1.820.3345.33

Tanzania Travel FAQs

Traveling to Tanzania is popular for viewing the majestic wildlife, safari tours and climbing Kilimanjaro, the highest free standing mountain peak in the world and the highest in the African continent. Tanzania Travel FAQs answers all unresolved queries of enthusiastic adventurers, right from visa processing, safety tips, weather conditions, food and accommodation options, and cultural guidelines. Take advantage of this handy information doorway. Prepare yourself for an outstanding vacation in the vast wilderness of Tanzania, a safari mecca.

Frequently Asked Questions

Tanzania is a safe and hassle-free country to visit, in general. Tourists will be safe in Tanzania as long as they travel with a local tour operator instead of opting to travel independently. It is advisable for visitors to take the precautions and follow all government travel advisories in order to avert any untoward incident while traveling in Tanzania. Incidences of terrorism are rare in Tanzania and general crimes like petty thefts, street mugging and bag-snatchings can be evaded by simply staying away from the crime hotspots. Avoiding secluded areas, traveling alone after dark, respecting the sense of local dress-up and carrying minimum cash or valuables while strolling around are some ways of staying safe in this wonderful country. Also, try not to use a bag-pack and use a taxi in the night time in the cities.

 

First and foremost, it is to be clear that food and water-borne illnesses can happen in any country that you travel. All you need to do is maintain a good level of personal sanitation while traveling and take some precautionary measures while consuming your food and drinking water.

For the most part, Tanzania’s food is safe to eat. However, it is advisable not to eat cold or pre-prepared foods and reheated food, for example in street stalls or hotel buffets. Likewise, drinking tap water is very unsafe in Tanzania. To avoid any kind of health hazards, we recommend drinking bottled, treated or filtered water. Using bottled water for brushing your teeth is also a beneficial option to stay away from any bacterial infection. We do not recommend eating raw fruits or vegetables that have not been peeled. Even if you eat some fruits, make sure to wash them properly with filtered or bottled water. The ice content in your drinks is not safe as well – you don’t know the source of the water used to make ice, so better stay off from it! It is best to avoid salads and eat your dairy products that are pasteurized.

When you are in Tanzania, there will lots of opportunities to intermingle with the local people who are very friendly with foreign tourists. You will definitely be able to experience some of the cultures of Tanzania depending on how much time you wish to spend in the country. Swahili is a culture of Arab-African mix prevalent in Tanzania with other big Asian communities, particularly Indians in the urban areas. The Maasai tribes inhabiting the rural areas, especially in the northern regions are among the best known populations having distinctive customs and red robes.

To explore some of the best cultural experiences in Tanzania, you must not miss the following:

  • Meet the Maasai in the Ngorongoro Crater Highland region.
  • Celebrate Mwaka Kogwa, the Shirazi New Year, at Makunduchi Village.
  • Explore the historical Kilwa Ruins.
  • Meet the Hadzabe around Lake Eyasi.
  • Attend the colorful Wanyambo festival.
  • Visit Stone Town, a culturally rich Swahili coastal trading town.

The African continent is blessed with abundant wildlife, birds, flora, and cultural history. Tanzania is such a country that has one of the best wildlife bionetworks. During your safari tour in Tanzania, you will most likely catch sight of The Big Five – Elephants, Rhinoceros, Cape buffalos, Lions, and Leopards. Besides, you will also get to spy on other animals such as zebras, antelopes, giraffes, African wild dogs, monkeys, apes, chimpanzees, hippos, wildebeests, hyenas, jackals, cheetahs, and gazelles. Apart from the wildlife, you will also get an opportunity to see birds like hornbill, trogon, weaver, flamingos, flycatcher, secretary bird, tinker bird, and many more.

You will find a number of accommodation options on your Tanzania holidays. Luxurious lodges can be found in the national park regions and safari circuits that may vary greatly from a three to five star level. Heritage buildings have been used for accommodation in the winding alleys of Stone Town while sprawling resort style accommodations will be found on the Zanzibar Island. Hotels in Tanzania vary from the expensive luxury hotels in cities and popular tourist areas to mid-range universal and cheap BB hotels in the regional towns.

There are safari lodges and public campsites in all national parks and game reserves. Luxury tented camps have the amenities similar to that of a hotel or a lodge with en-suite bathrooms, restaurants and swimming pools while simple camps have basic facilities including toilets and showers. Most of the lodges are basic aimed at families and tour groups while a few top-end luxury lodges come in an exorbitant price.  Most visitors who come to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro will sleep in the tents during their climb, or at huts in some of the climbing routes.

