Tanzania is interesting for tourists because of beaches on the island of Zanzibar and national parks with animals. For extreme tourists, there is also Mount Kilimanjaro.
The country is quite large, with an area of almost 1 million square kilometers.
If you need a visa, apply online, it costs $50 (https://visa.immigration.go.tz/). You may wait a few weeks for a response, so apply early.
You can also apply for a visa at the airport, but it will take a long time, it is better to do everything online.
How to get there
For tourists, the main airports are JRO (Kilimanjaro International Airport) near Arusha and ZNZ (Abeid Amani Karume International Airport) in Zanzibar.
There is a regular air service between Zanzibar and the continent. If you are vacationing in Zanzibar and want to go on safari, it is better to fly not to Kilimanjaro International Airport, but to Arusha Airport. More flights, cheaper prices and much closer to Arusha, from where the safaris start.
We bought our tickets heavily in advance and were worried about this flight, but it turned out to be very easy and stress free. The planes fly literally every hour, if you get there early you can be put on an earlier flight, which happened in our case. There were only 3 families on the plane and 95% of the seats were free.
Baggage in domestic terminals is weighed summarily, not one bag at a time. This is important because, for example, at Kilimanjaro airport we were not allowed to check in a bag over 23 kg, although in Europe this is not a problem. We had to move things around in other bags to reduce the weight.
In Arusha, the domestic terminal is just being built, so for now you get off the plane right outside the gate and your luggage is brought to this desk.
There are no mandatory vaccines for 2024, but there is information that you can be asked about yellow fever vaccination, so this vaccination is better to do.
We also had vaccines for typhoid and hepatitis A. And we were prescribed malaria prophylaxis pills. There is a vaccine for malaria, but it is just being tested in 2024. For children you need special children's pills, it's important, they are smaller in size.
If you go only to a resort hotel, then you do not need any vaccines, as the probability of getting sick with something dangerous is extremely low.
If you live in Europe and have government insurance, all vaccines are covered, we were refunded almost 100% of the cost.
Money
If you go to an all-inclusive hotel, you will only need money for tips and taxi if there is no transfer. We withdrew local shillings from an ATM, it's the most convenient. You can exchange at the reception in the hotel, at a slightly less favorable rate.
If your phone supports eSim, there is no problem at all. Install an app, for example Airalo, buy a package for Tanzania (10Gb for $26 or any other) and install eSim. Activate it before you fly to Tanzania, and turn off Mobile data on the main sim card.
Corruption
Everywhere. Bribes to police are not surprising in all developing countries, but in Tanzania (and in many other countries in Africa), you can be asked for a bribe even at the airport. We gave money both to the police on the road and at the hotel, as we were put in different ends of the hotel, even though we had one reservation for two rooms.
Getting around Zanzibar
A cab from the airport to the north of the island will cost $50-$60, if possible look for information online and book in advance. We did not use dala dala minibuses, but they are very cheap and there are a lot of them.
Rent a car in Zanzibar
Better study the information in advance. The traffic is left-handed. The main roads are asphalted, but all access roads to beaches or even to five-star hotels are unpaved and in very poor condition.
Check the reviews of the rental company, the cars are very old and with low mileage. There may be no insurance at all, our company had none. Second time in our lives we traveled without insurance (the first time was on Easter Island). It makes sense to get insurance from the website, where you book the car. In Europe I don't recommend doing this and it's better to take insurance at the counter, but in Africa there may be no other option.
Rentals are relatively inexpensive, we paid $340/6 days, for a large, 8 seater Toyota Alphard automatic.
International license is not valid in Tanzania, you need a local license (Zanzibar driver permit). Contact the company from which you rent a car and ask for a local license, it costs $10-$15, you will need to send a scan of your license.
The traffic outside the cities is normal, but in the suburbs and cities, especially big ones, is a complete mess. You can't get used to it during your vacation, so it will be a little stressful.
The police are waiting for you to violate something. For example, you can even just be stopped, and you do not turn on the turn signal when stopping, and there is a violation found. Or someone's seatbelt will not be fastened, because it is broken. We were stopped 7-8 times in 6 days on the island. Be friendly, smile, say “Jambo, Akuna Matata, We love Zanzibar”. The police will threaten with court and ask for money, we were asked several times, the first time $250. I gave $20, that was enough, you can also give $10. Small dollars should be put in a separate pocket beforehand.
Do not go anywhere and do not sign anything. If you are confused, call the rental company and ask for help.
The country is Islamic, so you must wear appropriate clothing in public places. In tourist places: on beaches, in hotels, on safari, no one looks at clothes. The country is Muslim, but not particularly religious, people have other concerns.
Tipping
Tipping in Tanzania is needed literally everywhere. Take small dollars 1-2-5 with you, which you can use as a tip until you withdraw local money.
Is it possible to travel with children to Tanzania
We were in Zanzibar for a week and then 5 days on safari, with two kids, ages 4 and 5, and we had no problems.
As of summer 2024, you need a local permit, which is done online. Do it!!! We didn't and our drones were taken away from us at Zanzibar airport :( Although the country is totally corrupt, but in terms of drones the bribe didn't work as someone had recently flown over the president's residence. We got the drones back at Kilimanjaro airport from where we were flying to Europe. Paid $10 each to ship the drones from Zanzibar.
What to bring
- a pen, or preferably two, as you have to fill out paper forms at airports. - bathing slippers - a good repellent, for example from this company (https://nobite.com/) or any other repellent DEET 50. - adapters for Type D and Type G - sunscreen or spray - small dollars for tips
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