FAQs

Question

How much do things cost?

Answer

While safaris and Zanzibar beach resorts might be pricey (but worth it!), Tanzania can also be very cheap if you are willing to haggle and check with local friends before purchases you are unsure of. You can send a whatsapp message to us to check how much something should approximately cost if you like! 0,5 L water bottle = 0,20 € 12 L container of water (buy one of these to keep in your room to keep refilling your smaller bottle) = 1,50 € Typical Tanzanian street food for dinner (potato omelet and beef/chicken kebab sticks) = 1,10€ Dinner at an upscale restaurant = for 10-15€ you can get a very nice meal Beer = 2,50 € Local bus ride = 0,15-0,30 € Bajaj (motor rickshaw ride) = 1-2€ depending on how far you want to go, use these for shorter distances Uber or taxi ride when you want to go from one part of town to another = 7-9€ Ferry to Zanzibar (non-residents pay in USD) = 35$ for adults and 25$ for children Pedicure = 10€ Massage = 18€

Question

What should I keep in mind while booking flights?

Answer

If possible, we recommend arriving at night or during the day in order to avoid rush hour traffic (avoid 6am-9am and 5pm-7pm). Let us know when you are arriving, so we can come pick you up! :)

Question

How can I stay healthy?

Answer

Check out the info about vaccinations and preventing malaria on the travel page. Anna recommends taking a daily probiotic and possibly having a stronger one like Precosa (available in Finnish pharmacies, saccharomyces boulardii) so that you can enjoy the amazing fresh fruit that Tanzania has to offer! Also, brush your teeth and make tea with bottled water. Think twice before eating salad or drinking fruit juice at a restaurant, if you are not sure about the level of hygiene.

Question

What currency should I carry?

Answer

Please have 50 USD for paying for a tourist visa on arrival (you can pay 50€, but technically, you're paying more for the same thing). You can exchange Euros or Dollars at Forex bureaus or use your debit/credit card to get Tanzanian shillings out of the ATM. Credit cards are accepted in establishments accustomed to expats.

Question

What kind of outlets do they have?

Answer

British, so do remember to bring your adaptor.

Question

What should I wear?

Answer

Anything between semi-formal and smart casual will do for the wedding, no pressure! ;) In Dar in general, women can wear low-cut and sleeveless tops without any issues. On the peninsula (where people are very used to expats), you can wear shorts and short skirts. In other parts of Dar, women will probably feel more comfortable with shorts or skirts that end just above the knee at the shortest.

Question

What should I pack?

Answer

If you forget something, hakuna matata! You will be able to find toothbrushes, shampoo, etc. here, though these types of products are usually imported and therefore can be pricey. Please also ask Anna and Amani if there is something that you notice that you need, we might have it our house and are happy to share! Here are a few tips: -Euros or dollars to exchange -Debit or credit card for getting Tanzanian shillings from the ATM -Address of where you will stay during your visit and our contact info for filling out the tourist visa form -Insurance information -Flashlight -Mosquito spray -Malaria medicine -Probiotics -Hand sanitizer -Swimsuit and beach towel -Sunglasses -Sunscreen -Water bottle (refill instead of buying a new bottle each time) -Charger and adaptor

Question

About passports

Answer

Your passport should be valid at least 6 months from the date of your arrival. We also recommend that you take a picture or scan your passport to keep in your email or Google drive, so that you can access it if it is lost.

Question

Can I get by with English?

Answer

Usually the younger or more educated a person is, the more likely they will have had the opportunity to learn English. You will usually manage to get your point across and luckily, Tanzanians are famous for being helpful and hospitable. Whether or not you decide to learn some basic phrases in Swahili (try the Duolingo app, it's fun and free!), keep in mind that people will often try to charge you more, so haggle and haggle hard ;) Haggling can be a friendly and pleasant interaction, so give it a chance and do check with local friends about prices if you're really not sure (and suspect you are getting swindled).