Useful Information
Useful Information on What to Do Before Travelling to Tanzania
Health
Visitors are advised to take precautionary measures to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes. Visitors may use insect repellent, wear long sleeved shirts and trousers in evenings and utilize mosquito nets. An International Certificate for vaccination for yellow fever is required to enter Zanzibar. Hospitals provide good medical care in cities and in the remote areas or on safari. Flying Doctors facilities are also available. However, it is also advised to carry medical kits for emergencies.
Visa
Visitors are required to have valid passports and entry visa. Visas can be obtained from Tanzania Embassies, High Commissions and Consulate as well as at major entry points in the country such as Dar es Salaam , Kilimanjaro and Zanzibar International Airports , Namanga, Sirari, Horohoro and Taveta. ( For further details on visa requirements, kindly see the special page on visa requirements)
Currency
The Tanzanian shilling (Tsh.) is divided into 100cents. Notes are in denomination of 200, 500, 1000, and 10,000 shillings. Coins are in order of 10, 20, 50, 100 and 200 shillings. Money can be changed in banks, bureaux de change and other accredited points such as hotels. Credit cards (Access, Master Card, Visa, American Express, Euro Card and Diners) are accepted by large hotels around the country. Travellers' cheques in US dollars and Pound Sterling are recommended, although Euros are also accepted. Banking hours in major towns are from Monday to Friday (08.30 - 16.00 hrs), Saturday from 08.30 hrs - 13.30 hrs. These may vary in smaller towns. ATM and 24 hour cash machines are available in branches of major banks and accept international VISA cards. Please note that banks are closed on Sundays.
Airport Tax
All passengers departing on international flights must pay a US$30 departure tax that is included in the price of a ticket. For tickets issued in Zanzibar, an additional 10% of the ticket value is charged as sales tax. Passengers departing from Zanzibar to any destination within Tanzania shall be required to pay a tax of Tsh. 5,000.
Public Holidays
Public holidays in Tanzania remain the same every year. The government shall announce any change of the public holidays. Currently the following are the recognized Public Holidays:
* Christian holidays that changes each year according to the calendar |
Tours and Tour Operators
Tour Operators are restricted to local companies who have been licensed to operate as Tour Operators. Most Tour Operators use their own or hired minibuses to transport their clients to various tours or to specific locations. There are also self-driven vehicles for hire. Regarding the prices of tours basically they differ depending on the itinerary, season and from one tour operator to another. For budget purposes, one can alternatively use buses to travel from one town to another.
Special arrangement under the MOU signed between the People's Republic of China and the United Republic of Tanzania has been devised to handle tourists from China. To access some of the Tour Operators who can handle tourists between Tanzania and China Click the appropriate links below:
Tour Operators
Code of Conduct For Tourists Visiting Zanzibar The majority of Zanzibar residents practice Islamic faith and this is reflected in their lifestyle and culture. All visitors to Zanzibar are advised to observe the following guidelines: Swim suits, mini skirts and other revealing clothing should not be worn outside hotels, beaches, and resort premises;
Drinking alcohol in public may offend the residents; Nudity on the beaches and everywhere else is prohibited by law; Kissing in public or other displays of affection are not customary in Zanzibar and may be construed to be offensive; Taking photographs of residents without asking their permission is considered offensive. Military and security sensitive areas are out of bounds and no pictures are allowed to be taken. This also applies to the mainland; Mosques are sacred places; non-Muslims are usually not permitted to enter. Photographing of the mosques’ interior from the doorway is not allowed during prayers; and You are requested not to eat, drink or smoke in public during the Holly month of Ramadhan