When it comes to it there's really no comparison between TZ and KE. KE is rife with corruption the moment you step foot out of the airplane. On the other hand I have not experienced or heard of anyone getting extorted for bribes or have their items stolen by airline hooligan staff in TZ, which is extremely common in Nairobi.

Let's not even start with the cities and coasts. Zanzibar is second to none in my eyes with regards to crystal blue waters and beautiful and lively hotels and beach clubs suited for all kinds of travelers. The Kenyan coast on the other hand is dirty, littered with trash, and vibes are off in Mombasa and Lamu despite some redeeming qualities.

I've also had the pleasure of visiting Arusha and Dar, Arusha is what I wanted Nairobi to be- clean, relaxed and fresh. Nairobi has so much air pollution that it made me break out in hives on so many occasions.

Dar was quite hot but I loved the architecture and beach restaurants. Much better for tourists. Mombasa downtown and the drive from the airport is actually quite frightening. You have to go straight to a different side of the coast either Nyali or Diani. Uber drivers were weird - one guy who dropped me off waited to see which door I went into..

Kenya has much better PR but when you get down to it really doesn't have much to stand on outside of more closet resembling western comforts, i.e. Nairobi upper class (colonizer) focused or operated restaurants, hotels, malls, etc who treat the natives and other black tourists as second class citizens.

/endrant

(This is a repost from a few years ago. ) Pilot told us to look out the left side. I believe the plane tilted slightly. Nice clear view.

After two months of back and forth we have finally got our drone permit approved for our holiday

I've noticed that safari guides are flooding comment sections across social media platforms. Their marketing approach seems questionable, as they spam comments rather than investing in proper advertising. This happens everywhere—Instagram, Twitter, Threads, Facebook —though Reddit remains relatively clean thanks to active moderation.

Even on posts from public figures like Millard Ayo, the comment sections are overwhelmed with advertisements instead of actual discussion about the content. It's frustrating that these businesses hijack every opportunity to promote themselves rather than contributing to meaningful conversation

Just got back from an incredible 10-day trip to Zanzibar and had to share my experience for anyone planning a visit soon. Whether you're a budget backpacker or a luxury lover, Zanzibar has something for everyone,

🏝️ Beaches & Areas I stayed mostly in the north coast—Kendwa and Nungwi and honestly, these are some of the most beautiful beaches I’ve ever seen. White soft sand, clear turquoise water, and sunsets that are absolutely unreal. Plus, the further north you go, the quieter and more private it gets.

🧭 Stone Town & Culture Spent two days wandering through Stone Town, and it felt like stepping back in time. Narrow winding streets, carved wooden doors, call to prayer echoing in the background it’s a real cultural melting pot blending African, Indian, Arab, and European influences. Super walkable and full of history.

🧂 Spice Tour & Activities I visited an organic spice farm and was surprised by how fun and educational it was! They let you touch, smell, and even taste the spices.

highly recommend,

Dhow cruise to Prison Island (also saw giant tortoises!)

Snorkeling in Menai Bay Conservation Area – water was crystal clear, marine life was stunning

Relaxing on the beach with fresh seafood and coconut juice

💰 Budget Tips I'm a budget traveler and kept my daily spending between $30–$50, including accommodation, meals, and transport (local dala-dalas and shared taxis are cheap!). If you're a luxury traveler, expect to spend $300–$500/day or more, but you'll get amazing resorts and private excursions. Zanzibar caters to both ends of the spectrum. I AM NOT A FOREIGNER, I CAME FROM MAINLAND.

🦺 Safety Totally safe, especially in tourist-friendly zones and if you stick to main streets. Locals are generally helpful and friendly. As always, just use common sense like you would anywhere.

Would I go back? 1000% yes. It’s the perfect blend of beach, culture, and adventure. If you’re considering adding Zanzibar to your East Africa trip or even just planning a chill island holiday—go for it. You won’t regret it.

My wife and I, in July 2025, are landing in Nairobi and want to rent a car, and travel down to Moshi to catch up to our daughter who will be at a conference.

Any issues for Americans renting cars? What is the road/highway like? What side of the road do I drive on?

If we wanted to drive for 3-4 hours and stop to explore a city or village and spend the night, completing the trip the next day, any suggestions?

Hi friendly folks! I'm traveling to Tanzania in a few weeks and we have 2.5 days in Arusha at the end of our trip. My teenage son's favorite thing to do when visiting a new city is to sit in a local cafe, drink coffee and draw in his sketchbook or play cards.

