All country guides
Tanzania and Zanzibar
- Visa: Not Required
- Vaccination: Conditionally Required
- Capital
- Dodoma (DOD) / Zanzibar City (Stone Town)(ZNZ)
- Dialing Code
- + 255
- Time Zone
- UTC/GMT +3 hours
- Language
- Kiswahili & English
- Best Time to Go
- July to October
- Currency
- Tanzania Shilling (TZS)
Travel Tips
- All water should be regarded as being potentially contaminated.
- Travellers climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro are at risk for altitude sickness.
- Zanzibar is a predominantly Muslim society and beachwear should be reserved for the beach. Women should cover their arms and legs outside of the beach and the tourist resorts. Respect to religious customs should be shown during the month of Ramadan.
Last updated 2 October 2026
Visa Guide
Foreign Representation in South Africa
High Commission of Tanzania in Pretoria
822 George Ave., Arcadia 0007
Tel: 012 342 4371/ 93
E-mail: tanzania@mweb.co.za / pretoria@nje.go.tz
Web: www.za.tzembassy.go.tz
Office hours: Mon - Fri 8:30 - 16:00
Visa hours: Mon - Fri 9:00 - 12:00
Public Holidays
2026:
Jan 1, 12; Mar 20-21; Apr 3, 6-7, 26; May 1, 27; Jul 7; Aug 8, 26; Oct 14; Dec 9, 25-26
Visa Requirements
South African passport holders holding ordinary passports who wish to travel to Tanzania do not require a visa.
- This visa exemption will be for up to a stay of 90 days and will apply for tourism and transit travel.
- Business travellers do require a visa.
Visa applications can be made online at visa.immigration.go.tz
- For more information on visas, please visit: www.immigration.go.tz
Entry Requirements
- Ensure the passport is valid for a minimum of 6 months after the date of return and has 3 blank pages.
- Return tickets & proof of accommodation must be presented on arrival
- Evidence of available funds for visit
Tanzania:
- Starting October 1, 2026, all foreign nationals to Tanzania (excluding foreigners from SADC and EAC partner countries) are required to purchase a mandatory travel insurance policy from NIC: inbound.nicinsurance.co.tz. Note that South Africans are currently exempt from this requirement.
Zanzibar:
- Starting October 1, 2024, all visitors to Zanzibar (excluding residents) must have mandatory Inbound Travel Insurance from Zanzibar Insurance Corporation. This insurance ensures your peace of mind during your stay, offering comprehensive coverage for emergencies such as medical evacuations and repatriation. Book through: visitzanzibar.go.tz.
Health / Vaccinations
Compulsory:
Yellow Fever (Dependent on Country of Origin)
Recommended:
Hepatitis A & B, Rabies, Typhoid, Tetanus, Polio
Malaria Risk
South African Representative Abroad
South African High Commission
Plot 218/50 Corner Garden Avenue and Shabani Robert Rd, Dar-es-Salaam
Tel: +255 22 221 8500
E-mail: sahc.tanzania@dirco.gov.za
Web: dirco1.azurewebsites.net/tanzania/