Tanzania travel advice
Plan your trip to Tanzania with Insight's online travel advice on visas, embassies, transport, healthcare, currency and what to read.
Advance planning...
• Do I need a visa?
• Overseas embassies
• Do I need a vaccination?
• How do I get there?
Just before you go...
• What currency should I take?
• What can I read to get in the mood?
While you're there...
• Embassies and consulates
• What transport can I use to get around Tanzania?
• Health and safety
Visas and passports
All travellers to Tanzania must possess a passport valid for at least six months after the intended date of travel, plus a return ticket.
Citizens of Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the US and of EU member states require a visa to enter Tanzania. It is usually straightforward to obtain a visa on arrival at any international airport or land border, provided you have a valid passport and funds to pay for it, but some operators will suggest you apply in advance. Single-entry tourist visas are valid for three months; multiple-entry visas for six months. Visas may be extended at the immigration office in any town in Tanzania free of charge.
Visa prices, which vary according to citizenship, do not include additional charges for working or business permits. If travelling on business, you may be required to present a letter indicating the nature of the trip and your business contact in Tanzania. A special pass is required for those wishing to work in Tanzania.
As information on visas changes frequently, it is advisable to contact your nearest Tanzanian embassy before you travel.
Finally, keep all receipts for visas and ensure all entries are clearly stamped in your passport. Any smudges may be seen as an opportunity for a fine (bribe).
Overseas embassies
Australia
3rd Floor, MPH Building, 23 Barrack Street, Perth, WA 6000
Tel: +61 (0) 8 9221 0033
Canada
50 Range Road, Ottawa, Ontario, K1N 8J4
Tel: (613) 232-1509
South Africa
822 George Avenue, Arcadia 0007, Pretoria
Tel: +27-12-342 4371
UK & Ireland
Tanzania High Commission, 3 Stratford Place, London W1C 1AS
Tel: 020-7569 1470
USA
1232 22nd Street NW, Washington DC 20037
Tel: (202) 884-1080
Vaccinations
Consult your doctor about inoculations at least two months before you leave. A yellow fever inoculation is no longer required unless you are travelling from an infected area, but there is a risk on the Tanzanian mainland, so it is strongly advisable to have one. Diphtheria and tetanus vaccinations are also a good idea. Boosters are required every 10 years after a trio of injections while young. Typhoid is recommended for stays over two weeks.
A series of inoculations exists for hepatitis A and B. For hepatitis A, long-term protection (10 years) is available by an initial injection followed by a booster at 6–12 months. For short-term protection, an injection of gamma globulin will protect you immediately for up to six months, depending on dosage.
Meningitis inoculations are recommended and should protect you against the major forms of the disease. Polio inoculations are strongly recommended.
Protection against tuberculosis is recommended for those living in the area for over three months, though the risk to tourists is low.
Rabies vaccinations are usually only given if you are likely to be in close contact with animals during your stay (eg, working in a game farm or reserve) or if you are going to a remote area. A full course of three injections takes several weeks to administer. If you are bitten by any animal that might have rabies, you should seek the post-exposure shots as soon as possible.
Guard your vaccination record as carefully as your passport.
Getting to Tanzania
Tanzania is well served by international airlines. The most important hub for international flights is Dar es Salaam’s Julius Nyerere International Airport, but there are also some international flights to Kilimanjaro International Airport, which lies about halfway between the towns of Arusha and Moshi, and Zanzibar International Airport, on the island of the same name.
Coming from the UK or elsewhere in Europe, airlines offering connections to Tanzania include British Airways (from London), KLM (from Amsterdam) and Swiss (from Zurich). It may be cheaper, however, to look at flying with African carriers such as Ethiopian Airlines (via Addis Ababa), Kenya Airways (via Nairobi) or Egypt Air (via Cairo), or the likes of Air India and Emirates.
Travelling to Tanzania from within Africa, South African Airways (SAA) operates daily flights from Johannesburg, and Ethiopian Airlines and Kenya Airways also have a good network of intra-African flights.
There are no direct flights from North America or Australia. Coming from North America, it is most common to fly via London or elsewhere in Europe, though it is also possible to route via elsewhere in Africa with SAA, Ethiopian Airlines or Kenya Airways. Coming from elsewhere, the main regional port of entry is Johannesburg, which is connected to several major centres in Asia, Australia and South America by SAA and other international carriers.
