Useful information for your trip to Tanzania
Visa Requirements
Apply through the Tanzanian Embassy or online via the official Tanzania Immigration Services portal. Processing times vary, so apply at least 4–6 weeks before travel. Ensure your passport is valid for at least six months from your entry date.
Most visitors require a visa, except citizens of some African and Commonwealth countries. Visa requirements change frequently, so contact your nearest Tanzania High Commission or Embassy for the latest information. Apply in advance, as some airlines require a visa before boarding.
Transportation
Domestic flights and bush planes are common for park-to-park travel, with luggage limits of 20 kg for domestic flights and 15 kg for bush planes. Safari vehicles are used for ground transport, and Daigle Tours provides top-of-the-line vehicles for comfort and safety. Always carry medication and toiletries in your carry-on, adhering to international air travel regulations.
Shuttle Bus: A cost-effective four-hour shuttle from Nairobi to Arusha operates twice daily, ideal for northern park safaris. Ensure you account for return travel time if flying out of Nairobi.
Ferry: Ferries cross Lake Tanganyika from Bujumbura (Burundi), Congo (DRC), or Mpulunga (Zambia) to Kigoma.
Train: A train service connects Kapiri Mposhi (Zambia) to Dar es Salaam.
Road: Good road links exist from Kenya and Zambia.
Major airlines include Ethiopian Airlines, Kenya Airways, KLM, Oman Air, South African Airways, Turkish Airlines, and Swissair. Some European carriers offer direct flights to Dar es Salaam or Kilimanjaro, while Gulf Air and Emirates provide connections via the Middle East. Check with an IATA travel agent or online airfare platforms for the best deals.
International flights land at three primary airports:
- Dar es Salaam (Julius Nyerere International Airport): Located 15 km southwest of the city, about 25 minutes by car. Facilities include duty-free shops, car hire, a post office, banking, bureau de change, and dining options.
- Kilimanjaro International Airport: 40 km from Arusha or Moshi, approximately a one-hour drive. It offers curio shops, a post office, and dining.
- Zanzibar (Abeid Amani Karume International Airport): 7 km from Stone Town, about 15 minutes by car, with a restaurant, bureau de change, and curio shops.
Communications
Wi-Fi is limited outside urban centres. Internet cafes are primarily found in cities and towns, but national parks often lack connectivity. The satellite internet system provided by Daigle Tours is a reliable alternative for remote locations.
Purchasing a local SIM card for your smartphone is the most convenient way to stay connected. You can buy airtime and convert it into an internet bundle, ideal for use in national parks where internet cafes are scarce. Mobile services, internet, landlines, fax, post, and telegrams are available in urban centres and popular tourist areas. International direct dialling is offered at most urban hotels, but in rural areas, it relies on operator-assisted calls. Overseas calls from local landlines can be expensive, so consider using apps like WhatsApp or Skype over mobile data. Daigle Tours offers a high-speed satellite internet system for those needing reliable connectivity in remote areas, with pricing based on the required bundle (contact us for details).
The country code for Tanzania is 255.
Currency and Payments
VAT is 18% and typically included in quoted prices. Always confirm with vendors to avoid surprises.
- ATMs: Widely available in major towns, accepting Visa or Mastercard. Withdrawals are limited to TSh 300,000–400,000 per transaction. Notify your bank of your travel plans to avoid card issues.
- Cash: US dollars (post-2006 bills) are preferred, with $50 and $100 notes getting better exchange rates. Euros are accepted in urban areas, but other currencies are less common.
- Exchanging Money: Banks and foreign exchange bureaus in major towns offer quick exchanges. Exim and NBC banks provide competitive rates. Save exchange receipts for reconverting shillings at the airport.
- Travellers Cheques: Not recommended due to limited acceptance.
The Tanzanian Shilling (TSh) is the official currency, with notes in denominations of 500, 1,000, 5,000, and 10,000, and coins in 1, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, and 500. Foreigners must pay for accommodation, park fees, organized tours, upmarket hotels, and Zanzibar ferries in US dollars, though shillings are often accepted at the current exchange rate. Zanzibar ferry tickets require US dollars.
Health and Safety
Water is a precious commodity in Africa, so please use it sparingly. Avoid drinking from taps. All our safari vehicles have cooler boxes, and on our fly camping safaris, we provide FREE mineral water daily. Water bought in the lodges is expensive, so stock up before you go to the towns where it’s considerably cheaper.
As a rule, water in the more upmarket safari lodges and hotels is safe to clean your teeth; however, if you’re not sure, ask or use mineral water.
Many hotels and lodges urge you to reuse towels rather than send them to the laundry each day; this is something we also recommend you do to help conserve water.
