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: 2026-05-20
⌕
Currency CodeRate
1INCH 0.004120
AAVE 0.000004
ADA 0.001526
AED 0.001405
AFN 0.024048
AGIX 0.004529
AKT 0.000483
ALGO 0.003262
ALL 0.031417
AMD 0.140768
AMP 0.454026
ANG 0.000690
AOA 0.350855
APE 0.002614
APT 0.000400
AR 0.000172
ARB 0.003381
ARS 0.534941
ATOM 0.000190
ATS 0.004530
AUD 0.000535
AVAX 0.000041
AWG 0.000685
AXS 0.000314
AZM 3.252534
AZN 0.000651
BAKE 0.440221
BAM 0.000644
BAT 0.003848
BBD 0.000765
BCH 0.000001
BDT 0.047038
BEF 0.013280
BGN 0.000644
BHD 0.000144
BIF 1.139433
BMD 0.000383
BNB 0.000001
BND 0.000489
BOB 0.002644
BRL 0.001915
BSD 0.000383
BSV 0.000025
BSW 0.516082
BTC 0.000000
BTG 0.001197
BTN 0.036994
BTT 1,186.960569
BUSD 0.000383
BWP 0.005191
BYN 0.001048
BYR 10.484679
BZD 0.000770
CAD 0.000526
CAKE 0.000261
CDF 0.878181
CELO 0.004675
CFX 0.006448
CHF 0.000301
CHZ 0.008331
CLP 0.343907
CNH 0.002602
CNY 0.002602
COMP 0.000017
COP 1.420351
CRC 0.173039
CRO 0.005522
CRV 0.001592
CSPR 0.128920
CUC 0.000383
CUP 0.009184
CVE 0.036300
CVX 0.000221
CYP 0.000193
CZK 0.007999
DAI 0.000383
DASH 0.000008
DCR 0.000022
DEM 0.000644
DFI 0.423378
DJF 0.068204
DKK 0.002460
DOGE 0.003658
DOP 0.022536
DOT 0.000306
DYDX 0.002504
DZD 0.050785
EEK 0.005151
EGLD 0.000096
EGP 0.020443
ENJ 0.008469
EOS 0.004695
ERN 0.005740
ESP 0.054773
ETB 0.061768
ETC 0.000042
ETH 0.000000
EUR 0.000329
EURC 0.000329
FEI 0.000385
FIL 0.000395
FIM 0.001957
FJD 0.000842
FKP 0.000285
FLOW 0.010593
FLR 0.045793
FRAX 0.000385
FRF 0.002159
FTT 0.001166
GALA 0.111815
GBP 0.000285
GEL 0.001021
GGP 0.000285
GHC 44.186708
GHS 0.004419
GIP 0.000285
GMD 0.028170
GMX 0.000057
GNF 3.356908
GNO 0.000003
GRD 0.112173
GRT 0.015145
GT 0.000054
GTQ 0.002918
GUSD 0.000383
GYD 0.080048
HBAR 0.004276
HKD 0.002997
HNL 0.010178
HNT 0.000461
HOT 0.947497
HRK 0.002480
HT 0.002654
HTG 0.050104
HUF 0.118392
ICP 0.000150
IDR 6.755920
IEP 0.000259
ILS 0.001112
IMP 0.000285
IMX 0.002212
INJ 0.000075
INR 0.036994
IQD 0.501336
IRR 505.761534
ISK 0.047207
ITL 0.637410
JEP 0.000285
JMD 0.060554
JOD 0.000271
JPY 0.060800
KAS 0.010946
KAVA 0.006484
KCS 0.000048
KDA 0.046275
KES 0.049553
KGS 0.033472
KHR 1.534903
KLAY 0.007482
KMF 0.161953
KNC 0.002662
KPW 0.344393
KRW 0.572703
KSM 0.000076
KWD 0.000118
KYD 0.000318
KZT 0.180715
LAK 8.395969
LBP 34.159565
LDO 0.001057
LEO 0.000038
