Questions & Answers About Tanzania
If this is your first time travelling to Tanzania, you probably have countless questions. We have compiled some questions and answers that should assist you in planning your journey.
You can click on the question’s title; the answer will be expanded below. If we have missed anything, please email us, and we will gladly assist you.
Where are the best places in Tanzania for birding?
Tanzania has one of the highest bird counts in Africa, with over 1,100 bird species! Birdwatching is best during the warm season (November to April), when you can spot endemic species as well as migratory birds from Europe and Asia.
Best birding locations include:
- Arusha National Park with 400+ bird species
- Lake Manyara National Park with 400+ recorded species
- Tarangire with 550+ species
- Serengeti with 500+ bird species
- Selous Game Reserve with 440+ recorded listings
- Ruaha National Park with 570+ bird species
What kind of vehicles do we use on an eXplore Plus safari?
We use custom-built 4WD Toyota Land Cruisers for our safaris. The vehicles take up to 6 clients in 3 rows of seating (guaranteed window seat for all) with a pop-up roof, which can raise for wildlife viewing. The pop-up roof provides excellent photographic opportunities and shade while enjoying your safari. Our vehicles are meticulously serviced and maintained before and after every safari to ensure our clients’ optimal comfort.
Is it important to have unlimited kilometres on your safari?
One of the most important facts you need to check when booking your safari is if it includes unlimited kilometres. With limited kilometres, you will NOT maximise your wildlife viewing! Plus, you might get stuck with a safari guide bound to prescribed kilometres and refuse to follow a good sighting because of his restrictions. If you don’t consider this, you will probably end up disappointed.
We offer unlimited kilometres as we understand the importance of optimising each game viewing opportunity.
I’m travelling with children – is a Tanzania safari a suitable holiday?
Yes, travelling to Tanzania can be incredibly rewarding for families. We provide excellent, child-friendly guides and try to limit the amount of time spent in a vehicle. We also offer regular stops along the way when doing a family safari.
What do I need to pack for a safari?
The golden rule is to pack as lightly as possible. We recommend comfortable shorts, shirts, and long trousers for the duration of the safari. Warm clothes are crucial for cooler mornings and late evenings, as they can be cold. If you wish to swim at the lodges between your game drives, do not forget to pack swimwear. Remember to stock up on insect repellent, as you will be in a malaria area.
*Book through eXplore Plus Travel & Tours and receive a detailed ‘What to Pack’ list based on the area you will be visiting.
Do I need a visa to enter Tanzania?
Please note that anyone travelling abroad must have a passport with a minimum validity of six months from the date of return and at least three blank pages.
Most passport holders require a visa for Tanzania. Visas can be obtained from the Tanzanian High Commission or online. Remember that visa requirements can change with little or no notice. Please double-check foreign entry requirements according to your nationality by contacting eXplore Plus Travel & Tours or the Tanzanian High Commission.
Can I store luggage with you to be picked up at a later point during my trip?
If you are heading to the beach after your safari or travelling with excess luggage, we recommend that you store some of your luggage at our office in Arusha while you are in the bush. We can return it to you before flying out if you need to use this option, using more than one bag when packing is practical.
What is the local currency, and do I need any?
The Tanzanian Shilling (TSH) is the official currency of Tanzania. You will always have the option of paying in shillings, but you will have to take the exchange rate in consideration. Dollars are widely accepted, sometimes even preferred over local currency. Euros are welcome as well. You can use credit cards at larger establishments, where Visa and Master Card are the most widely accepted cards.
Dollar notes printed before 2009 will be rejected.
Is it safe to travel to Tanzania?
As with many places worldwide, Tanzania has a few questionable areas that should be avoided. Planning your trip through a reputable travel company will prevent any misunderstandings and allow you to enjoy what will undoubtedly be one of your most memorable holidays.
Will cell phone usage in Tanzania be a problem?
Most of Tanzania’s major National Parks have excellent cell phone coverage. Remote parks like Ruaha, Selous, and Katavi have limited to no coverage. The most convenient and economical calling solution is a prepaid Tanzanian SIM card with a GSM international cell phone.
Can I charge my camera/computer batteries while on safari?
Most lodges and camps in Tanzania have facilities (plugs) to charge batteries for cameras, video recorders, computers, etc., but it is advisable to bring spare batteries as a backup. The lodges have plugs in their rooms, and some of the tented camps offer central charging stations. Bring your own adaptor. Tanzania has the same 3-pin square plugs/sockets as the UK. The electricity supply is 230V.
Should I take out travel insurance before visiting Tanzania?
Organising travel insurance is vital for any trip to Africa, and we recommend that you do it when you pay your deposit. Should something unexpected happen and you need to cancel your holiday, it is good to know
that you have insurance coverage and may be able to retrieve your money. Insurance is also recommended to cover the loss of baggage and flight delays.
Can I miss the migration in the Serengeti?
The park is enormous, and you must be in the Serengeti’s right part at the right time. If you’re staying in a lodge in the Southern Serengeti while the herds are in the Western corridor or the North, it is possible to miss them entirely. We specialise in identifying the area (South, Central, West or North) where you will have the best chance of seeing the migration during your journey. For more details, please read our wildebeest migration page.
Can I see the wildebeest migration year around?
Yes, you can see the migration year-round in the Serengeti, although certain stages are deemed more dramatic than others. We know the migration and the camps/lodges closest to the action at any given time and will gladly advise you.
What are the roads like while travelling on safari in Tanzania?
Many of the roads in Tanzania are hard-packed gravel, and they’re often rutted because of their heavy use. Guides joke that travelling on these roads offers you the “African safari massage”. While there are some beautifully paved roads (from Arusha to the Tarangire, Lake Manyara and Ngorongoro Highlands), you will be travelling on rougher gravel roads. All the roads in the national parks in Tanzania are gravel roads, and visitors should note that they can be dusty, bumpy, and physically demanding.
ANYTHING ELSE THAT I SHOULD KNOW?
We can answer any questions you may have at any stage.