Do I need a passport to travel to Tanzania?
Yes! You must have a passport to travel internationally. When you book your trip with Off Cape Experiences, we ask that you submit a copy of your passport in part to verify whether it’ll be valid when you travel. To travel, your passport must be valid for at least six months after you return from your trip and has at least one (and probably more) empty pages.
Renewing a passport can take four months so if it doesn’t meet the above criteria, start the process immediately.
Make copies of your passport and keep one in a safe place not with your passport. This will come in very handy if you misplace it and need to get a new one.
Do I need a visa for travel to Tanzania?
Yes! Get a visa before travel by clicking “New Application” and filling out the online application form. Learn more by visiting the U.S. State Department website. Getting a visa before traveling will shorten the arrival process at Kilimanjaro International Airport, but is not required.
If you plan to get your visa at the airport, you must have a crisp $100 bill printed after 2006. Older bills with imperfections may not be accepted.
Travelers from outside the U.S. with other passports should review entry requirements for your home country, or get in touch and we’ll help you navigate this process.
What vaccines are required for travel to Tanzania?
None if traveling from the U.S. However, we recommend reviewing the CDC Traveler’s Health page for Tanzania, which recommends a number of vaccines, including childhood vaccines, COVID-19 and Typhoid.
Tanzania requires proof of yellow fever vaccination upon arrival if you are traveling from a country with a risk of yellow fever. This does not include the U.S. See the list of countries with a risk of Yellow Fever transmission.
The CDC also recommends taking malaria prophylaxis. Please be sure to consult your doctor to decide what medicine is right for you.
In addition to vaccines, if you take prescriptions, please bring enough for the duration of your trip. Obtaining your prescriptions in Tanzania is iffy at best. Some other prescription tips:
Pack your prescriptions in their original, labeled containers. We suggest you pack them in your carry-on bag.
Be sure to bring enough contact solution and personal hygiene products for the duration of your trip. Ear plugs are also a good idea to have on your flight.
If you are prone to motion sickness be sure to pack non-drowsy Dramamine or an equivalent. We will be spending a lot of time in the safari vehicles while on game drives and roads can be quite bumpy.
A personal First Aid kit is always a good idea to have on you when traveling abroad.
Is tap water safe to drink?
No. Drink only bottled water. Do not drink water from the tap. Your accommodations and guides will provide water for you to fill your refillable water bottles you bring from home or provide bottled water for you. Bringing a Nalgene or similar 1 Liter refillable bottle is highly recommended and promotes sustainable travel and respect for the places we are traveling.
In addition, routine hand washing before and after meals and after using the bathroom will cut down on your chances of getting sick. Although delicious and a great way to experience local culture, eating street food can also increase your chance of getting sick.
Is it safe where we’re going in Tanzania?
Tanzania is generally a safe place to travel. However, using common sense is a must. When on safari, you will be briefed by your local guides about when and where it’s safe to walk. You will be briefed upon arrival at each location.
Listen to briefings from your guides and ask questions! Do not assume.
What’s the weather like?
Tanzania is located just south of the equator so, as a general rule, expect it to be warm to hot during the day and cool in the evening. The weather can also quickly change so having a raincoat or warm layer is a good idea while on safari.
During the day on safari, the temperatures can reach into the 90s and drop as low as the 50s overnight. The temperature will fluctuate depending on cloud cover and breeze.
While in Zanzibar, you can expect a more tropical climate. Temperatures will likely be into the 80s and 90s during the day with nice weather that will drop to the 70s in the evenings.
Do I need to bring cash? How much?
Cash is king in Tanzania. Some of the bigger tourist shops and hotels will take Visa and Mastercard, but other than that, it is best to plan on using cash wherever you go.
Some additional info about cash and money:
Bills printed after 2009 will receive the highest exchange rate. Bills that are old, wrinkled, torn or written on will likely be given a lower rate. 100s and 50s will also bring higher exchange rates than lower denomination bills.
ATMs are available in the cities and some hotels. However, in Tanzania, the machine might be out of cash, the electricity may be out or you might be charged high fees to use it.
Travelers Checks are not recommended as you will receive a lower rate of exchange and may not be able to exchange them once we leave town.
Bargaining is acceptable when buying souvenirs in Tanzania. How much you want to push it is up to you. Ask yourself what you would pay for that item at home, compare the price and find somewhere in the middle that is reasonable for both parties. Remember to keep a smile on your face and always be polite. It’s a good thing when both sides of the deal are happy.
Is tipping customary in Tanzania?
