1. Passport & Visa

All visitors to Tanzania need a return or onward ticket and a valid passport with a visa. Some Commonwealth and specified countries are exempt from needing a visa. Visas can be obtained at Tanzania’s diplomatic missions, consulates, or at main entry points such as international airports, seaports, and border posts.

2. Health

Visitors from countries with cholera or yellow fever may need valid vaccination certificates, though it’s not mandatory. It is recommended to take anti-malaria tablets and use mosquito nets and insect sprays. Health insurance is advised.

3. Custom

You can bring personal items like binoculars, cameras, and film without duty. However, a customs bond might be required for professional filming equipment, radios, tape recorders, and musical instruments to ensure they are taken out of the country. Firearms require a special permit obtained in advance. Keep receipts for local handicrafts and ownership certificates for wildlife trophies for Customs when departing.

4. Language

Safari vehicles and small planes have limited luggage space. It is best to travel with light bags as bulky suitcases may not be accommodated.

5. Cloathing

Light tropical clothing, particularly cotton, is recommended. Warm clothes are needed in higher altitude areas like Ngorongoro Crater, Mt. Kilimanjaro, and Arusha, especially in the evenings and mornings. Comfortable walking shoes and insect repellent are advised.

6. Flying Doctor Membership

A temporary Flying Doctor membership is recommended for air medical evacuation to Nairobi. The fee is $25 for Northern Tanzania and $50 for Southern Tanzania.

7. Departure

A departure tax of $30 is charged for visitors leaving Tanzania by air, often included in the airline ticket. In Kenya, this fee must be paid at the airport. Domestic flight departure tax is about $6. Fees may change. No departure tax is charged for road travel.

8. Air Travel

Several international airlines fly to Tanzania through Dar es Salaam and Kilimanjaro International Airports.

• Qatar Airways
• Emirates
• Turkish Airlines
• KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
• Ethiopian Airlines
• Swiss International Air Lines
• Kenya Airways
• Egypt Air
• Oman Air
• RwandAir
• South African Airways

Domestic travel is available through Air Tanzania, Precision Air, Regional Air, Air Excel, and ZanAir.

9. Other Information

Language: Kiswahili is the national language, but English is widely spoken in tourism and business. Other international languages are spoken as well by Driver guides.

Climate: The climate is tropical, with hot and humid conditions on the coast, and cooler, temperate conditions in the northwest highlands. The long rains are from March to May, and the short rains from October to December.

Time: Tanzania is in the GMT +3 time zone with no daylight savings.

Electricity: The voltage is 215-230V, 50Hz AC.

Currency: The currency is the Tanzanian Shilling (TShs). Foreign currency can be exchanged at banks, authorized dealers, or bureau de change at airports, major towns, and border posts. Importing or exporting Tanzanian currency is illegal.