Tanzania Visa, Health & Travel Information

Most visitors need a visa to enter Tanzania. The easiest way is to apply online through the official e-visa website of the Immigration Department, at least two to three weeks before you travel. The tourist visa costs US$50 for most nationalities and US$100 for citizens of the United States, who receive a multiple-entry visa. Approval usually takes a few working days, and you should print or save the grant notice to show on arrival.

Visas can also be obtained on arrival at the main airports, but queues can be long and payment conditions apply, so we recommend applying in advance. The East Africa Tourist Visa covers Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda only — it is not valid for Tanzania.

Your passport should be valid for at least six months beyond your date of entry and have at least two blank pages. You may be asked for a return or onward ticket and details of where you are staying. Families travelling with children should carry birth certificates, and a parental consent letter if a child is travelling with only one parent.

Comprehensive travel insurance is a condition of booking with us. It should cover medical treatment, emergency evacuation (including by air), repatriation and cancellation — and, for Kilimanjaro or Mount Meru, trekking to the altitude you will reach.

In addition, the authorities have introduced their own inbound travel insurance:

• Zanzibar: since October 2024, all foreign visitors must buy the Zanzibar Insurance Corporation’s inbound policy — currently US$44 per adult, valid for up to 92 days — even if they already have other insurance.
• Mainland Tanzania: regulations published in September 2026 introduce a similar compulsory policy of about US$44 through the National Insurance Corporation, valid for up to 92 days. Residents of East African Community and SADC countries are exempt. Implementation details were still being confirmed at the time of writing.

See your doctor or a travel clinic six to eight weeks before you travel to check routine vaccinations and discuss those often recommended for Tanzania, such as hepatitis A and typhoid.

Yellow fever is a low risk in Tanzania, and a vaccination certificate is not usually required if you fly in directly from Europe or North America. You do need one if you arrive from a country with a risk of yellow fever — including Kenya — or have transited for more than 12 hours through an airport in such a country. The vaccine must be given at least 10 days before arrival.

Malaria is present in most of Tanzania below about 1,800 metres, including the safari parks and Zanzibar. Speak to your doctor about antimalarial tablets suitable for you, and take them exactly as prescribed. Avoiding bites is just as important, especially from dusk to dawn.

Drink bottled or treated water — we provide safe drinking water on all safaris and climbs — and use sun protection, as the equatorial sun is strong even when it feels cool. Good private hospitals and clinics are available in Arusha, Moshi and Dar es Salaam, but medical facilities in remote areas are basic, which is why evacuation cover matters. Bring enough of any personal medication for your whole trip, in its original packaging, with a copy of your prescription.

Tanzania is a welcoming country and most visits are trouble-free. As anywhere, take normal precautions in towns: keep valuables out of sight, use hotel safes and avoid walking alone at night. In the parks, always follow your guide’s instructions. In October 2026 the United States lowered its travel advisory for Tanzania to Level 2, “Exercise increased caution”; we recommend reading your own government’s advice before you travel.

The currency is the Tanzanian shilling (TZS). Since 2025, everyday payments in Tanzania must be made in shillings; your safari and lodges are paid to us in advance. ATMs are available in towns, and Visa and Mastercard are accepted at most hotels and lodges, sometimes with a surcharge. If you bring US dollars to exchange, they should be clean notes printed in 2009 or later.