How Things Work in Tanzania

Tipping is essential in Tanzania — USD 10–20 per day for safari guides is the norm, as tips form the bulk of their income.

Updated 2025-06

There is no practical public transport network for tourists; domestic flights are the most efficient way to reach national parks, with taxis and bajaj for city travel.

Updated 2025-06

Medical facilities are extremely limited outside Dar es Salaam and Arusha, making medical evacuation insurance and AMREF Flying Doctors membership absolutely essential.

Updated 2025-06

LGBTQ relationships are illegal and actively enforced with penalties up to 30 years; plastic bags are banned, ivory is strictly prohibited, and cannabis is illegal.

Updated 2025-06

Dial 112 from a mobile for general emergencies, 115 for police or ambulance, and +255 22 213 4278 for AMREF Flying Doctors.

Updated 2025-06

Dress modestly throughout Tanzania, and significantly more conservatively in Zanzibar where shoulders and knees must be covered at all times away from the beach.

Updated 2025-06

Alcohol is freely available on the mainland but heavily restricted in Zanzibar, where it is sold only at tourist hotels and resorts.

Updated 2025-06

Bargaining is expected at markets, craft stalls, and with taxi and bajaj drivers, but fixed prices apply at lodges, safaris, and national parks.

Updated 2025-06

Wildlife photography in national parks is unrestricted, but photographing people — especially Maasai — requires permission and often a fee, and government buildings are strictly off-limits.

Updated 2025-06

National parks and lodges operate seven days a week; mainland businesses may close on Sunday while Zanzibar observes Friday as the main holy day with significant closures.

Updated 2025-06

Uber is not available in Tanzania; Bolt operates in Dar es Salaam, and everywhere else taxis require negotiating a firm price before you enter the vehicle.

Updated 2025-06

Never drink tap water anywhere in Tanzania — bottled or filtered water is essential, and purification tablets are necessary for remote trekking.

Updated 2025-06

CRDB and NMB ATMs in Arusha and Dar es Salaam reliably accept foreign cards, but cash — especially USD — is essential as ATMs are absent in national parks.

Updated 2025-06

Vodacom Tanzania offers the best coverage including in most national parks; buy a SIM at the airport with your passport and expect patchy signal on Kilimanjaro upper slopes.

Updated 2025-06

Tanzania uses Type G (British 3-pin) sockets at 230V/50Hz, and power cuts are common — a power bank is essential for safaris.

Updated 2025-06

The most common scam is dangerously cheap or fraudulent safari packages sold by Arusha touts — always book through verified, licensed operators.

Updated 2025-06

Tanzania is generally safe for tourists in safari areas and Zanzibar, but petty theft, bag snatching, and beach robberies occur — avoid deserted beaches and stay alert in Dar es Salaam.

Updated 2025-06

Greetings are paramount in Tanzanian culture — always greet before any interaction, use both hands or the right hand when giving or receiving, and respond to 'Karibu' with 'Asante'.

Updated 2025-06

Swahili is the national language spoken by everyone; English is widely used in tourism and business, making Tanzania very accessible to English-speaking visitors.

Updated 2025-06

Zanzibar's north and east coast beaches — Nungwi, Kendwa, and Paje — are world-class, with warm Indian Ocean waters and excellent diving and kite surfing year-round.

Updated 2025-06

Drive on the left; a 4WD is essential in national parks, night driving outside cities is risky, and self-driving in the Serengeti is technically possible but guided is strongly recommended.

Updated 2025-06

Tanzania's food highlights include nyama choma (grilled meat), ugali, Zanzibar's spiced seafood cuisine, and the legendary Forodhani Gardens night food market in Stone Town.

Updated 2025-06

Remove shoes before entering mosques, cover fully before entering any religious site, and do not enter Zanzibar mosques during prayer times.

Updated 2025-06

The best time for safaris is June–October (dry season, Great Migration peak); January–February is excellent for Kilimanjaro and Zanzibar beaches with hot, sunny conditions.

Updated 2025-06

Tanzania's national parks have high fixed fees (Serengeti USD 60/person/day), but costs can be significantly reduced by camping, joining group safaris, booking shoulder season, and eating local food.

Updated 2025-06