TRAVEL ADVICE

VISAS

In the United Republic of Tanzania (which includes Zanzibar) visas are required by almost all nationalities.
The cost can be as high as USD 70, depending upon your nationality.
Tourist visas usually have a one month validity, unless you request a longer period.
Visas can be obtained before travel, from Tanzanian Embassies and High Commissions around the world.

Tanzanian Embassies & Consulates around the world

Belgium : T 02 640 6500 F 02 646 8026 : 363 Ave Louise, 1050 Brussels

Canada : T 0613 232 1500 F 0613 232 5184 : 50 Range Road, Ottawa, Ontario KIN 8J4

France : T 01 53 70 63 70 F 01 53 70 63 66 : 13 Ave Raymond Poincare 75116 Paris

Germany : T 0228 358051 F 0228 358226 : Teaterplatz 26, 53177 Bonn

Italy : T 06 321 0923 : Rome

Japan : T 03 425 4531 F 03 425 7844 : 21-9, Kamiyoga4, Chome, Setagaya-Ku, Tokyo 158

Kenya : T 02 331056 F 02 218269 : Continental House, Corner of UhuruHighway/Harambee Ave, Nairobi

Mozambique : T 258 1 490110 : Ujamaa House, PO Box 4515, Maputo

South Africa : T 012 342 4371 F 012 430 4383 : PO Box 56572 Arcadia 0007, Pretoria

Switzerland : T 022 731 8920 F 022 732 8255 : 47 Ave Blanc, CH-1201, Geneva

Uganda : T 256 41 256 292 F 256 41 242890 : 6 Kagera Road, PO Box 5750, Kampala

United Kingdom : T 0207 569 1470 F 0207 491 3710 ; 3 Stratford Place, London W1C 1AS :
Tanzania High Commission UK visas

USA : T 1 202 939 6125 F 1 202 797 7408 : 2139 R Street, NW, Washington DC 2000

Zambia : T 260 1 253320 : Ujamaa House, 5200 United Nations Avenue, Lusaka

Zimbabwe : T 26 3 472 1870 : Harare

If you have been unable, or have not had time to procure a Visa in advance, it is possible to obtain a tourists'
single entry visa at Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar or Kilimanjaro International Airports, and also at
the Namanga entry point (Tanzanian-Kenya road border point) subject to the fulfilment of all immigration and health requirements. You will need to carry USD in cash to pay for these. (USD 50 - 100 depending on your country of origin)

DOCUMENTS

Driving Licence
If you intend to drive in Tanzania, international driving licences are required. Failing this you can use your national licence
to get a temporary Tanzanian licence from the traffic police, but this is much more hassle.

Health Card
Visitors from countries infected with Cholera and Yellow Fever must produce international certificates of vaccination.

Customs
It is illegal to export shells, coral, ivory and turtle shell. Please don't do it.

There is no limit to the amount of foreign currency you can take into the country although sums over $10,000
must be declared. The amount of local currency you can take out of the country is restricted to 2000 TZS.

Visitors arriving at Zanzibar pass through local Immigration and Customs, even if arriving from mainland Tanzania.

Baggage

It is a good idea to have smaller cases rather than one large one, if you are planning to take internal flights
around Tanzania. Some safaris/air charters limit baggage to a 10 - 15 kilo maximum.

MONEY MATTERS

Currency

The unit of currency is the Tanzanian Shilling (TZS). Note denominations are 10,000, 5,000,
1,000, 500, 200 and 100 shillings
and coins of 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5 cents.

CURRENCY CONVERTER

06th May 2011

1 GB Pound = 2,509 TZS

1 US Dollar = 1,528 TZS

FXConverter - © 1997-2011 by OANDA.com

Changing money

It is best to carry your hard currency in US Dollars.

PLease note that in Tanzania US Dollar notes from 2003 or earlier are no longer legal tender and cannot be accepted by Tanzanian banks.
We cannot accept them as payment for drinks and expenses in our hotel and camps - so please check that you are not carrying any with you to Tanzania.

You can change hard currency, travellers cheques in plenty of places.
You can not change travellers cheques for USD.
Keep hold of your changing receipts so that you can change your shillings back to hard currency
when you leave.

Almost all hotels, car hire, diving, safari operators, airlines etc. will require you to pay in US Dollars currency.
Travellers cheques are usually changed at around 5% to 10% lower than cash. Credit cards are accepte
in many hotels etc. but a charge of up to 20% may be levied.
Sometimes airport tax is only accepted in USD, which means you must have some with you.

In Dar, Zanzibar and Arusha you can get cash against Mastercard and Visa cards, at the Coastal Travels Offices.
The exchange rate isn't great though and there is a TZS 4000 charge. Exchange here is limited to USD 600 per day.
There are no cash machines in Zanzibar.

There is no black market of any note. Ignore offers on the street - it's probably a set-up.