TRAVEL WARNING
Country-specific safety information
All travelers have the opportunity to register in the external link, opens in a new window, electronic reporting system of the Federal Foreign Office. If necessary, safety instructions are sent about this. In particular, travelers who are not part of a package tour group are advised to make use of this option. Package travelers may be informed about the security situation in the country of travel through the tour operator.
General situation
As a country located in Africa according to softwareleverage, Tanzania travelers are advised to avoid demonstrations and crowds. Heightened caution and vigilance is advised in public places and when visiting tourist attractions and religious sites.
The political situation in the autonomous republic of Zanzibar is tense due to the cancellation of the elections that took place in October 2015. It is therefore advisable to be more vigilant, especially when visiting the greater Stone Town area.
Piracy on the high seas
There is still a risk of pirate attacks and capture off the coasts of Somalia and its neighboring countries as well as in the adjacent waters. Ships deep in the Indian Ocean (around the Seychelles and Madagascar) and off Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique, Yemen and Oman are also at risk of being attacked and hijacked. Skippers in the aforementioned areas are strongly advised to exercise the utmost caution. Despite international efforts to curb piracy, the number of pirate attacks remains high; effective protection cannot be guaranteed. Skippers in the endangered waters are strongly advised to register with the Maritime Security Center at external link, opens in new window www.mschoa.org.
Terrorism
Assassinations cannot be ruled out in the region.
Crime
At the moment there are increasing cases in which tourists are approached by alleged taxi drivers and offered a ride in order to then rob them and / or force them to withdraw money from the machine with their bank card under threat of violence. On several occasions tourists were forced to call families or acquaintances to obtain money transfers via Western Union. In and around Dar es Salaam this type of crime is increasing significantly. Preferred places are the train station, ferry pier and bus stations. It is therefore strongly recommended that you only use registered taxis. These can be recognized by a green, yellow or blue vertical stripe on the white body. In case of doubt, the driver should be asked to show his registration.
Unsupervised beaches and secluded areas should also be avoided during the day. This is especially true for the beaches in the coastal cities. When it gets dark, you should refrain from taking walks or driving overland.
When staying overnight, especially on campsites and in remote areas, adequate safety precautions should be taken. Safety-related incidents in national parks and in their immediate vicinity are rare; however, in June 2012 there was an armed robbery resulting in death near Ikoma (northeast entrance to the Serengeti National Park). In other parts of the country, too, there have been isolated armed robberies on hotels.
MONEY
Currency
1 Tanzanian shilling = 100 cents. Currency abbreviation: TS, TZS (ISO code). There are banknotes in denominations of 10,000, 5,000, 2,000, 1,000, 500 TS; Coins in the denominations of 200, 100 and 50 TS (smaller amounts are only occasionally in circulation).
Credit cards
Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa are only accepted in larger hotels, lodges and travel agencies (often with fees). Details from the issuer of the credit card in question. Cash can also be withdrawn by credit card at the ATMs of the officially approved banks throughout the country.
ATMs
EC card / Maestro card
ATMs are available for withdrawals, symbols on the machines indicate which cards are accepted. Cashless payment is not possible with an EC card.
Attention: Travelers who pay abroad with their bank customer card and want to withdraw money should find out about the possibilities of using their card from their bank before starting their journey.
Bank opening times
Mon-Fri 8.30 a.m.-12.30 p.m., sometimes until 4.00 p.m., Sat 8.30 a.m.-1.00 p.m.
Foreign exchange regulations
The import and export of the local currency is prohibited. Unrestricted import of foreign currencies; Declaration obligation. Export of foreign currencies up to the amount declared, minus the exchange amounts.
Currency Exchange
Exchange cash – preferably US dollars or euros – at any branch of the National Bank of Commerce and any authorized exchange office. Exchange receipts should be kept until departure. In the tourist centers, the US dollar is also accepted as a means of payment (only notes from 2006).
SHOP
Overview
Drums, old brass and copper objects, jewelry and wood carvings. On »souvenirs« such as hunting trophies, animal skins, ivory and the like. Ä. should be avoided, as these fall under the species protection agreement and may not be imported into the Federal Republic, Switzerland or Austria.
Shop opening times: Mo-Fr 8.30 a.m.-12.00 p.m. and 2.00 p.m.-6.00 p.m., Sa 8.30 a.m.-12.30 p.m. Some shops are also open on Sundays.
NIGHTLIFE
Introduction
There are four night clubs and one cabaret in Dar es Salaam. Cinemas are air-conditioned and there is also a drive-in cinema. The Little Theater is located in Oyster Bay.
