Getting There

Air

 Tanzania has three international airports: Dar es Salaam, Kilimanjaro (situated between Arusha and Moshi), and Zanzibar near Stone Town. All three airports offer good service.

International airlines that fly to Dar es Salaam include Air India, British Airways, Egypt Air, Ethiopian Airlines, Gulf Air, Kenya Airways, South African Airways and KLM.

Other international air carriers fly to Nairobi, where there are daily connections to Arusha, Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar.

Road

There are border crossings between Tanzania and all its neighbours, but be sure the have registration papers, permits, and international insurance for your vehicle, a valid driving license and know your personal visa requirements.

Arusha is considered the “safari capital” of Tanzania. Regular shuttle buses connect Arusha to Nairobi in Kenya. Daily buses also travel between Kenya’s port Mombasa and Dar es Salaam. Public buses and minibuses called “dala dalas” also run to smaller border posts.

Rail

Trains connect Zambia to Dar es Salaam via Mbeya. The journey takes a few days, but it’s comfortable.

Water

Cruise ships and passenger liners stop frequently at Tanzanian ports, but if you travel overland in Africa, ferry transport offers an interesting alternative into Tanzania.

But make sure the ferry company is registered. Ferry transport to and from Kenya, Uganda, the Congo, and Malawi is subject to seasonal weather and could be subject to delays. If your itinerary is flexible, go for it.

Travellers from Malawi can take ferries from Nkhata Bay to Mbamba Bay in Tanzania over Lake Nyasa. In Zambia, weekly ferries connect Mulungu with Kigoma. Ferries to and from Kigoma also depart weekly from Burundi.

 

Getting Around

Air

Chartered and scheduled flights can get you to most of the country, but it can be expensive. Domestic carriers travel between Dar es Salaam, Arusha, Zanzibar and Mwanza. Charter flights connect local airports and smaller destinations

Road

Less than 4000 kilometres of the road network in Tanzania is paved and the quality of roads leading to various national parks has been criticised severely. Drive carefully, especially after heavy rains.

Water

If you’re on a shoestring budget and not pressed for time, ferry travel by sea or lake is the only way. It will get you to the Swahili Coast and around the lakeshores of Lake Victoria, Lake Tanganyika and Lake Nyasa.

Ferries connecting Dar es Salaam with Zanzibar and Pemba leave daily from the harbour.