At Great Image Expedition, we are dedicated to offering our clients unbiased advice and unforgettable safari experiences. Our Africa Safari Experts are permanently based in Africa, well-traveled, and possess extensive first-hand knowledge of the destinations they recommend. They frequently inspect new lodges, experiences, and activities to ensure these offerings meet our clients’ expectations.
There’s nothing like up-to-date, relevant travel information direct from someone who’s been there.
If witnessing the Wildebeest Migration or enjoying the best beach weather in Zanzibar is on your bucket list, ensure your itinerary aligns with your travel goals.
Tanzania’s popular safari destinations and prime camps at Wildebeest Migration hotspots are in high demand and often booked a year in advance during peak season.
While morning and afternoon game drives are standard, special excursions like night game drives, guided bush walks, and hot-air balloon safaris are only available in certain areas or camps.
From June to October, Tanzania’s major national parks like the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Manyara, and Tarangire can get quite crowded. To avoid the masses and still enjoy excellent game viewing, consider visiting during the low or Green Season, which runs from about November to March.
For exclusivity, opt for one of Tanzania’s private reserves. These offer superb accommodations, excellent game viewing comparable to the main parks, and occasionally, additional safari activities (see above).
Experience the wonders of Tanzania with Great Image Expedition for an unforgettable safari adventure.
Tanzania’s unit of currency is the Tanzanian Shilling, but we recommend using US Dollars exclusively – and in cash. While credit cards and traveller’s cheques are accepted in most establishments, they often incur transaction fees. ATMs are available throughout major towns and cities in Tanzania, but not in the national parks and game reserves.
Note: US Dollar bills printed before 2006 are not accepted in Tanzania.
Tipping lodge staff and drivers/guides for good service on a Tanzania safari is customary. However, always check if a service charge has already been added to your bill. Tipping is additional to the quoted price from your operator, and the amount can vary based on your group size, the luxury level of the safari, and the quality of service received. In major Tanzanian cities, a 10% tip is customary in restaurants and bars if a service charge is not included.
For more detailed guidelines on tipping in Tanzania, or for personalized advice, contact one of our Great Image Expedition Safari Experts.
| eason | Months | Average Temperatures |
|---|---|---|
| Long Rains | April to May | 72–81°F (22–27°C) |
| Short Rains | November to December | 81–86°F (27–30°C) |
| Long Dry | June to October | 70–81°F (21–27°C) |
| Short Dry | January to March | 84°F (29°C) |
This table summarizes Tanzania’s seasons along with the corresponding months and average temperatures in both Fahrenheit and Celsius.
When packing for your Tanzania safari, light casual clothing in practical, neutral colors and a warm jacket for evening game drives are a safe bet throughout the year. For more on what to pack for a safari, refer to our Great Image Expedition Safari Guide.
When visiting Zanzibar, it’s important for women to dress modestly in main towns out of respect for Muslim cultural beliefs. T-shirts that cover the shoulders, long skirts, and capri pants are generally better options than tank tops and shorts. Beachwear and bathing costumes are acceptable on the beaches and in resorts.
Religious belief is strong in Tanzania, with Christianity and Islam being the predominant faiths. Most Muslims reside along the coast and in Zanzibar. Visitors should be mindful of the conservative nature of these areas—particularly Stone Town—and dress and act respectfully.
Tanzanians are known for their friendliness and harmony, but it is polite to ask for permission before taking photographs of people.
Kilimanjaro International Airport – Tanzania’s second international airport – serves the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Tarangire, and Lake Manyara. However, to reach these safari destinations, you need to transfer to nearby Arusha Airport for charter flights. Since international flights often arrive at Kilimanjaro Airport late in the day, an overnight stay in Arusha is usually necessary.
Dar-es-Salaam International Airport – Tanzania’s main airport – is the gateway to the Indian Ocean coast and Zanzibar, as well as Nyerere National Park (previously Selous) and Ruaha National Park.
Arusha Airport – the gateway to northern Tanzania’s safari airstrips – is located about 30 kilometers (18.5 miles) from Kilimanjaro International Airport.
Did you know you can book your flights through Great Image Expedition? For more information and frequently asked questions, please see our Flights page.
Guided road transfers and game drives in Tanzania are conducted in closed 4x4s with big windows and pop-up roofs. Visitors to destinations like Mahale will enjoy a boat transfer across Lake Tanganyika. Most safari destinations have extensive road networks, so closed vehicles are the norm for long-distance road transfers between airstrips, camps, and lodges in Tanzania. A closed 4×4 game drive vehicle generally has three rows of seating and features a pop-up roof hatch that can be raised for game viewing and taking photographs.
Almost all visitors to Tanzania require a visa. It is essential to contact the relevant issuing authorities well in advance (ideally, several months before your trip) to confirm the entry requirements for Tanzania and to arrange the necessary permits and visas. We strongly recommend that all clients entering Tanzania via Kilimanjaro International Airport obtain their visas online through the Tanzania Immigration Department before arriving in the country. E-visas can take 2 to 3 weeks to be issued.
Visitors to Tanzania must have a passport that is valid for at least six months beyond the initial date of travel.
In many ways, Tanzanian history is the history of humankind. Fossils found at Olduvai Gorge, one of the world’s premier archaeological sites, suggest that Tanzania has been settled by hominids for over 2 million years. Iron Age migrations from West Africa were followed by European and Arabian merchants, missionaries, and slavers, and by the mid-1800s, Zanzibar had become the center of the East African slave trade. Colonized first by the Germans and then the British, independence came peacefully to mainland Tanganyika in 1961. The addition of Zanzibar in 1964 created the modern state of Tanzania.
Rich in mineral wealth and natural gas, Tanzania’s economy is nevertheless dominated by agriculture, which employs 75% of the workforce and accounts for half the country’s GDP. Tanzania’s main exports include gold, coffee, tea, and cotton. However, tourism, increasing in importance year after year, is the country’s biggest foreign exchange earner.
Tanzania is home to some of the 120 ethnic groups that make up the African population, with significant numbers of Asians, Arabs, and Europeans as well. Despite this mix of identities, Tanzania has long promoted a harmonious national culture, one that is based on a subtle but strong social code of courtesy and respect. English and Swahili are the official languages.
Lying between the two arms of the Great Rift Valley, Tanzania’s huge central plateau is bounded on the west by Africa’s great lakes, the north by mountains (including Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest peak), and the Indian Ocean in the east. Most of the country is covered in grassland, open woodland, and savannah, but significant pockets of rainforest exist in remote mountain ranges.
Home to 20% of Africa’s large mammals, Tanzania is one of the continent’s premier game viewing destinations. More than 25% of the country is dedicated to conservation, and several Tanzanian animal reserves rank among the biggest in the world. Most visitors head for northern Tanzania, where the most famous and accessible animal reserves are. But it’s in south and central Tanzania where you’ll find huge, virtually unvisited savannah and rainforest reserves that deliver genuine off-the-beaten-track safaris.
Discover the wonders of Tanzania with Great Image Expedition.
