Most fans attending AFCON 2027 in Tanzania will need a visa. The good news — Tanzania's eVisa system is simple, fast and available to 55+ African nations. Apply before you travel.
🌐
eVisa Online
Recommended — apply from home
Who can apply
Citizens of 55+ African nations + most global nationalities
3–5 working days (apply 3–4 weeks ahead during AFCON)
Validity
90 days from date of entry
💡
Multiple entry visa worth it if crossing between Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda during the PAMOJA co-hosted tournament.
🛂
Visa on Arrival
Available but not recommended
Available at
JNIA (DSM), Kilimanjaro, Zanzibar airports
Cost
$50–75 USD depending on nationality
Processing
On the spot — but queues can be 1–3 hours during events
Zanzibar
Same Tanzania visa covers both mainland and islands
⚠️
Expect very long queues at airports during the tournament. eVisa holders use a fast-track lane — strong incentive to apply online.
📋
What You'll Need
Documents checklist
Passport
Valid 6+ months beyond your stay
Photo
Passport-sized, digital, taken within 6 months
Return ticket
Proof of onward or return travel
Accommodation
Hotel booking or host invitation letter
Payment
Visa/Mastercard for online fee
Yellow fever cert
Required if arriving from endemic country
How to Apply — Step by Step
1
Visit the portal
Go to visa.immigration.go.tz and click "Apply for eVisa". Create an account with your email address.
⏱ 5 minutes
2
Fill in your details
Complete the application form — personal info, travel dates, accommodation details. Have your passport open.
⏱ 10–15 minutes
3
Upload documents
Upload your passport photo page and a passport-sized photograph. Files must be under 2MB each.
⏱ 5 minutes
4
Pay the fee
Pay by Visa or Mastercard. $50 single entry, $100 multiple entry. Keep the payment confirmation.
⏱ 2 minutes
5
Wait for approval
Processing takes 3–5 working days. You will receive an email with your eVisa PDF when approved.
⏱ 3–5 days
6
Print and travel
Print your eVisa PDF or save it clearly on your phone. Present it at immigration alongside your passport.
⏱ At the airport
💰 Money & Payments
Tanzania uses the Tanzanian Shilling (TZS). USD is widely accepted in tourist areas. Cards work in hotels and malls — but bring cash for markets, street food and transport.
💵
Currency
Tanzanian Shilling (TZS)
Exchange rate
~2,500 TZS per USD (check xe.com before travel)
USD accepted
Yes — hotels, safaris, tourist restaurants. Notes must be post-2009.
Best to bring
Mix of USD cash and local TZS for day-to-day
Euro / GBP
Accepted at some bureaux de change — USD preferred
🏧
ATMs & Cards
Where and how to access cash
Best ATMs
CRDB, Stanbic, NMB — all accept Visa/Mastercard reliably
Daily limit
~$300–500 USD equivalent per transaction
Card payments
Hotels, malls, restaurants in Masaki/Msasani
Cash only
Markets, dala-dala, street food, bajaj, small shops
💡
Notify your bank before travelling. Many banks block Tanzania transactions as fraud prevention — one phone call saves a lot of stress at the ATM.
📱
Mobile Money
M-Pesa & Tigo Pesa
M-Pesa
Widely used — works across Vodacom network
Tigo Pesa
Popular alternative on Tigo network
For tourists
Less relevant unless staying long-term. Cash and card cover most needs.
Tipping
10% restaurants · $5–10/day safari guides · Round up taxis
💡
Budget guide: Street food lunch ~$2–4 · Mid-range restaurant dinner ~$10–20 · Cold beer at a bar ~$1.50–3 · Bolt taxi across DSM ~$3–8 · Ferry DSM to Zanzibar ~$35–50 return
📱 SIM Cards & Connectivity
Get a local SIM immediately on arrival. Roaming is extremely expensive. A local data SIM gives you 4G LTE across all three host cities for $5–8.
📶
blue
Airtel Tanzania
Coverage
Best data deals
Data cost
4G LTE across DSM, Arusha, Zanzibar
Extra feature
$5–7 for 10GB
Best for
Airtel app for top-ups
📶
blue
Vodacom Tanzania
Coverage
Most reliable network
Data cost
Widest 4G coverage nationally
Extra feature
$6–8 for 10GB
Best for
M-Pesa integration
📶
blue
Tigo Tanzania
Coverage
Budget option
Data cost
Good DSM and Arusha coverage
Extra feature
$4–6 for 10GB
Best for
Tigo Pesa mobile money
🆔
How to Buy a SIM
Takes 10 minutes
✓ Buy at airport arrivals hall — all three operators have desks
✓ Bring your passport — mandatory for SIM registration in Tanzania
✓ Ask for a "tourist bundle" — includes calls and data
✓ Top up with scratch cards (available everywhere) or via app
✓ Keep the SIM — can top up for future Tanzania visits
🌐
Connectivity by City
What to expect
Dar es Salaam
Excellent 4G LTE throughout the city. Stadium areas well covered.
