What Not To Do in Tanzania: 22 Essential Tanzania Tips

Last Updated on November 2, 2025

When my flight was landing in Tanzania, I learned—just in time—that plastic bags are completely banned there. I’d packed a few for organizing my gear, not realizing they’re illegal to bring into the country. Luckily, I was able to responsibly dispose of them before going through customs.

This experience was a good reminder that every place has its own rules and customs, and they are important to understand before you arrive. Knowing what not to do in Tanzania will set you up for smooth, respectful, and memorable travels around this beautiful East African country.

Read on to learn what not to do in Tanzania, including key cultural customs, local laws, and travel tips that will help you explore responsibly.

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What Not To Do in Tanzania: 22 Must-Know Travel Tips

Let’s dive into exactly what you shouldn’t do while traveling in Tanzania.

1. Don’t Forget Essential Vaccines and Medications

There are several vaccines that are either recommended or required for travel to Tanzania, depending on your home country and where you’re traveling from.

Some vaccines are mandatory only if you’ve recently been in a country where certain diseases (like yellow fever) are present, while others are recommended to protect against illnesses you could encounter during your trip.

Before our trip to Tanzania, my husband and I visited a travel clinic to speak with a doctor about what we’d need. It was helpful to get personalized advice rather than just relying on online lists.

Our doctor walked us through which vaccines were already covered by our routine immunizations, and which ones we might want to add for extra protection. We ended up getting a few boosters and getting tablets for malaria prevention, since parts of Tanzania are considered active malaria zones.

I highly recommend visiting your family doctor or a travel clinic at least six weeks before your trip. They can confirm what’s required based on your itinerary and travel history, and help you decide whether anti-malarial medication is right for you.

The town of Mto Wa Mbu, near Lake Manyara, Tanzania

2. Don’t Bring Plastic Bags to Tanzania

Like I mentioned earlier, don’t use plastic bags in Tanzania. In 2019, the government introduced a nationwide ban on all plastic carrier bags, regardless of thickness, as part of a major effort to reduce plastic pollution.

The ban is one of the strictest in East Africa, aimed at protecting wildlife and keeping plastic waste out of natural areas and waterways.

While the law mainly targets manufacturers and suppliers, it also applies to travelers. Visitors are not allowed to bring plastic bags into the country, and at some airports, security officers may inspect your luggage and confiscate them. Even small resealable bags can be an issue, so it’s best to avoid bringing any kind of disposable plastic bag at all.

Instead, use reusable alternatives for organizing your luggage, like cloth packing cubes or mesh pouches. And if you plan to shop while you’re there, bring a lightweight cloth or linen tote bag. It’s practical, eco-friendly, and fully compliant with local regulations.

3. Don’t Carry Large Bills 

Tanzania’s currency is the Tanzanian Shilling (TZS). Shillings come in various denominations. You will most commonly find 1,000, 2,000 and 10,000 notes in circulation, as well as coins in smaller denominations. 

USD is also widely accepted in Tanzania. If you’re American, you may opt to use USD rather than shillings. For my husband and I, being Canadian, TZS made more sense. 

While traveling Tanzania you’ll find yourself wanting to buy little things here and there. Maybe some street food or a drink, or something to take home from the markets. You’ll also need to pay for meals, taxis, and hotels, and more. 

While credit cards are often accepted by hotels and tour agencies, most vendors, shops, and taxis, will only accept cash. 

It’s best to carry small bills while in Tanzania. Most of your daily expenses won’t cost very much and having small bills makes paying simpler because the vendor won’t need to find change for you. 

4. Don’t Barter for Unfair Prices

It’s okay to be budget conscious while traveling Tanzania, as long as you don’t go overboard with your budgeting practices, and you follow best practices for responsible budget travel. 

In Tanzania, bartering is a normal and expected part of shopping, especially in local markets. Along with that comes something many travelers call the “tourist tax, ” which is the higher prices locals sometimes charge foreigners compared to what other Tanzanians would pay for the same item.

For example, in Moshi, we bought a bag of jackfruit from a street vendor for 700 TZS. Later, out of curiosity, we asked a local at our hotel what he would typically pay, and he said about 500 TZS. Some travelers might feel frustrated by that, but I don’t think it’s unfair.

If you have the means to travel and your home currency goes further, paying a bit more is a way to contribute directly to the local economy. For us, that bag of jackfruit worked out to about 50 Canadian cents.

