Tanzania

The exotic home of Kilimanjaro

Guide to Tanzania

Basic Information

Tanzania, located in East Africa, holds the distinction of being the most popular tourism destination on the continent. With its extensive national parks teeming with diverse wildlife, ancient volcanoes, a lengthy coastline along the ocean, picturesque islands, and the unique cultures of local tribes, Tanzania promises an unforgettable vacation experience. In this country, you'll find not only the legislative capital, Dodoma, but also the historical city of Dar es Salaam. Your vacation here will truly be exceptional, exotic, and highly memorable.

Photos of Tanzania

slave market memorial in Zanzibar, Tanzania

Christ Church Anglican Cathedral, Tanzania

See other photos

Capital

Dodoma

Language

Swahili and English

Currency

Tanzanian shilling

Time zone

GMT +3

Population

48 261 942

Territory

945,203 km²

Dishes worth trying:

Duck duckling dar es salaam. — stewed in coconut milk and garnished with rice.

Ostrich roast — a traditional dish with the addition of fruit sauce.

Bean soup — people in Tanzania cook it almost every day with coconut milk.

Ugali — A cereal porridge with a very thick consistency. It serves as a garnish for many meat and vegetable dishes.

Climb Mount Kilimanjaro from Arusha.
Enjoy a variety of wildlife at the Ngorongoro Crater.
Relax on the white-sand beaches of Zanzibar with the purest warm water.
Stroll through the Stone Town Historic District.
Enjoy snorkeling on Mafia Island.

Tips

Learn more

Sights

Among the main attractions of Tanzania are its natural beauties. Kilimanjaro Volcano is considered to be the calling card of the country, as well as of the whole continent. You can spend no less interesting time if you visit local National Parks, lakes and rivers.

Kilimanjaro Mountain National Park

The name of a landmark in Tanzania that is known even to children. It is crowned by the legendary dormant volcano, which is considered the symbol of the country.

Ngorongoro

A huge crater in Tanzania on the edge of the savannah that was formed by the collapse of a large volcano. It was formerly part of the Serengeti Game Reserve.

Serengeti

Another reserve in Tanzania. It has earned popularity among tourists due to the fact that its territory is home to about 500 species of birds and 3 million large animals.

Tours to Tanzania

Many tourists may have heard less about Tanzania compared to Zanzibar, but in reality, this resort island is part of the African country and offers relaxation on some of the finest beaches in Tanzania, accompanied by various water activities in the Indian Ocean.

Yet, Tanzania has much more to offer than just water and sun. It is home to the famous Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest peak in Africa, with various tours available to explore its subequatorial vegetation.

Moreover, tours are organized to introduce visitors to the local flora and fauna, providing opportunities for photo safaris and traditional safaris. Travelers can choose to purchase beach-focused or adventure-oriented vouchers separately or combine both for a diverse experience.

However, it's important to note that cheap tours to Tanzania are not particularly budget-friendly. The cost of a trip, including accommodation and flights for two people for 8-11 days, starts at around $1,500 USD. Prices may vary slightly depending on the season. Comparatively affordable options can be found during the rainy season, which falls in the north during spring and fall and in the south from November to April.

Occasionally, hot deals can be found for these months, so it's advisable to subscribe to newsletters from tripmydream, which gathers information about all the current hot travel offers from various tour operators.

Where to go to Tanzania?

Typically, tourists who choose Tanzania for their vacation have no doubts about where to go in this country. Excursion tours take the spotlight, offering opportunities to marvel at the beauty of volcanoes and national reserves. Not to be missed are the unforgettable safaris on the African savannah. Additionally, beach vacations in Tanzania are highly sought-after and a popular choice for relaxation.

When to go to Tanzania

Tanzania features an equatorial climate with a prevailing monsoon pattern. In the central part of the country, the climate tends to be drier and arid, whereas along the coast, it offers comfortable and mild conditions. The rainy season in Tanzania typically occurs from March to May. The most pleasant months for a stay are during the calendar summer period, while the hottest months of the year are from December to February.

Tanzania in spring

With the arrival of spring, rainfall floods the southern part of the country. At the same time, the islands of Mafia and Zanzibar continue to enjoy quite favorable weather. The climatic conditions are considered very suitable for climbing Kilimanjaro.

Tanzania in summer

The period of calendar summer in Tanzania is considered the most optimal for a comfortable vacation. This time of the year is not only the time of many national holidays, but also the beginning of the fishing and hunting safari season.

Tanzania in the fall

Despite the fact that daily short rains somewhat worsen the weather situation in the country, on vacation to Tanzania in the fall go to enjoy swimming in the warm Indian Ocean and diving.

Tanzania in winter

Tanzania is very dry and humid in winter. The air temperature stays at +35ºC. Planning a vacation in this period you can enjoy the beauty of local nature, see unusual tropical animals and learn about African culture.

Climate and weather in to Tanzania by months

Usefulness

If you don't know anything about vacationing in Tanzania, but are planning to visit this amazing country, tripmydream will help you learn the most useful information.

Visa to Tanzania

You can get a visa by paying a fee of 50 USD.

Customs & Tax Free

It is forbidden to bring drugs, weapons, pornography and poisons of all kinds into Tanzania.

Customs regulations

Travel by car

You can rent a car in Tanzania for an average of 109,250 TZS (50 USD). Rental conditions and traffic regulations can be found in this section.

Lease terms and traffic rules

Phrasebook for tourists

Swahili is considered to be the official language in Tanzania. In large and resort towns almost all locals speak English.

Learn phrases

Public transport and prices

The most popular public transportation in Tanzania is the bus. Apart from it, you can get to any point on the map by pickup trucks and Dala Dala.

Transportation

Events

Tanzania celebrates many national holidays in a colorful way every year. If you join your visit to one of them, you will make your vacation even more colorful.

Holidays and Events