Embassy of the United Republic of Tanzania
1232 22nd St. NW, Washington D.C 20037
Telephone: (202)884-1080, (202)939-6125/7
Fax: (202)797-7408

Ambassador: Mrs. MwanaidiSinareMaajar

Mrs. MwanaidiSinareMaajaris Ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary of the United Republic of Tanzania to the United States of America. Prior to Mrs. Maajar’s appointment to her current position she was High Commissioner of the United Republic of Tanzania to the United Kingdon from April 2006 to July 2010.
Leading up to her appointment as High Commissioner in June 2006, Mrs. Maajar was a partner at Rex Attorneys , a leading law firm in Tanzania established in early 2006 following the merger of MRN&M Advocates ( Maajar, Rwechungura, Nguluma and Makani) and Epitome Advocates, another leading law firm in Tanzania.

She was a founding partner of MRN&M and the lead partner of its mining, natural resources and corporate law portfolio. She also practiced as an advocate of the high court of Tanzania specializing in corporate and mining law litigation. Prior to setting up her legal practice in 1991, she worked as senior legal advisor with the Central Bank of Tanzania and subsequently as Business Manager with Coopers & Lybrand, the predecessor firm of PricewaterhouseCoopers in Tanzania.

Mrs. Maajar was a member of the board of several public enterprises, government entities and private companies. She was also an active member of the Tanzania Women Lawyers Association (TAWLA), an NGO formed to harness the efforts of women lawyers to help women and children to access justice and to advocate for women rights. She was TAWLA’s chairperson between 2001 and 2003.

U.S. Embassy Dar es Salaam Tanzania
686 Old Bagamoyo Road, Msasani,
P.O. Box 9123
Dar es Salaam, TANZANIA
Tel: +255 22 229-4000
Fax: +255 22 229-4721

Ambassador: Alfonso E. Lenhardt

The Ambassador of the United States of America to the United Republic of Tanzania, Alfonso E. Lenhardt, presented his diplomatic credentials to President JakayaKikwete at the State House in Dar es Salaam on Thursday, November 12, 2009. On May 19, 2010, Ambassador Lenhardt was also accredited as the U.S. representative to the East African Community. From May 2004, Ambassador Lenhardt was the President and CEO of the non-profit National Crime Prevention Council (NCPC). He was also Senior Vice President of Government Relations for The Shaw Group. On September 4, 2001, Ambassador Lenhardt was appointed the 36th Sergeant-at-Arms of the United States Senate and became the first African-American to serve as an officer of the Congress. He also served as the executive vice president and chief operating officer of the Council on Foundations.

Tanzania Prime Minister: MizengoKayanza Peter Pinda

born August 12, 1948[1]) is a Tanzanian politician who has been Prime Minister of Tanzania since February 2008. Pinda was born in the Rukwa Region.[1] He holds a degree in law from the University of Dar es Salaam, which he earned in 1974.[1][2]

He was Assistant Private Secretary to the President from 1982 to 1992 and Clerk to the Cabinet from 1996 to 2000. He was elected as a Member of Parliament for the constituency of Mpanda East in the 2000 election, and he also became Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Office in charge of Regional Administration and Local Governments in 2000.[2] He was promoted to the rank of Minister in the Prime Minister's Office, while remaining in charge of Regional Administration and Local Governments, in the Cabinet named on January 4, 2006. Pindawas nominated as Prime Minister by President JakayaKikwete on February 8, 2008, after the resignation of Edward Lowassa over allegations of corruption.

