- +255 629 484 291
- +255 757 284 291
- info@serengetilandmark.com
- sales@serengetilandmark.com
”I want to visit Tanzania, but is it safe?” This is a question that regularly comes up from our clients seeking Tanzania travel advice. The short answer? Yes! Tanzania is one of the safest destinations in Africa, with more than 1 million tourists visiting the country every year.Travelling with the travel experts at Tanzania Specialist, safety is paramount. Our private safari experiences with knowledgeable, professional guides enhance your experience in Tanzania and ensure your total peace of mind.Check out our Tanzania safety tips for more information on safe travel in Tanzania.
The population of Tanzania is almost 60 million. One of Africa’s most ethnically diverse countries, around 125 different ethnic groups live in Tanzania, with more than 100 different languages spoken nationwide.
The Tanzanian people are well-known for their hospitality, often warmly welcoming tourists to experience their beautiful nature, wildlife and culture. Meeting the locals is one of the best ways to really learn more about a country and its culture and is well recommended on your Tanzania discovery!
Most international travellers will need a visa to travel to Tanzania. Your visa can be requested online through the official visa website from the Tanzanian government. Please note that this is the only official link for Tanzania visa applications.
It is also possible to get a tourist or business visa for a single entry on arrival at the main ports of entry to Tanzania. This visa for Tanzania is valid for three months. You may be asked to provide proof of your return journey, and costs are $50 per person, US Citizens $100 per person.
When arranging your trip to Tanzania with Tanzania specialist, we guide you through every step of the visa and administration process.
Passports should have at least six months of validity after the final day of travel.
When it comes to embarking on your dream adventure to Tanzania, your safety is our top priority! That’s why we urge all travelers to ensure they have comprehensive travel insurance in place before setting off. While Africa Safari Trips doesn’t provide travel insurance directly, we’re delighted to recommend Chapka Travel Insurance as your go-to provider for your upcoming trip to Tanzania.
With Chapka, you can rest assured that you’re fully covered for every aspect of your journey, from unexpected medical expenses to trip cancellations. Their personalized service means you only pay for what you truly need, giving you peace of mind to immerse yourself in the wonders of Tanzania. So, before you pack your bags and set off on your safari, remember: Safety First. Don’t forget your Travel Insurance with Chapka.
A yellow fever vaccination certificate is only required for travellers one year of age and older coming from – or who are in airport transit for more than 12 hours within – a country with risk of yellow fever transmission.
In addition to standard vaccinations such as MMR and TDP, the CDC and WHO recommend vaccinations for Tanzania, such as Hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and typhoid. Yellow fever and rabies vaccinations are also recommended depending on the traveller’s activities. As of January 2023 there are no more COVID-19 restrictions in Tanzania, and vaccinations or PCR-tests are no longer necessary before traveling.
As with all international travel, we always advise you to consult your physician for professional health advice before travelling to Tanzania.
Tanzania is GMT + 3. To put that into terms we all understand, check out the time difference from Tanzania to LA, New York, London and more below.
Los Angeles: -10 hours
New York: -7 hours
London: -3 hours
Berlin: -2 hours
Hong Kong: +5 hours
Tokyo: +6 hours
Sydney: + 8 hours
Auckland: +10 hours
The local currency is the Tanzanian shilling, although dollars and euros are also accepted in most places in Tanzania.
There are over 100 different languages spoken in Tanzania. The official languages, however, are Swahili and English. You can expect all your Tanzania Specialist guides and hosts to speak English, but if you’re looking to learn a few words of Swahili before your trip, check out our list of top 25 useful words in Swahili!
Swahili and English are the official languages in Tanzania, but Swahili is spoken by almost everyone. In the tourism sector, however, English is widely spoken by the majority of people.
Travelling in Tanzania is more than just a vacation. For many explorers of Tanzania, this is a bucket-list adventure to remember for a lifetime. For detailed Tanzania travel advice or to start planning your custom vacation in Tanzania, contact us now.
We look forward to welcoming you to Tanzania soon!
A well-known phrase to anyone who has ever traveled to Africa. And this is exactly how we want YOU to feel when booking that amazing holiday with us! Totally carefree. This, for example, means that the down payment for your upcoming trip should be in good hands, right?! With Tanzania Specialist it is, because we are a member of SGR. Let’s be honest: in the past, we’ve helped multiple customers who had lost their down payment to a travel company that went bankrupt. Imagine that: booking the safari of your dreams, only to find out later your chosen travel company has gone up in smoke, and so have your travel plans! When traveling with Tanzania Specialist, this cannot happen.
