Our safari itineraries are tailored to seasonal animal movement patterns so wildlife viewing is excellent year round. So the best time to go on safari is really dependent on when you wish to come, your interests, places you wish to visit and activities that you may want to do. If you’d like to see the wildebeest migration spread out across the Serengeti plains, we’ll recommend you travel in the green season stretching from December to April. This is especially good for the calving season. As the migration moves North from June onwards the Northern part of the Serengeti and river crossings into Kenya’s Maasai Mara is the best area. Whatever month you travel, we will build your itinerary to ensure you’re located in the right parks and the right regions for best wildlife viewing. We can make suggestions about the best areas to visit and build the safari around the time you wish to travel, your interests and budget. If you love elephants and would like to see large herds, we recommend visiting Tarangire National Park in the height of the dry season from July to September when massive herds congregate around the Tarangire River. 

Recommended time to visit: Tanzania is generally a year round destination, with different wildlife to spot at different times of the year. June to October are the driest months, with pleasant temperatures across the country.

Exciting time to visit: The annual Great Migration sees millions of wildebeest, zebra, antelope and other prey animals moving across the Mara and Serengeti ecosystems. July to September is the peak season for seeing this incredible spectacle.

Best time for wildlife: July to September coincides with the Great Migration and sees the most plentiful wildlife, though there is still plenty of wildlife to see from October to December. November to March is “Green Season”, when millions of migratory birds descend on Tanzania.

Best time to climb Kilimanjaro: January to February are the warmest months, whilst September to October also see dry, warm weather. March to May and November to December see more rainfall, but the mountain will be less crowded.

Best time for Zanzibar: June to October and December is peak beach season for Zanzibar, with warm, dry days. January to February are also good times to go, though temperatures will be much hotter, with a higher chance of some rain.

Less popular time to visit: April and May are by far the wettest months, with Tanzania seeing as much as 40% of its annual rainfall over this period.

The most commonly used currencies are the US dollar ($USD) and the Tanzanian shilling.

Important Note: US dollars are often accepted in tourist destinations. Dollar bills issued before 2009 are often not accepted.

Tanzania has two major seasons. Although weather patterns can vary widely from year to year typically, the dry season starts around June and last through until October and the green or rainy season commences from November until around May with a short dry season typically between January and February. The parks located in the popular northern safari circuit are located at a high elevation making the climate pleasant for game viewing even during midday. The average temperature in the Serengeti during the warmer months of October to March can range from a high of 29C to a low of 17C and during the colder months of April to September a high of 26C to a low of 13C. The rim of the Ngorongoro Crater has an elevation of over 2,200 meters and the night time temperatures can drop below freezing. It is always advisable to bring warmer jumpers or a light jacket for evenings and early mornings.

Visas are required for entry into Tanzania (Including Zanzibar).

We used to recommend getting the visa on arrival as it used to be a very straightforward process. However, since August 2019 the process has been slower and we have started recommending getting the visa online here.

Do note the e-visa can take up to 3 weeks to be processed so if you will arrive soon we still recommend getting it on arrival. Also, if entry is an overland transfer between Maasai Mara and Serengeti (Isebania or Tarime border) it is still preferable to get the visa ON ARRIVAL.

The visa costs $50 USD per person except for U.S Citizens who pay $100 USD per person.

There are also countries whose nationals do not require VISA. Please check list here.

In any case, please do keep in mind your passport needs to have at least 6 months of validity.

It is very important to set an appointment with a travel doctor in your home country before you come. Depending on the situation, you might take vaccine for yellow fever and may take prophylaxis pills to protect you against Malaria. If you go to Zanzibar or come (or have a transit) in an endemic yellow fever country, proof of vaccination against yellow fever may be required at the airport.

In many cases, you won’t need any immunizations at all! For example, no immunizations are required to enter Tanzania/Kenya if arriving from the United States, Canada or Europe. We will address topics such as immunizations and general health considerations prior to your safari, however, please consult your local immunization clinic before you travel. It is always wise to carefully assess your health requirements before travelling abroad. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommend a malaria prophylactic (just to be on the safe side—contracting malaria is highly unlikely). 

We advise you to leave your home country for Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) where we will be waiting to welcome you to Tanzania.

Are there International Airports in Tanzania?

