Tanzania • Travel Tips
Your First Tanzania Safari: 15 Tips Before You Go
Your first Tanzania safari is exciting, and a little preparation makes it even better. These are the practical Tanzania safari tips our team shares with every first-time guest, from paperwork and packing to the surprising rules many travellers don't know about.
The 5 most important tips
- Check visa and yellow fever rules before you book flights
- Leave plastic carrier bags at home, as they're banned in Tanzania
- Pack light, in a soft bag, if you're taking safari flights
- Wear neutral colours, not dark blue or black
- Bring binoculars, one pair per person if you can
Before you go
1. Visas. Most visitors need a visa, which you can usually apply for online as an eVisa before travelling. Apply well in advance and check the latest rules for your nationality.
2. Yellow fever. You may need a yellow fever vaccination certificate, for example if you're arriving from, or transiting through, a country with yellow fever risk, such as Kenya. Check current requirements.
3. Health and malaria. Visit a travel clinic several weeks before you travel for advice on malaria prevention and vaccinations.
4. Travel insurance. Choose a policy that includes medical evacuation, as parks are remote.
Packing
5. No plastic bags. Tanzania bans plastic carrier bags, and they may be confiscated on arrival. Remove them from your luggage and use fabric or packing cubes instead.
6. Soft bags and weight limits. Light aircraft have strict luggage limits, usually around 15 kg in a soft-sided bag. Most lodges offer laundry, so you need fewer clothes than you think.
7. Neutral colours. Wear khaki, beige, olive and brown. Avoid dark blue and black, which attract tsetse flies in some parks, such as Tarangire, and avoid camouflage clothing.
8. Layers. Mornings and evenings are cool, especially on the Ngorongoro Crater rim, and middays are hot. Bring a fleece, a light jacket, a hat and sunglasses.
9. Binoculars and a camera. Good binoculars transform a safari. Bring spare batteries and memory cards, plus a car charger or power bank, as most safari vehicles have charging points.
On safari
10. Trust your guide. Your guide is your best resource. Tell them what you most want to see, and follow their advice in the vehicle and at camp.
11. Early starts are worth it. Wildlife is most active at dawn and dusk. A 6 am game drive often brings the best sightings of your trip.
12. Respect wildlife and people. Stay seated and quiet near animals, never feed them and always ask before photographing people, including Maasai communities. Drones need special permits and are not allowed in national parks without permission.
Money and tipping
13. Money. The local currency is the Tanzanian shilling, but US dollars are widely accepted on safari. Bring newer, clean notes, as older and damaged notes are often refused. Cards are accepted at most lodges.
14. Tipping. Tipping your guide and camp staff is customary and very much appreciated. We'll send you clear guidelines with your travel documents.
Learn a few words
15. Speak a little Swahili. A few words go a long way and bring big smiles:
- Jambo: hello
- Karibu: welcome
- Asante sana: thank you very much
- Pole pole: slowly, slowly
- Hakuna matata: no worries
- Simba, tembo, twiga: lion, elephant, giraffe
Ready to plan?
See our 7-day Northern Circuit itinerary, find out where the herds will be in our calving season guide or compare destinations in Kenya vs Tanzania Safari.
On your first morning, your guide stops the vehicle, points into the golden grass and whispers "simba". Your heart races. Welcome to Tanzania. Karibu.
Frequently asked questions
What should I know before my first Tanzania safari?
Check visa and yellow fever requirements early, pack light in a soft bag, leave plastic carrier bags at home, wear neutral colours and bring binoculars.
Are plastic bags banned in Tanzania?
Yes. Tanzania bans plastic carrier bags, and they may be confiscated on arrival. Use fabric bags or packing cubes instead.
What should I wear on a Tanzania safari?
Wear neutral colours like khaki, beige and olive, in layers for cool mornings and hot afternoons. Avoid dark blue, black and camouflage.
Do I need a visa for a Tanzania safari?
Most visitors need a visa, which can usually be applied for online before travel. Check the latest requirements for your nationality.
Should I tip on safari in Tanzania?
Yes. Tipping guides and camp staff is customary and appreciated. Tourgy Tourz provides guidelines with your travel documents.
Plan your first Tanzania safari with confidence
From visas to packing lists, our team guides you every step of the way.
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