Tanzania

Tanzania is a beautiful country in East Africa known for its vast wilderness areas, remarkable wildlife, and stunning landscapes. As far as Tanzania tours go, we offer treks up Africa's highest peak, Mount Kilimanjaro, which can be combined with safari adventures or island getaways to Zanzibar.

Snapshot of Tanzania Adventure Travel

Standing at 5,895 meters (19,341 feet), Mount Kilimanjaro is Africa's highest peak and one of the world's highest free-standing mountains. Conquering the "Roof of Africa" is an adventure of a lifetime and requires good physical fitness and acclimatization.

On Skyhook, we offer all main Kilimanjaro routes. Choosing your route is an essential step in a successful summit. Longer routes like the Machame 7-Day and Lemosho 8-Day treks offer a better chance for acclimatization. You also need to consider the time of year. For instance, the Rongai route is the best option over the rainy season

Tanzania is one of the world's most famous wildlife viewing areas. Tanzania is also home to the Big Five - lion, leopard, rhinoceros, elephant, and Cape buffalo. The county also boasts some of Africa's best national parks. This includes Serengeti National Park, where millions of wildebeest and zebra move in a continuous cycle during the annual Great Migration.

For those seeking adventure on the water, Zanzibar offers opportunities for deep-sea fishing, snorkelling, and scuba diving in the clear, warm waters of the Indian Ocean. If you book a trip to Tanzania, it is easy to extend your holiday and spend a few days in this island paradise.

Tanzania offers a wide range of other attractions and activities, including Chimpanzee trekking, hot-air ballooning, and coffee tours. The country has a rich cultural heritage and visitors shouldn't miss the opportunity to engage with local communities, learn about Maasai culture, or visit local markets.

Tanzania Travel FAQs

The best time to visit Tanzania largely depends on what you want to do. For wildlife safaris, the dry season from late June to October is excellent. For climbing Kilimanjaro, the best periods are January-March and June-October.

Most visitors, including those from the US, Canada, UK, Australia, and many European countries, require a visa to enter Tanzania. You can get a visa on arrival or apply in advance through the Tanzanian embassy in your country. Always check the latest visa requirements from a reliable source. UK citizens can check the official Tanzanian High Commission UK website.

Swahili and English are both official languages in Tanzania. Swahili is the most widely spoken, but English is commonly used in tourist areas, hotels, and with tour operators. Note that for most Tanzanian guides, English is a second language.

Climbing Kilimanjaro is a physically demanding endeavor. It doesn't require technical climbing skills, but you should be in good physical condition. Although possible, we don't recommend that this be your first mountain summit. Prior experience with long-distance hiking is beneficial. The main challenge for many is dealing with the altitude which can affect you no matter your age or fitness.

When choosing a Kilimanjaro route you need to factor in which trail is best for altitude acclimatisation as well as the seasonal conditions. We generally recommend the extended versions of the popular Machame (7 Days) and Lemosho (8 Days) routes to give guests the best chance of making it to the summit. The Rongai route is the only part of the mountain that is unaffected by the rainy season.

Yes! we offer 2-day safari tours with a local company in Tanzania to the Ngorongoro Crater and Tarangire National Park. This makes it easy to add a safari after your summit trip. Contact us for more info and to help you arrange suitable dates.

Yes, it's highly recommended to have travel insurance that covers medical expenses, evacuation, and repatriation. If you plan on climbing Kilimanjaro, make sure your insurance covers high-altitude trekking.

The currency of Tanzania is the Tanzanian Shilling (TZS), but US dollars are also widely accepted, especially in tourist areas. Be aware that older US dollar notes (earlier than 2006) may not be accepted due to counterfeiting concerns.