How Can I Travel To Tanzania On A Budget?
Tanzania, with grand and beautiful wildlife, golden savannah and clean beaches, is among the most desired destinations in Africa. The Tanzanian plains, the mysterious mountains of Kilimanjaro, and the blue waters of Zanzibar are all waiting to offer the adventure and beauty of Tanzania. Nevertheless, most tourists believe that visiting this East African paradise is costly, a reserve of high-end safari visitors. The thing is, it is possible to travel in Tanzania with a budget and not miss the best experiences of this country with wise planning and proper choices. Here’s how.
Booking in the Low Season.
Everything is time when travelling on a budget. The most favourable tourist seasons in Tanzania occur between June and October (dry season), and December and February (holiday season). The times are the most expensive in terms of safari lodges and flights.
In case you are visiting in the low or shoulder seasons, usually the months of March to May or November, you will see big discounts on hotel rates, the cost of visiting the park and tours. It may be raining, but the scenery is green, and the animals are still plentiful, and you will have fewer people around. Certain lodges and tour operators are also providing up to 40-50% discount, which is a great bait to the low-end tourists.
Take up Reliable Transport.
Transport in the country does not necessarily need to be expensive as long as you stick to the domestic alternatives:
Public Buses and Dala-Dalas: Public buses are the cheapest option when one wants to travel long distances, such as between cities such as Arusha, Dar es Salaam, Moshi or Mwanza. Dala-dalas (minibuses) move about towns, and they are much cheaper than taxis.
Trains: Tanzania-Zambia Railway (TAZARA) is the cheap and scenic means of travelling between Dar es Salaam and Mbeya or even into Zambia.
Shared Taxis or Vans: In smaller counterparts, shared taxis or vans can be used instead of hiring a car privately because of their low cost.
Flights: In case you have to fly, you have to book quite early and compare airlines which fly within the country, like Precision Air, Air Tanzania, or Coastal Aviation. Depending on the itinerary, flying into the Kilimanjaro International Airport can be cheaper than entering Dar es Salaam.
Through the use of the public transport system, with the occasional flights or shared tours, you will be able to significantly reduce the costs of travelling.
Select Accommodation of the Budget.
The Tanzanian accommodation is divided into luxury safari lodges on one end and cheap guesthouses, hostels and campsites on the other end. To travel on a budget:
Stay in Guesthouses or Hostels: In large towns such as Arusha, Moshi or Mwanza, one can find good and affordable budget guesthouses at $10-30/night. Hostels are good when one is alone or a backpacker.
Camp: Camping is probably the cheapest and most adventurous means of enjoying the beauty of Tanzania. There are numerous national parks with several camp sites where you may hire a tent or carry your tent.
Community Lodges: Community lodges are found in rural or Tanzania safari environments. Not only do they offer affordable accommodation, but help keep the locals afloat, as well as give a true cultural experience.
Sometimes, the direct booking or local agencies may offer better rates compared to the international ones.
Choose between Group or Self-Guided Safaris.
Safaris are generally the largest cost for travellers in Tanzania, although it can be lowered, as follows:
Participate in a Group Safari: Participate in a group safari instead of booking an individual safari. You will share the price of the car, guide and park charges with other tourists.
Explore Less-Famous Parks: While visiting the Serengeti or Ngorongoro Crater (which cost high rates), go to such parks as Mikumi, Ruaha, or Tarangire, which are also very beautiful but not overcrowded and rather inexpensive.
Self-Drive Safari: In case you are confident in driving, hire a 4×4 and drive at your own speed. This is less expensive, particularly when you are going with your friends and you share the expenses.
Day Trips, rather than Overnight Safaris: There are a lot of parks near towns (such as Arusha National Park or Lake Manyara) that can be visited within a day, and this will save both accommodation expenses within the park.
Important to remember, a safari does not necessarily have to be luxury-oriented to be memorable. Even low-end Tanzania safaris offer amazing wildlife experiences and beautiful views.
Eat Like a Local
Another aspect that you can save a lot on without losing flavour is food. The Tanzanian food is tasty, nutritious and cheap when you dine where the locals eat.
Local Restaurants (Mama Lishe): In these small restaurants, one can get traditional meals such as ugali (maize meal), nyama choma (grilled meat), rice and beans, or pilau as low as $2-$5.
Street Food: Have chapatti, samosas, mandazi or chips mayai (an omelette with fries) at the street vendors. It is inexpensive and offers you a real-life feel of Tanzanian life.
Markets: You can purchase fresh fruits, snacks, and bottled water in the local markets rather than supermarkets.
It is advisable not to eat in hotels or tourist restaurants where the prices are normally overcharged.
Get to know Free and Low-Cost Attractions.
All great experiences in Tanzania are not associated with a hefty price tag. And plenty of low prices or free attractions:
Go to the villages to get to know about the Tanzanian culture.
Go to the local markets such as the Kariakoo market in Dar es Salaam or the Maasai market in Arusha.
Spend the day on the tourist beaches of Zanzibar, like Kendwa or Nungwi.
Excursion in non-national parks, like Usambara Mountains or foot hilly of Mount Meru, at insignificant expense.
Visit the museums and historical places in the area, such as the National Museum in Dar es Salaam or the Old Fort in Stone Town.
Use Local Tour Operators
The international safari firms tend to be rather expensive compared to local operators. Through direct booking with tour companies based in Tanzania, you will be able to save 20-40% of the money spent on safari tours and cultural tours. Reviews should be checked to be reliable and safe.
Manage Your Money Wisely
Take an ATM in large towns to withdraw Tanzanian shillings as opposed to the airports, where the exchange would be poor.
Haggle at prices where the prices are reasonable, particularly with transportation, souvenirs or tours.
Monitor your budget by making a daily budget.
Conclusion
It is not only possible to travel to Tanzania on a budget, but it is also very rewarding. Through the local experiences, low-budget services and transportation, and tourist traps, you can gain an experience of this amazing country without spending a fortune.
