Tanzania Visa
Visit Tanzania
A Tanzania visa is necessary fo all Canadian citizens and permanent residents who want to travel to Tanzania. However, Canadian citizens are eligible to apply for a visa at one of the country's 3 busiest airports, or at select border crossings. We do not recommend this, as the lines may be long and there is always the potential of not satisfying the visa requirements.
Index
- Tanzanian Climate
- Tanzanian Culture
- Tanzanian Visas
- Tanzanian Vaccines
- Tanzanian Travel Alerts
- How to Call Tanzania
- Tanzanian Money
- Tanzanian Prices
- Tanzanian Electricity
- Emergency Assistance in Tanzania
- Calling Canada from Tanzania
- Tanzanian Maps
- Tanzanian Driving
- Tanzanian Transportation
- Tanzanian Internet
Climate of Tanzania
Tanzania is in the tropics, but its weather varies due to differnces in elevation, which affect temperature, and differences in rainfall.
Most of the country experiences warm to hot temperatures year round: warm between May and August and hot the rest of the year. The highlands can see temperatures are low as 10 C in the cold season (May to August).
The north and east parts of Tanzania experience two distinct wet seasons, one from October to December ("Vuli") and one wetter season from March to May ("Masika"). The south and west parts of the country have one long wet season from October to April or May.
Below is the climate data for the capital Dar es Salaam (on the coast, in the east of the country):
Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Yearly Average or Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Average High (°C) | 31 | 31 | 31 | 30 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 29.6 |
Average Rainfall (mm) | 66 | 66 | 130 | 290 | 188 | 33 | 31 | 25 | 31 | 41 | 74 | 91 | 1,066 |
Average rainy days | 8 | 6 | 12 | 19 | 15 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 9 | 11 | 113 |
Mean monthly sunshine hours | 248 | 196 | 217 | 150 | 217 | 210 | 217 | 279 | 270 | 279 | 240 | 248 | 2,771 |
Culture of Tanzania
- Though Tanzania is one of the most popoulous countries in Africa, it is only about average density compared to the continent.
- Though there are still indigenous people in Tanzania, many Tanzanians are descended from tribes that migrated to Tanzania 4,000 and 500 years ago
- Indian merchants and traders from the Persian Gulf have been visiting Tanzania for approximately 2,000 years
Ethnicity in Tanzania
There are more than 120 different tribes in Tanzania. The largest group is the Sukuma.
Language in Tanzania
There are more languages than distinct ethnic groups in Tanzania, as 126 languages are spoken. The two languages that are most common are English and Swahili. Most people speak their native language, plus Swahili or English. However, English was only taught in high schools and universities, and only used in certain areas of government, so it is not as common as Swahili. In 2015, Tanzania discontinued the teaching of English.
Religion in Tanzania
The Tanzanian government eliminated religion from the census back in 1967, so there is no accurate data on religious observance in Tanzania.
The CIA World Factbook estimates the religious groups as the following:
- Islam: 35%
- Various Indigenous: 35%
- Christian: 30%
However, many people disagree with percentages, especially with the popularity of indigenous beliefs. An independent survey in 2010 found the following:
- Christian (all sects): 61.4%
- Muslim: 35.2%
- Indigenous: 1.8%
- Hindi: 0.1%
- Atheist and Unaffiliated: 1.4%
Visa to Tanzania
Canadian citizens are allowed to apply for a visa at the following ports of entry:
Airports
- Julius Nyerere International Airport (Dar es Salaam)
- Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (Zanzibar)
- Kilimanjaro International Airport
- Mwanza Airport
These are the four busiest airports in the country.
Border Crossings:
- Holili (border with Kenya, near Kilimanjaro)
- Horohoro
- Kabanga (border with Burundi)
- Kigoma (port on Lake Tanganyika)
- Masuguru (border with Mozambique)
- Msimbati (port on the Indian Ocean)
- Mutukula (border with Uganda)
- Namanga (border with Kenya)
- Rusumo (border with Rwanda)
- Sirari (port on Lake Victoria)
- Tunduma (border with Zambia)
Please Note: If you try to enter Tanzania at any other point, you will need to have applied for a visa before hand.
