Know Before You Go - Malaika Oasis Safari

Know Before You Go - Frequently Asked Questions

What time of the year to go, mosquitos and malaria, visas, health and more. Here's everything you need to know before heading out on your safari adventure in Tanzania and Uganda with us!

Every month has its unique vibe, landscapes and viewing opportunities. Below are details for each area. In general, we can say that dry seasons have shorter grasses and vegetation, so it's easier to spot wildlife. Wet seasons are more magical, and landscapes are very pleasing to the eyes, plus there are less crowds.

TANZANIA SAFARI SEASONS

Northern Tanzania (Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Arusha)

- Jan–Mid March (Short Dry Season): Calving season in Serengeti, lush and green after rains, great predator action.

- Late March–May (Long Rains): Beautiful landscapes, fewer tourists, some muddy roads, rain.

- June–October (Long Dry Season): Peak wildlife season, golden savannah, great migration of wildebeest, cool mornings.

- Nov–Dec (Short Rains): Green, fewer crowds, pleasant travel conditions.

Southern Tanzania (Selous/Nyerere, Ruaha, Mikumi)

- June–October (Dry Season): Top wildlife visibility, little rain.

- Nov–Dec (Short Rains): Bush rejuvenates, birding excellent, green.

- Jan–May (Wet Season): Some parks inaccessible, muddy, but still beautiful.

UGANDA SAFARI SEASONS

Southwestern Uganda (Bwindi, Mgahinga, Queen Elizabeth, Kibale)

- June–Aug & Dec–Feb (Dry): Best for gorilla & chimp tracking.

- Mar–May & Sep–Nov (Wet): Muddy but lush, great birding, fewer tourists.

Northern Uganda (Murchison Falls, Kidepo)

- Dec–Feb & June–Sep (Dry): Best wildlife spotting, dry vegetation, better roads.

- Mar–May & Oct–Nov (Wet): Bush thick and green, possibly muddy, some roads rough.

Our final Tip: Every month has unique benefits — go dry for ease and convenience, or wet for fewer crowds, greener views and amazing landscapes.

Tanzania is famous for its vast open savannahs and the Great Migration in the Serengeti, home to the ''Big Five'' (lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, buffalo) and iconic landscapes like the Ngorongoro Crater. It’s perfect if you want classic, wide-open safari scenes with diverse wildlife and large herds. Tanzania may feel crowded if you travel in peak season (Jun-Sep). Choose Tanzania if you want to experience the classic vast safari.

Uganda, on the other hand, is the “Pearl of Africa” with more private experience, lush rainforests, offering rare gorilla trekking and chimpanzee tracking in Kibale. Its wildlife is more focused on primates and forest species, and it's got beautiful lakes and mountains. You can still see lions, elephants and other. Uganda’s safaris are more intimate and less crowded. Go for Uganda if you love lush nature, primates and less crowds.

Culturally, Tanzania has coastal influence, Arabic and Islamic heritage, spices and flavors. It's a predominantly Swahili-speaking country alongside with English, a home of 120+ tribes, including the well-known Maasai tribe. Uganda is culturally also very diverse with about 56 tribes, Luganda as the main language in central regions and English as the official language as well. However, general population outside of cities do not commonly speak English.

You can actually feel cold in Africa, which surprises people very often.

Nights can be generally cold in Tanzania, especially in highland areas like Ngorongoro and Kilimanjaro where the night temperatures may fall even to 7-10 degrees Celsius in dry season, but usually are between 15-20 degrees at night. Days can be hot, often 27-28 degrees Celsius. Zanzibar is warm and humid all year (often around 30 degrees), with two rain seasons: heavy rains Mar-May, and short rains in Nov. Jun-Oct and then Dec-Feb are dry, sunny and breezy - the best for your beach holiday.

In Uganda it's a bit warmer, but expect 10-13 degrees Celsius in higher areas, and 15-18 degrees in lower areas. During days, temperatures typically reach high 20's, often around 30 degrees. Uganda can be very humid, so it's important to wear breathable clothes that you can layer especially at night. It's always important to be ready for both - the sun (sunscreen) and rain (rain protection). Read more about clothes in ''Clothes & Gear'' section.

Gorilla tracking season mainly falls during the dry months - June to September and December to February. Expect colder nights, cool mornings (10-15 degrees Celsius) and evenings with mild daytime temperatures between 20-25 degrees. Trails can be muddy any time when rain falls - so it's always advised to bring good trekking boots, preferably with ankle support and protection and good rain gear that you can wear for a several hours comfortably.

