Tanzania Visitor Information

Climate Chart for Tanzania

There are three main climatic areas in Tanzania; the coastal area and immediate hinterland, where conditions are tropical with temperatures averaging 26.6°C (80°), rainfall varying from, 40 to 76 inches and high in humidity; the central plateau, which is hot and dry (rainfall 20 to 30 inches), although with considerable daily and seasonal temperature variations and the third region is the semi-temperate highland areas, where the climate is healthy and cool. There is seasonal variation in the Lake Victoria area. The eastern sections average only 30 to 40 inches of rain, while the western parts receive up to 90 inches. A small area north of Lake Malawi receive 100 inches of rain. There are two rainy seasons; from November to December and from April to mid-June.

• Foreign & Commonwealth Office (London)
• US State Department - Travel Warnings

All visitors wishing to enter United Republic of Tanzania must OBTAIN AN APPROPRIATE VISA that will enable him\her to enter the country, except nationals of the listed countries below, (who though may need entry permit clearance, they do not need visa) provided they are traveling on national passport of any of the following countries:
- Antigua & Barbuda, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, Botswana, Brunei, Cyprus, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Kenya, Kiribati, Lesotho, Malaysia, Malawi, Malta, Maldives, Mauritius, Namibia, Nauru, Sao Tome & Principe Island, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent, Saint Christopher and Nevis, Seychelles, Singapore, Solomon Island, Swaziland, Tuvalu, Tonga, Uganda, Vanuatu, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Nationals of the East African Community need neither visa nor entry permit to enter United Republic of Tanzania.

It is possible, however, to obtain a tourist's visa for a single entry at any one of the following four main entry points to Tanzania, subject to the fulfilment of all immigration and health requirements: Dar es Salaam International Airport Zanzibar International Airport Kilimanjaro International Airport (KIA) Namanga Entry Point (Tanzania-Kenya boarder point)

Visa requirements are likely to change so please check with your local embassy or representative.

Passport must be valid for at leave six months.

Listing of Tanzania Tourist offices and/or embassies located around the world

Official Currency:    Tanzania Shilling=100 cents
Current Exchange Rate:    Today's Exchange Rate

Mastercard, Access and Diners Club have a limited acceptance. Travellers cheques can be exchanged with authorised deals and bureaux de change and are best taken in US Dollars or Pounds Sterling. Many hotels and national parks require you make payment in foreign currency either in cash or by Travellers Cheque.

Most banks in cities and towns have ATM machines where you can draw local currency.

Sea/Lake Ferry

Ferries from Dar es Salaam to Zanzibar leave fairly regularly. There are three high speed ferries companies to choose from and each has about two departures per day. The journey takes about one and half hours. No need to purchase ticket in advance, they can be brought at the port. Times change regularly, but there is usually a boat ever hour or two.

Lake Tanganyika and Lake Victoria have a steamer service.

Railways / Train Services

Tanzania's main populations centers are connected by rail link. Trains are of various standards and on longer routes you can choose between 1st class sleeping (two berth cabins) 2nd class sleeping or 3rd class seats.

Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority

Bus

Most the roads in Tanzania are in poor condition and pot-holed. All towns are connected by bus services and on long haul routes there is a choice between luxury or ordinary service. You may need to book in advance on long haul journeys.

Scandinavia Express Services
Cross border Bus Service between Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia

Riverside Shuttle for Arusha /Nairobi / Arusha shuttle

Road

Driving is on the left hand side and an International Driving Licence is required and before hiring a car, most establishment require that these are endorsed by the police. Self drive car hire is expensive but most companies offer car with driver.

1st January New Year's Day
12th January Zanzibar Revolution Day
26th April Union Day
1st May Labour Day
7th July Industrial Day
9th December Independence Day
25th December Christmas Day
Moveable holidays: Good Friday and Easter Monday
Variable Islamic holidays

click to view plug types

Electric Power is 220V - 240V running at 50Hz.
The Plug type used in Tanzania is: "Type D (Indian) & G (British)"