Country Guides
Tanzania
Getting Around
Getting Around
Tanzania
Getting Around by Air
Air Tanzania (website: www.airtanzania.com) and Precision Air (website: www.precisionairtz.com) run regular services to all main towns and other destinations in East Africa and beyond. Check with the airline office to confirm departures before leaving for the airport. All national parks and some of the top-end luxury lodges have airstrips and Coastal Aviation (website: www.coastal.cc) operate single- and twin-engine aircraft between these and the main airports on the mainland and the islands of Zanzibar, Pemba and Mafia.
Departure Tax
For all departures from Zanzibar to destinations within Tanzania, the tax is US$6. The international departure tax is US$20 but this is usually included in the price of an airline ticket.
Getting Around by Water
Azam Marine (tel: (24) 223 1655) and Sea Express (tel: (24) 223 4690), among many other companies at the port in Dar es Salaam, run comfortable, air-conditioned ferry services several times a day between Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar by hydrofoil or catamaran (journey time - 1 hour 30 minutes). There is also a crossing from Zanzibar to Pemba Island. Timetables and tickets can be obtained at the booking offices at the main passenger port.
Both Lake Tanganyika and Lake Victoria have steamer services. The overnight service on Lake Victoria runs between the ports of Bukoba and Mwanza and takes 10 hours. The service on Lake Tanganyika runs between Kigoma in the extreme west of Tanzania and Mpulunga in Zambia at the south of the lake. On both, first class is in a two-berth cabin, second class in a four- or six- berth cabin, while third class is seating on deck.
Getting Around by Rail
Tanzania Railways Corporation (TRC) (tel: (22) 211 7833; website: www.trctz.com) provides the principal service, which runs between Dar es Salaam and eastern Tanzania. The line splits at Tabora in the middle of the country and one branch continues to Kigoma on the shores of Lake Tanganyika, while the second branch goes north to Mwanza on Lake Victoria. The route between Dar es Salaam and Kapiri Moshi in Zambia is run by the Tanzania and Zambia Railway Authority (Tazara) (tel: (22) 226 2191; website: www.tazara.co.tz). First class in two- to four-berth cabins, while second class is in six-berth cabins and third class is sitting. Trains can get overcrowded and theft can be a problem - keep compartment doors locked.
Getting Around by Road
Traffic drives on the left. Tanzania has a good network of tarmac and all-weather roads connecting all major towns. Most minor roads are not all-weather, becoming impassable to all except 4-wheel drive vehicles during the long rains in April and May. It is not advisable to drive at night because of wild animals, cattle and goats on the road. There are often petrol shortages and spare parts for vehicles can be hard to find. There are a large number of road accidents.
Bus: Inexpensive buses connect most places; for example, there are regular daily services from Dar es Salaam to Arusha, Morogoro and Moshi. Scandinavia Express (tel: (22) 218 4833; website: www.scandinaviagroup.com) is one of the more reliable and comfortable intercity operators. The buses are modern with air conditioning and onboard toilets, refreshments and movies.
Car hire: Self-drive car hire is available in major cities, although it can be expensive. Vehicles with drivers are also available. International car hire companies are represented in Dar es Salaam.
Regulations: In non-residential areas, speed limits are 120kph (75mph) and 60kph (35mph) in built up areas. It is compulsory to wear a seat belt and obligatory that all vehicles carry two red triangles to be placed 20m (66ft) in front and behind the vehicle in the event of a breakdown.
Documentation: An International Driving Permit is recommended although it is not legally required, and a valid national driving licence is accepted as long as it is in English.
Getting Around Towns and Cities
Buses and minibuses operate in Dar es Salaam on a flat-fare basis. Services are often crowded and pickpockets are common. Taxi services are available. It is advisable to use authorised taxis and any hotel can organise a taxi. They don't have meters so agree the fare before setting off.
Journey Times
The following chart gives approximate journey times (in hours and minutes) from Dar es Salaam to other major cities/towns in Tanzania.
Air Road Rail Arusha 2.00 8.30 - Moshi 1.25 8.00 - Morgoro - 2.00 6.30 Mbeya 11.00 21.00
Getting Around by Air
Air Tanzania (website: www.airtanzania.com) and Precision Air (website: www.precisionairtz.com) run regular services to all main towns and other destinations in East Africa and beyond. Check with the airline office to confirm departures before leaving for the airport. All national parks and some of the top-end luxury lodges have airstrips and Coastal Aviation (website: www.coastal.cc) operate single- and twin-engine aircraft between these and the main airports on the mainland and the islands of Zanzibar, Pemba and Mafia.
Departure Tax
For all departures from Zanzibar to destinations within Tanzania, the tax is US$6. The international departure tax is US$20 but this is usually included in the price of an airline ticket.
