend on your nationality and change often — confirm with an official consulate or embassy source before booking.
- Do you tip in Tanzania?
- Expected. 10% at restaurants; USD 10–20 per day for safari guides; USD 5–10 for camp staff.
- What currency is used in Tanzania?
- Tanzania uses the TZS (TSh).
- What power plug and voltage does Tanzania use?
- Tanzania uses Type D and Type G sockets at 230V / 50 Hz. Check your device's rated input before travelling; most modern laptop and phone chargers handle both 110V and 220V.
- What is the emergency number in Tanzania?
- In Tanzania, call 112 (police) / 115 (ambulance) / 114 (fire).
- What time zone is Tanzania in?
- Tanzania is in the Africa/Dar_es_Salaam time zone (UTC+03:00).
- What language is spoken in Tanzania?
- The main language is Swahili and English. Swahili is the everyday language; English is used in tourism, business and secondary education.
- Is public transport worth buying a pass for in Tanzania?
- Dar es Salaam's DART bus rapid transit is about TZS 650–1,000. Elsewhere it's dala-dalas, taxis or organised transfers, and safari travel is in the operator's vehicle. Park fees dominate the budget, not transport — a shared safari vehicle beats a private one below about 4 people.
- What health precautions should I take in Tanzania?
- Yellow fever vaccination and malaria prophylaxis are commonly recommended for Tanzania, along with Hepatitis A and Typhoid vaccinations, and climbers of Mount Kilimanjaro should discuss altitude sickness prevention with a doctor. This is general information, not medical advice — consult a doctor or travel clinic before your trip.
Plan a Tanzania trip around how you actually travel
Travaio builds a day-by-day plan from your travel style, with verified places, real opening hours, and local meal times already accounted for.
Plan my Tanzania tripThis guide is general travel information, not legal, medical, or financial advice. Visa, health, and safety requirements change — verify anything time-sensitive with an official source before you travel.