Tanzania sits on the top of most bucket list destinations for people looking for visit to Africa. This iconic destination on the Serengeti makes it the ideal place for those wanting an up close view of The Great Migration. Visiting Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park is one of the best places in the world to view wildlife, especially during the Great Migration. But if the idea of early morning wake up calls to watch wildebeest navigate past crocodiles in the Mara river on safari doesn’t send your heart pumping, you’ll be happy to know that Tanzania has so much more to it than safaris.
Many people think of Tanzania as a safari-only destination. They are so wrong. This East African gem has a little bit of everything from beach escapes on Zanzibar to mountain hikes and cultural treasures. Read on to discover why visiting Tanzania is on the dream destination for every traveler type!
For first-time travelers, planning a trip to Tanzania might seem overwhelming, from choosing the right places to visit to knowing what essentials to pack. I’ve got you covered. This guide is packed with everything you need to make your first trip to Tanzania unforgettable. Here you’ll find a list of must-visit locations to insider travel tips.
Visiting Tanzania for the First Time
Tanzania is located in East Africa and is the 13th largest country on the continent about twice the size of California. A visit to Tanzania will take a bit more planning than your typical hop over to Europe. It is one of the safest countries for travelers in East Africa. Before you book your flight, there are a few things every first timer should know to plan for an unforgettable experience.
- You need a Visa: Visitors from the US are required to obtain a visa. You can do this in advance using the state.gov website. This is a lengthy process that can take several months to complete. instead, opt for the Visa on Arrival at the airport. It’s the same cost and you simply need to have all of your documents along with the required fee (it was $100USD when I visited) paid by credit card or in USD.
- Health and Safety: You only need to show proof of yellow fever vaccination if you are arriving from a country where yellow fever is an issue. The US is not one of them. I would recommend that you take other safety precautions based on your level of risk. Malaria and COVID are two that come immediately to mind. Additionally, you will definitely want to stick to bottled water if you want to avoid spending days praying to porcelain gods.
- In Country Transit: If you are traveling between major cities, there are typically multiple airlines with daily flights (for example between Kilimanjaro and Zanzibar). While flights are typically easy, the ferry is an entirely different story. More on that later. There aren’t many trains and self drive is not recommended.
- Don’t pay the first price for anything: Negotiation is the name of the game here. The first price is what they offer to tourist and is typically two to three times what a local would pay. It helps if you’ve mastered a few phrases to push the price closer to something that is somewhat reasonable.
- Dress Modestly: This is especially true for women. You won’t see women wearing shorts or tank tops even though the weather can certainly call for it. You’ll want to cover your shoulders and legs to enter religious sites and you may find it more comfortable even when walking the streets. Unless you love the attention, then do what you want.
Once you have factored all of the things above, visiting Tanzania is well within reach.
Best Cities to Visit in Tanzania
From beach vibes in Zanzibar to outdoor adventures in the Serengeti, few places have the wide range of activities that you can experience in Tanzania.
Arusha
Most people will start their adventure in Arusha as it is the gateway to northern Tanzania. It’s also the city where most tourist will arrive to start their safari adventure. It’s located at the base of volcanic Mt. Meru and is about a 90 minute drive from Kilimanjaro.
If you are headed out to a safari camp, your driver will likely be waiting for you at the airport. Spend a few nights on the Serengeti or head out to Ngorongoro Crater to view an abundance of wildlife year round. Then cap off your visit to the city to experience the busy streets of Arusha.
Arusha’s proximity to Mt Meru, Kilimanjaro and the Seregenti means you have access to an abundance of outdoor activities. This includes shorter hikes that take you to impressive waterfalls like Materuni or head up to the Serengeti to watch one of natures greatest adventures.
Getting There
To get to Arusha, you will likely fly into Kilimanjaro International (JRO) airport. Or if you are already in Tanzania the smaller regional airport of ARK might be a better option. Both airports are relatively small making navigating them fairly simple.
Best Places to Stay
The city of Arusha is a busy cultural hub for visitors to Tanzania. Here you’ll find cozy lodges as well as a few big hotel brands in the area. If you are in search of a five star experience, book the Grand Melia Hotel. This was my favorite spot in the city. There is a beautiful rooftop restaurant providing direct views to Mt Meru, which may make you wonder why this place flies under the radar. There are quite a few budget friendly options available in the city that offer comfort and accessibility to key safari spots. Just factor in the cost of transportation if you are planning on doing things like hikes near Kilimanjaro.
Dar es Salaam
Once the capital of Tanzania, Dar es Salaam has all of the things you love and hate about a big city. Great restaurants, popular nightlife and access to the port and airports.
Stop at The Slipway for some authentic shopping. Here you’ll find local artisans selling all types of crafts primarily clothing and artwork. If you are patient, you can score some pretty good deals on the art.
Just don’t buy from the first person you meet. You’ll find tons of vendors selling somewhat similar items and each willing to accept a slightly better price. Check the quality and be comfortable walking away if the price or quality aren’t right.
Getting There
There are a number of daily flights to Dar es Salaam and rumor has it there will soon be the option of arrive by rail. For now, book your flights to DAR which has multiple international airlines including QATAR and KLM. While driving between cities is definitely an option, I would not recommend it. The roads are not the best and the driving rules in Tanzania are a bit sketchy.
Best Places to Stay
Because Dar es Salaam is a fairly large city in comparison to most in Tanzania, there are a few international hotel brands like Sheraton or Hyatt that offer really comfortable stays. If you are looking for more of an upscale local vibe, check out Oyster Bay Hotel Suites.
