Tanzania, situated in East Africa, is a large country in terms of area (945,500 km²). The country lies entirely south of the equator and is bordered to the east by the Indian Ocean. Its other neighbours are Kenya and Uganda to the north, Rwanda, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the west, Zambia and Malawi to the south-west, and Mozambique to the south. The landscape of Tanzania is characterised by vast savannahs and the East African Rift Valley. In the north lies Africa’s highest mountain, Kilimanjaro, which rises to 5,895 metres above sea level. The central parts of the country consist of vast plains and drier regions, whilst the west is home to large lakes such as Lake Tanganyika and Lake Victoria. On the east coast, the landscape is dominated by the Indian Ocean coastline and tropical islands such as Zanzibar. Tanzania has a population of around 68 million, and the country’s capital is Dodoma, although the largest city is Dar es Salaam. The country gained independence from British rule in the early 1960s, and as a legacy of the colonial era, the official language is English. Swahili also has official language status. Tanzanians derive a large part of their livelihood from agriculture. Tourism is also a significant industry and, compared to West Africa, for example, the country boasts a great deal of high-quality tourism infrastructure, such as magnificent safari destinations.
Climate: Tanzania’s climate is generally warm all year round, but the rainy and dry seasons have a particular impact on the visitor’s experience. The dry season, from June to October, is usually sunny and pleasant, with daytime temperatures often around 25–30 °C. The short-rain season usually falls between November and December, when the weather is warm, around 27–31 °C, and the rains are typically short but heavy. The long rainy season lasts from March to May, when the air is more humid and there is more rainfall, although temperatures often remain around 25–30 °C. Tanzania’s winter months, from June to August, are slightly cooler in many places, and nights can feel chilly, particularly in the highlands. The coast and Zanzibar are hotter and more humid all year round than the interior.
Security: The security situation in Tanzania is generally good, but there are pickpockets in crowds. Traffic and the heat are the biggest risk factors. You must ask permission from the subjects before taking photographs. Do not photograph demonstrations, officials, airports or other strategic locations.
Visa: Western nationals require a visa to enter Tanzania. You can apply for a visa in advance, and a decision will be made within 1–4 weeks. The easiest option is to obtain a visa on arrival, i.e. without any prior arrangements. Please note that visa requirements may change without prior notice. Your passport must be valid for at least six months from the date of arrival and must contain at least one empty page.
Currency: Tanzania’s currency is the Tanzanian shilling (TZS). The currency cannot be exchanged outside Tanzania, so you should bring US dollar or euro notes with you and exchange them on arrival at your destination. You can also withdraw cash from ATMs.
Vaccinations and malaria: Tanzania requires proof of yellow fever vaccination if you are arriving from a country where yellow fever is present. As yellow fever is present in Tanzania, the vaccine is recommended in any case. Hepatitis A and B vaccinations are also recommended for entry into the country. Please ensure that your basic vaccinations are up to date. Malaria is present throughout Tanzania, particularly along the coast and in the lowlands, all year round, so it is advisable to obtain anti-malarial medication.
Travel insurance: Comprehensive travel insurance is strongly recommended.
