Visiting Tanzania

Click on each underlined topic to jump to the section:
Flights
Travel Information and Seasons
Health and Immunizations
Reservations and Cancellations
Money Issues
About Tanzania

Flights
Q. What is the best way to get to Tanzania?
A. If you are coming from North America or Europe, we recommend flying KLM to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO). Although KLM is slightly more expensive than British Airways, BA flies to Dar es Salaam and Nairobi only. Kilimanjaro Airport is a one hour drive from Arusha while Dar es Salaam and Nairobi are a one hour flight or several hour bus ride from Arusha. If planning a visit to Zanzibar or Pemba during your Tanzania vacation, consider flying into Dar es Salaam and then flying to Kilimanjaro for your safari and climb.

Q. Can Duma Explorer help me book flights?
A. Duma Explorer books East Africa travel including flights and shuttles. Tickets will be e-mailed to you or you will be given an e-ticket number so you may collect your tickets at the airport. Duma Explorer can also book flights going to and coming from other African destinations. For flights originating outside Africa, we recommend calling the airline directly as fares are usually lower.

Q. Does Duma Explorer pay for airport taxes?
A. Airport taxes are not included in the price of internal Tanzania flights. Be sure to bring extra US dollars with you to pay airport taxes which range from US $5 to US $25 per flight.

Q. What is the best way to get to Zanzibar?
A. If you are going to Zanzibar after your safari, we recommend flying from the Serengeti to Zanzibar. Although this flight is slightly more expensive than the Kilimanjaro - Zanzibar flight, you cut off six hours of driving over rough terrain by flying directly from the Serengeti. If you are visiting Zanzibar after a Kilimanjaro trek, then we recommend flying from either Arusha or Kilimanjaro Airports. Duma can arrange all of your domestic flights for you.

Q. Do you recommend flying to Nairobi?
A. Flying to Nairobi is often less expensive than flying to either Kilimanjaro or Dar es Salaam so if your trip includes Northern Tanzania only, it may save you money to fly into Nairobi. However, flights from Nairobi to Kilimanjaro are pricey and may not justify the cost savings. If your trip includes Zanzibar, consider flying into and out of Dar es Salaam. Please note that travelers transiting through Nairobi must now show proof of Yellow Fever vaccination when they arrive in Tanzania.

Travel Information and Seasons
Q. Do I need to purchase a visa in advance?
A. It is possible to purchase for most nationalities to purchase a tourist visa at the port of entry. If you plan to purchase Tanzanian visas at the airport or border, please bring USD 50/person (USD 100/person for US citizens). A short arrival form is completed when entering the country but no passport photos or documentation other than your passport is necessary to purchase a visa. Please ensure your passport is valid for at least six months from the date of entry. Also, you will need at least one blank page in your passport (the back page does not count).

Q. I am traveling alone. Is it possible to join a group?
A. Yes, Duma posts open trips on its itinerary page of the Duma website. Group rates are applied to individuals who join open safaris.

Q. What are the best months to go on safari?
A. There are two factors to consider when choosing a time to visit Tanzania, the wildlife and the crowds. For the best wildlife viewing, visit Tanzania during the dry seasons of December through February, and July through September. To avoid the crowds, visit in May, June or November.

Q. When is the best time to climb Kilimanjaro?
A. The driest month to climb Kilimanjaro is September. However, it is also one of the coldest. Because Kilimanjaro is such a large mountain, it has its own weather pattern and it often rains on Kilimanjaro when it is not raining elsewhere. You should prepare for rain and have your rain gear with you at all times while on the mountain.

Q. What are the seasons like in Tanzania?
A. Late March through late May represents the period of long rains in Tanzania. This is usually not an ideal time to plan a safari because of the potential for sudden downpours. Directly after the long rains, however, is a wonderful time to visit Tanzania's national parks due to the abundance of wildflowers and vegetation. It is also a wonderful time to go on safari because the level of dust and the number of tourists is minimal.

July through October is Tanzania's dry season and also the high season for tourism. This is the best time to view wildlife as grasses are virtually nonexistent. It is usually very dusty and can be cold at higher elevations such as Ngorongoro Crater. Tanzania's short rains occur from late October through mid December. This is a low season for tourism in Tanzania. December through March is Tanzania's "summer" and many tourists visit during late December and January for optimal game viewing.

Health and Immunizations

Please refer to our Altitude Sickness information page for climbing Kilimanjaro and Meru.

Q. Does Duma provide health insurance?
A. Health insurance is not included in tour quotes. However, for an additional US $15 to $50 per person, we provide emergency medical evacuation through The Flying Doctors.

Q. What immunizations do I need before visiting Tanzania?
A. For current immunization recommendations and requirements for travel to Tanzania, please check the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) site.

