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Tanzania is the largest country in East Africa, bordered by Kenya and Uganda to the north; Rwanda, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the west, and Zambia, Malawi, and Mozambique to the south.
Tanzania has an impressive collection of crowd-pullers: Mount Kilimanjaro (Africa’s tallest peak and arguably its most rewarding climb), Dar Es Salaam (the capital and hub of cultural activity), Serengeti National Park (for East Africa’s best safari) and the sensational Ngorongoro Crater. The range and frequency of Tanzania’s highlights makes it one of the best bets for a great East African holiday. And don’t forget the island delight of Zanzibar, known also as the Spice Island, which adds pristine tropical beaches and diving opportunities to that already exciting list.
Whether you go to Tanzania for a safari, and Kili climb, or a beach break, you can be sure you’ll come back with a bag full of stories.
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Climate in Tanzania
Tanzania lies so close to the equator that seasonal variations in temperature are not extreme. The weather is pleasant in Tanzania throughout the year. The long rains generally fall from April through May, and the short rains from October through November usually consist of a short shower and sunshine the rest of the day. While the weather is best between June and September, don’t plan on seeing any animals in the Serengeti - they will have migrated to Kenya. September-March is a good time to go, but avoid April and May, when the weather is at its rainiest. As you approach the top of Kilimanjaro, temperatures can be well below freezing year-round, especially at night. Many of the northern wildlife reserves are about 10 degrees F/5 degrees C cooler year-round than elsewhere. Take along a heavy sweater and a windbreaker or jacket.
Visa information for Tanzania
If you are travelling to Tanzania you will need a visa which can be obtained on arrival on Tanzania’s borders and at Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar International Airports. You do not need an additional visa for Zanzibar but will have to show your passport to immigration officials to be stamped when getting on or off of the island. Tourist visas are usually issued for a period of 90 days and at present cost in the region of $50 (UK Nationals) and is valid for three months.
Health Advice in Tanzania
We advise contacting medical organisations in your area to find out what the latest information regarding health in Tanzania is. If you want to get a rough idea about current health issues, there are several useful websites worth checking, including the WHO, Fit For Travel and the Rough Guide health pages.
Getting around Tanzania
One of the safest ways to get around Tanzania is on an organised tour. But the country also has a good bus network that covers most of the main cities and towns. Hiring a vehicle is very expensive, and it’s often cheaper to pay for an organised safari with all the meals and camping. If your looking to get to Zanzibar and time is on your side the ferry from Dar El Salaam is the way to go – alternatively you can fly in under 30mins.
Pre-arranged independent travel in Tanzania
Travel Nation's sister company, Rickshaw Travel, has a dedicated website :
www.kenyatravelplan.co.uk that caters for people who want to travel independently in Tanzania, but not leave it all to chance.
The site features many bite-sized travel experiences all over Tanzania, each lasting around 3-4 days. You can pick and mix from these to create your perfect trip. The hotels and other forms of accommodation featured on this site are generally modest, but clean and comfortable, and have been selected because they have an authentic feel. International style chain hotels have been avoided.
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