Tanzania
Peak (Dry): June – October. This time of the year offers the best visibility. This is the best time to summit Kilimanjaro and there is more movement of animals in the parks, such as the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater.
Heavy Rain Season: March – May. There are fewer crowds during this time of the year. It is great for birdwatching; however, it is not great for summiting Kilimanjaro or viewing large mammals.
Short Rain season: November – December.
Short Dry Season: January – February.
I highly recommend taking cash out of the ATMs available at the airport. If not, make sure to ask where the closest ATM is at your accommodation. While there are plenty of places that take credit card (this is where there are a number of places that only accept cash – including to purchase food and souvenirs.
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Network Reality: Our international roaming plan through our US carrier worked well in cities like Arusha and Moshi. However, don’t expect a signal once you head into the bush. There is virtually no service deep in the wilderness of the Serengeti, and once you start hiking Mt. Kilimanjaro, you are effectively off the grid.
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Off-Grid Strategy: Download your offline maps and sync your Spotify playlists before leaving the city. We treated the lack of bars as part of the experience—a rare chance to actually disconnect.
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Power & Plugs: Tanzania primarily uses Type G plugs (the rectangular three-pin plug used in the UK). The standard voltage is 230V.
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Field Charging: Since you’ll be away from walls for days at a time on safari or the mountain, a high-capacity power bank is non-negotiable. Many safari vehicles have internal charging ports, but they can be slow, so come prepared with your own juice.
We were camped in a yurt deep in the Serengeti, surrounded by a darkness so thick it felt physical. In the middle of the night, the silence broke—first with the low, chest-rattling roar of a lion a few miles away, followed by the eerie, high-pitched groans of hyenas that sounded a bit like human laughter. It was genuinely creepy, a bit unsettling, and absolutely awesome. It was one of those rare moments where you realize you aren’t just watching the wilderness; you’re right in the middle of its hierarchy.