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.

Before introducing this article, if you are interested in our core services which are expat financial, insurance and mortgages, you can contact me here. 

The best time to consider your financial situation is when you are moving to a new country.

Introduction

First of all, you need to understand the culture if you are moving to Tanzania. The best place for this is Dar es Salaam which has almost everything that Nairobi has plus more. It has better malls (including Shoprite and Nakumatt), and nightclubs (such as Tao). Do you really know why you want to relocate?

Well, many people travel without having a deep knowledge about where they’re going. However, whatever it may be, living in Tanzania could contribute to your best decision ever. This East African country is widely known as home to several of the largest and best parks you’ll ever see in Africa today.

Aside from this fact, the country presents the famous Kilimanjaro, Africa’s tallest mountain, and many other various wildlife-related adventures. Also, if you’re planning to live in Tanzania as an expat, there are many things to put into consideration. Besides, Tanzania has become a popular African destination for tourists, and for good reason.

Not only is that, but the landscapes here are stunning, the culture is heart-warming, and the people are nothing short of charming. That’s why the country remains an amazing place that everyone should visit at least once in their lifetime. Have you been surfing the web to get a glimpse of what living here entails?

Of course, worry less as you’ve landed on the right platform. In fact, we have compiled this article to meet your requirements. Here, we will walk you through the pros and cons of living in Tanzania as an expat. In addition, we’ve highlighted the ultimate tips, and interesting facts about living in this country. We’re sure you won’t want to miss what we’ve compiled, right? Now, check the ultimate guide below.

Top 9 Tips to Relocate to Tanzania Today

Living in Tanzania as an expat is wonderful. The country has a lot to offer and the people are extremely friendly. There are many reasons why one would want to move here, including work or retirement. But regardless of your reasons, there are some things you should know before moving to the country. Without further ado, here are nine tips to help someone who is thinking about moving to Tanzania.

1.       Know the Culture

Tanzania is made up of many different cultures, so do yourself a favour and learn about them before you come down. There are certain things that are considered rude in one culture but may be perfectly acceptable in another.

For example, touching another person’s head originally meant to destroy the bad spirits that were believed to be in the head. In addition, some people may not want you to eat with your left hand because that’s the hand used for cleaning yourself after going to the bathroom. This is a cultural thing and shouldn’t be taken as an insult if someone tells you this.

2.       Learn about the Tanzanian Currency

Tanzania has its own currency (the Tanzanian Shilling), which is loosely tied to the US dollar. That means, if the USD is worth 1500 Tsh, then it’s roughly worth that much in USD. The only issue with this, however, is that different stores will sell their items for different prices.

That being said, sticking with big chains is your best bet, as they tend to have consistent prices. Furthermore, always make sure that you figure out how much something is before you buy it. This might even reduce your expenditure while living in the country as an expat.

3.       Prepare for the Expense of Living Here

Retirement in Tanzania can be a great experience for those who are looking forward to traveling and exploring without having a full-time job. However, do remember that there are many hidden costs associated with living here, which you may not have to deal with back home.

For example, if your utilities are included in your rent at home then this is not the case when you move to Tanzania. Have a decent savings account for emergencies and do some research on what other daily expenditures will cost so you aren’t caught off guard.

4.       Wildlife in Tanzania

Do not expect to see lots of large wildlife when you’re in the city. However, if you’re just visiting for a short time or are staying in Arusha, chances are that you won’t see any wildlife at all unless you go into the bush. Tanzania has lots of large wildlife including lions, elephants, leopards, giraffes, baboons, and many other things that you might be used to seeing at home.

5.       Don’t Walk At Night

If you’re out walking around at night time here in the city, be prepared for people honking their horns and not stopping when you try to cross the street. Sometimes cars don’t even see you or stop for you so be careful! More so, it’s always a better decision to go with someone you know to avoid touching story.

6.       Be Open Minded

People in Tanzania are very friendly and love to meet new people from all over the world. They’re also great hosts, so if they invite you into their home then make sure to accept the offer. And this is because; they will make you feel like part of the family.

Aside from this fact, Tanzania is a wonderful place to be and has many things for its visitors to do and see. So, whenever you might yourself in any state of emergency, try to speak up and be open minded. Besides, if you’re planning on traveling here, enjoy yourself because there’s so much beauty all around you.

7.       The Climate in Tanzania

The climate in Tanzania varies depending on the geographical location. The east coast tends to have a tropical climate, with temperatures ranging from 70 degrees Fahrenheit during the night and 95-100 F during the day. In fact, it’s not unusual for the east coast to be extremely hot throughout the year.

Meanwhile, the west side of Tanzania is usually very dry since rainfall isn’t present here most of the year. That being said, the central and southern regions of Tanzania experience a more temperate climate with rains. And this comes in between October and April, so this is the best time to visit if you want to go on safari.

8.       Water Availability

Just like any other country, there are times during the year when water availability fluctuates (high and low seasons). You should be aware that there can be a water shortage at different times of the year, so this may affect how clean the beaches are. Usually, though, the coastal regions always have seawater since they face the Indian Ocean.

9.       The Best Time to Visit Tanzania

According to the locals, the best time to visit this country is between March and May or September through November. Therefore, if you want to go on safari when it’s warmer, then you should travel in June-August since most of the animals are in the Serengeti during this time.

Other Important Things to Know About Tanzania

• It’s usually best to get vaccinated before traveling here since there are some diseases that are present in the country (such as malaria, yellow fever, cholera and rabies)
• Make sure you bring cash when traveling here because it’s easier and more convenient to use than a credit card.
• If you want to make the most of your trip, try and learn at least some basic words in Kiswahili (this is the language that most people speak here).
• Most stores close around 5:30 PM or 6:00 PM; if you’re interested in buying souvenirs, make sure you do this before the sun sets.
• Many people living here are Muslim, so be careful about how much skin you show since it’s against their religion to expose too much skin.
• While there are plenty of places to eat out at, remember that the hours for restaurants tend to change depending on the owners’ schedules (most close early).
• If you plan on spending more than 1 month in Tanzania, make sure you get an out pass since it’s quite expensive to travel between areas if you stay for this long.
• You can easily buy local beers here like Kilimanjaro (an amber lager) and Serengeti (a darker lager), but just remember that alcoholic beverages are forbidden in most parts of this country.
• There are some safety precautions you should take when traveling out to the east side since there has been an increase in crime on this side of Tanzania (because of its proximity to Zanzibar). Make sure you go with someone who can speak Kiswahili.