Tanzania for Solo Travelers: A Traveler's Guide
Traveling has always been the way for people to discover, learn, and most of all, be humbled by the magnificence of mother nature. What place is better to feel the greatness of nature other than the Mother Continent herself?
When it comes to traveling solo, Tanzania is a must-go destination in Africa. If you are reading this, it must mean you are thinking about taking a solo trip to Tanzania. So you can pilot your journey, here is an ultimate guide on Tanzania for solo travelers.
Why Is Tanzania Ideal for Solo Travelers?
In addition to being an amazing destination to go on a safari with family or on a honeymoon with your partner, Tanzania offers an incredible experience for solo travelers. A solo safari in Tanzania opens up new ways to experience the terrain, wildlife, people, and culture altogether.
Solo traveling can help one find a different perspective on the things we are used to, which we sometimes fail to perceive. It can give you more flexibility to choose your next destination, and spend more quality time at a place of your liking without having to cross off any other destinations on your itinerary or to compromise with someone else.
Traveling solo in Tanzania is easier and more perfectly orchestrated and than you’d ever believe. The destinations and experiences it offers solo travelers are customizable in the best possible ways. Do you want to admire and immerse yourself in nature? Then going on a safari in Serengeti National Park or Tarangire National Park is ideal for you. Want to test your confidence and grit? Conquer the mountain of Kilimanjaro to learn more about yourself. Feel the serenity within yourself when the ocean touches your feet in Zanzibar.
Do you want to learn more about Tanzania for solo travelers, the places to visit, and where to stay? Just keep reading…
Is Tanzania Safe for Solo Travelers?
One of the major factors that concern a lot of solo travelers is “safety.” Imagine yourself in a foreign land with little to no idea about your surroundings or the people around you. Sounds terrifying, right?
This might really make you ponder over the question “Is Tanzania really safe for solo travelers?”. The answer is an absolute YES!
Tanzania is one of the most peaceful countries in the world according to World population review and hence considered to be a safe place for solo traveling, especially for female travelers. Every year, hundreds of thousands of people embark on their solo adventures to Tanzania.
This country is regarded as safe and tourist-friendly. The people of Tanzania are very kind and welcoming. In touristy areas where Tanzanians are used to visitors, most of them can speak and understand English, so don’t worry about not being able to communicate. Plus, you will always have your safari guide with you!
No matter how safe a country is, it is always a great idea to take the responsibility to stay vigilant. For example, never leave your things unattended and make sure to get the necessary information from your guide before traveling to a new place. To ensure your safety, always renew or take out a travel insurance policy whenever you travel to foreign places or countries.
Places to Visit in Tanzania
As a solo traveler, there are no restrictions or setbacks to exploring the beauty of the terrain. You will have the flexibility and liberty to choose your favorite place to visit, decide how long you’ll stay there, and where you’ll be staying. It all depends on your personal interests, choices, and preferences. There are different destinations for different solo traveling experiences.
The Safari Experience
If you are an individual with a zest for wildlife and love rugged travels, the savannahs of the Serengeti National Park, as well as Ngorongoro, Tarangire National Park, and Ruaha National Park may be ideal destinations for you. These places are home to the big five of Africa, along with other mammals like giraffe, hippos, cheetah, wildebeest, zebras, and impalas.
Together with exquisite and diverse wildlife, the landscape is shared with indigenous tribes like the Maasai, Hadzabe and Datoga tribes. They live as one with nature. Traveling solo can offer you a great opportunity to get to know more about the tribes and immerse yourself in their culture.
Go for a Trek
The best way to understand yourself and learn how far you can push yourself is to go on an adventure that will test your mind and body alike. One of the best destinations for an adventurous trek is to scale Mt. Kilimanjaro. Towering over 5,895 meters above sea level, Mount Kilimanjaro is a place of self-discovery for many travelers.
You can either trek alone (you will still have your own mountain guide, cook and porters with you!) or with a group of people, getting to know the world from their perspective. The expedition to Kilimanjaro also has different routes, which can provide different experiences (based on what you prefer to make the most of through your adventure). Take a look at our article to learn more about what routes to choose when you take a trek to Mt. Kilimanjaro.
