Before you book anything
Planning a trip to Tanzania.
The practical questions, answered by the people who handle them every week out of Moshi. Where an answer is set by a government rather than by us — visas, entry requirements, vaccination rules — we tell you the shape of it and send you to the official source, because those change and a confident summary would eventually be wrong.
When to come
Month matters more than any other decision, and it changes the price as much as it changes the wildlife. Broadly, the dry months give the most reliable game viewing and the highest number of vehicles; the green months give dramatic light, far fewer people and game that is more spread out.
The migration is in the Serengeti ecosystem almost year-round — what changes is where. Calving is on the southern plains early in the year; the river crossings in the north happen in the dry season, in a season rather than on a date.
For Kilimanjaro the two dry windows give the most settled conditions. For the coast, the long rains are the period to avoid if the beach is the point.
- If your dates are fixed, tell us and we will build the right trip for those months rather than the wrong version of a brochure trip
- If your dates are flexible, they are worth real money in the shoulder seasons
- There is no bad month in Tanzania — only mismatched expectations
How far ahead to book
Six to twelve months ahead is comfortable for a peak-season trip, and the camps worth staying in are the ones that fill first. For the busiest weeks in the northern Serengeti, or for a specific small camp, earlier is better.
Shorter notice is often workable, particularly in the green season, and we will tell you honestly what is still available rather than quietly downgrading the plan to fit. Last-minute trips happen and they are not automatically compromised ones.
- Peak season, specific camps: six to twelve months
- Green season or flexible on camps: three to six months is usually fine
- Kilimanjaro: earlier for full-moon summit nights and the busiest weeks
What it costs
Highland publishes journey-level planning prices rather than a single day rate. Signature Private journeys generally begin around $5,000–$9,000 per guest, Private Reserve around $9,000–$16,000+, and Grand Journeys around $14,000–$20,000+.
A product page shows either an indicative “From” price or “Price on request.” The final written quotation follows the exact month, accommodation, room category, park fees, aviation, transfers and experiences selected. International flights are not included, and no deposit is taken until you are happy with the plan.
- Public “From” prices are generally based on two adults sharing
- Park and conservation fees are a substantial and unavoidable part of the quotation
- Domestic aviation is included only where the product and written proposal say so
- Remote western journeys remain price on request until the operating pattern is confirmed
Visas and entry
Most visitors need a visa, and for most nationalities it can be obtained in advance online or on arrival. Requirements, fees and the available routes are set by the Tanzanian government and they change, so the only sensible advice is to check the official immigration portal for your passport close to travel rather than trust any operator’s summary — including this one.
Zanzibar is part of Tanzania but runs its own immigration desk, so expect to show documents again on arrival there even on a domestic flight.
Passports generally need to be valid well beyond your return date with blank pages available. Your planner will send a document pack before you fly, and will tell you what is outstanding rather than assume you have handled it.
Vaccinations and health
Yellow fever is the one with a rule attached: Tanzania requires proof of vaccination from travellers arriving from, or transiting through, countries where there is a risk of transmission. Whether that applies to you depends on your specific routing, which is why it needs checking against your actual flights rather than your nationality.
Malaria is present in much of the country, and prophylaxis is a conversation with a travel clinic rather than with a tour operator. Other routine and recommended vaccinations are the same conversation.
See a travel health professional well before you go — some courses need weeks. We will tell you what the route involves; what you should take is a medical decision and we will not pretend otherwise.
- Altitude matters on Kilimanjaro and is noticeable on the Ngorongoro rim; tell your planner about heart or lung conditions
- Safari camps are remote by design — we will be specific about what is near each place on your itinerary
- Comprehensive travel and medical insurance is a requirement of travelling with us, not a suggestion
Is Tanzania safe
Yes, with the ordinary caution of any long-haul travel. Tanzania has hosted visitors for decades and tourism is a significant part of the economy. The practical risks on a safari are road conditions, wildlife proximity and remoteness from medical care — all three of which are managed by the operator rather than by the traveller.
What that looks like in practice: vehicles serviced properly, guides who will refuse a closer approach, emergency procedures briefed before you travel rather than improvised, and a duty phone answered in Moshi while you are in the country.
In towns and cities the advice is the same as any unfamiliar city anywhere. Zanzibar is majority Muslim, and dressing modestly away from the beach is both expected and appreciated.
Money, cards and tipping
The Tanzanian shilling is the local currency and US dollars are widely accepted for tourism services. Bring dollar notes in good condition and of recent series — worn or older notes are frequently refused, which surprises people every season.
Cards work in towns and at larger properties and should not be relied on in remote camps. Cash for tips, curios and community purchases is worth carrying.
Tipping is customary and is not built into the rates. Your planner will give you a realistic guide for guides, camp staff and mountain crew before you travel, so you are neither guessing nor over-corrected by a stranger at the airport.
Flights and getting around
Kilimanjaro International Airport sits between Moshi and Arusha and is the natural arrival for the northern circuit and the mountain. Julius Nyerere International in Dar es Salaam suits the southern parks and the coast. Zanzibar has its own international airport, which suits a beach-first trip.
Inside the country, light aircraft do most of the work between parks. They are the reason a remote itinerary is possible at all, and they carry a strict luggage allowance — usually soft bags only, with a weight limit well below what an international ticket allows.
Driving between the northern parks is genuinely enjoyable and genuinely long. Which sections to fly and which to drive is one of the more consequential decisions in a route, and it is one we will have an opinion about.
