How to Reach Tanzania

By Air
Tanzania is easily accessible by air, sea and road. With four international airports - Dar es Salaam International Airport (located 15 km southwest of Dar es Salaam and taking approximately 25 minutes to reach by car from the city center), Zanzibar International Airport (located approximately 7 km from the center and taking almost 15 minutes to reach by car, Kilimanjaro International Airport ( 40 km from Arusha town and takes almost one hour to reach by car) and Mwanza Airport that caters mainly for cargo uplifts especially of frozen fish fillet for the European Union market - travelers can easily plan their visits to Tanzania.

Major world airlines like British Airways, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Kenya Airways, Emirates, Ethiopian Airlines, Gulf Air, Air India, Egypt Air, South African Airways, Oman Air, Yemen Air and Qatar Airways fly in and out of Dar es Salaam , Kilimanjaro and Zanzibar International airports. Air Tanzania, Precision Air and a number of domestic commercial operators fly to various destinations within and out of the country.

KLM has daily non-stop flights from Amsterdam to Kilimanjaro and Dar es Salaam International Airports. Swiss International Airlines operates four weekly flights from Geneva and Zurich to Dar es Salaam. British Airways also operates three weekly non-stop from Heathrow to Dar es Salaam . Air India, Ethiopian Airlines, Kenya Airways, Egypt Air, Gulf Air, Emirates, Oman Air, Yemen Air and Qatar Airways link Tanzania with the Gulf, the Indian sub-continent and Far East, the People's Republic of China included.

By Railway
Tanzania is well served by two rail networks - the Tanzania Railways Corporation (TRC) which runs passenger and goods services along the central line between Dar es Salaam and terminal stations on both Lake Victoria (Mwanza) and Lake Tanganyika (Kigoma). Another link - Tanga Line, connects the northern coast port of Tanga with the northern regions of Kilimanjaro and Arusha.

The second rail network is the Tanzania Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA). This line, which was financed with a historical generous grant from the People's Republic of China, runs southwest from Dar es Salaam for a distance of 1,800 km through the world's largest and famous Selous Game Reserve and the mineral rich southern highlands. It then runs across the border with Zambia and continues to New Kapiri Mposhi where it is well connected to the Democratic Republic of Congo, Zambia itself, Zimbabwe and South African Railway networks. Goods from Southern Africa utilize this railway by operating goods train services up to Kidatu where there is an Inland Rail Terminal liking with Tanzania Railways Corporation line.

By Road
Over 90% of passenger traffic and 80% of internal freight is carried by roads thus road network plays an important role in the socio-economic development of the country. The Tanzania National Roads Agency (TANROADS) is responsible for the management of the 35,000 kilometre trunk and regional roads network. The government, with the support of its development partners, has embarked on an extensive maintenance, rehabilitation and upgrading programme for all roads. The presence of Chinese construction engineers in this area is very conspicuous. Projects that have been completed include the construction of the longest bridge in Eastern, Central and Southern Africa - the Mkapa Bridge on Rufiji River along the Dar Es Salaam-Lindi-Mtwara Road and the 65-kilometre Wazo Hill-Bagamoyo road. The completion of these projects will improve living standards of people along their routes, improve access to areas of agricultural production and promote tourism.
 
By Sea/Lakes

There are four major ports: Tanga, Dar es Salaam , Mtwara and Zanzibar. These ports are well equipped and form a very important gateway link to the world and to the land-locked countries of Uganda , Rwanda , Burundi , the Democratic Republic of Congo, Zambia and Malawi . Several private ferry boat operators serve the Dar es Salaam - Zanzibar route using range of crafts from sailing dhows to tourist-class twin-hull fast boats. The fastest boat takes 75 minutes on a calm day. Bookings can be made through most travel agents.

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Useful Information

Useful Information on What to Do Before Travelling to Tanzania

Health
Visitors are advised to take precautionary measures to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes. Visitors may use insect repellent, wear long sleeved shirts and trousers in evenings and utilize mosquito nets. An International Certificate for vaccination for yellow fever is required to enter Zanzibar. Hospitals provide good medical care in cities and in the remote areas or on safari. Flying Doctors facilities are also available. However, it is also advised to carry medical kits for emergencies.