That said, it’s important to find balance. While it’s okay, and even ethical, to pay more as a foreign visitor, dramatically overpaying can have the opposite effect of driving up prices over time, making everyday goods less accessible for locals.

So, think of bartering as a friendly conversation rather than a battle over price. Ask the initial price, make a reasonable counteroffer once or twice, and settle somewhere that feels fair for both sides.

It’s a small way to respect local customs while keeping your interactions equitable and kind.

5. Don’t Take Photos Without Explicit Permission

An important thing not to do in Tanzania has to do with taking photos. As with traveling anywhere, it’s important to be intentional, respectful, and responsible when taking pictures and videos. 

In Tanzania, be sure to ask for permission when taking photos of people. If you plan to share a photo of a person to your social media, or any online platform, it’s important to have explicit consent to do so. 

When you meet children, avoid the urge to take photos of them. Young children aren’t able to consent to having their photo taking like an adult is, and it’s inappropriate to take their picture without permission from the child’s parent.

When taking photos of the countryside, beaches, or streets around Tanzania, be aware of who might end up in the frame of the photo. Wait a moment until local people are out of the frame before snapping the image. 

It’s also important to think about what a photo depicts. Sharing images of poverty, children, or less developed communities for self-gratification is an unfortunate symptom of the White Saviour Industrial Complex. 

6. Don’t Hand Out Treats or Money to Children

Tourism plays a huge role in Tanzania’s economy, and many people make their living through it, whether by selling handmade crafts and souvenirs, offering guiding services, or running small local businesses.

As you travel through towns and villages, you’ll likely be approached by vendors eager to sell you souvenirs, fruit, or local art. It’s part of daily life in a country where tourism provides important income opportunities.

You may also meet children who ask for sweets, pens, or even money. It can be tempting to give a small gift, especially when a child’s smile feels so genuine. But it’s best not to.

Over time, giving gifts or money directly to children can have unintended consequences. It can encourage a habit of asking tourists for things rather than attending school, and in some areas, it’s led to children waiting along busy roads instead of being in class.

That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t engage with them. The kids we met in Tanzania were incredibly friendly, curious, and excited to practice English. A simple “jambo!” (hello!) or a high five goes a long way.

If you genuinely want to give back, consider supporting a local community initiative or school program instead. Many safari operators and lodges partner with them directly, and your contribution will have a far more positive and lasting impact.

7. Don’t Drink Tap Water in Tanzania

It’s best to drink filtered or bottled water while traveling in Tanzania. You don’t want to end up with a stomach bug that impacts your trip.

When eating at food stalls and restaurants, it’s best to buy bottled water, or bring your own filtered water. One solution is to bring a filtering water bottle with you to Tanzania. 

Filtering your own water is a sustainable tourism practice because it will reduce how much plastic waste you generate.

There are various systems to choose from that suit different needs, but all systems have the same function: they filter contaminants out of water, making it safe to drink. 

There are tons of options to choose from, Lifestraw is a popular one, but I personally love my Grayl bottle.

8. Don’t Skip Local Tanzanian Cuisine

Basically everywhere you go in Tanzania you’ll find Western meal options. What not to do in Tanzania, though, is eat Western food the whole time. There are several Tanzanian dishes that you should try. 

To get you started, here are three local dishes or meals to look out for. 

• BBQ: You’ll find BBQ all over Tanzania. It’s pretty straight forward, usually spiced chicken that’s cooked on a barbecue on the street. If you aren’t vegetarian, this is a reliably tasty and affordable meal!
  
• Chipsi Mayai: Chipsi is the Swahili word for french fries or chips, and mayai means eggs. That’s exactly what this dish is! Fries that are baked or fried into a mixture of beaten eggs, and sometimes sauteed vegetables as well. You’ll find this dish in restaurants, but it’s also a popular street food. 
  
• Ugali: This is a very popular dish in Tanzania. Ugali is a stiff dough that’s made using  cornmeal, cassava flour, sorghum or millet. It’s usually eaten with a spinach dish, fish, meat, cooked vegetables or bean sauce.

9. Don’t Skip Learning Some Swahili

You’ll find that English is widely spoken throughout Tanzania, especially in cities and places that see a lot of tourists, so communication is usually pretty easy.

We rarely had any major issues getting around or chatting with people we met. That said, learning a few words of Swahili goes a long way, and it’s something people really appreciate.

Even simple greetings like “jambo” (hello), “asante” (thank you), or “karibu” (you’re welcome) can make your interactions warmer and more genuine. When we took the time to translate something on our phones and try saying it in Swahili, it almost always earned us big smiles or laughs, especially when our pronunciation wasn’t perfect.