Officially yes — both countries have malaria. But practically, in higher-altitude areas like Moshi, Arusha, and Northern Parks, it’s rare. We live here long-term and haven’t had malaria. If you wear long pants and use repellent, you can mitigate the risk. It’s a personal call — malaria is treatable, but prevention is key.

Rest assured that with vaccinations, mosquito protection, basic hygiene, safari trips are safe and enjoyable.

Disease	Risk	Prevention
Malaria	Year-round, higher in rain season	Repellents and long sleeves are a good protection. Antimalarial medication as prophylaxis as an extra measure (consult your doctor). Malaria is treatable. Testing kits are widely available.
Dengue Fever	Especially in urban areas	Thorough mosquito protection and vaccine (Dengvaxia available in some countries)
Yellow Fever	Endemic in Uganda, rare in Tanzania	Yellow fever vaccine is MANDATORY for entry to Uganda. Recommended for Tanzania but not mandatory.
Typhoid	Food & waterborne	Vaccination. Recommended but not mandatory
Hepatitis A&B	Food/water (A), body fluids (B)	Vaccination recommended. Chances are you received the vaccine for Hep B if you were born in 1990's an onwards in Europe or North America. Check with your doctor.
Cholera	Occasional outbreaks. Rare but possible.	Drink bottled water, proper hygiene, sanitizer
Schistosomiasis (Bilharzia)	in Lakes / rivers (Lake Victoria)	Avoid swimming in freshwater bodies.

Yes, in Uganda 100%, in Tanzania partly.

UGANDA: Yellow Fever Vaccination certificate is 100% mandatory for all incoming travelers regardless of origin. Your certificate must be dated at least 10 days before your date of arrival! Make sure you book your vaccine appointment in time, well in advance.

TANZANIA: Yellow Fever certificate is partly mandatory and REQUIRED based on these conditions:

IF you are coming from a yellow-fever endemic country (which is for example Kenya, please check other countries online).
If you were in transit (at the airport) in Kenya or other yellow-fever endemic country for more than 12 hours.
NOT REQUIRED: If you are coming to Tanzania from non-endemic areas (such as Europe, North America) or you had a short transit below 12 hours.
Beware: unfortunately, in practice, you may still be asked to present your Yellow Fever certificate at Kilimanjaro airport, Dar es Salaam or Zanzibar.

Visiting Tanzania is possible without yellow fever vaccination certificate, but you may still face challenges. Immigration officers sometimes apply their own rules. We understand that may be stressful, but such flexibility is a part of the local culture. In such case, you will have to negotiate / pay an extra fee.

When coming here, it is smart to pack a basic travel medical kit, especially since some medicines might be hard to find or will be sold under different brands locally. There won't be any pharmacies on your safari adventure or during national park visits. Even in large cities, medicine will differ from the one you know from home. Here’s what we recommend:

1. Mosquito & Malaria Protection

Antimalarial medication - either as a profylaxis or as a treatment (e.g., Malarone, Doxycycline, or Lariam) — consult your doctor for the right choice.
Strong mosquito repellent (with DEET or Picaridin) — for daytime and nighttime use.
Antihistamine cream or tablets — for mosquito bite relief.

2. Protection Against Food & Waterborne Illnesses

Antidiarrheal medicine (e.g., Loperamide/Imodium).
Hand sanitizers (ideally anti-viral and also anti-bacterial, not only anti-bacterial)
Rehydration salts (ORS) — important in case of diarrhea or dehydration.
Antibiotic for travelers’ diarrhea (e.g., Azithromycin or Ciprofloxacin) — ask your doctor.
Probiotics — help maintain healthy gut flora during travel.
Water purification tablets or filter bottle — if you are heading to remote areas. You don't need this on your safari trips.

3. Personal Prescription Medicines

Bring enough supply for your entire trip, including copies of prescriptions.
Some specific medicines might not be available or could be expensive.
Keep medicines in original packaging for easier customs checks.

Other Useful Items:

Painkillers (e.g., Paracetamol, Ibuprofen).
Antiseptic cream or wipes for small cuts.
Motion sickness tablets (if traveling on rough roads or boats).

It's safe during the day.

Walking alone or riding a boda-boda / bajaji alone at night is not advised, unless it is a driver verified by your accommodation, which will guarantee that you arrive safely. There have been reports of machete attacks on foreigners in Tanzania mainland and Zanzibar - specifically Nungwi north, past Sazani Beach Lodge on the beach with sandbanks. Ask for a Maasai to accompany you if you travel there alone.

It's important to remember that you are coming a country with a low level of economic prosperity and you are automatically seen as wealthy, no matter if you are considered wealthy or not wealthy at your home country. Keep this in mind and make decisions wisely.