To start with, Tanzania has a huge opportunity for family safari and beach holidays owing to the abundant wildlife, copious sandy beaches and a feasible logistic approach. There are so many choices of Zanzibar beach holidays in combination with safari trips without any long internal flights that makes it a perfect destination for kids and family. The enjoyment of the adventure truly flows between children, parents and grandparents in such a way that it creates a fond memory to cherish forever. If carefully planned and considered on several fronts while designing an ideal family itinerary, you are assured of fabulous Tanzania family holidays.

It may initially seem intimidating when you plan a family trip to Tanzania, but once you weigh the pros and cons of the journey, it is more tempting. So, in a nutshell, Tanzania is surely a good family destination and the kids will really make the most out of their holidays in Tanzania.

No, it is very unsafe to drink tap water in Tanzania. The tap water is not considered fit for drinking purposes as they are polluted with harmful elements. We highly recommend you to use tap water only for showering or cleaning your hands, and not even for washing your fruits or vegetables. Restaurants may provide bottled water but make sure that the water is from a branded company and the seal is intact. However, branded bottled water may not be available everywhere especially when you are on a safari trip or climbing peaks. During these times, ask for treated water or boiled and filtered water. If you insist on drinking bottled water, make sure to check the seal because it may have been refilled carelessly by an unscrupulous water dealer. To evade other health issues, use either filtered or bottled water for brushing your teeth as well.

Tanzania is known to be a safe and hassle-free country especially tourists. As long as you are traveling with a registered tour operator, you are not exposed to any potential threats whatsoever. Taking all necessary precautions and following the travel norms set by the government should be considered while you are traveling in Tanzania to avoid unwanted dangers. Terrorism incidents are rare in the country; there are no Muslim extremists or life-threatening activities happening. Petty thefts and street muggings may be widespread in tourist hotspots and city areas. For more details on safety issues, we strongly recommend you can visit the links below and read the travel advice published by your country:

 

United State Of America-Travel Advice 
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Tanzania.html

Canada-Travel Advice 
https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/tanzania

United Kingdom-Travel Advice 
https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/tanzania

Australia-Travel Advice

https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/africa/tanzania

Although Tanzania is broadly recognized as a world-class wildlife destination, there is much more the wonderful country offers its visitors. From the ancient historical sites and marine reserves to spotless beaches and game-filled plains, Tanzania is a perfect holiday destination for all kinds of travelers. Here is a list of Tanzania’s main attractions that a traveler cannot afford to miss:

  • Mount Kilimanjaro – Africa’s highest peak
  • Serengeti National Park – vast treeless plain with millions of animals
  • Lake Manyara National Park – home to thousands of flamingos and other wildlife
  • Matema Beach – on Lake Malawi is a heavenly spot for swimming
  • The Big Five – one of Tanzania’s most popular attractions
  • Prison Island – resident colony of giant Aldabra tortoise
  • Ngorongoro Conservation Area – one of Tanzania’s most popular wildlife viewing areas
  • Katavi National Park – Tanzania’s third largest national park
  • Mount Meru – second highest mountain in Tanzania
  • Olduvai Gorge – an important archaeological site
  • House of Wonders – also known as the Palace of Wonders, overlooks the waterfront of Stone Town
  • Mafia Island – desirable location for deep-sea fishing, diving and snorkeling
  • Tarangire National Park – fantastic area for wildlife viewing
  • Pemba Island – northernmost island in the Zanzibar archipelago
  • Arusha National Park – filled with spectacular landscapes
  • Stone Town – cultural heart of Zanzibar
  • Annual Wildebeest Migration – the annual migration of giant herds of grazers across northern Tanzania and Kenya
  • Old Fort – the oldest building in Zanzibar
  • Selous Game Reserve – largest game reserve in Africa
  • Lake Victoria – largest freshwater lake in Africa
  • Ruaha National Park – Tanzania’s largest park
  • Maasai Market – in Mwanza, locals sell beaded jewelry and medicines
  • Jozani-Chwaka National Park – largest area of indigenous forest on Zanzibar Island
  • Zanzibar Beaches
  • Gombe National Park – Tanzania’s smallest national park

This question is quite tricky to answer because different parts of Tanzania have different attractions and they have their own best times to visit in particular. It all depends on which part of the country you will be traveling and what activities you will take up to decide the best time to travel in Tanzania. For all wildlife lovers, any time of the year is good except if you wish to have a must-see experience of the annual great migration, which is between the months of July and October in Serengeti National Park.

