Tanzania Visa for
Indians — Complete Guide 2026

Yes — all Indian passport holders require a visa to enter Tanzania. Tanzania is not visa-free for Indian nationals. The official Tanzania Immigration Department strongly recommends applying online at visa.immigration.go.tz before travel.

Visa on Arrival: Tanzania technically offers a visa on arrival facility at its major international airports — Julius Nyerere International Airport (Dar es Salaam), Kilimanjaro International Airport (KIA), and Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (Zanzibar). Indians can obtain a Tourist single-entry visa on arrival for USD 50 in cash. However, visa on arrival is strongly discouraged for the following reasons:

• Long queues at immigration — particularly at peak arrival times at Julius Nyerere, VoA queues can take 2–4 hours, significantly delaying safari departures or hotel check-ins
• Risk of being asked additional documentation questions on arrival with no ability to address deficiencies
• Cash USD 50 must be carried — torn or pre-2006 USD notes may be refused
• Some reports suggest that VoA availability is increasingly restricted or not available at all entry points — the Tanzania government actively encourages pre-travel e-Visa application

Applying online at visa.immigration.go.tz before travel is the recommended and safest approach. RTH World Tour Packages processes the Tanzania e-Visa at Rs.6,499 for a 90-day single entry — ensuring full compliance before you depart India.

The Yellow Fever certificate requirement for Tanzania operates on a transit-based trigger — not a country-of-origin trigger for Indians. Here is the precise rule:

• India is NOT classified as a Yellow Fever endemic or transmission-risk country — so Indians flying directly from India to Tanzania (without a transit stop in an endemic country for over 12 hours) are not legally required to present a certificate for mainland Tanzania
• Transit trigger: If your flight to Tanzania transits through a Yellow Fever endemic country for more than 12 hours (Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Congo, Cameroon, and most of West Africa are on the WHO risk list), you are required to present a valid Yellow Fever certificate on arrival in Tanzania
• Zanzibar rule — stricter: Zanzibar immigration applies a more comprehensive interpretation — it requires the Yellow Fever certificate from all visitors who have been on mainland Tanzania, regardless of original flight routing. For any combined mainland + Zanzibar itinerary, the certificate is effectively mandatory
• RTH recommendation: Obtain the Yellow Fever vaccination and carry the International Certificate of Vaccination (ICVP / Yellow Card) for all Tanzania travel, regardless of routing. The cost and inconvenience of getting vaccinated is trivial compared to being refused entry to Tanzania

Getting vaccinated in India: Yellow Fever vaccination is available at government-designated International Vaccination Centres (IVCs) and select hospitals across India (Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Chennai, Bengaluru, and other cities have authorised centres). The vaccination must be administered at least 10 days before travel for the certificate to be valid. The vaccine provides lifelong protection per 2016 WHO guidelines.

Since October 1, 2024, the Government of Zanzibar has made it compulsory for all international visitors to Zanzibar to purchase a travel insurance policy from the Zanzibar Insurance Corporation (ZIC) — the only accepted provider. No other international travel insurance policy, however comprehensive, is accepted as a substitute.

Key details:

• Cost: Approximately USD 44 per person
• Coverage period: Up to 92 days in Zanzibar
• Who must buy it: All international visitors arriving in Zanzibar — whether flying directly to Zanzibar or arriving via the mainland and then travelling to Zanzibar by ferry or domestic flight
• Where to purchase: Online in advance at the official Zanzibar tourism portal (visitzanzibar.go.tz) — recommended before departure from India; or on arrival at Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (Zanzibar Airport) at the ZIC counter; or at the ferry terminal if arriving by boat from Dar es Salaam
• Proof required: Printed or digital insurance certificate from ZIC — shown at immigration and potentially at the ferry terminal
• Consequence of non-compliance: Refused entry to Zanzibar — airlines may also request proof at check-in for Zanzibar-bound flights

Important note on coverage: The ZIC policy has limited coverage and is a government-mandated minimum — it is not a replacement for comprehensive international travel insurance. RTH World Tour Packages strongly recommends purchasing comprehensive travel insurance with high medical evacuation coverage separately. Carry both the ZIC certificate and your comprehensive policy.

