Traveling to Tanzania: Tips and Tricks to Make the Most of Your Trip

TTraveling to Tanzania for the first time? Check out this guide on how to make the most of your trip!

Most of the world is stuck inside presently, practicing self-isolation to help combat the spread of the deadly COVID-19. The virus has wreaked havoc on many’s travel plans and the tourism industry as a whole. While you’re stuck inside, it’s easy to start fantasizing about the trips you might go on once this is all clear and done with.

For example, the idea of traveling to Tanzania might have crossed your mind. Tanzania is an incredible place well worth visiting sometime in your lifetime. There’s amazing culture, jaw-dropping scenery, and delectable eats.

If you’re planning on heading to Tanzania sometime in the near future, you’ll need to get familiar with the tips and tricks to make your time most worth it. Need some advice? Read on and we’ll walk you through what you need to know.

Skip the Visit to the Serengeti

To open with this on the list might be a jaw-dropper to many, seeing as the Serengeti is one of the most popular tourist destinations in all of Tanzania. However, it’s the mass popularity of this national park and it’s associated safari tours that make it advisable to stay away.

The crowds at any given point in the Serengeti National Park can be wild. There’s just far too much activity, traffic, and visitors. It’s easy to have the natural splendor of the area ruined by the mass rush of human beings from all corners of the globe.

This is especially true if you’re hoping to be able to spend some time with the natural wildlife, who will likely be too freaked out by all the vehicles and people to stick around for long.

There are so many other national parks that are worth visiting, you can really scratch the Serengeti off your list and give some love to some less-visited locations. 

There are many tribes in Tanzania who might be able to advise you on the best regions to visit. 

Get Cheap Room & Board

The amazing scenery isn’t the only reason to consider visiting one of Tanzania’s many national parks. There’s also the accommodations to consider.

If you’re looking for the cheapest and best stay possible during your stay, you might want to look into the cottages located within the borders of the national parks. Known as bandas, these nightly cottages go as cheap as $30 or $40 a night. 

That’s a huge bargain as compared to the prices most hotels in the region you’re looking at are likely to charge you. That’s certainly much, much lower than what safari resorts are asking for.

The cottages are no luxury hotspot, but if you’re looking for a way to make your Tanzania trip possible without breaking the bank, booking a stay at these cottages can be the way to go.

Not to mention, you’ll have the wilderness right outside your cabin. You’ll be fully immersed in the world. You may even spot some friendly natural wildlife rolling past your window come morning light.

Don’t Forget to Head to the Beach

It wouldn’t be a good trip to Tanzania without spending some time on the beautiful coast. There are a number of stunning beaches that line the outer edges of the country.

There are even many tropical islands right off the coast that might be well worth spending time on. The three main islands worth visiting are Zanzibar, Mafia, and Pemba, with Zanzibar being the easiest to travel to. 

However, if you’re looking for a true retreat away from the crowds and bustle, Pemba might the place to go. 

These islands and beaches provide the perfect locale to snorkel, relax, and sunbathe. You’re sure to have a lot more to do inland, but you can’t make a trip to Tanzania without scheduling at least a day or two to spend at the beaches. 

Know the Best Time to Travel

If you haven’t yet landed on a set of dates for your trip, you may be trying to weight out when is the best week to head over to Tanzania. Understanding a little bit about the weather and seasons in Tanzania can help you to determine the best time to go.

Most people head to the country during the dry season. This window of time is where you can expect the best weather, with warm temperatures and mostly cloudless skies. It’s the perfect time to soak in the scenery.

The dry season lasts roughly from July to September, though it is the most popular time for tourists of all stripes to visit. If you’re looking for a less crowded time to visit, you might want to visit sometime between the end of December and February, where there’s another patch of dry weather.

This shorter dry season is less popular for tourists and thus possibly the perfect time for you to book your own trip.

Rain tends to overwhelm the county between March and May, and again in the early fall. You might not have all the sunshine you want if you travel during these months, but it’s certainly no reason to stay away either. 

Thunderstorms in Tanzania are quick and sharp, and it provides a totally different and still wonderful safari experience.

Thinking of Traveling to Tanzania?

If you’re planning on traveling to Tanzania anytime in the future, it’s important that you keep the above tips and tricks in mind. Tanzania can provide a wonderful experience for travelers, but proper planning can make the experience even better for you and your loved ones.

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