Money and payments
Cards and cash
ATMs are mostly located in the city centre and on the Msasani Peninsula.
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Africa · Eastern AfricaOutline guideCountry in East Africa
Photo: Inside_Ngorongoro_crater.jpg: Muhammad Mahdi Karim derivative work: JamesA, GFDL 1.2 via Wikimedia Commons
Tanzania is the largest country in East Africa. From the picture-perfect coasts of Zanzibar to the world-renowned wildlife of the Serengeti, from the snowy slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro to the coral houses of Mikindani, Tanzania is the heart and soul of East Africa. Tanzania has several national parks and game reserves, where you can see some of the finest African flora and fauna.
Answers to what travellers most often look up about Tanzania.
Cards and cash
ATMs are mostly located in the city centre and on the Msasani Peninsula.
English, Swahili
Swahili and English are the official languages of Tanzania. Swahili however is the dominant language of society, with English largely limited to commerce and higher education.
With many used mobile phones for sale and the very low cost of getting a SIM card, this is the popular choice of most Tanzanians.
Bottled water is cheap and widely available throughout the country.
Bottled water is cheap and widely available throughout the country.
Covered in the guide
In general, tourists should wear modest or conservative attire, especially in Zanzibar, which is a conservative Muslim society. Western women should not wear clothing that reveals too much skin.
Attractions, food, stays and travel essentials, with ratings, reviews, opening hours and directions.
the capital
Arusha is a city at the base of volcanic Mt. Meru.
largest city and cultural capital with a mix of African, colonial, and Indian Ocean influences
city on Lake Tanganyika and gateway to Gombe Stream National Park
Mbeya is a city in southwest Tanzania. It sits at the base of soaring Loleza Peak, between the Mbeya and Poroto mountain ranges
Morogoro is a city in the Central Tanzania region of Tanzania. There are old German buildings in the city from the colonial period.
Moshi is a municipality in Northeast Tanzania, the mountain region of Tanzania.
Mtwara is a city in Pembwe and the Southeast region of Tanzania.
includes Mount Meru, a 4,562 m active stratovolcano
Mikumi National Park is in Southern-Central Tanzania. It is one of Tanzania’s most accessible wildlife destinations and a convenient introduction to the country’s southern safari circuit.
Africa's highest peak and the world's highest freestanding mountain, which you can climb with a guide
includes the Ngorongoro Crater and the Olduvai Gorge
Ruaha National Park, in Central Tanzania, is a very impressive park with an abundance of wildlife. In addition, due to the park's remote location, it is not on the main tourist circuit, and so visitors can enjoy viewing the wildlife without competing with hordes of other tourists.
Serengeti National Park is a large conservation area in the north of Tanzania. The park flows over into neighboring Kenya where it's known as the Masai Mara.
Stone Town is the main city on Zanzibar. It is a city of prominent historical and artistic importance in East Africa.
Tarangire National Park is in Tanzania.
Places in Tanzania on the World Heritage List.
Serengeti National Park
Listed 1960
Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Listed 1979
Stone Town
Listed 2000
Selous Game Reserve
Listed 1982
Kilimanjaro National Park
Listed 1987
Kondoa Rock Art Sites
Listed 2006
Ruins of Kilwa Kisiwani and Ruins of Songo Mnara
Listed 1981
List from Wikidata (CC0). Photos from Wikimedia Commons.
a plateau with grasslands
the mountainous location of Kilimanjaro and the Serengeti
Africa's "great lakes" (lake Victoria)
the capital and the hot, humid shoreline
Ruaha National Park, volcanic mountains, crater lakes, natural attractions, waterfalls, beautiful Matema Beach
coastal islands in the Indian Ocean
Public transport and paid services in Tanzania.
By train
Tanzania Railways Corporation has a route between Dar es Salaam and Morogo. Tickets can be bought online.
By taxi
Private taxis are also a convenient choice, but be sure to negotiate the price before you use them. Fellow travellers might be able to offer advice about a reasonable fare.g.
By plane
If you can afford it, flying around Tanzania is faster and safer. See Tanzania#By_plane section above.
By car
Warning: It's not advised to drive in Tanzania, or throughout most of Africa, unless you have already experienced the driving conditions in developing countries.
Apps for booking a taxi or a ride in Tanzania.
Finding apps for Tanzania…
Operators checked against their official websites in October 2026; services that have stopped running are not listed. Logos and Wikipedia links: Wikidata (CC0)
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Dar es Salaam · International · DAR
Loading places around the airport…
Calculated from climate averages: mild daytime highs and lower rainfall. It does not account for festivals, crowds or prices.