For all beach lovers, the best time to visit the beaches of Zanzibar is from June to October when temperatures will be warm with much drier conditions. For hikers, Kilimanjaro, one of the seven summits is a dream come true experience. Although Kilimanjaro can be climbed year-round, there are two distinct trekking seasons which are considered the best times for the summit. January to March and June to October are the two dry seasons on the mountain of which the former is colder with higher possibility of seeing snow on the summit.

Visitors to Tanzania must acquire a visa from one of the Tanzanian embassies or apply online for an e-visa unless they belong to a visa exempt country or eligible to obtain a visa on arrival. Citizens of some countries and territories can visit Tanzania without a visa for a period of 3 months. Diplomats and special passport holders of Brazil, China, India and Turkey do not require a visa to enter Tanzania. Nationals of some specified countries need to obtain a visa in advance as they need consent from the Commissioner General of Immigration.

For more details on visa issues of Tanzania, you may visit the following websites:

https://www.worldtravelguide.net/guides/africa/tanzania/passport-visa/

 

In accordance to the government regulations, citizens of some countries need to apply for their Tanzania visa in advance as they need approval. People from some other countries, however need no visa at all for a period of 3 months. But, for most of the countries, visas are available on arrival in Tanzania.

A traveler can get a single-entry or transit visa on arrival at Tanzania’s entry port. However, we recommend you to apply for a tourist visa in advance at any Tanzanian embassy near you. You should note that multiple-entry business visas are not issued at the entry point.

Yes, you can apply for the Tanzanian visa online unless you do not fall into the category of those nations who need to apply for their Tanzania visa in advance. However, if you do qualify for applying online, you will be required to fill in the online form, make payment as required and submit the application online. The visa application will be reviewed internally and processed within ten days and you will be notified through your email whether you have been granted or rejected a Tanzania visa. You can also track the status of your application through the online system. Those applying for online visas should apply keeping in mind the processing time it takes for the visa. Citizens of some countries or some individuals may be called for an interview as well at your nearest Tanzanian embassy or a consular office.

Single-entry tourist/business/student visa is valid for 3 months from the date of issue and costs US$50. The exception here is that US citizens need to pay US$100 and UK citizens, if applying in advance, need to pay GB£40. If yotu are applying for a Tanzania visa in the US, multiple-entry visa will cost US$100 and is valid for either 6 months or 1 year. Business visa, however, will cost you US$250. If you are applying for the visa from the UK, double-entry visa will cost you GB£70, while a 6-month multiple-entry visa will cost you GB£80 and for 1 year, it will cost you GB£100. A business single-entry visa will cost you GB£180. Transit visas are available for those traveling through Tanzania to another destination. The transit visa will cost you US$30 and is valid for a period of 7 days.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and World Health Organization (WHO) recommend the following vaccines for Tanzania travel: hepatitis A, hepatitis B, typhoid, yellow fever, rabies, meningitis, polio, measles, mumps and rubella (MMR), Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis), chickenpox, shingles, pneumonia, and influenza.

Malaria, dengue and chikungunya exist in Tanzania.  Although vaccination is not required, mosquito repellants and netting can help protect against both malaria and dengue. A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required by all travelers coming from an infected country. Meningitis is a periodic risk, so vaccination is advised. Rabies and cholera are also present in Tanzania. So, those visitors who are at high risk, it is safe if you consider vaccination before coming to Tanzania. For more details on vaccination requirement, you may visit the following portals:

https://www.passporthealthusa.com/destination-advice/tanzania/

https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/tanzania

https://www.afro.who.int/countries/united-republic-tanzania

Tanzania brags numerous national treasures, and fascinatingly there are endless things to see and do when you travel to this appealing country. Tanzania is best known for its national parks that comprise nearly 30% of the nation. Some recognized ones are Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Crater, Tarangire National Park, Selous Game Reserve, Katavi National Park, Ruaha National Park, and Arusha National Park.