We still recommend you get your visa before you travel, to avoid delays.
How to Apply for a Tanzanian Visa within Canada
You can apply by completing this application form.
If applying by yourself, you must submit the application form to the High Commission of Tanzania in Canada plus the following :
- a valid passport, valid for at least 6 months past your planned date of exit;
- 1 passport photograph;
- single-entry visa application fee of CAD$80 payable by cash or money order only (unless you are applying in person, then debit is available);
- invitation or business letter (business travellers only);
- pre-paid self-addressed courier envelope (no manual waybills accepted).
If you want a multiple entry visa, the cost ranges from CAD$120-$150.
If you are able to submit your application in person, the hours are Monday to Friday, 9Am-4PM.
Processing Times and Validity Information
Usually, it takes the high commission 5 business days to process your application from the date they receive it.
Your visa becomes valid the day it is issued. It cannot be used once it expires and if you travel to Tanzania after it expires, you will have to apply fora new visa at the port of entry.
Single entry visas are valid for 3 months only.
High Commission of Tanzania in Canada
50 Range Rd. Ottawa,
Ontario Kin 8J4, Canada
Tel: +1 613 232 1500 / 1509
Fax: +1 613 232 5184
Telex: (021) 533569
Website: https://www.tanzaniahighcommission.ca
Vaccine and Health Information for Tanzania
The availability of healthcare in Tanzania varies by region. The urban areas have more resources and, if you have money, you can get access to the best treatment.
Tanzania is currently in the middle of an HIV epidemic.
Vaccination or Disease | Recommendations or Requirements for Vaccine-Preventable Diseases |
---|---|
Routine | Required if you are not up-to-date with routine shots, such as measles/mumps/rubella (MMR) vaccine, diphtheria/pertussis/tetanus (DPT) vaccine, poliovirus vaccine, etc. |
Hepatitis A | Highly recommended for all unvaccinated travellers, as you can get it at restaurants or hotels |
Hepatitis B | Recommended for all unvaccinated travellers who will have sex, get a tattoo or receive medical care while in Tanzania |
Rabies | Recommended if
|
Typhoid | Highly recommended for all unvaccinated travellers, as you can get it at restaurants and hotels. It is particularly recommended if you plan to travel to smaller or rural communities, or if you think of yourself as an adventurous eater. |
Yellow Fever | Only recommended if you plan on staying in Tanzania a long time or if you are expecting to spend a lot of time in mosquito-infested areas. Proof of Yellow Fever vaccination is mandatory for citizens of most tropical countries in order to gain entry to Tanzania. |
Travel Alerts for Tanzania
Calling Tanzania
The country code for Tanzania is 255.
To call a landline in Tanzania from Canada, dial:
- 011-255-two digit area code-local number (7 digits)
- 011-255-xx-xxx-xxxx
Area Codes
Arusha | 27 | Lindi | 23 | Ruvuma | 25 |
Coast Region | 23 | Mara | 28 | Shinyanga | 28 |
Dar es Salaam | 22 | Mbeya | 25 | Singida | 26 |
Iringa | 26 | Morogoro | 23 | Tabora | 26 |
Kagera | 28 | Mtwara | 23 | Tanga | 27 |
Kigoma | 28 | Mwanza | 28 | Zanzibar | 24 |
Kilimanjaro | 27 | Rukwa | 25 |
To call a cell phone in Tanzania, dial
- 011-255-6x or 7x (mobile code)-local number (7 digits)
- 011-255-6x-xxx-xxxx OR
- 011-255-7x-xxx-xxxx
Time Difference
Tanzania is on East Africa Time which is UTC+3. They do not observe Daylight Savings. So, for example, in the winter Tanzania is 8 hours ahead of Toronto and 7 hours ahead in the summer.
