Tanzania is the most complete destination in East Africa: within a few hours’ drive you move from the Ngorongoro caldera to the plains of the Serengeti, from the baobabs of Tarangire to the flamingos of Manyara. And Zanzibar is just an hour’s flight away. It is also the country best organised for nature tourism, with lodges in every category and well-trained guides.
When to go
The dry season runs from June to October: the grass is short, animals gather around the waterholes and sightings are easier. It is also high season, with higher prices and more visitors.
From December to April the herds of the Great Migration move down to the southern plains of the Serengeti and to Ndutu: between January and February comes the calving season, with the highest concentration of predators of the year. The long rains, between March and May, make some tracks difficult and many camps close.
Zanzibar follows the same calendar: July to October and December to February are the best periods.
Documents and entry
You need a passport with at least six months’ remaining validity and at least one blank page. The tourist visa costs US$50 and can be obtained online on the official Tanzanian immigration portal or on arrival at the airport: we recommend applying online, as it avoids queues and disputes at the counter.
Zanzibar also requires compulsory health insurance from the Zanzibar Insurance Corporation, in force since 1 October 2024: US$44 per person, with a reduced rate for minors shown on the portal. It can be purchased only on the government portal inbound.visitzanzibar.go.tz, which issues a QR code to show at boarding. It is valid for a maximum of 92 days. Since 1 October 2026, travellers entering mainland Tanzania must also purchase compulsory insurance from the National Insurance Corporation (NIC), US$44, valid for 92 days, on inbound.nicinsurance.co.tz: those entering via the mainland take the NIC policy, those entering via Zanzibar the ZIC. Neither replaces comprehensive health insurance, which is included in our packages. FCDO travel advice for Tanzania.
Health
No vaccinations are compulsory for those arriving from Italy. A yellow fever certificate is required only from those arriving from a country at risk, including after a transit of more than 12 hours or if you left the airport. Malaria is present in most of the country, with lower incidence in the Zanzibar archipelago: malaria prophylaxis should be arranged with your doctor or a travel medicine clinic a few weeks in advance. Drink only water from sealed bottles. Plastic bags have been banned since 2019, including in your luggage.
What to see
Serengeti: 14,763 km², the country’s oldest park, stage for the migration of some two million wildebeest and three hundred thousand zebras. Ngorongoro: the largest intact caldera in the world, 8,300 km² and thirty thousand resident animals, one of the few places where you can see the black rhino. Tarangire: ancient baobabs and the highest density of elephants in the north. Lake Manyara: five ecosystems in 330 km², tree-climbing lions and flamingos. Lake Eyasi: the Hadzabe, one of the last hunter-gatherer societies. Kilimanjaro: 5,895 metres, the highest peak on the continent.
Good to know
The official languages are Swahili and English. The US dollar is accepted everywhere on the tourist circuit, but notes must be issued after 2009. Tips are expected: as a guide, US$10 per day for your guide. The power supply is 230V with British three-pin sockets: you will need an adaptor.
