Tanzania Travel Information (Tanzania Safari Tips)
Our Tanzania Travel Information provides what every tourist heading to wants to know before going for a Tanzania safari. Travelers are eager to know about Tanzania travel Visa, vaccines, currency, insurance, activities, tipping guidelines and the best places to safari in Tanzania for a successful Tanzania safari. This Tanzania travel information is very important before any traveler starts planning for their Tanzania safari. You have already booked your trip, excitement is growing and you are now thinking about the practical aspects of your safari to ensure a perfect and smooth safari holiday. Truth is that there is confusing or conflicting information about what to see on a Tanzania safari, best places to safari in Tanzania, what to pack for a Tanzania safari, which vaccinations to get, visas needed and how much you should tip.
Tanzania is one of the best world’s wildlife safari destination with enormous wilderness in its national parks that can easily be located in their respective circuits. The parks are identified based on three circuits that is the Northern circuit, southern circuit and the western circuit. In total Tanzania boasts of 17 national parks that occupy about a third of the total area within her geographical territories.
The Northern circuit with its capital Arusha, comprises of Arusha national park known for walking safaris, Ngorongoro Conservation area famous for its craters, Serengeti national park famous for the great wildebeest migration, Lake Manyara National park, Tarangire national park and Arusha national park. The southern circuit takes you to the variety of wildlife in Ruaha national park, Mikumi national park and Selous game reserve.
The most known and famous safari destination in Tanzania is Serengeti national park due to the annual Wildebeest great migration. A combined Tanzania safari to Serengeti national park and Ngorongoro conservation area specifically the Ngorongoro crater makes the perfect adventurous wildlife tour for a tourist as it comes with high chances of spotting the big five in their natural habitat. Lake Manyara is also attractive with a number of animals which such as elephants, flamingos, buffaloes, zebras and lions among others and finally Tarangire national park is a wonder not forget. Tarangire is famous for its diverse landscape with nine different vegetation zones and is particularly known for the abundance of Ancient Baobab trees (the largest trees in the continent) which fill the landscape and dwarf the animals next to them. The river of the park is full of wildlife ranging from a large variety of birds to lions, leopards, zebras, giraffes, buffaloes, antelopes and, of course, elephants. Though it’s off the main safari route, Tarangire is a surprise package which is often overshadowed by the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater.
Though it receives few visitors compared to the Northern circuit, the southern circuit is famous for its fascinating wildlife attractions including the elephants, high numbers of predators especially lions, leopards and buffaloes.
Finally the western circuit is famous for chimpanzees in Mahale mountains national park one of Tanzania’s most remote destination parks boasting of over 1700 Chimpanzees and Katavi for wildlife and seasonal lakes.
Away from the wildlife, Tanzania boasts of beautiful areas to visit just across the coast where you can relax and read a novel or peruse through the photos taken on your Wildlife safaris and Gorilla tours. These include the islands of Zanzibar, Pemba and Mafia which are very perfect places for relaxation with the freshest breezes and are recommended as extensions to Tanzania wildlife or hiking Safari or even a gorilla trekking tour in Uganda and Rwanda before embarking on the return journey back home.
Not forgetting Mount Kilimanjaro which boasts of the highest peak in Africa standing at 5,895m and is an exceptional site to visit if you need to watch the beautiful snow after hiking through different types of vegetation in the different ranges that include Shira, Kibo, Machame and Mawenzi.
Tanzania Travel Information(Safari Tips)
Best Time to go on a Tanzania safari
Tourists can go on a Tanzania safari/Visit Tanzania any time of the year as the destination is always attractive though the best time to go on a Tanzania safari or the best time to visit Tanzania depends on one’s interest. Between January and March which is the time for calving, Serengeti national park attracts predators such as lions, leopards among others in search of food hence this season becoming one of the best times to spot predators in the Serengeti national park.
Between June and July is the best time to witness the great wildebeest migration in large numbers in the Serengeti. However wildebeest migration can also be witnessed but not in large numbers in August till early November.
In January large numbers of migratory birds are arriving especially in Ngorongoro and Lake manyara and is the best time for birders to visit Tanzania as it increases chances of seeing variety of bird species. Tanzania Birding is also possible in Novemebr and May.
For Mountain climbers and hikes, the dry season of between and October is very favorable to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro and Mt.Meru.
All the above Tanzania safari activities can be done in the various national game parks in mostly Northern circuit parks of Serenegti, Lake manyara, Tarangire and Ngorongoro.
