TANZANIA

CASH NEEDS

While not the official currency, USD was widely accepted and sometimes even listed as the price. ATMs are not available at all once you leave the city, and having cash on hand is important. We were warned by our travel agent to have a good amount in case of surprise fees at our border crossing. You will also want to have plenty ready for tips and small purchases.

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TIPPING CUSTOMS

Getting the tips right for our trip was something we really struggled with. Everyone, and I truly mean everyone, bent over backward to make our stay beyond excellent, and we wanted to make sure to reward them and show our appreciation.

That said, the economy in Tanzania is very different than in the US. Tanzania has a poverty rate of ~26%, and Tanzanian income averages ~2% of that in the US. It felt very difficult to get a feel for what was "typical" or "expected," and a percentage-based tip didn't make sense given the all-inclusive structure of our camps.

We certainly did not want to undertip, but we had also been cautioned about overtipping. We didn't want to be insulting with a tip that could come off as patronizing, and we had also been told about how overtipping can discourage people from going through the process of becoming park rangers.

We talked extensively with our travel agent and did our homework (check out this expert advice on tipping in Tanzania), and this was how we handled our tips:

• We tipped once per lodge, as we were leaving and saying goodbyes

• We had both a dedicated guide and server at all of our camps, so we tipped them specifically. Then we also gave a tip that was for all of the other staff who helped make our experience so great.

• Our lodges had envelopes available, so we prepared 3 envelopes with cash (we used USD) and a thank you note in our tent before we said our goodbyes.

General tip amounts:

• For our guides: $30-40 per day (for two of us on two daily drives in a private vehicle)

• For our server: $20-30 per day (for two of us with two to three daily meals)

• For the rest of the staff: $10-15 per day per guest

The official language of Tanzania is Swahili, but as an English speaker, it is incredibly easy to converse. Almost everyone we encountered spoke excellent English.

This is because, for a long time, English was the official language of secondary education. In 2015, the government made a controversial decision to switch from English to Swahili. While the goals are admirable - to promote national identity and improve education quality - many have raised concerns about limiting global opportunities and complicating communication in neighboring countries, like Kenya or Uganda, where English is widely spoken. Because of this, the rollout has been mixed, and English is still common.

Of course, it's always fun and can be a sign of respect to try a few local phrases - our hosts were more than happy to teach us some basics! In addition to Swahili, you might also try your hand at learning a phrase or two from one of the 100-plus other languages spoken in Tanzania!

Officially, the State Dept. has given Tanzania a level 2 travel advisory (out of 4), which advises to exercise increased caution. This status is given due to crime risks, anti-LGBTQ+ activity, and a risk of terrorism in the southern region of Mtwara (unlikely to be visited as a tourist). Mtwara itself has a level 3 travel advisory to reconsider travel. See more information from the U.S. State Dept. here: Tanzania Travel Advisory

That said, staying at a safari lodge feels incredibly low-risk. It's just the guests and the hotel staff isolated in the bush, so there really aren't any people around to cause any problems. There are of course animals, including predators and the unsuspecting but dangerous hippo, which present some risk, but the risk is very minimal as long as you follow the lodge rules. After dark, you'll be escorted by a staff member between your tent and the communal tent just in case of a surprise animal encounter.

Overall, Tanzania felt at many times much like the US. That said, Tanzania has a few cultural norms to keep in mind when traveling:

• Do your homework before traveling as a member of the LGBTQ+ community. Same-sex relationships are illegal in Tanzania. While tourists don't typically feel the impact of these laws directly, they are still a factor to consider when planning travel to the country.

• Keep PDA and revealing clothing to a minimum. This is less of a concern on safari where essentially everyone there is a tourist, but some regions of the country are predominantly Muslim, and cultural norms follow.

• Ask before you photograph anyone in Tanzania. They will likely say yes, but not only is it a sign of respect to ask, some locals hold beliefs about camera flashes, and it would be damaging to them to use a flash without their permission.

• Culturally, make sure to greet others with your right hand, respect elders and their gained wisdom, and don't sniff your food even if you think it smells great.

Yes, a visa is needed for entry, visit this site to start the process: Tanzania eVisa. I also like Sherpa, which has a handy travel advisory map, to know what visa & health requirements exist for everywhere you are going in Africa.

As an American citizen, you will have to apply for a multiple-entry visa because Americans are not permitted single-entry visas. This of course is more expensive ($100 vs. $50), but it is valid for 12 months. No single entry can exceed 90 days.

There are five specified ports of entry for visa holders: Julius Nyerere International Airport (JNIA); Kilimanjaro International Airport (KIA); Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (AAKIA); Namanga border; and Tunduma border

Make sure you have a valid passport that has at least 6 months left before its expiration date.

In addition, we had another interesting request in nearby Kenya. We were asked to show proof of our planned return to the US. This went a step beyond the requirements for proof of onward travel that I had encountered before, where I would just expect to show our plans to exit Kenya. Another passenger couldn't produce this and he was escorted away by a guard. Interestingly enough, I never could find anything that officially stated this was required (even actively looking for it after the fact). As I said, this happened in Kenya, not Tanzania, but just be aware that this was asked in a bordering country.

Yes, you will need to prep with your doctor before going to Tanzania.

Start by checking online at the US Embassy. I also like Sherpa, which has a handy travel advisory map, to know what visa & health requirements exist for everywhere you are going in Africa. Then schedule an appointment with your doctor. You may want to consider a travel health specialist since not all practices are versed in the latest requirements and carry all the relevant vaccines.

Most likely you'll need a yellow fever vaccine, which is good for life, and your doctor will prescribe malaria pills and potentially some emergency antibiotics for travel diarrhea. Some other vaccines may be recommended but depend on the nature of your visit. If you're working in healthcare or will be in close contact with animals, it will be recommended you receive more vaccines.

Regarding COVID, the requirements are constantly changing, be sure to check all official government requirements. Again, Sherpa is a helpful place to start, but I would triple-check against both Tanzania's official site and the US Embassy. Since traveling post-COVID, I've experienced a case or two where even official sources have had conflicting info as requirements evolved. Better to be safe than sorry!

Country code: (+255)

U.S. Embassy: +(255) 22-229-4122
U.S. Embassy Emergency Line: +(255) 22-229-4000, dial '1' for an emergency operator

Types D & G (230V / 50Hz)

For reference: 

• US uses 110V / 60Hz and plug types A (2-prong) and B (3-prong)

• UK uses 230V / 50Hz and plug type G

• Most of continental Europe uses 230V / 50Hz and plug types C, E, & F

Note: Nearby Kenya uses 240V / 50Hz - you may still need a converter

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If your device is not dual-voltage (usually phones & laptops are - but hair tools are problematic), make sure to use a converter / transformer, NOT just an adapter. AND make sure your converter has a high enough power rating for your device. An adapter just makes the plug fit in the wall, but doesn't change the voltage.