Facts last checked October 27, 2026 against the official sources listed at the end of this page. Rules, fees and advisories change; confirm with the official source before you book. Not a government website.
Tanzania's "northern circuit" of parks, including the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater, is one of the world's best-known safari areas, and many visitors add Mount Kilimanjaro or the beaches of Zanzibar. This guide covers the paperwork, health, safety and park rules for a first trip.
Safety: the current advisory
On October 16, 2026, the State Department set Tanzania at Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution, lowered from Level 3. The advisory lists crime, terrorism and civil unrest among its risks, and keeps the Mtwara Region in the far south at Level 3 because of terrorism.
The State Department also notes:
- Protests: the government increases security around protests, including checkpoints and roadblocks. Avoid demonstrations.
- Crime: home invasions have been reported in Arusha and Dar es Salaam, and pickpockets and bag snatchers target Westerners in tourist areas.
- Carry a copy of your passport and visa, and keep the originals somewhere safe.
Entry requirements
| Requirement | What the State Department says |
|---|---|
| Passport validity | At least six months |
| Blank pages | At least one |
| Sex marker | Tanzania accepts only passports with an M or F marker, for travel to, within or through the country |
| Visa | One-year multiple-entry tourist visa, $100 |
| Onward travel | Round-trip ticket and proof of sufficient funds |
| Yellow fever | Proof required if arriving from an endemic country, including 12+ hour transits |
| Currency | Declare more than $10,000 in foreign currency on entry and exit; non-residents may not import or export Tanzanian shillings |
Getting the visa. Apply online through Tanzania's official eVisa portal, visa.immigration.go.tz. If approved, you receive a grant notice by email to show the immigration officer on arrival. U.S. citizens can also get a tourist visa on arrival, but applying in advance avoids a queue and a surprise refusal. Beware of unofficial sites that charge extra.
Volunteering is not allowed on a tourist visa; volunteers need a Class C residence permit.
Health
- Plan ahead: CDC advises seeing a healthcare provider at least a month before international travel.
- Malaria: CDC lists risk in all areas of Tanzania below 1,800 meters (about 5,900 feet), which includes the main safari parks and Zanzibar. Ask your doctor about preventive medication and bring insect repellent.
- Polio: CDC's polio travel notice includes Tanzania, including Zanzibar. Ask your doctor whether you need a booster.
- Altitude: if you climb Kilimanjaro, learn the symptoms of altitude sickness before you go, as the State Department advises, and check that your insurance covers high-altitude trekking and helicopter rescue.
- Medical care: ambulance services are unreliable and not easily available across the country, and the State Department says travelers may prefer to take a taxi or private vehicle to the nearest major hospital. Most providers accept only cash. The State Department strongly recommends medical evacuation insurance.
Safaris: parks, seasons and fees
Who runs the parks. Tanzania National Parks (TANAPA) manages the national parks, including the Serengeti, Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Arusha and Kilimanjaro. The Ngorongoro Conservation Area, which includes the crater, is run by the separate Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority, with its own fees and rules.
Seasons in the Serengeti, according to TANAPA:
- June to October: the dry season, best for watching the great migration.
- January to February: calving season, when wildebeest give birth in the southern Serengeti.
- The park is open year-round.
How TANAPA fees work (from TANAPA's tariff page, checked October 2026):
- Fees include 18% VAT.
- Children under 5 enter free; child rates apply from age 5 to 15.
- Conservation fees are valid for 24 hours from the time of entry, so an extra night inside a park means another day of fees.
- Payment goes through the Government Electronic Payment Gateway (GePG): online through TANAPA's reservation system, by mobile money, or by Visa or Mastercard at park gates.
- Rates differ by park and residency category. Check the current tariff on TANAPA's site rather than relying on an old quote.
Rain and roads. The State Department notes that during the rainy seasons, late March to mid-June and mid-November to mid-December, many roads are passable only by four-wheel-drive vehicles. Safari vehicles are normally 4x4, but transfers can take longer.
See our safari planning guide for how to choose an operator.
Zanzibar
- Ferries: the State Department advises using the high-speed ferry from Dar es Salaam and buying tickets inside the ferry terminal or online in advance. Your ticket should show your name, date of travel and class.
- Dress: dress modestly outside your hotel or resort; wearing swimwear in public areas may attract negative attention.
- Ramadan: be respectful during daylight fasting hours.
