Tanzania Travel Advice

Tipping In Tanzania Safari

Tipping lodge staff and drivers/guides is customary for good service on a Tanzania Safari, but check first to see whether a service charge has been added to your bill. Tipping In Tanzania Safari is always in addition to the price quoted by your operator and the amount varies depending on the size of your group, the level of luxury of the safari and whether you thought an exceptionally good job was done.

When travelling in the major Tanzania cities, a 10% tip is customary in restaurants and bars when a service charge is not included.

For in-depth Tanzania Tipping Guidelines, enquire with one of our Africa Safari Experts – they’d be happy to share their knowledge with you.

Climate

Average summer temperatures: 18°C to 29°C

Average winter temperatures: 15°C to 26°C

Rainy season: mid-March to May (“long rains”) and November to December (“short rains”).

Refer to Best Time To Visit Tanzania for climate charts, details on the best wildlife-viewing times and when to witness the Serengeti migration.

When travelling in the major Tanzania cities, a 10% tip is customary in restaurants and bars when a service charge is not included.

For in-depth tipping guidelines, enquire with one of our Africa Safari Experts – they’d be happy to share their knowledge with you.

What to Pack

When packing for your Tanzania safari, light casual clothing in practical, neutral colours 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 Africa Safari Guide travel advice section.

When visiting Zanzibar it is important for women to dress modestly 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.

When travelling in the major Tanzania cities, a 10% tip is customary in restaurants and bars when a service charge is not included.

For in-depth tipping guidelines, enquire with one of our Africa Safari Experts – they’d be happy to share their knowledge with you.

Etiquette

Religious belief is strong in Tanzania with Christianity and Islam dominating. Most Muslims live on the coast and in Zanzibar; visitors should be aware of the conservative nature of these destinations and dress and behave accordingly.

Tanzanians are renowned for being friendly and harmonious people; however it is courteous to ask permission before photographing people.

Visa & Passport Requirements

Almost all visitors to Tanzania require a Tanzania Visa, which costs between US$20 and US$50 for a single-entry visa valid for three months. You should try to obtain a visa for Tanzania before departing your home country (especially if you require multiple entry); however, visas can also be purchased at Dar es Salaam and Kilimanjaro airports as long as you are able to pay cash in US dollars.

Visitors to Tanzania must possess a passport that is valid for six months after the initial date of travel.

People & Culture

Tanzania’s 46 million inhabitants are overwhelmingly young and non-urban: half the population is under 15 and more than 80% live in rural areas. Some 120 ethnic groups make up the African population and there are significant numbers of Asians, Arabs and Europeans but 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.