COUNTRY DESCRIPTION:

Tanzania is a developing East African nation noted for its history of stability and astounding natural beauty. A robust tourism industry provides all levels of tourist amenities, although higher-end facilities are concentrated mainly in the cities and selected game parks. The United Republic of Tanzania was formed in 1964 with the union of the mainland country of Tanganyika and the Zanzibar archipelago, which comprises the islands of Ungunja and Pemba. Unguja is the much larger and populous of the two islands and is commonly referred to as Zanzibar. The main city of Zanzibar is known as Stone town. Although part of the union government, Zanzibar has its own president, court system, and legislature, and exercises considerable autonomy. The U.S. Embassy is in Tanzania’s largest city, Dar es Salaam, the location of most government offices, all embassies, and the commercial center of the country. Read the Department of State Fact Sheet on Tanzania for additional information on U.S. – Tanzania relations.

History

This is probably one of the oldest known continuously inhabited areas on Earth; fossil remains of humans and pre-human hominids have been found dating back over two million years. Tanzania is believed to have been populated by hunter-gatherer communities, probably Cushitic and Khoisan speaking people. About 2000 years ago, it is believed that Bantu-speaking people began to arrive from western Africa in a series of migrations. Later, Nilotic pastoralists arrived, and continued to immigrate into the area through to the 18th century.

Travelers and merchants from the Persian Gulf and Western India have visited the East African coast since early in the first millennium CE. Islam was practiced on the Swahili coast as early as the eighth or ninth century CE.

In the late 19th century, Imperial Germany conquered the regions that are now Tanzania (minus Zanzibar), Rwanda, and Burundi, and incorporated them into German East Africa. The post-World War I accords and the League of Nations charter designated the area a British Mandate, except for a small area in the northwest, which was ceded to Belgium and later became Rwanda and Burundi. British rule came to an end in 1961 after a relatively peaceful transition to independence. In 1954, Julius Nyerere transformed an organization into the politically oriented Tanganyika African National Union (TANU). Nyerere became Minister of British-administered Tanganyika in 1960 and continued as Prime Minister when Tanganyika became officially independent in 1961. After the Zanzibar Revolution overthrew the Arab dynasty in neighboring Zanzibar, which had become independent in 1963, the island merged with mainland Tanganyika to form the nation of Tanzania on 26 April 1964.

From the late 1970s, Tanzania's economy took a turn for the worse. Tanzania aligned with China, seeking Chinese aid. The Chinese were quick to comply, but with the condition that all projects are completed by imported Chinese labor. From the mid 1980s, the regime financed itself by borrowing from the International Monetary Fund and underwent some reforms. From the mid 1980s Tanzania's GDP per capita has grown and poverty has been reduced.

Climate

Tanzania's weather varies from humid and hot in low-lying areas, such as Dar es Salaam, to hot during the day and cool at night in Arusha. There are no discernible seasons, such as winter and summer -- only the dry and wet seasons. Tanzania has two rainy seasons: The short rains from late-October to late-December, a.k.a. the Mango Rains, and the long rains from March to May.

Climate / Jan / Feb / Mar / Apr / May / Jun / Jul / Aug / Sep / Oct / Nov / Dec
Daily highs (°C) / 35 / 35 / 34 / 30 / 30 / 28 / 27 / 27 / 28 / 30 / 34 / 35
Nightly lows (°C) / 25 / 25 / 23 / 21 / 21 / 20 / 18 / 18 / 21 / 24 / 25 / 25

Many popular resorts and tourist attractions on Zanzibar and Mafia Island Marine Park close during the long rains season, and many trails in the national parks are impassable during this period. For that reason, in most cases tours are restricted to the main roads in the parks. Travelers should plan their trip accordingly.

During the dry season, temperatures can easily soar to above 35°C in Dar. You should seek shelter from the sun during the midday heat and use copious amounts of sunblock, SPF 30+.

Best times to visit are:

  • June to August: This is the tail end of the long rainy season and the weather is at its best at this time of year -- bearable during the day and cool in the evening. However, this is not necessarily the best time of year for safaris, as water is plentiful in the parks and animals are not forced to congregate in a few locations to rehydrate, as they do in the middle of the dry season right after Christmas.
  • January to February: This is the best time to visit the Serengeti. It is usually at this time that huge herds of wildebeest, zebra and buffalo migrate to better grazing areas. You could observe some of the 1.5 million wildebeest that inhabit the Serengeti undertake their epic journey. Be advised this is most likely the hottest time of year in Tanzania, when even the locals complain about the heat. You've been warned! .