Locals were usually quick to teach us the right way to say things, and those exchanges often turned into memorable moments of connection.

Making the effort to learn and use a few local phrases shows respect for the culture and creates a more meaningful travel experience. It reminds people that you’re not just passing through, you’re interested in learning from them too.

Here are some of the basic Swahili words and phrases we used often in Tanzania: 

• Hello: jambo
• How are you?: habari gani
• Fine (response): nzuri
• Goodbye: kwa heri
• Goodnight: lala salama
• Yes: ndiyo
• No: hapana
• Thank you: asante
• Thank you very much: asante sana
• Please: tafadhali
• OK: sawa
• Excuse me: samahani
  

10. Avoid Traveling Solo At Night

In most Tanzanian cities we were advised by locals to avoid walking on the streets after dark, especially when alone. Wherever we went, we judged based on how busy the streets were. 

For example, in Stone Town (Zanzibar), the streets were fairly busy up until 10:00pm, and so we were comfortable walking around up until then. Whereas in Arusha the streets got very quiet around 8:00pm, and so after that time we took transport back to our hotel. 

This isn’t anything to worry about, because you can always take a tuk tuk instead of walking. Tuk tuks will drive you all distances, short to long, for a reasonable price.  

11. Don’t Skip Getting Mobile Data

Most hotels have wifi throughout Tanzania, but having mobile data available is convenient for when you’re out for the day and don’t have wifi access.

You have two good options for getting mobile data while in Tanzania. Your first option is to purchase a physical SIM card. 

To do this, you have to find a vendor selling prepaid local SIM cards, and then go through the process of purchasing and enabling the SIM. 

There are typically shops in the airports in Tanzania where you can purchase a physical SIM. Or, look for Vodacom stands on the streets – they will set you up as well. 

Your second option is to purchase an eSIM. An eSIM, short for embedded SIM, is a digital SIM card that you can load into your device. 

With an eSIM, there’s no need for a physical SIM. Esims work exactly like traditional SIM cards, enabling your phone to connect to cellular networks and access mobile data. And eSIMs come with many benefits!

Unlike physical SIMs, eSIMs can be remotely activated, allowing you to easily switch between mobile carriers or plans.

You don’t need to visit a storefront to buy an eSIM, you can purchase them online. The information needed to activate your eSIM is then sent to you over email or via an app.

You can get online with an easily with a quick-to-install eSIM through Airalo. What I appreciate most about Airalo’s eSIM is its simplicity. You can quickly select and activate an Airalo eSIM for whichever country you are headed to. Selecting, downloading, and activating your eSIM takes less than 5 minutes, and it’s easy to top up your eSIM if you run out of data.

You can get started with an Airalo eSIM, right here.

12. Don’t Forget to Pack the Right Clothes

Most people think of Tanzania as having a hot climate. While it does, it’s important to know that when you’re on the mainland at higher elevations, it can actually become chilly, particularly at night. 

Given this, you’ll want to pack layers for your travels to Tanzania. Be prepared with long sleeve shirts, long pants, a sweater and a jacket for those cooler regions. 

You’ll also want to be prepared for rain. Particularly if you visit during the rainy season, bring a packable poncho or a lightweight rain jacket to wear in the event of a downpour. 

13. Don’t Forget Bug Spray and Sunscreen

Don’t underestimate the sun in Tanzania, or the mosquitos. Regardless of where you are in Tanzania, you’ll want to use sunscreen and bug spray every day.

Because Tanzania is situated just south of the equator, the sun is very strong. Even on cloudy days, there’s the potential for a sunburn. This is why you’ll need sunscreen.  

While mosquitos in Tanzania aren’t all that bad (compared to Canada, at least!), they do carry diseases like malaria. Because of this, you’ll want to minimize mosquito bites to reduce the risk of illness.  

The beaches of Paje, Zanzibar

14. Don’t Overlook Cultural Norms and Traditions

Depending on where you’re traveling to Tanzania from, you might find that the culture and traditions are different from what you’re used to at home. What not to do in Tanzania? Visit without a base knowledge of cultural norms.

Take the time to learn about Tanzania’s customs and traditions, and then be respectful of them. For example, in Tanzania, people traditionally dress modestly. 

When visiting Tanzania, women travelers can show cultural respect by wearing long, loose-fitting clothing that covers the upper arms, knees, chest, midriff and back. Men can show respect by covering their shoulders and their legs. 

