Visa, vaccinations and paperwork

• A passport with at least six months of validity from the date of entry and two blank pages.
• Tanzania has an e-visa, applied for online before you travel on the official immigration portal.
• Apply several weeks ahead: it is usually resolved in a few days, but it can take longer.
• A visa on arrival at the airport also exists, though it means queuing and not every nationality can use it.

A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required of anyone arriving from a country where the disease is endemic, or even anyone who has transited through one. Flying direct from Europe or North America it is not usually needed, but if your connection is in an African country the answer may change.

Malaria is present in almost the whole country. Prophylaxis is taken in tablet form, starts before you leave and continues after you get back, and the course has to be prescribed by a doctor for your case.

In practice it is not optional. The parks are hours from a hospital and a medical evacuation from the Serengeti costs a great deal of money.

• It should cover medical evacuation and repatriation, not just assistance.
• It should cover the activities you plan to do. The balloon flight is excluded from some policies.
• It should cover cancellation, because the safari is paid for in advance.

• The currency is the Tanzanian shilling, but dollars are accepted anywhere touristic. Bring notes issued after 2009: older ones are not accepted.
• There are cash machines in Arusha and in the towns, not inside the parks.
• Type G plug, the British three flat pins, at 230 V.
• A local SIM is cheap and works surprisingly well outside the parks. Inside the Serengeti coverage is patchy.