Airport taxes, where applicable, are now included in the ticket fare as a matter of course.
Money and budgeting
Currency
The Tanzanian shilling (TSh; often written /=) is the national unit of currency. It is divided into 100 cents, which are rarely used. Notes come in 500, 1,000, 5,000 and 10,000 denominations. Coins are 50, 100 and 200. There are smaller coins, but these are seldom used.
Cash and cards
You should have no problem changing US Dollars, Euros or the UK Pound Sterling cash into local currency in major towns. US dollars are by far the most widely recognised international currency in Tanzania, though be aware that bank notes printed before 2006 are unlikely to be accepted due to the high number of forgeries in circulation, and US$100 and US$50 banknotes get a significantly higher rate than smaller notes. Traveller’s cheques are no longer easily cashed; only a few banks will accept them, and then only if accompanied by the receipt showing proof of purchase.
Money can be exchanged at most banks and private bureaux de change (the latter known as locally as ‘forex bureaux’); the former sometimes give marginally better rates but the latter are more efficient and keep longer hours. There are literally dozens of forex bureaux in major centres such as Arusha, Moshi, Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar, as well as in most towns close to a land border. There is no black market, and any moneychangers who approach in the street are likely to be working a scam of some sort.
All the larger towns have banks, though in smaller towns, opening hours and services may be limited. Most of the larger bank chains now routinely have 24-hour ATMs where local currency cash can be drawn against a Visa (or more uncommonly MasterCard) credit or debit card, usually to a maximum daily equivalent of between US$200 and US$400. Visa and MasterCard are also accepted for entrance payments at most national parks, and by the majority of upmarket hotels and tour operators. There are no such facilities in very remote areas, however, where you may need to carry all cash with you. Note that vendors other than Visa and MasterCard are not recognised in Tanzania. It is also wise to have a second card as a backup in case your primary one is lost, stolen or rejected.
Tipping
Tipping is optional here. You’ll never insult anyone in Tanzania by giving them a tip. Nor will you end up with New York-style rage if you fail to do so.
Rates are roughly as follows:
Porters: TSh1,000 per bag.
Taxis: Taxi drivers have a hard life – if the service has been good, a tip is a good idea.
Bar staff: 5–10 percent.
Waiters: around 5 percent. A Western-style 15 percent tip at an expensive restaurant would probably equate to a week’s wages, so modify things a little. Leave cash, rather than adding it to the bill.
Prices rise steeply on safari, when you should be prepared to pay 6–10 percent of the total cost of the safari (minus air fares). Split this between the guide, driver, cook and cleaning staff, with more generally going to the first two.
If climbing Kilimanjaro, you need to budget around US$200. Some operators include the tips in the price of the climb.
Budgeting for your trip
Budgeting for your visit to Tanzania very much depends on the sort of experience you are looking to have. Whether you are a backpacker or a luxury client, it is a relatively expensive country, one that seldom offers the shoestring prices of Asia. The key in regard to budgeting is thorough research: find out as much as you can about all the options. Tour operators can book your entire trip right down to the last detail and this makes budgeting a whole lot easier.
It is imperative that you put aside extra funds in case of emergencies. Communication, technology and health-care facilities are nowhere near Western standards in most parts of Tanzania. The best cover you can have in any sticky situation is the means to pay your way out. This, coupled with good travel insurance, should allow you the peace of mind to enjoy your trip no matter what happens.
There are two price brackets for almost all accommodation: resident rates (includes Tanzanians and expatriates) and non-resident rates (everyone else). Non-resident rates are generally quoted in US dollars but payable in Tanzanian shillings. Resident rates are quoted in local currency and always lower. Many establishments catering to tourists have strong seasonal variations in price, with peak season generally regarded as falling from June to early January, so be sure to confirm the price for the time of year you intend to visit.
Prices for accommodation cover the whole gamut. Budget hotels and guesthouses with basic amenities start at around US$10–20 for a simple room. Luxury five-star lodgings range from several hundred to sometimes thousands of dollars per night. Lower to mid-range hotels fall somewhere in between, depending on facilities and level of comfort. Generally, accommodation in the national parks is far pricier than in towns or on beaches. Zanzibar is more expensive than resorts on the mainland.