VISA

Visas for research will only be granted after the Commission has cleared the applicant for Science and Technology (COSTECH):
P.O. Box 4302, Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania.
Tel.: 255-22-270.0750 or 270.0745
Fax: 255-22-275.313
E-mail: // \n

No visa is required for stays of less than 3 months for citizens of Namibia, Romania, Rwanda, Hong Kong, Malaysia and all commonwealth member states (except the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, Bangladesh, New Zealand, Nigeria, IndiaSouth Africa). A Tourist Visa costs back US$50 or US$100 for a three-month single entry and a three-month double entry visa, respectively. The visa can be obtained upon landing in Dar es Salaam, Kilimanjaro, Mwanza and ports of entry. Be advised that the wait can be especially long if your flight arrives at the same time with other international flights. Visas are valid for the duration from the date of issuance. However, obtaining a visa before arrival is highly recommended. Holders of a US passport can only obtain a US$100 multiple-entry visa. US travellers departing from the U.S. can pay US$20 for a rush service, which takes three working days. The website of Tanzania Embassy in the U.S. gives the current requirements, [2]. Visas may also be obtained from any of Tanzania's diplomatic mission abroad.

Note: The Ministries of Health in Tanzania and Zanzibar changed their yellow fever policies in 2012. Yellow fever vaccination is required for all travelers from yellow fever endemic countries/regions. All individuals in transit for twelve (12) hours or more and/or who leave the immediate airport vicinity in a yellow fever endemic area are required to show proof of vaccination upon arrival in any port of debarkation here in Tanzania. Direct arrivals from non-endemic countries in Europe and North America are not required to show the certificate. Please refer to the CDC website for a list of yellow fever endemic countries.

A valid passport and visa are required for travel to Tanzania. United States citizens with valid passports may obtain a visa either before arriving in Tanzania or at any port of entry staffed by immigration officials. The U.S. Embassy highly recommends that U.S. citizens obtain their visas before arriving in Tanzania to avoid potentially long delays at entry points. The current fee for a visa is $100 for a 12-month multiple-entry tourist visa. Some border posts and embassies may make hand-written annotations on the computer printed visa due to technical difficulties. Passports should be valid for a minimum of six months beyond the visa issuance date. Be prepared to show your passport when entering or departing Zanzibar.

Tanzanian law governing visa categories is very strict. Volunteer activity – even if the traveler is paying for the opportunity – is prohibited on a tourist visa. U.S. citizens who are traveling to Tanzania for short or long-term volunteer and research projects should ensure they have the right type of visa through careful coordination with by working with the sponsoring organization before entering the country. Contact the Embassy of Tanzania in Washington, D.C. prior to departure to obtain the most current visa information. Read the page on visas and immigration to ensure you will have the correct status during your visit to Tanzania.

Dar es Salaam: 255 (0) 22 2850575/6
Zanzibar: 255 (0) 24 223 9148

Maintain control of your U.S. passport while in Tanzania. If you do not have the right type of visa and entry stamp when you leave Tanzania, you may need to visit the immigration office, incurring possible delays and financial obligations.

HIV/AIDS restrictions: The U.S. Department of State is unaware of any HIV/AIDS entry restrictions for visitors to or foreign residents of Tanzania.

For further information about customs regulations, please read our Customs Information Sheet.

MEDICAL FACILITIES AND HEALTH INFORMATION:

Medical facilities are limited and medicines are sometimes unavailable, even in Dar es Salaam. There are hospitals and clinics on Zanzibar capable of treating minor ailments, but, for anything serious, return to Dar es Salaam or travel to Nairobi or South Africa. If you are climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro, the Tanzanian capacity for emergency medical response is extremely limited and you may need to descend the mountain on your own to get help. For any significant medical problem in Dar es Salaam, travelers should travel to Nairobi or South Africa where more advanced medical care is available. U.S. citizens are advised to travel with asufficient supply of prescription medication. Pharmacies (known as "duka la dawa") may carry recognizable brands, but the supply is inconsistent.