Average conditions in Dodoma
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg. high | 28° | 29° | 28° | 28° | 28° | 28° | 28° | 29° | 31° | 33° | 33° | 30° |
| Avg. low | 18° | 18° | 18° | 17° | 16° | 14° | 13° | 14° | 15° | 17° | 18° | 19° |
| Rainfall (mm) | 184 | 107 | 120 | 78 | 16 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 9 | 47 | 163 |
| Humidity | 74% | 73% | 75% | 76% | 69% | 63% | 59% | 56% | 53% | 52% | 56% | 66% |
Choose your passport and destination to see whether you need a visa.
Budget
$30
Per person, per day
Mid-range
$80
Per person, per day
Luxury
$215
Per person, per day
| Budget | Mid-range | Luxury | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | $15 | $45 | $125 |
| Food and drink | $5 | $15 | $35 |
| Local transport | $5 | $5 | $20 |
| Activities | $5 | $15 | $35 |
Estimate from World Bank price levels (2025). Actual costs vary by city and season. World Bank
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We do not label countries as safe or unsafe. Below is the official advice from two governments, with the date it was last updated. Always read the full advice before you travel.
US Department of State
Level 2 of 4Exercise increased caution
Exercise increased cautionin Tanzania due to crime, terrorism, health, unrest, arbitrary enforcement of laws, and targeting gay and lesbian individuals. Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory. Crime Violent crime happens in Tanzania. It includes assault, sexual assault, robberies, mugging, and express kidnapping. Crime can happen at any time. It is more common in crowded urban areas and when people are not paying attention. Local law enforcement may be slow to help if a crime happens. Terrorism There is a risk of terrorist violence, including terrorist attacks and other activity in Tanzania. Visit the U.S. Department of State's country reports on terrorism to learn more. Unrest Demonstrations can take place in response to political or economic issues. The Tanzanian government increases security presence around protests. This includes checkpoints and roadblocks. The Tanzanian government may limit or prohibit rallies or demonstrations. The government may shut down or limit internet, cell data, and phone service before, during, or after unrest. The Tanzanian government has used internet laws to punish people who share information perceived as criticizing the government. Health Medical services for routine and emergency procedures are limited, especially outside of the urban areas of Dar es Salaam and Arusha. Read the Health section of the Travel Guidance on this page for more information. Arbitrary enforcement of local laws The Tanzanian government arbitrarily enforces its own laws and regulations. U.S. citizens have been detained or…
UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
Advises against all but essential travel to parts of the country
Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). FCDO advises against all but essential travel to parts of Tanzania Tanzania FCDO advises against all but essential travel to any area within 20km of the Tanzanian border with the Cabo Delgado province of Mozambique, due to attacks by groups linked with Islamic extremism. Find out more about why FCDO advises against travel. Before you travel No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. You may also find it helpful to: see general advice for women travellers read our guide on disability and travel abroad see general advice for LGBT+ travellers read about safety for solo and independent travel see advice on volunteering and adventure travel abroad Travel insurance If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency. About FCDO travel advice FCDO provides advice about risks of travel to help you make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice. Get travel advice updates Sign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated. Follow FCDO: travel advice on X travel advice on Facebook Travel Aware on Instagram
Stories, itineraries and practical advice for travelling in Tanzania.
Nature & adventureSafaris are perhaps the greatest tourism draw in Africa and the highlight for many visitors. The term safari in popular use refers to overland travel to view the stunning African wildlife, particularly on savanna.
Wikivoyage
ItinerariesThe Nile (Arabic: النيل, an-Nīl), is Africa's longest river, and by most definitions the longest in the world at 6,695 kilometers (4,132 miles) from its source White Nile in Burundi/Rwanda to its mouth at the Egyptian…
Wikivoyage
Food & drinkColourful and diverse, street food is an experience you can find in cities and towns all around the world. It's generally convenient and cheap, but its appeal goes far beyond that.
Wikivoyage
ItinerariesThe MV Liemba is a freight and passenger ferry that runs along the eastern side of Lake Tanganyika. The route goes from Kigoma in Tanzania to Mpulungu in Zambia, with many stops between.
Wikivoyage
Nature & adventureMany of these parks are on the UNESCO World Heritage List. They can be visited for safaris, to see the African flora and fauna.
Wikivoyage
InspirationSome hotels have a heritage from the golden age of steam railways and ocean liners, before the Second World War, in the 19th or early 20th centuries. These hotels were where the rich and the famous of the day would stay.
Wikivoyage
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