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Voykit pocket guide · Tanzania

Tanga

Spend 1–2 days in Tanga for Amboni Caves, the museum and a beach swim; not a base for longer trips.

Tanga is a small coastal town in northeast Tanzania. A day or two lets you see the Amboni Caves, the historic Urithi Tanga Museum and enjoy a swim at Raskazone. Transport is limited, so plan arrivals early.

BagamoyoBiharamuloBukobaChake ChakeDar es SalaamDodomaIringaJambianiKaratuKateshKendwaKigomaKilwaKondoaTanga200 kmdots: other places in this guide
Sketch, not to navigate by: shapes follow this guide’s areas and places, not official boundaries. North is up.
Country
Tanzania
Best months
Jun–Oct
Avoid
Apr–May (rainy)
Stay
1–2 nights

Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.

Essentials

Currency
TZS
Money
Currency is the Tanzanian shilling (TZS). Tourism is still quoted in US dollars, but since 2025 the central bank requires local transactions to be priced and paid in shillings — check how your lodge bills; dollar notes older than 2013 or damaged are refused.
Daily spend
Budget TSh 30,000–45,000 excl. bed · Mid TSh 45,000–70,000 excl. bed (estimate; check)
SIM and data
Vodacom, Airtel, Yas (Tigo) and Halotel sell SIMs at airports; registration takes fingerprints and a passport.
Emergency
Police, fire, ambulance 112
Plugs
Types D, G · 230 V · 50 Hz · UK three-pin is most common; some older round-pin sockets.
Tipping
Safari guide: About US$15–25 per vehicle per day from the group — check.; Kilimanjaro crew: About 10–15% of the climb price, shared per a published scale — check your operator's guide.; Camp staff box: About US$10 per guest per day.; Restaurant: 5–10% where no service charge.
Water
Not drinkable from the tap; lodges provide filtered water.
Toilets
Western in hotels and lodges; long-drops at some gates and picnic sites; squat toilets at bus stops.

What things cost

ItemPrice
CoffeeTSh 500–800
Fish dish at beach restaurantTSh 2,000–3,500
Matatu (local bus) short rideTSh 200–500
Tanga‑Dar es Salaam busTSh 13,000

Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.

Get in

By air

TGT · Tanga Airport
Domestic flights; check schedules

Typical fares

Tanga ↔ Dar es Salaam bus
about TSh 13,000, 6 h (check)
Tanga ↔ Lushoto bus
about TSh 8,000, 4 h
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card

Get around

Walkable town centre; local matatus and taxis for longer trips; bus station offers connections to Dar es Salaam (≈6 h) and Lushoto (≈4 h).

See and do

Known for

  • Amboni Caves
  • Urithi Tanga Museum
  • Raskazone Swimming Club
  • Coastal beach

Day trips

WhereHowTime
LushotoMatatu from Tanga bus station, about 4 h≈5 h total

Sleep

Sea View Inn
Double rooms TSh 35,000, breakfast included, central location
New Tanga Hotel
Single room TSh 12,000, basic amenities
Mississippi Hotel
Single room TSh 15,000, modest
Panori Hotel
Double room TSh 30,000, 3 km (1.9 mi) from centre

Phrase card

EnglishSay or show
HelloJambojambo
How much?Ni kiasi?ni kiasi?
Where is the bus station?Kituo cha basi kiko wapi?kituo cha basi kiko wapi?

Etiquette, safety and scams

Etiquette

  • Greeting: 'Shikamoo' to elders, a handshake and small talk first; avoid: Rushing straight to business
  • Hands: Right hand for eating, giving and receiving; avoid: Using the left hand
  • Dress on Zanzibar: Cover shoulders and knees in town; avoid: Beachwear in Stone Town
  • Photos: Ask first; pay agreed fees in Maasai bomas; avoid: Photographing women on Zanzibar without asking
  • Affection: Keep it private; avoid: Kissing in public, especially on Zanzibar
  • Pace: 'Pole pole' — slow down; avoid: Showing anger in public

Scams and watch-outs

  • Bus schedules change; confirm times at the station.
  • Nighttime beach areas can be poorly lit; keep valuables secure.

Generally safe during daylight; exercise usual caution after dark, especially near the waterfront.

One and two days

No timed day plan for Tanga yet. Suggested stay: 1–2 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.

  • Amboni Caves
  • Urithi Tanga Museum
  • Raskazone Swimming Club
  • Coastal beach

Sources

Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.

Pocket card

Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.

Tanga

Tafadhali nenda hapa

To this address, please

My hotel (write the name and address in the local script)

  • Police, fire, ambulance112

US Embassy in Dar es Salaam (check address).

Voykit · checked 2026-09

Printed from Voykit (/tanga). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.