Language

Swahili is the official and primary language of Tanzania and Zanzibar, and is also the lingua franca of central and eastern Africa. English is also an official language and common in commerce, administration and tertiary education. Arabic is spoken in Zanzibar and along the Muslim coast, with many local languages also spoken throughout the country. Attempting a few Swahili greetings and phrases will earn you lots of smiles!

Currency

Tanzanian Shilling (divided into cents)

US dollars cash are by far the easiest foreign currency to exchange in Tanzania. It can either be changed to T-shillings, or used directly (but often at a lower rate). We recommend you only take US$ notes from 2006 or newer, and with the new large-head design. Older or torn notes are not accepted in Tanzania.

Euro can also be changed in many places. However the rate is not always as good.

In Tanzania credit cards are becoming more useful and the quite a few hotels now take payment by credit cards. Please be aware identity theft is common so please be careful when using them for payment, and never allow your credit card to be out of your sight at all times.

There are only a few ATM machines in major cities that are connected internationally and reliability is not guaranteed.

International Dialing Code

+255

Electricity

Electricity in Tanzania is 230 Volts, at 50 hertz. The most common pin types are D (3 pin round) and G (UK – 3 prong).

Visas

Visas are required for passport holders from the following countries:-

Australia

New Zealand

Canada

United States

United Kingdom

Travellers can now apply online for the Tanzania visa https://visa.immigration.go.tz/

A single entry visa costs USD$50 and is valid for a stay of up to 90 days.

A multiple entry visa costs USD$100 and is valid for 12 months. No one stay can be longer than 3 months in duration.

NB: American nationals who wish to visit Tanzania for tourism or holiday purposes MUST select a MULTIPLE entry visa while applying online. American nationals are not entitled to a single entry visa.

All other nationalities should check with your nearest embassy or consulate.

Multiple entry visas are not issued, however, those who travel between Tanzania and Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi will not need a new visa to re-enter Tanzania provided they re-enter Tanzania while the visa is still valid. Those who go from Tanzania to countries other than Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi, will need to obtain a new visa at the entry point to Tanzania.

TRAVEL VIA KENYA

Visas are required for passport holders from the following countries:

Australia

New Zealand

Canada

United States

United Kingdom

Details of obtaining visas are provided in your confirmation kit.

All other nationalities should check with your nearest embassy or consulate.

Travellers holding a single entry Kenyan visa can exit Kenya to Tanzania or Rwanda (and also Uganda or Burundi) and re-enter Kenya from those countries without the need to hold a multiple entry visa as long as the visa is still valid. Travellers are still required to have the appropriate visas for Tanzania, Rwanda (or Uganda and Burundi) if required. Please note: Travellers who go to countries other than Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi, will need to obtain a new visa to re-enter Kenya or should apply for a multiple entry visa in their home country prior to travel.

A visa is required and is issued prior to arrival (you will need to print this out and present it to an Immigration Official upon arrival). Visa applications can be made online at: http://www.ecitizen.go.ke/ <http://www.ecitizen.go.ke/>

You need a visa to enter Kenya. Kenyan entry visas are exclusively issued electronically, with passengers required to obtain their e-visas before departure.

The Kenya eVisa application is simple and quick to complete, and strongly recommended as it smooths the immigration process. You are advised to create an eVisa application at least 7 business days before your departure. To apply for an eVisa to visit Kenya, you must apply through the following Kenyan eVisa service website: http://www.ecitizen.go.ke/

You will be required to register as a visitor and then proceed to the Department of Immigration Services section. The eVisa application form caters for: Single entry visa or Transit Visa.

The visas will be processed and sent online to the applicants(s). The applicant(s) will then be required to print out the approved eVisa and present it to an Immigration officer at the first point of entry into Kenya.

Please note the following visa fees:

Single Entry Visa (SJV) valid for three months from date of issue – USD$50

Transit Visa (TV) valid for three days – USD$20

(Note - all eVisa applications attract a USD$1 service charge).

