Tanzania Safari

Yes, most travellers need a visa to enter Tanzania. There are two ways to get one:

Please note: Tanzanian embassies no longer issue visas. Although the visa on arrival is available, it’s best to apply online to avoid potential delays.

You can apply through the official Tanzania Immigration website. Be sure to check if your nationality is listed under the referral visa category before applying.

There are no specific vaccine requirements for visitors to Tanzania.

However, for travel to Tanzania, it’s recommended to be up to date on routine vaccinations like MMR, polio, and tetanus.

Hepatitis A and typhoid are advised for most travellers, especially if visiting rural areas. Hepatitis B and rabies may be needed depending on your activities.

Yellow fever vaccination is only required if you're arriving from a country where it's present - this is when a yellow fever certificate is required. Malaria is a risk, so anti-malarial medication is strongly recommended.

Speak to your travel doctor 4–6 weeks before your trip.

We feel Tanzania is by far the better option. This is because most – in fact, almost all – of the Great Migration takes place in Tanzania, not Kenya. Further, the chaotic river crossings of the migration herds take place in Tanzania, not Kenya.

To learn more, please read Kenya vs Tanzania – which offers the better African safari?

Tanzania is one of the safest countries in Africa, ranked 12th on the continent’s Global Peace Index. It’s also incredibly welcoming; most visitors find the local people warm, helpful, and kind.

Of course, like anywhere, it’s wise to stay alert, follow local advice, and take basic precautions, especially in cities or unfamiliar areas.

For most travellers, a guided safari is the best choice. You don’t have to worry about hiring a vehicle or finding the wildlife; the driver-guide takes care of everything. They’re experts at spotting animals and love sharing stories about the park and its creatures, making your safari more enjoyable and stress-free.

On the other hand, self-drive safaris are better suited to experienced drivers who feel confident handling a 4x4 and have thoroughly researched safe safari practices.

This is a hard question to answer. The longer you spend on safari, the more animals you'll see, and the greater the variety you're likely to spot. If you're hoping to spot the Big Five, for instance, one day probably won't cut it. But if you give yourself four to five days, you might well manage it.

What we can say is that you need to factor in travelling times when heading on safari. For instance, from Kilimanjaro International Airport (gateway to the Northern Circuit), you can reach reserves like Arusha National Park and Lake Manyara National Park within hours and go on safari that same day. But Serengeti National Park, on the other hand, is quite a drive, so you should factor in a day of travel each way. Fortunately, the drive to Serengeti takes you past Ngorongoro Crater, which is a MUST, as well as some other attractions worth a visit, like Olduvai Gorge.

Please chat to us for advice on how long it will take based on what you want to see and where you want to go.

The Serengeti is incredible all year-round, but the best time depends on what you want to see.

Each season offers something unique, so you really can’t go wrong.

The Big Five is the name that was given by colonial hunters to the African game considered the most dangerous to hunt on foot. Today, the term has been adopted by the travel industry as these animals are considered particularly exciting to see while on safari. The animals in the Big Five are lion, leopard, Cape buffalo, bush elephant and black rhino.