Tourists should not forget that whereas Tanzania can be visited all year round, the dry season would be the best time for anyone planning to visit Tanzania or go on a safari in Tanzania. This season enables animal viewing because as the grass dries up and the water holes too therefore, the animals have to move around the park in search for water and pasture and in most cases the animals tend to gather in an area having water in the national park therefore they gather around water holes rendering it the best spot for animal viewing. It also provides the best opportunity to catch the predators as they wait on the small animals coming to drink water along the banks of the river.
Best places to Go on Safari in Tanzania
There are activities you must not miss while on your Tanzania safari and below is a list of what to see and best places to safari in Tanzania.
The Serengeti Great Wildebeest Migration
Considered as one of the Seven Wonders of the Africa, the Serengeti migration is the biggest migration of terrestrial animals on the planet. This natural event attracts more tourists who embark on a Serengeti safari during the peak of the annual Great Migration than any other time of the year. Around the same time, the mass wildebeest migration starts in Ngorongoro conservation area moving in clockwise direction.
Through the Serengeti they move in a group towards the Masai village. The Migration cuts across borders of Tanzania and Kenya. Thousands of zebras precede the massive million wildebeest migration and shortly thousands of antelopes will follow the wildebeest procession.
The Great Migration takes place in phases with the first phase starting at the beginning of the year between January and March. Apart from the fact that it’s a rainy season, it is also the season in which calves are born within the herd.
Over 400,000 calves are born in the weeks before the annual migration and by February the animals can often be seen grazing and when the rains end towards the end of May they begin to move towards the areas around the Grumeti River.
They will stay here until about June before they cross the Grumeti and Mara rivers in July. The river crossings offer the most spectacular and often brutal sightseeing when the weakest and the oldest of the herds fall prey to waiting crocodiles.
By the start of August, the animals start arriving in Kenya where they will stay until the rains come again most probably in early November and migrate back to the grassy southeastern planes from which they initially migrated to start over the process of calving. In total, the animals will walk for over 800 kilometers and thousands will die from thirst, exhaustion, hunger and predators during the journey.
Hot air balloon in Serengeti national park
Some activities are worth getting up early for and this is certainly one of them. Rising before the birds and heading out from your camp in Serengeti in the silence of the pre-dawn towards the launch-site is all part of the curiosity. Perhaps one of the Serengeti’s more elusive inhabitants will be caught in the headlights on this nocturnal game drive.
The pilot takes tourists through the important safety briefing ahead of their flight as the sky begins to lighten and the crew inflates the balloon – an envelope of savannah gold and acacia green billowing into the cool morning, lit by the flames of the burners. The tourists climb into the basket and prepare to lift into the dawn.
Each flight is a different journey dictated by the direction of the wind, where the sights and sounds rise from the ground to meet the tourists. The starting point is known but the returning point to earth is not known. This is part of the adventure. Sometimes the basket will be gently brushing the tips of the grass and then climbing, climbing through the layers of air until the tourists are high enough to see the curve of the horizon, painted gold and pink by the early sun.
The pilots not only have years of experience in harnessing the African wind, but are also interpreters of the wild lives in the ebb and flow of the landscape below. Around an hour or so after lifting into the sky, the basket will return to the plains of the Serengeti. But it’s not over yet.
The Winds have welcomed tourists with softness. The Sun has blessed them with its warm hands….” The balloonist’s tradition is to toast the flight with bubbly. A short walk or drive from the landing spot will find every tourist raising a glass to their time in the skies.
Wildlife viewing in the Ngorongoro crater
Located in the Ngorongoro Conservation area the gateway to the Northern Circuit,the Ngorongoro crater is a UNESCO World heritage site which was formed as a result of an explosion of a giant volcano which collapsed three million years ago. The cone of the caldera collapsed inwards and created what today is known as the most unique wildlife harbors in Africa and the world at large. It is home to the ‘Big Five’ with a good population of Black rhinos, elephants, lions, leopards and hyenas along with healthy herds of wildebeest, buffalos and zebras. Other wildlife species here include cheetah, jackal, Grant’s and Thompson’s gazelle, flamingo and bat-eared foxes as well as approximately 400 species of bird. Ngorongoro Crater is known for its unique micro-climate and harbors wildlife all year round and therefore there is no good or bad time to visit the crater. However the crater floor gets busy with vehicles and travelers during the high and peak seasons the reason we recommend our clients to visit during low season. Lake Magadi also experiences higher levels of water which attracts higher concentrations of flamingos hence a guaranteed memorable safari action.
