Know Before You Go

Visa on arrival available for most nationalities at Dar es Salaam, Kilimanjaro, and Zanzibar airports (USD 50 for most, single entry). Alternatively, obtain tourist visa from Tanzanian embassy beforehand. Passport valid for 6 months minimum. Yellow fever vaccination certificate required if arriving from endemic countries. eVisa is also available online.

Tanzanian Shilling (TZS) is official currency; USD is accepted in tourist areas. ATMs available in major cities (Dar, Arusha, Moshi, Zanzibar); Visa and Mastercard work reliably. Exchange rates are better at banks than street dealers. Credit cards accepted in hotels and established restaurants. Carry cash for remote areas and markets.

Major providers: Vodacom, Airtel, and Tigo. SIM cards available at airport and shops (minimal cost, USD 1-2). 4G/LTE coverage in cities; 3G/2G elsewhere. Tourist SIM bundles include data. Internet is reliable in urban areas; backup offline maps for safaris. Most lodges and hotels have Wi-Fi.

Intercity buses are common and affordable but uncomfortable; long-distance travel by bus takes 12+ hours. Domestic flights (Precision Air, Coastal Aviation) are reliable and recommended for longer distances. Taxis in cities are available; negotiate fares beforehand or use meter-equipped taxis. Car hire with driver is common for safaris and multi-day trips; book through lodges or established agencies. Roads in northern regions are good; southern roads are variable.

Malaria is endemic; take prophylaxis, use mosquito nets, and apply insect repellent. Typhoid and hepatitis A vaccination recommended. Yellow fever vaccination required. Medical facilities in Dar es Salaam and Arusha are good; remote areas have limited care. Tap water in cities is treated but drink bottled water where possible. Travel insurance with evacuation coverage is important.

Swahili and English are widely spoken; learning basic Swahili greetings is appreciated. Respect for elders is important. Greetings are extended and relationship-building comes before business. Photography requires permission; offers of payment are expected in some contexts. Avoid pointing at people or sacred sites. Modest dress is expected, especially in rural and coastal areas. Tipping is common in tourist venues (10% for good service).

Dry season: June-October (cool and clear; best for safaris); long rains: March-May (wildlife dispersed but lush); short rains: November-February (warm and variable). Mount Kilimanjaro can be climbed year-round but dry seasons are safest. Coastal areas are warm year-round; cyclone risk exists in April-May. Best overall window: June-September for safaris, though all seasons offer access.

Julius Nyerere International Airport (DAR) in Dar es Salaam is the main hub, served by Ethiopian Airlines, Kenya Airways, Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines, and regional carriers. Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) serves the north. Overland entry from Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Congo, Zambia, and Malawi is common; Lake Tanganyika ferries connect Congo and Zambia.