Planning a safari in Tanzania and Zanzibar:
FAQs and useful information

Still unsure about how to plan your trip between the savannah and the ocean? In this section dedicated to FAQs and useful information, we’ve compiled answers to the most frequently asked questions to help you organise a safari in Tanzania and Zanzibar with Tracks of Africa with complete peace of mind. From choosing the best time of year to the necessary documents, find out everything you need to know before packing your bags and setting off with us!

PASSPORT
Foreigners entering Tanzania must have a passport with a minimum validity of 6 months following the date of travel.

ENTRY VISA
We advise our clients to obtain their tourist visas through the online website: https://visa.immigration.go.tz/ (apply at least 15 to 20 days prior to departure).
Alternatively, you can obtain a visa upon arrival at the airport for a fee of USD 50 per person (except for US citizens, who pay USD 100 per person), payable by credit card or debit card enabled for international payment circuits.

OBLIGATION FOR INTERNATIONAL HEALTH INSURANCE CERTIFICATION
Please note that as of May 15, 2023, it is mandatory to take out an “International Health Insurance Certification” prior to departure for both Tanzania and Zanzibar, which provides coverage for medical expenses and possible medical air repatriation (or transfer to another country) of the patient.

As of October 1, 2024, Zanzibar Authorities also require all foreign visitors to acquire inbound travel insurance coverage (priced at USD 44 per person, valid for 92 days) from the Zanzibar Insurance Corporation. Its purchase is mandatory, even for travelers who already have or have taken out other travel insurance. This insurance applies exclusively to Zanzibar. It is not required, nor valid, for travelers heading to mainland Tanzania. For registration and detailed, up-to-date information, visit: https://visitzanzibar.go.tz/
VACCINATIONS
No mandatory vaccinations are required in Tanzania. Yellow fever vaccination is required only if you reach Tanzania by land and from high-risk countries or if you reach it by air after a stopover that exceeds 12 hours at airports in high-risk countries. Hepatitis, typhoid and malaria prophylaxis are recommended. We therefore suggest that you consult your family doctor, although many vaccinations for Tanzania that are strongly recommended are probably avoidable with common sense behavior on the ground.

HEALTH INSURANCE
Tracks of Africa Safari Adventure includes in all its safari proposals AMREF Flying Doctors medical insurance, which covers only air-ambulance evacuation to hospitals in Nairobi, or the best in East Africa, in case of illness or accident in areas not covered by tourist hospitals. It does not cover any and further medical expenses. As of May 15, 2023, it is compulsory to take out health insurance before departure for both Tanzania and Zanzibar, which provides coverage for medical expenses and possible medical air repatriation (or transfer to another country) of the patient.

As of October 1, 2024, Zanzibar Authorities also require all foreign visitors to acquire inbound travel insurance coverage (priced at USD 44 per person, valid for 92 days) from the Zanzibar Insurance Corporation. Its purchase is mandatory, even for travelers who already have or have taken out other travel insurance. This insurance applies exclusively to Zanzibar. It is not required, nor valid, for travelers heading to mainland Tanzania. For registration and detailed, up-to-date information, visit: https://visitzanzibar.go.tz/

Our overland safaris, depart from the town of Arusha, we recommend using Arusha airport for domestic flights and Kilimanjaro airport for international flights.

When booking, if you have food intolerances please indicate any allergies or dietary restrictions.
We will provide such information in advance to all hotels/lodges/tented camps where you will be staying.

The official language of Tanzania is, along with English, Swahili.

Tanzania has a dry tropical climate with two rainy seasons: a longer one from mid-March to May (“masika” in Swahili) and a shorter one from November to early December (“mvuli” in Swahili) and has regional variations mainly due to altitude. In the highlands, temperatures vary between 10 and 20°C during the cold and hot seasons, respectively. The rest of the country rarely has temperatures below 20°C. The hottest period is between November and February (25-31°C), while the coldest period is between May and August (15-20°C). Zanzibar’s beaches have a typical tropical climate since they are located near the equator. The best times to visit northern Tanzania are during the dry season, which runs from December to March and June to October, but the climate is, however, fantastic year-round. Especially the northern parks, even during the rainy season, offer good wildlife viewing, especially for birdwatching. In addition, the landscape is lush, the parks are less crowded with tourists, and the rates are lower.

