01 · Travel guide
The practical side of Tanzania is straightforward. Most of what confuses people is the internal logistics rather than the country itself.
Tanzania is a large country with a well-established tourism industry, two main safari circuits a long way apart, and an island archipelago off the coast. Getting between those is the part that needs planning.
What follows is general and current as far as we know it. Entry requirements change — check your own government’s advice and the Tanzanian immigration service before you travel, not this page.
02 · Detail
The practical basics
Getting in
Kilimanjaro International (JRO) for the northern circuit, Julius Nyerere in Dar es Salaam for the south, Abeid Amani Karume for Zanzibar. Most safari arrivals use JRO.
Visas
Most nationalities need one; it can usually be obtained online in advance or on arrival. Requirements differ by nationality and change — verify yours.
Money
Tanzanian shilling for everyday spending; US dollars are widely accepted for tourism services and park fees are dollar-denominated. Bring dollars printed 2009 or later — older notes are often refused. Cards work in cities and rarely in camps.
Language
Swahili and English. English is widely spoken in tourism. A dozen words of Swahili will change how people respond to you — start with asante and karibu.
Connectivity and power
Mobile coverage is good in towns and patchy to absent in parks. Camps often run solar with the generator off overnight. UK-style three-pin sockets, 230V.
Internal flights
Light aircraft link the parks, the coast and the west. Strict soft-bag luggage limits, usually around 15kg. Schedules shift with weather.
03 · Questions
