Advance Booking Requests
RAIL & BUS
Tanzania has two rail lines. The Tazara line links Dar es Salaam with New Kapiri Mposhi in Zambia via Mbeya and Tunduma. The central line links Dar es Salaam with Kigoma and Mwanza via Morogoro, Dodoma and Tabora. Rail is a safer, though a slower option of travel. Food can be purchased on board.
Crime is not a major problem, but ensure you have your possessions with you at all times. Express and ordinary buses operate along major long distance routes. Express buses are slightly more expensive but are more comfortable. Ordinary buses tend to make more stops. Reservations are not always possible, so get to the bus with plenty of time before the scheduled departure.
Buses are not permitted to operate at night. Ordinary buses and dalla-dallas (minivans) serve shorter routes. These are a slower and more dangerous option. Note that Tanzanian roads have a high accident rates, and buses tend to speed.
ROADS
There are 88,200 km of highways in Tanzania, but only 3,704 km of these are tarred. The key roads are in good condition, though the majority are bad and hazardous. Road conditions in the reserves and national parks of Tanzania are extremely rough. During the rainy season, many roads are passable only with four-wheel drive vehicles. Tanzania is definitely not recommended as a self-drive destination.
Any four-wheel drive vehicles for safaris usually have to be hired with a driver. Watch out for cyclists, pedestrians, livestock and wild animals. Most car rental companies do not allow self-drive outside of Dar es Salaam. Driving is on the left side of the road. Your home driving licence, with English translation if necessary, is accepted.
Sykes Travel Agents– Cable Know How
TAXI FARES
City taxis do not have meters installed.
Fares should be negotiated before starting the journey.
Approximate fares are given below.
Airport to City Center
Tsh 10,000 to 15,000
Airport to beach hotels
Tsh 20,000 to 30,000
Within City
Tsh 2,000 to 3,000
City Center to Upanga, Kariakoo, Gerezani, Port
Tsh 2,000 to 3,500
City Center to Msasani, Masaki, Oysterbay, Kinondoni
Tsh 4,000 to 8,000
City Center to Mikocheni, University of Dar es Salaam
Tsh 5,000 to 10,000