Practical information Tanzania

Yes, a tourist visa is mandatory for French, Belgian and Swiss nationals. Two options: the e-visa, requested online on the official Tanzanian immigration website at least 10 days before departure, or the visa on arrival, issued at the international airports of Kilimanjaro (JRO), Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar. The standard rate is 50 USD for a single-entry visa valid for 90 days. US nationals pay 100 USD for a multi-entry visa. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months after your return date and have at least two consecutive blank pages. We recommend the e-visa to save time on arrival, especially during high season.

No vaccine is mandatory if you arrive directly from Europe. Yellow fever becomes required if you transit for more than 12 hours through a risk country (Kenya, Ethiopia for example). The following are strongly recommended: hepatitis A and B, typhoid, up-to-date DTP, and rabies if you plan an extended trek. Malaria is present year-round below 1,800 meters, so on safari and in Zanzibar: preventive treatment (Malarone, doxycycline) is advised after medical consultation. Dengue circulates on the coast, with mosquito protection needed day and night. A consultation at an international vaccination center 4 to 6 weeks before departure is recommended.

Tanzania is not a budget destination. Excluding the international flight, budget 250–400 USD per person per day for a classic safari with a mid-range lodge, private 4x4 vehicle, professional guide, park entrance fees (70 USD/day), and full board. High-end camps in the Serengeti range from 600–900 USD per day. On Zanzibar, a good beachfront hotel with half-board costs between 120 and 250 USD per room. Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro costs 2,200–3,500 USD per person depending on the route and duration. Tipping (10 USD/day for a safari guide, 100 USD for a Kilimanjaro team) is customary and should be budgeted.

The long dry season, from June to October, remains the ideal window: pleasant temperatures (20-28°C during the day), wildlife concentrated around water sources, and the crossing of the Mara in the Serengeti between July and October. January-February offer a second, warmer dry season, perfect for births in southern Serengeti. To avoid: the long rains of April-May (some lodges close), and to a lesser extent the short rains of November. For Zanzibar, June-October and January-February are the best months. For Kilimanjaro, prioritize January-March and June-October. Our team adjusts the schedule according to your priorities—migration, beach, or climbing.

The 4x4 with driver-guide is the standard formula for northern safaris: the Arusha-Tarangire-Ngorongoro-Serengeti route is entirely accessible by road, on sometimes challenging but well-established tracks. To reach Zanzibar, the south (Ruaha, Nyerere) or the west (Mahale), internal flights by Cessna from Arusha or Dar es Salaam are the norm, with baggage limited to 15 kg in soft bags. The ferry between Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar (2 hours) remains an economical option. We do not recommend self-drive car rental: signposting is limited, driving is on the left, and track conditions vary. Everything is organized in advance by our team.

Overall yes, Tanzania is one of the most stable countries in East Africa. Tourist areas (northern parks, Zanzibar, Kilimanjaro) do not pose any particular problems. Standard precautions apply in major cities: in Dar es Salaam and Stone Town, avoid displaying valuable items, opt for taxis recommended by your hotel in the evening. The northwestern border with Burundi and certain coastal areas near the north (towards Kenya) are advised against by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. On safari, you are always accompanied by our trained guide. Medical care is adequate in Arusha and Dar es Salaam, comprehensive travel insurance with repatriation remains essential.