Africa · Eastern Africa

Tanzania

United Republic of Tanzania

Flag of Tanzania
Local Time
--:--:--
UTC+03:00
🏛️ Capital
Dodoma
👥 Population
68,153,004
📐 Area
947,303 km²
💱 Currency
Tanzanian shilling (Sh)
🗣️ Languages
English, Swahili
📞 Calling Code
+255
🕐 Time Zones
UTC+03:00
🌐 Region
Africa / Eastern Africa

About Tanzania

Tanzania is Africa in its most magnificent and primal form — a country of extraordinary scale and diversity where the continent's greatest mountain, its largest lake, and its most celebrated wildlife reserves all converge in a landscape of timeless grandeur. You can stand on the crater rim of Ngorongoro and look down upon a natural amphitheatre teeming with lions, elephants, and flamingoes, then watch the sun rise over the Serengeti's golden plains as millions of wildebeest thunder past in the greatest wildlife spectacle on Earth. Tanzania does not simply show you Africa — it immerses you in it completely.

The island of Zanzibar offers the perfect counterpoint to mainland adventure. A few hours by ferry from Dar es Salaam, this spice island enchants with its labyrinthine Stone Town — a UNESCO World Heritage Site of whitewashed Arab houses, carved wooden doors, and rooftop restaurants where the scent of cloves and cardamom floats on the Indian Ocean breeze. The beaches of Nungwi and Kendwa stretch along the Indian Ocean in crystalline perfection, while dive sites around Mnemba Atoll place you among sea turtles, reef sharks, and coral gardens of breathtaking beauty.

Whether you choose to summit Mount Kilimanjaro — Africa's highest peak at 5,895 meters — trek through the remote Selous Game Reserve, or lose yourself in the culture of a Maasai village, Tanzania rewards with experiences that feel genuinely transformative. The Swahili Coast's long history of trade with Arabia, India, and Persia has created a culture of remarkable warmth and sophistication. Tanzania is not just a safari destination — it is one of the world's great travel experiences in its totality.

History & Background

The territory of modern Tanzania holds some of the most important archaeological evidence of human prehistory anywhere on Earth. The Olduvai Gorge in the Rift Valley is where paleontologist Louis Leakey discovered the remains of Homo habilis in 1960 — a 1.75-million-year-old ancestor that reshaped our understanding of human evolution. The nearby Laetoli site preserves 3.6-million-year-old fossilized hominin footprints, the oldest known evidence of bipedal walking. Tanzania is, in the most literal sense, one of humanity's oldest homes.

The Swahili Coast developed a sophisticated maritime trading civilization from the 8th century AD onward, with city-states like Kilwa Kisiwani growing wealthy from the gold and ivory trade with Arabia, India, and China. The Sultanate of Zanzibar, established by Omani Arabs in the 17th century, became a dominant Indian Ocean power and, tragically, a major hub of the East African slave trade. German colonial rule from the 1880s was brutal; the Maji Maji Rebellion of 1905–1907 saw up to 300,000 Tanzanians killed. British administration followed after World War I, and Tanzania achieved independence in 1961 under Julius Nyerere, whose ujamaa socialist philosophy shaped the young nation's identity for decades.

Culture & People

Tanzania is home to more than 120 distinct ethnic groups, making it one of Africa's most culturally diverse nations, yet it is also one of the most harmonious — a unity forged partly through Swahili, the national language that serves as a common tongue across all communities and carries a rich literary and musical tradition of its own. The Maasai, Chagga, Hadzabe, Sukuma, and dozens of other peoples each maintain distinct customs, ceremonies, dress codes, and spiritual practices that coexist within the framework of a proudly multicultural state.

Islam and Christianity are both widely practiced, often in a spirit of peaceful coexistence that distinguishes Tanzania from many of its neighbors. On Zanzibar, the call to prayer echoes through Stone Town's narrow lanes as it has for centuries, and Islamic festivals like Eid al-Fitr are celebrated with communal feasting and music that fills the streets. On the mainland, traditional animist beliefs frequently blend with Christianity and Islam in ways that reflect Africa's long spiritual complexity. Music — from the taarab coastal style blending Arabic, Indian, and African influences, to the fast-paced bongo flava urban hip-hop — pulses through Tanzanian social life as an expression of identity, celebration, and political commentary.