Mount Kilimanjaro hiking
Mount Kilimanjaro is not only the highest mountain in Africa but amazing also the highest free standing mountain in the whole world. It has three volcanic cones Shira, Mawenzi and Kibo with the highest peak known as Uhuru. Lying at 5895m above sea level, Mount Kilimanjaro is not so difficult to hike though some degree of fitness is required. Climbing to the summit offers an opportunity to view Africa at a glance and the lovely snow covering the top of the mountain. The mountain is too high with much snow that on clear days, it is visible from some parts of Kenya. Hiking to the top of the mountain takes about 6-8 days depending on the fitness of the climbers and the routes used. There are 6 routes to lead you to the top; Shira route, Machame route, Marangu route, Rongai routre, Umbwe route and Lemosho route. While hiking, you may sport some animals on the lower slopes of the mountain for example; buffaloes, colobus monkeys, antelopes, giraffes and lions. You’ll encounter varying vegetation types at different altitudes of the mountain due to the different temperatures. You are encouraged to carry thick clothes that can warm you when you go higher. More information about Climbing Mount kilimanjaro
Gombe stream national park- chimp trekking
Gombe stream national park is one of the parks in the western circuit, situated on the western border of Tanzania and on the upper side of L. Tanganyika. It is a home to the endangered chimpanzees. This park is the smallest in Tanzania and it became famous after the work of a primatologist named Jane Goodall who founded a behavioral research program for studying the behavior of the endangered chimps. Chimp trekking is the highlight of visits to this park but there are other tourist activities like swimming, hiking and snorkeling. While trekking for chimps, you may encounter other residents of the forest such as olive baboons, colobus and vervet monkeys, antelopes and forest birds.
Zanzibar beaches
Made famous for its spices and the slave trade of the 19th century, Zanzibar Island is much more than a stopping point on an itinerary, and can be seen as a destination in itself. What the island offers is a unique combination of outstanding beaches, along its eastern edge, interesting activities, such as visiting a working spice farm, and the cultural delights of Stone Town, with Arabian fortresses and minarets. They are beautiful, luxurious with stunning coral reefs, cute white sand and spectacular views of the sunset. Beaches at Zanzibar include Nungwi beach, Paje beach, Kendwa beach, Bwejuu beach. Zanzibar can be visited as an extension after a straining gorilla trekking tour and a challenging wildlife vieiwing safari to just chill and relax.
Maasai Village visits for cultural experience
There is no better way to learn about an area you are visiting than going on a cultural trip, meeting and listening to the stories of the local community.
Walk with Maasai warriors, learn from the locals or visit a local school in the bush. Listen to the stories they tell and let them share their knowledge and culture with you. What better way to learn about the rich culture of the extraordinary people of Tanzania?
Believed to have originated from north of Lake Turkana, the Maasai people live on the trans-boundary of southern Kenya and north Tanzania. They are internationally known for the attachment they have to national parks and game reserves. They have maintained their traditions, customs and way of dressing and have continued to resist the urge from their governments about adoption of modern life style.
Bird watching
Tanzania is a great destination for birders with over 1000 bird species found in different habitats like swamps, forests, thickets, grass plains. One of the best birding destinations in Tanzania is Selous game reserve, Serengeti national park, Ruaha national aprk, Tarangire national park among others. Bird species in Tanzania; crested guinea fowl, white-fronted bee-eater, Nubian woodpecker and grey crowned crane.
Camping in Serengeti national park
Camping in the wilderness of Serengeti national park is such an outstanding part of the lodging experience of an African safari to Tanzania. Watching the golden glow of the campfire, enjoying food in the bust as you gain heat from the camp fire, total immersion in the wilderness when the lions roar at night and waking up to watch the grazing wildebeest, antelopes, buffalos and zebras is the true definition of camping in the wilderness. There are many fascinating sites for camping; Kisura camp, Ubuntu camp, Nasikia mobile camp and many more.
Below is a most up to date guiding list we have compiled on how to prepare for your East Africa safari holiday. Hope this will be of help!
What is required to access Tanzania on a Tanzania safari
When you are planning of travelling to Tanzania or going for a Tanzania safari or other purposes,you should ensure that you carry with you or obtain the following items;
A valid passport for at least 6 more months from time of travel
A visa which can be obtained online before arrival or on arrival at Zanzibar airport ,Kilimanjaro airport,Dar es Salaam airport or land border points of Namanga (border with Kenya) ,Mutukula(Border with Uganda and Rusumo(Border with Rwanda) .The visa will cost you US$ 50 for a single-entry visa (except US Citizens who must pay US$ 100). A transit visa costs US$ 30 for a transit visa.
A residence permit or pass
Tanzania travel Vaccines and other entry requirements you should be aware of!
