Country Information Tanzania

The best travel time for a stay in Tanzania and Zanzibar is during the dry season. This occurs from June to October and from late December to mid-February. From March to May, there are sometimes heavy rains during the great rainy season, which can last several days.

As far as the climate is concerned, there are regional differences. On the central plateau in the interior, temperatures above 20 degrees Celsius prevail, which are very pleasant for Europeans. The humidity here is also appropriate. There is no muggy heat, but there are cold nights. In the southern winter, temperatures are often in the single digits. The climate near the lakes is similar to that on the coasts. The hot and humid air is felt as oppressively muggy. During the rainy season, temperatures in the Usambara Mountains are very high and heavy rainfall makes the roads impassable. During the southern winter, however, pleasant temperatures with low humidity prevail here.

In the rainforest in the west of Tanzania, there are rare animal and plant species. Here, the African violet and the African impatiens are native, which are traded in Europe as ornamental plants. In the grass and dry savannas, baobab trees and umbrella acacias are found. The flora and fauna of the rainforest are protected in the national parks Udzungwa, Gombe, and Mahale. In Tanzania, all African large animals such as lions, cheetahs, leopards, zebras, buffalo, elephants, giraffes, rhinos, hippos, or crocodiles live. In the national parks Mahale and Gombe, chimpanzees live, in the rest of the country you also encounter baboons, vervet monkeys, and colobus monkeys. There are 60,000 species of insects in Tanzania, as well as many species of reptiles.

The currency in Tanzania is the Tanzanian Shilling, with one Euro equivalent to about 2,300 TSH. According to the existing entry regulations, no TSH may be brought into Tanzania. Therefore, it is advisable to bring Euros, British Pounds, or US Dollars, which can then be exchanged directly at the airport into TSH. According to the entry regulations, there is no upper limit for carrying foreign currency, however, it is theoretically declarable. The same prohibition on exporting the national currency applies upon departure as on entry. Foreign currency can be taken up to the amount declared at entry – if anything has been declared at all.

Tourists can now withdraw TSH equivalent to about 250 EUR per day with credit cards at ATMs, although the ATMs often do not work. Credit cards such as VISA, Mastercard, Diners Club, or American Express are only accepted in large hotels. At Barclays Bank ATMs, one can withdraw money without fees with EC cards of the Cash Group (Deutsche Bank, Dresdner Bank, Postbank).

The US dollar has now become a parallel currency in Tanzania. Therefore, it makes sense to carry part of the travel funds in US dollars. Some organizations like Immigration, Customs, or National Parks exclusively demand US dollars. These cannot be withdrawn from ATMs in Tanzania.

For a holiday in Tanzania, light and practical casual clothing is well suited. Against the strong sunlight, a wide-brimmed hat or a large headscarf protects. Trousers and tops should be long because of the sunlight and the insects.

Special mosquito-proof safari clothing protects against tsetse fly bites. Especially on a safari, subdued colors are recommended. Red or other bright colors can lead to unwanted behavior of the wild animals.

Those traveling to higher regions do well to bring a sweater and a light wind and rain jacket. Sturdy footwear protects the feet on uneven paths. In July and August, warming clothing such as a fleece jacket or a wool sweater is essential.

Overall, the situation in Tanzania is considered stable and there are no special entry requirements. However, the Foreign Office advises against non-essential travel to the southern part of the Mtwara region (border with Mozambique). It is also recommended to avoid demonstrations and crowds and to be cautious especially in busy places and during special occasions. The political situation in Zanzibar is also currently stable.

Travelers should be wary of crime. Pickpocketing is common, but there are also assaults on tourists by seemingly helpful passers-by or supposed taxi drivers. These can rob the tourists or force them to withdraw money from an ATM under threat of violence.

In the north, the roads between the cities and in the national parks are good, except for the road to the Serengeti. Within the national parks, there are only unpaved roads, which are muddy in the rainy season and dusty in the dry season.