Food and Water:

While on trip in Tanzania make sure that you drink bottled water, there are many brands available at every retail shop/kiosk. Make sure that if you eat on streets the food is hot; avoid eating salads, juices on streets because it’s likely that they were not prepared in a hygienic way. Most standard and high-end restaurants prepare their food at required hygienic standards so you shouldn't worry about eating anything there. But be advised that if you are not sure of what you ordered don't eat it. Most places you will eat during your organized safari measures and research has been made by your trip organizer to make sure that the food meets the required standard for you to eat. Mainly each safaris organizer will make sure that both dietary requirements are taken care during your trip.

VACCINATIONS

All travelers
You should be up to date on routine vaccinations while traveling to any destination. Some vaccines may also be required for travel.
Routine vaccines / Make sure you are up-to-date on routine vaccines before every trip. These vaccines include measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, diphtheria-pertussis-tetanus vaccine, varicella (chickenpox) vaccine, and your yearly flu shot. /
Most travelers
Get travel vaccines and medicines because there is a risk of these diseases in the country you are visiting.
Hepatitis A / CDC recommends this vaccine because you can get hepatitis A through contaminated food or water in Tanzania, regardless of where you are eating or staying. /
Polio / You may need a polio vaccine before your trip to Tanzania. If you were vaccinated against polio as a child but have never had an additional dose as an adult, you should get an additional dose. Adults need only one additional dose in their lives. If you were not vaccinated as a child, talk to your doctor about getting vaccinated.
If visiting Tanzania with children, it is especially important to make sure they are up-to-date on their routine polio vaccinations. /
Typhoid / You can get typhoid through contaminated food or water in Tanzania. CDC recommends this vaccine for most travelers, especially if you are staying with friends or relatives, visiting smaller cities or rural areas, or if you are an adventurous eater. /
Some travelers
Ask your doctor what vaccines and medicines you need based on where you are going, how long you are staying, what you will be doing, and if you are traveling from a country other than the US.
Hepatitis B / You can get hepatitis B through sexual contact, contaminated needles, and blood products, so CDC recommends this vaccine if you might have sex with a new partner, get a tattoo or piercing, or have any medical procedures. /
Malaria / Talk to your doctor about how to prevent malaria while traveling. You may need to take prescription medicine before, during, and after your trip to prevent malaria, especially if you are visiting low-altitude areas. See more detailed information about malaria in Tanzania. /
Rabies / Rabies can be found in dogs, bats, and other mammals in Tanzania, so CDC recommends this vaccine for the following groups:
  • Travelers involved in outdoor and other activities (such as camping, hiking, biking, adventure travel, and caving) that put them at risk for animal bites.
  • People who will be working with or around animals (such as veterinarians, wildlife professionals, and researchers).
  • People who are taking long trips or moving to Tanzania
  • Children, because they tend to play with animals, might not report bites, and are more likely to have animal bites on their head and neck.
/
Yellow Fever / Health recommendation: CDC does not recommend yellow fever vaccine for most travelers to Tanzania. However, you might consider this vaccine if you are staying a long time or will be heavily exposed to mosquitoes.
Country entry requirement: The government of Tanzania requires proof of yellow fever vaccination upon arrival if you are traveling from a country with risk of yellow fever (this does not include the US - see complete list: Countries with risk of yellow fever virus (YFV) transmission. )
For more information on recommendations and requirements, see yellow fever recommendations and requirements for Tanzania. Your doctor can help you decide if this vaccine is right for you based on your travel plans. /

THREATS TO SAFETY AND SECURITY: