Travel Essentials

Tanzania: What To Know Before You Go

Plugs: Types D and G, 230 V. Emergency: Police 112, Ambulance 114. Tipping: About 10% in restaurants; safari guides and porters expect daily tips (around 10-20 USD per day). Tap water: Drink bottled or treated water..

Open The Tanzania Trip Kit

Plugs And Power

Types D and G, 230 V

Emergency Numbers

Police	112
Ambulance	114

Tipping

About 10% in restaurants; safari guides and porters expect daily tips (around 10-20 USD per day).

Water And Health

Tap water: Drink bottled or treated water.
Vaccines: Routine vaccines, hepatitis A, typhoid, yellow fever; rabies and hepatitis B for some travelers.
Malaria: Risk throughout the country, including Zanzibar; ask about preventive tablets.

Apps To Download Before You Go

Bolt: The main ride-hailing app in Dar es Salaam, Arusha and Zanzibar, including bajaji tuk-tuks.
Uber: Also available in Dar es Salaam.
WhatsApp: Standard for contacting lodges, safari operators and drivers.
M-Pesa (Vodacom): Mobile money is how most Tanzanians pay; tourists can register with a passport.
Tigo Pesa (Mixx by Yas) / Airtel Money: The other main mobile wallets, accepted at shops and for transport.
Azam Marine / Zan Fast Ferries: Book the ferry between Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar.
TRC (Tanzania Railways) SGR: Tickets for the new electric train between Dar es Salaam, Morogoro and Dodoma.
Piki: A popular local food delivery app in Dar es Salaam.

Customs And Etiquette

Greetings. Greetings are unhurried and important; ask about health and family before business. Handshakes are common, often long with the left hand touching the right forearm, and elders are greeted first, often with 'Shikamoo'.

Dress modestly. Cover shoulders and knees, especially in Zanzibar and other Muslim-majority coastal areas; swimwear should be kept to beach/pool areas only.

Photographing people. Always ask before photographing people, especially Maasai and other communities, who may expect a fee; some may decline entirely.

Safety And Scams

Tanzania is comparatively safe and welcoming, with real risks centered on petty theft, opportunistic scams and road safety rather than violent crime against tourists.

Inflated prices / bogus tour offers. Around airports, ferry terminals and safari hubs like Arusha, unofficial 'agents' oversell tours or overcharge; book through reputable, licensed operators.

Romance scams. Local men may cultivate online relationships with foreign women that end in requests for money; be wary of any partner who asks for financial help.

Women travelers. Verbal harassment can occur, particularly if dress is seen as immodest; dressing modestly and avoiding solo night outings reduces most issues.

LGBTQ+ Travelers

Criminalized

Same-sex sexual activity is illegal and can carry a sentence up to life imprisonment; enforcement against tourists is rare but LGBTQ+ travelers should be discreet, avoid public affection and respect local customs.

What Things Cost

Coffee (café)	TZS 4,000	$1.50
Local bus or metro ride	TZS 500-800 (dala dala)	$0.20-0.30
Mid-range restaurant meal	TZS 25,000	$9
Hostel bed / budget room (night)	TZS 40,000	$15
Mid-range hotel (night)	TZS 135,000	$50
Daily budget, mid-range traveler	TZS 270,000-670,000	$100-250

2026-09

Best Time To Visit

June to October (dry season) is best overall for wildlife viewing and reliable weather, including the wildebeest migration's Mara River crossings; January-February suits calving season and Zanzibar beaches.

Phrases

Basic Swahili phrases · Basic English phrases · Basic Luo phrases · Basic Maasai phrases