Tanzania Travel Guide 2026
Zanzibar’s white-sand beaches and spice tours, paired with some of Africa’s most legendary safari country.
Search flightsWhy Tanzania
Tanzania offers a rare combination: the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater for genuinely world-class safari, plus the island of Zanzibar for white-sand beaches, spice tours, and Stone Town’s centuries-old trading-port atmosphere. Many trips combine both in a single itinerary — safari inland, beach recovery on Zanzibar.
What to know before you go
Most nationalities need a visa, available as an e-visa applied for online before arrival or on arrival at major entry points — the e-visa is the smoother option and worth arranging in advance.
Best time to visit
June-October (dry season) is peak safari time, coinciding with the wildebeest migration in the Serengeti. Zanzibar’s best weather runs roughly June-October and December-February, avoiding the long rains (March-May).
Getting there
Kilimanjaro International Airport serves the northern safari circuit, while Zanzibar has its own international airport — many trips fly into one and out of the other rather than backtracking.
Getting around
Safari travel is almost always done through an organized tour with a driver-guide, given the terrain and wildlife-viewing logistics. Zanzibar itself is easily covered by taxi or a short internal flight/ferry from the mainland.
Where to stay
Lodges or tented camps near the Serengeti/Ngorongoro for the safari leg, Stone Town or the northern beaches (Nungwi, Kendwa) on Zanzibar for the coastal leg.
eSIM & connectivity
Coverage is reliable in Zanzibar and safari lodge areas, though genuinely patchy or absent during actual game drives in remote park interiors.
Travel insurance for Tanzania
Essential here — confirm coverage explicitly includes safari activities and, if relevant, any medical evacuation clause given the remoteness of some safari areas.
Everything else for your trip
Flights
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Get an eSIMWhat to Pack for Tanzania
The non-obvious stuff people forget, plus what genuinely helps.
Don’t forget
- Neutral-colored clothing for safari (avoid bright colors/dark blue, which attract insects)
- A warm layer for cold early-morning game drives
- Strong insect repellent, especially for evenings
- Universal power adapter (Type D/G sockets)
Nice to have
- Binoculars for safari game viewing
- A dry bag for the transition from safari to Zanzibar beaches
- Motion sickness tablets for bumpy safari roads
- A good camera with zoom for wildlife photography
Not Sure When to Go?
What a Day in Tanzania Actually Costs
Real per-day cost ranges based on our destination research, broken down by travel style. Your total will vary, but this gives you a realistic starting budget.
| Per day | Budget | Mid-range | Comfort |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | $15 | $45 | $130 |
| Food | $8 | $18 | $40 |
| Local transport | $5 | $15 | $40 |
| Activities | $20 | $60 | $180 |
| Total / day | $48 | $138 | $390 |
Practical Info: Culture, Currency & Electricity
Top Attractions
- Serengeti National Park (wildebeest migration)
- Ngorongoro Crater
- Mount Kilimanjaro trekking
- Zanzibar’s Stone Town (UNESCO) and beaches
- Tarangire National Park
Culture & Etiquette
Swahili greetings (‘Jambo,’ ‘Habari’) are genuinely appreciated even at a basic level and open doors socially. Tipping safari guides and drivers is a real and expected part of the economy — budget for it separately from the trip cost. Modest dress is appreciated, particularly in Zanzibar’s more traditionally Muslim communities.
Currency & Exchanging Money
Currency: Tanzanian Shilling (TZS)
US Dollars printed after 2006, in good condition with no marks or folds, are widely preferred and often get a better rate than TZS cash for safari deposits and park fees — older or damaged bills are frequently refused outright. Bank ATMs in Arusha, Dar es Salaam, and Zanzibar Town are reliable for TZS; licensed exchange bureaus in these cities offer fair rates.
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Electricity & Adapters
Voltage: 230V, 50Hz
Plug type: D and G (round 3-pin and UK-style rectangular)
If your home plug type doesn’t match, bring a universal travel adapter — it’s the one item worth packing regardless of destination.