Travel Information

TRAVEL INFORMATION

Passport & Visa

All visitors to Tanzania require a return or onward ticket and a valid passport with an entry or re-entry visa, duly endorsed. Visas are not required for visitors from some member countries of the Commonwealth and other specified countries. Visas can be obtained from any Tanzania Diplomatic Mission or Consulate abroad, and at main entry points including international airports, sea ports and border posts.

Health

Visitors originating from or transiting through countries endemic with yellow fever are required to produce valid yellow fever vaccination certificates at entry points. Visitors are advised to take anti-malaria tablets and make use of mosquito nets and insect sprays where provided. Visitors are also advised to obtain travel insurance that would cover medical expenses among many other things. For covid-19 please visit our covid update page

Customs

Personal effects including binoculars, cameras, film, may be imported (temporarily) free of duty. A custom bond may be demanded from visitors bringing in professional video/filming equipment, radios, tape recorders and musical instruments to ensure the goods are re- exported. Firearms require a special permit that should be obtained in advance. Visitors buying local handicrafts must keep cash sales receipts and ownership certificates for wildlife trophies for presentation to Customs officials on departure.

Currency

The unit of currency is the Tanzania Shilling which is divided into 100 cents. Visitors can bring with them any amount of foreign currency but it is against the law to import or export Tanzania Currency. Foreign currency in cash or in travelers cheques may be exchanged at the commercial banks, authorised dealers, or at the bureaux de change operating at the international airports, major towns and border posts.

Departures

An airport tax of USD 30 is levied on all visitors departing the country by air. In most instances, this fee is included in the passenger's airline ticket. Baggage is weighed at check-in counters and may be inspected by Customs. Airport departure tax for domestic flights is about USD 6. All taxes are subject to change. There is no departure tax when traveling by road.

Luggage

Safari vehicles and small aircraft provide limited space for luggage. It is therefore recommended to travel with light soft-sided bags since bulky suitcases will overload and might not be taken on board.

Climate

The climate is tropical. The coastal areas are hot and humid with an average day temperature of 30 degrees centigrade. The central plateau is dry and arid with hot days and cool nights. In the northwest highlands around Arusha and Ngorongoro, the climate is temperate and cooler between June and September. The long rains are from March to May and the short rains fall between November and January. The hottest months are between October and February.

Clothing

Light tropical clothes, especially cotton slacks, shirts and skirts are most suitable. Some warm clothing is needed in the higher altitude areas around Ngorongoro Crater, mount Kilimanjaro and Arusha - especially in the evening and early morning. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended on safari and guests are advised to carry some insect repellents.

Souvenirs

Tanzania offers a myriad of opportunities for souvenirs, including rare gemstones like Tanzanite. Tanzanite, the native gemstone of Tanzania, is sold in most gemstone shops alongside other locally mined stones like Ruby, Rhodolite and Tourmaline. Tanzanite was named after Tanzania, and was first discovered in 1967, in Arusha which, to date, remains the only commercially viable source in the world. Local curios like the bold Makonde carvings, Tinga Tinga works, batiks and the famous miniature Zanzibar chests are available at very reasonable prices.

Language

The national language is Kiswahili but English is widely spoken and is the language of the tourist trade and other international businesses. Boomerang Safaris, however, boasts of a number of multilingual operations staff and driver-guides.

Air Travel

Several international airlines operate in and out of Tanzania through Dar es Salaam, Kilimanjaro and Zanzibar International Airports. Travel within the country is by the national airline Air Tanzania, and by Precision Air, Regional Air, Air Excel, Coastal Aviation, Zan Air, Fastjet, and Tropical Air.

Flying Doctor Membership

A temporary AMREF Flying Doctors membership is recommended to cover air medical evacuation to Nairobi. Participation fees are USD 30 for air ambulance coverage of Tanzania mainland, Zanzibar and Kenya (AREA 1), and USD 50 for air ambulance coverage of Tanzania mainland, Zanzibar, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi (AREA 2), all valid for a period of up to 30 days.

Time

Tanzania has only one time zone. Local time is GMT + 3 and Daylight Savings Time is not used.

Electricity

215 - 230 Volts, 50 Cycles AC