Zanzibar
Many people visiting Tanzania head straight to Zanzibar to sink their feet into some of the brightest white sand beaches you will ever see. And the sunsets here are like a scene featured in the movies. The low tide reveals amazing sandbars and high tides bring the surf. Both bring sea urchins so make sure you have shoes on as you explore the beaches.
While most venture here for pure relaxation, others go to explore the UNESCO World Heritage city of Stone Town. The unique Swahili-Arab influence is all over this city from the instagram worthy doors to the authentic design of the buildings.
During your visit, you will want to take in some of the most beautiful sunsets around. If you’re on the beach side, check out Sexy Fish at the Z Hotel or Kendwa Rocks. If you are in Stone Town check out my blog on the Best Rooftops and Sunsets in Stone Town for a few options that won’t disappoint.
While you’re in Zanzibar, treat yourself to a Spice Tour and cooking lesson. You’ll discover spices at their finest and the cooking will challenge your resilience.
One point to note, when you enter Zanzibar you will be required to purchase health insurance (even if you have insurance). It’s in essence a tourist tax for visiting the island the is unavoidable.
Getting There
You have two options for arriving in Zanzibar: by ferry or by plane. I tried both and the short 15 min flight is totally worth it. I’ve never seen the kind of chaos that I experienced on the ferry here and I was traveling as a VIP. The flight was moderately better although delays are common so be prepared.
Best Places to Stay
There are a number of highly rated resorts in Zanzibar. You’ll just need to decide which part of the island offers the best atmosphere for you. If you are looking for beach vibes with a few less tourist, try Nungwi where you’ll find posh resorts like Z Hotel, Nungwi Dreams and Essque Zalu.
If the city vibe is more your speed, head over to Stone Town where there is no shortage of things to do and a few nice hotels like the Hyatt available to you. Just know that the city center is a car free zone and if your hotel is within the historic center, you will need to drag your bags through the streets.
Kilimanjaro
If you have dreams of climbing the highest peak in Africa, you’ve come to the right place. I did not, so I opted for a nice hike up in Materuni to see one of the most accessible waterfalls in the area.
You will need a guide but the cost is negligible. During the tour, you can opt for a visit to a coffee plantation or authentic lunch in the village. Just be prepared with lots of change or small bills as there all types of ways to spend a few coins during your trek.
A trek up to the summit of Kilimanjaro is something that you would have planned for years to accomplish. it takes several days to complete and should probably not be on the list of adventures for a novice hiker. You can find details on the more popular trekking routes, levels of difficulty and training requirements here. A large number of travelers visiting Tanzania do so for this exact purpose. So you’ll be in good company and find many outfits available to support your quest.
Getting There
The closest airport is JRO which is still about a 30-45 minute drive to the nearest town.
Best Places to Stay
Since most come here to hike Kilimanjaro, the accommodations options are quite limited. You can stay in Arusha but should know this is about a 2 hour drive from the base of Kilimanjaro. Your best option is to work with a local adventure group to organize the appropriate accommodations.
Navigating Currency
The official currency in Tanzania is the Tanzanian shilling. Oddly, you’ll find many of the tourist locations price things in USD and some of them even prefer to accept USD over the shilling. That said, you’ll get the best price if you pay in local currency.
Most vendors will accept credit cards. However, I struggled to find outlets that would accept American Express. If you plan on using a credit card for you stay, make sure you have a Visa or Mastercard. Even with this, you will want some local currency on hand to handle small purchases and taxis.
If you need to get cash, you’ll typically find ATMs at major ports. You can also convert cash in the cities but good luck finding a spot in smaller rural towns. Make sure you estimate your needs accurately for your visit to Tanzania as it is technically illegal to take shillings out of the country.
Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit really depends on what you are interested in doing during your stay. Dry season (June to October) is best if you are planning a safari adventure. Be prepared for higher prices and more tourists. Rainy season brings lush vegetations and more animals for viewing. But the road infrastructure makes it difficult to navigate.
No matter the time of year you are planning on visiting Tanzania, make sure you pack the right essentials, from lightweight clothing to strong insect repellents to make your travel more enjoyable.
My Perspective
Visiting Tanzania will provide you with a totally different opinion of Africa if this is your first visit. It is one of the most welcoming and safe destinations I’ve experienced in all of my travels. Locals go out of their way to help you. I even had a few students take my luggage to my hotel out of kindness and they left before I could dig out a tip. Just make sure you are paying attention to local customs and being respectful.
A visit to the Serengeti, climbing Mount Kilimanjaro or relaxing on Zanzibar’s beaches alone would be a full experience. But try not to pack too much into one trip so you have something to look forward to for a future adventure.
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FAQs About Visiting Tanzania
- Is Tanzania safe for solo travelers?
Tanzania is generally safe for solo travelers, but it’s best to stay cautious, avoid isolated areas at night, and use licensed guides for excursions. - What vaccinations are needed for Tanzania?
Most travelers need vaccines for Yellow Fever, Typhoid, and Hepatitis A, along with routine immunizations. Malaria prophylaxis is also recommended for certain regions. Always check with your healthcare provider for personalized advice. - Do I need a visa to travel to Tanzania?
Most visitors, including U.S. citizens, need a visa to enter Tanzania. You can apply for an eVisa online or get one on arrival at certain airports and border crossings. Check the latest requirements before traveling.
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