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Region: Africa
Full Name: United Republic of Tanzania
Capital City: Dar es Salaam
Language Spoken: Kiswahili or Swahili (official), Kiunguja (name for Swahili in Zanzibar), English (official, primary language of commerce, administration, and higher education), Arabic (widely spoken in Zanzibar), many local languages note: Kiswahili (Swahili) is the mother tongue of the Bantu people living in Zanzibar and nearby coastal Tanzania; although Kiswahili is Bantu in structure and origin, its vocabulary draws on a variety of sources, including Arabic and English, and it has become the lingua franca of central and eastern Africa; the first language of most people is one of the local languages
Get travel insurance to Tanzania from Direct Travel Insurance. We offer low cost and high quality travel insurance to Tanzania and most of the world.
6 00 S, 35 00 E
lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: Kilimanjaro 5,895 m
total: 3,861 km border countries: Burundi 451 km, Democratic Republic of the Congo 459 km, Kenya 769 km, Malawi 475 km, Mozambique 756 km, Rwanda 217 km, Uganda 396 km, Zambia 338 km
flooding on the central plateau during the rainy season; drought
hydropower, tin, phosphates, iron ore, coal, diamonds, gemstones, gold, natural gas, nickel
arable land: 4.23% permanent crops: 1.16% other: 94.61% (2005)
soil degradation; deforestation; desertification; destruction of coral reefs threatens marine habitats; recent droughts affected marginal agriculture; wildlife threatened by illegal hunting and trade, especially for ivory
The climate is tropical and coastal areas are hot and humid. The rainy season lasts from March to June. The central plateau is dry and arid. The northwestern highlands are cool and temperate and the rainy season here lasts from November to December and February to May. Required clothing Tropical clothing is worn throughout the year, but in the cooler season, from June to September, jackets and sweaters may be needed, especially in the evenings.
time difference: UTC+3 note: legislative offices have been transferred to Dodoma, which is planned as the new national capital; the National Assembly now meets there on a regular basis
37,445,392 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2006 est.)
0-14 years: 43.7% (male 8,204,593/female 8,176,489) 15-64 years: 53.6% (male 9,906,446/female 10,178,066) 65 years and over: 2.6% (male 422,674/female 557,124) (2006 est.)
total: 17.7 years male: 17.5 years female: 18 years (2006 est.)
1.83% (2006 est.)
37.71 births/1,000 population (2006 est.)
16.39 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.)
-3.05 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.76 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2006 est.)
total population: 45.64 years male: 44.93 years female: 46.37 years (2006 est.)
4.97 children born/woman (2006 est.)
Light suits and tie are typically worn for business meetings, Safari jackets are acceptable in very hot weather. Tanzanians are generally polite, helpful and warm-hearted. The private sector is slowly growing and maturing. Patience, specificity and flexibility are essential for success. Almost all executives speak English. Office hours are 0800-1200 and 1400-1630 Monday to Friday and 0800-1300 Saturday. Government office hours are 0730-1530 Monday to Friday.
Crime, particularly against foreigners, has become more common in both urban and rural areas. Incidents include rapes and attempted rapes, muggings, vehicle thefts, and residential break-ins. Thieves on buses and trains may steal valuables from inattentive passengers. Visitors driving in and near game parks are at risk. In recent years, there has been an increase in acts of armed banditry in and around parks and reserves frequented by tourists. The Tanzanian government has taken steps to increase security in the national parks. Assaults in Zanzibar and along public beaches in Dar es Salaam are not uncommon, and police, particularly in Zanzibar, appear inattentive to the problem. Crime and hazardous road conditions make travel by night dangerous. Carjackings have occurred in both rural and urban areas. Travelers are urged not to stop between populated areas and to travel in convoys whenever possible.
Tanzania has a range of accommodation from very good, expensive hotels to cheaper hotels which, although adequate, lack comfort. There are critical shortages of housing in all urban centers of Tanzania. Most visitors to urban centers stay in tourist hotels, although the amenities and comfort levels fall below standards.
Telephone IDD service is available. The country code is 255 and the outgoing international code is 00. In rural areas, international calls must go through the operator. Tanzania's telecommunications infrastructure within the country is poor and overburdened. International communications by phones, fax and telex are generally reliable, though they can be difficult to obtain, and comparatively expensive. There are many public call boxes in post offices and main towns.
is 240 volts AC, 50Hz. Plugs may be round or square 3-pin. Electricity 230 volts AC, 50Hz. Plugs may be round or square three-pin, fused or unfused.
