Basics

Plan 1 year to 18 months out in order to get the guides, camps and times you want.

The best time to go on safari is either in the Green season from December to March, or the Dry season from July to October. The green season is characterized by lush vegetation, pastoral landscapes, well-fed and relaxed animals, calving, and migration across Southern Serengeti. The dry season is noted for thinner vegetation, starker landscapes, gathering of animals around water holes, large predators, and the migration of large herds across the western and northern Serengeti.

Because of the variety of altitudes and typography, the weather in Tanzania can vary between regions. In general, the coastal regions of Tanzania have a tropical climate; the highlands in the north have a temperate climate, and the central plateau is hot and arid. At any time of year, the temperatures on the Ngorongoro Crater rim can be quite a bit cooler than on the Crater floor and in the Serengeti.

Tanzania does not have a winter due to its proximity to the equator. Still there are definite climate variations:

December to early March: These months are the warmest. Temperatures do not often exceed 90 degrees (F) and morning and evening temperatures are cool. You may experience short, light rains.

Mid-March through May: This is the rainy season. Expect heavy, long, intermittent rains.

June through August: These months are the coolest with highs in the 70's and lows in the 40's(F).

September through November: The days are warmer with highs in the 80's and lows in the mid-60's (F). Short, scattered rains fall in November and can be quite heavy.

Tanzania is three hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (+3GMT), and eight hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time (+8EST). So when it is noon in New York, it is 8pm in Tanzania. Tanzania does not observe daylight savings time.

A passport valid for at least six months is required. Your passport should have a minimum of 2, (but we recommend 3) blank visa pages (not endorsement pages) for entry/exit stamps, especially if you are visiting more than one country. If there is insufficient space in the passport, you may be denied entry into a country.

All visitors, except East African Nationalists need a visa to enter Tanzania. Most travelers can purchase an Entry Visa at the border or airport. Cost is US$50.

However, to avoid long lines at the airport, we recommend that you obtain advance visas from the Tanzania Embassy or High Commission in your country before you leave. You can download an application on their website. Expect a two-week minimum for processing and mailing.

If you need fast, dependable, passport and visa services, we recommend Zierer Visa Service.

In Tanzania, there is a US$30 International departure tax, which should be paid in dollars.

Vaccinations

• Review and update routine immunizations, such as those that prevent tetanus or "childhood" diseases before going on your trip.
• Depending on your itinerary and your personal risk factors, your health care provider may offer you vaccination against cholera, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, influenza, meningitis, rabies, typhoid, or a one time polio booster if you haven't previously received one for travel.
• Get vaccinated at least 6 weeks prior to your departure date since some inoculations take several weeks to take effect.

Malaria

Malaria is a significant risk so be certain to take anti-malaria tablets as recommended by your doctor. Anti-malaria tactics are fast changing so up-to-date advice is important. Some countries are Malaria free. Malarone is currently recommended.

Stomach concerns

Many travelers will experience some stomach changes from different foods and water. We carry bottled water for drinking, and recommend Pepto Bismol tablets or Immodium to aid digestion while your stomach adjusts to the food. You should also bring Cipro for traveler's stomach (dysentery).

Other useful medications

Sunscreen, Aloe Vera Gel, Mosquito repellent (DEET high concentration), Advil, Benadryl or other antihistamine, Cold/flu medicine.

Your possessions will be safe in safari vehicles and camp, but petty theft is a problem in the towns and at some lodges. It is best to keep your passport and money with you at all times, and avoid bringing valuable jewelry or other keepsakes on safari. These items can be safely stored in Arusha along with extra travelers checks or cash that you may need elsewhere on your trip.

We were very relaxed about the safety of our possessions while on Safari. We planned our cash needs in advance for tips and brought only costume jewelry along.

Currency

The Tanzania shilling is the local currency, however the dollar is the preferred foreign currency.

Credit Cards & Travelers Checks

Credit cards are not widely negotiable, so we recommend you carry most of your money in traveler's checks, with $200 -$300 in small denominations for contingencies (tipping, gifts, etc.).

Changing Money

Money can be changed at Banks, Bureaux de Change, Hotels and Lodges. Your guides will advise how much you should change when you arrive.

Currency Converter

Tipping

Tipping of restaurant staff, porters, and all hotel and lodge staff in included in a safari package. However, tipping the camp staff is an established safari tradition and something best left to your discretion. As a guideline, we recommend about US$8-$10 per guest per day to be shared among the staff. This is best given to the lead guide at the end of the safari.

Country codes

255 - Tanzania
259 - Zanzibar

City Area Codes

022 - Dar es Salaam Region
023 - Coast, Morogoro, Mtwara and Lindi Regions
024 - Zanzibar (including Unguja and Pemba) Regions
026 - Dodoma, Iringa, Tabora and Singida Regions
027 - Arusha, Kilimanjaro and Tanga Regions
028 - Mwanza, Mara, Shinyanga, Kagera and Kigoma Regions

Emergency numbers

112 - emergency (police, ambulance, fire)

Mobile Phones

Mobile phones operate in the main urban areas and Zanzibar and use 900 or 1800 GSM networks. Travelers should contact their service provider to ensure they have international roaming.

On Safari, you may use the camp Satellite phone service. Since this is set up on an as needed basis, the service is primarily for making rather than receiving calls.

The standard electric current is 230 Volts, 50 Hertz AC. Outlets in Tanzania generally accept 2 types of plugs, three round pins or 2 parallel flat pins with a flat ground pin. Adaptors and transformers for US electrical equipment can be difficult to find, so purchase these at home and bring with you.

Our kids enjoy iPods, Game Boys, and DVD players on the long plane ride. Once we land, these get packed away for the rest of the trip. Africa is definitely the place you want to unplug, to tune in.

Electricity is limited in mobile camps. Your guide will charge camera batteries. Night activities include night drives, conversation, games or reading (with head lamp).

Giving gifts is an African custom. We arrive with lots of small, lightweight objects like baseball caps, headlamps, flash lights, swatches and portable GPS devices.

It is customary to ask before taking someone's picture. Also, you should be prepared to pay for taking their picture as well. And although I am always ready with cash, I have found most people often prefer to have a photo of themselves. I carry a Polaroid camera along with my digital camera, so I can do just that.