Tanzania’s national parks are managed by Tanzania National Parks (TANAPA). The Ngorongoro Conservation Area has its own authority. The rules are similar across all of them, and they exist to protect wildlife and keep visitors safe. Your guide will follow them strictly, so it helps to know them before you arrive.
Main rules at a glance
| Rule | Detail |
|---|---|
| Park hours | Roughly 6:00 to 18:00–18:30. No game drives after dark. |
| Speed limit | 50 km/h maximum; lower in many areas |
| Stay on tracks | No off-road driving in most areas |
| Stay in the vehicle | Except at designated sites or on guided walks |
| No feeding animals | Including monkeys and birds at picnic sites |
| No littering | Take all rubbish with you |
| Quiet at sightings | No shouting, music or phone calls |
| Drones | Not allowed without special written permission |
Park hours
Vehicles can enter from around 6:00 and must be at their lodge, camp or out of the park by around sunset. Exact times vary slightly between parks. Staying out late can lead to fines for your guide. Night game drives are not allowed inside national parks, though some camps just outside offer them.
Driving rules
The speed limit is 50 km/h, and often lower. Animals cross roads without warning, and dust affects other visitors. In most areas vehicles must stay on marked tracks. Off-road driving damages grassland and disturbs animals, and fines for guides are strict. A few areas allow limited off-road driving with permits.
Staying in the vehicle
You may only leave the vehicle at designated places: picnic sites, viewpoints, campsites, lodges and some marked areas. This is for your safety. Animals that ignore a vehicle will react very differently to a person on foot. Walking safaris are available in some parks, always with an armed ranger.
Behaviour at sightings
- Keep voices low and switch phones to silent.
- Keep a respectful distance and do not block an animal’s path.
- Do not call, whistle or bang the vehicle to get an animal’s attention.
- Share sightings. Guides take turns so everyone gets a view.
- Do not use flash on nocturnal animals near camp.
Food and rubbish
Never feed wildlife. At picnic sites, keep food inside the vehicle or close at hand. Baboons, vervet monkeys and black kites are experts at stealing. Take all rubbish with you. Plastic carrier bags are banned in Tanzania, so pack reusable bags.
Fees and permits
Parks charge conservation fees per person, usually per 24 hours, plus vehicle and guide fees. The Ngorongoro Crater also charges a fee per vehicle to descend. Fees are set by the authorities and change from time to time. When you book with us, they are included in your price and paid in advance. Read our guide to Tanzania safari costs.
Drones and photography
Drones are not allowed in national parks without special written permission. Commercial filming needs separate permits and fees. Personal photography is fine, but always ask before photographing people. Read drone rules in Tanzania for more.
Clothing and conduct
- Camouflage clothing is reserved for the military in Tanzania.
- Neutral colours are best in the parks. Our packing list has details.
- Smoking is only allowed in designated areas. Never throw cigarettes from a vehicle; fires spread fast in dry grass.
Why the rules matter
Tanzania protects a large share of its land for wildlife, and tourism fees help pay for it. The rules keep animals wild, protect the habitat and keep sightings good for everyone. Guests who follow them get better sightings, because animals stay relaxed around vehicles.
For what a safari day looks like within these rules, read what to expect on safari in Tanzania. Ready to go? The Northern Loop and Serengeti & Crater are good first trips.
Frequently asked questions
Most parks open around 6:00 and game drives must end around sunset, roughly 18:00 to 18:30. Your guide plans the day around these times.
Only at designated places such as picnic sites, viewpoints, campsites and lodges, or on a guided walk with an armed ranger.
Park and conservation fees are usually included in your safari price and paid by your operator. If you pay yourself, parks generally require card payment.
