Practical information

There is no single month when Tanzania is universally at its best. Conditions change throughout the year, and those changes influence wildlife movement, vegetation, road conditions, birdlife and the character of different regions. Drier periods can make animals more dependent on remaining water sources, while greener months transform the landscape and bring different stages of the migration cycle. The coast follows its own rhythm again, with wind, rainfall and sea conditions affecting activities such as diving, snorkelling and boat journeys. Rather than choosing your travel dates from one general “best time” chart, it is more useful to begin with the experiences that matter most to you.

Things we consider

• The regions you want to visit
• Wildlife or seasonal events you are particularly interested in
• Whether your journey includes the coast
• Rainfall and road conditions
• Temperature and altitude
• Visitor levels in popular areas
• Accommodation and flight availability

We use those factors together rather than recommending one season for every traveller.

Tanzania crosses a wide range of landscapes and elevations, so the weather you experience can change considerably within the same journey. The open plains may feel warm during the day, while mornings around Ngorongoro or other highland areas can be noticeably cooler. Forest destinations can be humid, and conditions along the Indian Ocean coast are different again. Rainfall also affects more than whether you need a jacket. It can change vegetation, wildlife distribution, trail conditions, river levels and the time needed to travel between destinations.

What this means for your journey

It is useful to pack for variation rather than one expected temperature. Lightweight layers work well on many safaris because mornings and evenings can feel very different from the middle of the day. If your route includes higher elevations, forest walking or the coast, we will advise where additional clothing or equipment is useful. The weather is not simply something to work around. It is one of the forces shaping the landscape you have come to experience.

Visa and entry requirements for Tanzania depend on your nationality and can change. Before travelling, always check the current requirements for your passport directly with Tanzania Immigration. Requirements can include sufficient passport validity, available visa pages, the correct visa or entry permission and evidence of onward travel. The exact conditions should always be confirmed through the official source.

Applying for a visa

If you need an eVisa, use Tanzania Immigration’s official online service rather than an unofficial third-party application website. Lamai can help with itinerary details required for your application, but immigration authorities determine entry requirements and visa approval.

Official sources

Visa rules can change, so confirm the current requirements with Tanzania Immigration before you apply. Use Tanzania Immigration for the official entry requirements and the official eVisa portal to apply.

Health preparation depends on your medical history, previous vaccinations and the places included in your itinerary. Speak with a qualified doctor or travel-health professional well before departure and check current official travel-health guidance for Tanzania.

Malaria

Malaria risk exists in parts of Tanzania. Whether preventive medication is appropriate depends on your health and itinerary and should be discussed with a travel-health professional. Measures such as insect repellent, suitable clothing and mosquito nets where provided can also help reduce mosquito bites.

Yellow fever

Yellow fever requirements can depend on where you are travelling from and where you transit on the way to Tanzania. Because these rules can change, check your complete flight route with an official travel-health source or qualified professional before departure.

Traveller’s Health Surveillance Form

Under Tanzania Travel Advisory No. 18 of 17 October 2026, all incoming travellers must complete the online Traveller’s Health Surveillance Form. Complete it within the 24 hours before arrival where possible and keep the QR code or reference number. Travellers who have not completed it before arrival may be asked to do so at the airport, land crossing or port, which can cause delay. Health screening may take place at entry points. Because public-health requirements can change, check the official portal shortly before departure.

Official sources: Traveller’s Health Surveillance Form, Travel Advisory No. 18.

Official sources

Check current guidance with the Tanzania Ministry of Health and CDC travel health information for Tanzania.

Every guest should arrange comprehensive travel insurance that is appropriate for their complete Tanzania journey. Your journey may involve remote national parks, domestic flights, boat transfers, hiking or other activities far from major medical facilities. A policy designed only around your international flight may therefore leave important gaps. Before travelling, check that your insurance is appropriate for your complete itinerary.

We recommend checking cover for:

• Emergency medical treatment
• Medical evacuation and repatriation
• Trip cancellation or interruption
• Delayed or cancelled flights
• Lost, delayed or damaged luggage
• Activities included in your itinerary
• Any existing medical conditions that need to be declared

Mandatory inbound insurance

Tanzania operates a mandatory inbound insurance scheme for qualifying foreign visitors. The applicable policy depends on the first point of entry into the United Republic of Tanzania. If you enter first through Mainland Tanzania, apply through NIC. If you enter first through Zanzibar, apply through ZIC. You do not have to buy both merely because the itinerary combines the Mainland and Zanzibar while the first policy remains valid, subject to its terms. This mandatory policy should not be treated automatically as a replacement for comprehensive personal travel insurance.

Official sources: NIC Mainland inbound insurance, ZIC Zanzibar inbound insurance.

Every Lamai guest is enrolled in the AMREF Flying Doctors Maisha Tourist Plan for the duration of their safari. The plan provides access to professional emergency evacuation services when medically required, which can be particularly important when travelling in remote parts of East Africa.

