Tanzania Travel Facts

The Basics

Country: Tanzania

Where is it?: Tanzania is located in eastern Africa, just south of the equator on the Indian Ocean.

Why do people go here?: Tanzania is home to the highest concentration of wildlife parks in all of Africa. With famous parks like the Serengeti and Ngorongoro crater, travelers tend to visit Tanzania for safaris in the bush. Usually before a safari, travelers like to tackle climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro, the highest free-standing mountain in Africa. Afterward, and a great way to finish a 3 week trip, is a visit to the historic, exotic spice-island of Zanzibar.

What are the main entry points?: Usually travelers fly into Kilimanjaro airport located close to Arusha and Moshi. Others fly into Nairobi’ airport in Kenya located only a few hours from the border crossing into northern Tanzania. Dar es Salaam, the biggest city in Tanzania, also has a major airport and is becoming increasingly popular for those going immediately to Zanzibar.
There are multiple land crossings in Tanzania, although not all have well-serviced roads. From Kenya, the main entrance is the road at Namanga. From Kampala, Uganda, there is a crossing going toward Bukoba. From both Zambia and Malawi, there is a crossing at Tunduma

Currency used: Tanzanian Shilling

Country Code for Phones: 255

Area codes for Major Cities: Dar es Salaam 022, Zanzibar 024, Arusha 027

Other Phone Tips: Mobile phones are becoming increasingly popular and have a whole new seperate codes for each city. The mobile phones are six digits and have four numbers in the front, usually with 0741, 0742, 0744, and 0747. There is a lot of competition with mobile phones in Tanzania and these numbers will constantly be changing.

Religion: 33 percent Muslim, 33 percent Christian, 33 percent Animist

Population: 44 million

Ethnic Breakdown: 120 Tribal Groups: Most tribes are of Bantu orgin, others, like the Masai are Niolitic

Government: Republic

Languages: Swahili, English, 120 Tribal Languages

Travel Information

Major Cities: Dar es Salaam, Mwanza, Dodoma, Arusha

Attractions: Serengeti National Park, Mt.Kilimanjaro, Zanzibar

Accommodation: Tanzania Hostels, Tanzania Hotels

Tips for Visiting

Off-the-Beaten-Path: Selous Game Reserve, Pemba Island, Kilwa Masoko

Health Issues: Malaria can be a problem in certain regions, as well as typhoid and diarrhea. As long as travelers have the proper shots and drink clean water, they should be fine. Make sure to have a yellow fever shot certificate before you enter the country

When to go: Best times of the year are July, August, September, January and February. Zanzibar is descent year round but can be uncomfortably hot in late February and March. Kilimanjaro’s weather is completely unpredictable

Common Phrases: Hello = Jambo, How are you? = Habari Yako?, Good = Nzuri, Yes = Ndiyo, Okay = Sawa, No Problem = Hakuna Matata

Specific Events/Holidays: New Year’s Day: January 1, Zanzibar Revolution Day: January 12, Eid al-Kebir: February 22, Union Day: April 26, Labour Day: May 1, Eid al-Moulid: May 24, Saba Saba (Peasants Day): July 7, Nane Nane (Farmer’s Day): August 8, Eid al-Fitr: December 5, Independence Day: December 9, Christmas: December 25, Boxing Day: December 26

Getting Around: Buses service most major areas and are often the cheapest means of travel. However, sometimes finding the correct bus stop can be difficult as well as knowing the exact time the bus will be departing. There is no method, except that they don’t leave until they are completely packed

Cheapest airport to fly into: The cheapest airport to fly into Tanzania is the Julius Nyerere International Airport.

Need more information?: Check out the Tanzania travel guide for more on what to see, where to stay, and how to get there.