Tanzania Travel Specialists
Our Tanzania specialists are experienced and passionate about the country - between them they have spent many weeks a year researching new experiences and ensuring everything is of the highest standard. They know Tanzania inside out.
TimTanzania Specialist01993 838 508
Don’t put your camera away when on a game drive, you never know what’s just round the corner.
Tanzania travel specialist - Tim
DonnaTanzania Specialist01993 838 419
Consider taking a bird guide book to Tanzania, even if you don't consider yourself a bird enthusiast you will be by the time you return home!
Tanzania travel specialist - Donna
Kate HTanzania Specialist01993 838 323
You may come across the odd Tsetse fly in Tanzania, it's therefore best to avoid wearing black and dark blue, which seem to attract them.
Tanzania travel specialist - Kate H
BenTanzania Specialist01993 838 517
In the Selous I highly recommend taking a boat safari along the Rufiji for the incredible birdlife and close encounters with elephants coming down to drink.
Tanzania travel specialist - Ben
TaraTanzania Specialist01993 838 506
Take an interest in the birds on safari; it will be an amazing learning experience and some of them are truly beautiful!
Tanzania travel specialist - Tara
Practical Information
Tanzania’s safari areas can be divided into the northern, southern and western ‘circuits’.
Each circuit encompasses a number of parks:
- Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Tarangire and Lake Manyara (northern circuit).
- Selous and Ruaha (southern circuit).
- Katavi and Mahale (western circuit).
We recommend that you focus on just one or possibly two circuits in order to have time to relax as well as explore.
Knowing the country well, we can recommend different ways to explore, such as flying from one camp to another or exploring on guided camping safaris.
Language
The official languages are KiSwahili and English but more than 100 different languages are spoken across Tanzania. Almost everybody involved in the tourism industry, either directly or indirectly, will be able to speak some English.
Tipping
The traditional gratuity to safari guides or camp staff is not included in the price of your tour and is completely discretionary. If you want to tip because you have received good service, a brief guideline is as follows:
- Driver-guides - US$10 per guest, per day.
- General camp/lodge staff. We recommend US$5 per day. This should be placed in the communal tipping box.
- National Park guides US$8 per day.
- We also recommend that you change some of your money into small denominations of Tanzanian Shillings for tipping.
Money
The currency of Tanzania is the Tanzania shilling (TSh). The current exchange rate is approximately US$1=1000TSh (GB£1=1500TSh). Hotels will accept payment for food and drinks in either US$ or TSh. Some restaurants and shops in the tourist areas may also accept payment in US$.
Due to a spate of forgeries, nobody in Tanzania, including banks, will accept US$100 notes, so it is best to carry smaller denominations.
Credit cards are accepted at some of the major hotels but a 5-10% surcharge will usually be added. There are very few ATM's in Tanzania. Do not rely on credit cards other than as a back-up.
Social Issues
Conservative casual wear is generally acceptable everywhere, but revealing clothes should be avoided since they may cause offence, particularly in towns and villages in the coastal areas where there is a very strong Muslim element. In Zanzibar particularly you will need to cover your knees and shoulders.
Under The Skin
Read
'Barefoot over the Serengeti' by David Read or 'Memoirs of an Arabian Princess from Zanzibar' by Emily Said-Ruete.
Listen
'Commando Hamza Kalala and Bantu Group' is legendary in the Tanzanian music scene has remained true to his roots, fusing local rhythms with newer influences to produce irresistible beats with lyrical wizardry. 'Islanders Band' are one of Zanzibar’s most popular bands, playing the African traditional music with zouk and rumba music influences thus creating it’s unique style.
Watch
'Africa the Serengeti' narrated by James Earl Jones is based on the great migration, and was initially released for Imax theatres. 'Globe Trekker Video: East Africa: Tanzania and Zanzibar' is a narration of traveller Ian Wright, from Zanzibar, via the Selous game reserve to the Serengeti.
Eat
M'chuzi wa nyama is a lovely curry dish! It is quite yellow in color, and the sauce is smooth and velvety. It is the combination of all the spices which makes this great dish. Use a good quality curry and make it with any meat. It is frequently served with beef in East Africa. Try it with lamb or veal as a change.
Drink
Tanzania's Kilimanjaro beer, named after one of the countries most popular highlights.
Word
'Pole pole' (Slowly slowly).
Trademarks
Big wide friendly smiles, Kilimanjaro, great migration, lions, wildlife, expansive beaches.
Tinga Tinga artwork, scarves, kikoys, animal carvings, coffee, tea.