Local Laws in Tanzania

If you’re traveling with more than $10,000 in USD or other international currency, you’ll need to declare it to immigration officials, both upon entering and leaving Tanzania. Non-residents (with the exception of Kenyan and Ugandan nationals) are not allowed to import or export Tanzanian shillings.

Along with a valid passport, most foreign travelers require a valid visa—usually a business or tourist visa—to enter Tanzania. Citizens of some African countries, like Rwanda, Kenya, and Uganda, are allowed to travel around Tanzania visa-free for up to three months. It’s advised to carry your passport and visa with you at all times, and to keep photocopies in a safe location (like a hidden suitcase compartment or hotel safe).

It’s illegal to bring drugs, firearms, and pornography into the country, and there are amount limits on items like alcohol, tobacco, or cigarettes.

If you want to bring home game trophies, gold, jewels, or diamonds as souvenirs, they’ll need to be purchased and/or properly declared with the Tanzanian authorities. It’s illegal to export wildlife products, including animal skins and elephant tusks.

Tanzania doesn’t have many laws regarding what you can and can’t photograph, but there is some photography etiquette you should know.

• Always ask permission before taking someone’s photo: This is especially true for Maasai and other Indigenous groups, as some believe that taking a picture of someone steals their soul. Out of respect, never take a photograph of someone in Tanzania without asking their permission first.
• For wildlife photography: Always maintain a safe distance from wildlife, listen to your guide’s advice, and avoid using flash photography that could startle the animals
• Don’t take pictures of sensitive sites: Avoid taking photos of military installations, government buildings, and local police stations as that could be misconstrued as suspicious. This especially applies to military grounds, where your camera can be confiscated if caught.

Away from the major cities, many natural places around Tanzania hold religious or cultural significance to different local groups, particularly the Maasai. Ol Doinyo Lengai, an active volcano in northern Tanzania, is one of the Maasai’s most important sacred places, where people go for pilgrimage and prayer.

Out of respect to the Indigenous people you may meet during your time in Tanzania, follow any advice or guidance from local guides. This could include places you shouldn’t visit and places or customs you shouldn’t photograph.

The drinking age in Tanzania is 18. Since Tanzania has a big Muslim population, especially in Zanzibar, some small family-owned restaurants may not serve alcohol (although most of the tourist resorts will). Driving under the influence and drinking in public are both illegal.

Smoking in public places like markets and public transit is prohibited in Tanzania by local law. If a building or public area does allow smoking, it’s only within a designated area.

It’s illegal to use or possess cannabis in Tanzania, carrying either a fine or a one-to-five-year jail sentence. Tanzania also has very strict laws against carrying or using illegal drugs, with harsh fines or jail sentences depending on the type and amount.

Looking to rent cars or four-wheel-drive vehicles in Tanzania? You’ll need to get an International Driver’s Permit in order to legally drive. Using a cell phone while driving can also get you fined if you’re caught by local authorities. In Tanzania, you’ll drive on the left side of the road.

Gender equality and protection from violent cultural acts is still an ongoing battle for women in Tanzania. The main cultural norms that female travelers may have to deal with in Tanzania concern modesty and dressing conservatively, as well as avoiding public displays of affection, especially in Muslim-majority areas like Zanzibar.

Homosexuality is socially taboo and illegal in Tanzania, so LGBTQ+ travelers should exercise caution, keep a low profile, and avoid public displays of affection.

Home to national parks sheltering some of Africa’s most famed wildlife, including lions, elephants, rhinos, and more, Tanzania goes to great lengths to protect and safeguard its native wildlife. Harming or killing wildlife, poaching, and exporting wildlife (alive or dead) without proper permits and authorization is illegal.

Campfires are only allowed in permitted areas and, depending on the season and fire risk, may not be allowed at all. Follow the rules and guidelines from local authorities about whether or not you can have a campfire. Above all, be careful to fully extinguish the fire once you’re done with it.

PDA is not common in Tanzania, so avoid public displays of affection, like kissing, hugging, or holding hands when out in public.

Dress conservatively, covering the legs, shoulders, and chest. Women can wear pants and dresses, but neither should be too form-fitting. While this isn’t a strict law, Tanzania is a conservative country and dressing otherwise can upset locals and cause issues. Local authorities have been known to levy fines for inappropriate attire.

To protect the country’s natural resources, plastic bags are banned in Tanzania for environmental reasons.