What is included:

• A 24-hour medical helpline for advice and assistance
• AMREF Flying Doctors and its medical professionals
• Emergency evacuation flights to Nairobi when medically required, within the terms of the plan
• Ground ambulance services within Kenya where covered by the plan

Why Nairobi?

In a medical emergency, evacuation from Tanzania may be coordinated to Nairobi. Nairobi is an important regional medical hub with access to advanced private healthcare facilities and is frequently used for specialised treatment in East Africa.

This does not replace travel insurance

The AMREF Flying Doctors Maisha Tourist Plan is an emergency evacuation membership, not comprehensive travel insurance. You should still arrange your own insurance for medical treatment, hospital costs, cancellation, interruption of travel, luggage and personal belongings, and repatriation to your home country where required.

Depending on your itinerary, you may arrive in Tanzania through Kilimanjaro International Airport, Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar or another connection before continuing by road or domestic flight. Within Tanzania, small scheduled or charter aircraft are often used to connect distant safari regions. They can be especially useful when travelling to places such as the Serengeti, Katavi, Mahale or the coast, where an overland transfer could take a large part of the day. We use flights when they improve the route, not simply because flying is faster.

Luggage on safari flights

Domestic safari flights often have stricter baggage rules than international airlines. Allowances vary by airline, route and aircraft, and smaller aircraft may also have restrictions on the size or type of bag that can be carried. Soft-sided luggage is often easier to accommodate than large hard-shell suitcases. If your journey includes domestic flights, we will provide the relevant baggage allowance before departure.

We recommend checking:

• Maximum checked and hand-luggage allowance
• Whether soft-sided bags are required or preferred
• Restrictions for camera equipment or other specialist luggage
• Whether excess baggage needs to be arranged in advance

The exact rule should always come from the airline operating your flight rather than from one general safari packing limit.

The Tanzanian shilling is the local currency. Payment regulations and accepted methods can change, so current official guidance should be checked before travel. In practice, payment options vary considerably between cities and remote safari areas. Cards and digital payments may be available at larger properties and businesses, while cash remains useful for smaller purchases and situations where connectivity is limited.

More than one payment method

We recommend having access to both a bank card and some local currency.

Keep in mind that:

• ATMs are easier to find in towns and cities
• Card terminals and internet connections can be less reliable remotely
• Your bank may charge international transaction or withdrawal fees
• Some smaller purchases are easier to make in cash

Once your itinerary is confirmed, we can explain where access to money may be more limited.

Electricity and internet access vary considerably between accommodations. In towns and larger lodges, you may have continuous mains electricity and reliable Wi-Fi. Remote safari camps can operate very differently, using solar power or generators and limiting electricity to certain periods or areas of the property. That is part of travelling in places where infrastructure is often intentionally light.

Charging your devices

Most properties provide a way to charge phones, cameras and other everyday electronics, but it is useful to plan ahead when travelling remotely.

Consider bringing:

• A suitable travel adaptor
• A power bank for phones or smaller devices
• Spare camera batteries
• Enough memory cards for days when cloud backups are impractical

If you travel with specialist equipment, medical devices or anything that requires continuous power, tell us before departure so we can check the facilities at the accommodation included in your route.

Wi-Fi and mobile coverage

Wi-Fi is available at many lodges and camps, but speed and reliability should not be assumed to match what you have at home. Some remote properties offer internet only in communal areas. Others may have limited or intermittent connectivity, and mobile coverage can disappear completely in parts of the national parks. For most travellers this simply means planning uploads, work calls or other important online tasks around the parts of the journey where connectivity is stronger. We will set expectations for the properties in your itinerary rather than promising the same level of connection everywhere.

A Tanzania safari can include warm days, cool mornings, dusty roads, forest walks, highland stays and time by the coast. Packing works best when it reflects your specific route rather than a generic safari checklist. Lightweight, comfortable clothing is useful for most journeys, with extra layers for early mornings, evenings and higher-altitude areas.

Useful essentials

• Lightweight, breathable clothing
• A warm layer for cooler mornings and evenings
• Comfortable walking shoes
• A hat and sun protection
• Insect repellent
• Sunglasses
• A reusable water bottle
• A small day bag
• A light rain jacket where appropriate
• Any personal medication you require

Comfortable, breathable layers work best. Neutral colours such as khaki, olive, beige, brown, stone and sand are practical. White is less useful because roads can be dusty or muddy. Dark blue and black are best avoided in areas with tsetse flies, because dark colours can attract them. You do not need a new safari wardrobe.

If your journey includes hiking, chimpanzee tracking, diving or other specialist activities, we will explain any additional equipment or clothing you should bring.

Tanzania is home to many different communities, languages, religions and ways of life. What feels appropriate can therefore change between a safari camp, a village, a city and the coast. You do not need to know every local custom before arriving. A little awareness, willingness to listen and respect for the people around you go a long way.

