Tanzania Practical Guide: Visas, Costs, Health & Getting Around
Plan your trip
Tanzania is a straightforward destination logistically for most international travelers — a functioning e-visa system, good airport infrastructure at Kilimanjaro and Dar es Salaam, a well-established safari industry, and the Zanzibar archipelago accessible by a 20-minute flight from the mainland. The main practical considerations are health (malaria prophylaxis and yellow fever requirements), the seasonal variation that dramatically affects the Serengeti wildlife experience, and the significant cost range between budget camping safaris and luxury lodge experiences.
Visas
Tanzania Online Visa (e-visa): Available at eservices.immigration.go.tz for most nationalities. Apply at least 2 weeks before travel; processing typically takes 3–5 business days. Cost: $50 (single entry, 90 days) or $100 (multiple entry).
Visa on arrival: Available at Kilimanjaro (JRO), Dar es Salaam (DAR), and Zanzibar (ZNZ) airports for most nationalities. $50 cash (USD only, clean notes — torn or old bills are sometimes refused). The e-visa is faster and more reliable.
East African Tourist Visa: A single visa covering Tanzania, Uganda, and Kenya ($100), valid for 90 days with multiple entries. Useful for multi-country East Africa trips.
Important: The Tanzania visa covers both mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar — no separate visa is required for the islands.
Health Requirements
Yellow Fever
Required for travelers arriving from countries where yellow fever is endemic. If your routing includes Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia, or most of sub-Saharan Africa, you need proof of vaccination. Vaccination certificate required at border entry; travelers without it may be vaccinated at the airport (expensive, uncomfortable, and avoidable). Get vaccinated before departure.
Malaria
Tanzania is high-risk for malaria throughout. Prophylaxis is strongly recommended for all visitors regardless of duration.
Common prophylaxis options:
- Doxycycline: Taken daily, starting 2 days before and continuing 4 weeks after return. Most affordable option. Side effects: sun sensitivity, gastrointestinal.
- Malarone (atovaquone/proguanil): Taken daily, starting 2 days before and continuing 7 days after. More expensive; fewer side effects than doxycycline.
- Mefloquine (Lariam): Weekly dosing. Requires starting 2–3 weeks before departure. Neurological/psychological side effects in some users.
Consult a travel medicine clinic 4–6 weeks before departure.
Mosquito precautions: DEET repellent, permethrin-treated clothing, sleeping under a net (provided at all reputable lodges). Mosquitoes are most active at dawn and dusk.
Other Health
- Vaccinations recommended: Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Typhoid, and Tetanus/Diphtheria updated.
- Water: Drink bottled or purified water throughout Tanzania, including Zanzibar.
- Altitude: Kilimanjaro climbers should be aware of AMS risk above 3,000m.
When to Go
Northern Circuit Safaris (Serengeti, Ngorongoro)
July–October: Peak dry season. Vegetation thin, wildlife concentrated at water sources, excellent game viewing. The Great Migration in the Serengeti reaches the Mara River crossing (the dramatic predator-and-crocodile crossing sequences) in July–September. Busiest and most expensive.
January–March: Short dry season. The wildebeest calving period (January–February) in the southern Serengeti — the greatest density of newborns anywhere in Africa, with associated predator activity. Excellent photography. Less crowded than July–October.
April–June: Long rains. Roads in the Serengeti can be inaccessible; some lodges close. Prices are significantly lower. Not recommended for first-time safari visitors.
Zanzibar
June–October: The main dry season — clear water, consistent sunshine, best for beaches and diving. The southeast monsoon provides wind (good for kitesurfing at Paje), which cools the coast.
December–February: Short dry season — also good for beaches. Warmer water than June–October.
March–May: Long rains. Seaweed on the east coast beaches can be heavy; rough water for boat trips.
Kilimanjaro
January–March and June–October: Best climbing seasons — clearer skies, better views from altitude. January–March coincides with the calving season safari opportunity.
Costs
Safari
The single most variable cost in Tanzania. Budget, mid-range, and luxury safaris are functionally different products:
Budget camping safari (shared jeep, basic camps): $150–250/person/day Mid-range lodge safari (private or semi-private 4WD, comfortable lodges): $300–500/person/day Luxury safari (private vehicle, premium lodges in exclusive concessions): $600–1,200+/person/day
Park fees are not fully included in cheaper quotes — confirm whether the daily Serengeti fee ($70/day) is included or billed separately.
Kilimanjaro Climbing
$1,500–5,000 total depending on operator and route. See the separate Kilimanjaro guide for full breakdown.
Zanzibar
More affordable than mainland Tanzania:
- Budget guesthouse Stone Town: $30–60/night
- Mid-range beach hotel: $80–180/night
- Luxury beach resort: $300–600/night
- Restaurant dinner: $10–25/person
Getting Around
Domestic flights: Essential for time-efficient travel. Key routes:
- Kilimanjaro (JRO) ↔ Zanzibar (ZNZ): 1 hour, $100–150
- Dar es Salaam (DAR) ↔ Zanzibar (ZNZ): 20 minutes, $60–100
- Dar es Salaam ↔ Kilimanjaro: 1.5 hours
- Arusha (ARK, small airport) ↔ Serengeti (various airstrips): 45–90 minutes
Precision Air, Coastal Aviation, Air Tanzania: The main domestic carriers.
Overland: ATAF and Dar Express buses connect major cities. Arusha to Dar es Salaam: 8–9 hours. Road quality is variable.
Ferries to Zanzibar: Fast ferry from Dar es Salaam to Zanzibar: 1.5–2 hours ($35–45). Slower overnight ferry also available (budget option). Book in advance for high season.
Money
Currency: Tanzanian Shilling (TZS). Current rate: approximately 2,500–2,700 TZS per USD.
USD accepted: Most tourist establishments, safari operators, and park fees prefer or require USD. Carry clean, unfolded bills printed after 2006 — older bills are often refused.
ATMs: Available in Arusha, Dar es Salaam, and Zanzibar Stone Town. Limited in game parks — carry sufficient cash before entering remote areas.
Tipping: Expected and important in the safari and tourism economy. Standard rates: safari guide $15–20/day, driver $10–15/day, lodge staff $3–5/day per person. Kilimanjaro crew: see the Kilimanjaro guide for specific rates.
Combining Tanzania’s Highlights
The classic 2-week itinerary:
- Days 1–2: Arrive Kilimanjaro (JRO), settle in Arusha
- Days 3–7: Northern circuit safari (Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Tarangire or Manyara)
- Days 8–11: Kilimanjaro climb (if included — requires separate planning and more days)
- Days 12–15: Zanzibar (Stone Town + beach)
- Fly home from Zanzibar (ZNZ)
Without Kilimanjaro: 10 days covers the safari and Zanzibar comfortably.
Plan your trip