If you are willing to do as the locals do, you can eat heartily for a pittance. African staples such as ugali (maize) with fish or meat stew, chipsi mayai (chip omelette) or even the more lavish pilau rice can be purchased for a couple of bucks. International cuisine, served at most high-end hotels, is substantially more expensive than local food.
It is never advisable to drink the tap water anywhere in Africa, so include bottled water as part of the budget for your entire trip. A 1.5-litre bottle of purified water retails US$1.
Transport comes in a variety of forms; the cheapest option is to travel by local bus (dala dala); price depends on the distance you are travelling. This can be anything from a few hundred shillings for a few stops in an urban setting to several thousand shillings for much longer distances.
A network of buses covers most intercity routes – the best company is Dar Express, which operates several services daily between Dar es Salaam, Arusha and a few other major centres. Mtei Express is also worth trying. A ticket from Dar to Arusha costs around US$20. There are other bus companies, but they are of dubious quality and on the whole considered unsafe to travel with.
Prices for private hire cars with a driver and taxis are negotiable and depend on the distance you are travelling and the level of your bartering skills. Self-drive is a good option if you are a confident driver. Prices in high season from local hirers start at around US$50 a day plus insurance. Going through a more recognised hirer such as Hertz comes with a higher price tag, but offers better quality assurance in terms of safety and cover.
To give an idea of average costs, a 500ml local beer typically costs around US$1 at a local bar and US$3–4 at more touristy places, while a glass of house wine (usually of the boxed variety) costs around US$3–5 and a bottle of wine anything upwards of US$20.
A main course at a local restaurant might cost US$2, while a smarter place catering to tourists would typically be in the ballpark of US$5–15 for a main course.
Most organised or bespoke tours include all transfers, but taxis are generally inexpensive: you shouldn’t pay more than US$10 for a cab ride within central Dar es Salaam or Arusha.
What to read
Field Guide to the Birds of East Africa by Terry Stevenson and John Fanshawe. The best field guide to the country as a whole.
Mara Serengeti: A Photographer’s Paradise by Jonathan Scott and Angela Scott. Breathtaking photographic study of the Serengeti and its inhabitants.
A History of Tanzania ed. N. Kimambo and A.J. Temu. Tanzanian-written history of the country, with a refreshingly non-European angle. About the only general history to pay serious attention to what was happening before the Europeans arrived.
Kilimanjaro: To the Roof of Africa by Audrey Salkeld. Accompanying coffee-table book to an Imax film on the mountain, with superb photography and authoritative text.
An Ice Cream War by William Boyd. Grimly comic novel set during the World War I East Africa campaign.
Embassies and consulates in Tanzania
If you are going far off the beaten track, it is a good idea to register with your embassy when you arrive in Dar es Salaam.
Dar es Salaam
Australia
Australians should contact the Canadian embassy.
Canada
38 Mirambo Street (Cnr Garden Avenue)
Tel: 022-216 3300
Ireland
353 Toure Drive
Tel: 022-260 2355
www.dfa.ie/irish-embassy/tanzania
South Africa
Mwaya Road, Msasani
Tel: 022-260 1800
UK
Umoja House, Garden Avenue
Tel: 022-229 0000
USA
686 Old Bagamoyo Road
Tel: 022-229 4000
Getting around Tanzania
By air
In addition to the three international airports – Dar, Kilimanjaro and Zanzibar – there are dozens of other local airports and airstrips. The most significant of these is Arusha Airport (airport code ARK), which lies on the southwestern outskirts of town, and is the main hub for light-aircraft flights to the northern national parks, as well as boasting regular connections to Zanzibar and Dar es Salaam. Air travel is a major form of internal transport due to the long distances and the poor quality of many roads. Most of the national parks have at least one airstrip, and the larger ones have several. Several domestic airlines and charter companies offer scheduled flights and special services all over the country.
DOMESTIC AIRLINES
Auric Air
Mob: 0783-233334
Small line connecting Mwanza and Dar es Salaam to several off-the-beaten-track towns including Sumbawanga, Bukoba, Mbeya, Iringa, Songea, Tabora, Mpanda and Rubondo Island.
Coastal Aviation
Tel: 022-260 2430/1
Mob: 0787-232747
This established airline offers scheduled services into most national parks as well as Arusha, Dar es Salaam, Mwanza, Kilwa, Mafia, Pemba, Pangani, Tanga and Zanzibar.
