🇹🇿
Essential apps for
Tanzania
SwahiliTZS5 apps
Tanzania has M-Pesa too. Uber and Bolt operate in Dar es Salaam. WhatsApp essential for safari and Kilimanjaro operators.
🔌
Power & Plug
TypeD / G
Voltage230V
Freq50Hz
British plug standard; some older Indian-style outlets exist.
💬
Basic phrases
Swahili
- HelloJamboJAHM-boh
- Thank youAsanteah-SAHN-teh
- Excuse me / SorrySamahanisah-mah-HAH-nee
- YesNdiyon-DEE-yoh
- NoHapanahah-PAH-nah
+10 more below
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Tipping
Tipping is expected in tourism: budget roughly $10-20 per day for safari guides and a few dollars for porters and drivers. In restaurants, 5-10% is appreciated where no service charge applies.
🚖Rideshare & Taxi
See all →💳Payments & Wallets
See all →🗺️Navigation & Maps
See all →Phrases
All Swahili phrases
Hello
Jambo
JAHM-boh
Thank you
Asante
ah-SAHN-teh
Excuse me / Sorry
Samahani
sah-mah-HAH-nee
Yes
Ndiyo
n-DEE-yoh
No
Hapana
hah-PAH-nah
Please
Tafadhali
tah-fah-DHAH-lee
Goodbye
Kwaheri
kwah-HEH-ree
How much?
Bei gani?
BAY GAH-nee
Where is the bathroom?
Choo kiko wapi?
CHOH KEE-koh WAH-pee
The check, please
Naomba bili
nah-OHM-bah BEE-lee
I don't understand
Sielewi
see-eh-LEH-wee
Do you speak English?
Unazungumza Kiingereza?
oo-nah-zoon-GOOM-zah kee-een-geh-REH-zah
Help!
Msaada!
m-sah-AH-dah
Delicious
Kitamu
kee-TAH-moo
Cheers
Afya!
AHF-yah
Briefing
What to know before you go
✓ Do
- Greet people before any request; a warm 'Jambo' or 'Habari' is expected
- Use your right hand for handshakes, giving, and receiving
- Dress modestly, especially in Zanzibar and other Muslim areas; cover shoulders and knees
- Ask permission before photographing people, particularly Maasai
- Show respect to elders, who are greeted with 'Shikamoo'
- Accept hospitality such as tea or food graciously
✕Don't
- Don't photograph people, especially the Maasai, without asking and often paying
- Don't show public displays of affection, which are frowned upon
- Don't wear revealing clothing in Zanzibar's villages and Stone Town
- Don't photograph government buildings, airports, or military sites
⚠️ Common scams to know
- 'Flying guides' or fake safari operators taking deposits and disappearing
- Street touts and 'flycatchers' in Arusha and Zanzibar pushing overpriced tours
- Inflated taxi fares with no meters, especially from airports and tourist hubs
- Vendors at markets quoting hugely inflated 'tourist prices' for crafts
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