Tanzania offers three main visa types relevant to Indian tourists:

The East African Community re-entry provision: Holders of a Tanzania single-entry e-Visa who travel to Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, or other East African Community member states and return to Tanzania during the same visit — before the e-Visa's 90-day validity expires — may be permitted to re-enter Tanzania without obtaining a new visa, provided the original visa has not expired. This provision enables combined Kenya/Tanzania safari itineraries on a single Tanzania single-entry visa. However, this is applied at immigration officer discretion — for guaranteed re-entry flexibility, the Multiple Entry Visa at USD 100 is the safer choice.

Malaria is a real and significant health risk in Tanzania — including all major safari destinations, Dar es Salaam, Arusha, the Kilimanjaro region, and Zanzibar. The risk is highest during and after the rainy seasons (March–May and November–December) but the disease is present year-round. The Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Selous, and Ruaha safari areas all carry malaria risk.

Recommended malaria prophylaxis for Indian travellers (consult a travel medicine specialist before selecting):

• Atovaquone/Proguanil (Malarone): Most commonly recommended for Tanzania. Taken daily starting 24 hours before entry; continue for 7 days after leaving. Well tolerated, widely available in India. More expensive for longer stays
• Doxycycline: Daily tablet starting 24 hours before entry; continue for 4 weeks after departure. Very effective; not recommended for pregnant women or children under 8. Can increase sun sensitivity — use sun protection diligently in Tanzania
• Mefloquine (Lariam): Weekly tablet; start 2 weeks before entry. Not recommended for certain psychiatric or cardiac conditions. Requires advance consultation to ensure tolerability

Additional malaria prevention measures:

• DEET-based insect repellent — minimum 30–50% DEET for adults; apply to all exposed skin at dusk and during early morning (peak mosquito feeding periods in Tanzania)
• Wear long-sleeved shirts and long trousers in light khaki or beige colours at dusk and dawn — avoid bright colours that attract insects
• Sleep under mosquito nets — all reputable safari lodges and Zanzibar hotels provide treated nets
• Keep accommodation windows and doors screened
• Fever, headache, chills, or muscle aches during travel or up to 3 months after returning to India — seek medical attention and specifically inform the doctor of your Tanzania travel history for urgent malaria testing

The Tanzania e-Visa application requires a carefully prepared document package. For the online application the core documents are passport scan, digital photograph, return flight confirmation, hotel bookings, bank statements, cover letter, employment documents, and Yellow Fever certificate. Here is why each matters:

• Passport scan: The application's primary identity document — all details on the form must match it exactly. Ensure the scan is legible in every corner
• Photograph: Automated and manual quality checks — 35x45mm or 2x2 inch, white background, no glasses, taken within 6 months
• Return flight confirmation: Demonstrates intent to leave Tanzania within the permitted stay period — most important evidence of non-immigrant intent
• Hotel and accommodation bookings: Specific lodge names, addresses, and booking references demonstrate a credible, planned safari itinerary
• Bank statements: Tanzania immigration assesses whether you can afford the trip — Tanzania is a premium safari destination. Ensure your statements show a consistent balance sufficient for safari lodge rates (USD 200–700/night), park fees, and Zanzibar accommodation
• Cover letter: The only narrative document — it is where you explain specifically who you are, why you are visiting Tanzania (which national parks, which safari activities, which beaches), your confirmed accommodation, your funding source, your employment status, and your intent to return to India before visa expiry. A generic or vague cover letter is a red flag. Be specific: "I plan to spend Days 1–3 at [lodge name] in the Serengeti, followed by Days 4–5 at [lodge name] in the Ngorongoro Crater, and Days 6–9 in Zanzibar at [hotel name], with a return flight on [date]."
• Employment letter: Confirms you have approved leave, a job to return to, and financial stability

RTH World Tour Packages reviews and structures the cover letter as part of our Rs.6,499 visa processing service — helping Indian applicants present their Tanzania itinerary in the most compelling and compliant way.

Yes — one Tanzania e-Visa covers both mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar. You do not need a separate visa for Zanzibar. When you travel between the mainland (Dar es Salaam, Arusha) and Zanzibar — by domestic flight or by ferry — you are travelling within Tanzania and your single Tanzania e-Visa covers both.

