First Time in Tanzania? Everything You Need to Know

Tanzania offers two of the world’s most extraordinary travel experiences: the Great Migration (the largest animal movement on earth) and Zanzibar (an Indian Ocean island of coral reefs, spices, and centuries of Swahili culture). First-timers often don’t know how to combine them or how to prepare.

The Basics

Capital: Dodoma (administrative); Dar es Salaam (commercial)
Currency: Tanzanian Shilling (TZS). USD accepted widely for tourist services. €1 ≈ TZS 2,700.
Language: Swahili (official), English (widely spoken in tourist areas)
Time zone: EAT (GMT+3)
Driving: Left-hand side
Plugs: Type G (UK-style three-pin)
Visa: Most nationalities can obtain an e-Visa online before arrival. US, EU, UK citizens: $50 e-Visa. Apply at evisa.go.tz.

---

Health Requirements

Yellow fever vaccine: Required certificate if arriving from a country where yellow fever is endemic (most of sub-Saharan Africa, parts of South America). Even if your country isn’t listed, carry the certificate — it may be checked at entry.

Malaria: Present throughout Tanzania at low altitude (not on Kilimanjaro above 1,800m). Prophylaxis is strongly recommended — consult a travel doctor. Options include Malarone (atovaquone-proguanil), doxycycline, and mefloquine.

Other vaccinations: Hepatitis A, typhoid, and tetanus are commonly recommended. Rabies for longer stays or wildlife work.

Consult a travel doctor 6–8 weeks before departure.

---

The Safari Circuit

The Northern Circuit is what most first-timers visit: Arusha–Tarangire–Ngorongoro–Serengeti. This circuit covers:

• The world’s largest intact volcanic caldera (Ngorongoro)
• The Serengeti (name means “endless plain” in Maasai)
• Extraordinary elephant concentrations (Tarangire)

The Southern Circuit (Ruaha, Selous/Nyerere) offers:

• Fewer tourists (Ruaha has 5% of Serengeti’s visitor numbers, similar wildlife)
• Wild dog sightings (East Africa’s best)
• Boat safaris on the Rufiji River

First-timers almost always do the Northern Circuit. Second-timers go south.

---

Choosing a Safari Operator

This is the most important decision you’ll make.

Use a licensed operator: TATO (Tanzania Association of Tour Operators) certifies legitimate operators. Avoid unregistered agents and very cheap offers — cut-price safaris cut corners on safety, camp quality, and ethics.

Guide quality is everything: The difference between a poor guide and an excellent one is the difference between driving past an animal and understanding what you’re seeing. Ask about guide qualifications and experience.

Vehicle quality: You’ll spend 6–8 hours per day in your vehicle. Ensure it has a pop-up roof, is in good mechanical condition, and has a full-size spare tyre.

Ethics: Choose operators with strong community and conservation commitments. Tanzania’s wildlife exists partly because safari tourism funds anti-poaching. The better operators reinvest in conservation.

---

Swahili: A Few Words Go a Long Way

Swahili is the most widely spoken language in East Africa and one of the easiest African languages to pronounce. A few words open doors:

• Jambo / Habari — Hello / How are you?
• Asante — Thank you
• Asante sana — Thank you very much
• Karibu — Welcome (also “you’re welcome”)
• Hakuna matata — No problem/worries
• Poa — Cool/fine (response to “habari”)
• Kwaheri — Goodbye

---

Zanzibar: Practical Notes

Stone Town: UNESCO World Heritage Site with a complex history — Arab, Persian, Indian, and Portuguese influences on top of African Swahili culture. The old town is easily walkable.

Muslim majority: Zanzibar is a predominantly Muslim island. Dress modestly when not at beach resorts — cover shoulders and knees in Stone Town and villages.

Water sports: World-class snorkelling and scuba diving. Mnemba Atoll is a marine reserve with outstanding coral and marine life. Kite surfing at Paje on the east coast is excellent.

Getting to Zanzibar: Fly from Arusha or Dar es Salaam (Coastal Aviation or Auric Air from Arusha; Precision Air or other carriers from Dar). Or take the ferry from Dar es Salaam to Stone Town (2h, run by Azam and Kilimanjaro Fast Ferries — book ahead).

---

Practical Tips

• Tip your guide: $15–20/day for the guide, $5–10/day for the driver (if different). This is a meaningful part of their income.
• Pack layers: Morning and evening game drives in open vehicles can be cold, especially at Ngorongoro crater rim (1,800m).
• Binoculars: Essential for safari — 8x42 or 10x42 magnification. Borrow from operator if you don’t own them.
• Photography: A 300mm+ lens captures wildlife at distance. A phone camera works for landscapes.
• Carry USD in small bills: $1, $5, $10 denominations are most useful. Some lodges don’t make change on large bills.
• Internet: Patchy in the Serengeti. Embrace the disconnect.
• Best camera time: Golden hour (6:30–8:30am and 4:30–7pm). Midday harsh light; animals often resting.