When to visit

There is no bad time to visit Tanzania – the best time depends on where in the country you want to visit and your primary interests. 

For the Serengeti, the seasons revolve around the movement of the Great Migration.  The peak tourism seasons are Jan/Feb when the wildebeest are calving in the southern Serengeti and June/Aug when the migration is moving thru central Serengeti or the western corridor to north.  April/May, though sometimes wet, can be an excellent time to visit with relatively few other tourists.  November to April offers the best bird watching with resident species supplemented by Palaearctic and intra-African migrants

Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Meru can be climbed at any time of year, though the drier months of July-Sept are rated as the best time to climb.

The southern circuit is best between July and Nov.  April to June is peak rainy season and many lodges shut down.  

The Swahili Coast, including Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar, low season is during the high rainfall months of April/May.  Many resorts and dive operations on Zanzibar, Mafia Island, and Pemba shut down during these months.  Jun-Oct are relatively cool and dry months, water temperatures are about 80°F/26.5°C.  Water temperatures tend to climb in the Dec-Mar timeframe (84°F/29°C) making for some nice diving conditions, though air temperatures can be quite warm (90°F/30°C).   

Entry Requirements

All travelers whether foreign nationals, Tanzanian citizens or Residents, must enter Tanzania through designated (formal) Entry Points. Upon arrival, the traveler will be responsible for:

1. Appearing in person in front of an Immigration Officer with a completed and signed arrival declaration card, and
2. Producing their passport or other acceptable document to an Immigration Officer; and
3. In the case of foreign nationals; they may be required:
4. To show their Visa or apply for Visa on arrival;
5. To show Residence Permit/Pass if a bona fide resident of Tanzania;
6. Return ticket or evidence of onward travel arrangement; and
7. Evidence of funds for maintenance

A valid passport is mandatory with a minimum of six months before expiration at intended date of departure from Tanzania, plus two empty pages for stamps.

Visas are required by most visitors.  The cost and type of Visa depends upon nationality. Go to Visa Information – Tanzania Immigration Department for additional information and to apply on-line.  In most cased, Visas can also be obtained upon arrival at any international airport or land border.

US Citizens are required to apply for a multi-entry Visa.  The cost is 100 USD and is valid for one year, though there is a requirement to leave the country every 90 days. 

Health Entry Requirements

Apart from the above immigration formalities, all travelers are to observe health guidelines as provided by Ministry of Health in Tanzania.  Currently there are special conditions imposed for yellow fever for transits through select countries. Covid-19 tests or proof of vaccination are no longer required upon arrival. Prospective visitors are advised to read respective guidelines from the Ministry of Health.  Tanzania Ministry of Health,Community Development, Gender, Elderly & Children (moh.go.tz)

Getting to Tanzania

There are three international airports – Dar es Salaam (DAR), Kilimanjaro (JRO), and Zanzibar (ZAN). Dar es Salaam is used by most international airlines and is convenient for business travelers or those exploring the southern safari circuit. The mainland alternative is Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), which lies midway between Moshi and Arusha and is well placed as a springboard for safaris to the Serengeti and northern safari circuit, as well Mt Kilimanjaro.   

United, Qatar, Delta, Swiss, KLM, Lufthansa, Ethiopian Air, Turkish Airlines, Kenya Airways, and Emirates all list flights to Tanzania from the US. 

A good network of domestic flights connects Kilimanjaro, Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar, as well as other less visited towns. Private airlines also run scheduled flights connecting to most parts of the country. 

Many tourists land at Nairobi (Kenya) and then fly to Arusha with any of several regional operators. Another option would be to use a shuttle bus service connecting Nairobi with Arusha via Namanga border post – takes about four hours in either direction.

Money

The unit of currency is the Tanzanian shilling, divided into 100 cents. The exchange rate as of April 2023 is around US$1 = Tsh 2,300.  Bills come in denominations of Tsh 10000, 5000, 2000, and 1000.  It can be difficult to find change for larger bills, so carry a spread of notes. 

Most safari companies and tourist-class hotels quote rates in US dollars, and many will expect to be paid in hard currency. National Park fees and port/airport taxes must be paid in hard currency and are treated as foreign exchange transactions. Otherwise, restaurant or bar bills, goods bought at a market or shop, and most other casual purchases are best paid in local currency.

Foreign currency can be changed into Tanzanian shillings at any bank or bureau de change.  US dollar bills printed before 2002, particularly larger denominations such as US$100 and US$50, may be refused by banks and forex bureaux.

Credit cards are widely accepted at tourist-oriented shops and similar facilities in Arusha, Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar, as well as most game lodges and higher-end hotels. They can also be used to draw cash directly from ATMs which are available in most large population areas.  

Public holidays

In addition to Good Friday, Easter Monday, Eid al-Fitr, Islamic New Year and the Prophet’s Birthday, which fall on different dates every year, the following public holidays are taken in Tanzania:

• January 1                                    New Year’s Day
• January 12                                  Zanzibar Revolution Day 
• April 7                                         Karume Day
• April 26                                       Union Day
• May 1                                          International Workers’ Day
• July 7                                          Saba Saba (Peasants’) Day
• August 8                                     Nane Nane (Farmers’) Day
• October 14                                 Nyerere Memorial Day
• December 9                               Independence Day
• December 25                             Christmas Day
• December 26                             Boxing Day

Communications

The satellite network for mobile phones is excellent in and around towns, but patchier in national parks and game reserves. Hotels and Game Lodges generally have WiFi available. 

An alternative to paying the expensive international rates that apply to calls made from Tanzania on a non-Tanzanian mobile phone is to buy a local SIM card and use the local pay-as-you-go service.  Local SIM cards are inexpensive for local and international calls and text messages.

Tanzanian numbers starting with 07 are mobile, while all other numbers are land lines. In both cases, the leading zero must be dropped and an international code of +255 added if you are dialing from outside of Tanzania.  Three zeros must be prefixed to any international number dialed from within Tanzania.

Crime

Crime levels are relatively low, though it’s wise not to walk around an unfamiliar town after dark – taxis are readily available.  The risk of casual theft is greatest in bus stations and markets, where you should avoid carrying loose valuables in your pocket or daypack.  In any urban situation, try to avoid advertising your wealth in the form a dangling camera, expensive jewelry, handbag, or externally worn money-belt.