Tipping in Tanzania is similar to tipping in the U.S. Restaurant staff, safari guides and drivers highly depend on tips as a main source of income. The amount is up to you and is greatly appreciated. Standard practice at restaurants is up to 20% and for your driver and guides, $10-$20 USD per person per day is normal and usually given at the end of the Safari.
Should I bring my expensive digital camera?
Cameras are important pieces of equipment while on safari if you want to record memories to revisit later. As for what type of camera or lens to bring, it’s entirely up to you. Whichever camera you decide to bring, be sure to become familiar and comfortable using it before departing for your adventure. The wrong time to learn how to use your camera is on safari. Animals are often viewed at a long distance from your vehicle so consider a camera with good zoom and image quality.
If you plan to use a camera other than your cell phone, you may want to consider bringing an extra battery and extra memory cards. You don’t want to run out of batteries during a game drive. Be sure to charge your batteries every night, even after game drives! The number of memory cards you bring depends on the amount of photos you’ll take. It’s better to have an extra and not need it, then to need one and not have it. Some types of memory cards are available in Tanzania, but they are expensive. There is nothing worse than filling up your only memory card, trying to scroll through your pictures to decide which ones to delete to free up space for more pictures. This normally happens while something exciting happens during a game drive. Just pick up an extra card!
Photo etiquette is very important. The etiquette of photographing most people is about the same as it would be on the streets of your hometown. Many Maasai people have particular concerns about photography. They know photographers have made money from selling pictures of them, and many will usually ask for money in exchange for their picture. Try to set a clear understanding when taking pictures of Maasai or any other people, even from a distance.
In general in East Africa, you need permission to take a close-up, as you would at home, but not for a crowd scene. Be especially polite if you want to photograph a woman wearing a veil. If you want to shoot a portrait, show interest in your subject, and try to have a bit of interaction first. Then use hand signals to inquire if a picture is OK. Your driver-guides can help.
In addition to cameras, we also recommend bringing binoculars. While on safari, animals are often at some distance. You won’t want to miss camouflaged leopards in a tree, a lion lounging in the grass or a beautiful bird at a distance. A decent pair of binoculars will help bring the action closer to you! If you don’t own a pair of binoculars, it’s worth it to consider buying or borrowing a set. Check out this article about the best binoculars for safari if you need a place to start. I’ve found that 8x or 10x magnification usually does the trick.
Will my phone work in Tanzania?
Probably, if you pay for it. Check with your provider for roaming rates and international data packages before traveling. These rates can pile up very quickly and be extremely expensive.
If you have a travel phone or a phone with a slot for an extra SIM card, you can buy a local SIM card with data for the duration of your stay. This usually ends up being the cheapest option, though not always the most convenient.
Do I need a power adapter to charge my devices?
Yes. It will be important to charge your devices each day when returning to your accommodation for the evening, especially your camera. You can find universal adapters or adapters specifically for the Type G outlet used in Tanzania at online retailers. Adapters now come with USB ports and more than one outlet for charging multiple devices at once. Click here to learn more.
How will we get around in Tanzania?
Good question! The answer is in style! Toyota Land Cruisers and Land Rovers are the go-to vehicles while on Safari. Upon arrival in Tanzania, your safari team will be waiting to welcome you at the airport. These vehicles are set up with large windows for optimal viewing and a raisable roof for an unobstructed 360-degree view of your surroundings. Perfect for capturing that photo of a lifetime.
What else do I need to know about game drives?
Listen to your driver or guide. They know best how to keep you safe!
Driving in the parks is allowed between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. only.
Do not exceed 50km/h and no more than 25km/h in Ngorongoro Crater.
Camping is permitted only in designated sites.
At Ngorongoro Crater, picnicking is allowed only at designated sites.
Wild animals always have the right of way.
Keep to the authorized tracks only. You will be fined if you are found off the main tracks.
Do not disturb or harass the wildlife in any way. Radios and MP3 players are forbidden. Please do not imitate animal sounds, clap, hoot or pound on vehicles. Do not throw objects to attract an animal’s attention.
Do not litter. Keep your waste in the vehicle until it can be properly disposed of later at your lodge or camp. Litter can choke or poison animals and birds.
Do not smoke while on game drives and always dispose of cigarettes carefully while at camp. A burning cigarette can start a wildfire that would cause damage to vegetation and suffering to wildlife and people.
Never feed animals at your hotel or in the wild. It will upset their diet and lead to an unnecessary dependence on people.
Do not pick, cut or destroy any vegetation or remove any object of biological interest, including eggs, bones and trophies.