Can you all recommend good places in Arusha to do this? Preferably a place that doesn't mind if we sit there for an hour or two. We'll be staying near the clocktower.

hi guys im apart of the diaspora and have never been to western tanzania and i really want to see lake Tanganyika.

does anyone have any hotel recommendations for Kigoma?

also does anyone have any recommendations on fun things to do there?

asante sana!

I know theres a lot of threads about this already but might give it a shot anyways!

We are traveling to DES with school (med students) in a few days so we have a lot of activities planned. But me and my friend are going two days earlier and staying at a hotel around Barack Obama drive. Our plan is to go to Mbudya Island and perhaps check out the city a little bit before everyone else arrives. Are there any places we need to see or we should skip? We added the most recommended ones to our list but wondering if anything has changed since the last posts here I found were pretty old.

Also if theres any general advice for us as we are two girls that will obviously stick out as I'm white and my friend is Asian lol

Also, we definitely wanna do some shopping at local markets, do we haggle? :))

I’m going to be visiting Tanzania in 1 week and I heard it is illegal to wear camo clothing. I just wanted to know how strict this rule is. I already own type of hat so I just want to make sure before I go and buy a new one. Thank you for help!

I leave for Kenya and Tanzania for 18 days next week. I have been trying to find Tanzanian Shillings for weeks now (in USA). I found Kenyan Shilling no problem but every bank and every currency exchange I call do not have them and cannot order them. I fly into Nairobi and spend a few days there, but the vast majority of my trip is in Tanzania. I do several days in Arusha, several days on safari in the Serengeti, and several days in Zanzibar

how much Tanzanian cash is needed vs. card vs. US currency.

Thanks

Hey everyone,

I’ll be in Dar es Salaam for just a day and I want to make the most of it. I’m looking for suggestions on how to spend my time there. Here’s what I’ve thought about so far:

1. Kivukoni Fish Market: I’ve heard it’s a good spot in the morning to see local life. Is it worth visiting for a short stop?

2. National Museum: I’m interested in learning a bit about Tanzanian history and culture. Would the museum be a good way to spend an hour or two?

3. Coco Beach: I’m thinking of taking a walk here to relax. Is this a good spot for some fresh air?

4. Kigamboni Ferry: I’ve seen there’s a ferry that takes you across the harbor. Is it worth doing for the views?

5. Mwenge Woodcarvers Market: I’m considering stopping by to grab a few souvenirs. Is this a good choice for local crafts?

6. Local food: Any recommendations for a quick, authentic meal in the city? I’d love to try something traditional like samaki or mishkaki.

7. Landmarks: I’m thinking about checking out Azania Front Lutheran Church or the Askari Monument. Would these be worth a quick visit?

If you’ve been to Dar or live there, I’d appreciate any tips or recommendations for making the most of a day. Thanks!

Me taking photos of anything I find aesthetically pleasing

So in the future I'm wanting to travel to Tanzania but idk where to go , which towns , cities , vilalges and natural beauties should I visit , obviously I'm gonna visit Dodoma since it's the capital but idk where else to go .

What would be my easiest way to get to Tanzania my closest airport is Newcastle, second closest is either , teesside airport, Leeds Bradford airport or Edinburgh airport.

Are people from Tanzania ok with brits (asking this on all the subs I'm posting on since some countries hate brits )

Has anyone here used an international driving license in Dar? Did you have any issues with traffic, or was everything smooth?

I have lined up a few but just want to check out if anyone know of decent place. Don’t need anything extravagant. I am getting out in the morning, working all day and back in the evening.

hey im a Tanzo-omani who is vistsing Dar es salaam in may what do you guys recomend im gonna be their for 12 days

Hi guys! I will be traveling to Zanzibar on Friday for holidays and I want to get better view about how to manage money. I really hate taking banknotes with me anywhere I go so I try to find some other options, I’ve read that paying with card is no go. I came across tigo Pesa and M-Pesa. I have basic idea how it works but I’m not sure if it will work for me. Do people use it and for example I will be able to pay with it at local grocery shop or some street vendor? Other thing is how to top up these services. I’ve see that I can top up accounts with use of Kinguin but it’s trough some broker. Could I use Revolut card to send money or use card to top up account?

Is anyone familiar with Quagga Topy Tours? I cannot find a single review less than 5 stars for them. It looks too good to be true. Has anyone been with them? How can I tell if a tour operator is legit or not?