Arusha
Good 4G in town. Patchy in national parks — download offline maps.
Zanzibar
Good in Stone Town. Remote beaches may have 3G only. Download content before heading east coast.
💡
Download Google Maps offline for all three cities before you leave home. Saves data and works without signal.
🏥 Health & Safety
Tanzania is a safe destination for tourists. Take standard precautions, get appropriate vaccinations and bring malaria prophylaxis. See your doctor or travel clinic 4–6 weeks before departure.
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Vaccinations
See your travel clinic 4–6 weeks before
Yellow fever
Certificate required if arriving from endemic country. Mandatory.
Recommended
Hepatitis A & B, Typhoid, Tetanus, Rabies (if going on safari)
COVID-19
Up-to-date vaccination recommended. No mandatory testing at entry.
⚠️
Check entry requirements closer to travel — these can change. CAF may issue additional health requirements for AFCON 2027.
🦟
Malaria
Real risk — take precautions
Risk level
Moderate — all three host cities have malaria-carrying mosquitoes
Prophylaxis
Doxycycline or Malarone — consult your doctor. Start before travel.
Prevention
DEET repellent, long sleeves at dusk, sleep under net if possible
June/July risk
Lower than rainy season but still present. Do not skip prophylaxis.
💧
Food & Water Safety
Avoid stomach issues
Water
Bottled or filtered ONLY. This is non-negotiable.
Ice
Only accept ice at reputable restaurants and hotels
Street food
Generally safe when freshly cooked and hot. Avoid pre-cooked or room temperature food.
Medication
Bring rehydration sachets and Imodium as a precaution
🔒
Personal Safety
Tanzania is generally safe for tourists
General
All three host cities are safe in tourist and stadium areas
Pickpockets
Be aware in crowds, markets and on match days. Keep valuables out of sight.
Transport
Use Bolt or Uber rather than flagging random taxis
Night
Avoid walking alone in unfamiliar areas after dark
Beach
Don't leave valuables unattended on beaches. Use hotel safe.
🚔
Police
112
Emergency police line
🚑
Ambulance
115
National ambulance
🏥
Aga Khan DSM
+255 22 211 5151
Best private hospital in DSM
🏥
Mount Meru Arusha
+255 27 250 3651
Main hospital in Arusha
🛡️
Tourist Police DSM
+255 22 211 7049
Tourist assistance unit
🗣️ Language & Culture
Tanzania is one of Africa's most welcoming countries. A few words of Swahili will earn you enormous goodwill. English is widely spoken in tourist areas — you will get by fine.
🤝
Cultural Tips
Be respectful, be welcomed
Greetings
Tanzanians exchange greetings warmly — take time to say hello properly. Don't rush straight to the transaction.
Dress (Zanzibar)
Cover shoulders and knees in Stone Town. Swimwear on beaches only.
Dress (Mainland)
Casual and comfortable. Tanzania is relaxed — smart casual for restaurants.
Photography
Always ask before photographing people. Most will be happy — some will ask for a small fee which is fair.
Tipping
Not mandatory but appreciated. 10% at restaurants. $5–10/day for guides. Round up taxis.
Bargaining
Expected at markets. Not appropriate in shops with fixed prices. Start at 50% and meet in the middle.
⚽
Football Culture
Tanzania loves the game
Taifa Stars
Tanzania's national team — passionate local support. Wear your team colours proudly but respectfully.
Atmosphere
Tanzanian fans are joyful, drumming, singing. Expect colour and noise at every match.
Club rivalries
Simba SC vs Young Africans (Yanga) is the biggest local derby. Both clubs have huge followings.
Stadium etiquette
Alcohol may be restricted inside venues. Rival fans generally sit separately — follow steward instructions.
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Learn "Twende Taifa Stars!" (Let's go Tanzania!) — you will get a great reaction from local fans.
Essential Swahili Phrases
Habari
ha-BAH-ree
Hello / How are you?
