Expert Travel Wisdom: 15 Things You Must Know Before Landing in Tanzania

These 15 practical tips cover everything from saving money to respecting local Tanzanian cultural customs.

Health and Medical Tips

1. Never Drink Tap Water: Always drink bottled, filtered, or purified water to avoid stomach upsets. Most lodges provide complimentary bottled water.
2. Bring a Personal Medical Kit: Lodges are remote; pack painkillers, rehydration salts, and anti-diarrhea medicine.
3. Use Mosquito Repellent: Apply high-DEET insect spray to exposed ankles and arms in the evenings.

Money and Banking Tips

4. Pack Post-2013 US Dollars: Local banks and hotels do not accept older bills due to fraud prevention.
5. Inform Your Bank: Let your bank know you are traveling to East Africa to prevent credit cards from being blocked.
6. Tipping is Customary: Tipping is expected for safari crews and Kilimanjaro porters. Budget $20/day for safari guides and $10/day for climbers.

Culture and Etiquette

7. Dress Modestly: Tanzania is a conservative country. In Zanzibar and local villages, cover shoulders and knees.
8. Ask Before Taking Photos: Always ask politely before photographing local Maasai or villagers.
9. Use Your Right Hand: Handshakes and passing food should always be done with the right hand.

Safari and Wildlife Rules

10. Never Stand Up in the Vehicle: Except when the pop-up roof is open and the vehicle has stopped.
11. Keep Quiet Around Predators: Loud voices disturb animals and can cause them to flee.
12. No Plastic Bags: Single-use plastic carrier bags are strictly banned in Tanzania.

Packing and Flights

13. Use Soft Duffel Bags: Small domestic safari planes have strict limits on hard-shell luggage.
14. Pack a Lightweight Fleece: Evenings on the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater get extremely cold.
15. Buy a Local SIM Card: Local operators (like Vodacom or Airtel) offer cheap, fast 4G packages.

Get a complete gear list by reading our Kilimanjaro Packing Guide or Safari Packing Checklist.