Pack:
- Anti-diarrheal medication (e.g., loperamide)
- Antihistamines for allergies
- Pain relievers (e.g., ibuprofen, paracetamol)
- Antiseptic wipes and bandages
- Prescription medications (with a doctor’s note)
- Sunscreen (SPF 30+) and insect repellent
Consult your doctor for personalised advice.
Tanzania’s tropical climate requires precautions:
- Malaria: Consult your doctor for anti-malarial medication, starting two weeks before travel. Use insect repellent and wear long sleeves in the evenings.
- Yellow Fever: A vaccination certificate is required if arriving from an infected area (e.g., Kenya, Rwanda, Burundi). Check with your doctor for other recommended vaccinations.
- Bilharzia: Avoid swimming in freshwater lakes or rivers due to bilharzia risk.
- Cholera: Wash fruits and vegetables with bottled water and avoid pre-peeled produce.
- HIV/AIDS: Protection is essential, as HIV/AIDS is prevalent.
Modern hospitals and pharmacies are available in Dar es Salaam, Arusha, and other urban centers.
Luggage Guidelines
Space in safari vehicles and light aircraft is limited, and we ask that you pay particular attention to the guidelines below.
We suggest you restrict your luggage to:
- 1 case – hard cases are acceptable, but soft bags are preferable. A barrel-style bag is best.
- 1 small rucksack containing money, travel documents and camera equipment. This will be inside the vehicle with you at all times
- 1 small fold-up bag (overnight bag) to be used on itineraries that include short excursions
- 1 waist pouch or money belt
We recommend using old or inexpensive luggage. You may use a small/medium-sized rucksack, provided that it has no frame (this causes problems for packing in vehicles and bush planes). It is important to note that flying internally between cities, your allowance usually is 20kg, but on bush planes (travelling between the parks) it is restricted to 15kg.
IMPORTANT: Please take your medication and toiletries with you on board the plane (ensure that these items conform to international air-travel regulations).
Packing for a safari can be a challenge due to the weight restrictions imposed by small charter aircraft and safari vehicles, which limit your bags to no more than 22 pounds total, including camera gear. The weight quickly adds up if you bring a tripod and a telephoto lens.
As many lodges and luxury mobile fly camps offer laundry service, you don’t need to bring a lot of clothes. For a ten-day safari, we recommend you pack two pairs of convertible hiking pants, three short-sleeve T-shirts, two long-sleeved shirts, a fleece, bicycle arm warmers (for chilly mornings), three pairs of socks, four pairs of underwear, a cashmere sweater and a pair of baggy yoga pants or track suit pants for the evening. In the wet season, also pack rain pants and a waterproof windbreaker that each fold into a small pouch.
Most people make the mistake of taking too many clothes. Take only comfortable, casual and semi-casual, ‘wash-and-wear’ clothes. Bright colours and whites are not suitable for game viewing. Please also avoid clothing resembling army uniform. The list below is purely a guideline, and will depend on the length of your safari as well as the month/season. Additional warmer clothing may be required from June to August:
➢ 1 towel
➢ 2 sunhats (many people have lost one while on safari)
➢ 4 pairs of knee-length shorts
➢ 2 pairs of smart/casual trousers
➢ 2 light cotton dresses/sarongs for the ladies
➢ Underwear and socks
➢ 7 shirts/t-shirts (any combination)
➢ 2 jerseys for the evenings (April-August)
➢ 1 tracksuit (April-August)
➢ 1 windbreaker/rain jacket (rainy seasons)
➢ 1 warm jacket (April-August, winter nights can be very cold)
➢ 1 pair of walking/running shoes (2 if possible as the security guards do like them)
➢ 2 pairs of sandals, thongs (flip flops), rafting or canoeing shoes
➢ 2 swimming costumes (due to timings it’s not always possible to dry)
➢ Sunglasses (very important)
➢ 1 torch and batteries
➢ Hair brush, nail brush
➢ Sunblock and after sun.
➢ Lip balm (with the dust, lips get dry very quickly)
➢ Hand cream (as above)
➢ Insect repellent (roll-on is best)
➢ Tissues or disposable moist tissues
➢ Washing powder, plug for sink (most properties won’t wash ladies’ smalls)
➢A waterproof bag. Not only to protect anything and everything from rain, but frankly, dust is an even bigger problem and anything waterproof will solve that too. Plastic bag (to pack wet/dirty clothing)
➢ Pen (for immigration formalities)
➢ Multi-purpose knife, e.g. Swiss Army knife (keep it in your main luggage when travelling on planes otherwise it could be confiscated)
IMPORTANT: Please dress appropriately when crossing borders (no bare feet, no bare chests, no bikini tops, and covered shoulders).
NOTE: If you wear contact lenses bring glasses as well because the dust can irritate your eyes.
Safari Vehicles and Bush Planes: Space is limited. Use one soft-sided barrel-style bag (15–20 kg max), one small rucksack for valuables, and one fold-up overnight bag for short excursions. Hard cases are acceptable but less practical.