D,G
Most hotels serve local Tanzanian food while the major hotels offer Western and other international food. Things to know: Table service is normal in restaurants. Bars generally have counter service. Tanzania is a secular state and alcohol is not prohibited. Zanzibar's population is predominantly Muslim. Alcohol is available in some tourist hotels and restaurants, but should not be drunk in public.
National specialties:
? Seafood such as prawns and lobsters.
? Tropical fruit such as coconuts, pawpaws, mangoes, pineapples and bananas. National drinks:
? A good lager, Safari, is produced locally.
? Konyagi is a popular gin.
? A chocolate and coconut liqueur called Afrikoko.
? A wine called Dodoma, which comes in red or ros?.
Tipping:
Not generally encouraged, though waiters and porters in tourist hotels and restaurants may expect to be tipped.
Nightlife
In Dar es Salaam, there are several nightclubs, cabarets and cinemas. Generally, the nightlife centers are in the top tourist hotels and restaurants.
Note The granting of a visa does not guarantee permission to enter Tanzania. The Immigration Officer reserves the right to grant or deny admission. Visa holders are subject to normal immigration control at the port of entry and should carry with them, for possible presentation to Immigration Officers, the documents submitted with their applications.
Passport valid for at least six months required by all.
Required by all nationals except the following:
(a) nationals of Antigua & Barbuda, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, Botswana, Brunei, Cyprus, Dominica, Grenada, Jamaica, Kenya, Kiribati, Lesotho, Malaysia, Malawi, Maldives, Malta, Namibia, Nauru, St Kitts & Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent & the Grenadines, Seychelles, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Swaziland, Tonga, Tuvalu, Uganda, Vanuatu, Zambia and Zimbabwe for stays of up to three months and issued with a visitor's pass on arrival;
(b) 1. nationals of Cyprus and Malta.
Nationals who do not require visas for stays of up to three months, may still need entry permit clearance, except nationals of Kenya and Uganda. All other nationals must obtain visas in advance except nationals coming from a country where there is no Tanzania Embassy, High Commission or Consulate to issue a visa. In this case, these nationals may obtain a visa on arrival at one of the following four main entry points, provided all immigration and health requirements are met: Dar es Salaam International Airport, Kilimanjaro International Airport, Namanga Entry Point (Tanzania-Kenya border crossing) and Zanzibar International Airport.
Tourist: US$65 (single-entry). Business: US$86 (single-entry). Cost of Tourist Visa depends on nationality of applicant. The above prices are for UK nationals; Irish nationals always pay US$9 For postal applications, fees must be paid to the Tanzania High Commission at any Barclays Bank branch. Please note that once visas are processed, fees are non-refundable.
Single-entry: Three months from date of issue; Multiple-entry: Six months from date of issue.
Consulate (or Consular section at High Commission or Embassy); see Passport/Visa Information.
(a) One completed application form. (b) Two recent passport-size photos. (c) Valid passport. (d) Fee, payable in cash if the application is made in person, or paid to the Tanzania High Commission at any Barclays Bank branch for postal applications. The pay-in slip must be enclosed with the application form. (e) Pre-paid, self-addressed, stamped envelope for postal applications. (f) For business visitors, a letter indicating the nature of the trip and the business contact in Tanzania.
All nationals may be asked to attend an interview and/or supply further documents.
Normally three working days. Up to 10 working days for postal applications.
Enquire at High Commission or Embassy.
No Test Required
None, except Zanzibar Airport, which charges US$25.
3 Stratford Place, London WC1 1AS, UK
Tel: (020) 7569 1470.
Website: https://tzhc.uk/
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 1000-1230 (visa section) and 1500-1600 (visa collection only).
2139 R Street, NW, Washington, DC 20008, USA
Tel: (202) 939 6123/5/7.
Website: www.tanzaniaembassy-us.org
Most visits to Tanzania are trouble-free, but travelers should be aware of the high threat from terrorism in Tanzania, including Zanzibar.
Armed robberies, especially at remote sites, are increasing.
Travelers to the area bordering Burundi should exercise caution.
This advice is based on information provided by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office in the UK. It is correct at time of publishing. As the situation can change rapidly, visitors are advised to contact the following organizations for the latest travel advice:
Tel: (0845) 850 2829.