What Zanzibar does require separately:

• ZIC Insurance: The mandatory Zanzibar Insurance Corporation travel insurance (USD 44, from October 1, 2024) is required for all international visitors to Zanzibar — this is separate from your Tanzania visa and is not covered by any international insurance policy
• Yellow Fever certificate: If arriving in Zanzibar from mainland Tanzania, Zanzibar immigration may require your Yellow Fever certificate — carry it for all combined mainland + Zanzibar itineraries
• Passport required: Even travelling between mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar on a domestic flight or ferry, your passport is checked — carry your passport at all times throughout Tanzania, including inter-island travel

Zanzibar entry documentation checklist for Indians:

• Valid Indian passport
• Valid Tanzania e-Visa (or other valid Tanzania visa)
• ZIC Insurance certificate (purchased online or on arrival at Zanzibar Airport or ferry terminal)
• Yellow Fever International Certificate of Vaccination (strongly recommended for all combined itineraries)
• Return onward flight or ferry ticket
• Hotel booking confirmation in Zanzibar

The East Africa Tourist Visa (EATV) is a joint visa valid for Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda — allowing multiple entries across all three countries within 90 days for a flat fee of USD 100. It is a convenient option for travellers combining all three countries in a single East Africa trip.

Tanzania is NOT part of the EATV scheme — Tanzania withdrew from the original EATV arrangement and requires its own separate visa. Indian travellers who hold an EATV cannot enter Tanzania on it.

For Indian travellers planning an East Africa multi-country trip combining Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda:

• Tanzania requires its own e-Visa (USD 50 single, USD 100 multiple)
• The EATV (USD 100) covers Kenya + Uganda + Rwanda
• A multiple-entry Tanzania visa (USD 100) is recommended if your itinerary exits and re-enters Tanzania — for example, Serengeti (Tanzania) → Kenya (Masai Mara) → back into Tanzania for the return flight via Arusha
• Total visa cost for a full East Africa 4-country trip: Tanzania Multiple Entry (USD 100) + EATV Kenya/Uganda/Rwanda (USD 100) = USD 200 combined

RTH World Tour Packages can coordinate multi-country East Africa visa applications for Indian travellers as part of our full East Africa tour packages. Contact our team for a complete quote covering Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda visa processing and itinerary design.

Standard permitted stay: The Tanzania tourist e-Visa (single entry) permits a stay of up to 90 consecutive days from the date of entry. The e-Visa is valid for 90 days from the date of issue — you must enter Tanzania within those 90 days and your stay cannot exceed 90 consecutive days.

Extending your stay: If you need more time in Tanzania, extensions are possible and must be applied for before your permitted stay expires:

• Apply at the Tanzania Immigration Department Headquarters in Dar es Salaam, or at regional immigration offices in Arusha, Zanzibar, or other major cities
• Extension fee: USD 50 for tourist visa extensions
• Extensions are typically granted in 30-day increments up to a maximum of 90 additional days — giving a total potential stay of up to 180 days under this mechanism
• Extensions are not automatically granted — you must provide a valid reason and supporting documentation justifying the extended stay
• Apply at least 7–10 days before your current permission expires — do not wait until the last day

Overstaying consequences:

• Fines proportional to the number of overstay days — imposed at the airport or land border on departure
• Potential detention for serious overstays
• Entry ban from Tanzania for a defined period
• Record in Tanzania's immigration database — affects future applications and entry

For stays extending beyond 90 days for work or extended professional purposes, a Residence Permit or Work Permit is required — a separate, more involved application process through the Tanzania Immigration Department.

Tanzania has a generally positive safety record for international tourists in the major safari areas, national parks, and Zanzibar. It receives over 1.5 million international visitors annually and has a well-established tourism infrastructure.