Tanzanian Currency
Tanzania uses the Tanzanian Shilling.
Prices in Tanzania
Please not that the prices below are crowd sourced and are averages used to represent Tanzanian prices as a whole. Actual prices vary widely. Prices are in Canadian dollars.
Oranges (1kg)
Restaurants | Average | Price Range |
---|---|---|
Meal at cheap restaurant | $6.33 | $3.11-$8.69 |
3-Course Meal for 2 people at a normal restaurant | $35.47 | $20.28-$53.90 |
Combo at Fast Food Restaurant | $11.05 | $7.41-$16.17 |
Domestic Beer (pint) | $1.72 | $1.49-$2.80 |
Imported Beer (330ml bottler) | $3.23 | $2.07-$4.04 |
$2.66 | $2.02-$3.37 | |
Coke/Pepsi (330ml can) | $0.81 | $0.50-$1.35 |
Water (33ml bottle) | $0.61 | $0.39-$1.01 |
Markets | Average | Price Range |
1% Milk (1 litre) | $1.59 | $0.81-$2.43 |
Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g) | $0.93 | $0.67-$1.35 |
Rice (1kg) | $1.45 | $1.17-$1.87 |
Dozen Eggs | $3.16 | $2.46-$4.04 |
Local Cheese (1kg) | $14.56 | $12.43-$19.99 |
Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts (1kg) | $9.41 | $5.00-$13.47 |
Ground Beef (1kg) | $4.92 | $3.72-$6.74 |
Apples (1kg) | $4.71 | $2.61-$6.22 |
Bananas (1kg) | $1.28 | $0.67-$2.15 |
$1.87 | $0.81-$3.91 | |
Tomatos (1kg) | $1.69 | $1.01-$3.10 |
Potatoes (1kg) | $1.26 | $0.80-$1.86 |
Onions (1kg) | $1.32 | $1.21-$1.45 |
Head of Lettuce | $1.03 | $0.40-$1.35 |
Water (1.5 litre bottle) | $1.08 | $0.78-$1.25 |
Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) | $12.13 | $8.34-$16.17 |
Domestic Beer (pint bottle) | $1.85 | $1.49-$2.44 |
Imported Beer (330ml bottle) | $2.82 | $2.07-$3.77 |
Pack of Cigarettes | $2.80 | $2.10-$3.26 |
Transportation | Average | Price Range |
One-way Ticket (Local Transit) | $0.32 | $0.29-$0.54 |
Monthly Transit Pass (Regular Price) | $32.59 | $24.04-$55.99 |
Taxi Start (Normal Fare) | $4.04 | $2.42-$5.16 |
Taxi 1km (Normal Fare) | $1.77 | $1.35-$2.53 |
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Fare) | $6.06 | $3.62-$20.97 |
Gas (1 litre) | $1.47 | $1.35-$1.75 |
New Car (Sedan) | $21,560.00 | $16,651.22-$24,255.00 |
Utilities (Monthly) | Average | Price Range |
Basic (Electricity, Heating, Water, Garbage) for 85m2 Apartment |
$124.64 | $67.38-$216.52 |
1 min. of Prepaid Mobile Calling (No Discounts or Plans) |
$0.23 | $0.16-$0.34 |
Internet (10 Mbps, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL) |
$153.44 | $28.23-$202.12 |
Sports And Leisure | Average | Price Range |
Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult | $97.90 | $49.64-$134.75 |
Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend) | $11.87 | $6.33-$15.51 |
Movie Ticket | $8.13 | $5.81-$11.69 |
Clothing And Shoes | Avgerage | Price Range |
Pair of Jeans | $49.13 | $31.02-$80.85 |
1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store | $62.08 | $31.11-$93.55 |
Pair of Running Shoes (Mid-Range) | $79.67 | $47.16-$123.11 |
Pair of Men's Leather Shoes | $85.34 | $63.32-$107.80 |
Rent Per Month | Average | Range |
Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre | $807.43 | $325.87-$1,202.05 |
Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre | $576.09 | $143.58-$943.25 |
Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre | $1,793.25 | $949.75-$2,404.10 |
Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre | $1,435.44 | $290.14-$2,695.00 |
Condo Price | Average | Price Range |
Price per Square Meter to Buy Condo in City Centre |
$1,617.00 | $1,617.00-$1,617.00 |
Price per Square Meter to Buy Condo Outside of Centre |
$854.79 | $543.11-$1,212.75 |
Salaries And Financing | Average | Range |
Average Monthly Disposable Salary (After Tax) |
$946.99 | $606.38-$2,021.25 |
Mortgage Interest Rate (%) Yearly |
12.57 | $10.78-$23.45 |
Using Electricity in Tanzania
Tanzania uses plugs of the style used in the UK or the style used in South Africa. You need to buy a travel adapter to use either of these sockets.