Tanzania Specialist is a member of SGR, a Dutch non-profit that was founded in 1983 to protect the travel funds of individual travelers. As a member, we pay a yearly contribution. To you, as our client, this means your travel sum is safe in case of financial problems or even bankruptcy. This allows you to book your holiday with us, without a worry in the world! To put the SGR warranty in numbers:
SGR stands for Stichting Garantiefonds Reisgelden, which stands for the Organization for Travel Funds. It’s a non-profit organization based in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, which was founded in 1983 to protect travelers from travel agencies going bankrupt. SGR also co-founded EGFATT, the European Guarantee Fund Association for Travel and Tourism. SGR covers package holidays, affiliated travel arrangements, and travel or accommodation agreements, made by travelers with travel agencies who are participating in SGR. This is regardless of the place of residence of said traveler. SGR does not cover individual airline tickets.
Besides being a member of SGR, Tanzania Specialist is also a member of the ANVR. This Dutch representative for the travel industry ensures our services uphold a certain quality standard. Because of this, you can even feel more comfortable when booking your dream holiday with us!
Through our membership of the ANVR you, as a customer of Tanzania Specialist, can be sure that:
The ANVR (Dutch Association of Travel Agencies and Tour Operators) is a representative body for the travel industry. Through our membership in this organization, we uphold the highest standards of honesty, integrity, and customer care. We are audited periodically to help ensure that our focus remains in line with these standards.
The best time to visit Tanzania depends on what you want to see, where you want to go, your budget, and your interests. Every time of the year has its pros and cons. Here’s a guide to help you decide the best time for your Tanzanian adventure. Oh, and before we forget…Everyone is different, there is no correct choice. But one thing that’s for sure: A Tanzania Travel is beautiful the whole year!
These months are the crème de la crème for visiting Tanzania! That’s why we rated them ‘Excellent’. Think of June to October as nature’s blockbuster season: sunny skies, wildlife galore, and the epic wildebeest migration. December to February is like hitting the safari jackpot, with lush green landscapes and adorable baby animals everywhere. And hey, March, April, May, and November are also cool to go—if you love vibrant greenery, bird-watching, and having the park almost to yourself, those months are a hidden gem. Yes, there might be rain, but still!
June to October (Dry Season)
This period offers the best wildlife viewing as animals gather around waterholes, with July and August being peak times for witnessing the dramatic wildebeest migration and river crossings; the weather is pleasant and sunny with fewer crowds.
December to February (Dry Season)
The dry season continues, providing excellent game viewing opportunities and pleasant weather; January and February are particularly special for witnessing the calving season in the southern Serengeti, attracting many predators…👀
March (Wet Season)
The rains begin, making the landscape vibrant and lush, with excellent bird watching and fewer tourists for a more intimate safari experience. And lower prices, of course!
April to May (Wet Season)
Heavy rains make some roads challenging, but the scenery is spectacular, and the parks are quiet with lower rates, offering a serene and affordable safari experience.
November (Wet Season)
Short rains start, rejuvenating the landscape with blooming flowers and green forests, while still offering good wildlife viewing in the northern parks. It is also generally less busy.
The dry season is the most popular time for a safari in Tanzania. Why?
During this time, wildlife gathers around rivers and waterholes, making it easier to spot animals. The pleasant temperatures of 25-27 °C with sunny, rain-free days create ideal conditions for game drives and outdoor activities. You’ll be sitting in the game drive car with the sun shining while wildlife makes their way to the waterholes for a much-needed refreshment.
Fewer mosquitoes and better road conditions enhance your safari experience. The dry season also offers the best opportunities to witness the wildebeest migration, especially the dramatic river crossings in the northern Serengeti. For those looking to climb Kilimanjaro, the clear blue skies and cooler temperatures from evening to early morning make for perfect climbing conditions.
When is the dry season?
However, there are some cons to consider:
The wet season, also known as the rainy season, offers a different but equally captivating experience. Why? Nature is vibrant and lush with blooming flowers and green landscapes. Bird watching is at its best, and the parks are less busy, providing a more intimate safari experience. Plus, lower rates make it a more affordable time to visit.
However, there are a few downsides to keep in mind:
Anything else to look out for, except dry and wet season? Tanzania’s tourism can be divided into three distinct seasons: high, mid, and low. These go hand-in-hand with Tanzania’s wet and dry season. Each season has its own unique advantages and challenges, helping you decide the best time to plan your visit based on your preferences and priorities.