Precision Air
Dar es Salaam
NIC Building, corner of Samora Avenue/Pemba Road
Tel: 022-216 8000
Call Centre: 0787-888408/9
Arusha
New Safari Hotel Building, Boma Road
Tel: 027-254 5489
Zanzibar
Muzammill Centre Building, Mlandege Street
Tel: 024-223 5126
Tanzania’s premier domestic airline, with flights to Arusha, Bukoba, Dar es Salaam, Grumeti, Kigoma, Kilimanjaro International, Lake Manyara, Lindi, Mafia Island, Mtwara, Mwanza, Pemba, Seronera, Shinyanga, Tabora and Zanzibar. Precision also operates regionally to Nairobi and Mombasa in Kenya.
Regional air services
Tel: 027-250 4477/2541
Reliable scheduled and charter services throughout Tanzania.
ZanAir
Tel: 024-223 3670
Very dependable company with scheduled and chartered flights to and from the mainland. Primary supplier of emergency medical flights from Zanzibar.
AIR CHARTER COMPANIES
Flightlink Air Charters
Dar es Salaam
Mob: 0782-354448/9
Tanzanair
Dar es Salaam
Tel: 022-284 3131/3
Zantas Air Charters
Arusha
Tel: 022-213 0476
Mob: 0773-786016 or 0754-277332
Getting around by boat
There are regular ferries between Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar and Pemba. There are currently no commercial services north to Kenya. Dar es Salaam Boat Terminal is opposite St Joseph’s Cathedral.
COASTAL FERRIES
It’s easy to book tickets to Zanzibar on the day of travel – the ferry companies have ticket offices at the ferry terminal, off Sokoine Drive. The price for visitors is higher than that advertised for locals. Several operators cover the route, but safety has become a serious issue with the cheaper companies after two overcrowded boats sunk, killing thousands of passengers, in 2011 and 2012. It is thus strongly advisable to go with one of the better and more reputable companies, as listed below.
Azam Marine
Zanzibar
Tel: 024-223 1655
Mob: 0811-334 884
Dar es Salaam
Tel: 022-212 3324
Mob: 0774-707172
The pick of the ferry operators, with an air-conditioned booking office at the ferry jetty, and an easy-to-use online booking service. Normal ferries and catamarans run between Dar and Zanzibar a few times daily, plus services between Zanzibar and Pemba five times a week.
Sea Express Services Ltd
Zanzibar
Tel: 024-223 4690
Mob: 0777-426090
Dar es Salaam
Tel: 022-213 7049
Mob: 0754-786262
The easiest and fastest way to get between Dar and Zanzibar, with several hydrofoil services daily (journey time 70 minutes), as well as twice-weekly services to Pemba.
LAKE FERRIES
Marine Services Company Ltd
Weekly trip along Lake Tanganyika from Kigoma to Mpulungu in Zambia, on the MV Liemba, a renovated 1919 German ship. Theoretically, it leaves Kigoma on Wednesday afternoon and Mpulungu on Friday morning, arriving back in Kigoma on Sunday morning. Foreigners must pay in hard currency. No advance booking.
Tanzania Railway Corporation
There are also regular ferry services on lakes Victoria and Nyasa. Services from Mwanza to Bukoba on Lake Victoria depart on Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday evenings, arriving the next morning. Return journeys embark the following evening, arriving back at Mwanza the next morning. The ferries are run by the Tanzania Railway Corporation (TRC; tel: 022-211 7833).
Getting around by bus
The Ubungo bus terminal, located 5km (3 miles) from the centre on Morogoro Road, Dar es Salaam, is the starting point for domestic services to the Southern Highlands, the Northern Safari Circuit, Morogoro, Dodoma, Mwanza, Singida and Shinyanga. It is not the most pleasant place to hang around in: avoid it at night and keep a close eye on your belongings during the day. If you need a taxi, you can get a better deal from one of the many drivers outside the gates.
Major inter-city bus companies
There are two grades of buses on the mainland. The most common are brightly coloured vehicles run by locals with the furnishings of a small village on top and no room inside. These are the cheapest – foreigners are charged more but are guaranteed a seat, whereas many locals stand, even during eight-hour journeys. A trip on one of these is certainly an experience, but not everyone’s idea of a pleasant one.
