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: 2026-10-06
⌕
Currency CodeRate
1INCH 0.003585
AAVE 0.000002
ADA 0.001407
AED 0.001392
AFN 0.024489
AKT 0.000495
ALGO 0.002951
ALL 0.031089
AMD 0.137120
AMP 0.591093
ANG 0.000682
AOA 0.347187
APE 0.002366
APT 0.000462
AR 0.000084
ARB 0.001859
ARS 0.576080
ATOM 0.000208
ATS 0.004650
AUD 0.000544
AVAX 0.000033
AWG 0.000678
AXS 0.000289
AZM 3.221709
AZN 0.000644
BAKE 1.476660
BAM 0.000661
BAT 0.003593
BBD 0.000758
BCH 0.000001
BDT 0.046593
BEF 0.013633
BGN 0.000661
BHD 0.000143
BIF 1.138734
BMD 0.000379
BNB 0.000000
BND 0.000485
BOB 0.004547
BRL 0.001895
BSD 0.000379
BSV 0.000019
BSW 0.921072
BTC 0.000000
BTCB 0.005425
BTG 0.000575
BTN 0.036544
BTT 1,019.503479
BUSD 0.000379
BWP 0.005217
BYN 0.001156
BYR 7.429808
BZD 0.000762
CAD 0.000541
CAKE 0.000155
CDF 0.875912
CELO 0.003644
CFX 0.006907
CHF 0.000315
CHZ 0.022658
CLP 0.368797
CNH 0.002541
CNY 0.002541
COMP 0.000015
COP 1.212346
CRC 0.173434
CRO 0.005581
CRV 0.001028
CSPR 0.148588
CUC 0.000379
CUP 0.009079
CVE 0.037267
CVX 0.000171
CYP 0.000198
CZK 0.008268
DAI 0.000379
DASH 0.000007
DCR 0.000021
DEM 0.000661
DFI 0.414705
DJF 0.067428
DKK 0.002526
DOGE 0.003997
DOP 0.022715
DOT 0.000306
DYDX 0.002594
DZD 0.050950
EEK 0.005288
EGLD 0.000085
EGP 0.019871
ENJ 0.011449
EOS 0.003730
ERN 0.005685
ESP 0.056232
ETB 0.061652
ETC 0.000043
ETH 0.000000
EUR 0.000338
EURC 0.000338
FEI 0.000379
FIL 0.000318
FIM 0.002009
FJD 0.000853
FKP 0.000287
FLOW 0.011979
FLR 0.052582
FRAX 0.000383
FRF 0.002217
FTT 0.001467
GALA 0.156436
GBP 0.000287
GEL 0.000984
GGP 0.000287
GHC 44.560008
GHS 0.004456
GIP 0.000287
GMD 0.028052
GMX 0.000043
GNF 3.332402
GNO 0.000003
GRD 0.115160
GRT 0.013017
GT 0.000034
GTQ 0.002892
GUSD 0.000380
GYD 0.079120
HBAR 0.003765
HKD 0.002974
HNL 0.010163
HNT 0.000730
HOT 0.827626
HRK 0.002546
HT 0.010392
HTG 0.049527
HUF 0.124151
ICP 0.000109
IDR 6.790224
IEP 0.000266
ILS 0.001159
IMP 0.000287
IMX 0.002067
INJ 0.000050
INR 0.036544
IQD 0.495507
IRR 681.676377
ISK 0.046278
ITL 0.654385
JEP 0.000287
JMD 0.059978
JOD 0.000269
JPY 0.059927
KAS 0.008835
KAVA 0.005467
KCS 0.000050
KDA 0.038821
KES 0.049200
KGS 0.033149
KHR 1.535447
KLAY 0.009100
KMF 0.166266
KNC 0.002646
KPW 0.341165
KRW 0.508820
KSM 0.000074
KWD 0.000117
KYD 0.000315
KZT 0.172560
LAK 8.504714
LBP 34.180959
LDO 0.000827
LEO 0.000043