However, please note that if your device or appliance is not built to handle 220-2204 volts, you will need a voltage converter as well. Always check your devices before plugging them into an adapter and the socket.
Emergency Assistance for Canadian Travellers while in Tanzania
High Commission of Canada in Dar Es Salaam38 Mirambo Street Telephone: 255(22)216-3300
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View Larger Map |
Calling Canada from Tanzania
- The international code is 00
- The country code for Canada is 1
- Dial 00 – 1 – area code – local number
Area Codes in Canada
Province | Code | Province | Code |
Alberta |
403 / 587 (southern Alberta) 587 / 780 (central and northern Alberta) |
Nunavut | 867 |
BC |
236 / 250 / 778 (majority of BC) 236 / 604 / 778 (Metro Vancouver) |
Ontario |
226 / 519 (southwestern Ontario) 249 / 705 (northeastern Ontario) 289 / 365 / 905 (Greater Toronto Area) 343 / 613 (eastern Ontario) 416 / 647 (Toronto) 807 (northwestern Ontario) |
Manitoba | 204 / 431 | PEI | 782 / 902 |
New Brunswick | 506 | Quebec |
418 / 581 (eastern Quebec) 438 / 514 (Montreal) 450 / 579 (Greater Montreal) 819 / 873 (remainder of Quebec) |
Newfoundland and Labrador | 709 | Saskatchewan | 306 / 639 |
Northwest Territories | 867 | Yukon | 867 |
Nova Scotia | 782 / 902 |
Maps of Tanzania
Topographic Map of Tanzania [Public Domain]
Transportation map of Tanzania by MapMaster / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0
Driving in Tanzania
In Tanzania, people drive on the left side of the road (right side of the car) as they do in the UK.
Driving in Tanzania is not recommended. If you must rent a card, many rental agencies will not allow you to take the car out of the city without hiring a driver as well. Hiring a driver is affordable so you may be better off to hire a driver and a car, instead of renting a car first.
If you do rent a car, rent an SUV- or jeep-style vehicle with 4 wheel driver and a high clearance. Sedans will get stuck on the roads. A driver is recommended as they are familiar with making repairs in the bush and can speak Swahili, the most common language in the country.
There are no road signs outside of major roads and there are only a few major highways.
Transportation in Tanzania
If you decide you cannot handle driving in Tanzania, the main options for travel are rail, ferry and plane.
Air
There are 25 airports within Tanzanian and, if you can afford it, flying within the country is the fastest way around.
Ferries
If you are traveling along the Indian Ocean coast or along one of Tanzania's two major lakes, there are ferries that can be used as alternatives to the road.s
Rail
The 10 biggest cities in Tanzania are linked by rail routes.
Internet in Tanzania
Internet access has been improving by leaps and bounds in Tanzania in the last half decade or so. Wireless is becoming more prevalent than wired. Check with your hotel about their internet connection. You cannot expect any internet access outside of major cities.