Tanzania

Travel to Tanzania

Tanzania has airports including; Julius Nyerere International Airport and Kilimanjaro International Airport. Airlines that fly to Tanzania are; Kenya Airways, Emirates Airways, Etihad Airways, Qatar airways, Brussels, South African Airways, and British Airways. Flights from Tanzania connect to all major cities of the World. A Visa is required to enter Tanzania. Visas can either be obtained in advance through the various Embassies/High Commissions abroad, Consulates or at the airports or other ports/borders of entry. The process is fast and easy and all one requires to have is a valid passport.

People, Language and Cultures

Including the offshore islands of Zanzibar, Mafia and Pemba, Tanzania has a total area of 365,755 square miles/ 947,300 square kilometers. Tanzania has a population of almost 52.5 million people. Tanzania is a multilingual nation with many different indigenous languages. Swahili and English are the official languages, with the former spoken as the lingua franca by the majority of the population. Christianity is the predominant religion in Tanzania, accounting for just over 61% of the population. Islam is also common, accounting for 35% of the population.

Weather and Climate

The best wildlife viewing months in Tanzania are during the dry season from late June to October. The best chance of seeing the wildebeest migration in the Serengeti is during June and July and the time to see the wildebeest calving is late January to February. The Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater offer good wildlife viewing throughout the year. The dry months offer good game viewing throughout Tanzania. Tarangire and the southern and western circuit parks (including Katavi, Selous and Ruaha) are best visited in the dry season, from June to October.

Food

Most lodges serve meals in buffet-style. The food is prepared according to the western-tastes, and includes some local cuisine too. If a camping safari is chosen, fresh meat and produce is prepared by the expert chefs accompanying the clients to the highest standards. Special dietary requirements such as vegetarian or diabetic meals can be easily arranged with prior notice. A vegetarian or vegan may wish to bring along some alternative protein sources. Persons with multiple food allergies, it is advisable to bring along supplemental snacks.

Key Attractions

The Serengeti is arguably the most famous safari destination in Africa. For parts of the year, it is home to the vast wildebeest and zebra herds of the Great Migration – a spectacle that remains the park’s biggest draw. The Ngorongoro crater is the largest intact caldera in the world. It creates a unique ecosystem filled with wildlife – including giant tusker elephants, black-maned lions and endangered black rhino. Iconic Mount Kilimanjaro is the world’s tallest free-standing mountain and the highest mountain in Africa.

Health Requirement

There are several vaccinations recommended for travel to Tanzania, including Hepatitis A and Typhoid. Zika Virus is also a risk, and as such pregnant women or those that are trying to conceive should consult a doctor before planning a trip to Tanzania. Depending on where you’re going, anti-malaria prophylactics may be necessary, while proof of Yellow Fever vaccination is compulsory if you’re traveling from a Yellow Fever endemic country.

Financial Services

The Tanzania Shilling is the main currency. You are however advised to carry American Dollars. Money changers do accept major convertible currencies including the EURO and the Japanese Yen. Travellers cheques may be acceptable in some places, but not in the remote countryside.  Major Credit Cards may also be acceptable in some large hotels; however it is advisable to carry Cash US Dollars, which you will change on arrival.