Bush Planes: Strict 15 kg limit, including carry-ons. Ensure medication and toiletries comply with air travel regulations.
Storage: Daigle Tours offers luggage storage for unneeded items during safaris, at the client’s risk. Small groups may have more flexibility.
People and Culture
- Learn basic Swahili phrases (e.g., “Jambo” for hello, “Asante” for thank you).
- Ask permission before photographing people.
- Dress modestly, especially in rural areas and Zanzibar’s Muslim-majority regions.
- Support local communities by visiting cultural sites like Maasai villages or craft centres, often included in Daigle Tours’ itineraries.
Tanzania’s population of 45 million comprises over 120 tribes, plus Asian and Arab communities. The Maasai are the most recognised, but no single tribe dominates, fostering cultural harmony. Swahili and English are the official languages, with Swahili serving as the lingua franca. The country’s history includes ancient inhabitants (evidenced by 3.6-million-year-old footprints at Olduvai Gorge), Arab trade influences, German and British colonial periods, and independence in 1963 under Julius Nyerere, who unified Tanganyika and Zanzibar.
Safari Planning
We handle all logistics, including transfers, accommodations, park fees, and guided tours. Our reviews highlight our reliability, knowledgeable guides, and ability to cater to special needs (e.g., vegan diets).
Contact Daigle Tours via:
Email: info@daigletours.com
Phone/WhatsApp: +255 (0) 737 213202 or +255 (0) 753 024590
Online Form: Early booking is recommended to secure your preferred itinerary.
Day Trips: From Arusha or Dar es Salaam, visit parks like Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro, Saadani, or Mikumi.
Multi-Day Adventures: Options include 3-day Saadani or Mkomazi trips, 5-day Usambara Mountains tours, or 7-day Western Tanzania adventures.
Custom Safaris: Tailored to your preferences, including Serengeti’s Great Migration, Zanzibar extensions, or Kilimanjaro treks.
Daigle Tours, a family-owned company since 2010, specialises in customizable safaris across Tanzania’s Northern, Southern, Eastern, and Western Circuits. Based in Dar es Salaam, we excel in Southern Tanzania’s less-crowded parks like Nyerere and Ruaha. Our exclusive lodge near Nyerere National Park offers unique wildlife experiences. With experienced guides, top-tier vehicles, and personalised service, we ensure a memorable safari.
Additional Travel Tips
Do not take photographs of border posts or military/police posts, government buildings and people (unless they have agreed). Before taking a photograph of a local it is respectful to ask permission first. Often, payment is expected and demanded!
Cameras – For photography of birds and animals we recommend using a 300mm telephoto lens. Film and batteries are only available in larger cities and lodge-style accommodation, and tend to be expensive.
Video Cameras – The power supply is 220-240 volts. Daigle Tours vehicles have charging facilities, but not all vehicles you will travel in, so we suggest that you recharge your cameras in the evenings and carry a spare battery during the day. Your Guide be able to advise when best times for charging whilst on safari.
Binoculars – When visiting wildlife areas it is essential to have a pair of binoculars, in order to benefit fully from the safari. We recommend good a pair 10 x 40 binoculars. No one should even contemplate going on safari without a good pair of at least 8 x 30 magnification binoculars. “Opera” binocs just don’t cut it out there in the bush.
Star gazing – There is nothing better than to watch the sun go down from the top of a rocky kopje and to stay and watch the stars and planets appear. Many an enjoyable evening has been spent discussing the heavens and the details of both astronomy and astrology. We recommend if you enjoy the stars to travel with a Celestron Skyscout, which identifies and informs you about any stars, planets, and celestial objects. In the same pack as the Skyscout, carry a Green Laser pointer, which is perfect for pointing out specific stars to your fellow travellers. Also the clean air and conditions in Tanzania, in the remote areas, provide exceptional clear viewing of the stars.
Maps and Field Guides – We recommend:
- Birds of East Africa (Terry Stevenson and John Fanshawe)
- Field Guide to the Larger Mammals of Africa (Chris and Tilde Stuart)
Yes, Daigle Tours offers extensions to Zanzibar’s beaches or Mount Kilimanjaro treks. These can be added to any itinerary.
For more details or to start planning, contact us directly.
- Follow your guide’s instructions during safaris.
- Stay hydrated and use bottled water.
- Keep valuables secure and avoid flashy displays of wealth.
- Purchase comprehensive travel insurance to cover medical emergencies and trip cancellations.
Dry Season (June–October): Ideal for wildlife viewing, as animals gather around water sources.
Wet Season (November–May): Lush landscapes and fewer crowds, but some parks may be less accessible. The Great Migration in Serengeti is best from December to July. Consult Daigle Tours for seasonal advice.