Transport in Tanzania : The majority of Tanzania safari visitors come to experience the wild beauty of the African bush, this has help the roads connecting the popular Northern Circuit—which includes the Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Crater, Kilimanjaro National Park, and several other Tanzania tour attractions and wildlife reserves to be regularly maintained in good condition. When travelling by land to see a safari in Tanzania outside of these well-liked tour areas, it might be slow and challenging. Despite the fact that it can be expensive, many people prefer long-distance flying, particularly when visiting remote lodges and tented camps in Tanzania’s national parks.
If you’re not able to afford the astronomical prices of plane, buses are a great option. Within cities and towns, Dala dalla (community minibuses), bajaji (tuk-tuks) and boda boda (motorcycle taxis) are all less expensive than typical taxis. There are also the towns surrounding Lake Victoria and Lake Tanganyika, the ferries that ferry people between the Indian Ocean’s islands, and the trains that run on Tanzania’s meagre rail system. Even though driving conditions are bad and crime rates are high, a lot of adventurous travellers choose to drive themselves in 4WD rental cars. Plan on covering little ground in a single day because roads outside of major towns are often unpaved and very challenging to drive on. This guide outlines the best routes around Tanzania.
Flights
Tanzania boasts three international airports that are well-connected to other parts of Africa and the Gulf, and are frequented by both domestic and foreign airlines. With connections to smaller airports and private airstrips across Tanzania, Julius Nyerere International Airport is the busiest international hub in Dar es Salaam. Known as the “Gateway to Africa’s Wildlife Heritage,” Kilimanjaro International Airport is located in Hai District, halfway between Arusha and Moshi. Some European and Middle Eastern airlines serve the airport, in addition to local hops and charter flights to and from Tanzania’s northern national parks.
The Abeid Amani Karume International Airport in Zanzibar is the main airport in Zanzibar which provides seasonal flights from Europe and several connections to important cities in Africa and the Middle East. Every day, local Tanzanian airlines like Air Tanzania and Coastal Aviation fly to popular tourist sites including Arusha, Zanzibar, Mafia Island, Mwanza, Pemba Island, and Iringa from major cities nationwide. Numerous smaller towns and islands conduct less frequent scheduled flights that use small planes with low baggage limits.
Some of the more luxury safari lodges have their own airstrips and fly guests in via private charter companies to avoid making them endure long road trips. Generally, the whole cost of your trip includes the charge, even though most charter planes only allow 15 kg of luggage per passenger and prefer soft-sided bags over hard suitcases.
By Road
Tanzania has a huge road network that spans over 90,000 km (56,000 miles), however only 15% of its roadways are paved. If the local driving conditions don’t prevent you, travelling by automobile can be a terrific way to experience the area, whether you’re travelling alone or with friends. Outside of the bigger cities, road conditions quickly deteriorate, so renting a Land Cruiser or similar 4WD vehicle with a driver is an excellent choice. Your driver will act as an unofficial tour guide because he has significantly more knowledge with Tanzania’s rough roads.
Most rental companies also offer roadside assistance in the event of technical difficulties. To enter their offices, you will need to present your driver’s license. The majority of organisations will accept your licence if it is in English, but if not, you must provide an International Driving Permit. For trips to national parks, you can rent a 4WD car complete with camping gear, but avoid driving at night because of potholes and straggling animals. Even during the day, there might be a constant challenge from children running into the road and from domestic and wild animals. For a small fee, town car attendants or guards will keep an eye on your car while you park and even give you a ticket to display on your windscreen. When travelling through a town, keep your car doors closed and don’t leave valuables inside to reduce your chances of becoming a victim of crime.
Taxis, Cabs
Most airports, bus terminals, train stations, and shopping centres inside city borders have cabs easily located. In Tanzania, taxis are either all white, or their license plates are all white. Although you can hail one on the street, calling the hotel or restaurant’s concierge to make arrangements is more practical. However, ride-sharing services like Uber are a good substitute because they have been quite successful in Tanzania. Many hotels and resorts offer shuttle services to and from the airport.
Travel By Bus
Tanzania has an extensive bus network that goes almost anywhere that is reachable by motor vehicles offering a great option for travellers on a cheap budget. Approximately 3000 buses pass through the John Magufuli Bus Terminal in Dar es Salaam each day on their way across the country. Buses can go quite quickly on broad intercity roads but slowly on local ones, and they usually stop a lot. Many bus companies depart from Dar es Salaam and travel to Tanzania’s towns, beaches, and international border crossings. There are also several international routes that go to Uganda, Rwanda, and Kenya. All buses, whether they are air-conditioned luxury versions with lavatories or rattletraps, frequently pause for food and bathroom breaks. Kilimanjaro Express, Dar Express, Shabiby Line, and Ratco Express are the most cosy and trustworthy companies.
When the Tanzanian government introduced the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system, millions of residents of Dar es Salaam were able to circumvent the notorious traffic bottlenecks in the city. Buses have their own lanes, which facilitates travel. It is believed that the BRT system is giving residents their six days of annual commute time back. The city centre may be easily explored using these blue buses, albeit they only travel a small area of Dar es Salaam. All you have to do is look for the ticket offices, which are located along the stilted corridors of the carriageway. A route chart is available at each station, and every bus has a light on the front that indicates its destination.
Train Travel
Train travel is an additional affordable way to explore Tanzania, albeit service may not always be consistent. In Western Tanzania, the Tanzania Railways Corporation (TRC) runs a deluxe passenger service from Dar es Salaam to Kigoma on Lake Tanganyika, as well as a small commuter train service within the city. Furthermore, TRC operates a couple of weekly passenger services between Tabora and Mpanda in addition to routes that travel via Tabora to Mwanza and Moshi to get from Dar es Salaam to Arusha. See their website for schedules. Purchasing first and second class coaches with free Wi-Fi and food is a more economical choice than packing onto cramped third-class carriages.
Trains carrying regular and express passengers are transported from Dar es Salaam to New Kapiri Mposhi in Zambia by the Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA) via Mbeya and Tunduma. Tickets for first, second, and third class are once again available. To minimise a bumpy ride, reserve tickets in higher classes at least a day or two before your intended departure.
Ferry services
Trains carrying regular and express passengers are transported from Dar es Salaam to New Kapiri Mposhi in Zambia by the Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA) via Mbeya and Tunduma. Tickets for first, second, and third class are once again available. To minimise a bumpy ride, reserve tickets in higher classes at least a day or two before your intended departure.
