Before heading out to Tanzania there are one or two important aspects of a trip that cannot be avoided and must be prepared prior to your departure. In terms of culture and tradition, Tanzania is a world away from what most of us are used to and although it’s only a flight away for a lot of people, upon arrival it doesn’t take long to appreciate how different life really is. Below you will see listed the three most important components of your trip.

Tanzanian Visa

Whether you’re heading out on business, holiday, to meet friends/relatives, or whether you have chosen to embark on a variety of different safaris, obtaining a visa is something nobody can get around. The majority of nationalities require to purchase a visa prior to arrival in Tanzania or Zanzibar. It is possible to get visas in advance in your home country at the local Tanzanian consulate. The majority of people actually wait until they have arrived in Tanzania to purchase their visa which you can do at the immigration desk for $50US Dollars.

If you are from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Nigeria, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sri-Lanka, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, Turkey or Yemen then your visa will need to be processed prior to your arrival which can take anywhere up to 3 months.

Health

Perhaps one of the most important aspects of your trip, you need to take your health into consideration and plan your activities around that. It would be foolish to plan a venture climbing Kilimanjaro if you are 65+ without a full medical check. It’s important you also consult your doctor about any vaccinations you may need as well as getting an anti-malarial drug prescription.

Money & Local Currency

If you are heading out to Tanzania on a pre-arranged safari in the Ngorongoro Crater with Africa Travel Resource or in the Ruaha National Park then chances are you won’t need to carry with you any local currency. The currency in use in Tanzania is the Tanzanian Shilling. The majority of people just use US Dollars, which are widely accepted especially on the tourist circuit. ATM’s in Tanzania are few and far between and unless you r spending time in the towns and cities where you will be able to use your debit/credit card it’s a good idea to carry cash around with you.