In view of their religious beliefs and culture, Tanzanian people always dress modestly.  In the privacy of your accommodation or at the beach, you need not concern yourself with any dress code, but if you mix with the local community, it is appropriate to wear clothes that cover the body, especially shoulders and legs.  This is a simple courtesy that shows respect for the local community.

In Tanzania, the voltage is 220 and the frequency is 50 Hz.  For charging cameras, phones etc, you will need a British plug adaptor, with the three rectangular blades.  In Zanzibar, some European managed resorts, use the European plug.

Power outages are common in Tanzania therefore its worthwhile carrying a flash light or head lamp with you and always recharging appliances when the power is available.

While travelling in Tanzania, make sure that you drink bottled water.  There are many brands available at every retail shop/kiosk.  Make sure that if you eat on the streets the food is hot and freshly prepared.  Avoid consuming uncooked foods such as salads, juices, and chutneys.  Also ensure that you specify any dietary requirements to your trip organiser so that they can inform the various lodges and hotels of these.

Visit your health professional at least 4 to 6 weeks before your trip to check whether you need any vaccinations or other preventive measures.  At the very least, make sure that your tetanus is up to date, and that you have a Yellow Fever immunization (required for entry into Tanzania).

Medical facilities are limited, especially outside Dar es Salaam, so make sure you have adequate comprehensive travel health insurance which will cover all overseas medical costs, including medical repatriation/evacuation, repatriation of remains and legal costs.  You should check any exclusions and, in particular, that your policy covers you for the activities you want to undertake.

There has been a significant increase in the number of cases of cholera in Zanzibar.  Malaria and dengue fever are common to Tanzania.  There have also been recent cases of sleeping sickness occurring after bites from tsetse flies in the north, including the Serengeti.  Other diseases, such as cholera and rift valley fever, occur mostly in rural areas where access to sanitation is limited.

Malaria is relatively common in the Kilimanjaro region of Tanzania although recent figures show that prevalence is dropping.  Malaria is one of the biggest killers in the world; however the burden falls primarily on those under 5 or immuno-suppressed.  For fit and healthy adults, malaria is more of an annoyance (flu-like symptoms; head ache, fever, body aches etc) and effective treatments are widely available.  Nonetheless, we strongly recommend that you seek medical advice prior to travelling to Tanzania.

Visitors may also want to bring insect repellent with Deet (we suggest 50%) to use while in Tanzania.  Malaria is a serious disease and may be deadly.  If you become ill with a fever or flu-like illness either while traveling in a malaria-risk area or after you return home, you should seek immediate medical attention.  Be sure to tell the physician your travel history.

Travel insurance is the traveller’s own responsibility.  We recommend that you take out travel insurance in your home country that will cover, for instance, loss, damage or theft of luggage, money and other valuables, medical expenses, repatriation expenses, etcetera.  Mountain climbing requires a separate mountaineering insurance policy.

Make sure you bring enough medication for your entire trip and for any unexpected delays.  You may wish to also bring copies of your prescription in case you lose your medication.

The Tanzanian Shilling is the official currency of Tanzania, but American Dollars are also widely accepted.  Dollar notes printed before 2003 are usually not accepted.  You can exchange money at many authorised dealers, banks and bureau de change.  Make sure to obtain a receipt after each transaction.  Most banks in major cities have ATMs, but they are not always reliable and sometimes break down or run out of money.  To minimise the risk of card cloning, only use ATMs located within the banks.  Travellers’ cheques are not widely accepted.

In order for non-residents to enter Tanzania for a short-term (classified as up to 3 months) the Tanzanian government requires that you have a tourist visa.  The tourist visa can be obtained in your home country or easily at the airport/border in Tanzania for approximately USD 50 - 100 (depending on your country of origin).  If you do apply for this in your home country bear in mind that the date of issue is the date the visa will start.  Your passport should be valid for a minimum period of 6 months from the date of your visa application.

It is customary to tip your guides/crew when on safari or other activities like Mt Kilimanjaro.  Suggested tipping amounts will be advised at the time of booking.

Even though tipping is not culturally expected it is good to leave some loose change at restaurants or in other service situations.

Tipping is not a common practice in Tanzania, with the exception of the tourism industry.  It is customary for visitors climbing Kilimanjaro or going on Safari to tip the guides and crew.  This is discretionary and should depend on the level of service that you received and should be a mirror of your satisfaction of the professionalism of the team.