• Tanzania:
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Tanzania - Traveller information

Local laws and conventions: All drugs are illegal in the United Republic of Tanzania, and anyone found in possession will be fined. There are severe penalties (including long prison sentences) for those caught drug trafficking.

Visitors should carry some form of identification on them at all times. It is customary always to ask permission before taking photographs of people – especially the Masai.

Visitors should dress modestly and cover their legs and shoulders when away from tourist resorts. When meeting and parting, hands are always shaken. It is the convention to use the right hand, not the left, to shake hands, or to pass or receive items.

For business, dress is smart and a good appearance is highly regarded. Suits and ties or safari suits should be worn by men. There are conference facilities in the larger hotels in Dar es Salaam and Arusha. Office hours are Mon–Fri 0800–1200 and 1400–1630; Sat 0800–1230. During the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, normal business hours may be disrupted.

Immigration and customs: All visitors to United Republic of Tanzania require a visa, and passports must be valid for at least six months beyond the intended length of stay.

A yellow fever vaccination certificate will be required by all those arriving from infected areas.

Travel within the country: Traffic drives on the left and car hire is available in major cities. Those with an English-language driving licence do not need an international driving permit to drive in the country.

There is a good public bus service connecting most areas, and buses are modern, with air-conditioning, toilets and refreshments.

Taxis are widely available but do not have meters, so fares must be agreed before starting out. It is also possible to hire a chauffeur-driven car.

Travel health: Medical facilities are limited, especially outside Dar es Salaam, and all treatment must be paid for. Visitors should make sure they have comprehensive health insurance. Vaccinations are recommended for Hepatitis B and (occasionally) meningococcal meningitis. All up-to-date vaccination requirements should be checked well in advance of travel.

Malaria is a problem in the country, and visitors will need to take insect repellent and suitable clothing to protect against mosquito bites.

Regular outbreaks of cholera occur in rural areas, so visitors should make sure they boil water before use or only drink bottled water.

Money: The official currency is the Tanzanian shilling (TSh). Money can be exchanged at banks and authorised dealers, and visitors must keep their receipts when changing money as they may be asked to present them at departure. Cash can be withdrawn from ATMs using Visa or Mastercard, and any sizeable town now has at least one bank with an ATM. Major credit cards are accepted in most hotels. Travellers cheques may be cashed with authorised dealers or bureaux de change. Banking hours are Mon–Fri 0830–1230 (though some places are open until 1600) and Sat 0830–1300.

There were 566,000 tourist arrivals in 2004.