Before leaving
Ask your doctor or vaccination clinic about what kinds of vaccinations you may need. To be allowed into Tanzania you need the Yellow Fever vaccination (documentation must be shown). Some vaccinations need to be taken some months before arriving Tanzania. It is also suggested to use medicine against Malaria during your visit in this part of Africa. Other medicines that is recommended:- Imodium against bad/unstable stomach
- Tape against blisters on the heels
- Diamox can be used against altitude sickness (if you are going to Kilimanjaro)
- Tablets against headache
Money
We advise you to bring some US dollars from home. Please note that dollars older than from year 2004 will not be accepted in the exchange offices. They give a better rate if you have big notes like 50 and 100 instead of 5, 10 and 20 dollar bills. Dollar is more often used than Euro. In the local market you can only use Tanzanian Shilling which is the local current. If you would pay in dollar at the local places you would get your change in shilling with a very bad rate. On the bigger hotels and to us you can always pay in dollar.To get the Tourist Visa at the airport at arrival you have to pay 50 US Dollars in cash.
Travel checks are difficult to change and would give a bad exchange rate.
There are many ATMs in Arusha, Moshi and Stone Town that can give you Tanzanian Shilling. On the bigger hotels you can pay with card, but in the local shops you can only pay in cash. Hotels and restaurants usually have an extra fee for paying with card. Visa is more used here and will work in most banks. MasterCard and credit cards will work in few banks.
Stone Town is the only place in Zanzibar with ATMs.
Zanzibar
90% of the people on Zanzibar are Muslim. That is why you should dress so that your shoulders and knees are covered. On the beach where there are many tourists there is no problem being in bikini, but not topless.During Ramadan you should avoid to eat in front of people. Regular restaurant will be closed on day time but most tourist places will be open.
Most of the restaurants and hotels sell alcohol, but there is hard to find alcohol in shops and supermarkets.
On the bigger hotels you can pay with card, but in the local shops you can only pay in cash. Hotels and restaurants usually have an extra fee for paying with card. Visa is more used here and will work in most banks. MasterCard and credit cards will work in few banks.