Going to Tanzania in Africa is what everyone is dreaming about whether on Safari, Kilimanjaro, Zanzibar or Volunteer for social transformation. Knowing what will cost you for an experience you are looking for is the top notch in planning your experience in Tanzania.
KARIBU sana in Tanzania. Karibu is loosely translated as WELCOME but in Swahili means a lot more than welcome, it means come, have a seat, eat, drink, make stories, crack jokes and if possible sleep over.
Things to Consider when planning a Safari in Africa?
1. Landing Airport
I am Sure you already know where you are heading to in Tanzania whether in Arusha if you are looking for Safari and Mountain Experiences and you will need to land at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), If you are going to Dar es salaam you will need to land at Julius Nyerere International Airport (DAR) and if you are into beaches and water Zanzibar is the best place to be by landing at Zanzibar Airport (ZNZ) or spend two hours in a boat from Dar es salaam to Zanzibar to get connected to the Indian Ocean.
2. Passport valid for Minimum of 6 Months beyond visa issuance
Passport valid for not less than 6 months is globally accepted with a visa stamped on it for easy and smooth stay and exploration. For more details on the Visa Issues do visit the Tanzania Immigration Service
“Of all the books in the world, the best stories are found between the pages of a passport.”
3. What you would like to experience
When planning a safari in Africa do consider the experience you would love to have whether on Safari, Kilimanjaro, Zanzibar or Volunteer.
4. The total days of stay
The number of stay is highly resulted by the kind of experience you have opted. If climbing Kilimanjaro is in your bucket list, then the minimum of 5 days are required. If you would love to see Serengeti National Park, the minimum of 3 days is of must.
5. Packing List
Depends on time of the year, sunscreen, Chargers for type G sockets, Sun glass, personal spending money, additional toiletries, day bag, medical kit, Swahili phrasebook, entertainment like a Bluetooth speaker for some chill nights under the African sky.
6. Weather
Tanzania has a pleasant, tropical climate but has large regional climatic variations influenced by several factors, including altitude. The hottest and most humid part of the country is the coast. Other low-lying areas, such as the western and southern parks, are also hot but less humid. The rest of the interior is much milder and cools down significantly at night. Tanzania has a distinct Dry and Wet season. The best time to visit Tanzania is July to October when the country is its driest season which is stunning for wildlife spotting.
7. Consider some Swahili words at least two or three
The most famous word to use is MAMBO which is the same as HELLO and the response to it is POA or HABARI (how are you? If all are good you say NZURI but if not fine you respond as “SIO NZURI” though in Tanzania we are sure Mambo will be POA. Some Swahili words will easy everything in Tanzania as everyone will consider you as a member of a community with a first class treatment. Above all to say THANKS in Swahili is ASANTE which is a very import word in a Swahili conversation
8. Buy a Sim Card
This helps so much as you will not always be in the hotel to access WIFI and you will need the help of internet or share something with a friend or family back home. You may also need to use google translate, check maps and spots in town. So having sim card life will be livable.
9. Consider walking around and not driving all the time
This will highly make you see the street corridors and experience what you have never experienced before as you can see local markets, Maasai cattle markets, taste local foods in the streets and meet local ordinary Tanzania Citizens and exchange greetings.
10. See Tanzania by Night
Visit the nearby Club (s) and have a drink around while enjoying the beauty of Tanzania. This is the best way to experience off the beaten track of experience.
11. Combine experiences (Safari, Kilimanjaro or Zanzibar
An ideal experience comes with different touches, like going on a short trip to Meserani Snake Park, Trip to Ngorongoro, Climb Kilimanjaro or connect to Indian Ocean in Zanzibar. By combing the experiences, you will have a total African experiences from wildlife, people and landscapes. You can choose to go on a day trip to Tarangire, Visit the hadzabe bushmen, climb Kilimnajaro. Get to see some Mid Range Tanzania Safari, Budget Safari in Tanzania and a Luxury one for your awareness.
12. Vaccination
In the times we are living, there has been so much complication but won’t stop us from traveling. If not Yellow fever, then it is Covid-19. Entering Tanzania, you will need to do a rapid test at the Airport upon arrival which is USD 10 and 72 hours before departing you will need to do the PCR test which costs USD 50. Yellow Fever vaccination is not mandatory unless you are coming from a country prone to yellow fever. The list of countries is available here.
