What Not To Do in Tanzania: 20 Essential Tanzania Tips

Last Updated on July 2, 2024

Knowing what not to do in Tanzania will set you up for smooth and memorable travels around this beautiful East African country. 

Tanzania is most known for its wilderness areas, including Serengeti National Park where you can go on safari and spot the “big five:” elephants, lions, leopards, buffalo, and rhinos. There’s also Kilimanjaro National Park, which is home to the tallest mountain on the continent of Africa. 

Just off the coast of Tanzania’s mainland are the islands of Zanzibar, which are known for beaches, water activities, and their Arabic and Indian influences. 

Read on to find out what not to do in Tanzania. You’ll learn must-know Tanzania travel tips, including the Tanzanian cultural customs visitors should know.

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What Not To Do in Tanzania: 20 Important Travel Tips

1. Don’t Forget Essential Vaccines and Medications

There are specific vaccines that are recommended, as well as required, for visiting Tanzania. However, the requirements vary depending on your home country, or where you are traveling to Tanzania from. 

Ahead of your trip, visit your family doctor or a travel clinic to discuss what vaccinations may be needed or recommended. 

Parts of Tanzania are considered an active malaria zone. You’ll want to discuss with your physician or a travel clinic whether taking anti-malarial medication is right for you. 

2. Don’t Bring Plastic Bags

What not to do in Tanzania? Don’t use plastic bags. In 2019, the Government of Tanzania banned all plastic carrier bags of all thicknesses in a bid to reduce plastic pollution. 

The plastic ban is mainly aimed at manufacturers and suppliers, but travelers are also warned to not bring plastic bags into the country. 

Avoid using plastic bags for packing or organizing items in your bag, and don’t bring plastic bags to use for carrying things. I recommend packing a good linen or cloth tote bag to use in case you do shopping in Tanzania. 

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 prices is a common practice. What’s also common is the “tourist tax.” This is a colloquial term for when locals in a place charge higher prices when foreigners buy their goods versus other locals. 

For example, in Moshi, a small city in Tanzania, we bought a bag of jackfruit from a street vendor. She charged us 1000 TZS. 

We brought it back to our hotel and out of curiosity asked our friend at the reception desk, what he, as a Tanzanian, would be charged for it. The price for him would be 500. 

Some travelers are upset by the tourist tax. But I think that it’s fair that locals maximize their income by setting prices based on what a buyer can afford. 

If a person has the means to travel, and is benefiting off of the strength of their home currency, paying a slightly higher price is reasonable. We ended up paying 50 Canadian cents for the bag of jackfruit, which for us, is totally reasonable. 

If you can afford to travel, then you can afford to pay prices that are fair. And yes, that fair price may be more than what a local would pay. 

In practice, it is good to barter in Tanzania, but do so in a respectful and fair way. I recommend asking the initial price, and then barter down just once or twice from there. 

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 and respectful when taking pictures. 

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

Tourists are an important source of income for Tanzania. Throughout the country, local people will offer you things to buy, from tourist services to souvenirs. 

You’ll also find that children will occasionally ask you for sweets, for gifts, or even for money. In general, it’s best not to give them anything. 

Although it’s well-meaning to give a child a small gift, receiving things from tourists can accidentally encourage them to drop out of school. 

The kids in Tanzania we found are super friendly and interested in tourists. When you meet them, say hello (jambo!), and give them a high five. 

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 many people throughout Tanzania speak English. We found that we rarely had issues communicating with people we met. 

But, knowing some basic Swahili is a nice way to show respect, and communicate with people who may not know English.  

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. Don’t Travel 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.

For example, with aloSIM, you can use their free app to purchase an eSIM, and then a QR code is provided through the app to install it.  

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.  

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 for services in Tanzania isn’t a cultural norm, but it’s become a custom for services related to tourism. 

Tips for guides, drivers, and hotels aren’t an obligation. But, the average salary in Tanzania is much lower than in Canada or the US, and so if you have the means to tip, it’s a great way to say thank you for a positive experience. 

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.

Final Thoughts: What Not to Do in Tanzania

I hope these tips for what not to do in Tanzania help you plan a worry-free, memorable trip to this beautiful country. I wanted to share these tips because I truly believe that being an informed tourist is the best way to be a responsible tourist!

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