Yes, they are with the popular being Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), Amani Karume International Airport in Zanzibar (ZNZ), the Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar-es Salaam (DAR) and Mwanza International Airport (MZ) in Lake Zone and Songwe International Airport in the southern zone with local airports in each region (city) in the country connecting to this international airport.

Safari clothing should be comfortable and casual. Choose neutral colors, wearing white increases your visibility to wildlife, while bright colors, particularly red, can frighten animals.  Any fine jewelry should be left at home. Also avoid using perfumes, strong and unusual smells are more likely to the animals nervous, which reduces your chances of spotting them.

Tanzania has a strong culture of tipping for tourist services provided. Tipping is expected after climbs, safaris, other guided activities, and at tourist accommodations. It is customary to leave a tip for your guide/driver at the end of your trip. What you choose to give is entirely up to you. Most of the accommodation where you stay have people who carry your baggage, you can tip as well if you want, it is also possible to leave a tip for the entire staff, since most accommodation have a tip-box at the reception.

• Safari Tips – The usual but optional tipping policy per day is lead guide $10/ Driver $10
• Zanzibar Tips – The usual but optional tipping policy per day is lead guide $10/ Driver $10
• Kilimanjaro Tips – The usual but optional tipping policy per day is lead guide $20 /Assistant guide $15/Porters $8 (for each porter)/ Cook $15

Note: Tipping is part of African culture, although not mandatory, it is a much appreciated gesture. Tipping is one of the most direct ways that you can have a positive economic impact within the African community. It is an important source of income for those working in the tourism industry.

The information will be updated periodically as requirements and protocols change.

The information below summarizes the content of Travel Advisory No. 10 as of March 17, 2022.

Tanzania requires filling out a Traveler’s Health Surveillance Form within 24 hours prior to arrival. Follow this link.

Once completed the traveler will receive a completion notification containing their Unique Health Code (UHC) which they will present upon arriving. If arriving directly onto Zanzibar, please use this link instead.

• Fully Vaccinated Travelers are exempt from both RT PCR and Rapid Antigen Test requirements. Travelers will be required to present a valid vaccination certificate with QR code for verification at initial departure airport and upon arrival. The only accepted vaccines are those which have been approved by the United Republic of Tanzania (URT) and the World Health Organization (WHO). If your vaccine card does not have a QR code you can use a program such as VaxYes to get a digital version of your vaccination card with a QR code on your mobile device.
• Not Fully Vaccinated, unvaccinated and those not eligible for vaccination due to their country policy will be required to present a negative Covid-19 PCR or NAATs certificate with QR code obtained within 72 hours before departure. Please be prepared to take a Rapid Antigen test ($10) upon arrival.

Your international airline may have pre-boarding testing requirements. Please study the requirements of your airline and international airport(s) carefully. Most of our guests transfer/travel through Amsterdam and currently if you do not leave the airport (Schiphol) then there are no Covid testing requirements.

Departing Tanzania

The government of Tanzania has no testing (or any other) requirements related to Covid for departing travelers. All departing travelers are advised to seek information prior to departure regarding COVID-19 requirements of their country of destination.

For travelers that need a PCR or Rapid Test in order to depart Tanzania, both tests are available. Please study the requirements of your final destination, airline and international airport(s) carefully. Covid-19 testing costs (PCR Test on Mainland Tanzania $50 pp / PCR Test on Zanzibar $80 pp / Rapid Test $10 pp) are the responsibility of the traveler. Facility fees may be applicable at some locations. As your tour operator, we will help coordinate proper test timing, location, and test payment.

Note for travelers returning to the United States:

Before boarding a flight to the United States, you are required to show a negative COVID-19 test result taken no more than 1 day before travel. We recommend taking a Rapid Test at your departure airport ($10 pp). See Rapid Test procedures below. Children under 2 years old do not need to test. There is also an option for people who have documented recovery from COVID-19 in the past 90 days.

• If you require a Rapid Test prior to boarding you need to arrive at your international airport of departure at least 3-4 hours prior to departure.
• All international airports (JRO, DAR and ZNZ) have Rapid Test capacity.
• Masks are required at testing sites
• Pre-registration is not required
• Payment of $10 can be made in cash on site
• Results are provided within 15 to 20 minutes of taking the test

UPDATE: A negative COVID-19 test is not required for transiting passengers in Amsterdam (AMS) who do not leave the airport and whose connection time is within 1 day. However, it is strongly encouraged to use the Delta Discover Map to verify the entry requirements of your final destination, as your final destination may require you to have a negative COVID-19 test.

