Yes, Tanzania is definitely a safe country to travel. In fact, it is one of the best countries in Africa that offers the best safari experiences. No matter from which country you are coming from, you are going to have a once-in-lifetime experience.

High season. For excellent game viewing, the high season (dry season) is best in a Tanzania safari. The dryness visibility is better thus it is easier to spot the wildlife. In the High season, you will witness more tourists.

The weather varies greatly, depending on where you are.  Whatever time of year you come, please bring some warm clothes! It gets really cold in some places because of the high altitude, especially in June, July and August. It can also get very hot. We advise dressing in layers.  Typically, the long rains are March, April and May.  The short rains are in November / early December. Like many places in the world, Tanzania is experiencing changes in weather patterns and it is becoming less predictable.  

If possible, you should bring a duffel bag or soft-sided bag.  These are easier to carry and pack inside the safari vehicle. Ideally, the fabric should be hardy and waterproof and the bag should be lockable. Put anything that is of any value in a separate day pack such as a backpack. Anything of real sentimental or monetary value should ideally be left at home. 

Clothes

Pack for hot days and cool nights. Tanzania can be hot and dusty by day but it is often cool and crisp by night.  Layers are ideal for safari days. Pack clothing that is able to keep you cool but protect you from the sun and biting insects. Choose mid-tone colours and avoid white or bright colours that may distract the animals and dark colours like black and blue as these can attract tsetse flies. The best colours are the safari classics: olive, green and khaki. For evenings at lodges you can stay in your casual gear as even the luxury lodges do not expect smart wear out in the bush. Check the temperature before you travel to make sure you have clothing that is warm enough for the season.  It is always a good idea to bring a waterproof coat, whatever the season. 

All towns and cities have their share of petty crime and sensible precautions need to be taken. Wearing expensive looking jewellery/watches and carrying cameras, will draw unnecessary attention. You may find a simple money belt is more discrete than a bag. Always be aware of your surroundings and when approached by people you do not know, use your common sense. At night in towns it’s best to use a taxi, rather than walking around the streets.  Single women in particular need to be careful & we suggest that it is safer to be in a group.

Before you go

• To avoid unnecessary pollution of local water supplies take environmentally friendly toiletries with you
• Learn some of the local language and read up on the local history/culture before you go
• Why not pack some pens/pencils exercise books in your rucksack and they can be donated to a local school or project while you’re away. These items can also be purchased locally and will help local businesses
• Take a sturdy water bottle with you from home that you can re-use throughout your trip
• Plastic Bags: From 1^st June 2019, most plastic bags are prohibited from being imported, exported, manufactured, sold, stored, supplied and used in Mainland Tanzania. Visitors to Tanzania are advised to avoid bringing plastic bags into Tanzania.  This new initiative has been introduced to protect the environment and keep our country clean and beautiful.  Please help us to do this! Travellers often use plastic bags to separate / organize certain items in their luggage.  You may choose to do this, but be prepared to answer questions if your luggage is searched at Customs.  You can explain that these bags are used in your packing and will return to your home country with you when you leave (please make sure they do!). If you meet a Customs Officer who does not accept this explanation, you may be asked to pay a small fine (approximately U$D 15). Remove unnecessary packaging before you leave home.

The local currency is Tanzanian Shillings. US Dollars are widely accepted. Euros are also accepted. Tanzania does not accept US dollar bills printed in 2006 or before). 

Credit and Debit Cards

If you intend to use your credit or debit card to withdraw funds, we suggest taking more than one card with you as you may find that your card is not accepted in the first ATM you try. Visa cards are best. 

We recommend that you inform your bank that you will be using your card abroad to avoid it being blocked. 

Changing Money

The best way to obtain local currency is with a cash machine ATM.  There are many of these in Arusha town, Zanzibar Island Stone town and many regions of the country. It is possible to change money in the banks, but this often takes a long time.  There are also Bureau de Changes in Arusha. 

ATMs

These are available in Arusha (and at Kilimanjaro Airport) and allow you to withdraw local currency.  On Zanzibar, you will only find ATMs in Stone Town. 

We have compiled this information for you from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) website (www.cdc.gov/travel) for your easy reference as a traveler planning to visit Tanzania / East Africa.