A few useful principles

• Ask before photographing people
• Follow local guidance when visiting homes, villages or places of worship
• Dress more conservatively where the setting calls for it, particularly in some coastal and religious areas
• Avoid treating people or everyday life as part of a performance
• Listen to your guide or host if you are unsure what is appropriate

For Lamai, cultural experiences should be based on participation, knowledge and dignity. The value of meeting people during a journey lies in what can be shared and understood, not in presenting someone’s life as an attraction.

Plastic bags

Tanzania restricts plastic carrier bags, so bring reusable alternatives. Certain medical, hygiene and other exempt packaging may be permitted.

Good safari etiquette is not about following a long list of rules. It is about recognising that wildlife, guides and other travellers all share the same space, and that the way a sighting is handled can affect the experience for everyone

Around wildlife

We encourage a few simple principles:

• Give animals enough space to behave naturally
• Keep noise under control, especially during close encounters
• Avoid sudden movements where your guide advises against them
• Do not pressure wildlife for a closer photograph
• Follow park rules and your guide’s instructions
• Never feed or touch wild animals

Vehicle positioning matters too. There are moments when moving closer adds nothing. A sensible position, a switched-off engine and a little patience can create a stronger encounter than constant repositioning.

Respect other vehicles and guides

Popular sightings can attract several vehicles. Your guide will consider visibility, animal behaviour and vehicle pressure before deciding whether to stay, wait or move elsewhere. We do not treat a sighting as a competition for the closest position. These decisions are part of The Lamai Approach.

Tipping is common in Tanzania’s tourism industry, particularly for guides, camp staff, drivers and other people who contribute directly to your journey. It should still feel like a personal thank you rather than an obligation. The amount will depend on the type of service, the length of your journey and your own experience. We therefore prefer to give practical guidance before departure rather than present one amount as a rule for every traveller.

A few things to keep in mind

• Tipping is voluntary
• Cash is often the simplest option
• Some lodges use a shared staff tipping box
• Private guides or specialist staff may be tipped separately
• Quality of service matters more than following an exact formula

Before your safari, we can provide current guidance for the specific combination of guides, camps and activities in your itinerary.

Responsible travel is not a separate activity to add to a safari. It is reflected in the choices made throughout the journey: how wildlife is approached, how people are represented, which businesses are involved and how guests behave in the places they visit. For Lamai, that means focusing on practical actions rather than broad sustainability claims.

During your journey

You can help by:

• Respecting wildlife distances and park regulations
• Avoiding litter and reducing unnecessary single-use waste
• Using water thoughtfully, particularly in remote areas
• Asking before photographing people
• Following local guidance in communities and culturally significant places
• Choosing not to buy products made from protected wildlife or other restricted materials

Our responsibility extends to how experiences are designed. Local knowledge, craftsmanship and professional expertise should be valued for what they contribute, with clear roles and respect for the people involved.

Most journeys run exactly as planned, but knowing what to do when something changes makes travel much easier. Before departure, we will provide the relevant Lamai contact details for your journey, together with information for important services connected to your itinerary.

What to do if something unexpected happens

If you experience a problem while travelling:

• Speak to your Lamai guide or local representative first where possible
• Follow your guide’s instructions in wildlife or safety-related situations
• Contact the Lamai team if a flight, transfer or other part of the itinerary changes
• In a medical emergency, inform your guide or accommodation immediately so the appropriate response can be coordinated
• Contact your travel insurer when required under your policy

For serious medical situations in remote areas, the AMREF Flying Doctors emergency evacuation membership included with your Lamai safari may form part of the response, depending on the circumstances and the terms of the plan.

Before you travel

Keep digital and, where useful, physical copies of:

• Your passport
• Travel insurance details
• Flight information
• Important medical information
• Emergency contact details
• Your final Lamai itinerary

If something affects your journey, you do not need to work out the next step alone. Contact your guide or Lamai representative so we can help coordinate the appropriate response.

Bringing a drone into Tanzania

Travelling with a drone requires advance preparation, including for small recreational drones. Guests are responsible for checking the current official import, registration and documentation requirements before departure and for carrying proof of any required approvals. Without the correct documentation, a drone may be refused entry or confiscated by the relevant authorities.

Operating a drone during your safari

Permission to bring a drone into Tanzania does not automatically mean you are allowed to fly it. Operating a drone in Tanzanian National Parks requires separate advance approvals and permits from the relevant authorities, and additional restrictions may apply in Conservation Areas and other protected areas. Guests are responsible for obtaining all required registrations, import approvals and operating permits. Lamai cannot accept responsibility for confiscation, refusal of entry, restrictions on use, penalties, delays, loss or damage associated with bringing or attempting to operate a drone. If you intend to travel with a drone, please let us know before departure. Unless all required approvals have been confirmed, we recommend leaving it at home.

TCAA advises applying at least three weeks before travel. Official drone information: Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority (TCAA).