From the moment you arrive, your meals are included and each is a delight. Our lodges offer continental cuisine, in addition to local specialties to appeal to a wide range of palates.The food in Tanzania ranges from typical local food to international cuisines. Quality is present in our choice of accommodations, also included are vegetarian options, in the bush, the quality of the cuisine in lodges and camps is superb. Meats, vegetables and fruits arrive daily, fresh from the surrounding area’s rich farmlands.

This is something we take very seriously. When you book with us, you can indicate to us any dietary preferences or restrictions or any specific requests you may have. We will then provide this information in advance to all hotels and to all our staff.

We strongly recommend that our guests have a policy that covers their trip, as travel insurance offers great advantages. Cancellation, interruption and emergency medical travel insurance is essential to protect your investment. 

The timing of the Great Migration can vary because it is heavily dependent upon the weather—specifically rain that brings the new grasses upon which wildebeest graze.

The herds can be found amidst the short grasses of Serengeti National Park from November to May. From January onward, wildebeest, zebra and Thompson’s gazelle alternate between the woodlands and plains depending on the weather. In May, as the grasses become dry, the herds begin the roughly 500-mile Migration. They move north, and by June they are in the more lush plains of Kenya’s Maasai Mara. This is where they generally stay until October.Anticipating the short rains—and the promise of mineral-rich grasslands that this entails—the herds begin their trek down to the Serengeti along an eastern route. In November and December, they arrive to intensely green savannahs and woodlands where they stay until the cycle begins again…

Your Time For African Adventures specialist can help you maximize your opportunity to see this remarkable natural phenomenon.

Some accommodations have Wi Fi and you can get internet access, however it is not guaranteed that you will get the signal you are used to, after all we are in the middle of the African Savannah, this situation also applies to Zanzibar.

Yes, there are several places where you can purchase a SIM card. Ask us and we will go with you to one of these locations to get the right card for you.  

As for Tanzania, from 1st June 2019, all plastic carrier bags regardless of their thickness will be prohibited from being used in mainland Tanzania. However, plastics carrier items known as “Ziploc bags” that are specifically used to carry toiletries will be permitted as they are expected to remain in the permanent possession of visitors and are not expected to be disposed in the country.

Regarding Kenya, please see additional information on this link regarding the government decision to ban the plastic bags in Kenya.

For sure, but in here as in all parts of the world prevention is the key.Keep your money and values safe,all lodges have a vault.

ONLY use tap water for showering and washing hands. Consume bottled water that is readily available throughout the country.

Due to the use of light aircraft for flights between camps, strict weight limits on luggage are enforced for safety reasons. These limits include camera equipment. Please check the conditions of the airlines you are traveling with.

You will need to consider what to pack, to ensure you can use your personal electrical appliances safely whilst abroad. This normally includes the use of a travel adaptor, which is a device that simply allows you to plug any UK electrical appliance into a foreign electrical socket. It is important to note that it does not convert the voltage or frequency. For Tanzania there are two associated plug types, types D and G. Plug type D is the plug which has three round pins in a triangular pattern and plug type G is the plug which has two flat parallel pins and a grounding pin. Tanzania operates on a 230V supply voltage and 50Hz.

Tanzania Shillings (TSh) is the local Tanzania currency, but US dollars are also widely accepted in tourist areas. Dollar notes printed before 2009 are usually not accepted. There are Currency Exchange Offices where you can do the exchange of your money to Tanzania Shillings. The most common exchange is probably for USD and Euros in most of the places, hence we recommend our travelers at least to have these two currencies. Tanzania has got ATMs of all international payment systems but we strongly recommend to have a minimal amount of cash, just in case if ATM will not have money or your credit card will be blocked by the issuing bank. Many people also ask about withdrawing money in US dollars, unfortunately, in the region of Kilimanjaro and Arusha it is impossible to do because all ATMs issue only Tanzanian shillings.

Our safaris are made for children, and other specific kind of safaris can usually be tailored to accommodate any age.