Next, Tanzania is known for its trekking and hiking opportunities. Some of the prominent hiking journeys include climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, Mt. Meru, Crater Highlands, Mahale Mountains and hiking Usambara Mountains, Kitulo National Park, and Southern Highlands. Besides, Tanzania is famous for its spectacular beaches and islands namely the Zanzibar Island, Mafia Island, Pemba Island, Lake Tanganyika, Sange Beach, Matema Beach, and Pangani.

Tanzania is also known for its ruins and rock art, deep-sea fishing, diving and snorkeling activities, bird-watching and offbeat traveling. The annual wildebeest migration is almost a national activity that the country is known for and an event not to be missed by travelers. Millions of wildebeest along with zebra and gazelle wander through the grasslands of Tanzania and Kenya and migrate in the pastureland.  There is no doubt that Tanzania is one of the world’s most favorite destinations to travel without any parity.

Yes, it is definitely worth visiting mainland Tanzania. It is such a diverse nation with endless exciting things to see and do including climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro, visiting National Parks, Game Reserves, ruins, and spectacular beaches in Zanzibar Island. The red-robed Maasai culture and the wildebeest migration over the Mara River are something worth an authentic Tanzania holiday. When you are able to participate in the world’s most sensational safari experience, there is no doubt that your Tanzania tour isn’t worth it. Hot air balloon safari over the endless plains of Serengeti lets you float along the winds while you observe the beautiful scenery and countless animals under you. Tanzania has got more for you – it is definitely worth visiting the country once in your lifetime.

Traveling solo in Tanzania is safe as long as you practice basic safety responsiveness. There is no doubt that Tanzania is a good travel destination for either family and kids or group travel. Nonetheless, it is equally a good destination for solo travelers as well. It is easy for solo travelers to confront almost any region within Tanzania on their own without having to worry too much. Be it exploring the northern safari circuit, or exploring the iconic Serengeti or Ngorongoro Crater, it is safe. Make sure to stay away from the crime hotspots to evade petty thefts, street mugging or bag-snatching incidences. Also, avoid secluded areas and long stretches of deserted beach areas. Do not travel alone after dark, respect the sense of local culture and carry minimum cash or valuables while wandering around.

ATMs are available in most cities and major towns in Tanzania and they are reliable and open 24 hours. All internationally linked ATM kiosks allow withdrawing Tanzanian shillings usually up to a maximum amount of Tsh 300,000 per transaction while some banks allow Tsh 400,000. ATMs in smaller towns often have a limit of Tsh 200,000 and a daily limit of Tsh 1.2 million. The main operators in Tanzania are Barclays, CRDB, Exim, National Bank of Commerce, Stanbic, and Standard Chartered.

Swahili is the official language of Tanzania. However, being a multilingual nation, English is widely spoken in this east African country. Other languages spoken in the country are the native languages of the various ethnic groups of the Bantu and Nilotic origin. Most of Tanzania’s population is confident in their mother tongue while the general populace has substantial knowledge of English. During the country’s British colonial era, English was commonly used in Tanzania.  English together with the Swahili language has been used as a medium of instruction in schools since Independence. As Tanzania has developed into one of the world’s most visited destinations, local people have been taking special language courses including English and other foreign languages to earn their livelihoods by guiding the tourists to the mountains, beaches and the national parks.

Tanzania has four international airports and over 100 small airports or landing strips throughout the country. From the four, the 3 main airports which people frequently fly into Tanzania are:

  • Kilimanjaro International Airport (lies between Moshi and Arusha) (IATA code: JRO)
  • Julius Nyerere International Airport (Dar es Salaam) (IATA code: DAR)
  • Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (Zanzibar) (IATA code: ZNZ)

Unfortunately, there are no direct flights from North America to any of Tanzania’s International Airports. It means that if you are traveling to Tanzania from North America, you will have to choose from the options:

  1. Make two stops en route
  2. Make a single stop in Istanbul or in Amsterdam

Turkish Airlines is operating direct flights from 13 cities in North America to Istanbul, and then fly directly to Tanzania. Likewise, KLM has rather more options of connecting the North American destinations to Tanzania via Amsterdam. Other option of getting into Tanzania from North America would be flying into Nairobi, Kenya and then entering Tanzania either by road or by flight. Similarly, you can fly into Dar es Salaamfrom any of the cities like Dubai (Emirates), Abu Dhabi (Etihad Airways), Cairo (Egypt Air), Addis Ababa (Ethiopian Airlines), Muscat (Oman Air), Doha (Qatar Airways), Johannesburg (South African Airways), Harare (Air Zimbabwe), Lusaka (FastJet), Mombasa (Kenya Airways), or Malawi (Malawian Airlines), if you manage to get there by some means.

