 Travelling in Tanzania is a rewarding and remarkable experience. Driving through villages and grasslands on your way to game parks and nature reserves will be one of the most memorable parts of your trip -- the smiling faces of young Masaai herding cattle, the piles of mangos and fresh greens set out in piles in a village market. Driving through the country, although it takes more time, is an ideal way to witness the daily lives of Tanzanians and take in more of the scenery around you. Flying is another way of seeing the country, the microsm of its villages and fields suddenly appear larger than life against the striking sky. From the window of a plane, Mount Kilimanjaro and the crater of Mt. Meru become clear and visible, the undulations of the Eastern Arc mountains ancient and vast, and the glistening sea with its aquamarine reefs and scattered green islands promises refreshment, even from afar. Ferries offer a glimpse of local culture at a slower, more relaxed pace, and Tanzania’s rapidly developing rail network allows you to see the country from the romance of a boxcar, its iron rails twisting across the African plains.
There are many ways to get around in Tanzania, and the option you choose will depend upon your time constraints and your budget. Travelling by road is the most accesible and probably the cheapest way to travel, and public transport connects all major locations, and ventures far off the beaten track.
Tanzania’s infrastructure is quite developed, especially around major tourist attractions in the north and along the Swahili Coast. Public transport vehicles crisscross the country and connect larger towns to out-of-the-way locations.
Schedules are subject to change without notice, so please contact your travel agent for specific details.
By Air
Many local companies operate charter and scheduled flights around the country, from large passenger flights to the Swahili Coast to chartered bush aircraft flying to isolated locations far in the hinterlands. Air travel is a reliable and efficient way to travel from place to place in the country, but although it saves drastically on travel times, it is by far the most expensive option. Schedules for flights are flexible, however, and can usually be adjusted to suit your itinerary.
Domestic carriers travel between Dar es Salaam, Arusha, Zanzibar and Mwanza, and charter flights connect local airports and smaller destinations. Flying to the Serengeti, Lake Manyara, Pangani, Pemba, Mafia Island, and other destinations is often the most practical way of getting there if you’re pressed for time.
Charter flights can be shared between other connecting passengers to reduce the cost, and bookings are best made through an agent.
By Road
The roads between major cities and towns in Tanzania are spacious and well paved. Work is underway to tarmac the route from Arusha all the way to the Ngorongoro Crater. Getting to more remote locations, including Serengeti National Park, involves driving over dirt roads that tend to deteriorate during the rainy season. Roads and junctions are not always well marked, so if you’re driving without a guide be sure to stop and ask directions at stopping points along the way. Four-wheel drive vehicles are recommended, and it’s best to make sure you have two spare tires and an operational jack.
Public transport is an economical way to get around the country. Buses connect major towns and cities and smaller minivans called dala dalas stop off at smaller villages along the way. Buses leave each morning from a town or village’s central station and tickets can be bought ahead of time from the company offices. If you’re travelling by dala dala, find one going in your direction and flag it down – the driver will make sure it’s heading the right way and let you know when you’ve reached your stop.
 By Sea
When choosing a ferry company to travel with, make sure that the company is registered and reputable. For those whose budget does not accomodate flying, travelling by sea or lake is often the only option when travelling to places on the Swahili Coast and around the lakeshores of Lake Victoria, Lake Tanganyika and Lake Nyasa. Most ferry companies are privately owned and run, and comply with national safety regulations and procedures. Be sure, when choosing a ferry company to travel with, to ask the advice and recommendations of other travellers, and to use a company that has an office and is listed in tourism directories.
Ferries connecting Dar es Salaam with Zanzibar and Pemba leave daily from the harbour, and enough companies make the trip throughout the day to fit most schedules.
The trip from Dar es Salaam to Zanzibar costs between US$30 and US$45 one-way and takes a little less than two hours. It's a pleasant way to see surrounding islands and enter Stone Town like the old explorers.
Ferries also run on Lake Victoria, Lake Tanganyika, and Lake Nyasa, and shaded deck seating is often the most pleasant – and spacious – way to go.
By Rail
Travelling by rail through Tanzania, in the style of the last century, is a romantic and unforgettable way to experience the country. In the last few years, rail travel through Tanzania has improved both in quality and service. The chance to relax and enjoy the scenery at a leisurely pace and see local villages up-close on the way. If you like to sit back and enjoy the journey, travelling by train through Tanzania can be a fantastic experience.
Currently, trains connect Dar es Salaam to Mbeya and continue on to Zambia. The journey takes days, but is more comfortable and only slightly longer than travelling by road. 1st and 2nd class cabins are quite comfortable and bedding is provided by stewards on the train.
You may want to self-cater at least part of the way, so be sure to stop off at a supermarket before you leave. Don’t leave luggage unattended and close your windows at night.
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