Good to know before you go
The practical side of a Tanzania trip, in plain language. If anything isn't covered here, just ask.
There's no bad month, only different ones
- Safari
- Kilimanjaro
- Zanzibar
Getting here
Most safari and Kilimanjaro trips start at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), about an hour's drive from Arusha and 45 minutes from Moshi. Some regional flights use Arusha's own airport (ARK). Dar es Salaam (DAR) and Zanzibar (ZNZ) have good international connections and short domestic flights north. We meet every arrival, whatever the hour.
Visas
Most visitors need a visa. The simplest route is the official Tanzania e-visa, applied for online before you travel; allow at least two weeks. Your passport should be valid for six months beyond your departure date with two blank pages. Visa rules change, so always check the official immigration website or your nearest Tanzanian embassy - we're happy to help if anything is unclear.
Health & insurance
- Yellow fever: a certificate is required if you arrive from, or have transited for more than twelve hours through, a country with yellow fever risk.
- Malaria: present in much of Tanzania below about 1,800 m. Speak to a travel clinic about prevention well before you leave.
- Insurance: travel insurance that covers medical treatment and emergency evacuation is a condition of booking with us. Climbers need cover for trekking up to 6,000 m.
- Altitude: if you're climbing, see your doctor first, especially with any heart or lung condition.
Money & tipping
The local currency is the Tanzanian shilling, but US dollars are widely used for tourism. Bring clean, undamaged notes printed in recent years; older or torn notes are often refused. Cards work at most lodges and hotels in town, sometimes with a surcharge. ATMs are easy to find in Arusha, Moshi and Stone Town.
Tipping is customary and makes a real difference. We send guideline amounts for guides, cooks and porters with your final documents, so there's no guesswork on the day.
What to pack
For safari
- Soft bag rather than a hard suitcase (light aircraft limit is usually 15 kg)
- Neutral-coloured layers: mornings are cool, afternoons warm
- Warm fleece for Ngorongoro - the crater rim is above 2,200 m
- Hat, sunglasses, sunscreen and insect repellent
- Binoculars (we have spares in every vehicle)
For Kilimanjaro
- Broken-in waterproof boots
- Four-season sleeping bag (rental available)
- Down jacket, insulated gloves and a warm hat for summit night
- Head torch with spare batteries
- Trekking poles - they save your knees on the way down
We send a full packing list once you've booked, matched to your trip and the season.
Staying connected
Mobile coverage is good in towns and patchy in the parks. Many lodges have Wi-Fi in communal areas. A local SIM or e-SIM is cheap and easy to arrange on arrival; our team can help at the airport.
Tell us what you have in mind.
Dates, who's travelling, what matters most. We'll come back with a day-by-day plan and an honest price, usually within a day.