Food & Cuisine

Tanzanian cuisine is hearty and comforting, built on staple carbohydrates complemented by slow-cooked stews and grilled meats. Ugali — a dense, smooth porridge made from maize flour — is the backbone of the mainland diet and eaten with hands, used to scoop up sukuma wiki (braised collard greens), nyama choma (charcoal-grilled goat or beef), and mchuzi wa samaki (coconut fish curry). The coast and Zanzibar offer a distinctly richer culinary experience shaped by Arab, Indian, and Persian influences: pilau rice fragrant with cinnamon and cardamom, biryani layered with spiced meat, and urojo — the famous Zanzibar mix soup loaded with fritters, potatoes, and lime.

Zanzibar's street food scene around Forodhani Gardens is legendary among food lovers — fresh octopus grilled over charcoal, mishkaki skewers drizzled with tamarind chutney, Zanzibar pizza stuffed with eggs and minced meat, and fresh sugarcane juice are among the essential tastes. The island's status as a historic spice producer means that cloves, nutmeg, vanilla, and black pepper appear in everything from curries to desserts to masala chai. Tropical fruits — passion fruit, jackfruit, mango, and papaya — grown in extraordinary abundance make every breakfast a feast of color and sweetness.

Top Attractions

  • Serengeti National Park — The world's most famous wildlife reserve, home to the annual Great Migration of 1.5 million wildebeest and the continent's greatest concentration of predators across endless golden plains.
  • Mount Kilimanjaro — Africa's highest peak at 5,895 meters, a majestic snow-capped volcanic massif that can be trekked by non-technical climbers via several well-established routes over five to nine days.
  • Ngorongoro Crater — The world's largest intact volcanic caldera, forming a 260-square-kilometer natural enclosure that shelters extraordinary wildlife density including rare black rhinos, lions, and massive elephant herds.
  • Zanzibar Stone Town — A UNESCO World Heritage Site of Arab, Swahili, Indian, and Portuguese architectural heritage, with rooftop restaurants, spice markets, and the haunting old slave market at its heart.
  • Selous Game Reserve — One of Africa's largest protected areas and a UNESCO site, offering a remote and authentic wilderness experience with boat safaris along the Rufiji River through vast ecosystems.
  • Olduvai Gorge — The "Cradle of Mankind," where fossil discoveries revolutionized understanding of human evolution, with an excellent on-site museum explaining the extraordinary prehistory of this Rift Valley site.

Practical Travel Tips

  • Book your Serengeti safari and Kilimanjaro climb well in advance — peak season (July to October) sees very high demand for quality operators and accommodation.
  • Yellow fever vaccination is required if arriving from a yellow fever endemic country; malaria prophylaxis is strongly recommended throughout Tanzania including Zanzibar.
  • Tipping on safari is expected and important — standard guidelines suggest around $10–15 USD per day for guides and $5–10 USD per day for camp staff.
  • Carry US dollars in crisp, post-2009 printed bills for the best exchange rates; damaged or older-style notes are often refused.
  • Dress modestly when visiting Stone Town and mosques in Zanzibar — covering shoulders and knees is required and deeply respectful of local culture.
  • SIM cards from Vodacom or Airtel are cheap and easy to obtain at the airport; mobile data coverage is good in cities and most tourist areas.
  • Negotiate taxi and tuk-tuk fares firmly before boarding, or use the Bolt app in Dar es Salaam for transparent metered pricing.

Visa Overview

Most nationalities, including citizens of the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and most European countries, can obtain a Tanzanian visa on arrival at Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam and at Kilimanjaro International Airport, typically costing $50–100 USD depending on nationality. An e-Visa is also available online prior to travel. Citizens of East African Community member states enter freely. Ensure your passport has at least six months of validity and carries at least two blank pages for stamps. Bring proof of onward travel and sufficient funds when entering.

Getting Around

Tanzania's two main international airports are Dar es Salaam (Julius Nyerere International) and Kilimanjaro International near Arusha, the gateway to northern safari circuits. Domestic flights operated by Coastal Aviation, Air Tanzania, and Auric Air are the fastest way to reach remote parks like Selous and Ruaha. Reliable ferry services cross from Dar es Salaam to Zanzibar in two hours. Within cities, bajaji (three-wheeled tuk-tuks) and dala-dala (minibuses) are the affordable options; Bolt app taxis are recommended for safety and convenience. Safari transport is typically arranged through your tour operator.