Website: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/tanzania
Tanzanian Shilling (TZS) = 100 cents. Notes are in denominations of TZS10,000, 5000, 2000, 1000 and 500. Coins are in denominations of TZS200, 100, 50, 20, 10, 5 and 1, and 50, 10 and 5 cents.
The import and export of local currency is prohibited. The import of foreign currency is unlimited, subject to declaration. The export of foreign currency is limited to the amount declared on arrival.
Mon-Fri 0830-1230 (some places are open until 1600), Sat 0830-1300.
Money may be changed at banks, authorized dealers and bureaux de change. A receipt should be obtained and kept until departure.
Major credit cards are accepted in larger hotels. Check with your credit or debit card company for details of merchant acceptability and other facilities which may be available. Cash can be withdrawn from some ATMs using Visa or Mastercard.
May be cashed with authorized dealers or bureaux de change. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travelers are advised to take traveller's cheques in US Dollars or Pounds Sterling.
| City/Region | City/Area code | Followed by |
|---|---|---|
| Dar es Salaam | (0)22 | + 8 digit subscriber nr |
| Dodoma | (0)26 | + 8 digit subscriber nr |
| Kagera | (0)28 | + 8 digit subscriber nr |
| Kilimanjaro | (0)27 | + 8 digit subscriber nr |
| Mbeya | (0)25 | + 8 digit subscriber nr |
| Morogoro | (0)23 | + 8 digit subscriber nr |
| Zanzibar | (0)24 | + 8 digit subscriber nr |
Good quality dental care is available in the larger towns and cities
Some international medication is available from the larger pharmacies and hospitals in the larger towns and cities.
Screening is inconsistent in Tanzania, therefore blood supplies should be considered as unsafe
Medical facilities are limited, and medicines are often unavailable.
Recent medical and dental exams should ensure that the traveler is in good health. Carry appropriate health and accident insurance documents and copies of any important medical records. Bring an adequate supply of all prescription and other medications as well as any necessary personal hygiene items, including a spare pair of eyeglasses or contact lenses if necessary. Drink only bottled beverages (including water) or beverages made with boiled water. Do not use ice cubes or eat raw seafood, rare meat or dairy products. Eat well-cooked foods while they are still hot and fruits that can be peeled without contamination. Avoid roadside stands and street vendors. Swim only in well-maintained, chlorinated pools or ocean water known to be free from pollution; avoid freshwater lakes, streams and rivers. Wear clothing which reduces exposed skin and apply repellents containing DEET to remaining areas. Sleep in well-screened accommodations. Carry anti-diarrheal medication. Reduce problems related to sun exposure by using sunglasses, wide-brimmed hats, sunscreen lotions and lip protection.
AIDS occurs. Blood supply may not be adequately screened and/or single-use, disposable needles and syringes may be unavailable. When possible, travelers should defer medical treatment until reaching a facility where safety can be assured.
Cholera: Although limited in effectiveness, vaccination may be appropriate for persons living and/or working in less than sanitary conditions for more than 3 months where medical facilities are unavailable. Vaccination may also be appropriate for travelers with impaired gastric defenses who are planning an extended visit or being exposed to unsanitary conditions. Vaccination is not advised for pregnant women, infants younger than 6 months old, or persons with a history of severe reaction to the vaccine. Hepatitis A: Consider active immunization with hepatitis A vaccine or passive immunization with immune globulin (IG) for all susceptible travelers. Especially consider choosing active immunization for persons planning to reside for a long period or for persons who take frequent short-term trips to risk areas. The importance of protection against hepatitis A increases as length of stay increases. It is particularly important for persons who will be living in or visiting rural areas, eating or drinking in settings of poor or uncertain sanitation, or who will have close contact with local persons (especially young children) in settings with poor sanitary conditions. Hepatitis B: Vaccination is advised for health care workers, persons anticipating direct contact with blood from or sexual contact with inhabitants, and persons planning extended stays of 6 months or greater (especially those who anticipate using local health care facilities, staying in rural areas, or having intimate contact with the local population). Plague: Vaccination is recommended only for those persons whose occupation or circumstances make avoidance of fleas and rodents difficult when traveling or working in rural or urban areas where plague is known to be active in wild rodents or has been reported to exist in humans and/or commensal rats. Polio: A one-time booster dose is recommended for travelers who have previously completed a standard course of polio immunization. Refer to CDC guidelines for vaccinating unimmunized or incompletely immunized persons. Pregnancy is a relative contraindication to vaccination; however, if protection is needed, either IPV or OPV may be used, depending on preference and time available. Rabies: Preexposure vaccination should be considered for persons staying longer than 30 days who are expected to be at risk to bites from domestic and/or wild animals (particularly dogs), or for persons engaged in high risk activities such as spelunking or animal handling. Need for vaccination is more important if potential exposure is in rural areas and if adequate postexposure care is not readily available. Typhoid: Vaccination should be considered for persons staying longer than 3 weeks, adventurous eaters, and those who will venture off the usual tourist routes into small cities, villages and rural areas. Importance of vaccination increases as access to reasonable medical care becomes limited. Contraindications depend on vaccine type. Yellow fever: Although risk is reportedly limited to northwestern forest areas, vaccination is recommended for travelers over 9 months of age going outside of urban areas. Note: All routine vaccines (such as DTP or Td, Hib, MMR, polio, varicella, influenza and pneumococcal) should be kept up-to-date as a matter of good health practice unrelated to travel.