Areas of caution:

• Dar es Salaam city: Exercise standard urban caution — petty theft and bag snatching in crowded areas. Use hotel-arranged taxis or registered ride services rather than unmarked vehicles
• Political unrest (2025–2026): Violent demonstrations occurred around Tanzania's October 2025 elections. Security forces maintain a presence in urban areas. Monitor India's Ministry of External Affairs travel advisories before and during travel. Movement restrictions and military checkpoints may appear without notice
• Coastal maritime areas: Piracy has been reported in Tanzania's offshore coastal waters — do not venture far offshore on dhows or small vessels outside organised tour operations
• Safari areas: Generally very safe within designated national parks — follow ranger and guide instructions at all times; do not exit vehicles in wildlife zones
• Zanzibar: Popular tourist areas are generally safe for Indian travellers. Stone Town is very walkable but can be disorienting — use a guide for evening exploration of smaller alleyways

Practical logistics:

• Currency: Tanzanian Shilling (TZS). USD widely accepted at lodges, national parks, and Zanzibar. Carry USD in clean, small denominations. ATMs in Dar es Salaam and Arusha — not reliably available in safari areas
• Language: Swahili and English are official languages — English is widely spoken in tourism areas
• Electricity: Type G sockets (UK-style three-pin) — same plugs used in India's type G sockets are compatible. Voltage 230V, 50Hz
• Indian food: Available at Indian restaurants in Dar es Salaam, Arusha, and Zanzibar Stone Town. Safari lodges cater to vegetarian requirements with advance notice — always specify dietary requirements when booking
• SIM cards: Vodacom Tanzania, Airtel Tanzania, and Tigo available at Julius Nyerere and KIA airports. 4G in Dar es Salaam and Arusha; patchy or no connectivity in national parks (deliberate policy in some reserves)

Tanzania e-Visa rejections for Indian tourist applicants occur but are avoidable when applications are submitted with complete, accurate, and well-structured documentation. The most common reasons:

• Non-compliant photograph: Wrong dimensions, taken more than 6 months ago, digitally altered, glasses present, or non-white background. Solution: professional photograph taken specifically for Tanzania visa within the past 6 months, to 35x45mm or 2x2 inch specifications
• Incomplete or missing documents: No cover letter, no hotel bookings for full duration, or missing employment letter. Solution: follow the full document checklist; our Rs.6,499 service includes a complete document review before submission
• Weak cover letter: Vague purpose, no specific itinerary, or no mention of intent to return. Solution: write a detailed, itinerary-specific cover letter with lodge names, national parks, travel dates, and employment ties to India
• Insufficient financial evidence: Bank balance not consistent with a Tanzania safari budget. Solution: 3–6 months' bank statements showing consistent adequate balance; supplement with FDs, investment statements, or property documents if needed
• Application data inconsistencies: Name, passport number, or dates entered differently from the actual passport. Solution: cross-reference every field against the physical passport before submitting
• Prior immigration violations: Prior overstays, deportations, or refusals from any country that were not disclosed. Solution: always disclose truthfully — Tanzania may verify with other immigration databases. Undisclosed violations discovered later result in far harsher consequences than declared ones
• Using unofficial portal: Applications through third-party websites may be processed incorrectly or not at all. Apply only at visa.immigration.go.tz

If rejected, there is no mandatory waiting period before reapplying. Review the rejection reason, correct the specific deficiency, and resubmit with an improved application. The government fee is non-refundable. Contact RTH World Tour Packages for post-rejection application review.

Yes — Kilimanjaro trekking is fully permitted on the Tanzania tourist e-Visa. The Tanzania National Park Authority (TANAPA) manages Kilimanjaro National Park and issues separate national park permits and climbing fees — but these are paid in Tanzania as part of your trek booking, not at the visa stage.

