Tanzania Travel Tips

When to Visit Tanzania

It is easiest to talk about when not to go to Tanzania. The major rainy season is from early April to late    May, and the short rains are in November. These months have the fewest    visitors. Rain or snow can be expected every day, but not the entire  day. July and August are the busiest months.

Tanzania Safari

The best time to see the migration in Tanzania is often January-March and June-August. The migration in Kenya is often best September-October. You will see an abundance of wildlife all year round.

Mount Kilimanjaro

Kilimanjaro is climbable all year round. The best months to climb are December-March, and September-October, which are the    warmest and driest months. The next best are July and August, but they are colder. Rain and snow may be encountered any time of the year! Temperatures range from 75-85 degrees F (25-30 degrees C) at the foot of the mountain and 0 degrees F (-15 degrees C) on top plus wind chill. Lower  down, it can be wet and humid, but higher up, there can be snow. The mountain is most picturesque right after the  main rainy season with   the   snow still visible. Mt. Meru  can  be seen in the distance. At the equator, the time of sunrise and sunset do not vary significantly from one season to another. Sunrise will    be around 6:30am and sunset will be around 6:30pm. This is the land of “early to bed and early to rise”

About Tanzania

Tanzania   is the land of extremes. It is situated 600 feet (or 200 meters) above   sea level and contains both the tallest mountain in Africa and the   second deepest lake in the world. That’s right, Kilimanjaro, which is   measured at 19,340 feet (or 5,895 meters), lives in this country.

The world’s second deepest lake is Lake Tanganyika, which measures 4,710 feet (or 1,436 meters). The gold medal goes to   Lake Baikal in Russia which measures 5,387 feet (or 1,642 meters),   creating a large gap between first and second place.

But just because these are the most famous parts of the country, doesn’t mean they are the only joys you can experience.

History of Tanzania

In   1964 he mainland called Tanganyika and the islands called Zanzibar   unified. It was at this point that the United Republic of Tanzania was   born.

The  merger wasn’t possible   until both countries became independent from the British. Tanganyika   reached independence in 1961, while Zanzibar only  managed the feat in   January 1964. 3 months later, Tanzania became united.

The   country of Tanzania is known as “the Cradle of Mankind” as it holds  the  oldest human fossils in the world. With 120 different indigenous  groups  in the country, and very little emigration or colonial  settlement in  their history, Tanzania has kept a lot of its original  history intact.

Language

There    are two official languages in Tanzania – English, and Swahili.   Although English is spoken by many people in the country, it is only   taught in higher education. Swahili is taught in the first 7 years of   education and continues until the end of a pupil’s schooling.

Because   the country is so vast and diverse in culture, there are many   unofficial  languages spoken by the locals too. For example, many of  the  120 ethnic groups have their own language, and due to Asian  influences  Hindi, Urdu, Punjabi, and Gujarati have become popular.

Culture

The concept of kin and family is critical to Tanzania’s culture. No matter the struggle or inconvenience, family matters and occasions are  given the highest priority. The transport system in Tanzania has much  to be desired, but that won’t stop a family member from arriving for a celebration.

Art and history are also extremely important in Tanzania’s culture. Storytelling through dance and speech creates the  majority of entertainment. And because scientists from around the world sturdy human ancestry in Tanzania soil, the concept of history and nature are woven into one.

Why Should You Visit Tanzania?

Tanzania   is a country surrounded by wildlife, beaches, archaeological discoveries, and a culture largely untainted by globalization.

We will go into detail about the things you can do while visiting this unique country, but the main reason to spend time in Tanzania is to explore the untouched world. Many places like Katavi, contain wilderness that hasn’t been destroyed by progress or time. It is the  ultimate escape from a fast-paced life.

When Should You Visit?

Tanzania has two seasons –  wet and dry. The rainy season starts near the end of October and    continues until January. It picks up again from March to June. Between    these bouts of rain, is the dry season.

Visiting   in the dry  season (February, then July till September), means  climbing  mountains in  a safe condition, and exploring areas in the  beautiful  sun of 77 degrees Fahrenheit (25 degrees Celsius). The roads  will be  easier to  drive on and the wildlife will be around waterholes  making  them easier  to spot.

However,  if  you want to see large movements of animals, you can also do this  during  the rainy season. The rain makes the  wildlife happy, while the   grassland will be colorful and luscious. You  will develop the best   photos and see a large variety of creatures. The experience will also  be  at its cheapest with fewer crowds to contend with.

There    are areas that can’t be reached in the rainy season, but the whole   northern circuit will normally be accessible throughout the year.

Do You Need A Visa?

Yes. To travel to Tanzania,  you will need a passport, a return ticket, and a single-entry tourist  visa. 

The passport should be valid for at least 6 months before your arrival date, but the visa can be obtained at the airport too.

Although   you can wait until the last minute to receive your visa, this can  cause  delays. We advise applying for the visa in advance to avoid any  raised  prices and long waiting times with the immigration  officers.

>>APPLY FOR TANZANIA VISA ONLINE

Where To Go And Things To Do

There   are tons of things to do in Tanzania, but they all come down to three   things – exploring the wilderness, finding wild animals, and  discovering  the culture of the area.

See The Big 5

The Big 5 is a tick box exercise that lets you see the most iconic  animals in Africa. Going on Big 5 safaris means searching for the African  Lion, the African Elephant, the African Leopard, the  Rhinoceros, and the  Cape  Buffalo.

Although  these  creatures are large, they can be extremely difficult to spot in  the wild. The goal becomes even more difficult due to illegal poachers   reducing the numbers of the population. However, hiring a Big 5 tour   guide can show you the best  places to find these extraordinary  animals.

Experience The Great Migration

The great migration is the iconic trek made by thousands of wildebeest to cross the lands of Africa. It has been watched millions of times  through hundreds of documentaries, but there is nothing like seeing a  surreal experience in real life. The wildebeest migration is the largest mammal migration in the world, and you can see the spectical in the Serengeti National Park.

Climb Mount Kilimanjaro

Mount Kilimanjaro National Park is unlike the other national parks in Tanzania. You won’t find a lot of wildlife on this tour, instead, the   attraction is climbing Kilimanjaro, the tallest mountain in Africa.

Even if you don’t reach the summit, the view of the wilderness below is a sight for the gods.

Purchase A Local Sim Card

To make sure you  don’t get charged extra for using your phone abroad,  you  should buy a  sim card locally. These sims will have better wifi  and  signal  connections, and they will be cheaper due to their expected  use  in the  country.

We recommend choosing Vodacom, Airtel, or Tigo. Airtel  is a budget brand and has  the  worst network of the three, but they will  be cheaper than your  foreign  sim. Tigo has a good connection at a  reasonable price. Vodacom  has the  best network connection but comes at a  cost. If you can  afford it,  definitely buy a Vodacom sim card.

Only Carry Your Daily Basic Essentials 

Only carry the essentials you need for the  day. If you lose your passport or your visa, you can land in big trouble  trying to leave the country.

On   the other hand, don’t leave your  hotel room without sunscreen and mosquito spray. These sprays will  become your best friend as the heat   beats down on you.

Pack Light

This is more general advice than Tanzania specifically. Only take what you need for hiking, lounging, and swimming at the beach. You can buy more   clothes when you arrive, and you can wash them at your hotel. Instead, save your bag room for gifts and souvenirs.

The lighter you pack  the less you have to pay for travel too. To make the most of the  savings, buy disposable products when you arrive. Shampoo, travel  toothpaste, and other small needed toiletries can be  bought  anywhere near your hotel, so don’t waste travel space.