You can also consider scaling Mt. Meru in Arusha National Park. This alternative to Mt. Kilimanjaro takes less time but is still challenging and offers you a great view of Arusha’s surroundings altogether. You can also go canoeing in the Momella lakes of Arusha National Park.
Soul-Searching in Zanzibar
Solo travels are not only meant for challenges and treks but also for decompressing and finding peace. For a relaxing and serene stay, beaches are a perfect choice.
The islands of Zanzibar consist of numerous beaches with beautiful white sandy shores and tranquil waters together with a rich cultural heritage, an exquisite cuisine and welcoming people. Zanzibar also offers a diverse sea life, thus amazing options for snorkeling, kayaking, and parasailing. Mafia Island also offers wonderful beaches and an excellent opportunity to go scuba diving with whale sharks.
Other Lesser-Known Places
On the west coast of Zanzibar lies Stone Town. This place got its name from the beautiful buildings made of stone, which were built during the Sultan period. This town was initially a slave trading hub, and there are museums and memorials to visit. The construction of Stone Town may make it a challenge to navigate because the narrow cobble streets all look similar and make it feel like a labyrinth.
Prison Island or Changuu Island are also a major tourist attraction in Zanzibar.
Common Questions about Tanzania for Solo Travelers
Where Can I Stay in Tanzania?
Accommodations vary from place to place in Tanzania. When going on safari or on a trek, the cost of accommodation is included in your package. Accommodations on safari can be a mix of tented safari camps or lodges with a more permanent structure. On a mountain trek, you will stay in regular camping tents that are set up by the porters each day. In Zanzibar, there is a wide variety of beach hotels and resorts for any budget.
If you are a solo traveler, there may be many possibilities to meet different types of people and take part in communal dinners and other group activities.
How Do I Use Money in Tanzania?
To make the most of the trip as a solo traveler, having knowledge of local currency might help you a long way. The local currency in Tanzania is the Tanzanian Shilling. Though the currency might not be available to exchange in Europe or America, you will be able to exchange your money when you enter Tanzania.
One US Dollar equals approximately 2,300 Tanzanian Shillings. On safari and in hotels and resorts, you will have the option to pay in American dollars, but local street vendors and stalls might want you to pay in the local currency.
You can make use of post offices, airports, and banks in cities like Arusha or Stone Town to exchange foreign currency for local currency and use ATMs. However, on safari and small towns there is no access to such services, so make sure you always exchange or withdraw enough currency whenever possible before you travel to a small beach town or to the national parks.
How Do I Travel To and In Tanzania?
Travelers usually fly into Tanzania using one of the of the following main airports:
Kilimanjaro International Airport (located between Arusha & Moshi)
Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam
Abeid Amani Karume International Airport in Zanzibar
Once you reach Tanzania, the primary means of transportation is cars and buses, or domestic flights to cover long distances from the national parks to Zanzibar, for example.
Once you’ve landed in Tanzania, your transportation will be sorted out. We will be picking you up from the airport and taking you to your first destination in the country. If you spend a few days in town (f. ex. Arusha) or in Zanzibar), taxis are always available or you can even rent a motorcycle or a car to explore the island.
The most common method of transportation on a Tanzania safari is a 4WD Landcruiser. Pricing for a Tanzania safari can range from $3000 to $50,000 depending on a few factors like the length of your trip, the time of travel, and the level of accommodation you prefer. In some national parks with fewer predators, like Arusha National Park, you can go on walking safaris and experience the beauty of the terrain on foot. Other than that, there are no alternate means of transportation available inside the national parks.
The predominant method of exploring Mount Kilimanjaro is to set out on foot. However, in some cases and on specific routes, like the Shira route of Mt. Kilimanjaro, a 4-wheel drive vehicle is offered to bring you up to a certain altitude, depending on the climatic conditions and the landscape.
Conclusion
Tanzania certainly lives up to its hype for solo travelers. After visiting, most solo travelers find themselves not wanting to return home and preferring to stay there forever. Solo traveling in Tanzania can open your eyes to a whole new world and make you see things from a different perspective.
Solo traveling is something that every individual must venture to do at least once in their lives. At Sababu Safaris, we give you the liberty to choose your destination(s), form of travel and level of accommodation - every trip is 100% customizable. We will help you curate your solo travel safari itinerary to create your own trip of a lifetime. Feel free to contact us for more information and queries on your solo trip. We are always happy to hear from you.