Nationals of East African Community Partner States can entry Tanzania VISA FREE (Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, United Republic of Tanzania and Uganda).
FOR COMESA, SADC NATIONALS [COMESA member states | SADC member states]
Visa exemptions apply for nationals from selected COMESA and SADC countries in each of the EAC Partner States. Please check with Immigration departments of individual EAC member countries. [see links right of page]
Passports
East Africans may use valid national passports to travel within the region, or use the East African Passport, which was introduced as a travel document to ease border crossing for East Africans.
The East African Passport may be used for travel within the EAC region only. It has a six months’ multiple entry validity, which is one of the privileges it accords the holder.
Other Nationalities
All British passport holders need a tourist or business visa to enter Tanzania. You should get one from the Tanzanian High Commission before you travel.
It is possible to get a tourist or business visa for a single entry on arrival at main ports of entry to Tanzania, but this is subject to the fulfillment of all immigration requirements. You won’t be able to get a multiple entry visa on arrival For further information about visas visit the Tanzanian Ministry of Home Affairs website.
If you are planning to work or volunteer, you will need a valid work permit. Your employer or volunteer organisation should arrange this before you travel.
From December 2015, Carrying on Temporary Assignment (CTA) passes are no longer valid. If you’re working on a short term assignment you must apply to the Ministry of Labour and Employment for a short term work permit. The application should be submitted prior to entering the country.
If you overstay the validity of your visa or permit you can be arrested, detained and fined before being deported.
Passport validity -Your passport should be valid for a minimum period of 6 months from the date of your visa application.
UK Emergency Travel Documents - UK Emergency Travel Documents, with a minimum of six months’ validity, are accepted for entry, airside transit and exit from Tanzania.
HEALTH REQUIREMENTS
Yellow fever vaccination is required for travelers who are arriving from, or have transited through, countries with risk of yellow fever transmission.
Visit your health professional at least 4 to 6 weeks before your trip to check whether you need any vaccinations or other preventive measures. Country specific information and advice is published by the National Travel Health Network and Centre on the TravelHealthPro website and by NHS (Scotland) on the fitfortravel website. Useful information and advice about healthcare abroad is also available on the NHS Choices website.
Medical facilities are limited, especially outside Dar es Salaam. Make sure you have adequate travel health insurance and accessible funds to cover the cost of medical treatment abroad, evacuation by air ambulance and repatriation.
There has been a significant increase in the number of cases of cholera in Zanzibar. You should follow the health advice issued by the National Travel Health Network and Centre.
Malaria and dengue fever are common to Tanzania. There have also been recent cases of sleeping sickness occurring after bites from tsetse flies in the north, including the Serengeti. Other diseases, such as cholera and rift valley fever, occur mostly in rural areas where access to sanitation is limited.
Although AIDS/HIV rate is low, do not have unprotected sex!
ACCEPTED CURRENCY
The Tanzanian Shilling is the official currency of Tanzania, but $US dollars are also widely accepted. Dollar notes printed before 2003 are usually not accepted. You can exchange money at many authorized dealers, Banks and Bureau DE change. Get a receipt after each transaction.
Most banks in major cities have ATMs, but they are not always reliable and sometimes break down or run out of money. To minimize the risk of card cloning, only use ATMs located within the bank.
Travellers cheques are not widely accepted.
SAFETY & SECURITY
Crime
Although most visits to Tanzania are trouble-free, violent and armed crime is increasing. Mugging, bag snatching (especially by passing cars or motorbikes) and armed robbery and burglary have increased throughout the country.
Avoid carrying large amounts of cash or other valuables including expensive jewellery or watches. Leave your passport in the hotel safe and carry a photocopy for ID. If you’re attacked, don’t resist. If you carry a bag, it is safer to hold it loosely by the handle or hanging off your shoulder rather than by securing the strap across your chest.
Don’t accept lifts from strangers or use unlicensed taxis. Ask your local hotel to book a taxi and always ask to see the driver’s ID.
Avoid walking alone, particularly in isolated areas and on beaches.
Take particular care in places frequented by tourists. In Dar es Salaam, tourists have been targeted in the city centre, at Ubungo bus station, the peninsula area and Coco beach. In Zanzibar incidents have taken place in Stone Town and at hotels and on popular tourist beaches.
Make sure residential property is secure and lock all doors and windows, especially at night. Your security guard should insist on official identification before allowing anyone to enter your property or compound. If in doubt don’t let them in and raise the alarm.
You should remain vigilant at all times.
LOCAL TRAVEL
Information about travel in remote areas can be patchy. Invest in an up-to-date travel guide and only use reliable tour companies.
NATIONAL PARKS
Careful planning is important to get the best out of your safari. If you choose to camp, only use official sites. Make sure you are properly equipped and seek local advice when travelling to isolated areas. Some parks are extremely remote, and emergency access and evacuation can be difficult.
There are risks associated with viewing wildlife, particularly on foot or at close range. Always follow park regulations and wardens’ advice, and make sure you have the correct documentation or permit before entering a national park.
TREKKING
If you are trekking or climbing, only use a reputable travel company, stick to established routes and always walk in groups. Make sure you are well prepared and equipped to cope with the terrain and low temperatures. The extreme altitude on Mount Kilimanjaro can cause altitude sickness.
BURUNDI BORDER/KIGOMA REGION
Take particular care in the area bordering Burundi/Kigoma region. There have been armed robberies in this area, including vehicle hijackings. You should only drive in daylight hours. There are few facilities for visitors.
RIVER & SEA TRAVEL
Use a reputable ferry company and if you believe a ferry to be overloaded or unseaworthy, don’t get on. Familiarize yourself with emergency procedures on board and make a note of where the life jackets and emergency exits are located.
You should also beware of aggressive ticket touts at Tanzanian ports.
While there have been no successful piracy attacks since May 2012 off the coast of Somalia and in the Gulf of Aden, the threat of piracy related activity and armed robbery in the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean remains significant. Reports of attacks on local fishing dhows in the area around the Gulf of Aden and Horn of Africa continue. The combined threat assessment of the international Naval Counter Piracy Forces remains that all sailing yachts under their own passage should remain out of the designated High Risk Area or face the risk of being hijacked and held hostage for ransom. For more information and advice, see our Piracy and armed robbery at sea page.
ROAD TRAVEL
If you plan to drive during a visit to Tanzania, you will need an International Driving Permit.
Take care when driving. Road conditions are generally poor and there are a large number of accidents, often involving inter-city buses. There have been a number of serious bus crashes that have resulted in fatalities and injuries to tourists. If you have concerns about the safety of the vehicle, or the ability of the driver, use alternative transport.
Driving conditions in Tanzanian’s national parks can be unpredictable as the roads around the parks, are normally dirt tracks, and can become hazardous or impassable after heavy rain. A 4x4 vehicle is often required.
Keep doors locked, windows up and valuables out of sight, as vehicles are sometimes targeted by thieves. Be particularly careful at night when there is a higher incidence of crime and drunk driving. Avoid driving out of town at night. If you become aware of an unusual incident, or if somebody out of uniform tries to flag you down, it is often safer not to stop.
If you’re stopped by the police, ask to see identification before making any payments for traffic violations.