General travel information

Travelling to Tanzania

After arriving at Kilimanjaro International Airport or Julius Nyerere International Airport you will be welcomed by DaMona. It doesn’t matter whether your destination is the vibrant city of Arusha or the lively Dar es Salaam, DaMona will make sure you feel welcome. Relax and allow DaMona to make your trip special from the very start.

Passport

Your passport should be valid for at least six more months from the day you leave home.

 

Visa

Although it is possible to buy a tourist visa upon arrival at the airports of Dar es Salaam, Kilimanjaro or Zanzibar, we advise you to apply for one prior to your departure.

 

Medical documentation

If you use medication or if you have a medical condition that requires special attention, we advise you to consult your doctor and inform your airline before departure.

You might need a medication passport to show the cabin crew and the authorities abroad. In case you lose medication or need additional medication abroad, you can acquire those with a medication passport. On top of that, you often need a doctor’s note in the form of a Schengen medical attest or a medical certificate written or translated into English. The same can apply to travelling with medical equipment. It is wise to acquire these documents well in advance, as it could take a long time.

 

Insurance

We advise you to take out insurance related to i.e. losing, damaging or theft of luggage, money and other valuables, medical expenses and repatriation costs in your country of residence.

 

Vaccinations

For information on vaccinations, you can go to your local health service. It is recommended that you get the following vaccinations when travelling to Tanzania: yellow fever, hepatitis A and a combined Td/IPV. Proof of yellow fever vaccination is needed when travelling to Tanzania from a yellow fever endemic country or for travellers that transit through a yellow fever endemic country if the transit time at the airport is twelve hours or more.

 

Malaria

There is no vaccination available for Malaria. We advise you to take anti-malaria medication, but it is best to discuss this with a qualified travel expert. Malaria is an infectious disease which is caused by a parasite. The symptoms include a flu-like feeling followed by chills and a fever. To protect yourself against mosquito bites, you can apply DEET and cover your body when you are outside after sundown.

 

Climate

Tanzania is located in the eastern part of the African continent, bordering the Indian Ocean, and has predominantly warm weather all year round. The climate varies significantly in this country, but a tropical wet and dry climate or tropical savanna climate predominates. The eastern part of Tanzania has multiple periods of rain and drought while Central-Tanzania is mostly very dry.

In Tanzania, the long wet season lasts from April till June. This is the moment when everything becomes ‘green’. After this, from June to August, it is drier and colder in Tanzania. The beginning of October is usually the start of a period of ‘short rains’ with warm summer temperatures during the day. January, February and March are the driest summer months of the year. Because of global warming, these periods can be unpredictable and vary in intensity and length.

As your trip brings you to different heights, from mountainous areas to low coastal regions, the temperatures will differ. Because of the different seasons and the fact that it can become a bit chilly at night, it is advisable to dress in layers.

 

Safety

Tanzania is one of the safest countries in Africa and East Africa. We do, however, advise you to travel with a guide if you want to explore the country, a city or a market, both during the day and in the evening. They know the way and the country, speak the language and can help you when you, for example, want to buy souvenirs. Going out into the streets at night is discouraged. It is always wise to listen to your intuition. Occasionally, thefts occur in Tanzania. That’s why it is recommended to keep valuable belongings in a safe or carry them with you carefully stowed away.

 

Respect

As part of their religion and culture, the people of Tanzania often dress modestly. In the privacy of your accommodation or at the beach you don’t have to worry about a dress code, but if you are out and about among the locals it is best to wear clothing that covers your shoulders and legs as this shows respect.