Entry Requirements
Visa requirements for Tanzania depend on which passport you hold. Check the Traveller visa tool to see whether your passport needs a visa and, if so, how long you can stay.
Check if you need a visa for TanzaniaEmergency Numbers
- General
- 112
- Police
- 999
- Ambulance
- 115
Currency
- Name
- Tanzanian Shilling
- Code
- TZS
- Symbol
- Sh
USD widely accepted in tourist areas and national parks. ATMs in Dar es Salaam, Arusha, and Zanzibar. Cash preferred in smaller towns and markets. Park fees must be paid in USD. Cards accepted at upmarket hotels.
Power Outlets
- Outlet types
- Type D, Type G
- Voltage
- 230V
- Frequency
- 50Hz
Time Zone
EAT (UTC+3) — no daylight saving
Best Time to Visit
June–October is the long dry season — best for wildlife viewing (Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Tarangire, Ruaha), the Great Migration's river crossing (July–September), and Kilimanjaro climbing (best visibility). January–February (short dry season) is excellent for calving in the Ndutu area. Zanzibar is beach-perfect June–October and December–February. The Southern Circuit (Selous/Nyerere, Ruaha) is brilliant July–October.
Tipping Customs
| Venue | Typical | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Safari guides | $15–20 USD per day per group | — |
| Kilimanjaro porters and guides | $10–15 USD per day per porter; $20–25 for lead guides | — |
| Restaurants | 10% | — |
Dress Code
- Safari neutral colours (khaki, olive, beige) — avoid bright colours that disturb animals
- Zanzibar: modest dress in Stone Town and on beaches with locals; swimwear at beach resorts
- Modest dress throughout mainland Tanzania
Social Etiquette
- Tanzania is home to over 120 ethnic groups — a genuinely plural society unified by Swahili as the national language
- The Great Wildebeest Migration (1.5 million wildebeest, 200,000 zebra) between the Serengeti and Kenya's Masai Mara is the greatest wildlife spectacle on earth
- Kilimanjaro (5,895m) is the highest free-standing mountain in the world and climbed by 40,000+ people per year — altitude sickness is the main risk, even on the more gradual routes
- Zanzibar's Stone Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site — a labyrinthine medieval city of Arab, Indian, and African architecture where the slave trade's history is still tangible
Local Laws
Laws change. Verify current rules with your country's official travel advisory before departure.
- LGBTQ+ same-sex activity is illegal with up to 30 years imprisonment — exercise extreme caution, especially on Zanzibar which has stricter Islamic enforcement
- Plastic bags are banned — do not bring plastic bags through customs
- Wildlife products (ivory, shells, hides) cannot be exported — even souvenirs
Common Phrases
| English | Local | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Hello (Swahili) | Habari / Jambo | hah-BAH-ree / JAHM-boh — 'Jambo' is the tourist greeting; 'Habari' is what locals say |
| Thank you (Swahili) | Asante (sana) | ah-SAHN-teh (SAH-nah) — adding 'sana' means 'very much' |
| Welcome (Swahili) | Karibu | kah-REE-boo — also 'you're welcome' |
| No problem (Swahili) | Hakuna matata | hah-KOO-nah mah-TAH-tah — yes, it's real Swahili, not just a Disney song |
| How are you? (Swahili) | Habari yako? | hah-BAH-ree YAH-koh — 'what's your news?' |
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