Tanzania is one of Africa’s most frequented tourist hotspots, containing many famous parks and even Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa.
Rushing in blindly is never a great idea, especially not to a country to which you have never been before, so hopefully these tips will help make your trip as comfortable and fun as possible.
Get a Data Package or a Local Sim
Although you may have been planning to use this trip to escape the stress of your day to day routine and avoid using technological devices as much as possible, it is vital you get a local sim or data packages, in the unfavorable case of getting lost or needing an emergency GPS. Better safe than sorry, after all.
Tip the Locals and Workers
Tipping is an important part of the culture – especially in Stone Town – to the point where it is almost expected. Always make sure you have a few notes to give to the helpful guides and porters.
Have a Flexible Schedule
Things go wrong, whether it the difference to the original plan be a marginal or minuscule, it is bound to happen in any journey, such as waking up late or taking longer than expected. So, being prepared by setting a bit of time between dates and bookings would come in handy.
Do not Over Plan
Although it may be tempting to plan out every detail and trail, it is sometimes best to play some things by ear instead. Letting your feet wander where they want usually brings out good surprises and hidden gems you would have otherwise not found.
Prepare Your Immune System
Travelling to foreign lands is always fun, but there is a risk in whether or not your immune system will be able to combat the different types of viruses in that land like it did the ones from your homeland.
Tanzania recommends travelers to ensure they have their vaccination shots for Yellow Fever, Polio, Typhoid, Hepatitis A. and Diphtheria. It is not top priority to get tetanus and rabies shots as well but it’s better to be safe than sorry.
Expect Crowds in High Season, or Go Private
Always remember that great popular destinations such as the Serengeti will almost always have some sort of crowd – especially during high season. Don’t get your hopes and expectations of seeing a piece of nature untouched by tourism in most of the tourist hotspots. There will be other people present interrupting your perfect view.
One easy way to simultaneously avoid crowds and burn a hole into your wallet would be to pay extra for private tours and excursion. Another would be to simply avoid the mainstream destinations and visit the calmer secretive side of Tanzania.
Make Sure to Dress Respectfully
Tanzanians, and Zanzibarians, hold their culture close to their hearts and value it, so please remember to always be respectful and pay attention to what is and isn’t culturally appropriate.
Dressing is a very big part of their culture, emphasis on dressing respectfully. Avoid walking around with revealing clothes – especially in Stone Town – and dress modestly, although on beaches and resorts you are free to dress however you please.
Be Friendly
The people in Tanzania are very friendly and would gladly stop you just to wish you a good day or ask how you have been faring, they are very hospitable and kind as well.
Do not be afraid to greet or wave at someone when you pass them, they will most likely reappreciate the gesture or maybe wave and greet you without prompting.
So, what are you waiting for? Head over to Tanzania and have a fun vacation! Don’t forget to check out the Expert Guide on Selous Game Reserve while you’re there.