The only two direct routes from Europe to Tanzania are KLM Royal Dutch Airlines and Turkish Airlines. KLM flies daily from Amsterdam to Dar es Salaam and Kilimanjaro while Turkish Airlines flies to the same destinations from Istanbul. Other option of getting into Tanzania from Europe would be flying into Nairobi and getting connected to Kenya Airways to most of the airports of Tanzania.

The options of getting into Kenya’s Nairobi include British Airways from London Heathrow, Air France from Paris, Swiss Air from Zurich, Brussels Airlines from Brussels, Lufthansa from Frankfurt, and Kenya Airways from London Heathrow or Amsterdam. However, if you are flying into Dar es Salaam, you can connect from cities like Dubai (Emirates), Abu Dhabi (Etihad Airways), Cairo (Egypt Air), Addis Ababa (Ethiopian Airlines), Muscat (Oman Air), Doha (Qatar Airways), Johannesburg (South African Airways), Harare (Air Zimbabwe), Lusaka (FastJet), Mombasa (Kenya Airways), or Malawi (Malawian Airlines). Some of these airlines also operate through the routes into Kilimanjaro and Zanzibar.

There are no direct flights from South America to Tanzania. The most feasible route would be a flight from Sao Paulo, Brazil to Johannesburg, South Africa with South African Airways and getting connected onwards to Dar es Salaam. Other options are rather less convenient and also would take longer time for the entire journey. These options are connecting flights of Emirates, Turkish Airlines, KLM and Ethiopian Airlines from European or Middle East hubs

Unfortunately, there are no airlines operating anywhere in Asia that has direct flights to Tanzania. Asian travelers would have to either to fly to Europe or the Middle East to fly into Tanzania. However, Kenya Airways operates three direct flights to the major Asian cities of Mumbai, Bangkok and Hanoi. You can fly into Nairobi and then onward connect to any of the Tanzanian gateways.

Unfortunately, there are no direct flights from Australasia to Tanzania. The nearest and most feasible connection flight from Perth (Australia) would be the popular South African Airways to Johannesburg and then onwards onto Tanzania. The entire flight trip will take around 20 hours or sometimes more. Again, the best alternative routes to fly into Tanzania would be via the Middle East (Emirates, Etihad Airways or Qatar Airways) or Europe (KLM or Turkish Airlines).

Depending on which part of the country you are visiting, Wi-Fi facilities differ in terms of accessibility. There is no doubt that major hotels lodges throughout the country will have Wi-Fi or an internet connection. However, there may be no Wi-Fi access in the mountain regions such as Kilimanjaro, during safari trips or in the beaches or snorkeling spots. Some lodges may offer you a computer with internet access in case they do not have Wi-Fi facilities.

Our guides have satellite phones with them at all times. In case you are concerned about your well-being at the least coverage areas such as campsites or mountain peaks, we will never let you completely cut off with your family and friends.

The East African mobile operator, Tigo Tanzania has revealed their offering to 10 million subscribers to freely use the instant messaging platform, WhatsApp. The platform is now free in Tanzania. Tigo had in the past introduced zero-rate access to Facebook in Swahili, the ethnic language of Tanzania.

Most of the phones that have been previously unlocked will work in Tanzania. It is to be noted that Tanzania uses GSM 900 and 1800 while USA uses GSM 850 and 1900. It is possible that your phone may not possess the correct frequency bands to work properly in Tanzania. Check the specifications on your phone before you travel. In the worst case scenario, you could buy a cool smartphone which is offered at cheaper prices by operators like Vodafone and Airtel

The local food in Tanzania is simple, filling and savory and they reflect both the nation’s history and geography. Having Arabic and Indian influences, the local cuisine of Tanzania is mouthwatering, exotic and uncommon. Listed below are some of the Tanzanian foods that you must try during your visit:

