Travel tips

Passport

For all EU citizens arriving by air in Tanzania you must have a passport with minimum validity of 6 months after the date of travel.

Visa (tourist)

It is released via online procedure at the link: https://eservices.immigration.go.tz/visa for a total cost of 79 euros (request at least 15/20 days before departure) or you can get to the airport upon arrival at a cost of 50 USD or 50 euros, but there may be queue.

The pandemic situation

Tanzania has not been hit hard by the pandemic, but it has taken appropriate security measures  for tourism. The vaccination campaign has been launched and provides for priority for tourism professionals, as well as for medical staff and school staff. Our staff is vaccinated.

Our policy

The organization of safaris is bound to the rules of entry into the country, which we scrupulously respect, in the interest of our tourists and our guides.

If you are interested in a safari you can contact us. In addition to what is defined by the rules of each country, we ask our tourists to have been vaccinated or to be cured by the COVID, for their safety and for that of local communities and our guides.

Entry rules

Tanzania has updated the rules of entry to the country, introducing the obligation to submit the negative result of a RT-PCR buffer executed no more than 96 hours before departure to the country and the obligation to perform a rapid swab on arrival, at a cost of 10 USD per person if you enter the country from the mainland. Those who enter Tanzania from Zanzibar and are vaccinated, do not have the obligation to perform a quick swab on arrival (who is not able to prove to be vaccinated will have to run at a cost of 25 USD per person). To enter Tanzania it is mandatory to fill in the form of health surveillance of the traveller to be filled in at this link that can only be sent within 24 hours before the day of arrival.

The indications given on other pages, even official ones, such as those for obtaining the online visa, may not be updated to the latest provisions.

Vaccinations

There is no mandatory vaccination, but as a precautionary measure our advice is to refer to your family doctor or to a medical specialist in travel medicine for vaccines against yellow fever, typhoid, tetanus, hepatitis A and B and also for possible antimalarial prophylaxis, especially if the journey is carried out in areas at risk and in the rainy season.

Medicines

It’s good to remember to bring your own medicines for personal use in addition to mosquito repellent, hand disinfectant, sanitizing wipes, anti Covid-19 masks, broad-spectrum antibiotic, antipyretic, intestinal disinfectant, eye drops, antihistamine ointment, sunburn cream, anti-vomiting, anti-spasm, painkillers, antacids and digital thermometer.Disinfectant, gauze, bandages and saline supplements.

Insurance

It is absolutely necessary to provide for good health insurance and travel cancellation costs. Among the many companies (Europe Assistance, Coverwise, World Nomads, Columbus, AXA, Globelink, ERV, Intermundial, Viaggisicuri, Frontier, Amerigo, Travel Easy, American Express, Aig, Zurich, Safetywing, Holins and Foyer Global Health) we recommend the ALLIANZ (Travel Care insurance).

International flights

The airlines that operate flights to major international airports are British Airways, Swiss, KLM, Kenya Airways, Qatar Airways, Oman Air, Emirates, Ethiopian Airlines, Egyptair and Turkish Airlines. (Average cost A/R 550/800 EUR depending on the period).

Domestic flights

Air Tanzania, Coastal Aviation, ZanAir, Precision Air, Safari Air Link

Luggage

For the days of safari it is good to place your personal belongings in bags not rigid, such as travel bags or backpacks. A good trick is to wrap your luggage with cloth sheets to preserve them from the dust always copious on the streets of the parks and in the dry season. Trolleys and luggage (with closure) for any extensions of the trip can be deposited at our office in Arusha. For air transfers in the parks, please note that the baggage weight limit is 15 kg per person.

Photographic equipment

Impossible not to capture landscapes and sightings during the safari. For those who are not already equipped we offer 2 opportunities: the rental of our bridge camera (subject to availability) suitable for shooting and photographing animals even at a long distance – more details on request. Or for those who prefer to use their own photographic equipment we recommend for the purchase of cameras, lenses and other material the wide assortment of RCE foto, the largest Italian store of used guaranteed.  For our clients, in addition to specialized advice, a discount of 5%.

Plastic bags

Tourists arriving in Tanzania must remove plastic bags from their luggage. The ban, which entered into force on 1 June 2019 to combat pollution and protect the environment, covers all plastic bags “imported, exported, manufactured, sold, stored, supplied and used”. The checks are tight and the fines are high.

Currency

The official currency is the Tanzanian shilling (1 USD=2318 TSH approximately). In all hotels are accepted dollars issued after 2006 (many lodges also accept euros…but attention 1 euro = 1 dollar). Payments can also be made by credit cards of the most important international circuits with the application of a fee. Tanzanian shillings can also be drawn at ATMs at major centres and at branches of major Tanzanian banks. There are no restrictions in the import of currency. It is strongly not recommended to change money in the street.

Telephone

GSM coverage is often present, except in some rural areas. To call abroad from Tanzania you need to dial 000 or + the country identification code. Local SIM cards such as Vodacom, Airtel or Zantel can be purchased on site.

Electricity

The voltage is the same as the European one but it is necessary to have universal adaptors because they generally use plugs and sockets with 3 lamellas.

Time zone

GMT+3

Climate

Generally tropical with two rainy seasons: a longer one from mid-March to May and a shorter one from November to early December. The average temperatures on the coast vary between 27 and 29 degrees, in the central regions from June to October they are between 20 and 27 degrees while they tend to rise over 30 degrees from December to March.

Language

The official language of Tanzania is Kiswahili, but in tourist and urban areas English is also spoken (studied at school) and the main languages spoken by tourists.

Tips

They are a good custom and, although not mandatory as in other countries, they are always welcome by all those who will accompany and help you. In your travel budget we recommend that you reserve a few dollars for porters in accommodation facilities and staff in restaurants. Everyone will be grateful to you because a small (for our pockets) contribution gives many opportunities to them who receive it.

Etiquette

The Tanzanian population is very hospitable, simple and generally expansive. The greeting for the tourists (Jambo) is always accompanied by questions about “how are you?” (Habari gani?)  and you can answer “very good” (Nzuri sana), thank (Asante) and, in turn, to take an interest in how your interlocutor is doing. You will notice that these preambles are not only for tourists, but are part of the local culture and habits of everyone.