Tipping
Tipping in Tanzania is not as common as in the West but in some cases it is expected. Here’s a general guideline:
➜ Restaurants – 5% – 10% if a service charge is not already added to the bill
➜ Hotel staff – 2,500 – 5,000 TZS if someone helps you with luggage or anything else
➜ Our drivers – At the end of the trip, we recommend that everyone gives a $110 USD tip for our drivers. We will collect this on the last day and give it to our drivers before we say goodbye
➜ Tour leader – If you wish to tip your tour leader, they will always be greatly appreciative
*Tips for local guides and waitstaff at included meals are already included.
Safety
Tanzania is an overall safe destination with friendly people and few real concerns. As with any travel, the general rule is to use the same common sense you would use back home in order to ensure a hassle-free experience. Once in Tanzania, your tour leader will discuss safety suggestions as well.
➜ Watch your stuff – When wandering around crowded areas, it’s always a good idea to keep your wallet and phone in your front pocket or secured in a purse or backpack. The purse, backpack or shoulder bag should be hanging by your front hip, with zippers fastened. Keep in mind that when out and about each day, you may leave valuables in your room as the hotels we use are all very safe.
➜ Scams – Although rare, local scams can sometimes happen. One such scam involves a local approaching you and offering to take your picture with their camera or phone. However, when you go to return the camera, they purposely drop it and demand payment for the damages. Additionally, be mindful of overcharging by some taxi drivers and never use unlicensed taxis. By staying alert, negotiating taxi fares in advance and keeping a close eye on your belongings, you can protect yourself from any potential scams. It is also possible that local shop owners or market vendors may try to inflate their prices for any goods you want to purchase. It’s best to always shop around, ask your tour leader for approximate prices and take some time before making any purchase.
➜ Safaris – While safaris in Tanzania are exceptionally safe, it’s always wise to follow a few general guidelines to ensure a secure experience. Our local guides will ensure your safety throughout the journey and it’s essential to listen to their instructions and adhere to their expert advice. Remember to stay inside the safari vehicle at all times and avoid any sudden movements that may startle the wildlife. Respecting their natural habitat is key, so keep a safe distance and never attempt to touch or feed the animals. Additionally, packing essentials like sunscreen, hats, and insect repellent will ensure you’re protected from the elements. With these precautions in mind, you can relax and fully enjoy the breathtaking landscapes and incredible wildlife encounters that Tanzania has to offer.
Weather
During this trip, we can expect relatively consistent weather. August is an ideal time to visit Tanzania, with very little rain and pleasant temperatures. Here are the average temperatures of each destination we will visit:
➜ Arusha: 75F/24C high – 59F/15C low
➜ Tarangire National Park: 74F/24C high – 57F/14C low
➜ Lake Manyara National Park: 81F/27C high – 55F/13C low
➜ Ngorongoro Crater: 77F/25C high – 52F/11C low
➜ Serengeti National Park: 84F/29C high – 57F/14C low
➜ Moshi: 82F/28C high – 61F/16C low
Facts About Tanzania
➜ Population: 63.59 million people
➜ Religion: The predominant religion is Christianity, being the religion of 63% of the population. Islam, practiced by 34% of Tanzanians, also plays a significant role. Minorities of Atheists and followers of traditional faiths also exist around the country.
➜ Languages: Tanzania showcases a mix of languages, with Swahili and English serving as the primary official languages. Despite this, the country is home to over 120 ethnic groups, each with its own tongue, illustrating the nation’s vibrant cultural diversity. While Swahili is universally spoken across the country, English is widely used in business circles and among different ethnic communities.
➜ Politics: Tanzania functions as a unitary presidential democratic republic, where the President acts as both the head of state and head of government. The current president, Samia Suluhu Hassan, became the first female president of Tanzania in 2021, and also served as the first female vice-president in the history of the country from 2015.
Clothing and Packing
For the most part, it’s best to opt for comfortable, light clothing. Dressing conservatively, with pants or long skirts that go below the knees, is generally advisable although shorts are acceptable in some areas and while on safari.
We recommend packing the following items:
- Pants (3-4 pairs – comfortable, lightweight, light colors)
- Shirts (4-5 short-sleeve shirts, 5-6 long-sleeve shirts – loose fit, comfortable)
- Shorts (2 pairs)
- Swimsuit
- Underwear/Socks
- Shoes (sneakers/closed-toe) & Sandals
- Warm Clothing (1-2 sweaters and a jacket for cool nights)
- Toiletries
- Medicines (bring sufficient amounts of any medication you take)
- Sunscreen
- Small Daypack
- Gadgets & Chargers
- Ear plugs (if you’re a light sleeper, bring a few pairs)
- Sunglasses
- Hat
The most important thing is that you don’t overpack as moving around country with your luggage can be tiresome and the less stuff you have, the more thankful you’ll be once the tour begins.
If you have any questions about other items you were thinking about bringing or not bringing, just send us an email and we’ll be happy to let you know if such an item is necessary for this trip.
Additional Information
Cameras/Drones
You may bring your camera bodies and lenses into Tanzania as a tourist.
Drones weighing 7 kilograms (15.5 pounds) or less may be flown in Tanzania, but you must first obtain permission from the Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority, as well as the Ministry of Defense and National Service. You also need to hold a certificate authenticating your ability to fly a drone issued by your country of origin.
Outlet Adapters
Tanzania uses a different plug outlet than you will find in most other parts of the world. You will need Type D and/or Type G plug adapters as these are both used throughout the country. It is highly recommended to purchase these adapters in advance.
As for electricity, check your chargers to see if they say 110 – 230V If they do, you will not have any problems charging your device while on the tour.
Staying Connected
As Tanzania is a developing country, strong internet is not quite widespread. While almost all of the accommodations have Wi-Fi, the connection can be poor at times, so be prepared to be offline more than you’re probably used to back home. In general, the internet access will work and you’ll be able to do whatever you need to do online, but it might take longer than normal with the potentially spotty connection.
The easiest way to stay connected during the tour will be to purchase an E–SIM before the trip, as this will allow you to stay connected from the moment you land at the airport.
We can also set up local SIM cards upon arrival for those who wish. Just make sure you have a GSM-enabled unlocked phone in order to use a foreign SIM card.
Another option is to activate your home network’s ‘international plan’ which will allow you to continue using your phone as you would at home, with access to a data connection, for a fee that usually ranges from $5 – $10 per day.
Is There Any Free Time?
Yes! Some days, particularly in the cities, will include time together as well as free time for you to enjoy a destination at your own pace. With that said, your tour leader will always be available to offer personal recommendations and suggestions as to things you might want to do or see, places to eat and other interesting activities that you might want to check out when there is free time.
WhatsApp Group
We will set up a WhatsApp chat 2 weeks prior to the start of the tour that will include all of the participants as well as your tour leader. This will allow everyone to get to know each other in advance, ask questions and communicate with your tour leader both before and during the tour. It will be very useful for you to have WhatsApp available to you during the tour as this will be the main method of communication.
That’s it for now and we hope you are continuing to get more and more excited about this incredible adventure, just as we are!
If you have any questions about anything, please reach out to team@wanderingearl.com