Tanzania is a country in East Africa, and it has long been a place where many first set foot on the continent Africa to climb the continent’s highest mountain, see the Big Five, and discover an entirely new culture.
There are so many unique sides to this fascinating country, and there are a few things you should know to make sure you get the most out of your trip. Let us look at the main things to know before traveling to Tanzania.
Costs:
The currency of Tanzania is the Tanzanian Shilling, and as of February 2022, $1 was equal to 2,307 TZS. You will notice that costs will vary greatly when it comes to prices. You can travel to Tanzania on a budget, staying in hostels or budget hotels and doing minimal tours, but be prepared to pay more if you plan to do a safari or climb Kilimanjaro. There are many hotel options in Tanzania, from budget to luxury beach resorts, so you can tailor your trip to suit your budget. But in general, tours will be the central portion of your money spent; however, this is one of the main reasons to visit Tanzania, and it is worth every shilling.
Safety:
Many people who travel to Africa for the first time might be wary of the continent’s security, but each country varies when it comes to safety. It is worth knowing that East Africa is a great place to start your African adventure. Tanzania is a very safe and friendly country.
Because it has been a long-time tourist destination for people visiting Mt Kilimanjaro or wanting to see the Big Five, tourists are very welcomed here. With that being said, it is always good to be vigilant and take some degree of caution by not having valuables or money on display, keeping an eye on your bags, and not walking around areas you are not familiar with at night.
Getting Around:
Just like accommodation, traveling around Tanzania can be tailored to suit your budget, and if you decide to travel by local transport, you will not only save a lot of money, but you will get a very authentic cultural experience.
However, journeys can take longer. Other options include hiring a car, doing a guided tour, or taking internal flights, but purely for authenticity, you should take a local bus at least once in a while. Taking local buses can be sometimes confusing, and you might find yourself with a ticket to a destination but without any idea of where the bus departs from, but if you ask around, you can be sure that the locals will help you get on your way.
Languages:
There are over 100 languages in Tanzania but do not worry. You will not need to learn them all. When visiting the tourist regions, including Arusha, Moshi, Zanzibar, the Kilimanjaro area, and some big cities, you will notice many people speaking English. However, the national language is Swahili, and luckily, it is an easy language to learn, or at least to learn a few phrases.
You may hear the word ‘Mzungu’ from time to time, and this is the local way of calling you a wanderer or a traveler, so do not take any offense. Due to its variety of spoken languages, Tanzania is the most linguistically diverse country globally. If you travel here extensively, you may hear people saying some other languages, especially in rural areas and tribal villages.
Cultural tips:
When it comes to the Tanzania culture, there are a few things to know before traveling there, which may save you potential embarrassment, confusion, or offensiveness. Some of the main things to know about what you should and shouldn’t do are:
- Like in many Muslim countries, using your left hand to greet someone or even give something to someone is considered disrespectful, so always use your right hand and do as the locals do.
- When you plan to visit a Masai village, always do your research. Sadly, the ones close to the tourist destinations can be geared towards money and don’t provide an authentic experience. Get in touch with your ‘Destination Expert,’ in this case.
- It is worth noting that Tanzania sees homosexuality as a crime. If you are caught holding hands in public or showing any public displays of affection, you can be arrested. This includes Zanzibar, too, so be mindful.
- Most food is eaten without cutlery, so if you don’t see a knife and fork beside your plate, this is why. Many use Ugali, the national dish, and staple ingredient, as a tool for eating the other food on the plate.
- Due to Tanzania having a predominantly Muslim population, it is respectful to dress appropriately. You will notice that people from all walks of life will always be dressed in their best clothes.
Best time to travel:
Depending on what activities you have planned, knowing which is the best time to travel to Tanzania is crucial to making it an adventure. If you plan to see the Wildebeest Migration, you can see this all year round, whereas if you plan to go scuba diving or laze on the beach, you certainly want to avoid the wet season, which runs from November until May. The country has two distinct seasons, and the dry season which runs from June to October, is, of course, the high season, but for great reason, so if you want to spot wildlife easier and have great weather, then this is the time for you. Traveling during the shoulder seasons can save you money and avoid the crowds, so do some research into what best suits you and your travel plans.
Claims to fame:
If you didn’t already know, then this is something you might want to look into a bit more before arriving because Tanzania is world-famous for many reasons, and many of these sights you will certainly not want to miss out on. Tanzania is home to a section of Africa’s largest lake – Lake Victoria, and Africa’s second-largest lake – Lake Tanganyika. It is also home to the rooftop of Africa, which is, of course, Mt Kilimanjaro, and has some fantastic sites such as Ngorongoro Crater, Serengeti National Park, and Tarangire National Park.
The islands of Mafia and Pemba, off the East coast of Tanzania, are home to some world-class diving sites and are a top destination for divers during the high season. However, you will not find huge crowds here like in other parts of the world, which is the beauty of these islands.
Top Tours:
When it comes to seeing everything this vast country has to offer, some incredible tours tie many aspects in, and here are just a few to choose from, depending on how much time you have:
