Travellers Information

Apply before you fly

1. Check whether your nationality needs a visa — most do; East African Community citizens do not.
2. Apply on the official Government of Tanzania eVisa portal at visa.immigration.go.tz — allow two to three weeks.
3. Pay online and download the approval letter.
4. Print two copies — one for your hand luggage, one for your suitcase.
5. Send us a copy with your passport page so we can check it against your itinerary.

At the border — carry these

• Passport valid for 6+ months with two blank pages
• Printed eVisa approval or visa
• Return or onward ticket
• Accommodation details or itinerary
• Yellow fever certificate, if required
• Travel insurance policy number

Tick items off as you pack — your phone keeps them ticked until you close the page.

Vaccinations

• Routine boosters up to date — tetanus, polio, measles, diphtheria.
• Hepatitis A and typhoid are commonly recommended.
• Yellow fever certificate required if you arrive from, or transit more than 12 hours through, a risk country.
• Rabies vaccine worth considering for long stays or remote travel.

Malaria

• Risk exists in most safari areas below 1,800 m — Serengeti, Tarangire, Manyara, Ruaha and Zanzibar.
• Take the prophylaxis your doctor prescribes and finish the course after you return.
• Use DEET 30–50%, cover up at dusk, and sleep under a net where provided.
• Seek medical advice promptly for any fever within three months of returning.

Water & food

• Drink bottled or filtered water only — including for brushing your teeth.
• Avoid ice from street vendors; it is usually made from tap water.
• Eat where it is busy and freshly cooked; peel your own fruit.
• We keep chilled drinking water in every safari vehicle.

Altitude on the mountain

• Ascend slowly, drink three to four litres a day, and eat even when your appetite drops.
• Tell your guide immediately about headaches, nausea or breathlessness — descent is the only real cure.
• Ask your doctor about acetazolamide before you travel.
• Our mountain crews are trained to spot altitude sickness early and follow a strict descent protocol.

Insurance

• Comprehensive cover with medical treatment and emergency evacuation is essential.
• Add adventure cover if you are climbing — check the altitude limit on your policy.
• Ask us about AMREF Flying Doctors evacuation membership.
• Zanzibar requires inbound travel insurance for all visitors.

If something happens

• Dial 112 for police and ambulance, or ask your guide — they know the nearest clinic.
• Key referral hospitals: ALMC in Arusha, KCMC in Moshi, Mnazi Mmoja in Zanzibar.
• Never walk alone at night, and leave valuables in the lodge safe or the vehicle.
• Keep a photo of your passport and policy on your phone, plus one paper copy.

Safari days

• Neutral khaki, olive and beige layers
• Long-sleeve shirt and trousers for evenings
• Fleece or light jacket for cold dawn drives
• Wide-brim hat and sunglasses
• Closed walking shoes and sandals
• Swimsuit for lodge pools

Hand luggage

• Passport, eVisa printout and insurance
• Medication in original packaging with prescription
• Clean USD notes for tips and visas
• Camera, spare battery and memory cards
• Binoculars — one pair per person if you can
• Power bank (cabin only), type G adapter
• Refillable bottle, SPF 50, insect repellent

Health kit

• Personal prescriptions and malaria tablets
• Painkillers, rehydration salts, antihistamine
• Plasters, blister care, antiseptic cream
• Motion-sickness tablets for game drives
• Eye drops, lip balm, high-factor sunscreen

Kilimanjaro & Meru

• Broken-in waterproof boots
• Four-season sleeping bag (rentable from us)
• Down jacket and thermal base layers
• Trekking poles, gaiters, warm gloves and hat
• Headlamp, 3 L water capacity, dry bags

Cash

• The local currency is the Tanzanian shilling (TZS).
• US dollars are widely accepted for tourism, but change is usually given in shillings.
• Bring clean, unmarked notes issued from 2009 onwards — older, torn or stamped notes are often refused.
• Carry small denomination notes for tips and markets.

Cards & ATMs

• Visa and Mastercard work at lodges, hotels and larger shops; Amex is less accepted.
• A 3–5% card surcharge is common — ask before you tap.
• ATMs are in Arusha, Moshi, Dar es Salaam, Stone Town and larger towns; limits per withdrawal are modest.
• Notify your bank of your travel dates to avoid a blocked card.

Budgeting

• Park fees, transfers, guiding and most meals are included in your package.
• Budget for drinks, souvenirs, spa treatments and optional activities.
• Bargaining is expected in markets — start around half the asking price; shops and lodges have fixed prices.
• Keep receipts for anything valuable you buy.

Dress

Cover shoulders and knees in Stone Town, villages and markets. Swimwear belongs on the beach only.

Photography

Ask before photographing people, and never point a lens at police, military sites or airports.

Plastic & waste

Single-use plastic bags are illegal. Bring reusable bags and a refillable bottle, and leave no litter in the parks.

Respect & pace

Greet with “jambo” or “habari”, use your right hand to give and receive, and keep public displays of affection modest.