Getting Around by Water
Azam Marine (tel: (24) 223 1655) and Sea Express (tel: (24) 223 4690), among many other companies at the port in Dar es Salaam, run comfortable, air-conditioned ferry services several times a day between Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar by hydrofoil or catamaran (journey time - 1 hour 30 minutes). There is also a crossing from Zanzibar to Pemba Island. Timetables and tickets can be obtained at the booking offices at the main passenger port.
Both Lake Tanganyika and Lake Victoria have steamer services. The overnight service on Lake Victoria runs between the ports of Bukoba and Mwanza and takes 10 hours. The service on Lake Tanganyika runs between Kigoma in the extreme west of Tanzania and Mpulunga in Zambia at the south of the lake. On both, first class is in a two-berth cabin, second class in a four- or six- berth cabin, while third class is seating on deck.
Both Lake Tanganyika and Lake Victoria have steamer services. The overnight service on Lake Victoria runs between the ports of Bukoba and Mwanza and takes 10 hours. The service on Lake Tanganyika runs between Kigoma in the extreme west of Tanzania and Mpulunga in Zambia at the south of the lake. On both, first class is in a two-berth cabin, second class in a four- or six- berth cabin, while third class is seating on deck.
Getting Around by Rail
Tanzania Railways Corporation (TRC) (tel: (22) 211 7833; website: www.trctz.com) provides the principal service, which runs between Dar es Salaam and eastern Tanzania. The line splits at Tabora in the middle of the country and one branch continues to Kigoma on the shores of Lake Tanganyika, while the second branch goes north to Mwanza on Lake Victoria. The route between Dar es Salaam and Kapiri Moshi in Zambia is run by the Tanzania and Zambia Railway Authority (Tazara) (tel: (22) 226 2191; website: www.tazara.co.tz). First class in two- to four-berth cabins, while second class is in six-berth cabins and third class is sitting. Trains can get overcrowded and theft can be a problem - keep compartment doors locked.
Getting Around by Road
Traffic drives on the left. Tanzania has a good network of tarmac and all-weather roads connecting all major towns. Most minor roads are not all-weather, becoming impassable to all except 4-wheel drive vehicles during the long rains in April and May. It is not advisable to drive at night because of wild animals, cattle and goats on the road. There are often petrol shortages and spare parts for vehicles can be hard to find. There are a large number of road accidents.
Bus: Inexpensive buses connect most places; for example, there are regular daily services from Dar es Salaam to Arusha, Morogoro and Moshi. Scandinavia Express (tel: (22) 218 4833; website: www.scandinaviagroup.com) is one of the more reliable and comfortable intercity operators. The buses are modern with air conditioning and onboard toilets, refreshments and movies.
Car hire: Self-drive car hire is available in major cities, although it can be expensive. Vehicles with drivers are also available. International car hire companies are represented in Dar es Salaam.
Regulations: In non-residential areas, speed limits are 120kph (75mph) and 60kph (35mph) in built up areas. It is compulsory to wear a seat belt and obligatory that all vehicles carry two red triangles to be placed 20m (66ft) in front and behind the vehicle in the event of a breakdown.
Documentation: An International Driving Permit is recommended although it is not legally required, and a valid national driving licence is accepted as long as it is in English.
Bus: Inexpensive buses connect most places; for example, there are regular daily services from Dar es Salaam to Arusha, Morogoro and Moshi. Scandinavia Express (tel: (22) 218 4833; website: www.scandinaviagroup.com) is one of the more reliable and comfortable intercity operators. The buses are modern with air conditioning and onboard toilets, refreshments and movies.
Car hire: Self-drive car hire is available in major cities, although it can be expensive. Vehicles with drivers are also available. International car hire companies are represented in Dar es Salaam.
Regulations: In non-residential areas, speed limits are 120kph (75mph) and 60kph (35mph) in built up areas. It is compulsory to wear a seat belt and obligatory that all vehicles carry two red triangles to be placed 20m (66ft) in front and behind the vehicle in the event of a breakdown.
Documentation: An International Driving Permit is recommended although it is not legally required, and a valid national driving licence is accepted as long as it is in English.
Getting Around Towns and Cities
Buses and minibuses operate in Dar es Salaam on a flat-fare basis. Services are often crowded and pickpockets are common. Taxi services are available. It is advisable to use authorised taxis and any hotel can organise a taxi. They don't have meters so agree the fare before setting off.
Journey Times
The following chart gives approximate journey times (in hours and minutes) from Dar es Salaam to other major cities/towns in Tanzania.
| Air | Road | Rail | |
| Arusha | 2.00 | 8.30 | - |
| Moshi | 1.25 | 8.00 | - |
| Morgoro | - | 2.00 | 6.30 |
| Mbeya | 11.00 | 21.00 |
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