Travel Information

The United Republic of Tanzania is our home and we cannot wait to share our experiences with you because with every trip there is a new exciting experience that is why we love doing what we do in satisfying our guests and exceeding their expectations. Most of the highlights are for a wildlife safari, in relatively close proximity to each other.

Thus have a look at some of the highlight’s general information to get a better understanding of the many possibilities for your holiday arrangements of a lifetime in Tanzania.

Remember a wildlife safari in Tanzania can easily be combined with a great beach holiday on the historic and idyllic islands of Zanzibar, Mafia, and Pemba.

Visitors originating from or transiting through countries endemic with yellow fever need to have valid vaccination certificates. Visitors arriving directly into Tanzania from say. Europe, the USA, Japan, and other non-yellow fever areas are not required to produce vaccination certificates to gain entry. Visitors are advised to take anti-malaria tablets and make use of mosquito nets and insect sprays where provided. Comprehensive travel and medical insurance are recommended before travel.

Personal effects including binoculars, cameras, and film, may be imported (temporarily) free of duty. A custom bond may be demanded from visitors bringing in professional video/filming equipment, radios, tape recorders, and musical instruments to ensure the goods are re-exported. Firearms require a special permit that should be obtained in advance. Visitors buying local handicrafts must keep cash sales receipts and ownership certificates for wildlife trophies for presentation to Customs officials on departure.

All visitors to Tanzania require a return or onward ticket and a valid passport with an entry or re-entry visa, duly endorsed. Visas are not required for visitors from some Commonwealth countries and other specified countries. Visas can be obtained from any Tanzania Diplomatic. Mission or Consulate abroad, and at main entry points including international airports, sea ports, and border posts.

You can now apply for Tanzania Visa Online

The Tanzania Immigration Services have announced that visitors can now apply for an Online Visa to visit the United Republic of Tanzania (both Tanzania Mainland and Zanzibar).

You are required to fill in the online form, make payment, and submit your application online. Your form will be internally reviewed and processed.

Applicants will be notified through their e-mails whether their applications have been accepted or rejected. They may also track their application status through the online system. Applicants may as well be required to visit the nearest Tanzania Mission or Consulate for interviews.

To apply for your visa online visit the Tanzania Immigration website at the following link: https://eservices.immigration.go.tz/visa/

For details on Entry Requirements and Visa Information that needs to be considered before processing your application click the following link: http://www.immigration.go.tz/index.php/en/services/visa-information

The unit of currency is the Tanzania Shilling (TShs) which is divided into 100 cents. Visitors can bring with them any amount of foreign currency but it is against the law to import or export Tanzania Currency. Foreign currency in cash or in traveler’s cheques may be exchanged at the commercial banks, authorized dealers, or at the bureau de changes operating at the international airports, major towns, and border posts, hotels generally offer the least favorable exchange rates.

The US dollar is widely used but may not be accepted in some establishments. It is also important to note that most businesses that do accept US currency will not do so if it is torn or wrinkled. Notes must not be older than 2009, as local businesses will automatically reject these due to a past counterfeiting problem.

Banks in Tanzania are open from 9 am until 3.30 pm Monday to Friday, and from 9 am until 12.30 pm on Saturdays.

ATMs that accept both Visa and MasterCard are available in most cities within the country. You will be able to withdraw from your accounts in local (Tanzanian Shillings) currency by entering your PIN. The daily withdrawal limit amount to roughly $300 USD.

Be sure to alert your bank that you will be traveling to Africa. Many banks will deem transactions made out of your native country as suspicious and may lock access to your accounts if you have not forewarned them.

International credit cards especially Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Thomas Cook are accepted in most stores restaurants, hotels, camping sites, lodges, etc. many smaller stores will not have EFTPOS facilities, so it is generally better to carry cash.

Credit cards typically attract a 5 – 15% tax.

An airport tax of USD 30 is levied on all visitors departing the country by air. In many instances, this fee is included in your airline ticket. Baggage is weighed at check-in counters and may be inspected by Customs officials. Airport departure tax for domestic flights is about USD 6. All fees are subject to change.

Safari vehicles and small aircraft provide limited space for luggage. It is therefore recommended to travel with light bags since bulky suitcases will overload and might not be taken on board.

The climate is tropical. The central plateau is dry and arid with hot days and cool nights. In the northwest highlands around Arusha and Ngorongoro, the climate is temperate and cooler between June and September. However, generally the main rainy season, or the ‘long rains’, lasts during about March, April, and May. Afternoon tropical downpours are the norm – which are heavier and more predictable beside the coast and on the islands. The humidity is high and daily temperatures reach the low-mid 30°C.

The long dry season lasts throughout June, July, August, September, and October when rainfall is unusual, even on the islands. Temperatures vary hugely with altitude and location, but it’s usually a fine, clear sky and sunny weather – it’s a great time to visit Tanzania. During November and December, there’s another rainy season: the “short rains”. These are much lighter than the main rains and less reliable.

If it has rained during the short rains, then it normally dries up for a few months, January and February, which is Tanzania’s “short dry season”, before starting to rain again in earnest in March.

Light tropical clothes, especially cotton slacks, shirts, and skirts are most suitable. Some warm clothing is needed in the higher altitude areas around Ngorongoro Crater, Mt. Kilimanjaro, and Arusha, especially in the evenings and early in the morning. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended on safari and guests are advised to carry some insect repellents. Visitors in Zanzibar are expected to dress modestly – avoid swimsuits, miniskirts, and other revealing clothing outside hotels, beaches, and resorts. Remember Tanzania is a conservative country, so do not dress provocatively.

The national language is Kiswahili (which is the melodious everyday language of East Africa) but English, German, Italian, and French are widely spoken however the English language is regarded as the most tourist trade and other international businesses. Nkeya Tours, however, boasts quite a few multilingual operations staff and driver guides. Try to read some basic Swahili before you go to enjoy your trip much better. Examples: Jambo =  Hi, Asante = Thank you, Kwa heri = Goodbye, etc.

Azam (Kilimanjaro) fast Ferries and Zan (Zanzibar 1) fast Ferries remain the reliable ferry boat operators between Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar on daily basis. The routes are 4 times to/from either Zanzibar or Dar es Salaam. The first leaves at 07h00, the second at 09h30, the third at 12h30, and the last one leaves at 16h00 all taking 2 hours to cross.

Several international airlines operate flights into Tanzania through Dar es Salaam, Kilimanjaro, and Zanzibar International Airports. Travel within the country is by Air Tanzania (the national airline), Precision Air, Air Excel, Coastal Aviation, Zan Air, Regional Air, Tropical Air, Fastjet, and Auric Air.

A temporary AMREF Flying Doctor membership is recommended to cover air medical evacuation to Nairobi. Participation fees are USD 5 for air ambulance coverage of Tanzania, Zanzibar, and Kenya (AREA 1), and USD 9 covering Tanzania, Zanzibar, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, and Burundi (AREA 2), all valid for a period of up to 30 days.

Tanzania is three hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT+3). It doesn’t operate daylight saving time, hence there’s no time difference between their summer and winter months. Tanzania has only a one-time zone.

215 – 240 Volts, 50 Cycles AC is a Tanzanian power outlet, If you are traveling from a country with a voltage less than 220V should check whether or not your electronic devices have a dual voltage power supply. If not, you may need to purchase a converter before leaving.

Tanzania uses the 3-pin ‘British’ plug, which is comprised of three square/rectangular pegs. Travel adaptors can be purchased at airports and at most larger department stores. Generally speaking, most electronics (smartphones, digital cameras, tablets, and computers) work on a dual voltage basis. Electrical appliances such as razors and hair dryers do not.

When on safari, it is advisable to bring along items that run on batteries. While most hotels and our Nkeya Tour’s safari vehicles do have power outlets in which you can charge your devices, in campsites or lodges that run on generators, you may not have access to electricity to charge your appliances.

The International Dialling Code for Tanzania is +255, followed by area codes (e.g. (0)22 for Dar es Salaam, or (0)27 for Arusha). Calling from Tanzania, you dial 00 plus the relevant country code (44 for the UK, 1 for the USA). Many establishments rely on mobile phones whose numbers are always in the form +254 (0)7xx-xxx-xxx or +254 (0)6xx-xxx-xxx.

Those who wish to participate in particularly physically demanding activities such as mountain climbing or extended trekking should consult with their personal physicians and check whether they are healthy enough to undertake such adventurous activities.

