Getting Around Tanzania

Bus Travel

'Express' and 'ordinary' buses operate along Tanzania's major long-distance routes. Express buses are more comfortable, make fewer stops, and operate to a schedule, though they are slightly more expensive.

Ordinary buses (generally the only option on secondary routes) are often packed to overflowing, make many stops, and deviate quite freely from the schedule. They and dalla-dallas (minivans) serve shorter routes. The latter are a slower and more dangerous option.

Buses are not permitted to operate at night. Note that Tanzanian roads have a high accident rate, and buses tend to speed. Reservations are not always possible, so get to the bus with plenty of time before the scheduled departure.

Rail Travel

Tanzania has two rail lines: the Tazara line runs from Dar es Salaam to Zambia's New Kapiri Mposhi, via Mbeya and Tunduma. The central line runs from Dar es Salaam to Kigoma and Mwanza, via Morogoro, Dodoma and Tabora.

Rail is a safer but slower travel option, and food can be purchased on board. Crime is not a major problem, but do ensure you have your possessions with you at all times.

Airports

Domestic air services operate between the major airports:

• Dar-es-Salaam International Airport (DAR)
• Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO)
• Kisauni Airport, (Zanzibar Airport) (ZNZ)

There are a total of 129 airports in Tanzania, of which only eleven are paved. Air services have become the most significant form of internal transport for official and business travel. Small planes, from charter companies, fly to towns and to bush airstrips.

For more information, see our Tanzania flights page.

Roads

There are 88 200km of highways in Tanzania, but only 3 704km of these are tarred. The key roads are in good condition, though the majority are bad and hazardous.

Road conditions in the reserves and national parks of Tanzania are extremely rough. During the rainy season, many roads are passable only with four-wheel drive vehicles.

Tanzania is definitely not recommended as a self-drive destination. Any four-wheel drive vehicles for safaris usually have to be hired with a driver.

Watch out for cyclists, pedestrians, livestock and wild animals. Most car rental companies do not allow self-drive outside of Dar es Salaam. Driving is on the left side of the road. Your home driving licence, with English translation if necessary, is accepted.

Border Posts

Namanga Gate (between Tanzania and Kenya) is open 24 hours per day.

If you carry firearms you will require a special permit. The duty-free allowance is limited to one litre of liquor; 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars or 250g of tobacco; and 250ml of perfume. Any other items are subject to customs duty.

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