Tours in Tanzania

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What’s the best time of year to visit Tanzania?

   For safari, you’ll want to come during the dry season. The most popular time to visit is during the long dry season from July to October, which coincides with the Great Migration in the Serengeti. However, the short dry season of January to March is also great for wildlife spotting, as this is birthing season, which means chances to see adorable newborns and the menacing predators who come out to hunt them.

2. What’s the climate like in Tanzania?

   Tanzania has a tropical climate but it varies significantly from region to region, with the biggest factor for change being altitude. Days are hot and humid at its lowest point on the coast, with temperatures cooling on the arid plains of the central plateau, while things get temperate in the highlands. There are two rainy seasons (March-May and November-January) and two dry seasons (January-March and July-October).

3. What’s the currency in Tanzania?

   Tanzanian shilling

4. What language is spoken in Tanzania?

   Tanzania is a truly multilingual nation, with around 126 languages still spoken here today. Swahili is the official (and most widely spoken) language, and acts as a lingua franca alongside English. Other tongues include those from the Bantu, Khoisan and Nilo-Saharan family of languages. Hunter gatherers from the Hadza and Sandawe groups still speak click-consonant tongues. 

5. What is the time difference in Tanzania?

   The time zone in Tanzania is Eastern Africa Time (UTC+3), which is 3 hours ahead of London, 8 hours ahead of New York and 11 hours ahead of Los Angeles.

6. Major Airports in Tanzania:

   • Julius Nyerere International Airport (DAR), Dar es Salaam
   • Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (ZNZ), Zanzibar
   • Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO)

7. What are the best places to visit in Tanzania?

   • Serengeti National Park – the undisputed champ, one of the world’s greatest wildlife destinations, especially during the Great Migration
   • Mount Kilimanjaro – Africa’s highest peak and one of the most rewarding mountain climbs in the world
   • Zanzibar Archipelago – a truly magical set of sandy islands on the East African coast
   • Tarangire National Park – the best place in Tanzania for elephant spotting
   • Ngorongoro Conservation Area – this Unesco-listed spot in the Crater Highlands is The Lion King (1994) come to life

8. What are the top five local dishes to try in Tanzania?

   • Ugali Maharage – the national dish. Ugali is a stiff porridge-like staple, best served with Maharage, a concoction of beans cooked in coconut milk
   • Pweza Wa Nazi – an octopus coconut curry from Zanzibar that displays the best of Tanzanian seafood
   • Red Snapper – a common ocean catch best enjoyed with light marination and a proper good grilling. Simple but delicious
   • Urojo – a hearty, spice potato-based stew best served steaming hot on the streets of Zanzibar
   • Mandazi – soft, pillowy doughnut-like fried bread creations, similar to puff puff in Nigeria

9. How much does a Tanzania trip cost?

   You can certainly budget a trip to Tanzania and spend a week here for under $2,000, but for the optimal trip (probably 10+ days) we’d recommend setting aside around $4,000.