Q. What immunizations do you recommend?
A. We recommend the following immunizations:
Typhoid: Typhoid vaccination is good for three years. This inoculation consists of two shots given four weeks apart or four tablets taken orally, one pill every other day over the course of six days. The pills must be refrigerated.
Hepatitis A: Should be taken just prior to departure as immunity becomes less effective with time.
Hepatitis B: Is a viral disease transmitted mainly through blood or sexual contact. Vaccination lasts forever and is recommended by the CDC for long-term travelers to Africa who will have contact with the local population. Ideally the vaccine is administered over a six-month period.
Meningitis: The vaccine for memingitis is called Menamune. It can cost up to $100 at clinics that don't administer it frequently, or as a little as a third of that cost elsewhere. You may want to shop around. While this disease occurs only sporadically, it is fatal unless treated immediately.
Yellow Fever: Proof of Yellow Fever vaccination is required for travelers arriving from or transiting through most African countries. Travelers arriving with KLM from Amsterdam or British Airways from London (direct flight) do not need to show proof of Yellow Fever vaccination.
Malaria: The most common anti-malarial drug in the US is Mefloquine (Lariam). The prescribed dosage is one tablet (250mg) per week. It can cause side effects such as upset stomach or nightmares and is not recommended for people suffering from and on medication for epilepsy or schizophrenia. It is not recommended for people on medication with beta-blockers, commonly prescribed for high blood pressure or heart disease. Please consult your physician before taking Lariam. Other drugs are available, though their effectiveness varies.

Reservations and Cancellations
Q. Can I pay with a credit card?
A. We accept credit cards (Visa/MasterCard) for deposit payments. Final payments must be paid by USD check or bank transfer. If you are interested in paying by credit card, please let us know and we will send instructions.

Q. Can Duma Explorer help me with my Zanzibar hotel reservations?
A. Duma Explorer can arrange Zanzibar flights and hotels. We also arrange Zanzibar transfers with Abdulla Ali, Duma's Zanzibar driver.

Q. What is Duma Explorer's cancellation policy?
A. Please read our Terms and Conditions document (PDF link) for details on our cancellation policy.

Money Issues
Q. How much should I tip?
A. Please visit our Tipping Guidelines page for more information.

Q. Will I be able to use ATM/credit cards in Tanzania?
A. You can withdraw Tanzanian shillings using a Visa/MasterCard in Arusha. Upscale hotels and safari lodges generally accept credit cards but charge a commission to do so. Please call your credit card company before you leave for Tanzania to notify them of your travel plans. Some companies will put a block on your card if you try to use it at a Tanzanian ATM. Please note that you usually need to have a four digit PIN to use your ATM/credit card at a Tanzanian ATM.

Q. Should I change money to Tanzanian Shillings or can I pay in foreign currency?
A. We recommend changing some money to shillings to pay for small items during your trip. Local stores and restaurants charge in shillings, and if you pay in dollars you will pay a higher rate. At souvenir stores in Arusha town, we recommend paying in shillings as the price will be lower. Any shillings that you have leftover can be used to tip staff during your trip. Be sure to carry small notes in whatever currency you choose to use as it is difficult to get change on safari.

Q. Should I bring travelers checks?
A. We do not recommend bringing travelers checks to Tanzania as few banks accept them and the rate is lower than the rate for cash. We recommend bringing some USD cash and using an ATM/credit card to withdraw shillings. ATMs are available in all major Tanzanian cities.

Q. Are old USD notes accepted?
A. No, your USD notes will need to be the recent notes that have the large faces on the bills.

About Tanzania
Electricity, Phone, and Internet
Tanzania uses 220 watts AC and if you are bringing 110 appliances you will need an adapter as well as the proper plug configuration. Tanzanian outlets accommodate three prong UK style plugs. Phone calls are expensive and unreliable (approximately US $2.00 per minute to the US and Europe). The Internet can be accessed from Dar es Salaam, Arusha, Zanzibar, and Moshi. The connections are relatively fast and cheap ($1.00 per hour) and there are many internet cafes in each location. There are three internet cafes within two blocks of the Duma office so you will have time to check your email before and after safari. You will not have access to email while on Kilimanjaro. There is now internet access at some safari lodges. If you would like to use our guides' phones while on safari or Kilimanjaro, you can purchase US $5 or $10 phone cards that will allow you to place international calls. Keep in mind that a $5 card will last only for a few minutes.

Swahili: The Language of Tanzania
Tanzania is made up of an estimated 120 linguistic groups none of which is greater than ten percent of the total population. The largest linguistic group in Tanzania is the Sukuma that live in the Lake Victoria area. Other large groups are the Hehe of Iringa, the Gogo of Dodoma, the Chagga of Kilimanjaro and the Nyamwezi of Tabora.

Swahili, the language spoken by the vast majority of Tanzanians, is the most widely understood language in Africa after Arabic. Swahili has over 50 million speakers and is spoken not only in Tanzania, but also Kenya, Uganda, eastern Zaire and Rwanda. Swahili originated along the east African coast of Southern Somalia, Kenya, Tanzania, Northern Mozambique and on the islands of Lamu, Zanzibar and Pemba. Swahili has only 2 million native speakers and most Swahili speakers speak two or more languages. Although the first language of most Tanzanians is that of their ethnic group, all Tanzanians are taught Swahili in grade school. Julius Nyerere, Tanzania's first president, implemented this policy early in his rule in order to unite Tanzanians and enable them to communicate with each other.