Living In Tanzania Expat Guide part 2. You can see part one here.
5 Places Suitable For Expats in Tanzania
Tanzania is a popular tourist destination for many people, so you may feel tempted to consider it as a first-stop for your expatriation. Though the country has been developing rapidly over the past few years and its economy grows at three times faster than the global average.
One of the first things most people think about when they hear “Tanzania” is animals. And this is because; the country is home to the world’s largest surviving elephant population. However, Tanzania has a lot more to offer than just safari and wildlife watching.
There are five places in particular that may be of interest for expats willing to relocate here and start their life from scratch. Let’s see what each of these five places has in store for everyone looking for a new job and place to live.
1. Zanzibar
Zanzibar is an archipelago located in the Indian Ocean, off the coast of East Africa and about 32km south-east of the country’s mainland. It consists of Unguja (better known as simply “Zanzibar”) and Pemba islands. The archipelago is probably the most exotic place in Tanzania. Not only due to its unique culture but also thanks to its beaches and endless ocean views.
For expats willing to start their own business here, Zanzibar offers plenty of opportunities. For instance, you can launch your own diving centre or rent a hotel room for a few months to offer your services to the resort visitors.
On the flip side, if you’re not afraid of challenges, there are many things that can be done in this developing country by expats willing to invest their time and effort into it. According to official statistics, 85% of Zanzibar residents live under $2 per day, which makes it an excellent place for expats looking to make friends and local contacts.
Another thing many people fail to consider is legal registration upon arrival. Since Tanzania is a developing nation, it has its own system of residency, work permit and business registration procedures. You can’t just come here and start doing everything the way you did it back at home.
In that case, there are certain rules to abide by, and a number of things worth paying attention to. Therefore, if you let a Zanzibar Shipping agent deal with all the paperwork for you, your life will be much easier.
2. Dar es Salaam
Dar es Salaam is Tanzania’s biggest city, located on the coast of Indian Ocean. It’s one of the biggest ports in East Africa, and it offers plenty of opportunities both for business people who want to start their own company here and for expats willing to relocate. That being said, the city is home to about 4million residents, so you will hardly lack any amenities should you choose this location as your new home.
However, you need to be aware of several things before moving here. First of all, don’t choose Dar es Salaam as your primary relocation destination if you just want to do some volunteer work or take a break from life for a while. As this is Tanzania’s biggest city, it means that the cost of living is higher than in other places in the country. Therefore, you need to have a well-paying job lined up before making the big move.
As you can see, relocating to Dar es Salaam isn’t so easy. Before doing something like this, you should really get informed about the pros and cons of life in Tanzania and be sure that it’s what you want to do. If you’re fully aware of the situation and ready to move here, though, it’s a good idea to get in touch with local Zanzibar Shipping agents and ask for their assistance.
3. Arusha
If you decide to relocate somewhere in Tanzania, Arusha is definitely the right choice. It’s the third most populous city in Tanzania, after Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar, and it offers a big selection of hotels and resorts for international visitors.
To be more precise, the city is home to around half a million people. Not only is that, but almost all of them live in relatively small houses and apartments dotted across Arusha National Park. The city is situated in the foothills of Mount Meru, near Tanzania’s border with Kenya, which makes it a popular travel destination for people who want to climb the mountain or just have a short break from work.
The climate here is very pleasant throughout the year. Moreover, there are two seasons – rainy and dry – but even during wet periods the temperatures never go too low. This way, you can get around without any problems.
4. Bagamoyo
If you are looking for a quiet place to work, have a nice house with lots of space around it and don’t mind the fact that there is only public transport in this part of Tanzania, Bagamoyo might be your perfect destination. It’s located on the coast in the north-western part of the country, not too far from the border with Kenya.
As a beautiful city, it’s still possible to see wildlife around the town, but it’s definitely not as easy as in other places on this list. Beside, if you want to spot lions or elephants in Africa, Bagamoyo is probably not the best place to do it.
The main reason why this place is an excellent choice for expats is that it’s quite safe and very quiet. Also, there is virtually no violent crime reported in Bagamoyo, and most of the people who live here prefer to stay away from crowded areas and huge cities.
The majority of expats in this place either work remotely or start their own businesses with help from local Tanzanians. So, if you want to relocate somewhere in Africa where you can determine your own future, this is the place to go.
5. Kigoma
This is the gateway to Lake Tanganyika, one of the African Great Lakes. If you’re looking for a more laid-back vibe, this is the place to go. It’s not exactly known as a party destination, but there are still some sightseeing opportunities and good restaurants to check out here.
Best Tourist Attractions in Tanzania Today
One of the best things about living in Tanzania is that it’s got a good variety of landscapes and weathers. If you don’t like it there, you can drive up to 3 hours north or south and find yourself in an entirely different climate. However, if you like adventure, you’ve come to the right place.
Whether your idea of a good time is diving with sharks or hiking up the steepest mountain in Africa, Tanzania has got you covered. Without further ado, here are the best tourist attractions that might just get you packing your bags.
Moshi/Mount Kilimanjaro
If adventure is what you’re looking for, you can never beat climbing to the top of Africa. At 5895m, Mount Kilimanjaro is the highest mountain in Africa and one of the tallest freestanding mountains in the world. Despite its height, it’s not that difficult to climb.
In fact, you just need to be fit enough to walk 2-3 hours per day over 5 days through dank, dark clouds and past glaciers. You can climb with a tour operator like African Sky who takes care of everything like the groceries, camping equipment and porters to carry it all. Or you can go as an independent trekker; the choice is yours.
The Marine Reserves around Pemba Island
This island off the coast of Tanzania is home to some of the best scuba diving in Africa. If you’re lucky, you may even see a whale shark. Besides, the waters around Pemba are teeming with life. Therefore, you can do dives or snorkelling excursions at Menai Bay, Kicha Island, and Manta point, around Matemwe village.
The Ngorongoro Conservation Area
This is one of the most unique places in Tanzania. It’s a massive conservation area with a high density of animals, but unlike the national parks where you have to keep your distance for fear of scaring them away, here you can get within touching distance of elephants, zebras and even lions.
In addition, the Ngorongoro Crater is a massive spectacle. It’s the world’s largest unbroken caldera, with an age of 600,000 years, and you can see it all on wildlife-watching hikes or in 4×4 vehicles.
The Island Of Zanzibar
This is where to go if you want to soak up some culture; the ancient stone buildings and cobbled streets are like stepping back in time. Here, you can take a stroll down the narrow alleys and see women balancing pots of fruit on their heads, kids running around barefoot and men smoking shisha. Not only is that, but there are also plenty of beaches to lounge at. So, if you feel like doing nothing for a day or two, Zanzibar is the place to go.
The Serengeti National Park
If you want something more traditional, why not go on safari in the Serengeti? You can go on a day trip or an overnight one. The Serengeti is the best place in all of Africa to see lions, hyenas and cheetahs in their natural habitat. But it’s not just about the animals; you’ll get to experience stunning scenery too.
Conclusion
Living in Tanzania can be a great experience, but it’s important to remember that not everyone is suited for this kind of change. If you aren’t the type who enjoys learning about new cultures and meeting people from different backgrounds, then it might be best to stay at home. However, if you’re excited about moving here then by all means come on down! This is a great place to live once you learn the ropes.
