U.S. Embassy Dar Es Salaam

686 Old Bagamoyo Road, Msasani, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Telephone: +(255) 22-229-4000
Emergency After-Hours Telephone: +(255) 22-229-4000, dial '1' for an emergency operator
Email: drsacs@state.gov

The United Republic of Tanzania is a constitutional republic located in East Africa. It enjoys a relatively stable economy; it is resource-rich and has a growing tourist industry. Tourist facilities are centered around the “northern and southern circuit” of National Parks which include the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Kilimanjaro, Arusha, Nyerere, and Ruaha as well as the islands in the semi-autonomous Zanzibar archipelago.

See the Department of State’s Fact Sheet on Tanzania for information on U.S.-Tanzania relations. 

Visas: Tourists must obtain a one-year multiple entry visa for $100. Applicants can apply and pay online for an e-visa in advance of travel. If approved, the applicant will receive a “grant notice” via email which they present to the Immigration Officer upon arrival at the airport in Tanzania. U.S. citizens can also obtain a tourist visa upon arrival.

Volunteer work is prohibited on a tourist visa. Volunteers must obtain a Class “C” Residence Permit.

Contact the Tanzanian Immigration Services Department for information on obtaining a residence permit.

Obtain the latest information on visas from the Embassy of Tanzania in Washington D.C.

Information about dual nationality or the prevention of international child abduction can be found on our website. For further information about customs regulations, please read our Customs Information page. Please note that Tanzania does not permit dual citizenship for adults.

Entry Requirements:

• Passport with at least one blank page and six months’ validity.
• Visitors must present a round-trip ticket and be prepared to demonstrate they have sufficient funds for their stay.
• Proof of yellow fever vaccination is required for all travelers arriving from countries where the disease is endemic, including 12+ hour airport transit and layovers. The Embassy of Tanzania has further information, including on waivers for this requirement.

Information about recommended vaccinations and medications can be found on the CDC’s website.

HIV/AIDS restrictions: The U.S. Department of State is unaware of any HIV/AIDS entry restrictions for visitors to, or foreign residents of, Tanzania.

You should review the Department of State’s Travel Advisory for Tanzania before considering travel to Tanzania.

Terrorism: Travelers should be aware that terrorists are increasingly using less sophisticated methods of attack – including knives, firearms, and vehicles – to more effectively target crowds. Frequently, their aim is unprotected or vulnerable targets, such as:

• High-profile public events (sporting contests, political rallies, demonstrations, holiday events, celebratory gatherings, etc.) 
• Hotels, clubs, and restaurants frequented by tourists 
• Places of worship 
• Schools 
• Parks 
• Shopping malls and markets 
• Public transportation systems (including subways, buses, trains, and scheduled commercial flights) 

There have been reports of violence in the Mtwara region in southern Tanzania. Increased activity by extremists along the southern border has led to attacks against both government and civilian targets.

For more information, see our Terrorism page.

Crime: Crime in Tanzania is a regular occurrence and Tanzanian authorities have limited capacity to deter and investigate such acts.

• Home invasions, sometimes violent, have been reported in Arusha and Dar es Salaam.
• Pickpockets and bag snatchers target Westerners in tourist areas.

International Financial Scams: See the Department of State and the FBI pages for information on scams.

Victims of Crime: If you or someone you know becomes the victim of a crime abroad, you should contact the local police and the U.S. embassy.

We can:

• Replace a stolen passport.
• Help you find appropriate medical care if you are the victim of violent crimes such as assault or rape.
• Put you in contact with the appropriate police authorities, and if you want us to, contact family members or friends.
• Direct you to local attorneys, although it is important to remember that local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting the crime.

Domestic Violence: U.S. citizen victims of domestic violence may have difficulty accessing sufficient social and/or medical support and local police have limited resources. The Embassy can provide information on the limited resources available in Tanzania to support survivors of domestic violence.

Sexual Assault: is a risk for all U.S. citizens and especially for women travelers.

• Victims of sexual assault may have difficulty accessing sufficient social and/or medical support.
• Local police have limited resources and investigations are often not completed. Prosecutions are very rare.

The local equivalent to the “911” emergency line in Tanzania is “111”, “112”, and “+255 787 668 306” however response times can be very slow and service unreliable.

Please see our information for victims of crime, including possible victim compensation programs in the United States.

Criminal Penalties: While you are traveling in Tanzania, you are subject to its laws. Foreign laws and legal systems can be vastly different from our own. Persons violating Tanzania’s laws, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned.

• Penalties for possessing, using, or trafficking in illegal drugs in Tanzania are severe, and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines.
• Photographing military installations is forbidden. Individuals have been detained and/or had their cameras confiscated for taking photos of hospitals, schools, bridges, industrial sites and airports. Sites where photography is prohibited are not always marked.
• It is illegal to import or export an animal or animal part without export certification from the Tanzanian government.
• It is illegal to gather, collect, or remove flora or fauna, including seashells, ebony or mpingo wood.

Furthermore, certain acts of U.S. citizens overseas are prosecutable as crimes in the United States even if they are not illegal under the local law. For examples, see our website on crimes against minors abroad.

Arrest Notification: If you are arrested or detained, ask police or prison officials to notify the U.S. Embassy immediately. See our webpage for further information.

What to Wear: While visiting Tanzania, you should dress modestly outside of the hotel or resort. Entering public areas in a bathing suit or in clothes that would be deemed immodest according to the local community may attract negative public attention.

