Travel Information

Passports & Visa

All visitors to Tanzania require a return or onward ticket and a valid passport with an entry or reentry visa, duly endorsed. Visas are not required for visitors from some commonwealth countries 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 need to have valid vaccination certificates. Visitors arriving directly into Tanzania from say Europe, the USA, Japan and other non-yellow fever areas are not required to produce vaccination certificates to gain entry. Visitors are advised to take anti-malaria tablets and make use of mosquito nets and insect sprays where provided. Health insurance through your travel agent or any other agent is recommended.

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 (TShs) 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, authorized dealers, or at the bureau de changes 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 many instances, this fee is included in your airline ticket. Baggage is weighed at check-in counters and may be inspected by custom officials. Airport departure tax for domestic flights is about USD 6. All fees are subject to change.

Luggage

Safari vehicles and small aircraft provide limited space for luggage. It is therefore recommended to travel with light 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 woth 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 October and December. 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 are as around Ngorongoro crater, Mt. Kilimanjaro, and Arusha, especially in the evenings and early in the morning. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended on safari and guests are advised to carry some insect repellents.

Language

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

Air Travel

Several international airlines operate in and out of Tanzania through Dar es salaam and Kilimanjaro international airports. Travel within the country is by the national airline, air Tanzania, and by precision air, fly 540, regional air, air excel, coastal aviation and ZanAir.

Flying Doctor Membership

A temporary flying doctor membership is recommended to cover air medical evacuation to Nairobi. Participation fee is USD 15 (14 days) and USD25 (2 months) for Southern Tanzania.

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.