The other category is ‘luxury’ buses. These are similar to, but not quite so good as, National Express in the UK or Greyhound in the USA. They serve most main routes, cost more (but are still reasonable), and – most importantly – are usually air-conditioned. Following the collapse of the much-missed Scandinavia Coach Line, the two best lines in this category are Dar Express (mob: 0754-946155) and Mtei Express (mob: 0755-717117).
Most country buses on Zanzibar start from Creek Road. The No. 9 goes to Jambiani, Paje and Bwejuu; No. 10 to Makunduchi and Kizimkazi in the south; No. 1 to Matemwe and Pwani Mchangani on the east coast; No. 2 to the slave caves in Mangapwani; No. 16 to Nungwi in the far north of the island; No. 17 to Kiwengwa. From Mwembe Ladu Hospital, the No. 6 goes to Chwaka, Uroa and Pongwe.
A shared minibus is the normal way around Zanzibar for budget-conscious tourists. The trip between Zanzibar town and any of the northern or eastern beach resorts should cost less than US$10 per person. You have to arrange this in advance, however, so you can be fitted into the schedule. Talk to any minibus driver (they scout hotels and guesthouses between 8 and 9am) for more information. A taxi will be much more expensive.
Getting around by train
Trains within Tanzania run twice weekly between Dar and Kigoma (Lake Tanganyika) via Dodoma and Tabora, a rough trip that takes 36–40 hours if everything goes your way, and might take a lot longer if it doesn’t. The train service from the TAZARA Station in Dar es Salaam to Zambia stops at Mbeya, near the border.
City transport
You can easily make your way around Arusha or Stone Town on foot, and both are safe to walk around by day. In the evening, walking is less advisable. In Dar es Salaam, the centre can be negotiated on foot, but many outlying areas are better reached by taxi or shuttle bus.
BUSES
In Dar es Salaam, buses operate from the centre to the suburbs from Old Posta Station (at the corner of Sokoine Drive and Azikiwe Street), the new Post Office (on Azikwe Street) and Mnazi Mmoja (at the end of Samora Avenue). If you are heading to the hotels north of Dar, you will need to change at Mwenge Station.
TAXIS
The larger cities all have a plentiful supply of taxis that come (usually) at a reasonable price. It is safest not to use unmarked cars. Always negotiate the fare before getting in. Expect a town-centre journey to cost the shilling equivalent of US$5–10.
In Arusha, licensed taxis have black serial numbers on the door and should charge US$4–8 in town.
Taxis rarely cruise when empty, so you will need to find a taxi rank or ask someone to call you a cab; most cafés, restaurants, shops and offices are willing to do this. Many cabbies now have mobile phones, so if you got good service, you can take the number and call again.
Reputable hotels usually provide transfers from the nearest airport. If this service isn’t available, approximate taxi rates are as follows: from Zanzibar Airport to Stone Town US$4–8; from Kilimanjaro International Airport to Arusha US$25–30; from Julius Nyerere International to Dar es Salaam city centre US$15–20.
DALA DALA
The most common form of local transport is the dala dala or shared taxi. These often-creaky minibuses and vans usually leave from ranks scattered across the city and run on roughly set routes. They wait to leave until full, but can be waved down beside the road. Reluctant to turn anyone away, they are piled high with people inside, and some passengers even cling to the fenders outside. Fares are extremely low, but the accident rate is high, and they are not recommended if you have luggage or for any long journey.
Health and safety
Medical care
AIR AMBULANCE
If someone is seriously injured or has a life-threatening disease, the closest hospital with reliable staff and equipment up to Western standards is in Nairobi, an hour and a half’s flying time from Dar/Zanzibar. The bureaucracy of insurance claims takes time, so if you think a condition is serious, sort it out as early as possible.
DENTISTS
We do not recommend seeking dental treatment in Tanzania or Zanzibar. Visit your dentist before your trip if you have reason for concern. For dental emergencies, the Swedish-run Three Crowns Dental Clinic in the Dar es Salaam Serena Hotel (tel: 022-213 6801) or the Nordic Dental Clinic (tel: 022-213 6664) are your best bet.
