Tanzania
Tanzania is classic safari country: the Serengeti's great migration, the wildlife-packed Ngorongoro Crater and Kilimanjaro, Africa's highest peak, all lie in the north. Add the Indian Ocean beaches and Swahili history of Zanzibar's Stone Town, and wilder southern parks such as Nyerere, and you have one of Africa's most rewarding, if expensive, trips.
Overview
Most visitors divide Tanzania into three parts. The northern safari circuit, based in Arusha, links Tarangire, Lake Manyara, the Ngorongoro Crater and the Serengeti in a loop of five to ten days by 4x4. Kilimanjaro rises nearby, a six-to-eight-day trek for most climbers. Then comes the coast, usually a short flight to Zanzibar for Stone Town and the beaches of the island's north and east. Repeat visitors head south and west to Nyerere and Ruaha, or to the Mahale Mountains on Lake Tanganyika for wild chimpanzees.
A safari here is expensive because park and crater fees are high and many lodges are remote or fly-in, but the quality of game viewing is exceptional. The dry months concentrate animals around water and bring the busiest tracks, while the green season from November to May is cheaper and lusher, with calving in the southern Serengeti early in the year. Zanzibar is more relaxed and less costly, though its beaches change dramatically with the tides. Greetings matter and courtesy is valued. First-timers are often surprised by the scale of the Serengeti, and by how long drives between parks take.
Map of Tanzania
Top 5 highlights
- 1Wildlife
Serengeti National Park
Endless grass plains famed for the great migration of wildebeest and zebra, whose river crossings in the north peak from around July to October. Lions, cheetahs and leopards are seen year-round.
- 2Wildlife
Ngorongoro Crater
A collapsed volcano whose floor, almost 20 km across, holds an extraordinary concentration of wildlife, including black rhino, lions and flamingos. Descend at dawn to beat the convoys, as time on the crater floor is limited.
- 3Adventure
Mount Kilimanjaro
At 5,895 m, Africa's highest mountain can be climbed without technical skills, but altitude makes it serious. Choose a longer route such as the Lemosho or Machame to acclimatise, and a reputable operator.
- 4History
Stone Town, Zanzibar
Zanzibar's UNESCO-listed old town is a maze of coral-stone houses, carved doors and Omani palaces, with a memorial on the site of East Africa's last open slave market. Combine it with spice farms and white-sand beaches.
- 5Wildlife
Nyerere National Park
Created from the northern part of the Selous Game Reserve, this huge southern wilderness offers boat safaris on the Rufiji River, walking safaris and African wild dogs, with far fewer vehicles than the north.
Biggest cities
Dar es Salaam
Tanzania's commercial capital and main port is hot and fast-growing; most visitors pass through for the Zanzibar ferry, but the National Museum, Kariakoo market and seafood stalls fill a day.
Mwanza
A lakeside city of granite boulders on Lake Victoria's southern shore and a little-used western gateway to the Serengeti; Bismarck Rock and grilled lake fish are the local draws.
Dodoma
The official capital, home to parliament and fast-growing government districts but of limited interest to visitors; the new electric railway makes it an easy stop between the coast and the interior.
Ranked by urban-area population where available. Figures are rounded estimates, and sources define city limits differently, so rankings of similar-sized cities can vary.
Holiday regions in Tanzania
These areas have their own season and weather — see their guides for sea temperatures, resorts and flights.
When to go to Tanzania
Best time: Jun–Oct.
Average climate in Arusha
Festivals & events
- Feb–MarSauti za Busara
Several days of African music in Stone Town, Zanzibar, with artists from across the continent; it is usually held in February, though some editions move into March.
- Jun–JulZanzibar International Film Festival
One of East Africa's biggest film festivals, screening African and international films at venues around Stone Town from late June into July, with concerts alongside.
- JulMwaka Kogwa
The Shirazi New Year in Makunduchi, southern Zanzibar, celebrated in July with mock fights using banana stems, the burning of a hut and feasting; visitors are welcome.
How much does Tanzania cost?
Estimates per person per day, excluding flights. Prices vary by season and city.
Food to try
Nyama choma
Grilled goat or beef, chopped on a board and eaten by hand with salt, chilli, kachumbari salad and ugali, the stiff maize porridge; a sociable weekend ritual.
Chipsi mayai
A street-food omelette with chips cooked into it, sold at roadside stalls nationwide and served with tomato sauce, chilli and a little salad.
Urojo (Zanzibar mix)
A tangy Zanzibari soup of mango and tamarind loaded with bhajias, potato, cassava crisps and skewered meat; found at Forodhani Gardens' night market and Stone Town stalls.
Getting around
Safaris run in 4x4s with driver-guides, booked through Arusha operators or lodges. Domestic airlines such as Precision Air, Coastal Aviation and Auric Air connect Arusha, Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar and park airstrips. Azam Marine ferries cross from Dar es Salaam to Zanzibar in about two hours, and the new electric SGR train runs inland to Dodoma. In cities, the Bolt app works and bajaji tuk-tuks are cheap.
Practical information
- Plugs & voltage
- DG230V — UK plugs fit
- Emergency numbers
- Telephone: 112 (ambulance, fire, police)
Source: FCDO “Getting help”
- Dialling code
- +255
- Time zone
- UTC+3 (standard time)
- Tap water
- Not safe — drink bottled or treated water
- Driving
- On the left
- Tipping
- Tips form an important part of guides' and porters' income: budget for safari drivers, Kilimanjaro crews and lodge staff, and leave about 10% in restaurants.
