On safari through the Ngorongoro Crater
February 11, 2023
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Traveling through Tanzania, it's an insane adventure. But what exactly should you keep in mind? We share all our tips with you in this article. Because if you are taking a round trip through the largest country in East Africa, a good preparation is so important.
The first consideration you can make is to have your round trip organized, for example by us. But you can also choose to join a group tour or completely plan your own itinerary. Our trip through Tanzania was our first experience with the continent Africa, and what a fantastic adventure we had. Through our personal travel tips, we hope to not only inspire you to book a vacation to Tanzania, but also that you can be well prepared to hit the road. One thing is for sure, you will lose your heart to this beautiful country!
Helpful tips for traveling through Tanzania
Nothing is more fun than being busy preparing for your upcoming trip. Nowadays you can find a lot of information online, but is all the information really that practical and up-to-date? So to give you a hand with all the preparations, we like to share some handy tips for traveling through Tanzania. Of course combined with our own experiences and great accommodation tips!
1. Do I need a visa to travel through Tanzania?
To travel through Tanzania, we (Dutch people) need a visa, a tourist visa. This visa allows you to travel through Tanzania for 90 days. You can apply for the visa in several ways:
At the embassy of Tanzania in The Hague;
Online via Tanzania's immigration service portal;
Upon arrival at Tanzania's airport.
2. What vaccinations do I need?
Keep in mind that you must get vaccinated when traveling around Tanzania. For example, a vaccination against Yellow Fever is mandatory and you must be able to prove this upon arrival at your destination. You do this by registering your vaccination in your yellow booklet, available from the GGD or GP, and showing it at customs. Two other vaccinations that are important to protect against are DTP and Hepatitis A.Â
It never hurts to contact a (travel) doctor to be well informed about vaccinations for Tanzania. More information can also be found at the GGD Travel Vaccinations website.
Taking malaria tablets while traveling
It is good to know that the malaria mosquito is prevalent in Tanzania. For some areas it is recommended to take malaria tablets. Because the side effects of these tablets vary from person to person, it is good to let your doctor inform you in advance. They will also look at the travel route you will be taking and will indicate when you can start or stop the treatment. The best known malaria tablets are Malarone (taken daily) and Lariam (taken weekly).
Malaria mosquitoes are most active during sunrise and sunset. Knowing this, you can make sure that during these periods you cover your body well and use repellent mosquito spray.Â
3. Can I see the great migration in Tanzania?
The great migration is one of Tanzania's most impressive spectacles and you can see it in the Serengeti National Park. This phenomenon can be described as the migration of millions of herbivores across the lands of the Serengeti in search of fresh grass and water. It is mainly wildebeest and zebra that travel over a thousand kilometers on this quest. This makes it the largest (in numbers) and longest migration of mammals on land. The Great Migration is therefore among the seven natural wonders of Africa. The months of July and August are the peak periods to see this migration with your own eyes.
4. Is traveling through Tanzania safe?
Personally, we found traveling through Tanzania to be very safe. The locals are friendly and welcoming, we found that they were mostly very happy tourists at destination. Of course, as in many other destinations, it applies that you have to be alert and behave respectfully towards the locals. It is advisable not to walk the streets alone at night in the larger cities such as Dar es Salaam and Arusha.
For the most up-to-date travel advice, please visit the State Department website. Here is a map of security regions.Â
5. What clothes are best to pack for travel through Tanzania?
One of the most important things we have learned over the years is that it is always wise to pack clothing based on layers. From a warm cardigan to a top/shirt. This is also very valuable when traveling through Tanzania. During the day it can get incredibly hot and you will want to walk around in short clothes, but at night and early in the morning it can be quite chilly. Especially in the national parks and mountains. So be well prepared for this!Â
Also, always keep in mind that you are in another country where the religion and culture is different, so do not wear too short clothes and low-cut t-shirts/tops (for women). This is not always appreciated.Â
6. Can I combine my itinerary through Tanzania with a visit to Zanzibar?
The answer is: yes!
Zanzibar lies off the coast of Tanzania and is about a 1 to 2 hour ferry ride from Dar es Salaam. This depends on the sea current, wind and waves. Zanzibar is a tropical island known for its heavenly white sand beaches and beautiful underwater world. Did you know that you can see the world's oldest sea turtles on Prison Island? For more tips, you should read our article on the best places on Zanzibar.
Take a tour of Tanzania
Traveling around Tanzania, that's what you want too, right? If you are having trouble planning your itinerary, we would like to help you get started. During a 1-on-1 video interview we will map out your wishes and advise you on the most beautiful places that suit you. Would you rather leave it all up to us? No problem! We organize your trip completely customized. Feel free to request a travel proposal for your vacation to Tanzania.Â
Lois Weeterings
A dreamer and adventure seeker, always on the lookout for new experiences. But also a hard worker with a thousand ideas racing through my mind. As a personal travel consultant and travel blogger, I share my passion for faraway destinations, thrilling adventures, and winter sports. With deep knowledge of places like Namibia, Colombia, the ABC Islands, and the Middle East, I’m here to help you craft a trip you’ll never forget. Through my personal stories and expert tips, I aim to inspire you to explore the world your way. Always with my camera in hand, I’m determined to capture every magical moment and share it with you.
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