Tanzania weather differs from region to region – but there is always a great time to travel in Tanzania! Weather in the coastal areas is the hottest and most humid, while the North and highlands of Tanzania are cooler because of altitude. The temperatures vary between 22°C and 31 °C throughout the year. During the night, the temperature in Tanzania drops to between 10°C and 22°C. The beaches of Zanzibar have a distinctively tropical climate since it is located close to the Equator.
Tanzania has two seasons yearly: the wet and the dry season. The wet season (also called the rainy season) runs from the end of October right through to December, and then again from the end of March to the beginning of June. They are referred to as the ‘short-’ and ‘long rains’. These tropical rains mostly start late afternoon and continue all night till early morning. The rains of Africa are famous worldwide and are a soothing, enchanting sight to behold during a trip to Tanzania!
Did you know that National Geographic, Discovery and other major media companies choose the rainy season to shoot their wildlife documentaries in Tanzania? Tanzania weather is fantastic all year round and though heavy rains persist most afternoons in the rainy season, the natural environment comes to life. Nature is colourful, the grass is lush and green, beautiful flowers grow, animals find plenty of food, temperatures are nice and cool and, better yet, the main highlights of Tanzania are far less crowded with tourists.
Another benefit of travelling in rainy reason is the lower costs of safaris and accommodation during this low season. The disadvantages of travel during the wet season are that some accommodations are closed and the (sometimes) poor road conditions. Fortunately, this mainly concerns the roads in the national parks in South Tanzania.
For those travelling to Tanzania during the rainy season, the following national parks are open and ready for your visit. Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Lake Natron and Arusha National Park. The national parks of Tanzania that are better avoided during the wet season include Nyerere, Ruaha, Mikumi & Udzungwa. So if any of the latter destinations are on your must-do list in Tanzania, be sure to head out in dry season.
The rain makes for a lush landscape with a high concentration of animals. This means plenty of opportunities to spot wildlife at their finest – and happiest! During the rainy seasons, animals are more active which makes for a fantastic safari experience. With an abundance of food and fresh water, animals roam in their thousands. The rain also protects the animals from the harsh heat of the sun.
Many of our safari guests say that the rainy season offers a more intimate safari experience. For bird lovers, the rainy season is a fantastic time of year to visit Tanzania as lots of migratory birds arrive.
For more detailed information on Tanzania weather and when you should travel to Tanzania, check out our page on the best time to visit Tanzania.
A camping safari in Tanzania is one of the most immersive ways to experience the country’s breathtaking wildlife, stunning landscapes, and rich cultural heritage. Unlike luxury lodge safaris, camping safaris bring you closer to nature, allowing you to experience the raw beauty of the African wilderness while sleeping under the stars.
Camping safaris offer an authentic and adventurous experience, perfect for nature lovers and those seeking an up-close encounter with Tanzania’s diverse wildlife. They are also more budget-friendly than lodge safaris, making them an excellent choice for travelers who want an affordable yet unforgettable safari experience.
Serengeti National Park
Famous for the Great Migration, where millions of wildebeest and zebras cross the vast plains.
Home to the “Big Five” (lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, and buffalo).
Camping amidst the sounds of roaring lions and laughing hyenas is an unmatched experience.
Ngorongoro Crater
A UNESCO World Heritage Site with the world’s largest unbroken volcanic caldera.
Offers a high concentration of wildlife, including rare black rhinos.
Campsites provide breathtaking views over the crater rim.
Tarangire National Park
Known for its large elephant herds and iconic baobab trees.
Diverse bird species, making it a paradise for birdwatchers.
Less crowded, offering a more peaceful camping experience.
Lake Manyara National Park
Home to tree-climbing lions and flocks of pink flamingos.
A mix of lush forests, open grasslands, and the beautiful lake.
Excellent for a short yet scenic camping safari.
Ruaha National Park
Tanzania’s largest national park with a rugged, remote wilderness.
Rich predator populations, including lions, cheetahs, and wild dogs.
A great choice for adventurers seeking an off-the-beaten-path experience.
Selous Game Reserve (Nyerere National Park)
One of Africa’s largest game reserves with fewer crowds.
Boat safaris on the Rufiji River alongside traditional game drives.
Offers an intimate camping experience in untouched nature.
Budget Camping Safari
Travelers stay in basic tents at public or private campsites.
Shared facilities such as toilets and showers.
Meals prepared by a safari cook.
Luxury Tented Camping Safari
Comfortable, spacious tents with en-suite bathrooms.
High-quality meals and excellent service.
Located in exclusive, private areas for a more secluded experience.
Daytime Safari Activities: Game drives, walking safaris, birdwatching, and sometimes cultural visits to Maasai villages.