Ramadan: During the holy month of Ramadan, when Muslims fast during daylight hours, U.S. citizens should be mindful and respectful of local culture and religious views.

Faith-Based Travelers: See our following webpages for details:

• Faith-Based Travel Information
• International Religious Freedom Report– see country reports
• Human Rights Report– see country reports
• Hajj Fact Sheet for Travelers
• Best Practices for Volunteering Abroad

LGBTQI+ Travelers: Consensual same-sex sexual relations are a criminal offense in Tanzania. Those convicted may be sentenced to up to 30 years in prison. Authorities use the penal code to intimidate and arrest individuals based on their real or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity. Individuals detained under suspicion of same-sex sexual conduct may be subject to or threatened with forced anal examinations.

Members of the LGBTQI+ community may be denied entry to Tanzania by immigration authorities (including on Zanzibar) or once admitted may be targeted, harassed, and/or charged with unrelated offenses.

Public displays of affection between persons of the same sex may be met with harassment or violence. Non-governmental organizations that support the LGBTQI+ community and their staff may also be targeted, harassed, or have staff members detained by local authorities.

For more detailed information about respect for the human rights of LGBTQI+ persons in Tanzania, you may review the State Department’s annual Country Reports on Human Rights Practices. For further information specific to LGBTQI+ travel, please read our LGBTQI+ Travel Information page.

The Tanzanian government does not accept passports with the “X” gender marker. This applies to travel to, within, or through Tanzania.

Accessibility: Individuals may find accessible accommodation challenging to find in Tanzania. Sidewalks are nearly non-existent and there are frequent power outages.

Medical Emergencies, Ambulance Services:

• Are unreliable and/or not easily accessible throughout the country. Travelers may prefer to take a taxi or private vehicle to the nearest major hospital.
• Not equipped with state-of-the-art medical equipment.
• Click here to access the list of medical facilities in Tanzania from the Embassy website. 

The Department of State, U.S. embassies and U.S. consulates do not pay medical bills. Be aware that U.S. Medicare/Medicaid does not apply overseas. Most hospitals and doctors overseas do not accept U.S. health insurance.

Medical Insurance: Make sure your health insurance plan provides coverage overseas, including in Tanzania. Most care providers overseas only accept cash payments. See our webpage for more information on insurance providers for overseas coverage. We strongly recommend supplemental insurance to cover medical evacuation. Visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for more information on type of insurance you should consider before you travel overseas.

Prescription Medication: Always carry your prescription medication in original packaging with your doctor’s prescription.  Check with the Embassy of Tanzania in Washington D.C. to ensure the medication is legal in Tanzania.

You can find detailed information on vaccinations and other health precautions on the CDC website.  For information about outbreaks of infectious diseases abroad, consult the World Health Organization (WHO) website, which contains additional health information for travelers, including detailed country-specific health information.

Water Quality & Food Safety

• In many areas, tap water is not potable. Bottled water and beverages are generally safe, although you should be aware that many restaurants and hotels serve tap water unless bottled water is specifically requested. Be aware that ice for drinks may be made using tap water.

Altitude

• If ascending Mount Kilimanjaro or other mountains in Tanzania, be aware of the symptoms of altitude sickness, and take precautions before you travel.
• Visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website for more information about Travel to High Altitudes.

Adventure Travel

Visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website for more information about Adventure Travel.

TRAFFIC SAFETY AND ROAD CONDITIONS: While in Tanzania, you may encounter dangerous road conditions. Road accidents are a major threat to travelers in Tanzania. Roads are poorly maintained and often bumpy, potholed, and unpaved. Even good roads may deteriorate quickly due to weather conditions.
Travelers should note that traffic moves on the left side of the road, which can be very disorienting to those not accustomed to it.

• Beware of vehicles traveling at excessive speed, and unpredictable local driving habits.
• Many vehicles are poorly maintained and lack basic safety equipment.
• Heavy traffic jams, either due to rush hour or because of accidents, are common.
• Vehicles may cross the median strip and drive against the flow of traffic.
• During the rainy season ((late March to mid-June and mid-November to mid-December), many roads in Tanzania, both urban and rural, are passable only with four-wheel-drive vehicles.
• Please refer to our Road Safety page for more information.

Traffic Laws: Tanzanian law requires all motor vehicle operators to be in possession of a valid driver’s license. Persons staying in Tanzania for fewer than six months may use a valid U.S. driver’s license after validation by local traffic authorities, or an international driver’s license. Persons intending to remain in Tanzania for more than six months are required to obtain a Tanzanian driver’s license. All vehicles are required to carry third-party liability insurance and to post the decal in the front window.

Public Transport:

• Use taxis or hire a driver from a reputable source.
• Travelers should avoid using public buses known as “dala-dalas”; three-wheeled taxis known as “bajajis”; and motorcycle taxis called “boda-bodas”. These modes of transport are often poorly maintained and ignore traffic rules.
• When traveling to Zanzibar by ferry, use the high-speed ferry and purchase your tickets from inside the ferry terminal or online in advance. Tickets should include your name, date of travel, and class of travel.

Aviation Safety Oversight: As there is no direct commercial air service to the United States by carriers registered in Tanzania, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has not assessed the government of Tanzania's Civil Aviation Authority for compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards. Further information may be found on the FAA's safety assessment page.

Maritime Travel: Mariners planning travel to Tanzania should also check for U.S. maritime advisories and alerts. Information may also be posted to the U.S. Coast Guard homeport website and the NGA broadcast warnings website.