In Tanzania, 41 million people live, belonging to over 130 ethnic groups, some of whom also speak various dialects. In total, 128 languages are spoken in Tanzania. The national language is Swahili, and English, Arabic, and various Bantu dialects are also spoken. Due to the widespread use of Kiswahili (Swahili), especially smaller dialects are increasingly being forgotten. On the Islamically influenced islands, Arabic is also an important lingua franca. In the country's economic and tourism centers, English is widely spoken. Therefore, as a tourist, it is generally sufficient to speak English.

South of the Sahara, Kiswahili is one of the most important lingua francas and, in addition to Tanzania, also holds the status of a national language in Kenya and Uganda. It is also spoken in Rwanda, Burundi, eastern Congo, but also in Mozambique, Malawi, and Zambia. Anyone who has seen Disney's The Lion King is certainly familiar with the phrase "hakuna matata", which means »no problem«.

Power outages are common in Tanzania, so it is advisable to bring a flashlight. The mains voltage is 230 V at a frequency of 50 Hz. Thus, the mains voltage is identical to that in Germany and electrical devices can be used as usual during a trip.

However, a 3-pin adapter for British triple contacts is needed. German device plugs often fit the round contacts without an adapter. Suitable adapters can also be purchased locally if one forgets to get them before departure. However, some accommodations also offer their guests Euro plugs.

It is possible to use the German mobile phone on site, as the mobile network in Tanzania also largely works with the GSM network. Moreover, it is very well developed in the country. However, it is cheaper to buy a SIM card on site. This costs around one US dollar. With it, you can then make calls to Germany for one US dollar per minute. Prepaid cards are available from Vodacom, Zain, or Mobiltel.

Before departure, it should be clarified with the telephone provider whether Tanzania is included in the contract, otherwise it can become expensive, especially if many calls or high data usage are expected. In addition, it should be checked in advance whether the mobile phone is unlocked for all networks. If not, this can be changed by calling the telephone company.

As for internet provision in the country, no general statements can be made. It may be that there is an internet connection that is also working at the moment. It may be that there is also a functioning WLAN - or not. In the larger cities of the country, there are internet cafes where the internet is significantly cheaper than in hotels, where the fees are usually many times higher.

On safari, there are lodges that offer their guests WiFi at least during certain times of the day. Likewise, most national parks offer visitors an internet connection, even if it is not always stable. In larger cities, the internet connection is mostly better. Those who prepare in advance to go without a mobile phone for a longer period during their stay can certainly enjoy their vacation more relaxed.

Good medical care is available in the big cities, especially in Dar es Salaam or Arusha. For more significant concerns, it is best to visit the Aga Khan Hospital in Dar es Salaam. However, access to medical care in Zanzibar or rural areas can be problematic. Nevertheless, there are hospitals in Zanzibar as well. In the country's hospitals, one should not expect European standards in terms of technology and hygiene. The local doctors are rarely flustered and typically treat their patients with typical African serenity, which can be difficult for Europeans to endure.

Travelers who regularly take certain medications should carry the package insert with them. It is also wise to bring a separate supply so that provisions are made in case of loss. It can be difficult to find a suitable replacement for certain medications in local pharmacies. Additionally, an English certificate from the doctor should be carried, in which he confirms the medication prescription.

Travel health insurance is highly recommended, especially since medical care in terms of technology, equipment, and hygiene is not the best. If hospitalization in Dar es Salaam is necessary, it can result in enormous costs for tourists. Doctor's bills can also be very high here.

The travel health insurance should cover not only the usual treatment costs but also the costs for a possible medical evacuation by air ambulance back to Germany, as the local hospitals are not well prepared for severe cases. Although the probability that a medical evacuation will be necessary is very low, if it is needed, it can result in costs in the six-figure range.

Taking out travel luggage insurance is also sensible for this destination. Violent robberies or the loss of luggage for other reasons occur repeatedly in Tanzania. It is particularly annoying when expensive technical equipment is lost on such occasions. Since a trip to Africa is usually not a bargain, it is also recommended to take out trip cancellation insurance. This makes it easier to cope if the dream trip has to be canceled at the last minute for unforeseen reasons.

