Tanzania flag Tanzania Beach Holidays

Flights, Hotels & Travel Guide

Zanzibar's spice-scented shores and the whitest sand in East Africa. Compare flights and Zanzibar resorts for your Tanzania beach holiday.

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£1 TZS 3,522.11

Today

8:54 pm

+3h from you

Travel warning

There's a risk of terrorist attacks from groups active near the border with Mozambique, making travel to areas within 20km of that border unsafe.

Weather & climate

Weather in Tanzania

Tanzania

27°

Slight rain showers

Thu

24°

27°

Fri

23°

29°

Sat

24°

29°

Sun

24°

29°

Mon

24°

26°

Tue

24°

28°

Wed

25°

28°

SPF level in Tanzania

Recommended: SPF 50+ (extreme)

Spring

SPF 50+

Summer

SPF 50+ (extreme)

Autumn

SPF 50+

Winter

SPF 50+

Suncream is often more expensive in tourist zones. Pack your preferred SPF from the UK, especially for beach holidays. Always carry travel-size (100ml max) for hand luggage.

Before you go

Entry requirements for Tanzania

What British travellers need to know

Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months after you arrive in Tanzania and have at least one blank page.

You must have a tourist or business visa, which you can get as an e-visa before travel or as a single-entry visa on arrival.

You must be ready to show proof of your return or onward ticket at border control.

All visitors to Zanzibar must have mandatory Inbound Travel Insurance from the Zanzibar Insurance Corporation for their stay.

You will need to pass through mpox screening, in the form of body temperature checks, at all points of entry.

Good to know:

If you are coming from a country listed as a transmission risk, you must have a certificate to prove you've had a yellow fever vaccination to enter Tanzania.

Do not bring animal skin accessories into Tanzania, as it's illegal to take wildlife items like horns and seashells out of the country without a certified export permit.

Safety in Tanzania

Tips when travelling

Tanzania is tourist-friendly but has some key cultural and legal rules:

Always carry a copy of your passport and visa as officials can request them at any time.

Avoid walking alone at night and be wary of strangers offering rides, especially near tourist beaches.

Keep car doors locked and valuables out of sight, particularly when driving at night.

Do not carry large amounts of cash or display expensive jewellery and watches in public.

Be aware that bag snatching from motorbikes is common, so walk facing traffic and carry bags loosely.

Bonus tips:

Dress modestly, especially in Zanzibar, as wearing shorts or sleeveless tops in public can result in fines.

Plastic bags are banned, so you will need to hand over any you bring on arrival at the airport.

More information

Driving in Tanzania

A UK driving license is valid for up to six months. An International Driving Permit is recommended.

Side of road

left

Motorway speed limit

120 km/h

Urban speed limit

50 km/h

Alcohol limit

0.08%

Health in Tanzania

Make sure you have comprehensive travel insurance that covers medical expenses, including emergency evacuation. Check that your policy covers the activities you plan to undertake, such as trekking or safaris. It's crucial to have insurance as medical facilities can be limited in some areas, and treatment can be expensive.

Vaccinations recommended before travel

Consult your doctor or a travel clinic well in advance of your trip to discuss necessary vaccinations and malaria prevention. Tanzania has a risk of malaria, so preventative medication is strongly recommended. Drink bottled water and be cautious about food hygiene to avoid stomach upsets. Avoid swimming in fresh water due to the risk of bilharzia. Medical facilities in major cities are adequate, but may be limited elsewhere.

Cards & payments

Card payments are becoming more common in Tanzania, particularly in larger hotels, restaurants, and tourist-oriented businesses. However, cash is still widely preferred, especially in smaller establishments and rural areas. It's advisable to carry a mix of cash and cards.

Visa

High

Mastercard

High

American Express

Medium

Lost card? Call Visa: +1-303-967-1096

Tipping in Tanzania

Tipping is customary in Tanzania for various services. While not mandatory, it's a common way to show appreciation for good service. Amounts can vary depending on the quality of service and your personal discretion.

Restaurant

10-15% of the bill, if service is not included.

Bar/Café

Round up the bill or leave a small tip (e.g., a few thousand TZS) for good service.

Taxi

Round up the fare or add 10% for good service, especially for longer journeys or assistance with luggage.

Hotel Porter

1,000-2,000 TZS per bag.

Hotel Housekeeper

2,000-5,000 TZS per day, left at the end of your stay.

Tour Guide

5-10 USD per person per day, depending on the length and quality of the tour. For a safari guide, consider a higher amount.

Mobile & roaming

Since Brexit, EU roaming agreements no longer apply to UK mobile users. Check with your mobile provider for roaming charges in Tanzania. Roaming can be expensive, so consider purchasing a local SIM card for more affordable data and calls.

Local SIM

10 GB for 25,000 TZS (~£8)

Network coverage

4G, 3G, 2G

Electrical in Tanzania

Voltage

230V / 50Hz

Plug types

Type D, Type G

UK adapter needed

WiFi & internet

WiFi is available in many hotels, restaurants, and cafes, particularly in tourist areas and major cities. However, internet speeds can be variable, and connectivity may be unreliable in more remote locations.

Average speed

10 Mbps

While WiFi is becoming more widespread in Tanzania, it's not as ubiquitous as in some other countries. It's advisable to check with your accommodation or establishment about WiFi availability and speeds before relying on it.

Emergency numbers

Universal emergency

112

Police

111

Save 112 in your phone before travelling.

Calling Tanzania

Country code

+255

To call a Dar es Salaam number (e.g., 22 215 XXXX) from the UK, dial 00 255 22 215 XXXX.

To call Tanzania from the UK, dial the UK exit code (00), followed by the Tanzanian country code (255), then the area code (if applicable) and the local number.

UK Embassy

British High Commission Dar es Salaam

Umoja House, Garden Avenue, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Recent updates

View all

Health

14 days ago

Healthcare access

  • Removed guidance for living in Tanzania.

Frequently asked questions

While we strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information, AtoBeach cannot be held responsible for any inaccuracies. We recommend verifying details with official sources before travelling.