It is possible to apply for an East Africa Tourist Visa (EATV) which allows applicants wishing to travel to the East African Community (EAC) countries of Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda to obtain one visa to cover all three countries. The visa allows for multiple entry within the EAC region within the validity period of 90 days. Once a traveller goes out of the three countries and comes back to either Kenya/Rwanda/Uganda, it will be considered as a new journey and not a continuation, hence the EATV visa is deemed expired and you would then have to apply for a single entry permit to re-enter either Kenya/Rwanda/Uganda. Applicants must apply for the visa through the Embassy of the country they will be entering first and will be obliged to enter only through that country. If entering first via Kenya, the East Africa Tourist Visa (which covers Kenya, Rwanda & Uganda) is available on application at the Kenya High Commission and costs USD$100/AUD$140. Note that this multiple country visa arrangement does NOT include Tanzania.

INTRODUCTION OF e-VISA SERVICES

Visa applications to Kenya can be made online via: www.ecitizen.go.ke <http://www.ecitizen.go.ke>. Manual application will not be accepted for Single entry visa or Transit Visa; it only applies for an East Africa Tourist Visa. Applicants are advised to submit their visa applications and obtain approval before travelling. The email approval after the online visa application and payment will take minimum SEVEN business days. The procedure is as listed below.

To apply for a Kenyan e-VISA, you need to get this in your home country (takes a minimum of 7 business days). Visa applications are made online at http://www.ecitizen.go.ke/. Have your passport and itinerary details at hand when you apply (Note: Passport validity: minimum required 6 months from date of entry and at least 1 blank page.)

1. Click REGISTER on http://www.ecitizen.go.ke/ <http://www.ecitizen.go.ke/>

2. Once you have signed in as a visitor eCitizen at: http://www.ecitizen.go.ke/ <http://www.ecitizen.go.ke/> you will need to check your email account to verify and activate your account.

3. Next you will log in (http://www.ecitizen.go.ke/ <http://www.ecitizen.go.ke/> ) and select Department of Immigration services.

4. Upload a passport-size photo of yourself to proceed (maximum dimensions 500px by 500px).

5. Select Department of Immigration Services, then select Submit Application, next select Kenyan Visa.

6. Select the type of Visa and read the instructions carefully.

7. Fill in the application form. (Note - you will have to upload a copy of your itinerary and bio page of your passport)

8. Pay using Visa card, Mastercard or other debit cards in USD, Euros, GBP or SwissFrancs.

9. Await approval via email, then download and print the eVisa from your eCitizen account.

10. The eVisa must be printed and a copy presented to the Immigration official at the port of entry upon arrival in Kenya.

Please print 2 copies of the eVisa. Bring both to Africa. Keep one with your passport and the other separately as a spare just in case. Guard it like a passport.

Please note that the visa processing fee is non-refundable and incomplete applications will be rejected. For further information please go to: http://www.immigration.go.ke

ZANZIBAR ENTRY REQUIREMENTS - TRAVEL INSURANCE

With effect from 1 October 2024, all visitors to Zanzibar (excluding residents) must have mandatory Inbound Travel Insurance from the Zanzibar Insurance Corporation (ZIC) for the duration of their stay (up to 92 days). This insurance ensures your peace of mind during your stay, offering comprehensive coverage for emergencies such as medical evacuations and repatriation.

You can only buy this insurance from ZIC. Other international travel insurance policies will not be accepted. You may be refused entry if you do not have the correct insurance.

Secure your insurance easily through the provided QR code before your journey. Complete your insurance application directly through the Visit Zanzibar website: https://visitzanzibar.go.tz/

If you have any questions that are not covered on the website, contact ZIC by emailing [email protected].

Safety

Your safety is our number one concern. Our safety track record is exemplary thanks to careful management and thorough consultation with local partners. Our industry leading risk management procedures have become a skill that we continue to refine. Our leaders in the field are highly trained and have safety as their number one priority. Expert leaders, risk assessments, quality inclusions and your financial security all come standard when you travel with us.

Please refer to our Travel Advisory page for updates on recent events, travel warnings and advice.

We strongly recommend that all clients take out travel insurance at the time of booking to cover against sickness, accident, loss of baggage, unexpected alterations to travel arrangements and travel disruption, emergency evacuation, cancellations, etc. Insurance information is enclosed with your pre-departure information. Please contact us if you would like to obtain a quote for your trip duration.

We suggest that you consult your doctor, local government inoculation centre or a travel medical specialist in order to get the most current advice regarding vaccination requirements.

Money and valuables should always be stored safely when travelling. Keep your passport with you at all times and do not leave it in your main luggage. You will need it to change money and check into hotels. Where safety deposit boxes are available, we recommend that you use them. Keep jewellery and valuables to a minimum.