How to travel Tanzania on a budget

Hot air balloon rides over the Serengeti. Colourful Maasai textiles. The smell of freshly cooked street food. These are the images that a trip to Tanzania may conjure up. If it’s your dream to visit this majestic African destination, stop dreaming and start planning, because you can travel Tanzania on a budget. First off, you can search for flights on Cheapflights.co.za and then you can get planning. We’ve put together a list of everything you’ll need to know if you’re a budget traveller with Tanzania on your must-visit list.

End of year vacation anyone?

The first way to plan a budget trip is to avoid the peak season which stretches from June through to October when there is the world-renowned wildebeest migration in the Serengeti and animals are easiest to spot. From July onwards, the northern circuit parks get crowded (although the southern and western circuit parks don’t really get congested). Late January to February is also a popular and busy time when many visitors go to Tanzania to witness calving and see predators in the southern Serengeti.

For budget tourists, November and December fall just after the peak season and will make for a fantastic year-end break. Alternatively, the wet season in March and April are also when flight and accommodation prices are at their lowest. If you don’t mind the showers, then it’s the perfect time to witness the Tanzanian earth come alive with green foliage and go bird watching.

From guesthouses to hotels

When comparing prices for accommodation in Tanzania, a good reference point is Dar es Salaam – generally, prices in this major city dictate those in surrounding towns and cities. To cut costs, look for accommodation closest to the airport you travel to. For Dar es Salaam, the closest airport is Julius Nyerere International. Expect to pay between R200 and R450 per night for budget accommodation, your lowest tier being guesthouses or B&B’s, and your highest prices being for hotel stays. Some guesthouses allow you to make your reservation without a credit card or prepayment, and cancellation is free. There’s really no excuse – book early to make sure you get the right price. If you change your mind, you can cancel later.

Travel like a local

Dalla-Dallas

Dalla-dallas (Tanzanian minibuses) are the way to travel if you want to experience public transport in true local style. These minibuses travel between neighbouring towns and areas and they’re nippy – you’ll get from point A to point B quickly, albeit in less comfortable conditions than you may be accustomed to (good luck trying to get on theses with luggage!). Catch one of these minibuses at the side of any main road and before jumping on, simply ask the driver whether he is going to your destination and if he is, he’ll drop you off as close to it as possible. In bigger cities, like Dar es Salaam you will need to find the nearest bus terminal to board a dalla-dalla. Expect to pay between R8 and R15 per trip.

Dar Rapid Transit

If Dar es Salaam is where you find yourself, then you’re in luck. The Dar Rapid Transit project is slowly but surely replacing the somewhat reckless and uncomfortable dalla-dalla mode of transport. Click here to download a printable map of the latest route system. The latest line connecting Ubungo bus terminal with the city centre will gradually be expanded to include more destinations. Most routes cost R4 and you can pay for your ticket at the station before boarding.

Bajaji

If you’re familiar with the Indian style tuk-tuk, then you’ll know what to expect when you travel by bajaji. These nifty three-wheeled vehicles make transport possible for locals and tourists alike, at a rate of around R20 per trip. Look out for them in city traffic – they’re usually painted in bright, easily recognisable colours like red, yellow, blue or green. This is a great way to go if you’re looking to travel smaller routes of a kilometre or two.

Coaches

For longer distances, luxury coaches are available at comparatively low rates when compared to other African countries. With these coaches, you’ll have leg room, air-con, reclining seats and sometimes even Wi-Fi and hostesses serving refreshments. You’ll have to ask your hotel or guesthouse where you’ll find the nearest terminal or check online before travelling. This mode of transport costs more but there are fewer stops.

Renting a car

If you’re unwilling to compromise on comfort and you’d like to do what you want, when you want to do it, then you can rent a car. Word of advice though – when you rent a car, also opt for renting a driver. You’ll be glad you did. You’ll be hard pressed to find Tanzanian drivers who show any regard for road signs or laws, and traffic in the major cities can be particularly chaotic. Most of the car hire companies in Tanzania include a driver rental fee for this reason. If you’re travelling during the wet season and plan on visiting the parks and reserves, then your best bet is renting a 4X4. Expect to pay around R1000 a day for a rental car with a driver.