Evening Experience: Sitting around a campfire, enjoying the sounds of nature, and stargazing in the clear African sky.
Professional Guides and Cooks: Knowledgeable guides ensure a rich wildlife experience, while a camp cook prepares delicious meals.
Close-to-Nature Adventure: Fall asleep to the sounds of the wild and wake up to stunning sunrises.
Lightweight, breathable clothing (neutral colors for game drives).
Warm layers for cool evenings and early mornings.
Comfortable hiking shoes or safari boots.
A good-quality sleeping bag (if not provided).
Flashlight or headlamp.
Binoculars for wildlife spotting.
Camera with extra batteries.
Sunscreen, hat, and insect repellent.
Tanzania offers some of the most spectacular landscapes and abundant wildlife in Africa. Camping in its national parks provides a unique opportunity to be surrounded by nature, far from the distractions of modern life. Whether you are watching a lion hunt at dawn, listening to elephants trumpet in the distance, or sharing stories around a campfire, a camping safari in Tanzania is an experience like no other.
The use of drones in Tanzania’s national parks is becoming increasingly significant in wildlife conservation, tourism, and park management. Drones, or unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), have a variety of applications, but their use in Tanzania’s national parks is especially impactful in monitoring wildlife, collecting data, and enhancing park surveillance.
One of the most crucial uses of drones in Tanzania’s national parks is wildlife monitoring and protection. Drones provide an aerial view that allows park rangers to track animals, observe behavior, and spot illegal activities like poaching from a safe distance. The ability to cover large areas quickly with high-resolution cameras allows for more effective surveillance than traditional ground-based patrols.
Drones are also used to monitor endangered species such as elephants, rhinos, and lions. The data collected helps in assessing the health of populations, identifying migration patterns, and responding to emergencies such as animal poaching or injured wildlife.
Poaching is a major concern in many Tanzanian national parks, including Serengeti and Ruinsori. Drones equipped with thermal imaging cameras are used to detect poachers during the night, when illegal hunting activities are most likely to occur. The drones provide real-time footage, helping park rangers take swift action to prevent poaching. This technology also helps to identify illegal camps or traps that poachers may have set up within the parks.
Additionally, drones are used to patrol areas that are hard to reach on foot or by vehicle, such as remote savannas, dense forests, and marshes, where poachers are often active. This improves the park’s overall security and conservation efforts.
Drones play a vital role in showcasing the natural beauty of Tanzania’s national parks. With aerial footage, they provide stunning visuals of landscapes, wildlife, and cultural heritage sites, which are used for marketing purposes to attract tourists. Drones can capture wide-angle shots of iconic destinations like Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Crater, and Tarangire National Park, offering views that are not accessible by traditional means. These images and videos are used in promotional materials, websites, and social media, helping to boost the tourism sector and create awareness of the parks’ natural wonders.
Drones are invaluable tools for research and data collection in Tanzania’s national parks. Researchers can use drones to capture data on vegetation, forest health, and water resources. This data is essential for understanding the ecology of the park and making informed decisions about conservation strategies.
For example, in Serengeti National Park, drones are used to map vegetation cover, monitor water bodies, and assess the impact of climate change on ecosystems. Drones equipped with multispectral sensors can also gather detailed data on plant health, which is essential for monitoring biodiversity and detecting changes in ecosystems due to human impact or climate change.
Drones are useful in assessing park infrastructure, such as roads, bridges, and fences, which are essential for managing wildlife and tourism. Drones can quickly identify damage or maintenance needs, providing park authorities with real-time information to prevent accidents or deterioration of key facilities.
In addition to infrastructure monitoring, drones also help in monitoring visitor traffic and crowding, particularly in high-traffic areas like Ngorongoro Crater or Serengeti. This data can be used to manage visitor flow and reduce the negative impact of tourism on sensitive ecosystems.
The use of drones in Tanzania’s national parks is regulated by the Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority (TCAA). In order to operate drones in national parks, users must adhere to specific regulations, including obtaining permits and ensuring that drone flights do not disturb wildlife or interfere with park activities. As of now, drone operations are allowed in certain areas of the parks for research, conservation, and tourism purposes, but they must be conducted responsibly.
The Tanzania Wildlife Authority (TANAPA) has set guidelines for drone usage, particularly in sensitive wildlife habitats. These guidelines ensure that drones are used in ways that minimize disturbance to animals, particularly during sensitive times like breeding seasons or calving.
While drones offer numerous benefits, there are challenges and concerns related to their use. The potential for drones to disturb wildlife, especially sensitive species like elephants and big cats, is a key concern. Noise from drones may cause stress to animals, disrupt their natural behavior, and negatively impact breeding.