Safety Notes

Tanzania is generally safe for tourists, though petty theft and bag snatching can occur in Dar es Salaam and around Zanzibar's Stone Town — keep valuables secure and avoid displaying expensive cameras or jewelry in crowded markets. Political demonstrations occasionally occur in Dar es Salaam; avoid crowds if tensions rise. Ocean currents on Zanzibar's beaches can be dangerous — heed local swimming warnings. Wildlife reserves require you to stay in your vehicle at all times. Malaria is present throughout Tanzania; use repellent, sleep under nets, and take prescribed prophylactics.

Live Exchange Rates

Current exchange rates for currencies used in Tanzania.

Tanzanian shilling (TZS) Sh
Updated: 2026-07-06
⌕
Currency CodeRate
1INCH 0.005309
AAVE 0.000004
ADA 0.002027
AED 0.001398
AFN 0.024197
AGIX 0.004878
AKT 0.000607
ALGO 0.004251
ALL 0.031196
AMD 0.140040
AMP 0.853227
ANG 0.000686
AOA 0.349517
APE 0.002715
APT 0.000609
AR 0.000191
ARB 0.004758
ARS 0.568031
ATOM 0.000241
ATS 0.004581
AUD 0.000549
AVAX 0.000055
AWG 0.000681
AXS 0.000377
AZM 3.234880
AZN 0.000647
BAKE 0.506489
BAM 0.000651
BAT 0.004321
BBD 0.000761
BCH 0.000002
BDT 0.046915
BEF 0.013428
BGN 0.000651
BHD 0.000143
BIF 1.132972
BMD 0.000381
BNB 0.000001
BND 0.000492
BOB 0.002636
BRL 0.001967
BSD 0.000381
BSV 0.000026
BSW 1.137078
BTC 0.000000
BTCB 0.007181
BTG 0.001319
BTN 0.036259
BTT 1,434.986011
BUSD 0.000380
BWP 0.005137
BYN 0.001105
BYR 7.459974
BZD 0.000767
CAD 0.000541
CAKE 0.000263
CDF 0.878077
CELO 0.005665
CFX 0.008507
CHF 0.000306
CHZ 0.021080
CLP 0.350585
CNH 0.002585
CNY 0.002584
COMP 0.000023
COP 1.272081
CRC 0.173423
CRO 0.006367
CRV 0.001780
CSPR 0.195958
CUC 0.000381
CUP 0.010086
CVE 0.036707
CVX 0.000316
CYP 0.000195
CZK 0.008051
DAI 0.000381
DASH 0.000011
DCR 0.000034
DEM 0.000651
DFI 0.458075
DJF 0.067778
DKK 0.002488
DOGE 0.004925
DOP 0.022555
DOT 0.000436
DYDX 0.002882
DZD 0.050614
EEK 0.005209
EGLD 0.000138
EGP 0.018695
ENJ 0.013150
EOS 0.005254
ERN 0.005709
ESP 0.055387
ETB 0.060875
ETC 0.000054
ETH 0.000000
EUR 0.000333
EURC 0.000333
FEI 0.000381
FIL 0.000482
FIM 0.001979
FJD 0.000855
FKP 0.000285
FLOW 0.013580
FLR 0.054752
FRAX 0.000385
FRF 0.002184
FTT 0.001598
GALA 0.166123
GBP 0.000285
GEL 0.001000
GGP 0.000285
GHC 43.236940
GHS 0.004324
GIP 0.000285
GMD 0.028065
GMX 0.000064
GNF 3.336698
GNO 0.000004
GRD 0.113430
GRT 0.020059
GT 0.000056
GTQ 0.002905
GUSD 0.000381
GYD 0.079660
HBAR 0.005040
HKD 0.002985
HNL 0.010189
HNT 0.001588
HOT 1.054625
HRK 0.002508
HT 0.010622
HTG 0.049815
HUF 0.117709
ICP 0.000173
IDR 6.847479
IEP 0.000262
ILS 0.001143
IMP 0.000285
IMX 0.002755