Insect-borne diseases: are major causes of illness. Many diseases, including yellow fever, are endemic, with only scattered cases being reported and, from time to time, more extensive outbreaks. Dengue fever - occurs Filariasis - prevalent Leishmaniasis - occurs (both cutaneous and visceral types may be found, particularly in the drier areas) Malaria - common Onchocerciasis (river blindness) - prevalent Plague - occurs Relapsing fever - occurs Trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness) - occurs (human type - mainly in small, isolated areas - is reported) Typhus - occurs (louse-, flea-, and tick-borne types occur) Food-borne and water-borne illness: highly endemic. The dysenteries and diarrheal diseases, giardiasis, the typhoid fevers and viral hepatitis are widespread. Echinococcosis (hydatid disease) is widespread in animal-breeding areas. Cholera - occurs Dracunculiasis - occurs Helminthic (parasitic worm) infections - prevalent Schistosomiasis - common (including Lake Malawi) Other hazards: Diseases such as measles and diphtheria are commonly reported, and cases of polio still occur regularly. Influenza risk extends throughout the year. Meningococcal meningitis - occurs Rabies - occurs Trachoma - prevalent
Cholera: Officially considered infected. Infection reported in these regions: Arusha, Dar Es Salaam, Dodoma, Kigoma, Kilimanjaro, Lindi, Mara, Mbeya, Morogoro, Mtwara, Mwanza, Pwani, Rukwa, Shinyanga, Tanga, Zanzibar. Plague: Officially considered infected. Infection reported in Tanga Region. Yellow fever: Officially considered endemic. Risk is considered to exist in northwestern forest areas.
No recent disease outbreaks
| Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Aga Khan Hospital (Dar Es Salaam | Ocean Road/Ufukoni Street P.O. Box 2289 Dar es Salaam |
| I. S. T. Medical Scheme Clinic | IST Upper School Chole Road Dar-es-Salaam |
| Nordic Clinic | Valhalla House 30 P.O. Box 72185 Dar-es-Salaam |
| Regency Medical Centre | Aly Khan Road Upanga Dar Es Salaam |
| TMJ Hospital | Old Bagamoyo Road Dar-es-Salaam |
Until the 1990s, Tanzania's media were largely state-controlled. Founding President Julius Nyerere believed television would increase the divide between rich and poor. It was only in 1994 that the first private station was launched, and in 2001 that state-run TV was first broadcast. Numerous private radio stations are on the air. Liberalization laws were brought into force in 2001, but these do not apply to Zanzibar. There are no private broadcasters or newspapers in Zanzibar, though many locals can receive mainland broadcasters and read the mainland press.
Press: Newspapers in Tanzania include the government-owned Daily News, which is Tanzania's oldest newspaper; Uhuru, which is also owned by the government and published in Swahili; the private English-language newspapers The Guardian and Daily Mail; the private Swahili-language newspapers Nipashe and Alasiri; and the private weeklies Business Times, The Express and Arusha Times.
TV: Channels include state-run Televisheni ya Taifa (TVT) and private networks Independent Television, Dar es Salaam Television and Coastal Television Network. TV Zanzibar is state-run.
Radio: State-run stations include Radio Tanzania Dar es Salaam, Parapanda Radio Tanzania and Voice of Tanzania-Zanzibar. There are dozens of private FM radio stations, most of them operating in urban areas. Among the private networks are Radio Free Africa, Radio One and Radio Uhuru. News bulletins from international radio stations - including the BBC, Voice of America and Germany's Deutsche Welle, are carried by many stations.
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