Tanzania is famous for its vast open savannahs and the Great Migration in the Serengeti, home to the ''Big Five'' (lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, buffalo) and iconic landscapes like the Ngorongoro Crater. It’s perfect if you want classic, wide-open safari scenes with diverse wildlife and large herds. Tanzania may feel crowded if you travel in peak season (Jun-Sep). Choose Tanzania if you want to experience the classic vast safari.

Uganda, on the other hand, is the “Pearl of Africa” with more private experience, lush rainforests, offering rare gorilla trekking and chimpanzee tracking in Kibale. Its wildlife is more focused on primates and forest species, and it's got beautiful lakes and mountains. You can still see lions, elephants and other. Uganda’s safaris are more intimate and less crowded. Go for Uganda if you love lush nature, primates and less crowds.

Culturally, Tanzania has coastal influence, Arabic and Islamic heritage, spices and flavors. It's a predominantly Swahili-speaking country alongside with English, a home of 120+ tribes, including the well-known Maasai tribe. Uganda is culturally also very diverse with about 56 tribes, Luganda as the main language in central regions and English as the official language as well. However, general population outside of cities do not commonly speak English.

In Tanzania, it's about the classics:

Serengeti National Park Tanzania is the good-old classics, world-famous for its Great Migration—millions of wildebeest and zebras crossing the plains with predators on their heels every year. It’s your classic endless savannah safari with big cats, elephants, and dramatic scenery.

Ngorongoro Crater is totally different—it’s a huge volcanic caldera, home to one of the densest wildlife populations in Africa, including the Big Five - lions, elephants, buffalos, leopard and black rhino. Imagine a wildlife documentary happening inside a giant bowl surrounded by high cliffs!

Looking for something special? Tarangire National Park is often overlooked but surprises visitors with massive elephant herds largest among all parks in Tanzania, ancient baobab trees, and beautiful river valleys—especially amazing during the dry season when animals gather around the Tarangire River.

Smaller parks offer a more private show - Mikumi is the ''mini'' Serengeti, Arusha National Park has spectacular nature and waterfalls, Mkomazi park offers a walking safari where you'll most likely be alone, Saadani is the only park bordering the ocean, Ruaha & Nyerere (Selous) park is in the center is a more remote and quiet park with far fewer tourists, as most stay in the North.

In Uganda, it’s all about diversity:

Murchison Falls National Park = Big game plus a spectacular waterfall on the Nile - strongest in the world by the volume of water that passes through.
Queen Elizabeth National Park = Classic savannah with hippos, tree-climbing lions, and volcanic craters.
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest = World-famous for gorilla trekking in a lush thick rainforest. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park = a smaller alternative.
Kibale Forest National Park = chimpanzee tracking

Each park has its own magic—whether you want epic migrations, volcanic landscapes, or jungles with gorillas, we help you choose the safari that fits your adventure style.

To see the location of these national parks, go to the question ''Where are the parks located, how far from each other, and how to travel between them?'', we'll show you maps.

Here's a quick guide for you:

TANZANIA's parks are grouped be distant regions. It's usually necessary to fly between these regions, unless you have a very large amount of time.

Northern Circuit

Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Lake Manyara, Tarangire, Ol Doinyo Lengai volcano, Mt. Kilimanjaro, Mt. Meru, Arusha National Park, Mkomazi National Park.

these parks are easy to get to by a jeep and we often cover them in a multi-day trip. The main starting point are Arusha&Moshi cities.

Travel between these is by a safari jeep, often with scenic drives between 2-5 hours between each two parks. It's the classic route for most first-timers.

Central Tanzania

Ruaha National Park, Mikumi National Park, Selous/Nyerere National Park - Ruaha requires a flight from Arusha/Moshi or Dar es Salaam. Mikumi is 4-5 hours by road from Dar es Salaam and can be combined with Selous/Nyerere park; not easily reachable from Arusha&Moshi.

Western Tanzania

Katavi & Mahale Mountains with chimpanzee tracking for adventurous travelers. On the border with Democratic Rep. of Congo.
truly remote, by flights only, but totally worthy for the off-the-beaten-path travelers.

Coast & Islands

Zanzibar, Mafia Island, Pemba - by flight from Arusha&Moshi&Dar es Salaam, or by ferry from Dar es Salaam.
Saadani National Park - the only national park in Tanzania bordering the ocean. 4-5 hours drive from Dar es Salaam, or a short flight from Dar.

UGANDA's parks are mostly located in the west and southwest of the country. Expect car rides, 5-10 hours per segment. Occasionally, flying is possible.

Northern Uganda

Murchison Falls National Park - about 6-8 hours by car from Kampala/Entebbe airport (the airport is around an hour drive from Kampala). Flight available.
Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary - an optional stop if you love rhinos.