Kilimanjaro practical information for Indian trekkers:

• Park fees: TANAPA charges park entry, camping, rescue, and conservation fees — these are included in your trekking operator's quoted package. Total park fees for a standard 7-day climb range from approximately USD 700–900 per person
• Trekking operators: All climbers must be accompanied by a licensed TANAPA guide — independent Kilimanjaro climbs are not permitted. Use a registered tour operator based in Arusha or Moshi
• Routes: Marangu (6 days, hut accommodation), Machame (7 days, tent, most popular), Lemosho (8 days, most scenic), Rongai (6–7 days, north approach), and others. The summit Uhuru Peak (5,895m) is typically reached before dawn on summit day
• Altitude sickness: Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) is the primary risk — consult a doctor before the trek; Diamox (Acetazolamide) is commonly prescribed as prophylaxis. Do not rush acclimatisation — choose a 7–8 day route for better summit success rates
• Best seasons: January–March and June–October are peak climbing windows with the best weather; avoid April–May (long rains) and November–December (short rains)
• Physical preparation: No technical mountaineering skills required, but significant cardiovascular fitness is essential — train for at least 3 months before attempting Kilimanjaro

RTH World Tour Packages offers complete Kilimanjaro trek and Tanzania safari combination packages for Indian travellers — covering visa, trek bookings, accommodation, and health preparation guidance. See our Tanzania Tour Packages.

Tanzania's climate and wildlife patterns create distinct optimal seasons for safari versus beach travel:

Recommendation for first-time Indian visitors: July–September is the optimal window — peak wildlife activity in the Serengeti (river crossings at Mara River), excellent Ngorongoro wildlife concentration, all camps open, and Zanzibar is in its dry cool season. Book safari lodges 6–9 months in advance for this window. The calving season January–February offers extraordinary wildlife action at lower costs for budget-conscious travellers.

For Indian visitors wanting both safari and beach, the classic itinerary combines 5–7 days of Northern Circuit safari (Serengeti + Ngorongoro) based in Arusha with 5–7 days in Zanzibar — easily combined on a single Tanzania e-Visa.

Each family member — including children and infants — must have their own individual Tanzania e-Visa. There is no family visa or joint application. Each passport holder requires their own separate application and fee.

Children's visa applications:

• Each child must have their own individual Indian passport — children cannot travel on a parent's passport for international travel
• Children's e-Visa applications are submitted individually on the portal — a parent or guardian manages the application
• Children's photographs must meet the same specifications (35x45mm or 2x2 inch, white background, no headgear). For infants: photograph the infant alone on a white sheet or plain white background — no adult hands or faces visible in the frame; infant's eyes must be open
• Government visa fee (USD 50) applies per child

Children travelling with one parent or with neither parent:

• A notarised No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the non-travelling parent is strongly recommended and may be required at Tanzania immigration — particularly when a child travels with one parent only
• If the child is travelling with neither biological parent (with a relative or guardian): notarised consent letters from both parents, plus the guardian's ID and relationship documentation
• Carry the child's birth certificate for all family travel
• If one parent is deceased: carry the death certificate

RTH World Tour Packages coordinates simultaneous visa applications for all family members — ensuring consistent travel dates, entry points, and documentation across all applications.

RTH World Tour Packages provides complete Tanzania e-Visa processing assistance for Indian passport holders at a transparent fee of Rs.6,499 for a 90-day single entry tourist visa. Every step of the process is managed by our team:

• Complete document checklist review: Passport validity, photograph compliance (35x45mm or 2x2 inch specifications), cover letter quality, financial evidence adequacy, accommodation proof, employment documentation — all assessed before the application is opened
• Photograph compliance verification: Digital photograph checked against Tanzania specifications before upload
• Cover letter review: We review and help structure your covering letter to present a specific, credible Tanzania itinerary with strong ties to India
• Application form completion: All fields at visa.immigration.go.tz completed and cross-referenced against your passport — eliminating data entry errors
• Yellow Fever certificate guidance: We advise on whether your specific routing requires the certificate and where to get vaccinated in your city
• Zanzibar ZIC insurance guidance: Complete briefing on the mandatory USD 44 ZIC insurance — how to purchase online before departure, what it covers, and how to present it at Zanzibar Airport
• Malaria prophylaxis advice: General guidance on recommended drugs and timing for your Tanzania itinerary — with a recommendation to consult a travel medicine specialist
• Application status monitoring: We track your application through the processing period and alert you at each stage
• WhatsApp support: Direct communication throughout the entire process

We also offer complete Tanzania safari tour packages — covering Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Kilimanjaro, Zanzibar, and beyond — from visa to lodge to game drive to beach. Visit our Plan Now page or WhatsApp us on +91 91009 84920.