Additionally, there are concerns about the illegal or unauthorized use of drones. Some individuals might use drones for hunting or other harmful activities. To mitigate these risks, the authorities are working to strengthen enforcement and monitoring of drone activities.
Another challenge is the technical aspect of operating drones in remote areas, where network connectivity may be poor, and the terrain may pose challenges for drone flight. Ensuring that drones remain within the operator’s control and do not lose connection or crash is essential for successful deployment.
Below are items we suggest to bring on safari based on weather and climate conditions. Almost all necessities can be bought in one of the big towns or cities near destinations visited and we are happy to assist or advice you if and when you require personal items to be bought in Tanzania.
When you are packing your clothing, pack as little as possible. The climate in sub-Sahara Africa East Africa is moderate to warm throughout the year. The long rainy season is late March-May, the short rain season is November-December, and the year is dry and sunny. You should pack: a sun hat, sun cream, both long and short pants, light cotton clothing that covers all of your body, insect and mosquito repellent, warm clothing such as a light sweater and trousers for the evenings and night and a fleece and rain jacket during the rainy season.
While in the bush, you are advised to wear colorless clothing that provides camouflage in the natural environment so as not scare the animals. The most preferred colors are: gray, light green, light brown or any pale color and if climbing Kilimanjaro: bring gloves to help you with the sharp rocks you might encounter.
Although African Big Cats safari jeeps have first aid kits, we suggest you also bring your own medical kit including: painkillers, diarrhea ’stoppers’, antihistamine for allergy relief, tweezers, scissors, band aids, sunscreen / sun cream, antiseptic for cuts, lip balm, and insect repellent spray or jelly. Additionally, you should also bring personal sanitary items such as tooth brush, tooth paste, contact lens, and other toiletries. Please buy your own travel insurance from your home country.
Vaccinations and Inoculations: Routine vaccines for African travel include protection against chickenpox, measles, polio, influenza, measles, diphtheria, mumps and rubella, pertussis, and tetanus. Additionally, a “booster-shot” for Meningitis or Rabies is advisable. We also advise you consult a travel medicine clinic or personal doctor before traveling to East Africa to receive the right medical advice. Finally, when traveling to Africa please consult your doctor on the appropriate anti-malaria medicine for you. There are no vaccines available at the moment but protection against malaria is necessary when traveling in the wild.
Phone: local Sim-cards and carriers are available for as little as $2, which allows you to make local calls, receive text messages and receive international calls. Additionally, many of your accommodations will have Wi-Fi available but please know the communications infrastructure is limited in East Africa and you may not be able to contact anybody for several days.
Electricity is generally available, but expect black-outs. All power plugs can be used by having a UK-adapter with you.
A camera with film, memory cards and USB devices for transferring information will help you preserve all of your memories in Africa but please know that electricity blackouts are frequent which may hinder you from charging your batteries.
Please ensure to bring travel documents such as: passport(s), Visa(s), travel insurance, credit cards, plane tickets, passport photos, and cash for Visa’s.
Banks, ATM’s and exchange bureaus are available in all major town and cities. Please authorize your bank or credit card to accept withdrawals abroad and know that a small fee will be charged to your accounts for withdrawing money, depending on your bank.
African Big Cats covers the cost of all accommodations, meals and transportation expenses, except for items not mentioned in your safari package and you should have cash available for tips and additional drinks at your accommodations but there should not be a great need to carry large amounts of cash. If you choose to carry large amounts of cash, please ensure your own safety.
The rate of exchange at present is: $1.00 US = to 2,210 – 2,225 Tanzania shillings (TSH). For comparison: one soda will equal 2000TSh, one beer will equal 4000Tsh.
All lodges, camps and accommodations that African Big Cats Safaris uses offer various kinds of food options, including vegetarian, Halal or Kosher meals. All special meals must be communicated in advance in order for us to accommodate you. Bottled mineral water is provided for all meals and we strongly suggest to hydrate regularly as traveling in Sub-Saharan Africa can be taxing upon your body.
Welcome to our website for all your African luxury, Midrange and budget safaris . Vacation Holiday tour packages in Tanzania & Zanzibar .Hotels ideas, Best tour in Tanzania Safari holidays , Wildlife Safari and beach holidays in Zanzibar and Mafia islands , Mount Kilimanjaro ,Mount meru and Mount Hanan. Ngorongoro Crater safari, Serengeti Migration Safari.
Don’t miss our future updates!
©2025. Serengeti Landmark Tours. All Rights Reserved.