LINK 0.000027
LKR 0.125013
LRC 0.036917
LRD 0.064679
LSL 0.006310
LTC 0.000005
LTL 0.001167
LUF 0.013633
LUNA 0.007422
LUNC 7.168109
LVL 0.000238
LYD 0.002432
MAD 0.003783
MANA 0.003665
MBX 0.012815
MDL 0.006793
MGA 1.678466
MGF 8.392329
MINA 0.002813
MKD 0.020794
MKR 0.000000
MMK 0.795628
MNT 1.362641
MOP 0.003064
MRO 0.151748
MRU 0.015175
MTL 0.000145
MUR 0.017966
MVR 0.005860
MWK 0.656018
MXN 0.006851
MXV 0.000779
MYR 0.001549
MZM 24.192523
MZN 0.024193
NAD 0.006310
NEAR 0.000073
NEO 0.000150
NEXO 0.000446
NFT 1,588.342882
NGN 0.501081
NIO 0.013934
NLG 0.000745
NOK 0.003638
NPR 0.058498
NZD 0.000677
OKB 0.000003
OMR 0.000146
ONE 0.002588
OP 0.002819
ORDI 0.000083
PAB 0.000379
PAXG 0.000000
PEN 0.001305
PEPE 87.637921
PGK 0.001708
PHP 0.023820
PI 0.004342
PKR 0.104799
PLN 0.001480
POL 0.003466
PTE 0.067755
PYG 2.214227
QAR 0.001380
QNT 0.000001
QTUM 0.000387
ROL 18.065225
RON 0.001807
RPL 0.000198
RSD 0.039695
RUB 0.032156
RUNE 0.000488
RVN 0.154480
RWF 0.558664
SAND 0.005764
SAR 0.001421
SBD 0.003058
SCR 0.005368
SDD 22.748011
SDG 0.227480
SEK 0.003807
SGD 0.000485
SHIB 64.748097
SHP 0.000287
SIT 0.080989
SKK 0.010181
SLE 0.008738
SLL 8.738251
SNX 0.001514
SOL 0.000003
SOS 0.215644
SPL 0.000063
SRD 0.014291
SRG 14.291237
SSP 2.170506
STD 8.338737
STN 0.008339
STX 0.001011
SUI 0.000318
SVC 0.003316
SYP 4.928692
SZL 0.006310
THB 0.012758
THETA 0.001637
TJS 0.003488
TMM 6.650612
TMT 0.001330
TND 0.001134
TOP 0.000913
TRL 18,638.503421
TRX 0.001128
TRY 0.018639
TTD 0.002566
TUSD 0.000379
TVD 0.000544
TWD 0.012046
TWT 0.000664
UAH 0.017071
UGX 1.523713
UNI 0.000043
USD 0.000379
USDC 0.000379
USDD 0.000379
USDP 0.000381
USDT 0.000379
UYU 0.015311
UZS 4.458445
VAL 0.654385
VEB 33,002,150.181284
VED 0.330022
VEF 33,002.150181
VES 0.330022
VET 0.043433
VND 9.852749
VUV 0.045563
WAVES 0.001270
WEMIX 0.001979
WOO 0.027689
WST 0.001055
XAF 0.221688
XAG 0.000006
XAU 0.000000
XAUT 0.000000
XBT 0.000000
XCD 0.001026
XCG 0.000682
XCH 0.000242
XDC 0.011279
XDR 0.000280
XEC 47.529450
XEM 0.603699
XLM 0.001756
XMR 0.000001
XOF 0.221688
XPD 0.000000
XPF 0.040330
XPT 0.000000
XRP 0.000252
XTZ 0.001134
YER 0.089524
ZAR 0.006310
ZEC 0.000000
ZIL 0.103867
ZMK 7.493347
ZMW 0.007493
ZWD 0.137167
ZWG 0.010147
ZWL 25.354376

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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.