Because most of Tanzania’s main tourist attractions are located outside of its main urban centers, you’ll likely need to determine which kind of in-country transportation you’ll use to reach your final destination. Your hotel or tour operator may be able to assist you in your planning.
By plane
Many find that air travel provides the quickest and safest way of traveling around the country, especially to some of the more remote park areas, which are only accessible via small aircraft. Air Tanzania and Precision air operate local and regional flights within the country.
While there are 129 airports in Tanzania, only 11 of them are paved. Small planes and bush airstrips are the norm in the more remote locations.
By train
Two train services operate in Tanzania, offering service between Dar es Salaam and Kigoma, and Dar es Salaam and Mwanza. Service, however, can be sporadic or slow. Unless you’re traveling a fairly short distance, or your schedule is flexible, you might consider another method.
By bus
When traveling long distances via bus in Tanzania, it’s recommended to use private/first-class companies like Scandinavia Express and Royal Coach, which tend to be much faster, more comfortable, and air conditioned (unlike their local counterparts). When planning your schedule, however, beware that buses are not permitted to travel at night in Tanzania. Most buses depart in the morning hours and may require stopovers depending on the length of the journey.
As with all tickets, when purchasing your bus ticket, beware of scams; check the date and purchase the ticket only from the bus driver or an authorized dealer.
By Boat
Numerous ferries and boats connect cities surrounding Lake Victoria, along the coast, and among the islands of Zanzibar, Pemba and Mafia. The comfort, frequency, and speed of the boats may vary, so be sure to check with your carrier in advance, and as always check your ticket to avoid scams.
By Dalladalla
One of the most popular ways to travel throughout Tanzania’s urban centers is the dalladalla, or shared taxi. Simply check the front of the vehicle for its route.
By Taxi
Private taxis are plentiful in more urban areas of Tanzania, but be sure to negotiate a price before jumping in. Though some areas, such as the Dar es Salaam Airport, may most fixed prices to certain locations, many fares are simply up for debate. Be sure to use caution when using taxi service at night, and only use those drivers you trust, or those highly recommended by others.
By car
Driving in Tanzania is on the left side of the road.
Though there are nearly 90,000 km of highway in Tanzania, less than 4,000 km of those roadways are actually tarred. While some are in good condition, most are fairly hazardous. In fact, road accidents are the highest cause of death in Tanzania, and driving should always be done with utmost care and caution. Even outside of the poor road condition, poor nighttime lighting and aggressive driving among taxi-drivers also make the roads quite dangerous.
Roads within reserves and national parks are incredibly rough, and some may be impassable during the rainy season. Most safaris will require that vehicles are driven only by a hired and trained driver; it is not recommended that you attempt to self-drive during your safari circuits.
Though car-jackings are rare, car thievery is not. Be careful when parked at stop lights or parking your care throughout town.