- Soft-sided bags for internal flights — hard cases are usually refused
- Excess baggage can often be stored rather than carried; ask before you repack in a car park
- Book international flights only once the ground plan is settled, so the arrival day is not wasted
What to bring
Neutral, comfortable clothing in layers. Mornings on the plains and the Ngorongoro rim are genuinely cold, middays are hot, and the two are hours apart. Avoid blue and black in tsetse country, and leave camouflage at home — it is restricted in Tanzania.
Binoculars are the single most underrated item on a safari and the one most people wish they had brought. A camera with reach matters more than a new body. Sun protection, a hat and a soft bag round it out.
For Kilimanjaro the kit list is specific and much of it can sensibly be hired rather than bought. Your planner will send it, and will tell you which items are worth owning.
Children, older travellers and solo travellers
Family journeys are among the most common trips we run, and the design changes rather than the destination — shorter drives, camps with room to move, and a schedule that can be abandoned at lunchtime. Some camps have minimum ages, so children’s ages need mentioning early rather than after a route is built.
For travellers who want a gentler pace, the answer is usually fewer camps, flights instead of the longest road sections and a day that ends when you decide, rather than a shorter or lesser trip.
Travelling alone works well on a private journey, and it costs more per person than the published bands, which assume two sharing. We say so on the page rather than in the final invoice.
Quick answers
Tanzania, answered plainly
- Do I need a visa to visit Tanzania?
- Visa requirements depend on the passport you hold. Tanzania offers an official e-Visa system, and some travellers may be eligible to apply on arrival, while others require advance approval. Check the Tanzania Immigration Department for your passport and routing close to travel; carry your documents for Zanzibar even on a domestic flight.
- What vaccinations do I need for Tanzania?
- Yellow-fever proof can be required when arriving from, or after relevant transit through, a country with yellow-fever risk; it is not a blanket vaccination rule for every Tanzania visitor. Malaria risk and other vaccine advice depend on the route and the traveller. Take the confirmed flights and itinerary to a qualified travel-health professional well before departure.
- How much does a Tanzania safari cost?
- Signature Private journeys generally begin around $5,000–$9,000 per guest, Private Reserve around $9,000–$16,000+, and Grand Journeys around $14,000–$20,000+. Product pages show an indicative “From” price or “Price on request,” generally based on two adults sharing. The final quotation follows the exact dates, camps, fees, aviation and experiences selected; international flights are not included.
- When is the best time to go on safari in Tanzania?
- It depends what you want. The dry months give the most reliable game viewing and the most vehicles; the green months give better light, far fewer people and more dispersed game. Calving is on the southern Serengeti plains early in the year; the river crossings in the north are a dry-season event. There is no bad month, only mismatched expectations.
- How far in advance should I book a Tanzania safari?
- Six to twelve months for peak season or for specific camps, which fill first. Three to six months is usually comfortable in the green season. Shorter notice often works and we will tell you honestly what is still available rather than quietly downgrading the plan.
- Is Tanzania safe for tourists?
- Yes, with the ordinary caution of any long-haul travel. The real risks on safari are road conditions, wildlife proximity and distance from medical care, and all three are managed by the operator: serviced vehicles, guides who will refuse a closer approach, emergency procedures briefed in advance, and a duty phone answered in Moshi while you are in the country.
- Can I combine Kilimanjaro and a safari in one trip?
- Yes, and it is one of the most common trips we run — the northern circuit parks are on the same side of the country as the mountain. Climb first and recover on safari afterwards; nobody willingly leaves a good safari to start a climb.
- How long should a first trip to Tanzania be?
- Ten to fourteen days is the comfortable range for a first visit. A week works for a focused northern circuit. Adding Kilimanjaro or the coast pushes you toward two weeks, and adding both pushes you to three — we will say so rather than compress it.
- What is the luggage limit on internal flights in Tanzania?
- Light aircraft between parks carry a strict allowance, usually soft bags only and a weight limit well below an international ticket. Hard cases are generally refused. Excess can often be stored rather than carried — ask before you repack in a car park.
- How much should I tip on safari in Tanzania?
- Tipping is customary and is not built into the rates. Your planner will give you a realistic guide for your guide, camp staff and mountain crew before you travel, so you are neither guessing nor being corrected by a stranger at the airport.
- Do I need travel insurance for a Tanzania safari?
- Comprehensive travel and medical insurance is a requirement of travelling with Highland rather than a suggestion. Safari camps are remote by design, and the cover that matters most is medical evacuation.
- Can I book a Tanzania safari directly with a local operator?
- Yes. Highland is a Tanzanian destination management company in Moshi, operating since 2001 with its own guides, vehicles and ground operation. Booking an overseas agency usually means a company like ours does the work with their margin on top. You are welcome to use an advisor — many guests do, and we work with them constantly on net rates.
- What should I pack for a safari?
- Neutral clothing in layers — mornings are genuinely cold and middays hot. Avoid blue and black in tsetse country, and leave camouflage at home, as it is restricted in Tanzania. Binoculars are the most underrated item on any safari. Soft bags rather than hard cases, because of internal flight limits.
- Is Tanzania suitable for children?
- Very much so, and the design changes rather than the destination: shorter drives, camps with room to move, and a schedule that can be abandoned at lunchtime. Some camps set minimum ages, so tell us your children’s ages before a route is built rather than after.
When you are ready
Tell us what you have in mind
A named planner replies within 48 hours with a costed day-by-day plan. Nothing is booked and no deposit is taken until you are happy with it.