  • Chipsi Mayai – Chips and Eggs
  • Ugali – Maize porridge
  • Nyama Choma – Grilled or roasted meat
  • Mchuzi wa samaki – variety of fish curry
  • Mshikaki – skewered pieces of marinated meat
  • Mandazi – a small triangular sugared donut
  • Pilau – seasoned rice (with variety of spices)
  • Mchhicha – thick and creamy vegetarian meal
  • Ndizi na Nyama – plantains with meat
  • Vitumbua – fried rice cake
  • Wali wa Wazi – rice in a mixture of coconut milk and water
  • Zanzibar Pizza – pancake like version of the Italian pizza
  • Mchemsho – special dish of vegetables like potato, green beans, tomatoes, cabbage, eggplant mixed with fish or meat
  • Mahindi ya kuchomo – roasted or grilled corn

Tanzania has been frequently voted as the best tourist destination in terms of wildlife and safari tours. There are so many reasons to select a Tanzania safari holiday over any other countries in Africa and anywhere else in the world. Firstly, compared to other African nations, Tanzania is more affordable, less-crowded and relatively safer with an established political scenario. Next, Tanzania has the broadest ranges of wildlife on the continent and it is easily accessible for international tourists. The scenic landscapes and topography of Tanzania offers absolute beauty that doesn’t fail to mesmerize visitors at every bends. Safari tours are far from just exploring on dusty four-wheelers in Tanzania. A variety of options for stalking on animals include a hot air balloon ride and safe walking tours to see what prowls behind the head-high grasses.

Tanzania has multiple safari options regardless the time of year although most of Africa has dry and wet seasons that may affect wildlife viewing. One more reason to prefer Tanzania safari over others is the option to suit all budgets. Right from 3-day tented safari to a more luxurious 8-day trip, each trip has something to offer to all visitors. Also, when you are in Tanzania, you may extend a beach trip in the Zanzibar Island after your safari tour, which is added fun and leisure.

As stated earlier, Tanzania is a safe and hassle-free country to visit, in general. We recommend booking any of your trips with a registered local tour operator instead of opting to travel independently. As far as safety is concerned, it is advisable to take precautions and follow all government travel advisories to avert any awkward incidents. Terrorist attacks are rare and general crimes like petty thefts, street mugging and bag-snatching may be quite rampant in the tourist hotspots. For more details on safety issues, we strongly advocate you to visit the links below and read the travel advice published by your country:

United State Of America-Travel Advice 
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Tanzania.html

Canada-Travel Advice 
https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/tanzania

United Kingdom-Travel Advice 
https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/tanzania

Australia-Travel Advice 
https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/africa/tanzania

The Tourism and Diplomatic Station, the first tourist police station of its kind, suits to serve the requirements of the tourists who have been wronged and ill-treated by fraud operators and left in helpless conditions. Recently the Tanzania Police Force has also been applauded for launching a special unit to take care of the safety needs of both diplomatic members and other foreign tourists.

The Tanzania Tourism Board has stressed to ensure that tourists visiting Tanzania get to enjoy maximum security throughout their stay. To make a significant impact on the development of the tourism industry in the country, the Tanzanian government has deployed the Police Force. The TTB has emphasized peace and security as the two serious aspects in attracting more visitors to the country.

Most parents may be wondering whether it is possible to trek with children in Tanzania. The simple answer is yes! Children aged 10 and above are eligible to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro. However, you will want to prepare them very well for the famous climb to Africa’s highest mountain peak.

Do a proper health checkup of your child before the climb and take the necessary medications or vaccination if necessary. Make sure to insure for your kid’s travel and health. Get your child prepared thoroughly, both mentally and physically. You also need to take utmost care while selecting the required hiking gears and equipment to protect your kid from all weather conditions, be it rain or snow. It is very important to take your child on short hikes in your native country at higher altitudes to get acclimatized with thin air. The last and a significant one, listen very carefully to what your tour operator and your guides have to say regarding the climb.

It is not new when people talk about Mt. Kilimanjaro when you ask them about their experiences of hiking in Tanzania. For several obvious reasons, Kilimanjaro has repeatedly made headlines in the news while thousands of hikers have embarked to claim the summit of Africa’s highest mountain peak. Beyond the ever famous Kilimanjaro, Tanzania has other popular hiking and trekking opportunities which are all worth buckling up your hiking boots for. The following are some of the most popular hiking choices apart from Mt. Kilimanjaro:

  • Meru
  • Olmoti Crater – Ngorongoro Conservation Park
  • Empakai Crater – Ngorongoro Conservation Park
  • Ol Doinyo Lengai Volcano – Ngorongoro Conservation Park
  • Udzungwa Mountains
  • Pugu Hills
  • Empakai to Ol Doinyo Lengai Volcano

 

Before taking up any of the above popular hiking trips, you need to know that all of these spectacular walks require a good level of fitness. Also, you need to keep yourself hydrated in the hot climate by drinking plenty of water and fluids. We do not recommend you going out without a professional guide.

