A passport is required and must still be valid for at least six months after the date of departure. A visa is required and costs approximately EUR 50.00 or USD 50.00 per person. The visa can be obtained at the Tanzania Embassy in your country or upon arrival at one of Tanzania's international airports, although this is not applicable to all nationalities. For a visa application in Tanzania, you do not need a photograph or a copy of a ticket, which are required by embassies.
The currency in Tanzania is the Tanzanian Shilling. You can take cash in Euros, Pounds, or Dollars and exchange these at the airport or in your hotel or lodge for Tanzanian Shillings. In many places, such as accommodations or souvenir shops, people prefer payment in U.S. Dollars; change is usually given in U.S. Dollars or Tanzanian Shillings at a normal exchange rate. In most places, payments by credit card are also accepted. In bigger cities, there are opportunities to withdraw money from ATMs, but when you are on safari, there is often no opportunity, so it is better to make arrangements in advance. When buying a souvenir in Tanzania, it is customary to bargain for a good price with the seller.
When you travel to Tanzania, there are no mandatory vaccinations, but some are strongly advised.
DTP (Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Polio): If you were previously vaccinated, such as in childhood, it is sufficient to have one injection every 15 years. If not, you should get two DTP injections with at least an interval of four weeks before you leave and receive the third one after six months. The duration of protection is 15 years.
Yellow fever: The injection must be obtained at least 10 days before departure. The duration of protection is 10 years. When you travel to multiple destinations in Africa, proof of vaccination is mandatory.
Hepatitis A: One vaccination gives protection for a year and is best obtained two weeks before departure. When another vaccination is administered six months after the first one, the protection lasts 10 years.
It is also increasingly advised to include Hepatitis B on your vaccination list. Most of Tanzania is also considered a malaria area, and you can take various types of anti-malarial drugs for prevention. Recommendations may change, so it is important to speak to a specialist for the exact information that applies to you.
By far the best way to prevent malaria is to make sure mosquitoes cannot bite you. We recommend bringing a good anti-mosquito repellent with a high percentage of DEET. For the tours we organize, it is not necessary to bring a mosquito net unless specifically stated otherwise.
Internet: Tanzania is a country where internet is available in many places, and using the web is integrated into daily life. At various accommodations, you can use a computer with internet access, but the speed may not always be what you are used to. When you are really on safari, keep in mind that you often cannot make use of the internet.
Mobile telephones: In Tanzania, there are three different networks, which together have created a fairly strong network. It is surprising that even in the Serengeti or other remote areas you can sometimes be reached by mobile phone. However, if you travel to remote areas, do not count on network coverage. In and around cities, you usually have excellent opportunities to make a mobile telephone call. When you arrive in Tanzania, you can buy a mobile SIM card at the airport and make calls in East Africa at a good price.
International calls: If you want to call abroad during your visit to Tanzania, it can be quite expensive, especially from hotels. It is often a better idea to call using your own mobile phone.
The official Tanzanian currency is the Tanzanian Shilling. There are coins for 50, 100, and 1000 shillings, and notes for 500, 1000, 2000, 5000, and 10,000 shillings.
The U.S. Dollar is widely used but may not be accepted in some establishments. It is also important to note that most businesses that do accept U.S. currency will not do so if it is torn or wrinkled.
Notes must not be older than 2006, as local businesses will automatically reject these due to a past counterfeiting problem.
Tanzania is one of the safest countries in East Africa, but you can never be too careful when you're on the road. While safari areas are generally very safe, the country is no stranger to criminal activity. Like any other country in the world, there is always some risk of theft.
It is advisable to listen closely to your guide's advice at all times, and that is especially true in some urban areas. Either leave your valuables, such as electronics, credit cards, and documentation, in your hotel room safe or carry them with you in concealed inner pockets.
Do not flaunt your valuables in public, as this may draw unwanted attention. Pickpockets are particularly active in heavily touristed areas, so it pays to be cautious in cities and places popular with tourists.
It is always a good idea to make copies of all your important documents and keep them in your luggage.
Tanzania has two official languages: Swahili and English. Swahili, which has its origins in Zanzibar, is the most commonly spoken language in both Tanzania and Kenya.
English is widely spoken; however, you may wish to bring along a Swahili-to-English phrasebook to help with the basics. Locals always appreciate it if you know a little Swahili.
