Tanzania, located in the East of Africa, is a country popular for its vast wilderness. The sights are mysterious and truly magnificent. From Arusha, the safari capital of Tanzania, to climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, you will find that the whole country is filled with picturesque landscapes.
The rich and rare biodiversity of Tanzania makes it even more attractive, and you will get to witness one of the greatest wildlife experiences there are.
Now you will probably be wondering, “alright, so what do I need to know before I plan a trip to Tanzania,” so here are the key takeaways:
Use Tanzania’s electronic visa system
Using the electronic visa system instead of a regular one comes with numerous benefits. First, you will save the transportation costs to the Embassy since the whole process can be completed online.
Moreover, you will not have to handle excessive paperwork or stand in long queues of waiting. All you need is a valid passport, a digital photo of your face, hotel bookings, and a return ticket.
The approved electronic Tanzania visa serves as a single-entry permit that allows a stay of 30 days. USA makes an exception; all US citizens need to apply for a multiple only entry visa that stays valid for one year.
Apply within minutes from home using any working device with an internet connection and receive the processed document straight at your email address.
Get further information and submit your application on https://tanzanianvisa.com/!
Choose the best time to visit accordingly with your needs
- March to May and November to December; both are rainy seasons hence less crowds and therefore more convenient in terms of deals as well.
- June to September; dry season and the best time to experience the Great Migration in the Serengeti with minimal chances of rain. It is also the time where you can witness wildlife congregations at the waterholes on safari.
- January and February; out-of-season months, so reasonable fares and the perfect time for climbing Mount Kilimanjaro.
If you are a wildlife enthusiast, the best time to visit is in February or March. That is when the great migration of zebras and wildebeest occurs across the Serengeti every year.
It is also when you will be able to see the birth of little zebras and wildebeests. If you are more of a beach person, you should go sometime between July and October in order to get complete sunshine.
Have realistic budget expectations
The most pressing issue in your trip to Tanzania are the costs and budgets. Local transport fares can come up to $30, and that does not even include the Kilimanjaro and the Safari expeditions.
Also, you will lose quite some money when paying for entrance fees, tips, and drinks. The kind of roads you will travel on makes it impossible not to hire local help.
Provided you have extra time, you might be able to avoid hiring a local guide and use cheap transport, but then you will risk missing out on the Safari experience.
It is also tough to rent a car and drive yourself because of the rigid infrastructure and unknown routes, and even if you wish to hire a driver, they are a bit risky, and you will have to bear long and un-easy rides in jeeps.
If you some extra bucks, you should choose to fly between destinations, but again, that is not something every tourist can afford. Thus, make sure to include the essential local guides costs to save yourself from the troubles.
Do not miss out on Serengeti and Mount Kilimanjaro
Mount Kilimanjaro and the vast Serengeti game park are the famous sights people desire to visit in Tanzania. They can be a bit expensive, but they simply cannot be missed.
You should stay at the Kibo Palace hotel located in Arusha because it makes the game parks easily accessible.
On top of this, if you go on the safari, it will not only be a beautiful addition to your trip but also a great personal life experience.
Do not forget Zanzibar!
About 25 kilometers from Tanzania is the magical Island of Zanzibar. It is basically several islands with sandy beaches and a deep blue sea. You will find yourself surrounded by a strong and intoxicating smell of spices and fruits, which will make you hesitant to ever leave.
The great part is the variety of options you have when choosing where to stay and the fun-filled activities available everywhere you go. If you are more of an adventurous person, you can opt for diving or snorkeling, or if you want, you can just relax and lie down by the beautiful beaches.
There are also a lot of options for fine-dining and cheap eats if you want to save some money.
Be spontaneous
One very important tip about your expedition to Tanzania is that you should not plan and pay for every activity beforehand.
An excellent example of this would be NOT booking your Kilimanjaro tour in advance. Instead, you should research the best guides and negotiate the costs in person, a scenario in which you are far more likely to save some money for shopping or to spend it at a more luxurious hotel.
Protect your immune system
Although Tanzania does not require tourists to have any vaccinations, besides the yellow fever one. Still, three months before you travel, do visit your doctor and inquire about the following immunizations that are recommended for American, European, and Asian travelers:
- Diphtheria
- Hepatitis A
- Polio
- Rabies (prevalent enough that you may want rabies shots before you travel)
- Tetanus
- Typhoid
- Yellow Fever
Tanzania is known to have a unique type of malaria that withstands chloroquine. Hence, make sure you consult your doctor or a travel advisor about the correct anti-malarial medication or vaccine.
All in all, a trip to Tanzania requires extensive planning and a pretty hefty sum of money. Because it is a unique attraction, especially the wildlife that it is home to, it makes it a one-of-a-kind tourist destination and an unforgettable holiday.
