Tanzania is one of the most beautiful countries in Africa, if not the world! From the savannas of the Serengeti to lively villages and pristine beaches of the Swahili coast - it offers a diverse experience where anyone can come and enjoy in their own way.
Follow along and prepare yourself for the journey with these travel tips.
LANGUAGE
Swahili... such a sweet rhythm to our ears! It sounds very romantic and should be recognized as a romance language. It's widely spoken in eastern and southern Africa.
Jay Melody endlessly serenades the ladies, each song is a hit across this region!
Greetings
There are so many ways to greet each other in Tanzania - these aren’t even all of them!
When Someone Says... You Say
Jambo | Jambo |
Mambo | Poa |
Habari | Nzuri |
Mzima | Mzima |
Kwema | Kwema |
Mambo vipi | Safi, Poa, Freshi |
Habari | Salama |
Respect Your Elders
When greeting someone older than you say “shikamoo” pronounced shee-ka-mo. It's a way to show respect even in passing or to those you don't know. They will say “marahaba” or “marahaba, hujambo”. Say "sijambo" in response. If you are dressed in a foreign way and do this well they may make a face or be stunned in confusion and stop to question if you’re mtanzania (a Tanzanian person) . 😂
Common Phrases
Asante
Thank you
Karibu
Kwa heri
Baadaye
Sawa
Ndio
Hapana
Samahani
Pole
Tafadhali
Jina langu ni...
Rudia tafadhali
Naomba
Ningependa -
Nakupenda
Baby Steps
I've learned a little Swahili during my time living here but it took a while for my ears to adjust, so don't worry if you don't catch on quickly!
One of the first things I learned was how to count to 10 in Swahili, so I'll show you how in the video below.
The next were the names of foods and how to speak at restaurants. To order a meal you should start with "naomba" and then your choice. Let's practice ordering chicken (half) and rice with salad. Your drink is a large cold water.
Ex.
Naomba kuku nusu na wali na kachumbari.
Na ningependa maji baridi, kubwa.
Kuku Nusu = Half Chicken
Wali = Cooked Rice
Kachumbari = Salad
Maji, Baridi = Water, Cold
Kubwa = Large
There's different ways your chicken could be cooked - grilled is "choma" and fried is "kaanga".
Bonus: See me speak a little at the end of this video with hawkers at the bus station 😆
MONEY
Hela, Pesa, Shillings
Tanzanian shillings are the currency but in high tourist areas like Zanzibar US dollars may be accepted. Cards are not widely accepted, it's a cash based society.
$1 is about 2500 Tsh, Tanzanian shillings
For example, 2500 could buy you chai (tea) and mandazi or chapati or even rice and vegetables from a local restaurant
Any ATM is good but I prefer rates at CRDB.
See what the money looks like!
Shopping
How to ask the price of something -
Bei gani? - what’s the price?
Shingapi? - how many shillings?
To see if they sell a certain thing
Unauza: do you sell….
Una: you have?
Una rangi nyingine: you have another color?
Giving Money
Tanzania has a large population, but not many jobs - and especially not many high paying ones. The majority of people across the country do agriculture for business, to feed their families, and ultimately survive.
People will come to you, ask for a gift or food, and you may see some with disabiliities and the elderly roaming busy roads for money.
When people approach you may give any amount you want, but sometimes kids only want snacks so you can give them 100-500 coins for it. Sometimes when giving bigger bills like 1000 or 5000 they don’t like to share with their friends 😂
People will come to you, ask for a gift or food, and you may see some with disabiliities and the elderly roaming busy roads for money.
CULTURE
Many different lifestyles and subcultures are present in Tanzania. Some people spend their whole lives in the village and don't come into much contact with foreigners. Others prefer city life and beach vibes like in Dar es Salaam or Zanzibar, respectively. You'll encounter different dances, slang, food, and styles of dress depending on the region.
People are generally kind and curious about you. They assume we must have family somewhere in Africa 😆
If someone offers you food they expect you to accept and even sit to have a meal or tea with them. It’s okay to decline but do so politely.
PDA is not seen so much here, maybe holding hands. But be free, you’ll be on vacation!
Different ethnicities are present, but the most prominent non-Africans are Indians and various Europeans. Long lasting effects of colonization have influenced society, class, language, and the food, which are amongst the most noticeable aspects of life in Tanzania.
Swahili is the official language, though some speak english. It depends on their level of education and exposure to the tourism industry for the most part.
FOOD
Hearty dishes and unique spice blends stand out in Tanzanian cuisine! Watch as Joan preps a trifecta of fresh ingredients for our meal in Kilimanjaro region, northern Tanzania.