INJ 0.000078
INR 0.036259
IQD 0.499006
IRR 523.701561
ISK 0.047936
ITL 0.644552
JEP 0.000285
JMD 0.060292
JOD 0.000270
JPY 0.061596
KAS 0.012407
KAVA 0.008435
KCS 0.000053
KDA 0.065296
KES 0.049205
KGS 0.033287
KHR 1.526038
KMF 0.163768
KNC 0.003414
KPW 0.342550
KRW 0.583367
KSM 0.000108
KWD 0.000118
KYD 0.000317
KZT 0.179914
LAK 8.604418
LBP 34.176856
LDO 0.001409
LEO 0.000041
LINK 0.000048
LKR 0.127452
LRC 0.030975
LRD 0.069121
LSL 0.006186
LTC 0.000008
LTL 0.001149
LUF 0.013428
LUNA 0.007750
LUNC 6.198764
LVL 0.000234
LYD 0.002441
MAD 0.003564
MANA 0.005469
MBX 0.015132
MDL 0.006699
MGA 1.614977
MGF 8.074883
MINA 0.008028
MKD 0.020506
MKR 0.000000
MMK 0.798949
MNT 1.364030
MOP 0.003074
MRO 0.151990
MRU 0.015199
MTL 0.000143
MUR 0.017890
MVR 0.005883
MWK 0.660158
MXN 0.006652
MXV 0.000754
MYR 0.001552
MZM 24.305939
MZN 0.024306
NAD 0.006186
NEAR 0.000191
NEO 0.000192
NEXO 0.000495
NFT 1,436.018969
NGN 0.521493
NIO 0.014009
NLG 0.000734
NOK 0.003743
NPR 0.058042
NZD 0.000669
OKB 0.000005
OMR 0.000146
ONE 0.304479
OP 0.003540
ORDI 0.000117
PAB 0.000381
PAXG 0.000000
PEN 0.001296
PEPE 139.529299
PGK 0.001674
PHP 0.023410
PI 0.003364
PKR 0.105879
PLN 0.001429
POL 0.005175
PTE 0.066737
PYG 2.314891
QAR 0.001385
QNT 0.000006
QTUM 0.000535
ROL 17.396512
RON 0.001740
RPL 0.000188
RSD 0.039045
RUB 0.029326
RUNE 0.000920
RVN 0.099859
RWF 0.557873
SAND 0.007628
SAR 0.001427
SBD 0.003080
SCR 0.005438
SDD 22.843780
SDG 0.228438
SEK 0.003674
SGD 0.000492
SHIB 86.923184
SHP 0.000285
SIT 0.079772
SKK 0.010028
SLE 0.008692
SLL 8.692294
SNX 0.001662
SOL 0.000005
SOS 0.217323
SPL 0.000063
SRD 0.014327
SRG 14.326568
SSP 1.807417
STD 8.216159
STN 0.008216
STX 0.002226
SUI 0.000509
SVC 0.003330
SYP 0.042070
SZL 0.006186
THB 0.012650
THETA 0.002713
TJS 0.003528
TMM 6.677535
TMT 0.001336
TND 0.001122
TOP 0.000917
TRL 17,816.747953
TRX 0.001159
TRY 0.017817
TTD 0.002579
TUSD 0.000381
TVD 0.000549
TWD 0.012213
TWT 0.001107
UAH 0.016961
UGX 1.390814
UNI 0.000120
USD 0.000381
USDC 0.000381
USDD 0.000381
USDP 0.000382
USDT 0.000381
UYU 0.015318
UZS 4.554634
VAL 0.644552
VEB 24,525,663.405730
VED 0.245235
VEF 24,523.479892
VES 0.245235
VET 0.080673
VND 10.009180
VUV 0.045742
WAVES 0.001432
WEMIX 0.001470
WOO 0.032141
WST 0.001053
XAF 0.218357
XAG 0.000006
XAU 0.000000
XAUT 0.000000
XBT 0.000000
XCD 0.001030
XCG 0.000686
XCH 0.000241
XDC 0.013544
XDR 0.000281
XEC 71.645456
XEM 0.889001
XLM 0.001906
XMR 0.000001
XOF 0.218357
XPD 0.000000
XPF 0.039724
XPT 0.000000
XRP 0.000332
XTZ 0.001529
YER 0.090194
ZAR 0.006186
ZEC 0.000001
ZIL 0.123371
ZMK 6.983273
ZMW 0.006983
ZWD 0.137730
ZWG 0.010208
ZWL 25.507876

