Eastern Africa
Eastern AfricaTanzaniaTravel guide
- Dodoma
- Arusha
- Dar es Salaam
- Kigoma
- Mbeya
- Morogoro
Tanzania is the largest country in East Africa. It has wildlife parks, Indian Ocean beaches, Mount Kilimanjaro and historic towns.
Why go
See wildlife in the Serengeti and Ngorongoro.
Explore Zanzibar's beaches and coastal towns.
Climb Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa's highest mountain.
Visit southern parks such as Ruaha and Mikumi.
See Stone Age sites near Iringa and Kolo.
Best time to go: June to August has comfortable days and cool evenings. January to February is a good time for the Serengeti migration, but it can be very hot. Long rains from March to May can close resorts and make park trails impassable.
Getting there
By air
- The two main airports are Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam and Kilimanjaro International Airport.
- Kilimanjaro International Airport is halfway between Arusha and Moshi.
- International airlines connect Tanzania with Europe, the Middle East, Asia and other African countries.
By land
- Buses connect Nairobi in Kenya with Arusha, a base for Mount Meru and Ngorongoro Crater.
- At Namanga, passengers can walk through the border crossing and rejoin their bus on the Tanzanian side.
- Buses from Dar es Salaam also travel to Malawi, Uganda and Rwanda.
By sea
- Azam Marine and Fast Ferries connect Dar es Salaam with Zanzibar. The crossing takes about 90 minutes.
Customs
- From October 1, 2026, foreign visitors entering Tanzania must buy mandatory state-sponsored inbound travel insurance.
- Visa-on-arrival fees at land borders must be paid in cash. Bring the exact amount in US dollars.
- Airport visa queues can be long when several international flights arrive together.
Getting around
Intercity buses
Buses are the most common way to travel around Tanzania. Poor roads can make journeys slow and bumpy. Air-conditioned first-class buses run on the Dar es Salaam–Moshi–Arusha route. Use the proper ticket desk and check your luggage in with the actual driver. People at Arusha's terminal may pretend to be ticket sellers or drivers.
Dala-dalas
These shared minibuses provide cheap travel around Dar es Salaam. Routes appear on the front and sides, and fares are written near the door. Pay the conductor when asked. Ask someone at your destination for the stop name before travelling, as stops may have no signs. Shout 'Shusha!' when you want to get off. Services do not run very late.
Three-wheeled taxis
These are called tuk-tuks, baby taxis or bajajis. They cost less than regular taxis but may be less safe. Agree on the fare before leaving. Check that the driver knows your destination.
Domestic flights
Flying is faster and safer than road travel if you can afford it. Domestic airlines serve major cities, Zanzibar and many national parks. Flights are often late but generally reliable.
What to see and do
Northern safari parks
The Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Manyara and Tarangire form the Northern Circuit. Tour companies offer many packages for these parks.
Southern safari parks
Selous, Mikumi and Ruaha form the Southern Circuit. Iringa is a useful base for exploring the south.
Zanzibar
The island has white-sand beaches, palm trees and Indian Ocean waters.
Bagamoyo
Historic slave-trade sites offer a serious look at the area's past.
Isimila Gorge
This Stone Age site is near Iringa.
Rock paintings near Kolo
These paintings are north of Kondoa in the Dodoma area. Some are thought to be around 30,000 years old.
Food and drink
Ugali
A thick corn-flour dish served with cooked meat or stews. It is eaten with your hands.
Mtori
A dish made with cooked beef and bananas.
Mchicha
A vegetable stew containing meat or fish.
Chipsi Mayai
Chips cooked in an omelette, widely sold at food stands. Pili pili is the hot sauce often served with it.
Mandazi
A sweet, doughnut-like snack, often made fresh in the morning.
Street snacks
Barbecued corn on the cob and chips are cheap and widely available.
Money
Tanzanian shilling (TZS), written as TSh, /= or /-.
- Most shops and restaurants expect Tanzanian shillings. Carry small notes and exact change for small shops.
- Safaris and Kilimanjaro climbs are generally priced in US dollars. Non-residents must pay national park entry fees in US dollars.
- Mainland hotels expect shillings. Zanzibar hotels require foreign currency from non-residents, though they may exchange shillings for you.
- Larger, newer US dollar notes usually get better exchange rates. Notes older than 2003, or notes with writing on them, may be refused.
Tipping: The source suggests TSh 500–1,000 for a parking attendant to watch your vehicle. It gives no general tipping guidance.
Typical costs
- Simple guesthouse rooms were listed at TSh 8,000–20,000 in 2021.
- A standard-size Tinga Tinga painting is listed at TSh 5,000–10,000.
- Street parking in Dar es Salaam is listed at TSh 300 for two hours.
- Some banks charge about TSh 10,000–15,000 per cash withdrawal with an overseas card; others charge US$5 or no fee.
Language
- Swahili and English are the official languages.
- Swahili is spoken almost everywhere. English is used mainly in business and higher education.
- More than 100 other languages are spoken by different ethnic groups.
- Shusha!
- Let me off; used on a dala-dala.
- Asante
- Thank you.