Southwestern Uganda

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest - the one and only gorilla tracking, 9-10 hours from Kampala by car, 4-5 hours from Queen Elizabeth or around 2 hours from Kibale city. Flight from Entebbe available.
Queen Elizabeth National Park - tree climbing lions, elephants and other, 6-7 hours from Kampala by car, 4-5 hours from Kibale by car.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park - smaller park, has gorilla tracking & golden monkey tracking. 6-8 hours drive from Kibale, 9-10 hours from Kampala.

Western Uganda

Kibale Forest National Park - chimpanzee tracking, 5-6 hours driving from Kampala.
Can be combined with Queen Elizabeth National Park, transport by car

Eastern Uganda

Mount Elgon National Park - 5-6 hours driving from Kampala, with Kampala heavy traffic (need to cross the city) the drive can prolong by several hours.

Yes, most nationalities need a visa for both countries - EU citizens, US citizens, Canadian, Australia, UK, most of Asia, South America and Middle East. If you are an East African citizen or a Carribean, you may have a visa-free entry.

We recommend applying in advance online or through the embassy. Processing time varies by nationality and can take up to 10 business days or even longer if you need in-person visa appointment, so don’t leave it to the last minute.

No, we do not cover visa services. But we're happy to point you by a quick research and share what we know about visa policies for you. Just text us.

Typically, 50 USD for single entry, valid usually for 90 days (may differ by nationality). 100 USD for East African Tourist visa - valid for 3 countries: Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya, NOT Tanzania (as of Jun 2025).

Absolutely YES! Just check in your itinerary/or with us if the fee is already included in your itinerary, or if it will be treated as a separate cost item.

Yes. Mostly two:

1) Your passport must be valid for at least 6 more months from the ENTRY date.

2) Yellow Fever Vaccine Certificate - details below.

UGANDA: Yellow Fever Vaccination certificate is 100% mandatory for all incoming travelers regardless of origin. Your certificate must be dated at least 10 days before your date of arrival! Make sure you book your vaccine appointment in time, well in advance.

TANZANIA: Yellow Fever certificate is partly mandatory and REQUIRED based on these conditions:

IF you are coming from a yellow-fever endemic country (which is for example Kenya, please check other countries online).
If you were in transit (at the airport) in Kenya or other yellow-fever endemic country for more than 12 hours.
NOT REQUIRED: If you are coming to Tanzania from non-endemic areas (such as Europe, North America) or you had a short transit below 12 hours.
Beware: unfortunately in practice, you may still be asked to present your Yellow Fever certificate at Kilimanjaro airport, Dar es Salaam or Zanzibar.

Visiting Tanzania is possible without yellow fever vaccination certificate, but you may still face challenges. Immigration officers sometimes apply their own rules. We understand that may be stressful, but such flexibility is a part of the local culture. In such case, you will have to negotiate / pay an extra fee.

We do not have 100% updated visa requirements for every country's passport holder, but here is what we know in general:

TANZANIA online e-visa official link: https://visa.immigration.go.tz/
UGANDA online visa official link: https://visas.immigration.go.ug/

EAST-AFRICAN VISA (Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya - does NOT cover Tanzania) does not have a special separate link. If you want this three-pack, just apply on Uganda/Kenya or Rwanda e-visa website and select ''East Africa Tourist Visa''.

Make sure you apply well in advance. Applications may take around 14 days to be approved. Uganda is usually faster.

Safari trips:

light natural colors (beige, faded green, khaki, cream, grey, light dusty blue, brown) to blend with the environment. Avoid black, since it attracts insect such as tse-tse flies
choose thin breathable materials - sports materials, loose cotton clothes, comfortable t-shirts. Lot of our guests prefer a button-shirt over a t-shirt, which they can use in cool mornings, open during the day, and remove during the day. Shorts are fine as long as you don't mind insect
Beware - evenings, nights and mornings can be cold below 20 degrees. Pack a thin or medium-warm jacket. Ensure you have a layer to add in case you feel cold in your lodge / a tent.
Shoes: it's possible to wear hiking boots / sneakers / good sport sandals / light shoes, preferably closed. For walking safaris, ensure you have proper outdoor boots, preferably covering your ankles.

Gorilla Trekking & Chimpanzees:

good-quality hiking boots with a good sole that works well on wet & slippery surfaces (the jungle is often muddy & soft)
gaiters - your shins, ankle and foot protection. There are different insects in the jungle, including leech or ants that burn.
breathable clothes & a jacket according to your preference - the forest is cold in the morning and gets humid and hot during the day\
Chimpanzee treks are generally easier. Adjust your clothes to the weather according to the months you travel.