If you suffer from or are suffering from a cold, diabetes (or any other health problem concerning blood-sugar level), or a respiratory illness you should not participate in these activities. If you suffer from any medical or physical condition that may hinder your ability to handle such physical exertion, you will be required to provide Nkeya Tours & Safaris with a letter of written consent from your doctor.

All of our safaris and climbing programs include Flying Doctors rescue insurance for the duration of your tour.

A safari holiday should be on everyone’s wish list of life’s greatest adventures. In Swahili, the melodious everyday language of East Africa, the word itself translates as “going on a journey”.

The planet Earth is a beautiful place to live in. Life has flourished on the planet, thanks to the bountiful sun and vast oceans of water. No matter where we go on the planet, there are stunning plants, flowers, and animals that catch our attention. They are two very important aspects of any ecosystem.

Of all the living organisms on the planet, the most commonly seen by us are plant life and animal life. Apart from these two, more forms of life abound on the earth but are harder to see with the naked eye. This is why the flora and fauna i.e. plants and wildlife of the earth are fascinating to observe and study.

We always recommend starting with safari due to the fact that it’s a bit hectic which involves early wake-up while a driving mileage could be quite long during a game drive, and thereafter finish with rest and relaxation on Islands to Zanzibar, Pemba, or Mafia on the white sandy beaches.

Tanzania Safaris are divided into three categories; Northern circuit, Southern circuit, and Western circuit. In these Safaris you will get to visit the National Parks found in Tanzania where an abundance of wild animals and big cats such as giraffes, lions, Rhinos, leopards, elephants, Cheetahs and so many more lives. You will also get to visit various sites such as exotic lakes, mountains, local people and their culture, and more.

Tanzanias safari capital on Arusha and Kilimanjaro regions. Located at an altitude of 1500 m this laidback small town has 500 000 tourists pass through it every year. It is overlooked by a dormant volcano and has a vibrant nightlife and excellent restaurants. We highly recommend staying at least one night in Arusha. This gives you time to rest before heading out on your safari adventures and sorting out any luggage issues.

Lodge safaris are for any traveler who wishes to experience Tanzania’s wilderness with comfort and ease however are more expensive compared to a tented safari. During the day, you will be out in the bush exploring the wilderness of Tanzania and in the evenings you will enjoy all the amenities your lodge has to offer.

After an exciting day of game drives, seeing animals, and being in nature, you will arrive at your lodge where you will be greeted with a welcome drink and settle in your private room. Take a shower to wash off the dust, have a sundowner, and prepare for dinner.

There are several lodges in Tanzania national parks such as Sopa, Rhino, Serena, Wildlife lodge, Four Seasons Safari Lodge, and many more. The lodges mean there is somewhere cool, probably with a pool where you can chill out for a few hours of the day.

While a guesthouse or hotel consists of one large building and all guests sleep under one roof, normally a lodge is compiled of a number of buildings scattered across a plot of land. The main building will be centrally located. Here you will find a restaurant, a bar, sometimes even a small souvenir shop and a swimming pool. The guest rooms, including bathrooms, are situated in separate smaller buildings or cottages and sometimes a short walk from the main building. Lodges vary immensely in size and number of rooms; therefore, their atmosphere and ambiance may remind you of either a hotel or guesthouse. On the other hand, your Tanzania safari holiday can be combined, and enjoy both lodge safari and permanent Tented camp and you will find both to be comfortable.

In set-up and location, a tented Lodge camp is similar to a lodge. It is made up of the main tent and guest tents. You will find tented Lodge camps in the national parks and game reserves, rather than in a city. The main difference between a tented camp and a lodge: while a lodge has concrete structures, and walls made of stone or wood, a tented camp consists of large safari tents. Don’t think about the small tents you pitch in your backyard or on a campsite. These safari tents are spacious sleeping-cum-living tents with en-suite bathrooms and sometimes even a small terrace or pool. This means you don’t have to worry: There is a proper bathroom with a proper toilet and shower. In addition to the guests’ tents, there is one main tent to enjoy your meals, read a book, play a game or have a drink. Tented camps range from basic to luxurious. A tented camp offers the extra advantages of being outdoors, you are close to nature, without having to miss any comforts.