Hiking in Tanzania is not as challenging as a serious mountaineering struggle and climbing the most popular Mt. Kilimanjaro doesn’t require you to be extremely fit. But yes, you need to prepare your body in accordance to the specific requirements of the trek. Mental determination as well as stamina will be equally decisive whether or not your trip will be fruitful. In addition, preparing physically for the hike will play a major role in contributing to your diligence level, conviction and personal gratification. Or else, the first few days of hiking will be so exhausting that you will run out of energy when needed the most.

More than the extent of fitness, the type of fitness is rather significant while hiking in Tanzania. The best preparation that we can suggest to travelers is to hike, rather under similar conditions of your actual hiking destination. In addition, do regular gym workouts and go out for regular walks.

Tanzania features spectacular hiking and trekking spots apart from the theatrical wildlife prospect and widespread beach locations. Hiking undoubtedly takes on a high profile in a country like Tanzania that boasts for owing the world’s tallest free-standing mountain. In fact, you should go hiking in Tanzania if you wish to explore the exotic    flanks of Tanzania. You should hike in Tanzania if you want to hiking is the best way to experience the sensations of the stunning mountainous expanses of Tanzania and to engage in the wonderful nature.

Both Kenya and Tanzania offer astonishing backdrop, fabulous game viewing, and various aspects of the annual great wildebeest migration and several other activities that resist any judgmental explorations. Both the countries have abundant national parks that are pretty amazing and they are both very safe for travelers. Kenya is a bit more westernized and English is more widely spoken here. Generally speaking, Kenya has a strong tourist infrastructure with more lodges and hotels to choose from while on the other hand, Tanzania is more affordable. Kenya gets more visitors while animal numbers in Tanzania vastly outdo their Kenyan counterparts. Tanzania has a greater wilderness experience by far and wildlife spread out over a very large area. Depending on how travelers perceive their safari picture, it totally makes a difference to discriminate a better choice. By large, it cannot be pinpointed as to which one is better, Kenya or Tanzania. All visitors have their own criteria and benchmarks to decide on their personal favorite!

You will stumble upon plenty of budget travelers in Tanzania if you think that the country is expensive. It is a fact that the national park fees are very high, but if you don’t pay them, then you won’t be able to see the wildlife or climb Mt. Kilimanjaro. Safari tours can be expensive as well, but you have choices of accommodations and services to make it seem cheaper. Apart from these activities, Tanzania is actually a very cost-effective country to visit. It all depends on how expensive you want your Tanzania holiday. Purchase a San Pelgrini water bottle at the Grand Hyatt for $15 or then buy a bottle of Dasani across the street for $1 – that’s your choice! Sleep at a luxurious 5 star hotel or just stretch your feet at some budgeted hostel or a lodge, it all matters.

Tanzania is probably in the bucket list of millions of travelers. But, just like with any other travel destinations in the world, there are some threats and forewarnings to be alert of before you go. Although Tanzania is mostly safe to visit, precautions should be taken in places such as Arusha, Stone Town (Zanzibar) and Dar es Salaam. Crimes like street muggings, petty thefts and bag-snatching are very common in the touristic places in Tanzania. Walking and traveling alone at night could pose severe threat, especially to isolated places and secluded beach areas. Displaying of a huge amount of money or valuable jewelry items is dangerous too.

Tanzania safari is safe, of course! When you book with an authorized safari operator, there is less chance that your trip could be messed up in terms of safety concerns. It is really very important that you choose an experienced and expert team of professionals to lead your safari tour. Crimes like petty thefts or robbery is quite common in the cities, so during your safari you will be out of city area. Incidents like thefts and bag-snatching or mugging can be actually easily avoided when you take a few safety precautionary measures.

During your safari tour, mosquitoes could possess a health menace. So, it is necessary that you be prepared for shielding the pricks and contracting malaria or dengue from them. In fact, the risk of catching malaria or dengue will be a bigger anxiety rather than being assaulted by a wild animal during a game drive. However, considering all things, the track records of Africa’s safari contribution in terms of health and safety are exceptional.

Planning a Trip?

We have a pool of travel experts working in this industry for more than a decade. Consult to get started.

Book a Call Back