Local laws that affect visitors
The State Department lists several rules that visitors break without realizing:
- Photography: photographing military installations is forbidden. People have been detained, or had cameras confiscated, for photographing hospitals, schools, bridges, industrial sites and airports, and these sites are not always marked. Ask before you shoot.
- Wildlife and nature: it is illegal to import or export any animal or animal part without government export certification, and illegal to collect or remove plants and animals, including seashells, ebony or mpingo wood.
- Drugs: penalties are severe.
- LGBTQI+ travelers: consensual same-sex relations are criminalized, with sentences of up to 30 years, and the State Department reports that LGB travelers may be denied entry or targeted.
Getting around
- Driving: traffic moves on the left. Roads are often poorly maintained, and the State Department calls road accidents a major threat.
- Public transport: the State Department advises avoiding dala-dalas (minibuses), bajajis (three-wheeled taxis) and boda-bodas (motorcycle taxis). Use taxis or a driver from a reputable source.
- Driving yourself: visitors staying under six months may use a U.S. license after validation by local traffic authorities, or an international driving permit.
- Air: many safaris use light aircraft between parks; ask about soft-bag and weight limits.
Practical tips
- Plugs: check plug type and voltage on IEC World Plugs.
- Power outages are frequent, according to the State Department. Bring a battery pack and a headlamp.
- Tipping is customary for safari guides and camp staff; ask your operator for current guidance.
Emergency contacts
| Who | Number |
|---|---|
| Police and emergencies | 111, 112 or +255 787 668 306 (response may be slow) |
| U.S. Embassy Dar es Salaam | +255 22-229-4000 |
| U.S. Embassy after hours | +255 22-229-4000, then dial 1 |
| State Department, from abroad | +1-202-501-4444 |
The U.S. Embassy is at 686 Old Bagamoyo Road, Msasani, Dar es Salaam. Enroll in STEP before you travel.
Before you go: passport checklist
- Check the expiration date now. Many countries want your passport valid for months beyond your trip (see the entry rules on this page). If you need a new one, the State Department lists routine processing at 4 to 6 weeks and expedited at 2 to 3 weeks, plus mailing time.
- Renewing? Many adults can renew by mail or online instead of going in person. Check whether you can renew or must apply in person.
- Know the cost. First-time applicants pay two separate fees. Use the passport fee calculator.
- Get a compliant photo. Rejected photos are a common cause of delays. Passport photo requirements.
- Leaving within 2 to 3 weeks? You may need an appointment at a passport agency. Urgent passport options.
The official route is always free to research: apply, renew and check status through the U.S. Department of State at travel.state.gov. You can find a passport acceptance facility near you on this site.
FAQ
Do Americans need a visa for Tanzania?
Yes. The State Department says U.S. tourists must get a one-year multiple-entry visa for $100. You can apply online for an eVisa through Tanzania's official immigration site, visa.immigration.go.tz, and present the emailed grant notice on arrival, or get a visa on arrival.
When is the best time to visit the Serengeti?
Tanzania National Parks says the dry season, June to October, is best for watching the great wildebeest migration, and January to February is calving season in the southern Serengeti. The park is open all year.
How do park fees work in Tanzania?
Tanzania National Parks fees include 18% VAT, are valid for 24 hours from the time of entry, are free for children under 5, and use child rates for ages 5 to 15. They are paid through the government's electronic payment system, online or by Visa or Mastercard at park gates. The Ngorongoro Conservation Area is run by a separate authority with its own fees.
Do I need a yellow fever vaccine for Tanzania?
Not if you fly directly from the U.S. Tanzania requires proof of vaccination from travelers arriving from countries where yellow fever is endemic, including airport transits of 12 hours or more. That includes coming from Kenya.
What are the emergency numbers in Tanzania?
The State Department lists 111, 112 and +255 787 668 306, but warns response can be slow and unreliable. The U.S. Embassy in Dar es Salaam is at +255 22-229-4000; after hours, dial 1 for the emergency operator.
Sources
Official sources used for this page (last checked October 27, 2026):
- U.S. Department of State: Tanzania travel advisory and country information
- U.S. Embassy in Tanzania
- Tanzania Immigration Services: official eVisa portal
- Tanzania National Parks (TANAPA)
- Tanzania National Parks: Serengeti National Park
- CDC Travelers' Health: Tanzania
- CDC Travelers' Health: Travel notices
- IEC World Plugs
Corrections? Use our contact page.