- Etiquette
- Greet people before asking anything, and greet elders with 'shikamoo'. Dress modestly on Zanzibar and in coastal towns, covering shoulders and knees away from beaches, and ask before photographing Maasai or anyone else.
- Main airports
- Julius Nyerere International Airport (DAR), Dar es Salaam; Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), Arusha and Moshi; Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (ZNZ), Zanzibar
Visas & entry for Tanzania
Shown for a British passport.
Check the entry requirements
You must have a tourist or business visa to enter Tanzania.
If you are planning to work or volunteer, you will also need a work permit. Information on how to apply is available from the Tanzanian Prime Minister’s Office.
From the UK government's FCDO entry requirements for British passport holders — read the full page for passport validity, permits and exceptions.
Health & vaccinations
- Recommended for most travellers
- Hepatitis ATetanusTyphoid
- Sometimes advised — depends on your trip, activities and health
- ChikungunyaDengueHepatitis BMeaslesMeningococcal diseasePolioRabiesTuberculosisYellow fever
- Yellow fever certificate
- No yellow fever certificate is required to enter.
- Malaria
- High risk of malaria
- There is a high risk of malaria in all areas of Tanzania below 1,800m (including Zanzibar): antimalarial tablets recommended.
- There is no risk of malaria above 1,800m: bite avoidance recommended.
Source: TravelHealthPro (National Travel Health Network and Centre), checked 21 October 2026. This is a summary, not medical advice.
Public holidays in Tanzania
The next 12 months. Banks, offices and some sights may close, and transport and hotels get busy around these dates.
| Wed 9 Dec 2026 | Independence and Republic Day |
| Fri 25 Dec 2026 | Christmas Day |
| Sat 26 Dec 2026 | Boxing Day |
| Fri 1 Jan 2027 | New Year's Day |
| Tue 12 Jan 2027 | Zanzibar Revolution Day |
| Wed 10 Mar 2027 | Eid al-Fitr (date may shift) |
| Thu 11 Mar 2027 | Eid al-Fitr (date may shift) |
| Fri 26 Mar 2027 | Good Friday |
| Mon 29 Mar 2027 | Easter Monday |
| Wed 7 Apr 2027 | The Sheikh Abeid Amani Karume Day |
| Mon 26 Apr 2027 | Union Celebrations |
| Sat 1 May 2027 | International Workers' Day |
| Mon 17 May 2027 | Eid al-Adha (date may shift) |
| Wed 7 Jul 2027 | International Trade Fair |
| Sun 8 Aug 2027 | Peasants' Day |
| Sun 15 Aug 2027 | Prophet's Birthday (date may shift) |
| Thu 14 Oct 2027 | The Mwalimu Nyerere Day and Climax of the Uhuru Torch Race |
National holidays only. Dates based on lunar calendars can move by a day or two depending on official announcements.
Useful phrases in Swahili
| English | Swahili | Say it |
|---|---|---|
| Hello | Habari | hah-BAH-ree |
| Thank you | Asante | ah-SAHN-teh |
| Please | Tafadhali | tah-fah-THAH-lee |
| Excuse me | Samahani | sah-mah-HAH-nee |
| How much is this? | Hii ni bei gani? | hee nee BAY GAH-nee |
Know before you go
- Plastic carrier bags are banned in Tanzania and may be confiscated at the airport, so pack shopping and laundry in reusable fabric bags instead.
- Bring recent-series US dollar notes in good condition: older or torn notes are often refused, and many safari extras, park fees and tips are quoted in dollars.
- Book dry-season northern safaris and Kilimanjaro climbs well ahead, and choose climbing operators that follow fair porter-treatment guidelines, such as partners of the Kilimanjaro Porters Assistance Project.
Tanzania travel FAQs
When is the best time to visit Tanzania?
The best time to visit Tanzania is generally Jun–Oct. Peak months are June, July, August, September and October. Average highs in Arusha range from 21°C to 29°C across the year.
How much does a trip to Tanzania cost per day?
Roughly £45 a day on a tight budget, £160 mid-range and £420+ for comfortable travel, per person including accommodation, food and local transport. Flights are extra.
What currency is used in Tanzania?
Tanzanian shilling (TZS).
What plug type does Tanzania use?
Type D and G sockets at 230V. UK visitors need a travel adapter.
Which side of the road do they drive on in Tanzania?
Traffic drives on the left in Tanzania — the same as in the UK.
Is tap water safe to drink in Tanzania?
Not safe — drink bottled or treated water.
Do I need a visa for Tanzania?
For British passport holders, the FCDO says: You must have a tourist or business visa to enter Tanzania. Entry rules change, so check the official FCDO entry requirements for Tanzania before you travel: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/tanzania/entry-requirements
What vaccinations do I need for Tanzania?
TravelHealthPro recommends Hepatitis A, Tetanus and Typhoid for most travellers, with Chikungunya, Dengue, Hepatitis B, Measles, Meningococcal disease and Polio sometimes advised depending on your trip. Make sure routine UK vaccinations are up to date and see a travel health professional 6–8 weeks before you go.