DOCTORS
Oyster Bay Medical Centre
Toure Drive, Dar es Salaam
Tel: 022-266 7932
Regency Medical Centre
Alykhan Road, Upanga, Dar es Salaam
Tel: 022-215 0500
Zanzibar Medical Group
Kenyatta Road, near Vuga Road, Stone Town
Tel: 024-223 3134
Flying Doctors
Nairobi (emergency), tel: +254-6992299 / 6992000 or +254-733 639088 / 736 359362 / 722 314239.
For information on membership, visit www.flydoc.org.
HOSPITALS
Try to avoid a stay in any Tanzanian hospital if possible. Away from urban centres, medical care diminishes rapidly in quality, although some mission hospitals manage to maintain good standards of care. Even in the main areas, patients with severe injury or illness are often flown by air ambulance straight to Nairobi. For less serious conditions, the following are suitable:
Dar es Salaam
Aga Khan Hospital
Ocean Road
Tel: 022-211 5151
Mob: 0744-777100
International School of Tanzania (IST) Clinic
Haile Selassie Road, Msasani Peninsula
Tel: 022-260 1307/8
24hr hotline: 0754-783393
Arusha
Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre (ALMC)
Old Moshi Road
Mob: 0736-502376
Moshi
Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre (KCMC)
Sokoine Road, 2km (1.25 miles) north of the town centre
Tel: 027-275 4377
A clinic in the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro (about 40km/25 miles east of Arusha) with a good reputation.
PHARMACIES
Pharmacies in the major towns of Tanzania and Zanzibar are generally well stocked with Western-brand medicines. Medication in villages is limited. Be sure to check the expiry dates before purchasing medicines. Keep receipts on hand for any purchases, as your travel insurance should reimburse you.
Dar es Salaam
Moona’s Pharmacy Ltd
Cnr Samora and Mkwepu streets,
Tel: 022-212 9983
Arusha
Moona’s Pharmacy Ltd
Sokoine Road
Mob: after hours 0744-309 052
Mob: 0754-334567
Zanzibar
Shamsu
Creek Road
Open until midnight
Darjani Pharmacy
Creek Road
Tel: 024-223 9255
Open daily 8am–10pm
Crime
Before leaving home
For travel advice, log onto www.gov.uk/government/organisations/foreign-commonwealth-office for official UK Foreign Office advice. If in the US, go to https://travel.state.gov/content/travel.html.
Make scans of all important documents, including your passport, visas, traveller’s cheques, insurance documents and vaccination certificates. Carry the scans on your laptop or smartphone, and email copies to a webmail address you can access during your trip. This will help ensure speedy replacement should they be stolen. Also, leave a copy of everything at home, with someone you can contact if you get into difficulties.
Theft
Tanzania is a very poor country, so it is no surprise that tourists can be the target of crime. Be alert and cautious.
Street crime is fairly common in larger cities. The main threats are pickpockets and muggers. It is asking for trouble to wear expensive jewellery or watches – if there is anything that you could not bear to lose, leave it at home. Leave your passport, tickets and excess money in the hotel safe (not in your room) unless you have to take them.
If you need them or are in transit, consider wearing a concealed money belt and keep a little ‘giveaway money’ separately. Most opportunist thieves will probably be content with that and won’t look any further.
Don’t walk the streets or on the beach after dark – take a taxi.
On the road
Do not drive at night, and do follow local advice. Do not stop for hitchhikers, and if you see or are involved in an accident, drive on to the nearest town and report it, rather than stopping to help.
Touts and guides
In Zanzibar, use only guides authorised by the Commission for Tourism – they will have an identity badge.
Although sometimes annoying, most touts who approach you are honest – if persistent – salesmen for safari companies. Beware, however, of the few who aren’t. Several scams are on the go, so don’t give money upfront until you have checked out the situation. Ignore anyone who approaches you on the street offering to change money. There is no black market in Tanzania, and these guys are looking to cheat you.
Drugs
There is a drug problem in Zanzibar. Beware of touts who approach you off the ferry – many are just looking for money for their next hit. There are tough penalties if you are caught partaking.
Political tensions
Although Tanzania is a largely peaceful country, political tensions might occasionally run high, particularly on Zanzibar, which has a prominent separatist movement. Travellers should avoid political gatherings as they can turn violent.
The ominous shadow of Al-Qaeda fell over Tanzania with the American Embassy bombing in 1998, but no such incident has occurred there since. You should be safe, but be aware that in a country with such a large Muslim population, there may be pockets of anti-Western sentiment.
Read more from the travel guide to Tanzania