Tanzania travel tips: visas, health, money and what to expect

Do I need a visa for Tanzania?

If you're British, yes. At the time of writing (October 2026), UK travellers need a tourist or business visa, and the UK government advises applying for an e-visa before you travel. Citizens of some countries don't need one, and the portal lists them.

The official portal is visa.immigration.go.tz, run by Tanzania Immigration. One application covers the mainland and Zanzibar. You fill in the form, pay online and hear back by email, and you can track the application on the same site. The portal also says some applicants may be called to a Tanzanian embassy for an interview. That's a good reason not to leave it until the week before you fly.

A single-entry tourist visa is also sold on arrival at the main ports of entry, and you may be asked to show your return ticket. Multiple-entry visas aren't available on arrival.

We don't print visa fees here. They differ by nationality and they change, and the portal shows the current fee when you apply. Use the government portal itself, not a look-alike agency site.

Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the day you arrive and have at least one blank page.

Do I need a yellow fever vaccination?

Only if your route triggers the rule. Under the International Health Regulations, Tanzania asks for a yellow fever certificate from travellers over 1 year of age who arrive from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission, or who have spent more than 12 hours in transit at an airport in one. CDC and TravelHealthPro, the UK's travel health service, both state the same rule.

So check your connection, not just your departure city. A long layover in the wrong country can mean you need the certificate, even though your home country has no yellow fever.

Within Tanzania itself, TravelHealthPro describes the chance of catching yellow fever as low, and CDC says the vaccine is generally not recommended for travel to Tanzania. A travel nurse can tell you if you're an exception.

Is there malaria in Tanzania?

Yes, and it's the health risk to plan around. TravelHealthPro lists a high risk of malaria in all areas of Tanzania below 1,800 m, including Zanzibar, and no risk above 1,800 m. CDC draws the same line.

Book a travel clinic appointment well before you go, and earlier if you have a health condition. UK guidance lists three antimalarial options for Tanzania; which one suits you is a decision for the clinic or your doctor, not for a tour company, so we don't give doses.

Tablets aren't the whole answer. The mosquitoes that carry malaria feed mainly between dusk and dawn, so wear repellent and long sleeves from sundowners onwards and sleep under a net when one is provided.

One rule to remember after you're home: a fever of 38°C or higher more than a week after being in a risk area needs medical help straight away. Tell the doctor where you've been.

Medical facilities are limited, especially outside Dar es Salaam, so travel insurance with medical evacuation cover is worth having. Zanzibar has its own requirement, covered below.

Should I bring cash or cards?

Bring both. The local currency is the Tanzanian shilling (TZS), but US dollars are widely accepted in tourist areas. Most banks in the larger cities have ATMs that take foreign debit cards. They sometimes break down or run out of cash, and the UK government suggests using machines inside a bank to reduce the risk of card cloning. Travellers' cheques are not widely accepted.

Our suggestion: two cards kept in different bags, plus a modest amount of dollars in small notes for tips and drinks. Don't carry large sums of cash on you.

How much should I tip on safari and on Kilimanjaro?

We haven't found a published safari tipping guideline we'd stand behind, so we send our current suggested amounts with your quote.

On Kilimanjaro, the Kilimanjaro Porters Assistance Project (KPAP) doesn't publish fixed amounts either. It says recommending figures is hard because the minimum wage for porters isn't enforced. What it does recommend is how to tip:

• Tip each crew member directly, for example in named envelopes at the end of the climb.
• If you hand the whole tip to the lead guide, announce the total and each person's share in front of the crew, write it down and sign it.
• Know how many people are on your crew before the handover, so nobody who didn't work the climb joins in.

Our current Kilimanjaro guideline comes with your quote too. You can read more about the routes on our Kilimanjaro page.

What plugs and voltage does Tanzania use?

Tanzania uses type D and type G sockets at 230 V and 50 Hz. Type G is the British three-pin plug, so UK chargers usually fit. Everyone else will want an adaptor that covers both. Check that anything you bring runs on 230 V; an adaptor changes the shape of the plug, not the voltage. A power bank helps on long game-drive days.

Which Swahili words are worth learning?

A handful goes a long way, and people notice when you try.

• Habari? Literally "news?", used as a greeting.
• Asante (sana): thank you (very much).
• Karibu: welcome, and also "you're welcome" when someone thanks you.
• Pole pole: slowly, carefully. A phrase worth keeping in mind on Kilimanjaro.

What should I wear, and can I take photos?

The UK government's advice is to dress modestly throughout Tanzania. Zanzibar is stricter. Away from the beach resorts, especially in Stone Town, women in shorts or sleeveless tops may cause offence, and Zanzibari authorities can fine visitors 700 US dollars or more for clothing they consider inappropriate in public. Covering shoulders and knees in town keeps it simple. During Ramadan, avoid eating or drinking in public outside hotels and restaurants.

On safari, neutral colours matter for a different reason (tsetse flies), which our safari packing list explains.

Photography: it is illegal to take or share photos or video of protests and violence, and the security services may ask to check your phone. With people, ask first. A smile and a gesture at the camera usually does it, and a "no" is an answer.

Two more things the UK government flags. Plastic bags are banned, and if you arrive by air you'll be asked to hand them over; clear zip-top bags used for airport security are exempt. And same-sex sexual activity is illegal in Tanzania, including Zanzibar, so read the full advice before you travel.

Questions we haven't covered? Send them through plan your trip and we'll answer them for your dates.