Food and waterborne diseases are the number one cause of illness in travelers. Travelers’ diarrhea can be caused by viruses, bacteria, or parasites, which are found throughout the region and can contaminate food or water. Infections may cause diarrhea and vomiting (E. coli, Salmonella, cholera, and parasites), fever (typhoid fever and toxoplasmosis), or liver damage (hepatitis). Make sure your food and drinking water are safe.

Malaria is a preventable infection that can be fatal if left untreated. Prevent infection by taking prescription antimalarial drugs and protecting yourself against mosquito bites (see below). Travelers to East Africa should take one of the following antimalarial drugs: mefloquine, doxycycline, or Malarone(tm). Your risk of malaria may be high in these countries, including cities.

The CDC recommends the following vaccines (as appropriate for age). See your doctor at least 4–6 weeks before your trip to allow time for shots to take effect.

• Hepatitis A or immune globulin (IG).
• Hepatitis B, if you might be exposed to blood (for example, health­care workers), have sexual contact with the local population, stay longer than 6 months, or be exposed through medical treatment.
• Rabies, if you might be exposed to wild or domestic animals through your work or recreation.
• Typhoid, particularly if you are visiting developing countries in this region.
• Yellow fever*, if you travel anywhere outside urban areas
• As needed, booster doses for tetanus diphtheria, measles, and a one-­time dose of polio vaccine for adults. Hepatitis B vaccine is now recommended for all infants and for children ages 11–12 years who did not receive the series as infants.

To stay healthy, do…

• Wash hands often with soap and water.
• Drink only bottled or boiled water, or carbonated (bubbly) drinks in cans or bottles. Avoid tap water, fountain drinks, and ice cubes.
• Eat only thoroughly cooked food or fruits and vegetables that hve been peeled. Remember: boil it, cook it, peel it, or forget it.
• If you travel to an area where there is risk for malaria, take your malaria prevention medication before, during, and after travel, as directed. (See your doctor for a prescription.)
• Protect yourself from insects by remaining in well­screened areas, using repellents (applied sparingly at 4­hour intervals) and mosquito nets, and wearing long­sleeved shirts and long pants from dusk through dawn.
• To prevent fungal and parasitic infections, keep feet clean and dry, and do not go barefoot.
• Always use latex condoms to reduce the risk of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases.

YELLOW FEVER – is required for ALL persons from yellow fever endemic countries/regions. All individuals in transit for 12 hours or more and/or who leave the immediate airport vicinity in a yellow fever endemic area are required to get vaccinated. All individuals from yellow fever endemic regions traveling by way of air, marine and land are required to get vaccinated. The Ministry of Health and Social Welfare of the United Republic of Tanzania has reinstalled HEALTH SURVEILLANCE DESKS in all borders, ports and international airports. PLEASE CARRY YOUR HEALTH CERTIFICATES WITH YOU WHEN ENTERING TANZANIA.

YELLOW FEVER UPDATE (2/28/2017): If you have been immunized once for Yellow Fever, you may have lifetime immunity. Your travel clinic physician can advise you based on your personal health profile. If you are covered for life, the clinic may update your yellow card to indicate “valid for life” as well as provide a letter of exemption to ensure that you are not immunized on site.

To avoid getting sick…

• Don’t eat food purchased from street vendors.
• Don’t drink beverages with ice.
• Don’t eat dairy products unless you know they have been pasteurized.
• Don’t share needles with anyone.
• Don’t handle animals (especially monkeys, dogs, and cats), to avoid bites and serious diseases (including rabies and plague).
• Don’t swim in fresh water, including Lake Malawi. Salt water is usually safer.

What you need to bring with you…

• Long­sleeved shirts and long pants to wear while outside whenever possible, to prevent illnesses carried by insects (e.g., malaria, dengue, filariasis, leishmaniasis, and onchocerciasis).
• Insect repellent containing DEET (diethylmethyltoluamide), in 30%–35% strength for adults and 6%–10% for children.
• Over­the­counter antidiarrheal medicine to take if you have diarrhea.
• Iodine tablets and water filters to purify water if bottled water is not available.
• Sunblock, sunglasses, hat.
• Prescription medications: make sure you have enough to last during your trip, as well as a copy of the prescription(s).