Africa
Below is a summary of how I entered, whether through a visa or another permitted route.
Prepare these before applying
I obtained visa on arrival at the entry point for USD 50.
Last updated 2 weeks ago
| S.No | Date | Details (Notes) | Category | Unit | Cost / Unit | Amount | Currency | Amount (NPR) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | — | — | Visa & Documents | — | — | — | — | 50.00 |
| 2 | — | $59/day foreign | Activities | — | — | — | — | 118.00 |
| 3 | — | Shared group | Activities | — | — | — | — | 250.00 |
| 4 | — | ~60/night budget camp | Accommodation | — | — | — | — | 120.00 |
| 5 | — | — | Food & Dining | — | — | — | — | 40.00 |
| 6 | — | Conservation area fee | Activities | — | — | — | — | 295.00 |
| 7 | — | — | Accommodation | — | — | — | — | 80.00 |
| 8 | — | — | Food & Dining | — | — | — | — | 25.00 |
| 9 | — | — | Transport | — | — | — | — | 80.00 |
| 10 | — | ~60000/night | Accommodation | — | — | — | — | 180,000.00 |
| 11 | — | ~30000/day | Food & Dining | — | — | — | — | 90,000.00 |
| 12 | — | Free walk | Activities | — | — | — | — | — |
| 13 | — | — | Activities | — | — | — | — | 25.00 |
| 14 | — | — | Activities | — | — | — | — | 40.00 |
| 15 | — | — | Transport | — | — | — | — | 10,000.00 |
| 16 | — | — | Connectivity | — | — | — | — | 15,000.00 |
| 17 | — | — | Insurance | — | — | — | — | 40.00 |
| 18 | — | — | Miscellaneous | — | — | — | — | 50,000.00 |
| 19 | — | — | Miscellaneous | — | — | — | — | 30,000.00 |
| 20 | — | — | Transport | — | — | — | — | 40,000.00 |
| 21 | — | — | USD 1,163 + TZS 415,000 | — | — | — | — | — |
| Total | 416,163.00 |
Last updated 5 days ago
Serengeti National Park for watching the Great Migration with thousands of wildebeest. Ngorongoro Crater is a unique wildlife viewing experience. Mount Kilimanjaro is Africa's highest peak. Zanzibar's Stone Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Interact with Maasai people for authentic cultural experiences. Combine safari with beach relaxation in Zanzibar.
Most tourists need an e-visa which costs USD 50 (USD 100 for US citizens for a multiple-entry visa). Apply online before travel at visa.immigration.go.tz. US citizens can also obtain a visa on arrival. Keep a printed copy of your grant notice to present at immigration.
The Tanzanian Shilling (TZS) is the official currency. ATMs are available in major cities (Visa is most commonly accepted). In tourist areas, US dollars are widely accepted for larger transactions. Carry sufficient cash in TZS for local markets, dala dalas, and small purchases. Rural areas have few ATMs.
Dala dalas (shared minibuses) are the cheapest local transport, starting at 500 TZS. Bajaji (tuk-tuks) and boda bodas (motorcycle taxis) are available in towns. Long-distance buses connect major cities from the Dar es Salaam bus terminal. For safaris, organized tours with 4x4 vehicles are necessary.
Tipping is expected in Tanzania's tourism industry. Safari guides typically receive USD 10-15 per day, and camp staff receive USD 8-10 per guest per day distributed collectively. In restaurants, leave 10% for good service. Tips can be given in TZS or US dollars.
Vodacom is recommended for travelers with the best LTE coverage. A SIM card costs USD 1-10 with prepaid data plans ranging from USD 5-20. Foreigners need a passport with valid visa for SIM registration. Coverage is good in cities but spotty in remote safari areas.
Tanzania uses Type D and G plugs (British system) with 230V/50Hz. Bring a universal adapter. Power outages are common, so pack a portable power bank, especially for safari trips and Kilimanjaro treks.
Last updated 5 days ago
📍 Dar es Salaam / Arusha
Arrive in Dar es Salaam and explore the National Museum of Tanzania to learn about human origins at Olduvai Gorge, then walk through the vibrant Kariakoo Market for local street food like chipsi mayai and mishkaki skewers. Fly or take an overnight bus to Arusha, the gateway town for northern Tanzania's safari circuit.
📍 Serengeti
Depart Arusha early for the Serengeti, entering through the Naabi Hill Gate and driving through endless golden plains teeming with zebras, wildebeest, and gazelles. Search for lions lounging on kopjes (rocky outcrops) and cheetahs scanning the grasslands from termite mounds. Stay at a mobile tented camp in the central Seronera Valley for prime wildlife access.
📍 Ngorongoro Crater
Take a sunrise game drive in the Serengeti to spot leopards and hyenas active in the early light, then drive to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Descend 600 meters into Ngorongoro Crater, a collapsed volcanic caldera sheltering over 25,000 animals including black rhinos, flamingos at Lake Magadi, and large-tusked elephants in a natural amphitheater.
📍 Zanzibar
Fly from Arusha to Zanzibar and immerse yourself in Stone Town, wandering through the labyrinthine alleys past carved wooden Zanzibari doors, the House of Wonders, and the Old Fort. Visit the spice markets and take a spice farm tour to see cloves, vanilla, cinnamon, and nutmeg growing in their natural state. In the evening, feast on Zanzibar pizza and seafood at the Forodhani Gardens night market along the waterfront.
📍 Zanzibar
Head to Nungwi or Kendwa Beach on Zanzibar's north coast for crystal-clear turquoise waters and white sand beaches, with excellent snorkeling on the nearby reef. Take a dhow (traditional sailing boat) trip to spot dolphins near Mnemba Atoll, one of East Africa's best marine sites. Enjoy fresh grilled octopus and coconut-based curries at a beachside restaurant before departing.
Last updated 2 weeks ago
Cornmeal staple served with grilled or stewed meat and vegetable relish.
Street food crepe filled with meat, vegetables, egg, and cheese, folded and griddled crispy.
Spiced rice cooked with meat, cloves, cardamom, and cumin, reflecting Swahili coastal cuisine.
Marinated meat skewers grilled over charcoal, served with chili sauce and naan bread.
French fries cooked into an omelette, a beloved cheap and filling Tanzanian street food.
Last updated 2 weeks ago
Serengeti is a globally renowned safari ecosystem with vast plains, predator sightings, and seasonal migration movements across northern Tanzania.
📍 Open in Google Maps →Ngorongoro Crater is a massive volcanic caldera with dense wildlife concentrations and dramatic highland viewpoints.
📍 Open in Google Maps →Mount Kilimanjaro is Africa's highest peak and a major trekking destination with multiple ascent routes across changing ecological zones.
📍 Open in Google Maps →Zanzibar offers white-sand beaches, spice-farm history, and Indian Ocean island culture, often used as a post-safari relaxation stop.
📍 Open in Google Maps →Stone Town is Zanzibar's historic core with Swahili-Arab architecture, narrow lanes, and UNESCO-recognized urban heritage.
📍 Open in Google Maps →Last updated 2 weeks ago