The official currency is the Tanzanian Shilling (TZS). You can convert to local currency at banks; both dollars (not pre-2009) and euros are accepted or withdraw Tanzanian shillings at ATMs. Dollars are accepted at all lodges, and Euros are often accepted but at an unfavorable exchange rate. Credit cards can be used in international hotels, lodges and large stores in major cities, so for small purchases we recommend being in possession of the local currency. Tipping is not mandatory in Tanzania, but good custom is to consider a small amount for porters, guides and drivers. A little generosity will be welcomed!

Mobile network coverage is fairly widespread, except in some rural areas. We advise you, if you intend to make frequent calls abroad, to purchase SIM cards from local operators (Vodacom, Airtel…), because using your own card can be very expensive. Wi-Fi is available almost everywhere in the common areas of the accommodations, not always in the rooms/tents.

Electricity is 220/240 volts and in tented camps is provided by generators. We recommend that you bring a universal adapter because wall sockets often have the three square holes, as in Britain. It is not recommended to drink water from the tap throughout Tanzania.

A high-protection sunscreen, insect repellent, sunglasses, a hat, wind scarf/pashmina, chapstick and moisturizer. Clothing: Comfortable and casual clothing, soft colors such as beige, tan or army green are recommended. Light t-shirts and shirts, long and short pants, a sweater/fleece and a windproof jacket for cold mornings. Swimsuits in the case of facilities with a pool or for an extended stay at the beach. Comfortable walking shoes or sneakers. Medications: as a precaution, it is helpful to bring general medications (an antipyretic, broad-spectrum antibiotic, intestinal disinfectant, eye drops), in addition to those you may be taking regularly. Camera: we recommend bringing a wide-angle lens (about 17-55 mm) for landscape images and a telephoto lens (in the 200-400 mm range) to capture animals in the distance. We also recommend, for photography and film enthusiasts, to always have enough memory-cards and spare batteries with them, given the difficulty in the area of finding technological equipment. Another useful item is a portable hair dryer, as not all facilities provide them to tourists.
IMPORTANT FOR SAFARI: Soft, space-saving luggage is recommended for better optimization of space on the vehicle.
IMPORTANT FOR FLY SAFARI: Only one 15 kg/33 lb soft suitcase per person is allowed on transfer flights to the parks.

The use of all plastic bags, regardless of their thickness, is prohibited in Tanzania. Plastic items known as “Ziploc bags” that are specifically used to carry toiletries will be allowed as they should remain in the permanent possession of visitors and should not be disposed of in the country. We urge our clients to preserve their environment for the duration of their vacation by not throwing any kind of waste outside, even the most mundane cigarette butt. The vehicle is equipped with a waste collector.

We accept payment by bank transfer in USD currency.

A non-refundable deposit is required at the time of booking. The amount of the deposit will be specified at the time of booking, but is usually 20% of the tour price. The remainder of the tour cost must be paid on the date specified on the quote, usually 60 days before departure. If the reservation is made after this date, the full tour price must be paid at the time of confirmation.

Our tours include:

  • Taxes and entrance fees for parks (including Ngorongoro Crater).
  • 4WD Land Cruiser vehicle with pop-up safari roof, unlimited kilometres and guide/driver (speaking English, Italian, French and Spanish).
  • Electrical charging sockets on board, Wi-Fi, fridge and binoculars.
  • Full board in the proposed lodges, hotels and tented camps or similar category (excluding drinks unless otherwise indicated when booking).
  • On vehicle during safari snacks, water and soft drinks included.
  • AMREF Flying Doctors Emergency Evacuation Insurance.

Our tours do not include:

  • International and domestic flights (unless otherwise indicated when booking).
  • Meals and drinks outside the safari (unless otherwise indicated when booking).
  • Travel and personal accident insurance.
  • Tanzania International Visa, Vaccinations, Medicines.
  • Optional excursions/activities not detailed in the itinerary.
  • Tips and any additional services required.
  • Possible introduction of new or increased government taxes and fuel, cost of entrance fees to various tourist sites, parks or wildlife reserves of which we are not aware at the time of processing the quote.
  • Surcharge during Christmas and New Year’s Eve.

All cancellations must be received in writing by Tracks of Africa Safari Adventure.
Unless otherwise specified in the quote, the following cancellation terms apply to the reservation:

  • Cancellations received between the booking date and 61 days before departure will result in loss of deposit.
  • Cancellations received between 60 and 31 days before departure will be subject to a cancellation fee of 50% of the tour price.
  • Cancellations received 30 days or less before departure will result in forfeiture of the entire tour price.
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