Must Try Dishes
Ranked in no particular order, but you cannot leave Tanzania without tasting these delicacies:
Machalari or Ndizi Nyama with avocado
Pork Mnafu and ugali 🤚🏾
Mbuzi Choma
Coconut Beans & Vegetables w/ rice or ugali 🤚🏾
Biryani w/ egg
Shawarma
Chips Mayai and Mishkaki
I've shared video of all of these on my TikTok. Browse my page and follow to see more food and experiences while I'm exploring Tanzania!
Get Ready to Eat with your Hands!
Ugali is primarily made from maize meal, cassava, millet, or sorghum. It's a staple food eaten across several African countries. For ugali made with maize it's similar to grits, but the corn is processed very finely into a flour. When boiled it must be stirred quickly to avoid lumps, giving the perfect smooth texture you need for pairing with various greens, meats, stew, and beans. When you visit watch as the natives roll the ugali into their hands and follow suit. It's easier than you think and a pretty enjoyable experience so don't feel shy to try it out.
In fact, tonight I'm making ugali and scrambled eggs! It makes me feel like I'm back at home, reminding me of a quick southern breakfast. I've seen the meal from Kenyans, Tanzanians, and Ugandans. Isn't it interesting how closely linked some of our dishes are to the continent?
WHAT TO WEAR
Your fashion choices for vacation in Tanzania vary based on where your itinerary takes you. Usually travelers cover a full range of environments when visiting Tanzania: forests, savanna, hot springs, jungles, beaches, and mountains - especially if they'll be climbing to the top of Kilimanjaro too! The landscape changes as you go out far west for safari at Serengeti National Park and it gets increasingly hotter as you reach the coast at Dar es Salaam. Yet surprisingly, each region of the country sticks to a conservative dress code; although this standard is generally directed toward women.
Villages & Towns
I've experienced this environment the most while traveling and living in Tanzania. To avoid attracting too much attention it's best to blend in by not dressing too flashy, wear comfortable clothes, and nothing revealing.
This is how you would stand out:
Women and girls in villages and towns like Arusha, Moshi, and Karatu may wear a simple dress called a dera and further wrap themselves with kanga/kitenge fabric. I've even seen women fully clothed under a dera or kaftan dress. In the US we use them as cozy house dresses, but in these regions women wear them to run errands around town, do shopping, and more. I've personally relaxed my style since coming here because most times we're not going somewhere special in villages and small towns. You'll realize how nicely you've styled your vacation wardrobe once you come and see the dirt roads. 😆
Pack pants, long sleeve tees, short sleeve tees, one blouse and a nice dress for special dinners. Activewear and good sneakers or hiking boots are top priority if you're coming to hike and have other adventures in nature.
Cities
I would say that the only true cities in Tanzania (as we know cities in the US) are Dar es Salaam and Mwanza.
You'll see more streetwear in Dar and sometimes more revealing clothes for women at beaches - the outfit choices depend on where the ladies are going. If a woman drives a car she can be more comfortable, but if she plans on walking around town from place to place she would garner more attention. Neighborhoods like Masaki and Mikocheni have less foot traffic so you would probably feel more comfortable and relaxed walking around in most styles. I still wouldn't recommend shorts or thin crop tops, see-through fabrics, etc.
I haven't been to Mwanza so I can't speak from experience, but if it's anything like Arusha I expect women to be covered. All bottoms to the knees, shoulders covered, clothes that aren't too tight or accentuate the figure too much. Very relaxed and casual.
Zanzibar
Stone Town, Zanzibar is more conservative than other places on the island. It's a town center and has a high concentration of Muslims. To respect the culture and religion follow these guidelines for what to wear in Zanzibar.
Women
Wear loose-fitting clothes, knee-length dresses and shorts and below, even shirts and dresses with sleeves are preferred over tank tops.
Pack comfortable shoes and a few options for sandals. Sometimes you'll encounter standing water walking around Stone Town and the beach towns like Nungwi and Paje so it's better if your sandals have about an inch height.
Men
Wear knee-length shorts, pants, comfortable t-shirts or linen button-downs.
Bring a crossbody - stuffing everything in your pockets is not safe and you'll need power banks, water, napkins, and a place to put souvenirs amongst other things.
On Safari
When going on safari it can be a little chilly in the mornings and evenings, so it’s best to bring a variety of clothes. Think long sleeves, a light jacket, and jeans or breathable cotton bottoms. It’s nice to be comfortable and flexible when moving around the safari jeep.
