There is a running joke about the ‘safari uniform’ of khaki pants and neutral-colored shirts, but there is also a good reason to pack these items:

 1. Neutral colors are best for walking safaris, hiking and game drives, as they help you blend into the natural environment.

2. The material of these clothes is breathable, ideal for Tanzania’s warm, dusty weather. It’s not about fashion so much as being practical.

You will likely find your safari guide wearing a similar ‘uniform’.

Don’t worry if you forget basic toiletries. Soap, shampoo, toothpaste and body lotion are all available locally.

If you want to pack ultra-light for your safari, remember that most hotels and lodges offer laundry services. You can bring the bare minimum and have everything cleaned while you are on a game drive.

Wireless internet is increasingly popular throughout the country. While the connection may be slower in some locations (think 3G, not 5G), you are likely to be able to send an email and update your social media pages throughout your trip, even at a tented camp in the middle of the Serengeti or from your beach-front hotel in Zanzibar.

In towns such as Dar es Salaam, Arusha or Moshi, the connection is more likely to be strong and fast enough to conduct video chat and Zoom meetings.

Tanzania’s official currency is the Tanzanian shilling.

Tanzania is generally a safe place, but use discretion, too. Exchange money at banks or official exchange bureaus, never with individuals on the street. After changing money, put it sensibly in your wallet or bag, do not flash large stacks of cash around as you walk down the street.

Some lodges will accept payment in dollars for dinner/drinks. It is a good idea to bring some smaller notes for this purpose. For souvenirs and shopping in cities/towns or eating at a local restaurant, you should have Tanzanian shillings.

Popular currencies to exchange are: British Pound, Euro and the US Dollar. Some banks accept Canadian dollars, but the exchange rate is often poor. Make sure all bills are dated AFTER 2006, older bills will not be accepted. Notes with more recent dates are always appreciated.

Traveler’s Cheques are not advised.

All major towns and cities have ATMS. Before departure, communicate with your bank to add a travel notice and permit your card to be used at international ATMS. Also, ensure your PIN is 4 digits long.

You should be able to withdraw local shillings from an ATM without needing to carry a lot of cash.

When visiting Zanzibar, remember that ATMs and Banks are only available in Stonestown, exchange money before heading to the beach. Similarly, exchange money before traveling to the Mafia.

Every day, more and more businesses in major towns accept major credit/debit cards. You may enjoy a meal, visit a mall and pay for a spa treatment via credit card and many establishments.

Arusha, Moshi, Dar es Salaam and Stonetown are a few examples of locations that widely accept credit/debit cards.

Make sure to alert your credit card company of your upcoming travel plans to avoid any issues.

Most international travelers will need a tourist visa to enter the country. In many cases, you may obtain a tourist visa on arrival, which permits travel and tourism for 90 days. However, to save time, you may consider applying for an e-visa, which allows you to easily pass through immigration upon arrival and is the same 90-day visa.

Learn more about obtaining an e-visa here.

If obtaining a visa on arrival, USD is accepted by Tanzania Immigration. It is advised to either pay in advance, or carry USD ($50 or $100, depending on your country of citizenship).

If you are interested in a longer stay, or in visiting multiple countries on your visit (such as Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda) you may want to get the Multiple Entry Visa instead, which is valid for up to 12 months.

Transport with Petit Maasai safaris includes airport pick-ups and transfers. We take care of you from start to finish. Charter flights to Serengeti, Saadani and Mafia island may be included, depending on your preferences.

If you want a ‘free day’ to tour an area, we can add that into your personalized trip itinerary, and you may opt to take a local taxi, or try out the local city transport

In this case, always go with an official taxi (designated by white plates on the cars – personal vehicles have yellow plates).
In smaller towns, you may want to try out a ‘bajaj’ (tuk-tuk), but using motorcycle taxis is discouraged.

Tanzania no longer has any official COVID-related requirements for international travelers. We at Petit Maasai take our own precautions:

• We ensure all our drivers and guides are in good health;
• We provide unlimited hand sanitizer to guests;
• We promote outdoor activities with plenty of fresh air;
• Can request social-distancing at specific hotels and lodges, as per individual client needs
• May offer face masks, if required
• Can assist with Covid-tests for return travel, according to your home country’s requirements.

Tanzania has one required vaccine: Yellow Fever.

This vaccine is required for anyone who has ever traveled to a place with a risk of Yellow Fever, which includes some African, South American and Asian countries. You may see a full list here.

You will need to get this vaccination and carry the vaccine card with you in order to enter Tanzania.

Other vaccines recommended for travel to Tanzania:

-Hepatitis A & B

– Polio

– Tetanus

– Meningitis

Please talk with your health practitioner for your individual needs.

The risk of mosquito-borne malaria is decreasing every year in Tanzania, particularly in urban areas and higher elevations. However, your travels might take you to an area where malaria remains a risk.

First of all, it is a good idea to avoid insect bites to begin with, by sleeping under a mosquito net and wearing insect repellant in the evenings. You may also talk to your doctor about taking anti-malaria medications during your travel as an added precaution.

So far, no travelers with Petit Maasai Safaris have ever contracted malaria during a visit to Tanzania.

Tipping is always appreciated, based on the level of service.
Consider tipping porters and mountain guides based on the number of days of your trek.

Offer a token amount for waiters/cleaners at a hotel or lodge (often shared among all hotel staff).
For a safari drive, it is typical to tip based on the number of days.

You may tip for an experience (horseback riding or zip lining) if it was a guided tour.

It is an unfortunate reality that you may encounter people or youth asking for money. Usually this happens in urban areas, at traffic lights, ect. We discourage giving hand-outs to strangers on the street since this is not sustainable and may be an act for unsuspecting tourists. Sometimes a child is taken out of school for the day in order to help an older relative beg on the street, which is ultimately detrimental to their education.

If you want to give, the best way to ensure your money has a positive impact and does not encourage a cycle of dependency is to discuss with your guide or another Petit Maasai Safaris staff about the areas most important to you.

We have personal connections with amazing programs that focus on:

• Education and housing for vulnerable children
• Outreach programs for street children
• Girl’s education and scholarship programs
• Employment for disabled persons
• Housing and co-ops for needy mothers

We encourage you to visit and support one of these programs instead of giving to people on the street. This is how your donation can make a long-lasting difference.

Tanzania is an ideal location to travel as a family or to bring children. Please see our Travel with Children page for more information.

We want everyone to be able to experience the beauty of Tanzania and are happy to make arrangements to accommodate:

• medical needs (including wheelchairs, oxygen tanks for treks and more)
• dietary needs
• mature clients or folks with limited mobility

The first step is to reach out. Contact us. Share your dream trip to Tanzania along with any special requirements and we will work with you to design a plan that makes your dream a reality.