A camping safari is more adventurous and less expensive than out here you will most likely have the most authentic experience and get as close to nature as nowhere else. Basically, you will sleep in a Tent/Foam mattress and be accompanied by a cook who will be responsible to prepare for your meals each day before and after game drives. Therefore for those who have a limited budget, this is the option to take and be able to explore Tanzania’s wildness at your convenience.

So, Going on a safari always depends on sort of your budget and how much you can afford for your safari, if you intend your trip to be much luxurious then you go for the lodge or permanent tented camps whereby we pick lodges in the right places and suitable location for the game drives both can be flexible in terms of start & finish times, meal times and etc.

On camping safaris, you will be immersed in the Tanzanian wilderness. Campsites are the most basic of accommodations in terms of facilities and amenities.

There are two types of Campsites:

1. Public Campsites: On public campsites, there may be other travelers camping on the same site as you. There is an ablution block with showers and toilets. While you share the ablution block with other campers, showers and toilets are arranged as single cabins. There will be a kitchen block where meals are prepared, and dishes washed by your camping crew.

2. Private Campsites: A private campsite is in essence just a bare field, cleared of vegetation – that’s it. There are no permanent structures, no buildings, and most importantly – no other people far and wide. All equipment and all food are brought by our team and nothing is left behind. The only thing that will separate you from nature and the wild, is the canvas of your tent. On a private campsite, you will have a front-row seat to the spectacular show; the bush puts on the day in and day out.

All your senses will be involved; from smelling early morning coffee, and experiencing the thrill of a kill to the chill of a morning game drive. Falling asleep to the hooting of an owl or waking up with the roaring of a lion is what you will experience. The safari experience is all the more intense as you are “right in the middle” of it all. The nearness to nature, especially at night with its nocturnal sounds, compensates for the luxury of a lodge.

Our camping safaris in Tanzania offer all of this and are therefore perfect for nature lovers and those who are looking for a break from civilization and its comforts. Camping is for budget travelers who wish to experience Tanzania’s nature, animals, and cultures in an affordable way.

The camps and lodges where you stay are set in the heart of the action, and all have been chosen for their idyllic locations. If you are new to Africa, you may feel happier staying in a lodge, although you’ll be every bit as safe zipped up in a tent. Lodges are permanent structures, bush hotels if you like, complete with swimming pools and ingeniously fashioned out of local stone and timber under a thatched roof. But sleeping under canvas is the way to go if you want to enjoy the full-on safari experience. When it comes to tented camps, size matters. Large tented camps are more like canvas lodges. The smaller and more intimate the camp, the better the experience – and the more expensive it is likely to be. Your canvas room with a view could cost more than a suite in a five-star hotel.
Not that you’ll be exactly roughing it. Everything is provided, from en suite bathrooms to Persian rugs, even hot-water bottles for chilly nights. But the ultimate luxury comes from living closer to nature without compromising your safety.

• Always put comfort and practicality ahead of style. Never wear white, and avoid bright colors. Instead, be a chameleon and blend into the landscape with animal-friendly greens and khakis. Never dress in camouflage clothing (associated with the military) or anything black or blue (both colors are known to attract tsetse flies).
• Go for lightweight cotton, long trousers, and shirts with long sleeves to protect against thorns and insect bites. Eschew fancy stetsons with faux leopard-skin hatbands in favor of a simple baseball cap that keeps the sun out of your eyes and does not blow away in a strong wind.
• Wear sensible footwear with thorn-proof soles: desert boots, trainers, or lightweight walking boots. Don’t forget your swimwear (many camps and lodges have pools). And remember, Africa can be cold. Altitude in the Serengeti range from 920 to 1,850metres (3,020 to 6,070 ft) with mean temperatures varying from 15 to 25 °C (59 to 77 °F). On dawn, game drives you’ll be glad for a jacket and sweater, even gloves. Most camps and lodges have a shop where you can buy a cotton kikoi, an African sarong that can double as a scarf, sling, or turban.

Binoculars are a must. So is a camera. I always take P20 last-all-day sun cream, sunglasses, and a head torch. Use a soft bag and travel light. Local flights in light aircraft often have a 15kg weight limit. Most camps and lodges offer same-day laundry (although washing ladies’ underwear is taboo).

