PASSPORT & VISAS:- You will require a valid passport and a visa to visit Tanzania and/or Zanzibar. Visas can be obtained at embassies and high commissions overseas or on arrival at your point of entry into the country. Visa prices vary according to your proposed length of stay and depending on which country you come from.

IMMUNIZATION & HEALTH:- Yellow Fever vaccination certificates are required; please consult your physician regarding other recommended immunizations. Malaria prophylaxis should be started at least two weeks before traveling – again, consult your physician regarding anti-malarial choice (Larium is not recommended for everybody because of possible side-effects).

WHAT TO TAKE & WHAT TO WEAR:- Don’t forget your camera, camcorder and plenty of film/batteries. Binoculars for game spotting and a torch if you are camping or climbing (or just in case of power cuts in your city hotel) are useful, as are sunglasses, sunhat, sun protection lotions, insect repellent and lip balm. A spare pair of spectacles and/or contact lenses would be a good idea.

Lightweight clothing is the norm in Tanzania, with a sweater/jacket for evenings/nights in places such as Ngorongoro where the nights can be cold. Natural color clothing is recommended for safari; avoid brightly colored clothing as these may alarm animals and adversely affect your game-watching.

Tennis shoes and sandals are good for safari but do bring sensible walking shoes if you intend to do some hiking. When in Zanzibar and other mostly Muslim places, women should respect custom and cover their upper arms, shoulders and legs. On the beach, swimwear is perfectly acceptable (although nudity is definitely not).

CURRENCY & MONEY-CHANGING:- The currency of Tanzania is the Shilling which is divided into 100 cents. At the time of writing, the exchange rate to US$ is TShs 1,160/- to the American Dollar. No currency declaration is required on entry, but export of Tanzania Shillings is illegal. Most major currencies, particularly US$, euro and British pound sterling, are acceptable in the main towns and cities where Bureau de Change and ATM machines are plentiful.