LINK 0.000040
LKR 0.131858
LRC 0.022707
LRD 0.070045
LSL 0.006302
LTC 0.000007
LTL 0.001137
LUF 0.013280
LUNA 0.005977
LUNC 4.985908
LVL 0.000231
LYD 0.002436
MAD 0.003530
MANA 0.004278
MBX 0.009779
MDL 0.006652
MGA 1.606836
MGF 8.034179
MINA 0.006670
MKD 0.020293
MKR 0.000000
MMK 0.803467
MNT 1.369238
MOP 0.003087
MRO 0.152965
MRU 0.015296
MTL 0.000141
MUR 0.018139
MVR 0.005910
MWK 0.663537
MXN 0.006620
MXV 0.000752
MYR 0.001519
MZM 24.438990
MZN 0.024439
NAD 0.006302
NEAR 0.000229
NEO 0.000131
NEXO 0.000433
NFT 1,354.425858
NGN 0.524858
NIO 0.014083
NLG 0.000725
NOK 0.003546
NPR 0.059219
NZD 0.000652
OKB 0.000005
OMR 0.000147
ONE 0.188435
OP 0.002942
ORDI 0.000089
PAB 0.000383
PAXG 0.000000
PEN 0.001308
PEPE 102.112770
PGK 0.001669
PHP 0.023528
PI 0.002520
PKR 0.106630
PLN 0.001398
POL 0.004205
PTE 0.065998
PYG 2.360377
QAR 0.001393
QNT 0.000005
QTUM 0.000425
ROL 17.243787
RON 0.001724
RPL 0.000219
RSD 0.038655
RUB 0.027360
RUNE 0.000867
RVN 0.069408
RWF 0.560123
SAND 0.005271
SAR 0.001435
SBD 0.003075
SCR 0.005595
SDD 22.966627
SDG 0.229666
SEK 0.003574
SGD 0.000489
SHIB 65.805665
SHP 0.000285
SIT 0.078888
SKK 0.009917
SLE 0.008744
SLL 8.743544
SNX 0.001205
SOL 0.000004
SOS 0.218371
SPL 0.000064
SRD 0.014210
SRG 14.209948
SSP 1.801316
STD 8.129675
STN 0.008130
STX 0.001569
SUI 0.000355
SVC 0.003348
SYP 0.042302
SZL 0.006302
THB 0.012459
THETA 0.001889
TJS 0.003557
TMM 6.713355
TMT 0.001343
TND 0.001112
TON 0.000185
TOP 0.000922
TRL 17,442.277082
TRX 0.001068
TRY 0.017442
TTD 0.002595
TUSD 0.000383
TVD 0.000535
TWD 0.012088
TWT 0.000826
UAH 0.016940
UGX 1.443419
UNI 0.000106
USD 0.000383
USDC 0.000383
USDD 0.000383
USDP 0.000383
USDT 0.000383
UYU 0.015432
UZS 4.626793
VAL 0.637410
VEB 19,842,042.574695
VED 0.198413
VEF 19,841.343127
VES 0.198413
VET 0.057314
VND 10.089868
VUV 0.045519
WAVES 0.000985
WEMIX 0.001367
WOO 0.022206
WST 0.001036
XAF 0.215938
XAG 0.000005
XAU 0.000000
XAUT 0.000000
XBT 0.000000
XCD 0.001036
XCG 0.000690
XCH 0.000106
XDC 0.010920
XDR 0.000280
XEC 52.602718
XEM 0.569550
XLM 0.002649
XMR 0.000001
XOF 0.215938
XPD 0.000000
XPF 0.039283
XPT 0.000000
XRP 0.000278
XTZ 0.001118
YER 0.091307
ZAR 0.006302
ZEC 0.000001
ZIL 0.096223
ZMK 7.267377
ZMW 0.007267
ZWD 0.138481
ZWG 0.010043
ZWL 25.093628

No currencies match your search.

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.