Tanzania Travel Guide

Tanzania Travel Guide

Planning a trip to Tanzania is exciting, and having the right practical information makes the experience smoother from start to finish. This guide covers the essential topics you need to know before you travel, from visas and vaccinations to currency, tipping, and cultural etiquette. Bookmark this page and refer back to it as your departure date approaches.

Visa Requirements

Most nationalities require a visa to enter Tanzania. The easiest option is the e-visa, which can be applied for online at the official Tanzania Immigration website. Processing typically takes 5–10 business days, and the visa is valid for 90 days from the date of issue. Single-entry tourist visas cost $50 for most nationalities. US citizens require a multiple-entry visa at $100. East African tourist visas, which allow combined travel through Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda, are available for $100. Always check the latest requirements with your nearest Tanzanian embassy or consulate, as regulations can change.

Health and Vaccinations

Consult a travel health clinic at least four to six weeks before departure. The following vaccinations are recommended or required:

• Yellow Fever: Required if arriving from a yellow fever endemic country; recommended for all travellers
• Hepatitis A and B: Recommended
• Typhoid: Recommended
• Routine vaccinations: Ensure tetanus, diphtheria, and polio are up to date
• Malaria: Tanzania is a malaria zone. Antimalarial prophylaxis is strongly recommended. Common options include Malarone (atovaquone-proguanil), doxycycline, and mefloquine. Discuss options with your doctor.

Bring insect repellent with DEET, and wear long sleeves and trousers during dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active. Drink only bottled or purified water.

Currency and Money

The official currency is the Tanzanian Shilling (TZS), but the US Dollar is widely accepted for tourism services, park fees, and tipping. Bring clean, undamaged US bills dated 2013 or later — older notes are often rejected. ATMs are available in Arusha, Dar es Salaam, Moshi, and Stone Town, but they are unreliable in remote areas and inside national parks. Credit cards are accepted at upmarket hotels and lodges but not at smaller establishments. We recommend carrying a mix of US dollars in cash and a debit/credit card as backup.

Climate and What to Wear

Tanzania sits just south of the equator and enjoys a tropical climate, but temperatures vary significantly with altitude. Arusha and the safari highlands (1,200–1,800m) are pleasantly warm during the day (25–30°C) and cool at night (10–15°C). The Ngorongoro Crater rim at 2,200m can be genuinely cold, especially at dawn. Zanzibar and the coast are hot and humid year-round (28–35°C). The long rains fall from March to May, and the short rains from November to December. Pack layers, neutral-coloured clothing, a warm fleece, a rain jacket, and comfortable walking shoes.

Language and Communication

The national languages are Swahili (Kiswahili) and English. English is widely spoken in the tourism industry, and your guides will be fluent. Learning a few basic Swahili phrases will earn you warm smiles everywhere you go:

• Jambo — Hello
• Habari — How are you?
• Nzuri — Good / Fine
• Asante (sana) — Thank you (very much)
• Karibu — Welcome / You're welcome
• Hakuna matata — No problem

Mobile phone coverage is available in most towns and along major roads. Safari lodges and camps increasingly offer Wi-Fi, though speeds are often slow. Purchase a local SIM card from Vodacom or Airtel upon arrival for affordable data and calls.

Tipping Guidelines

Tipping is customary in Tanzania and is an important part of income for tourism workers. The following are general guidelines per person per day:

• Safari guide/driver: $15–20 per day
• Safari cook: $5–10 per day
• Lodge/camp staff: $10–15 per day (shared among all staff)
• Kilimanjaro guide: $20–25 per day
• Kilimanjaro porters: $8–10 per porter per day
• Kilimanjaro cook: $10–15 per day
• Restaurant servers: 10% of the bill if service charge is not included

Tips are best given in US dollars or Tanzanian shillings. Tip envelopes are usually provided at the end of your safari or climb.

Electricity and Adapters

Tanzania uses Type D and Type G (UK three-pin) electrical outlets at 230V, 50Hz. Bring a universal travel adapter. Power outages are common outside major cities, and most safari camps run on solar or generator power with limited charging hours. A portable power bank is essential for keeping cameras and phones charged during long game drives.

Cultural Etiquette

Tanzanians are warm, friendly, and deeply respectful people. To show respect in return:

• Dress modestly in towns and villages, especially on Zanzibar and the coast where the population is predominantly Muslim. Cover shoulders and knees.
• Ask permission before photographing people — most will happily agree, and a small tip is appreciated.
• Use your right hand or both hands when giving or receiving items.
• Remove shoes before entering someone's home.
• Greetings are important — always say hello before launching into a request or transaction.

A respectful, open-minded attitude goes a long way in Tanzania, and you will be rewarded with genuine warmth and hospitality wherever you go.