Another important custom in Tanzania is dining etiquette. When you eat in local restaurants, or are invited into a local’s home for a traditional meal, you might notice that dishes are eaten with your hands instead of using cutlery. It’s also customary to eat only with the right hand. 

15. Don’t Forget to Tip Your Guides

Tipping isn’t traditionally part of Tanzanian culture, but within the tourism industry, it’s become a common and appreciated practice. You’ll find that most tour guides, hiking guides, safari guides, drivers, cooks, and porters now rely on tips as part of their income.

That said, tipping isn’t an obligation, it’s a personal choice. But when you consider that wages in Tanzania are much lower than in Canada or the US, leaving a tip is a meaningful way to show gratitude and help support the people who make your experience so special.

One important caveat for tipping your safari guides, cooks, and drivers: Don’t tip based on the animals that you see, and never suggest to your guides that tipping will be based on what wildlife is seen. Doing this can create a dynamic where guides feel pressure to chase wildlife, or drive off-road, to deliver the experience that tourists are demanding.

Tipping should be based not on the wildlife seen, but on your guide’s professionalism, and how much they’ve taught you during your safari.

16. Don’t Forget To Check Entry Requirements

Before entering Tanzania, check the entry requirements for your nationality. Citizens of some countries do not need a visa to enter Tanzania for 30 to 90 days. 

If you are one of those nationalities, you’ll be able to get your visa on arrival at your entry point. 

For visa on arrival, you’ll be able to pay the visa fee either by cash (USD is preferred) or credit card. If you are bringing USD to pay for your visa, make sure it’s a new, crisp note. 

Other nationalities need to have a visa or travel authorization to be eligible for visiting Tanzania. There is an e-visa option for many nationalities, and otherwise, you’ll need to apply for a regular visa at your nearest consulate. 

17. Don’t Forget Your Travel Insurance

What not to do in Tanzania? Visit without travel insurance! Travel insurance is essential to pack for every single trip. 

Insurance coverage provides support, compensation, and medical care when things go wrong while you’re abroad.

Policies for travel insurance vary, but they can provide support and compensation if your luggage is lost, if you slip and break a bone, or if you need to return home because of an emergency in the family. 

Travel insurance is an important financial safety net for your valuables and for emergencies, so don’t forget it when you go to Tanzania.  

18. Don’t Skip Public Transport 

For long distances in Tanzania, you’ll probably want to fly one of Tanzania’s domestic airlines. But for shorter distances, like Moshi to Arusha, consider using public transport.

Public transport, which is mainly made up of buses, is much more affordable, and it will give you a glimpse into Tanzanian life. 

There’s no need to book bus trips in advance. You can simply go to the bus station or bus stand, and ask around until you find a bus heading to where you’re going. 

I recommend figuring out all your options before committing to a bus. In general, the “big” buses, which are coach buses, are more reliable than the small buses. 

The small buses are called “costas” and while they will for sure get you to where you are going, they typically stop more so can take longer. These small buses also tend to be more crowded. 

A useful tip we found is that on the coach buses, you can pay for an extra seat for your luggage if you’d like to keep it with you versus put it under the bus. 

19. Don’t Take Boda Bodas, Go For Tuk Tuks Instead

Boda bodas are motorcycle taxis. You’ll see them all over Tanzania, including in Zanzibar. While they are a fast and affordable way to get around, they can be a dangerous mode of transport, which is why they are on this list of what not to do in Tanzania.

While in Tanzania we noticed boda boda accidents quite often, and while on safari, our Tanzanian guide told us he wouldn’t recommend using boda bodas because of road safety concerns.

Tuk tuks are a great alternative to boda bodas. These are 3 wheel vehicles that have a driver in the small front seat, and room for 3 people in the back. 

Tuk tuks are very affordable and easy to flag down. Often you’ll get into tuk tuks with other people, as they are a shared taxi option. Before getting into a tuk tuk, agree on the price of the trip. 

20. Don’t Culturally Appropriate

Cultural appropriation is when a person adopts elements of a culture that is not their own. It becomes controversial when members of a dominant culture appropriate from disadvantaged minority cultures.

Examples of cultural appropriation include when white people wear dreadlocks, or non-Indigenous people wear Indigenous dress as a halloween costume.

Cultural appropriation is a complex issue with lots of grey areas. And since much of travel revolves around experiencing and learning about other cultures, it can be tough to figure out what is and isn’t cultural appropriation while abroad.