YELLOW FEVER CERTIFICATE
If you are travelling to any East African country on the World Health Organization’s list of yellow fever endemic countries, you must get the yellow fever vaccination and carry the certificate with you as you will be asked to present it on arrival into those countries and when returning to your home country. If you cannot get the vaccination for medical reasons, you must carry an official medical exemption letter from a doctor.
East Africa Yellow Fever Endemic Countries
Uganda
Kenya
Tanzania
Democratic republic of Congo
Ethiopia
Republic of South Sudan
General vaccinations or health considerations required for your Trip?
It is recommended you visit a specialist travel clinic at least two months to your trip for official medical advice. We are not medical professionals, but we recommend that the two most important considerations for an Africa safari holiday are whether you require a yellow fever vaccination or anti-malarial.
Yellow Fever vaccination is required for travelers visiting all East African countries of Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania, Kenya and Congo. Please seek appropriate advice from a specialist travel clinic to ensure you are getting up to date and appropriate information.
To avoid catching malaria, prophylaxes are recommended for travelers to East Africa due to a high risk of malaria.
Hepatitis A & B vaccinations are the other vaccinations generally recommended for travelers visiting East Africa.
Be sure to take a copy of your itinerary with you to your appointment so your doctor can see what you are doing.
What Bags Should you carry to Comply with Luggage Requirements?
If you are travelling in Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda or Tanzania and have light aircraft flights in your itinerary, you will have a strict luggage allowance of 15kgs per person inclusive of hand baggage and in soft-sided bags. Normal suitcases with wheels are fine as long as they are soft sided (no hard plastic cases accepted) and the maximum dimensions for any type of bag cannot exceed 90cm x 65cm x 35cm (L x W x D).
How Much Cash do you Need and What Currency Should I Bring?
You don’t actually need to bring that much cash with you as most places have credit card machines. Any extra bills that you settle at your safari camps, hotels, restaurants, bars, and any souvenirs purchases you make can be paid with a Visa or MasterCard. You only need cash for your tipping and if you want to pay for souvenirs bought off local vendors on the side of the road.
Most countries in Africa readily accept US Dollars as their tourism rates are priced in USD. This is much easier if you don’t want to try and figure out the local currency.
What Tipping procedure should you follow?
Tipping in East Africa is encouraged most especially for porters, safari guides and transfer drivers. Tips make up a significant percentage of their salary and motivation. As mentioned, you should keep small bills either in USD or the local currency for tips. Tipping amounts differ in each country and often depend on who it is that you are tipping and how happy you are with the service delivered. As Engabi Tours and Travel, we recommend you tip as follows per person;
10% of the total bill for good food and service at a restaurant or bar
$1-$2 for transfer driver to/from airports and hotels
$1 per bag for porter
$3-$5 per day for tour driver (if separate to guide)
$10 per day for professional guides remaining with you for the length of your stay at a safari camp or the length of an overland safari tour (given as a lump sum when you say goodbye)
$5 per day for staff at a safari camp (given as a lump sum in the communal tip box when you say goodbye)
$10 per day for a guide on a standalone full-day excursion/activity
$5 per day for a guide on a standalone half-day excursion/activity
What Power Adapters Should you carry on your safari holiday?
Hotels and safari camps in East Africa have international power plugs installed so you will be able to use the same plugs you use at home. Note that most countries in East Africa use the British plug (Type G), and a few use the European plug (Type C).
Will you have WiFi While on a Safari holiday?
These many safari lodges & camps have WiFi access except some few budget accommodations. It’s also common that at most safari lodges and camps you won’t have access within your individual room and will have to go to the main lounge to connect.
If you have an unlocked mobile phone, you may also be able to secure a SIM card at the airport on arrival which gives you data for the duration of your trip on the local network.
What If you have a Special Dietary Requirements While on Safari holiday?
Most safari lodges and camps are good at catering for clients with food allergies or special dietary requirements. For logistical purposes though (Because most camps are in remote locations and must ferry their food in from major towns and cities), it is important that they know well in advance to give them time to plan. Please ensure you let your us know if you have any food allergies or dietary requirements so that they can ensure all your accommodations are aware.
Do you need travel Insurance?
Travel insurance is essential for all travellers to East Africa and should be purchased at the time you pay your deposit to confirm your trip. Safari camps and lodges have strict cancellation charges and travel insurance is therefore recommended to recoup expenses in the event of unforeseen circumstances that prevent you from travelling. In addition, travel insurance is the only means of compensating you for any expenses that arise while travelling as a result of flight delays and cancellations, medical emergencies, or lost or damaged baggage.
We hope you have the most incredible trip to East Africa and please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any other questions that weren’t addressed in this guide.
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