We stress the importance to follow these 10 rules and you’ll be safer in the bush than in any major city:

1. Always listen to your guides, they are experts and thus will advise you how best to act.
2. Zip up your tent and never take food into it.
3. When out on a game drive remember that animals are used to vehicles, but don’t be noisy or make sudden movements.
4. Stay inside the vehicle (ask your driver or guide if you need to make a “bush stop”).
5. Don’t sit on the roof. It’s not cool – it’s stupid.
6. Watch out for thorns and overhanging branches when driving.
7. If you’re on foot, don’t run. Only prey animals run.
8. Don’t mess with baboons and never feed animals while on safari.
9. Obey the safety rules in your camp or lodge.

Don’t walk around at night and make sure you are escorted back to your tent or room after dinner.

We highly recommend you arrange the return international flights to Tanzania for most of our travelers direct from your own country, and have excellent flight rates, then we are happy to just make your ground arrangements and other logistics.

There are only two direct routes from Europe to Tanzania: KLM Royal Dutch Airlines fly daily to Dar es Salaam and Kilimanjaro/JRO from Amsterdam; as do Turkish Airlines from Istanbul Ataturk International Airport.

Alternatively, travellers from Europe can fly to the pivotal East Africa ‘hub’ of Nairobi/NBO. Then Kenya Airways connects at least daily to all of Tanzania’s gateway airports.

Options to Nairobi include British Airways from London Heathrow; Air France from Paris; Swiss Air from Zurich; Brussels Airlines from Brussels; Lufthansa from Frankfurt; and Kenya Airways from London Heathrow or Amsterdam. Overall, Kenya Airways is our travellers’ favourite, taking under nine hours overnight from London to Nairobi, which connects to arrive in Dar es Salaam at around 09:00.

If you’re flying into Dar es Salaam, then alternatively you can connect through Cairo with Egypt Air; via Dubai with Emirates; via Abu Dhabi with Etihad Airways; via Addis Ababa with Ethiopian Airlines; via Muscat with Oman Air; or via Doha with Qatar Airways. Some of these airlines also have routes into Kilimanjaro and Zanzibar.

There are no direct flights from Australasia to Tanzania. A popular South African Airways flight links Perth to Dar es Salaam, via Johannesburg; the whole journey typically takes around 20 hours. Alternatively, the next best routes are probably via the Middle East using Emirates, Etihad Airways, or Qatar Airways.

Kenya Airways has three direct flight links with Asia: Bangkok, Hanoi, and Mumbai – and then onward connections to all of Tanzania’s gateway airports. Alternatively, travelers from Asia will usually fly via a hub in the Middle East, probably using Emirates, Etihad Airways, Oman Air, or Qatar Airways

There are no direct flights from North America to Tanzania. Travellers have to either make two stops en route; or a single stop in Istanbul or Amsterdam. Turkish Airlines has direct flights from about 13 cities in North America to Istanbul, and then directly to Tanzania; similarly, KLM links rather more North American destinations to Tanzania via Amsterdam. For example, the journey from New York to Dar es Salaam with KLM via Amsterdam takes about 21 hours; getting from Los Angeles currently takes only an hour or so longer, albeit with a tighter flight connection in Amsterdam.

Alternatively, travellers from North America can fly directly to Johannesburg from Atlanta with Delta Air Lines, or from New York (JFK) or Washington-Dulles with South African Airways. Many travellers will then overnight near the airport in Johannesburg before continuing on the fairly short (3 hours 30 minutes) hop to Dar es Salaam with South African Airways.

The most direct route from South America to Tanzania uses South African Airways direct flight from São Paulo to Johannesburg, before connecting to Dar es Salaam from there. This whole journey typically takes about 15 hours. Other alternatives are often less convenient, using hubs in Europe or the Middle East: key airlines include Ethiopian Airlines, Emirates, KLM, and Turkish Airlines.

Tanzania, like all other countries, has rules and laws that need to be followed. These include:

• It is illegal to sunbathe topless;
• It is illegal to urinate in public;
• The buying, selling, and use of drugs are illegal;
• It is advisable not to talk on the telephone while inside a bank;
• It is forbidden to take plants, animals, seeds, minerals, archaeological finds, corals, ivory, or sea turtle shells out of Tanzania;
• Without prior authorization, you should not photograph certain public facilities such as Statehouse, Military bases, Airports, Bridges, Police stations, etc.