Tanzania travel info
Electricity
The electrical current 230 volts, 50Hz. Rectangular or round three-pin plugs are used.
Language
Swahili and English are the official languages, though several indigenous languages are also spoken.
Money
The official currency is the Tanzanian shilling (TZS), which is divided into 100 cents. The tourism industry prices everything in US dollars and this is the preferred unit of currency for hotels, lodges, resorts, safaris, national parks and attractions, guides and tours, as well as high-end restaurants. Money can be exchanged in larger towns; foreign exchange bureaux may offer a better rate of exchange than banks.
Major cities have ATMs that accept foreign debit cards and issue Tanzanian shillings, though they sometimes break down or run out of money. To minimise the risk of card cloning, travellers should use ATMs located in banks, shops, hotels and shopping centres rather than on the street.
Major lodges, some hotels and travel agents in urban areas accept credit cards, but these shouldn't be relied on and can incur a surcharge. International digital wallet services such as Apple Pay and Google Pay are still relatively limited in their availability, especially for everyday transactions.
Tipping
Waiters in the better restaurants should be tipped around 10 percent; guides, porters and cooks in the wildlife parks and on safari trips usually receive tips as well. The amount is discretionary according to the standard of service and the number of people in the travelling party.
Health
Visitors should consider vaccinations for hepatitis A, hepatitis B, typhoid, and polio, and proof of yellow fever vaccination is required if visitors are coming from or have transited through an airport of a country where yellow fever occurs. There's a risk of malaria all year and outbreaks of Rift Valley Fever occur; travellers should take precautions to avoid mosquito bites and take malaria medication.
Food prepared by unlicensed vendors should be avoided, as meat and milk products from animals may not have been cooked thoroughly. Sleeping sickness is a risk in the game parks, including the Serengeti, and visitors should take precautions against bites by tsetse flies.
There's a high prevalence of HIV/Aids; cholera outbreaks are common throughout the country and visitors are advised to drink bottled or sterilised water only. Travellers climbing Mount Kilimanjaro are at risk for altitude sickness.
Medical services are available in Dar-es-Salaam and other main towns, but facilities and supplies are limited even in cities and often non-existent in rural areas. Visitors with particular requirements should take their own medicines. Comprehensive travel insurance is advised.
Safety
Most visits to Tanzania are trouble free, but violent and armed crime does exist. Travellers are sometimes the victims of mugging and bag snatching (especially by passing cars or motorbikes), and armed robbery and burglary rates have increased throughout the country. Travellers should avoid walking and cycling at night, and should walk towards the traffic so they can see the vehicles approaching. They should also avoid carrying large amounts of cash or other valuables, and leave their passport in the hotel safe.
As in other East African countries, there's some threat of terrorism in Tanzania, and visitors should be cautious in public places and at tourist sites. The areas bordering Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo and with Mozambique in the Mtwara region should also be avoided.
Road accidents are common due to poor road and vehicle conditions, violation of traffic regulations and exhaustion among long-distance drivers. There have also been a number of ferry accidents in Tanzania in recent years. Travellers should take precautions, such as staying away from buses or ferries that seem overloaded or in poor condition.
Local customs
Tanzanians are known to be friendly and are generally welcoming, but travellers should be sensitive to local cultural mores. Drunkenness is frowned upon and Tanzanians feel strongly about showing respect for their elders.
Visitors to Zanzibar should be aware that it's a predominantly Muslim region and visitors should dress modestly and respectfully. Beachwear is fine on the beach or around a hotel pool, but not acceptable elsewhere. Topless sunbathing is a criminal offence. Some tourists buy a local sarong, called a kanga, which can be used to cover shoulders when needed, or otherwise be used as a towel.
Smoking in public places is illegal; tourists should be especially careful during Ramadan, when public drinking, smoking and even eating in public should be avoided. Homosexuality is illegal.
Doing business
Although Tanzanians come across as relaxed and friendly, it's important to observe certain formalities, especially with greetings. It's advisable to learn a few Swahili phrases when greeting, followed by a handshake.
Women and men rarely shake hands in Swahili culture; however, if the woman extends her hand, the man is obliged to take it. Tanzanians are to be addressed as Mr, Mrs, and Ms, followed by the family name.
Business dress is seldom very formal but lightweight suits are recommended for formal occasions. Business hours are similar to Western countries, but a longer lunch break is taken during the hotter months, and business continues later in the evening from Monday to Friday.
Duty free
Travellers to Tanzania do not have to pay duty on 250g tobacco, 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars, and one litre of whisky and liquors or two litres of wine.
Communications
The international country dialling code for Tanzania, as well as Zanzibar, is +255. There's good mobile phone coverage in main cities and towns, while rural areas may have limited coverage. There are international roaming agreements with most international operators. WiFi is available in main towns and resorts; visitors can purchase local prepaid SIM cards for unlocked phones or use eSIMs if their cellular providers support it on their networks.
Passport & Visa
All visitors to Tanzania require proof of sufficient funds and should hold documentation for their return or onward journey. Passports should be valid for at least six months from date of entry. Most visitors entering will require a visa as well. Those arriving from an infected country must hold a yellow fever vaccination certificate. It's highly recommended that travellers' passports have at least six months' validity remaining after the intended date of departure from their travel destination. Immigration officials often apply different rules to those stated by travel agents and official sources.
Entry requirements
US passports must be valid for six months from the date of entry. Travellers will need to apply for an eVisa before visiting Tanzania.
UK passports must be valid for six months from the date of entry. Travellers will need to apply for an eVisa before visiting Tanzania.
Canadian passports must be valid for six months from the date of entry. Travellers will need to apply for an eVisa before visiting Tanzania.
Australian passports must be valid for six months from the date of entry. Travellers will need to apply for an eVisa before visiting Tanzania.
South Africans do not require a visa if intending to stay for a maximum of up to 90 days, provided that the passport is valid for six months from date of entry.
Irish passports must be valid for six months from the date of entry. Travellers will need to apply for an eVisa before visiting Tanzania.
New Zealand passports must be valid for six months from the date of entry. Travellers will need to apply for an eVisa before visiting Tanzania.
Useful contacts
Tanzanian Tourist Office: www.tanzaniatourism.go.tz
112 (General)Embassies / consulates in other countries
Embassy of Tanzania, Washington DC, United States: +1 (0)202 884 1080
High Commission of Tanzania, London, United Kingdom (also responsible for Ireland): +44 (0)20 7569 1470
High Commission of Tanzania, Ottawa, Canada: +1 (0)613 232 1509
Embassy of Tanzania, Tokyo, Japan (also responsible for Australia and New Zealand): +81 (0)3 3425 4531
High Commission of Tanzania, Pretoria, South Africa: +27 (0)12 342 4371
Embassies / consulates in Tanzania
United States Embassy, Dar-es-Salaam: +255 (0)22 229 4000
British High Commission, Dar-es-Salaam: +255 (0)22 229 0000
Canadian High Commission, Dar-es-Salaam (also responsible for Madagascar, Comoros and Seychelles): +255 (0)22 216 3300
Australian High Commission, Nairobi, Kenya (also responsible for Tanzania): +252 (0)20 4277 100
South African High Commission, Dar-es-Salaam: +255 (0)22 221 8500
Irish Embassy, Dar-es-Salaam: +255 (0)22 260 2355
New Zealand High Commission, Pretoria, South Africa (also responsible for Tanzania): +27 (0)12 435 9000