Did you know you can search for car rental on Cheapflights.co.za too?

Eat street food or make your own

Step out onto any street in Tanzania and you should be within reach of a street food stand. For budget travellers on the move, these stands are where you’ll get your grub. Tanzania’s local cuisine is a unique blend of the Arabic world, India and the flavours of East Africa. For breakfast, get your hands on some chapattis (flat bread), boiled eggs, a mandazi (doughnut) and some spiced tea with ginger. For lunch you should try mishkaki – cubes of meat on a skewer, cooked over an open pit, or for a quick snack, grab some samosas. For dinner, you could try pilau – a spicy rice dish with added meat and vegetables. If you’ve chosen self-catering accommodation, you can enjoy the best of both worlds. Head to the nearest supermarket, buy some ingredients and cook your own meal.

There’s so much to do

There’s so much to do in Tanzania and you don’t have to break the bank to experience the best that the country has to offer.

Visit the Village Museum

If a taste of local culture is what you’re after, then head to the Village Museum in Dar es Salaam. Established in 1996, the museum is an ode to Tanzanian tradition and the history of its society. The museum displays the traditional homesteads of 16 different Tanzanian ethnic groups. Each hut is filled with historical objects to discover and experience. The museum provides an accurate snapshot of what Tanzanian heritage looks like and what rural living can still be like, even in modern times. Customary rituals are enacted through dance and music performances during the afternoons. This is the perfect place to pick up a memento or souvenir that captures some of the country’s ethnic beauty. R10 gets you in.

Shop at the Wonder Workshop

Situated in Dar es Salaam, this captivating retail space is where artists and craftsmen with physical disabilities work to create jewellery, sculptures and just about anything made from recycled materials. From Monday to Friday you can watch these talented artisans at work. The Wonder Workshop is a registered Tanzanian NGO that provides employment and contributes to a cleaner and more creative Tanzania. Over 30 craft specialists work at this destination – from carpenters to welders. All the amazing pieces of art can be purchased at the shop on the premises.

Visit the Ngorongoro Conservation Area

No trip to Tanzania is complete without taking the opportunity to admire the wildlife. In the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, you’ll be able to visit two designated Maasai cultural bomas. These pastoralist communities keep cattle, donkeys, goats and sheep. These communities are open to accepting tourists although it is considered bad manners to take photographs of people without their consent. Pay the entrance fee – the experience is well worth it. Here you’ll also get a chance to see the Ngorongoro Crater – the world’s sixth largest unbroken caldera, left behind when a giant volcano exploded around three million years ago. This destination encompasses all the natural beauty that the country has to offer. The entrance fee for the area is R650 per person.

See St Joseph Cathedral

Situated in Dar es Salaam, this sacred religious landmark is a Roman Catholic cathedral built by the Germans between 1897 and 1902. The stained glass windows behind the altars are of particular significance. A majestic example of gothic architecture, located right across from the harbour. Entrance is free.

Go swimming

Tanzania has a beautiful sparkling coastline with a number of magnificent beaches to experience. Head to Stone Town – the old part of Zanzibar City, and dive into the clear waters of Nakupenda Beach. Both Nakupenda beach and Nungwi in the north, are among the most popular coastal destinations. Coco Beach in Dar es Salaam is also a crowd favourite. There are a number of food stalls in the area, as well as a beach bar. Sadly, litter on Coco Beach does detract from its scenic value but during off-peak seasons, it’s a beautiful place to relax and soak up some sun.

Shop at the Tanzania Centre for Cultural Heritage

This Centre preserves and promotes local arts and crafts, including wooden sculpture art called Makonde, tinga tinga paintings and maasai bead art. Try what you might, you won’t come away from this destination without having bought something. It’s a great place for discovering authentic African treasures and experiencing the ambience of local traders going about their business as locals and tourists rub shoulders amongst their stalls. Unlike other market environments, prices are fixed so if you’re short on negotiation skills, this is the one place you won’t need any.

Ready to explore Tanzania on a budget? Start by finding those bargain flights on Cheapflights.co.za…