Neutral colors like whites and tans are perfect for days in the bush, even green and light grey. But keep in mind it’s easy to see dust on white clothes if you plan on bringing your best pieces. Bright colors or dark blues and black may attract insects.
I wore an off-white top to Ngorongoro Crater, but took it off from time to time to keep it clean while moving around the car. See it in the vlog.
Don’t forget the accessories! A sun hat or safari hat is the best addition, and even a scarf and sunglasses can protect your face from dust. It’s super dusty out there on the roads.
For several reasons, I recommend closed toe shoes. Make sure you bring a pair or two!
WHAT TO PACK
Don't overthink it...
Outdoor Gear
I have a small Amazon storefront of things that are great for safari, especially the wide brim safari hat and insect repellent.
I love the hat because it fit over some thick spring twists I had on my first safari in Kenya. The repellent works 100% and lasts a long time, so no worries about mosquitoes. Remember that a little goes a long way - I've taken both on almost all my adventures for the last 2 years now and I still have a new bottle of lotion from the 2-pack + the hat is in great shape!
And please don't forget the perfect daypack for hiking and city tours. I love my Waterfly! Its design is inherently anti-theft and it can easily fit a change of clothes, small water bottle, and even an iPad.
More Tips
You may want to leave extra room for your souvenirs or bring an extra bag (one that’s foldable like a duffle or carry-on size) because things like Maasai blankets and stone or wood figurines can add more weight and take up space.
Don’t forget your insect repellent, hand sanitizer, and wet wipes. Those are the life savers.
A few wash cloths are necessary! Most Tanzania hotels and safari lodges don’t provide one.
Good power banks and travel adapters with multiple USB ports are the best.
Pack common meds like Tylenol, Imodium, and antihistamines. You can bring a small emergency kit too, especially for activities like your hike at Materuni. It’s not very dangerous, but the location is a little remote and some resources could be limited.
For a general tip, don’t pack your book bags or duffles too tight because it may be hard to fit them on the plane as carry-ons. And carrying them around the airport and from point to point can be exhausting. Even though someone will be helping you with the bags while you’re here, the lighter you pack, the better.
Remember the baggage policy for your flights within TZ.
SAFETY
Tanzania is a safe country, very laidback for travelers! You more than likely won't be staying in areas that have occurrences of petty crime, but it's best to be aware of potential threats or scams wherever you go! I'll go over food safety and road safety a little as well.
Check out this Tanzanian Youtuber's perspective of a busy area like this:
Petty Theft
The most common crime across Tanzania. Sneaky pick pockets and phone snatchers do this out of desperation, but even they can get their phone snatched. Make a habit of checking your pockets and fully closing bags as you maneuver markets and city centers. Keep your bags close, crossbody, and try to focus on yourself and following your guide so you don't get too overwhelmed.
"Gifts"
Vendors may act like they're giving you something for free, allowing you to try on accessories, or letting you try food even, but don't accept unless you're ready to pay something.
"New Friends"
Be free in engaging with people to understand their culture and connect, but don't go anywhere far with people you don't know. They know the land, language, culture, and can take advantage of your naivety. And be stingy with information about where you're staying, your itinerary, etc. Take it from me 😂
On the Road
Safari driver guides often overtake each other on the roads, it’s common, but if you feel uncomfortable with this and even their speed let them know.
Rocky roads, dirt roads, mud - it’s all here. Get ready for the adventure. Bring medicine for motion sickness if you’re prone to that.
Safari drivers are professional and have maneuvered their way out of many different situations in national parks, villages, and more.
If using a boda (motorcycle) I recommend having a helmet. Most people don't use them, but it's better to be safe than sorry.
Crossing the streets here are not like crossing in the US. There is no "right of way", you better move out the way! They're not stopping and that includes bicycles, vans, buses, and trucks!
Renting a scooter is common, but be careful of busy areas if you're still a new driver. Many roads only have 2 lanes so be prepared for people to pass and cut you off closely.
Food Safety
Don't drink tap water, but it's safe to brush your teeth.
Be picky with street food in Dar es Salaam. I've had it in other towns/cities but Dar es Salaam street food is the only one that's made me sick. This is also in comparison to my time in other countries. Tanzania has been the safest even though they literally cook outside... I don't know how or why but come and see for yourself then report back to me in the comments :)
If the food looks too old, too warm, or you see too many hands around and people licking their fingers? Just skip it!
A bonus is to watch the vendor themself - are they grooming themself, picking their nose, scratching, etc? Skip it!
This is all I have for now on Tanzania Travel Tips, but expect updates to this blog post as I go explore more places around the country!
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