Tanzania Travel

Page Updated: Apr 2020

Tanzania Travel - Tanzania is in East Africa with the Indian Ocean on the coast to the east. It shares land borders with Uganda and Kenya in the north, Mozambique and Malawi in the south, Zambia in the south-west and Zaire, Burundi and Rwanda in the west. Tanzania is quintessentially Africa with the wildebeest migration across endless savannah, the snow of Mt Kilimanjaro, the Masai warriors and exotic beaches of Zanzibar.

Tanzania Travel Facts

Formerly: Tanganyika
Capital: Dodoma
Area: 945,087 km2
Population: 37,187,939
Language: Kiswahili, English and many local languages

Time In Tanzania

In Tanzania, the 12 hour clock is sometimes used locally which may be somewhat confusing to visitors. The first time cycle starts with 'one' at 7 am and goes to 'twelve' at 6 pm. The second time cycle starts with 'one' at 7 pm and goes on to 6 am at 'twelve'. Airline schedules and most businesses work on Western time but if you are making a casual appointment to meet a local, it may be worth confirming the time as 'English' rather than 'Tanzanian'.

Tanzania Money

The local currency is Tanzanian shilling (TZS).
Locations of Visa ATMs in Dar Es Salaam
Locations of Cirrus/Mastercard/Maestro ATMs in Dar Es Salaam.
ATMs are the cheapest way to get local currency in Tanzania but be security aware when using an ATM. Also don't wholly rely on getting your local cash at an ATM in Tanzania - they are sometimes empty or broken. Read more on money in Africa
There are a number of banks and ATMs in larger cities and towns such as Dar Es Salaam, Arusha and Kilimanjaro but they are few and far between in remote rural areas.
There are both Visa and Mastercard ATMs at Dar Es Salaam airport.

Electricity In Tanzania

Voltage: 230 V | Frequency: 50 Hz | Power sockets: Type D & E

Tanzania Map

Tanzania Plastic Bag Ban

As of 1 June 2019, the Government of Tanzania issued an official notice to travellers planning to visit Tanzania that all plastic carrier bags, regardless of their thickness will be prohibited from being imported, exported, manufactured, sold, stored, supplied and used in mainland Tanzania.

Visitors to Tanzania are advised to avoid carrying plastic carrier bags or packing plastic carrier bags or items in plastic carrier bags in the suitcase or hand luggage before embarking on visit to Tanzania. A special desk will be designated at all entry points for surrender of plastics carrier bags that visitors may be bringing into Tanzania.

Plastic Ziploc bags used for carrying toiletries etc are exempt because they are expected to remain in the permanent possession of visitors and are not expected to be disposed of in the country. Read More

Getting To Tanzania

KLM

Non-Stop from Schipol, Amsterdam to Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania
Non-Stop from Schipol, Amsterdam to Kilimanjaro, Tanzania

Swiss

Non-Stop from Zurich, Switzerland to Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania

Emirates

Non-Stop from Dubai, UAE to Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania

Qatar Airways

Non-Stop from Doha, Qatar to Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania
1-Stop from Doha, Qatar via Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania to Kilimanjaro, Tanzania

Etihad Airways

Non-Stop from Abu Dhabi, UAE to Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania

South African Airways

Non-Stop from Johannesburg to Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania

Precision Air

Non-Stop from Dar Es Salaam to Kilimanjaro, Tanzania
Non-Stop from Dar Es Salaam to Arusha, Tanzania

Tanzania Travel Health

Vaccinations/boosters are strongly recommended for:

Tanzania is classed by the WHO as a 'low risk' country for Yellow Fever. As of 4 February 2015, you will no longer have to produce proof of yellow fever vaccination on arrival from Tanzania if you are transiting in South Africa. Read more

Malaria In Tanzania

Malaria Map Of Tanzania

Prophylaxis is recommended for all areas of Tanzania, except for altitudes over 1800m. The risk is lower in Dar es Salaam than in rural areas.

Other Health Hazards In Tanzania

All hepatitis strains are present.
Bilharzia is present in fresh water.
Outbreaks of Meningitis may occur.
Food and drink contamination.

Getting A Visa For Tanzania

US & UK nationals who wish to visit Tanzania for tourism or holiday purposes, are required apply for a single or multiple entry visa with 3 month duration.

You can now use the Tanzania Electronic Visa Application System. Instructions, guidelines and required documentation can be found here.