But it isn’t impossible. When in Tanzania, consider the following to figure out if you are appreciating local culture, or appropriating it. 

• Consider whether you’re participating in a tradition, or wearing traditional clothing, out of honor or imitation.
• Consider whether you are aware of the significance, meaning, and history of the tradition or clothing. 

• Consider the situation: are you participating in a cultural tradition or wearing cultural clothing? Being invited to participate is key. 
• Think about whether you are participating to learn about a culture, or to perpetuate a stereotype.

Thinking about whether your actions inTanzania are respectful, and considering the context you’re in, as well as your overall motivations, are all important when thinking about whether you are culturally appropriating.

21. Avoid Booking an Unethical Safari

Safaris are one of the biggest draws for visitors to Tanzania, but not every operator follows ethical or sustainable practices. It can be challenging to figure out whether a safari is ethical or not, and I don’t have all the answers. But here are a few tips that you can follow which will set you on the right path.

Before I get into the things to watch out for, let’s unpack a common misconception, which is that expensive means ethical. This isn’t the case.

Safaris are expensive to begin with, but there is a range of what you’ll pay (beyond the base fees), depending on what type of safari you choose. There’s camping safaris, group safaris, lodge safaris, and luxury lodge safaris. The price you pay won’t determine how ethical the safari is. Here are some tips to consider, instead.

Know the signs of an unethical safari. Stuff like driving off designated paths to get closer to wildlife or interrupting an animal’s natural behaviour for a better photo. If you notice anything like that, it’s okay to gently speak up and set boundaries. You can also have a quick, polite conversation with your guide at the start of your safari to mention that you prefer to keep a respectful distance from wildlife and follow park rules.

When you’re booking a safari, look for a company that’s locally owned or co-owned. Local operators are more likely to hire staff from nearby communities, source supplies within the region, and reinvest profits back into Tanzania’s economy. It’s a simple way to make sure your travel dollars support the people and environments that make the safari experience possible. Plus, locally run companies often bring a deeper knowledge of the land, culture, and wildlife.

Book locally owned or co-owned lodges. Many of the lodges in Tanzania are owned by foreign investors or international chains. These lodges may have locals working in them, but they are often not in management or executive positions. The other issue is that these lodges isolate visitors from local communities, so guests end up spending most of their money on the property. Booking lodges that are owned and operated by locals means your money stays in the region.

Before booking your safari, ask what your lodge or tour operator is doing to support nearby communities. Some lodges partner with local schools, fund conservation programs, or provide fair employment and training for local residents. Staying at places that give back helps ensure tourism has a positive impact.

You can also support local communities directly. Shop at local markets, eat at small restaurants outside your lodge, or book experiences led by local guides. These simple choices help spread the economic benefits of tourism beyond lodge walls.

Antelopes and a lioness we spotted on our safari.

22. Don’t Visit Tanzania Without Getting Informed

Before visiting any country, it’s important to take some time to understand its history, politics, and current events. Tanzania is no exception.

Having context helps you understand the places you visit and the people you meet, and it contextualizes your experience there. It also shows respect for the country as more than just a vacation spot.

Tanzania has a complex history, shaped by Indigenous cultures, colonial influence, and the unification of Tanganyika and Zanzibar in 1964.

Learning a bit about this background helps you understand the country’s diversity and the cultural pride you’ll encounter. It’s also worth familiarizing yourself with current events and political dynamics, since these shape daily life and can affect things like travel logistics or local attitudes toward tourism.

As a starting point, read about Tanzania’s independence movement, the legacy of Julius Nyerere (the country’s first president), and the country’s ongoing conservation efforts.

Check local or regional news outlets for updates before you go, and follow a few Tanzanian journalists or travel creators online. A little research goes a long way in helping you be a more informed, respectful, and curious traveler.

Visit Tanzania Responsibly

Visiting Tanzania is about more than just checking things off a list or getting the perfect photo for social media. It’s about being a responsible tourist. This is how we can help ensure that communities benefit from the pros vs. cons of tourism.

If you’re planning to visit Tanzania, here are some resources to help you visit in a mindful way:

• Learn the main tips for being a responsible tourist.
• Use sustainable tourism tips to travel eco-consciously.
• Travel to places that aren’t facing overtourism to reduce your impact.
• Be aware of cultural appropriation and avoid it. 
• Practice responsible wildlife tourism.
• Learn about how you can decenter yourself in travel.
• Shop for souvenirs responsibly.
• Create and share photos and videos in a respectful way.

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