Direct operator since 1978
★ 4.8/5 TripAdvisor · 149 reviews
Trusted by 4,000+ travelers since 1978
Private safaris from $1,400/person
WhatsApp Kassim — reply within 2 hours
Before you fly
Tanzania Visa Guide
Requirements, application process, and practical tips for getting into Tanzania smoothly — from a direct operator who has helped thousands of travellers navigate this step.
Choose your visa type
Tanzania Visa Options
Most safari travellers use the e-Visa. The right option depends on your nationality, your travel route, and whether you are combining Tanzania with Kenya or Uganda.
e-Visas (Recommended)
The Tanzania e-Visa is the fastest and most straightforward option for most travellers. Apply online at immigration.go.tz at least 2 weeks before travel. Processing takes 5–10 business days. Approved visas are linked electronically to your passport — you receive a approval letter to print and present at immigration.
Visa on Arrival
Available at major entry points (Dar es Salaam, Kilimanjaro, Zanzibar). You complete a landing card on the flight and pay in cash USD. Processing time is typically 30–60 minutes but can be longer during peak arrival periods. We strongly recommend the e-Visa instead — it avoids the queue and removes currency uncertainty.
East Africa Tourist Visa
Covers entry to Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda for $104. Ideal if your safari crosses borders or if you plan to combine Tanzania with a Kenya extension. Valid for 90 days from first entry. Available as e-Visa or on arrival.
Referral Visa (No e-Visa Available)
Nationals of approximately 40 countries must apply through Tanzanian diplomatic missions before travel. Processing times vary by embassy. Allow 4–6 weeks. Safaris Tanzania can provide a supporting letter for your embassy application — contact Kassim on WhatsApp.
What you need
Entry Requirements
Regardless of your visa type, have these ready for immigration.
Valid passport
Minimum 6 months validity from intended entry date. At least one blank page for the entry stamp.
Return or onward ticket
Immigration may ask to see proof of departure. Print your ticket or have a digital copy on your phone.
Yellow fever certificate
Required if arriving from a yellow fever endemic country (including transit through yellow fever countries). Tanzania may also require it at immigration from some countries — check before you fly. The certificate becomes valid 10 days after vaccination.
Proof of accommodation
Safaris Tanzania provides confirmation letters for all booked clients. Your booking with us satisfies this requirement — we provide the letter directly.
Sufficient funds
Not routinely checked but have evidence of financial means (credit card, bank statement) in case asked.
Passport-size photographs
Two photos. E-Visa applicants upload one digitally; bring one spare for the landing card.
Plan ahead
Processing Times & Tips
e-Visa
Apply at least 3 weeks before travel. Processing is 5–10 business days but can extend during peak season (June–October, December–January).
Visa on Arrival
Expect 45–90 minutes at the immigration queue. Arrive with all documents filled out in advance. Have USD cash ready in exact change.
Referral Visas
Apply 6–8 weeks before travel. Contact the nearest Tanzanian embassy or high commission. Safaris Tanzania can supply supporting documentation — message Kassim on WhatsApp.
Kenya + Tanzania
East Africa Tourist Visa
If you are combining a Kenya and Tanzania safari — or crossing into Uganda — the East Africa Tourist Visa covers all three countries on a single $104 visa.
How It Works
- • Single $104 fee for Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania
- • Valid 90 days from first entry
- • Multiple entries across all three countries within the 90-day window
- • Available as e-Visa or on arrival at designated border points
- • Most efficient option for gorilla trekking + safari combinations
Safaris Tanzania Note
If your itinerary includes Kenya's Maasai Mara alongside Tanzania's Serengeti, the East Africa Visa is the right choice. Safaris Tanzania operates cross-border safaris regularly and can handle all border formalities. Contact Kassim on WhatsApp before booking so he can confirm current border crossing procedures.
Practical advice
What We Tell All Clients
48 years of getting travellers into Tanzania has taught us a few things the guidebooks do not always mention.
Apply for your e-Visa at immigration.go.tz — the official government portal. There are several unofficial websites that charge extra for what is a free or low-cost process. If you are unsure whether you need a referral visa, the portal has a nationality checker tool.
When you land, immigration officers will scan your passport and take your photograph. This is routine. Have your yellow fever certificate out and ready before you reach the desk. Keep the printed e-Visa approval letter in your hand luggage — you will need it before you reach the immigration officer.
If you are combining Tanzania with Zanzibar, note that Zanzibar has its own immigration procedures. All visitors to Zanzibar (including those who have already entered mainland Tanzania) need a Zanzibar visa, which is usually a $100–$200 permit handled separately at the Zanzibar port of entry. Most visitors combine this with their Tanzania e-Visa at no extra cost — but it must be arranged before arrival. See full Zanzibar visa requirements including which nationalities qualify for free entry.
If you are flying into Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) — the airport most safari travellers use — the immigration hall is small and queues can build quickly. During peak season, arrivals take 45–90 minutes from aircraft door to baggage belt. Safaris Tanzania meets all clients at the airport exit with a name board — we will be waiting regardless of any delays.
For clients arriving from a yellow fever country (including Kenya and Uganda), carry the original yellow fever certificate. Tanzania immigration has been checking this more strictly since 2025. If you are transiting through Addis Ababa, Nairobi, or any yellow fever endemic country, bring the certificate even if you did not leave the airport.
Children under 16 travelling with their own passport need their own visa — they cannot be included on a parent's visa. Children included on a parent's passport do not need a separate visa if they are not individually named.
Questions About Your Visa?
Kassim has helped thousands of travellers navigate Tanzania entry requirements. WhatsApp him with your passport nationality and travel route for specific advice.
WhatsApp Kassim+255 786 110 786 · Responses within 2 hours
NEXT: SAFARI PREPARATION
Once your visa is sorted, start planning your safari. Use our safari planner to build an itinerary tailored to your dates, budget, and interests.