Accessible travel guide

Accessible travel guide for Tanzania

Everything you need to plan a safe, comfortable trip to Tanzania with a disability or reduced mobility, from choosing the season and arriving at the airport to vehicles, parks, lodges and health. Written by our team, who plan accessible safaris every week.

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Is Tanzania accessible?

Tanzania's public infrastructure is still developing: pavements are uneven, kerbs are high and few public buildings have ramps. But a safari is one of the most accessible adventures in Africa, because most wildlife viewing happens from a vehicle. With the right vehicle, lodges checked in advance and a team that understands your needs, wheelchair users, seniors and travellers with sensory or medical conditions enjoy the Serengeti, the Ngorongoro Crater and Zanzibar every year.

Planning step by step

1. Share your needs early. Tell us how you move, transfer and use the bathroom, any equipment you bring, your stamina and medical needs. The more we know, the better we can match vehicles and rooms.
2. Choose the season. June to October brings dry, smoother roads; January and February are warmer. See the best time to visit Tanzania.
3. Pick your pace. Fly between parks to cut long drives, and allow rest days. Two nights per lodge is usually more comfortable than one.
4. Book accessible rooms early. Most lodges have only one or two adapted rooms, which sell out 9–12 months ahead in peak season.
5. Sort documents. eVisa, the mandatory travel insurance, yellow fever certificate if needed, and Flying Doctors cover.

Getting there

Getting around

• Safari vehicles: Land Cruisers with pop-up roofs and portable or dual-track ramps. Tell us if you prefer to transfer to a seat or stay in your chair.
• Transfers: rear-ramp vans let you travel seated in your own wheelchair; swivel-seat vans suit guests who can transfer.
• Light aircraft: narrow steps and small cabins. Our team and the airline lift and assist; folding wheelchairs travel in the hold.
• Roads: tarmac between Arusha and the parks, but bumpy tracks inside them. Cushions and planned rest stops help with pain and fatigue.

Parks and access

Accommodation

Access varies from room to room, so we never rely on the word "accessible" alone. For each stay we check:

• The route from the vehicle to reception, dining areas and your room
• Door widths, thresholds and steps
• Roll-in or walk-in showers, shower seats and grab rails
• Bed height and space to turn a wheelchair
• Power for charging wheelchairs and medical devices, and fridge space for medication

Browse more than 190 hotels, lodges and camps, including properties we have inspected such as Kubu Kubu Tented Lodge, Ngorongoro Safari Lodge, Ndutu Safari Lodge and Moivaro Coffee Lodge.

Health and medical

• See a travel clinic six to eight weeks before you go about malaria prevention and vaccines.
• Carry medication in your hand luggage with copies of prescriptions and a doctor's letter for medical devices.
• Arusha and Dar es Salaam have private hospitals; serious cases are usually evacuated to Nairobi, which is why we recommend Flying Doctors cover.
• Our team is trained in First Aid and Basic Life Support by Amref.

Planning for different access needs

Packing checklist

• Passport, eVisa approval, insurance documents and yellow fever certificate if needed
• Medication for the whole trip plus extra, in hand luggage
• Wheelchair spare parts, puncture kit and tools
• Chargers with type D or G plug adapters (230 V)
• Warm layers for early drives, sun hat and sunscreen
• Pressure-relief cushion for long drives
• Soft bags for light aircraft (around 15–25 kg limits)
• Reusable water bottle; plastic carrier bags are banned in Tanzania

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