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Cities in Tanzania 252
Browse all cities and towns
Arusha Babati Bagamoyo Bariadi Biharamulo Bisumwa Bonga Bubango Bububu Bugarama Bugene Bukene Bukoba Bukoli Bunda Bungu Buseresere Butiama Bwanga Chake-Chake Chala Chalinze Chato Chimala Choma Chwaka Dar es Salaam Didia Dodoma Dutwa Eleng'ata Dapash Endagikot Endasak Gairo Geita Gulwe Handeni Haydom Himo Holili Idodi Ifakara Igombe Iguguno Igunga Igurubi Igurusi Ikonda Ikondo Ikungi Ikwiriri Ileje Ilembula Ilongero Ilula Ilunda Iparamasa Iringa Isaka Itigi Iwawa Kabwe Kagongwa Kahama Kakonko Kaliua Karatu Kasamwa Kasulu Kasumulu Katali Katesh Katoro Kayanga Kemondo Kibaha Kibakwe Kibaya Kibiti Kibondo Kigadye Kigoma Kigonsera Kilindoni Kilosa Kilwa Kivinje Kilwa Masoko Kimamba A Kirando Kisesa 'A' Kisorya Kiwengwa Kondoa Kongwa Korogwe Korongwe Kukirango Kyela Laela Lamadi Likonde Lindi Loliondo Longido Lukuledi Lulembela Lunguza Lushoto Madibira Mafinga Mafuriko Magu Mahenge Mahonda Mahuta Majimoto Makambako Makongolosi Makunduchi Makuyuni Malinyi Mang'ola Mang'ola Barazani Mangaka Manyoni Manyovu Maore Mapogoro Marangu Masasi Masumbwe Maswa Maswa Matai Mbamba Bay Mbeya Mbinga Mbulu Mbuyuni Mhunze Mikindani Mikumi Miono Mirerani Misungwi Mkata Mkoani Mkokotoni Mkuranga Mkuu Mkuyuni Mlalo Mlandizi Mlimba Mombo Morogoro Moshi Mpanda Mpanda Mpwapwa Msente Mtinko Mto wa Mbu Mtwara Muganza Mugumu Muheza Muleba Mungaa Musoma Mvomero Mwadui Mwandoya Mwanga Mwanhuzi Mwanza Mwaya Mwaya Mwera Mwibagi Mwika Mwimbi Nachingwea Namanyere Namtumbo Nangomba Nangwa Nansio Nanyamba New Kiomboi Newala Ngara Ngara Mjini Ngudu Nguruka Njombe Njombe Nkololo Nungwi Nyakiswa Nyarugusu Nzega Old Shinyanga Olkung'wado Paje Pangani Peramiho Pongwe Puma Rhotia Ruangwa Rufiji Rujewa Rulenge Rungwa Rusesa Same Sanya Juu Segese Sengerema Shelui Shinyanga Shirati Sikonge Singida Songea Songwe Soni Sumbawanga Tabora Tandahimba Tanga Tarime Tinde Tukuyu Tunduma Tunduru Tunganalenga Ujiji Urambo Usa River Usagara Ushirombo Utete Utinta Uvinza Vikindu Vwawa Wanging’ombe Wete Zanzibar City مدينة زنجبار Ziwani

Visa Requirements

Check what visa a citizen of Tanzania needs to enter any country.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the capital of Tanzania?
The capital of Tanzania is Dodoma.
What currency does Tanzania use?
Tanzania uses the Tanzanian shilling (Sh) as its official currency.
What language is spoken in Tanzania?
The official language(s) of Tanzania include English, Swahili.
What is the population of Tanzania?
Tanzania has a population of approximately 68,153,004 people.
What region is Tanzania in?
Tanzania is located in Africa, specifically in the Eastern Africa subregion.
What is the international calling code for Tanzania?
The international dialing code for Tanzania is +255.
What time zones does Tanzania observe?
Tanzania observes the following time zone(s): UTC+03:00.
What is the current time in Tanzania?
The local time in Tanzania is currently --:--. This time applies to the primary time zone.
What is the total area of Tanzania?
Tanzania covers a total area of 947,303 km².
How many states or provinces does Tanzania have?
Tanzania is divided into 32 states or provinces.
What are the public holidays in Tanzania in 2026?
You can view the complete list of public holidays for Tanzania in 2026 on the Holidays 2026 page.
What are the visa requirements for citizens of Tanzania?
Visa requirements for citizens of Tanzania vary by destination. Use our Visa Requirements Checker below to look up requirements for any destination country.