- Asante sana
- Thank you very much; can accompany a head shake to decline an offer.
- Sihitaji
- I don't need it; a polite refusal.
- Shikamoo
- A respectful greeting for an elder or superior.
- Marahaba
- The usual reply to shikamoo.
- Kulia / kushoto
- Right / left.
- Moja kwa moja / simama
- Straight ahead / stop.
Staying safe
- The source includes a September 2025 warning about an anti-gay crackdown. People perceived to be homosexual face danger.
- The source advises avoiding Mtwara Region because of the threat of terrorism.
- Road travel can be dangerous because of poor roads, unsafe overtaking and poorly maintained vehicles. Flying is described as safer.
- Keep vehicle doors locked and windows closed. Thieves may reach through windows or open doors to take valuables.
Local customs
Do
- Dress modestly, especially in Zanzibar. A kanga, a colourful wraparound cloth, can provide extra covering.
- Ask before photographing Masai people. They expect payment for photographs.
- Use 'shikamoo' to greet elders respectfully. In Zanzibar, 'chei chei' is the local equivalent.
- Decline unwanted offers politely with 'sihitaji', meaning 'I don't need it'.
Don't
- Do not eat, drink or smoke in public during Ramadan daylight hours. Non-Muslims are not required to fast, but public eating and drinking are considered impolite.
- Do not promise to return to a seller unless you intend to do so.
- Do not use 'hapana', meaning 'no', casually. It is considered rude and is best kept as a last resort.
Staying healthy
- Bottled water is cheap and widely available. Tap water has been found to contain E. coli bacteria.
- Before drinking tap water, boil it or treat it with a high-quality filter and purifier.
- Make sure meat is cooked through. In small villages, peel fruit and vegetables before eating.
- Dar es Salaam can exceed 35°C during the dry season. Stay out of the midday sun and use plenty of sunscreen with a sun protection factor of at least 30.
Where to stay
- Simple guesthouses are found even in small towns and villages. Many cannot be booked online.
- Guesthouse rooms often have a private bathroom and a fan. Prices were listed at TSh 8,000–20,000 in 2021.
- Avoid accommodation touts in bigger cities, as their commission can add US$5–10 to the room price.
- If travelling as a couple, one person can stay with the bags in a lobby or restaurant while the other checks rooms. Looking without bags may help you get a cheaper price.
Trips to Tanzania
Day-by-day itineraries by snuck, shaped around you.
Outdoor adventures in Tanzania
Tanzania offers wildlife safaris, mountain climbs, forest hikes and Indian Ocean beaches. Kilimanjaro and the Serengeti are major draws, while the southern parks offer quieter wildlife trips. Pemba and Zanzibar also offer scuba diving.
Mount Kilimanjaro
ClimbingNortheast Tanzania
HardClimb with a guide.
- The main peak reaches about 5,895 m. This is a challenging mountain climb.
Serengeti National Park
SafariNorthern safari circuit
January–February for migrating herds.Book through a safari company. Tell the company if seeing the wildebeest migration is your main goal.
- Permit: A guide and a four-wheel-drive vehicle are required.
- Cost: Luxury lodges and tented camps can cost US$250–1,500 per person per night.
- January and February can be very hot.
Ngorongoro Conservation Area
SafariNorthern safari circuitnear Karatu
Arrange a safari through a tour company. Travelling to Karatu independently before arranging the safari can save money.
Zanzibar scuba diving
Scuba divingZanzibar
Dive in the waters in and around Zanzibar.
Pemba scuba diving
Scuba divingPemba
Dive in the waters in and around Pemba.
Mount Meru in Arusha National Park
ClimbingArusha National Parknear Arusha
3–4 days, depending on your fitness.Arrange the climb with an armed ranger escort.
- Permit: An armed ranger escort is required. Guides and porters are optional.
- Temperatures can fall below freezing. Bring warm clothing and a suitable sleeping bag.
Ruaha National Park
SafariSouthern safari circuitnear Iringa
Use Iringa as a base to arrange a safari.
Selous Game Reserve
SafariSouthern safari circuit
Book a southern circuit safari through a tour company.
Tarangire National Park
SafariNorthern safari circuit
The dry seasons, when wildlife gathers in high numbers.Visit through a northern circuit safari company. Lodges and campsites are available.
Manyara National Park
SafariNorthern safari circuitnear Mto Wa Mbu
Arrange a safari through a tour company. Travelling independently to Mto Wa Mbu before the safari can save money.
Mikumi National Park
SafariSouthern safari circuit
Book through a tour company offering southern circuit safari packages.
Udzungwa Mountains National Park
Hikenear Iringa
Access the park through gates on the Iringa side. Camping is available.
- Many national park trails become impassable during the March–May long rains.
Gombe Stream National Park
Wildlifenear Kigoma
Take a boat from Kigoma.
- Permit: Park entry is paid.
- Cost: Boat: US$250. Park entry: US$100 per person.
Kitulo National Park
WildlifeKitulo Plateaunear Mbeya
October–April for flowers.Visit the park about 100 km east of Mbeya.
