How to prepare for a trip to Tanzania and Zanzibar
Hooray!!! You have booked your dream vacation to Tanzania and Zanzibar! Now the wait is on until you get on the plane and can leave. Until then, it’s helpful that you prepare well for this trip. After all, you are going to a completely different world with a completely different culture. We take you through the ideal preparation for your trip so you can enjoy your vacation to the fullest.
Travel documents and visa
Since your trip will take place outside of Europe, everyone in the travel party will need a passport that is valid for 6 months beyond the scheduled departure date. In addition, a visa is required in Tanzania. You can get this both online and upon arrival at the airport. Make sure you fill out all documents properly and also check them thoroughly before applying for your visa.
Health and vaccination
Life in Tanzania is very different from life here in the Netherlands. The water is less clean, the food is prepared differently and there are many wild animals roaming around. To prevent any diseases, there are some mandatory vaccinations and some recommended health precautions.
You may want to consider these vaccinations
You can be vaccinated against: Hepatitis A and B, typhoid and cholera. Check yourself or with a professional to see which vaccination(s) are appropriate for you. If you come from a yellow fever country, you must be able to show proof of yellow fever vaccination.
Health measures
Some other important health measures you can take yourself are:
- Bring malaria tablets as malaria is prevalent in some parts of Tanzania and Zanzibar.
- Bring insect repellent and wear long sleeves and pants at night to avoid mosquito bites.
- Drink water only from bottles and avoid ice cubes.
- Watch out for food prepared on the street and bring diarrhea inhibitors.
What to pack for your trip
Surely a difficult task for any trip is packing your suitcase. What do you need, how warm will it be at night and do I need any accessories for a safari? As Tanzania specialists, we know exactly what you need to pack and that is why we have listed the essential items and the specific items. In addition, we have created a packing list for your trip to Tanzania and Zanzibar that you can easily print out.
Essential items
Pack light and comfortable clothes suitable for warm temperatures. Don’t forget to bring a hat/cap, sunscreen and sunglasses against the strong UV rays. Finally, a good camera is also must to capture the wildlife and beautiful landscapes.
Specific clothing and equipment for safari
For safaris, neutral colors such as beige, brown and green are recommended. This way you blend in well with the surroundings and they are real safari colors. During the walking safari, we recommend sturdy walking shoes. Although it is nice and warm during the day, it can cool down considerably at night. We therefore always recommend bringing warm clothing as well. Almost all our accommodations have a swimming pool and Zanzibar is a true underwater paradise so don’t forget your swimwear! Download your Tanzania and Zanzibar packing list here.
Specific clothing for an ascent of Kilimanjaro
If you come to Tanzania to start climbing Kilimanjaro, you will need a slightly different equipment. While climbing Kilimanjaro, it is helpful to wear layers of clothing. Whereas it is nice and warm during the day, it cools down faster here due to the altitude and shade of the mountain. The higher you get, the colder it gets and on the final climb, thermal underwear is also very comfortable. Download the Kilimanjaro packing list here.
Security measures Tanzania
Although Tanzania is considered one of the safest countries in Africa, there is of course always a small chance that something will happen. To make this chance even smaller, we have compiled some safety tips to ensure that your trip to Tanzania goes off without a hitch.
- Always keep a close eye on your personal belongings and put valuables in a safe whenever possible if you leave them behind.
- Watch carefully when withdrawing on the street and preferably do so only in banks and secure areas.
- Safari: Always follow your ranger’s instructions and stay within designated areas. This is because we and our rangers have little control over the behavior of wild animals.
- Kilimanjaro: Also on Kilimanjaro, always follow the instructions of your ranger and stay on the designated trails. Climbing a mountain is not without risks and we like to make sure there are no accidents.
Cultural Etiquette and Local Customs
The culture in Tanzania and Zanzibar are very different from that in the Netherlands. We find it important that our guests also respect this culture during their trip. Greetings are very valuable in Tanzania and a ”jambo” to the people you meet will be very much appreciated. While visiting villages or religious sites, it is respectful to cover your knees and shoulders. Finally, tipping is common and is also very much appreciated in the tourism industry.
Activities and Sightseeing
In advance of your trip to Tanzania and Zanzibar, it is also good to already do some research on the parks and sights you will be visiting. What animals can you spot there? Where is the great migration when you travel through the Serengeti? And what do I want to do on Zanzibar? The answers to these questions can be found on the pages of the individual parks and on our
excursions page
.
