Tanzania Travel Guide
Tanzania through the seasons
Are you looking for classic Africa? Most of the continent’s iconic landscapes are yours for the taking when you travel to Tanzania! Experience for yourself the snow-capped peak of Mount Kilimanjaro. In the cool, dry months, easily the best time to visit Tanzania, witness millions of wildebeest and zebra make their annual 500-mile trek during your Serengeti adventure. Or embrace the breathtaking views during a Ngorongoro tour. To finish? It has to be the mystical spice islands of Zanzibar! If you are more adventurous, you can easily get away from the beaten path.
Enjoy a number of smaller national parks, such as Tarangire and Manyara, with a special charm all of their own, as well as Lake Victoria, the source of the Nile river and the largest lake in Africa. Witness unforgettable sunsets on the mighty Rufiji River in the Selous. See elephants and antelopes cavorting at the beach in Saadani. Have close encounters with chimpanzees in Mahale and Gombe Stream. Venture into remote Katavi and Ruaha where you are rarely see another vehicle. At the end of your safari, relax at one of Tanzania’s beautiful offshore islands, where beaches take center stage and tropical coral reefs are shoaled by bright Indian Ocean fish. Bliss!
If you find yourself wondering is it safe to travel to Tanzania, you can rest assured that it is quite safe. Before you set out on your vacation, learn essential details about the culture of Tanzania and get the latest travel information from experts in our Tanzania travel guide below.
Health information
All visitors traveling to Tanzania from East African countries are required to produce proof of yellow fever vaccination.
There is a risk of malaria in Tanzania so anti-malaria prophylactics are strongly advised. It is prudent to always carry mosquito repellent with you especially in risky zones such as safari parks. Regions that are at an altitude of 1800 meters or higher, such as Mount Kilimanjaro or the Ngorongoro Crater rim, are malaria-free.
Dar Es Salaam, the capital, has good medical facilities in line with most international standards. However, the further inward you travel, the fewer the chances of finding appropriate medical facilities or pharmacies. It is recommended that you carry all prescription medicines with you.
Language and religion
Swahili and English are the official languages spoken in Tanzania, the former being the national language. There are also other local languages spoken in Tanzania among different tribes e.g. Maasai, Meru and Sukuma. Indian languages such as Gujarati amongst others are spoken among the Asian communities in the country. Most people learn their local language first and are introduced to English and Swahili at school.
About one third of Tanzania’s population is Christian, another third Muslim. The remaining third follow indigenous and other beliefs. The majority of the Muslim communities are found in coastal areas and in Zanzibar. There are some large Muslim majorities inland as well, mostly along the former caravan routes. Out of the Christian population, the majority are Catholics and Protestants whilst other denominations make up the remaining percentage. Other religious communities including Buddhists, Hindus and Bahá’ís also reside in Tanzania.
Currency and cards
Tanzania’s official currency is the Tanzanian shilling (TSZ). Most popular tourist destinations accept payment in both TSZ as well as in USD. However, do remember that US dollar notes printed before 2013 may not be accepted and those printed before 2009 will be rejected outright. Even if you exchange your currency at an authorized money exchange, don’t forget to collect your receipt.
In Tanzania there have been some cases of card cloning at ATMs. In order to avoid these, please ensure that you inform your bank before you travel and after your return so that fraudulent transactions can be monitored and cancelled. Also avoid using ATMs that are not located inside or at the bank premises. Visa is the most accepted card in Tanzania although there may be a surcharge levied for transactions.
Our destination experts are happy to share more detailed information with you. Get in touch today with us for your tailor-made, obligation-free Tanzania tour itinerary.
Popular Trips to Tanzania
Best Places To Visit
Northern Serengeti
Manyara & Ngorongoro
Mt. Kilimanjaro
Nyerere National Park
Ruaha National Park
Zanzibar
Best Time To Visit
The best travel time for your tour of Tanzania depends on the regions you visit, and what you wish to experience. Discover the climate and month by month highlights.
Things To Do
Great Migration, the magical Serengeti National Park, fascinating indigenous cultures, and the spice islands of Zanzibar – discover the top ten things to do in Tanzania.
Safety
Tanzania as well as Zanzibar, are generally considered a safe destination for travel. As with all other destinations, all you need to do is follow these simple safety measures.
From the Blog
On The Zanzibar Map: Spices, Slaves And A Bit Of History
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Best Time To Visit Zanzibar
Zanzibar tourism is possible at any time of the year. Here is an overview from our destination experts.
Zanzibar Travel Tips
Are credit cards accepted in Zanzibar? Which vaccinations do you need? Follow the link for our Zanzibar travel tips.
Safety in Zanzibar
As tourism is the primary source of income in Zanzibar, the local authorities take the safety of tourists seriously. Here is an overview.
The Enchanting Travels Difference
What Our Guests Say
What Our Guests Say
“We have just returned from a wonderful safari in Tanzania that exceeded our expectations. Alison Felfoldi and our trip coordinator Evans Alala were attentive in planning and creating an amazing experience. We are looking forward to planning our next adventure with Enchanting Travels.”
August 2025 Rating 5/5
“Just got back from two weeks in Africa. What a great trip. The first week was on Safari seeing all the wild animals. The second was sightseeing in Zanzibar and then Victoria Falls. Alison Felfoldi and Ruth Mbugua were incredible in arranging all of the details. The Hotels were great the venues were fantastic the guides were knowledgeable and all of the pickups and drivers were prompt and courteous.”
February 2025 Rating 5/5
“We just returned from an outstanding 3-week trip to East Africa. Our travel consultant did an outstanding job of putting together this trip for a friend and me. Everything went as smooth as glass. We saw an extraordinary number of animals and the accommodations were even better than pictured. Our personal guides were enthusiastic, knowledgeable, and kind, even assisting with all our check-ins. Every transport worked seamlessly. It was a great experience, we highly recommend Enchanting Travels!”
September 2025 Rating 5/5
“We made a family trip to Africa (Tanzania and Kenia) to celebrate my 50th Birthday. From day 1, Alison was great in understanding us and providing some great recommendations. She and Bovin (our local contact) made this trip a dream come true. They were always attentive, gave recommendations and heard all of our desires. When we had a question, they would have a quick answer. Thank you both for making this an amazing and unforgettable trip.”
May 2025 Rating 5/5
“From the advice we got from Peter when we booked our trip to the excellent execution of the details that Cyprian did, there was not a hitch. We were met by professionals who ushered us through customs and checked us into our flights. The itinerary was packed with memorable experiences of seeing animals, getting to know the people at the tent camps who were more attentive than we could have imagined. The tents were exceptionally clean, beds comfortable, the food outstanding and our overall experience was beyond our expectations. We could not have imagined going on this trip without Enchanting Travels and consider ourselves fortunate that we chose you.”
February 2025 Rating 5/5
“Every single detail of this trip was perfect and taken care of by the outstanding staff of Enchanting Travels. They made us feel like royalty.”
August 2024 Rating 5/5