Lion Rock / Simba Hill
HikeNorthern Dodomanear Dodoma
Hike the hill in the north of Dodoma with a group of at least four people.
- Muggings have been reported. Go with at least four people.
Pugu Hills
Hikenear Dar es Salaam
Head to the Pugu Hills, about 12 km west of the airport. Local villagers can act as hiking guides.
Loleza Peak
HikeMbeya areanear Mbeya
Day hike.Hire an experienced guide through a travel agency or one of the better hotels in Mbeya.
- Use an experienced guide.
Mbeya Peak
HikeMbeya areanear Mbeya
Day hike.Hire an experienced guide through a travel agency or one of the better hotels in Mbeya.
- Use an experienced guide.
Malamba Waterfalls
More to doRungwe District, Mbeya Regionnear Tukuyu
Day trip.Drive from Mbeya towards Tukuyu, about 83 km from Mbeya.
Matema Public Beach
BeacheSouthern Highlandsnear Kyela
Travel by car or bus. Be prepared for a longer walk to reach the beach.
- Cost: Rooms are reported at under US$10, including breakfast.
Kigamboni / South Beach
BeacheDar es Salaam coastnear Dar es Salaam
About 5 minutes for the ferry crossing, followed by road travel.Use the Kigamboni ferry north of the Zanzibar ferry terminal, near the main fish market. After crossing, take a taxi or a daladala minibus to the hotel beaches, generally about 5 km away.
- Cost: Ferry: TSh 100. Taxi to the beaches: TSh 10,000–15,000. Sunrise hotel entry: TSh 5,000, including TSh 3,000 in food vouchers.
- Photography is forbidden on the ferry and at its terminals.
Bahari Beach
BeacheDar es Salaam coastnear Dar es Salaam
Travel about 20 km north of Dar es Salaam along New Bagamoyo Road to Bahari Beach hotel.
Coastal kayaking
KayakingTanzania coast
Arrange a coastal kayaking trip with a tour operator.
Longido camel safari
SafariArusha areanear Arusha
Arrange a camel safari at Longido through the local cultural tourism programme. Longido is within an hour's drive of Arusha.
Lake Ngozi
More to doMbeya areanear Mbeya
Visit Lake Ngozi in the Mbeya area.
Airports, metros and trains in Tanzania
Airports with scheduled flights
- ZNZAbeid Amani Karume International AirportZanzibarMain international airport
- DARJulius Nyerere International AirportDar es SalaamMain international airport
- JROKilimanjaro International AirportArushaMain international airport
- MWZMwanza International AirportMwanzaMain international airport
Trains
- Rail network
- 2,600 km
- Electrified
- 440 km
People and safety in Tanzania
Religion
Most people are Christian. Mixed.
- Christian63%
- Muslim34%
- Folk religions2%
- No religion1%
LGBT+ travellers
Same-sex relationships are illegal
- The law allows life imprisonment.
- Some laws protect against discrimination.
Check your own government's travel advice before you go, and be careful with public displays of affection and dating apps.
Women travellers
Ranked #121 of 181 countries for women's safety, inclusion and justice.
60% of women say they feel safe walking alone at night where they live.
Who can visit without a visa
Travellers from 176 of 198 countries can visit Tanzania easily: no visa, a visa at the airport, or a short online form.
- Visa not required49
- Visa on arrival127
- eVisa20
- Visa required2
Who can visit easily, by part of the world
For each part of the world: how many countries' travellers can come easily. Easy means no visa, a visa at the airport, or a short online form.
- Europe46 of 46 countries
- Americas35 of 35 countries
- Oceania14 of 14 countries
- Africa43 of 53 countries
- Asia38 of 50 countries
Questions
When is a good time to visit?
June to August has comfortable days and cool evenings. January to February is good for the Serengeti migration, while the long rains from March to May can disrupt park trips and close resorts.
Can I travel around without hiring a car?
Yes. Buses are the most common option, and trains and domestic flights connect several destinations.
Do I need cash?
Small shops and most restaurants expect Tanzanian shillings, and small notes are useful. Cards are accepted at large hotels, supermarkets, malls, resorts and some travel agencies.
Can I find a room without booking online?
Yes. Many simple guesthouses in towns and villages cannot be booked online, so rooms can be checked directly.
Is tap water safe to drink?
Do not drink untreated tap water. Use bottled water, or boil or properly filter and purify tap water first.
Will English be enough everywhere?
English is an official language, but its use is mainly in business and higher education. Swahili is the main everyday language and is spoken almost everywhere.
What should I wear in Zanzibar?
Wear modest or conservative clothing. A kanga, a locally available wraparound cloth, can be used as a covering.
How do I reach Zanzibar from Dar es Salaam?
Azam Marine and Fast Ferries run boats between Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar. The crossing takes about 90 minutes.
Which local foods could I try?
Try ugali with meat or stew, chipsi mayai, or mandazi. Mtori is made with beef and bananas, while mchicha is a vegetable stew with meat or fish.
How do I avoid confusion when arranging a meeting time?
Ask for the time in English to use the Western clock system. Swahili time counts the day from 6 AM, so its hour numbers differ by six hours.
Reviewed by @snuck