Visa
Visitors are required to have valid passports and entry visa. Visas can be obtained from Tanzania Embassies, High Commissions and Consulate as well as at major entry points in the country such as Dar es Salaam , Kilimanjaro and Zanzibar International Airports , Namanga, Sirari, Horohoro and Taveta. ( For further details on visa requirements, kindly see the special page on visa requirements)

Currency
The Tanzanian shilling (Tsh.) is divided into 100cents. Notes are in denomination of 200, 500, 1000, and 10,000 shillings. Coins are in order of 10, 20, 50, 100 and 200 shillings. Money can be changed in banks, bureaux de change and other accredited points such as hotels. Credit cards (Access, Master Card, Visa, American Express, Euro Card and Diners) are accepted by large hotels around the country. Travellers' cheques in US dollars and Pound Sterling are recommended, although Euros are also accepted. Banking hours in major towns are from Monday to Friday (08.30 - 16.00 hrs), Saturday from 08.30 hrs - 13.30 hrs. These may vary in smaller towns. ATM and 24 hour cash machines are available in branches of major banks and accept international VISA cards. Please note that banks are closed on Sundays.

Airport Tax
All passengers departing on international flights must pay a US$30 departure tax that is included in the price of a ticket. For tickets issued in Zanzibar, an additional 10% of the ticket value is charged as sales tax. Passengers departing from Zanzibar to any destination within Tanzania shall be required to pay a tax of Tsh. 5,000.

Public Holidays
Public holidays in Tanzania remain the same every year. The government shall announce any change of the public holidays. Currently the following are the recognized Public Holidays:

• New Year -January 1
• Zanzibar Revolutionary Day - January 12
• Union Day - April 26
• Workers Day - (also known as MEI MOSI Day) - May 1
• Industrial Day (also known as SABA SABA DAY) - July 7
•  Farmers Day (known as NANE NANE DAY) - August 8
•  Nyerere Day
•  Good Friday*
•  Easter Monday*
•  Eid El Fitr**
•  Maulid**
•  Eid El Hajji**
•  Christmas Day - December 25
•  Boxing Day - December 26
  * Christian holidays that changes each year according to the calendar
  ** Islamic holidays change from year to year depending on the sighting of
  the new moon.

Tours and Tour Operators
Tour Operators are restricted to local companies who have been licensed to operate as Tour Operators. Most Tour Operators use their own or hired minibuses to transport their clients to various tours or to specific locations. There are also self-driven vehicles for hire. Regarding the prices of tours basically they differ depending on the itinerary, season and from one tour operator to another. For budget purposes, one can alternatively use buses to travel from one town to another.

Special arrangement under the MOU signed between the People's Republic of China and the United Republic of Tanzania has been devised to handle tourists from China. To access some of the Tour Operators who can handle tourists between Tanzania and China Click the appropriate links below:

Tour Operators in Tanzania
Tour Operators in China

Code of Conduct For Tourists Visiting Zanzibar The majority of Zanzibar residents practice Islamic faith and this is reflected in their lifestyle and culture. All visitors to Zanzibar are advised to observe the following guidelines:  Swim suits, mini skirts and other revealing clothing should not be worn outside hotels, beaches, and resort premises;

 Drinking alcohol in public may offend the residents;  Nudity on the beaches and everywhere else is prohibited by law;  Kissing in public or other displays of affection are not customary in Zanzibar and may be construed to be offensive;  Taking photographs of residents without asking their permission is considered offensive. Military and security sensitive areas are out of bounds and no pictures are allowed to be taken. This also applies to the mainland;  Mosques are sacred places; non-Muslims are usually not permitted to enter. Photographing of the mosques’ interior from the doorway is not allowed during prayers; and   You are requested not to eat, drink or smoke in public during the Holly month of Ramadhan

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