The short answer
- Visa
- US$50; US citizens US$100
- Compulsory insurance
- US$44, from 1 Oct 2026
- Yellow fever
- Needed from Kenya and other risk countries
- Passport
- Valid 6 months, a blank page
What's changed recentlyShow
- 1 Oct 2026Compulsory inbound travel insurance (US$44, up to 92 days) extended from Zanzibar to mainland Tanzania. Buy it for your first point of entry.
- 1 Oct 2024Zanzibar introduced compulsory travel insurance for visitors.
Tanzania's entry rules changed in October 2026, so check them even if you've visited before. You need three things: a visa, the government's inbound travel insurance, and in some cases a yellow fever certificate.
Your checklist
0 of 10 done
Visas
| Details | |
|---|---|
| Most nationalities | US$50 single entry, up to 90 days |
| US citizens | US$100 multiple entry, valid for one year |
| How to apply | Online through the Tanzania Immigration e-Visa portal, ideally a few weeks ahead |
| Visa on arrival | Single entry visas are still issued at main airports and borders, but queues can be long |
| East Africa Tourist Visa | Covers Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda only, not Tanzania |
Use only the official government portal: look alike sites charge extra fees.
Compulsory inbound travel insurance
- Who: All non resident visitors, except residents of East African Community and SADC countries.
- Cost: US$44, valid for up to 92 days with multiple entries.
- Where: Buy it for your first point of entry: from the National Insurance Corporation (NIC) if you land on the mainland, or the Zanzibar Insurance Corporation (ZIC) if you land on Zanzibar. One policy covers the whole trip.
- What it covers: Emergency medical treatment, evacuation and repatriation within Tanzania. It doesn't replace your own travel insurance, which should cover cancellation, safari flights and trekking to 6,000 m if you climb Kilimanjaro.
Tip: You may be refused entry without it. Buying online before you fly saves time at the airport.
Yellow fever
You need a yellow fever vaccination certificate if you arrive from, or spend more than 12 hours in transit in, a country with yellow fever risk. Kenya is on the list, so you need one if you combine a Kenya safari with Tanzania. Direct flights from Europe, North America or Australia don't need one. Ask a travel clinic about malaria tablets too.
Other rules worth knowing
- Plastic bags: Carrier bags are banned; airport staff may confiscate them. Clear zip bags for liquids are allowed.
- Drones: Need permits and are banned in national parks without permission.
- Wildlife souvenirs: Exporting animal products, including shells and skins, without a permit is illegal.
- Kenya and Tanzania: You need separate entry for each: a Kenya eTA and a Tanzania visa. See Kenya entry rules.
Rather have a trip to Tanzania made just for you?
Answer a few quick questions and a local specialist will send you a free, no-obligation itinerary and price.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a Tanzania visa?
US$50 for most nationalities and US$100 for US citizens, who get a one year multiple entry visa.
Is travel insurance mandatory in Tanzania?
Yes. Since 1 October 2026 all non resident visitors to the mainland or Zanzibar must buy the government's US$44 inbound travel insurance.
Do I need a yellow fever vaccine for Tanzania?
Only if you arrive from, or transit for more than 12 hours through, a yellow fever risk country such as Kenya.
Can I get a Tanzania visa on arrival?
Yes, single entry visas are issued at main airports and borders, but applying online first saves queueing.
Sources we checked
Tanzania month by month
More Tanzania guides
Best time to visit Tanzania: safari, Kilimanjaro and Zanzibar by month
June to October is the best time for most of Tanzania: dry safaris, good climbing on Kilimanjaro and sunny Zanzibar. January and February are a second high season, with calving in the southern Serengeti. Avoid April and May, the long rains.
Updated 16 October 2026
How much does a Tanzania safari cost? Prices, park fees and a calculator
Expect about US$250 to 350 per person per day for a budget camping safari, US$400 to 700 mid range and US$900 or more for luxury, including park fees. Fees alone add about US$150 a day in the Serengeti once the nightly concession fee is included.
Updated 16 October 2026
The Great Migration in Tanzania: where to see it month by month
The herds spend about ten months a year in Tanzania. Stay around Ndutu for calving in January and February, the Western Corridor in June, and the northern Serengeti near Kogatende for Mara River crossings from July to October.
Updated 16 October 2026
Tanzania safari itineraries: 3, 5, 7 and 10 days
Every northern safari starts in Arusha. Three days covers Tarangire and the Ngorongoro Crater, five adds the Serengeti, seven is the classic northern circuit, and ten adds Zanzibar or the far north of the Serengeti.
Updated 16 October 2026