Tanzania Travel Tips & Useful Info

You should seek medical advice from your local health practitioner before travelling to Tanzania and ensure that you receive all of the appropriate vaccinations. As a guide Polio, Diphtheria, Hepatitis A & B, Typhoid and Tetanus is strongly recommended. Meningitis and Rabies are also recommended.

A Yellow Fever International Certificate of Vaccination is required if arriving from countries infected with yellow fever or if you were in transit through infected areas (unless you remained on board or at the airport). This is particularly relevant if travelling from neighbouring African countries. If visiting Zanzibar from mainland Tanzania, a yellow fever certificate must be produced to gain entry.

Do I need anti-malaria tablets for Tanzania?

The most common staples found in Tanzanian cuisine are rice and ugali, a thick, white paste made from cornmeal that is served alongside a sauce-based stew or meat dish. Chapatis, as can be found in India, also make the base of many meals along with beans and mchicha, a green vegetable that resembles spinach. Accompanying these staples are several different meat-centric dishes, such as grilled chicken or nyama choma, roasted beef or goat.

Once you hit the coast, seafood makes more of an appearance and one delicious dish is octopus in a creamy coconut curry. Snacks are also widely available, a popular choice of which are samosas, brought over to Tanzania from India. Roasted corn with lemon and chilli salt is also a favourite with locals and can be bought from street-side grills. Meals can be washed down with a hot cup of chai tea or a local beer, such as Safari, Kilimanjaro or Castle.

Safe eating while travelling in Tanzania

The most popular purchase for travellers in Tanzania is a traditional wooden carving, usually in the shape of a mask or tribes person. A close second to this are the soapstone sculptures that can be found in boutiques as well as marketplaces. Another excellent item to take home with you is a Maasai blanket, which are brightly coloured and similar in pattern to tartan and can be used as tablecloths, picnic blankets or even clothes.

If you’re looking for something to wear, colourful kangas, which look like sarongs, are widely available. You might also want to look out for some tinga-tinga art, a unique style to Tanzania that encompasses bright colours and a cartoon-ish style and usually depicts safari animals or African scenes. Another uniquely Tanzanian product is Tanzanite, a deep blue precious gem that can only be found in the country. If you want to buy one of these stones it is a good idea to do your research beforehand or take a trustworthy and knowledgeable guide who can make sure you’re getting the real deal.

Is bargaining acceptable in Tanzania?

Generally, those on safari will have their accommodation and food costs included in their tour package. However, those heading to the big cities should expect to pay around USD $50 per night for mid-range hotels and around USD $100 for the best accommodation options. Street food is widely available and costs anything from a few cents to USD $3 depending on how hungry you are. A sit down meal with a beer can cost up to around USD $10. Public transport is cheap and long bus journeys can come in at as little as a few dollars.