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Tanzania Travel Tips

Entry requirements
Passports
Visas
Language
Currency
Banks
Bureau de Change
Cash/Traveler's Cheques
Credit Cards
Departure Taxes
Communications

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Entry requirements
Tanzania is trying to increase tourism levels, so entry requirements are not onerous.



Passports
Required by everyone, valid for at least 6 months beyond date of intended departure. 


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Visas
Required by most visitors, with some Commonwealth exceptions. Visas are usually obtained - a fee is charged - at the local consulate in client’s country of origin or, (clients should check before travel), at the point of entry at Dar, Kilimanjaro or Namanga. 



Language
The National Language is Kiswahili, with English also in everyday use. Phrasebooks are freely available.



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Currency

Tanzanian Shilling (abbreviated to TSh, or /-), divided into 100 cents. 



Banks
Mainly open in the mornings, Monday to Saturday, although also in the afternoons in Dar, Arusha, Dodoma, Mwanza and Zanzibar. See also Bureaux de Change.



Bureau de Change
Since currency and financial liberalisation, Bureaux de Change have become the usual means of changing money in all major towns, tourism areas and at points of entry/exit. Most open during normal shopping hours.



Cash/Traveler's Cheques
Clients should bring US Dollar cash and travelers cheques as first preference (US$ will often command a slightly better exchange rate) although most major currencies are accepted in Tanzania and are freely exchangeable for Tanzania Shillings.


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Credit Cards

VISA and MasterCard are normally accepted in the better hotels, lodges, restaurants and shops in Tanzania. Note that reliance, especially away from major centres, should not be placed on credit card transactions and clients should bring some cash and traveler's cheques. Visa/MasterCard acceptable at major hotels.



Departure Taxes
Note that a tax is levied on all passengers taking flights within (and leaving) Tanzania. Departure Tax by air from Tanzania is presently US$30.



Communications
 
Telephones, normally with direct International dialing, are available at most hotels (faxes also) in and around the major centres, and at major post offices.

Tanzania has a well-developed mobile telephone system but only around the major towns.

 

Internet access is freely available, in major centres at computer shops and Internet cafes.


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