Kilimanjaro Climbs:

for detailed equipment of what we offer vs. what you need to bring - please go to Kilimanjaro FAQ section
well broken-in hiking boots with ankle support. Do not use a new, unused shoes
shoes for the evening in a camp to allow your boots to dry and breathe
hard-shell waterproof jacket/pants (ideally Goretex)
base thermal layers (thermal tops/bottoms, merino or synthetic)
fleece mid-layers (there'll be snow and might be below zero at some point)
thin waterproof gloves
accessories: wide sun hat, neck gaiter/cover, a beanie
headlamp + spare batteries, extra memory cards if needed
power banks
enough wool socks, or socks suitable for a multi-day mountain hike
toiletries: earplugs, small towel, toiletries, pee bottle (for the night), travel pillow for a better sleep - you'll need to be rested, earplugs, small towel, zip-locks, UV-blocking sunglasses, SPF sunscreen, any first aid kit for bruises, chaffed skin, blisters
electrolytes, snacks, Acetazolamide (Diamox) supplement to reduce altitude sickness risk

Zanzibar:

clothes for a regular beach holiday - SPF sunscreen, mosquito sprays (possible to buy locally), swimming suits, light clothes for tropical weather. In rain season: a thin waterproof jacket

Safari trips:

binoculars, electrical plugs in the jeep (but you need to bring your plug adaptor for Tanzania), a fridge in the jeep, food & drinks

Gorilla & Chimpanzee Treks:

option to pay for a porter, a walking stick (usually wooden), electricity plug in the jeep

Kilimanjaro Climbs:

sleeping bags, large waterproof duffle bag, sleeping pad, basic first aid kit, food & water, gas cooker, kitchen utensils & equipment for your chef
Ask us directly for: oxygen tanks, trekking poles

Zanzibar:

snorkeling equipment included in boat tours & snorkeling tours. Outside of boat trips - we can provide upon request

We will send you an invoice with a) a payment link where you can pay by a card, b) international bank transfer. All safari packages must be paid prior to your arrival at least 30 days before your travel date (*individual in case of last-minute bookings).

Tanzania: generally, in cash in TZS (Tanzanian shilling). For larger items such a boat trip in Zanzibar or a Day Trip, USD may be accepted, but it is individual. It's fine to have some USD with you, but do not assume that they are widely accepted outside of tourism industry. VISA, MasterCard and UnionPay are accepted for payments only in larger establishments and supermarkets. Google Pay and Apple Pay are not supported.

Uganda: generally, in cash in UGX (Ugandan shilling). Larger one-item expenses may be paid in USD. General expenses usually cannot be covered by USD/EUR. Same like for Tanzania. VISA, MasterCard and UnionPay are accepted for payments only in larger establishments and supermarkets. Google Pay and Apple Pay are not supported.

Tanzania: yes, in larger towns. Outside of town there are none. To ensure a smooth withdrawal, look for international larger banks such as ABSA, KCB, NMB, Equity Bank or Stanbic. Fees per withdrawal differ. What may be upsetting is that most banks limit one withdrawal for 400,000 TZS (around 150 USD), so multiple withdrawals may be necessary. VISA & MasterCard are widely accepted. American Express usually not.

Uganda: yes, in larger towns. Look for larger banks such as Stanbic, ABSA Bank Uganda, Standard Chartered Bank.

American Express is generally not accepted for withdrawals. VISA / MasterCard are accepted.

You can generally trek gorillas all year round. There are two seasons that we will introduce:

Dry season: June-September and December-January.

Many people believe that the best time to visit gorillas in Uganda in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is during the dry season, from June to September and then again in December to February. Weather is more stable, with lower rainfall. Terrain is easier to trek, less muddy and less slippery, and visibility in the forest is better.

Wet season: March-May and October-November.

This is a lush, green season when vegetation flourishes. There are fewer visitors, and gorillas often in lower elevations, which often means shorter treks. Terrain can be a bit more muddy and challenging. Permits sometimes get discounted. It can be an excellent choice, if you are not sensitive to wet weather.

For the best tracking conditions and highest success rate, the best time to visit is between June and October. Weather is generally pleasant and stable, and chimpanzees reside lower and are easier to trek.

If you like to visit in a lower season, with fewer visitors, the green season between November and May offers beautiful, lush scenery and more challenging hikes, as chimpanzees reside higher in the forest.

Coming soon

Malaika Oasis Safari

Get in touch with us or check our ''Know Before You Go'' page

malaikaoasis.safari@gmail.com

WhatsApp: + 420 733 711 647