Destination guide
Last updated: June 15, 2026Serengeti, the Ngorongoro crater, Kilimanjaro and Zanzibar’s spice-scented beaches — Tanzania is the Africa of safari dreams and turquoise Indian Ocean. Here is the essential, verified, including what has changed on safety.
Travel essentials
Unlike neighbouring Kenya, Tanzania requires a visa for the vast majority of travellers. The simplest is to apply for the tourist eVisa (up to 90 days, single entry) at least 2 weeks ahead on the official immigration portal; a visa on arrival (VOA) is also available at major airports and borders, paid in US dollars. Important: Zanzibar now requires mandatory travel insurance on entry — confirm the requirement and the current fee before you leave. Always confirm at the official source.
| Passport | Entry rule | Max stay |
|---|---|---|
| Portugal · Spain · France · United Kingdom | Visa required — eVisa (recommended) or visa on arrival | up to 90 days |
| Cabo Verde · Guinea-Bissau · Angola · Nigeria · Ghana · Senegal | Visa required — eVisa or VOA (eligibility varies by country; check with the embassy) | up to 90 days |
⚠️ Border rules change without notice. Always confirm with the official source (consulate, immigration, travel.state.gov, gov.uk, Portal das Comunidades) before travelling.
Health
Yellow fever: not required if you arrive directly from Europe; it becomes mandatory if you come from a country with transmission risk or transit more than 12 hours through an airport in an endemic zone — the typical case of a Kenya safari leg before crossing into Serengeti or Zanzibar. Malaria prophylaxis is recommended for the mainland; Zanzibar is lower-risk but not zero.
Passport
Passport valid for at least 6 months beyond your stay, with blank pages; the eVisa requires proof of accommodation and onward flights.
To confirm (not published as fact):
- Zanzibar mandatory travel insurance: confirm it is still in force and the current fee (a few tens of USD per person) before stating it as fact.
- eVisa vs visa-on-arrival eligibility for each African passport in the corridor (varies by country) — validate with the relevant embassy.
Arrival & Safety
Airport
Three gateways: Julius Nyerere International (DAR), in Dar es Salaam; Kilimanjaro International (JRO), the most practical for the northern safaris (Serengeti, Ngorongoro) and Kilimanjaro; and Abeid Amani Karume International (ZNZ), in Zanzibar, for the beach and Stone Town.
Getting in
In Dar es Salaam, Uber and Bolt operate, with transparent fares. Note: in Zanzibar ride-hailing apps don’t work — use private transfers arranged by your accommodation or taxis with a price agreed up front. For safaris, always go with a reputable operator and a 4x4 with a guide.
Safety
Note: the US raised Tanzania to Level 3 (reconsider travel) in late 2025, citing unrest, crime and terrorism risk. In practice, the incidents most reported by tourists are muggings and bag/wallet theft in poorly lit city areas. The Zanzibar archipelago remains more stable and its tourist areas (Stone Town, Nungwi, Kendwa, Paje) are considered safe, with petty theft the main concern. Avoid walking at night, don’t flash valuables and use trusted taxis/transfers. Confirm the current advisory before travelling.
⚠️ Border rules change without notice. Always confirm with the official source (consulate, immigration, travel.state.gov, gov.uk, Portal das Comunidades) before travelling.
Money
Currency: Tanzanian shilling (TZS). For tourism (lodges, safaris, tips), the US dollar is widely accepted and often preferred — but only crisp bills printed after 2009. Carry TZS for markets, transport and rural areas. ATMs in cities and tourist hubs; cards at mid/upper-range venues.
Connectivity
Vodacom leads nationwide coverage and 5G (Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar), with Yas (formerly Tigo) and Airtel close behind; Halotel covers rural areas and Zantel is strong in Zanzibar. As in Kenya, mobile money (M-Pesa, Mixx, Airtel Money) is everywhere. For the Serengeti + Ngorongoro + Zanzibar circuit, an eSIM roaming on Vodacom/Yas keeps you connected without swapping SIMs.
Arriving with data on avoids queues and SIM registration at the airport and lets you confirm your safari transfer or Zanzibar taxi right away. An eSIM activated before departure is the simplest way — especially if you land at night in Kilimanjaro or Zanzibar.
Coverage is excellent in Dar es Salaam, Arusha and Zanzibar’s resort areas, and becomes sparse or non-existent deep inside the national parks — something to plan for in the Serengeti. WhatsApp is the standard channel to reach guides, lodges and drivers.