Tanzania is safe, warm, and welcoming. But a few things are worth knowing before you arrive — about health, money, tipping, culture, and what to pack. Here's our unvarnished country briefing.
Required if you're arriving from a yellow-fever country (most of Sub-Saharan Africa, parts of South America). Not required from Europe, North America, or Asia — but your airline may still ask. Carry the yellow card regardless.
Tanzania has year-round malaria risk in most areas below 1,800m. Malarone (atovaquone-proguanil) is our clients' most common choice — one tablet daily, start two days before, continue seven days after. Discuss with your travel doctor; some regions vary.
Hepatitis A and typhoid are the two most relevant for food/water exposure. Tetanus booster if over 10 years old. Rabies pre-exposure recommended for extensive wilderness time or with children. Hep B if not already covered.
Basic kit: oral rehydration salts, Imodium, paracetamol/ibuprofen, antihistamines, hydrocortisone cream, broad-spectrum antibiotic (ask your doctor), insect repellent with 30%+ DEET, sunscreen SPF 50, blister plasters. Tanzanian pharmacies stock most things but selection is variable.
You'll spend your days inside a vehicle or at camp — both environments are exceptionally safe. Follow your guide's instructions around wildlife at all times. Never walk alone outside your tent at night in unfenced camps. Keep cabin doors zipped to keep out monkeys and small animals.
Arusha and Moshi are small, relatively safe towns — the ones climbers and safari guests pass through. Normal urban precautions: don't flash cash, avoid isolated areas after dark, use registered taxis (ask your hotel). Pickpocketing in markets is the main risk. Violent crime against tourists is rare.
Tanzania's largest city has higher petty crime rates — phone snatchings, bag grabs, especially around bus terminals and markets. Use hotel cars or registered app-based taxis (Bolt/Uber work there). Avoid walking with bags after dark. Most clients only transit through — which is fine if arranged properly.
Stone Town is safe by day and in evenings on main thoroughfares. Northern and eastern beaches are very safe. Dress modestly outside resort areas (Zanzibar is predominantly Muslim). Avoid isolated beaches after dark. Women travellers: a light scarf for the shoulders in Stone Town is appreciated.
Tanzanian Shilling (TSh) is the local currency, but USD is accepted almost everywhere tourists go — safari camps, hotels, park fees, gift shops. Bring clean, newer USD bills (post-2013 preferred). Small bills ($1, $5, $10) are useful for tips and market purchases. Cards work at most city hotels but not in the bush.
ATMs in Arusha, Moshi, Dar es Salaam, and Zanzibar dispense Tanzanian shillings. Expect transaction fees of 4-6%. Bureau de change rates are reasonable in cities; hotel exchange is always worse. Don't exchange money on the street. Keep some USD aside for emergencies.
Expected and very important to livelihoods. Guideline: $20-30 per guest per day for the safari guide, plus $10-15 per guest per day split among the camp staff (pooled tips). Pay in USD cash, at the end of the trip, ideally in an envelope. We'll brief you with specific numbers when you arrive.
Kilimanjaro crew: $200-300 per climber split across your whole team (guide, assistant, cook, porters) at the summit celebration. Restaurants: round up or 5-10% if service isn't included. Hotel porters: $1-2 per bag. Tour drivers on transfers: $5-10 per day. Small amounts go a long way.
Never skip greetings. A simple 'Jambo' (hello) or 'Habari' (how are you?) before any transaction is expected and appreciated. Swahili culture values warmth and slowness over efficiency — lean into it.
In cities and Zanzibar especially. Shoulders and knees covered for women in Stone Town and Muslim villages. Beach resorts and safari camps are relaxed. A light scarf in the bag always helps.
Always ask before photographing people — especially Maasai, who are often (and rightly) weary of being photographed without consent or payment. A small tip of 2,000-5,000 TSh is expected if agreed.
Eat, pass, and receive with your right hand. The left hand is traditionally considered unclean. Not a huge issue but small gestures are noticed and appreciated.
'Pole pole' (slowly slowly) is a national motto. Service can feel slow, schedules are approximate, meetings start late. Relaxing into this pace is part of the experience — frustration reads as rude.
Tanzania is roughly 35% Muslim, 60% Christian. During Ramadan, eating publicly in Muslim areas (Zanzibar especially) is discouraged. At churches, dress respectfully. Both faiths are very public — expect prayer calls and gospel music in equal measure.
Get a local SIM card at the airport or any phone shop in Arusha — Vodacom and Airtel are the two main networks. Tourist SIM packages offer 5-10GB of data for $10-15. Most safari camps have weak but working connectivity. Kilimanjaro has no signal above 3,500m.
Most good-quality camps have WiFi in public areas. Speed is usually adequate for email, messaging, and Instagram — but not reliable for video calls or streaming. Expect unplugged stretches; they're part of the experience. Some camps have explicit 'connection-free zones.'
WhatsApp works everywhere there's WiFi or data — it's the default communication tool in Tanzania. Most camps will share a WhatsApp number you can use to reach the office if needed. Traditional roaming is expensive; local SIM plus WhatsApp is the way.
220V, 50Hz with UK-style Type G three-pin plugs. Pack a universal adapter. Most camps run generators or solar — power is usually available 6am-10pm at off-grid camps, 24/7 at larger lodges. USB charging often available in vehicles during drives.
| Subject | Status | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| People | With permission | Always ask. A small tip (2,000-5,000 TSh) is expected for Maasai portraits. Your guide will facilitate. |
| Wildlife | Always | No restrictions. Respect your guide's safety guidance on vehicle positioning and flash use around predators. |
| Government buildings | Never | No photos of police stations, military installations, airports (interior), or official buildings. Taken seriously — enforcement is real. |
| Drones | Permit required | A special drone permit is required and takes 30+ days to arrange through TANAPA. Fees are $100+ per day. Not worth it for a standard trip — we can advise if essential. |
| Children | With parental consent | Always ask a parent before photographing children. Never offer sweets or money in exchange — creates lasting harm in rural communities. |
| Religious sites | Exterior only | Mosque interiors generally off-limits to non-Muslims. Churches often fine to photograph exterior; interiors require permission. Ramadan sensitivity: no photography during prayer. |
Every trip we run comes with a detailed pre-departure briefing — specific visa steps, recommended vaccinations for your itinerary, packing list tailored to where you're going. You just show up.
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