As far as East African travel countries are concerned, Tanzania is one of the safest. However, there is also poverty here, and this leads to security gaps such as thefts and robberies. The majority of the population lives below the subsistence level. From their perspective, foreign tourists are inherently wealthy, even though this is not the reality. Thus, the prevailing opinion is that a small redistribution of wealth in favor of the poorer residents would be fair.

Tourists should ideally leave their valuables at home. Especially large gatherings in markets and train stations or bus and train rides increase the risk of theft. No large amounts of cash should be carried, only what is needed for the day. The wallet is best kept in the secure hotel safe and the banknotes for the day are put in the trouser pocket. Ideally, one is always accompanied by the local tour guides and refrains from carrying bags, jewelry, and other valuables. Travel documents should be kept in a pouch worn under the clothing on the body, if they must be carried at all.

Christian and Muslim holidays such as Christmas, Easter, the breaking of the fast, and the Feast of Sacrifice, or the Prophet's Birthday are holidays in the country. Additional holidays include Farmers' Day on August 08, the death anniversary of Julius Nyerere on October 14, or Independence Day on December 09.

The fastest and most affordable way to travel the country is by bus. This is also the best way to admire the diverse landscapes of the country. There are large and fast connections between the big cities by buses and minibuses (Daladalas). They run daily and connect Dar es Salaam with Nairobi or Mombasa. Many of the buses are old and overcrowded. The most comfortable way to travel is with Scandinavian Express buses, where seats can be booked. They are air-conditioned and have speed control. In addition, free drinks are provided on board. Another trustworthy bus company is Royal Coach, which operates between Dar es Salaam and Arusha.

Tourism is the most important economic source of revenue for the country, with annual revenues in the billions and accounting for 17.2% of the GDP. Popular with tourists is the crossing to Zanzibar, which is offered several times a day by various ferry companies. In addition to affordable prices, you get a breathtaking view of the islands and local fishermen.

The country has a lot to offer in terms of attractions. For example, Mount Kilimanjaro, also called the Roof of Africa. It is the highest free-standing mountain in the world. A safari in the Serengeti National Park is a must for tourists. Here, the Big Five can be admired up close. A highlight is the great animal migration, where two million animals embark on a journey over 1,000 kilometers long. The floor of the Ngorongoro Crater is home to the largest number of animals in Africa, and the chances of seeing a rhino are especially good here. The Maasai also live here. The Tarangire National Park offers, besides baobab trees, particularly many elephants.

White dream beaches and a breathtaking underwater world can be found in Zanzibar, where you can comfortably end your Tanzania trip. The beaches of the North and East coast are considered the most beautiful beaches in the world. A secret tip is Mafia Island, which belongs to the Mafia Marine National Park. Here, only a limited number of visitors are allowed and you can watch whale sharks and humpback whales.

Typical dishes that travelers should try include:

Corn porridge (Ugali) is served as a side dish in traditional cuisine with stews, fish, meat, or sauces.
Flatbread (Chapati) originated from India and is served at breakfast or as a side dish.
Doughnuts (Maandazi) are a typical street food.
Oriental rice with beef was introduced by oriental traders and is now considered a festive dish.
Stew with cooking bananas, for which unripe, green bananas are used.

There is no uniform Tanzanian cuisine. It rather consists of local specialties. Inland, African dishes dominate the cuisine, such as stews, cooking bananas, grilled meat, rice, and vegetables. In the coastal regions and on Zanzibar, the oriental influence is noticeable. Additionally, plenty of fish and seafood are served here. Typical for Tanzanian cuisine is also the use of oriental spices such as cardamom, turmeric, cumin, nutmeg, or cloves.

Despite the great distance between Germany and Tanzania, the time difference is not significant. During our daylight saving time from the end of March to the end of October, the time difference is + one hour. 12 noon in Berlin is then 1 PM in Dar es Salaam. During the winter time, there is + two hours difference. Then it is 12 noon in Berlin, 2 PM in Dar es Salaam.