Use for any greeting — more warm than "Jambo"
Karibu
kah-REE-boo
Welcome / You're welcome
Said constantly in Tanzania — a national warmth
Asante
ah-SAHN-tay
Thank you
Asante sana = Thank you very much
Tafadhali
tah-fah-THAH-lee
Please
Essential for polite requests
Ndiyo / Hapana
n-DEE-yo / ha-PAH-na
Yes / No
The two most useful words in any language
Bei gani?
bay GAH-nee
How much does it cost?
Essential for markets and taxis
Pole pole
POH-lay POH-lay
Slowly / Take it easy
Tanzanian philosophy of life — you'll hear it everywhere
Mambo?
MAM-bo
What's up? / How's things?
Casual greeting — cool response is "Poa" (cool)
Choo kiko wapi?
CHOH-oh KEE-koh WAH-pee
Where is the toilet?
You will need this
Msaada!
m-SAH-dah
Help!
Emergency phrase
Twende!
TWEN-day
Let's go!
Heard constantly at matches — join in
AFCON 2027 Tanzania!
—
AFCON 2027 Tanzania!
Already speaks for itself
☀️ Weather — June & July 2027
AFCON 2027 runs 19 June – 17 July — which is Tanzania's dry season. You could not pick a better time to visit. Expect warm, sunny days and cool evenings across all three host cities.
🌊 Dar es Salaam
⛅
25–30°C
Warm coastal weather. Dry season — very low chance of rain. Ocean breeze keeps it comfortable. Perfect match day conditions.
Low humidityDry seasonSunny
🦁 Arusha
🌤️
15–22°C
Highland city — noticeably cooler than the coast. Warm sunny days, cool evenings. Pack a light fleece or jacket for nights and early mornings.
Cool eveningsDryPack a jacket
🏝️ Zanzibar
☀️
24–29°C
Best time of year on the island. Post-long-rains, pre-short-rains. Warm, clear skies and ocean breezes. Ideal for beach days between matches.
Best of yearBeach weatherOcean breeze
👕
What to Pack
For June–July Tanzania
✓ Lightweight, breathable clothing — it is warm during the day
✓ Light fleece or jacket for Arusha evenings
✓ Sunscreen — UV is strong even in dry season
✓ Sunglasses and a hat for outdoor matches
✓ Comfortable walking shoes
✓ Waterproof layer — occasional evening showers in DSM
✓ Power bank for match days
✓ Universal power adapter (Type D/G plugs)
⏰
Match Kick-off Times
EAT — East Africa Time (UTC+3)
Afternoon KO
14:00 EAT — hot, bring water and sunscreen. Peak UV hours.
Evening KO
17:00 EAT — ideal conditions, sun dropping. Best atmosphere.
Night KO
20:00 EAT — comfortable temperatures. Great atmosphere. Check transport home in advance.
💡
EAT is UTC+3. That's 2 hours ahead of Central Europe, 3 hours ahead of UK and 8 hours ahead of US East Coast.
🚨 Emergency Information
Save these numbers before you travel. Screenshot this page so you have them offline.
🚔
Police Emergency
112
National emergency line
🚑
Ambulance
115
National ambulance service
🔥
Fire Brigade
114
Fire emergency
🏥
Aga Khan Hospital DSM
+255 22 211 5151
Best private hospital in Dar es Salaam
🏥
Mount Meru Hospital
+255 27 250 3651
Main hospital — Arusha
🏥
Mnazi Mmoja Hospital
+255 24 223 0071
Main hospital — Zanzibar
🛡️
Tourist Police DSM
+255 22 211 7049
Tourist assistance unit
🏟️
AFCON Fan Helpline
TBC — CAF Official
Tournament support line — details closer to 2027
🛂
Lost Passport
Steps to take
→ Report to nearest police station immediately — get a report number
→ Contact your country's embassy in Dar es Salaam
→ Your embassy can issue an Emergency Travel Document
→ Keep a digital photo of your passport stored in email or cloud
→ Allow 1–5 working days for emergency travel document
💳
Lost Cards / Theft
Steps to take
→ Call your bank immediately to block the card — save the number in your phone before travel
→ Report theft to police — get a report for insurance
→ Most banks can courier a replacement card within 3–5 days
→ Keep emergency USD cash separate from your wallet
→ Travel insurance should cover theft — keep all receipts
✅ AFCON 2027 Fan Checklist
Everything to do before you travel. Tick off as you go — this list saves in your browser.
📋 Documents & Visas
✈️ Flights & Accommodation
💊 Health & Safety
📱 Before You Fly
💡
Your checklist is saved automatically in your browser. Ticks will still be there if you come back to this page.
Still have questions?
Our team is based in Dar es Salaam and happy to help with any AFCON 2027 travel questions.