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Tanzania Entry Requirements for South African Passport Holders

✓ Visa Free — No visa required for your passport
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0–0d Processing

South Africans do not need a Tanzania e-visa

Until October 2026 this page told South Africans to buy a USD 50 Tanzania e-visa. Tanzania's own visa guidelines exempt SADC nationals, South Africa included, and the exemption has applied since 2013. Zanzibar's insurance is still compulsory. Corrected 23 October 2026.

Last checked October 2026 — rules on this route can change at short notice, so confirm with your airline and the destination's immigration authority before you book or fly.

Quick Facts

Requirement Visa Free
Visa Fee
Processing Time 0–0 working days
Appointment Wait ~ weeks
Stay Duration Up to 90 days

Tanzania — the Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Kilimanjaro and Zanzibar — needs no visa from South Africans: SADC nationals are exempt, for up to 90 days a year. Zanzibar's USD 44 insurance is the only thing to buy before you fly.

Key Warnings

  • Sites selling a 'Tanzania e-visa' to South Africans are charging for something you do not need — SADC nationals are visa-exempt.
  • Zanzibar requires inbound travel insurance from every visitor — USD 44 per adult, bought before travel at visitzanzibar.go.tz. The QR code is checked at immigration. It applies even if you have a visa, and even if your mainland Tanzania arrangements are complete.
  • Malaria prophylaxis is essential for ALL Tanzania travel — including Zanzibar. Begin medication as prescribed by your doctor before departure.
  • Safari high season (July–October) requires advance lodge/camp bookings — many premium camps sell out 6–12 months ahead.

Insider Tips

  • Combine the Serengeti and Zanzibar in one trip — the classic 'bush and beach' circuit beloved by South Africans. Fly Dar es Salaam or Kilimanjaro, do the safari, then fly to Zanzibar for the beach.
  • The Great Wildebeest Migration crosses the Serengeti July–October. This is Tanzania's peak season — book far ahead and budget for higher rates.
  • Direct flights from Johannesburg to Kilimanjaro (JRO) and Dar es Salaam (DAR) with SAA, Kenya Airways (via Nairobi), Ethiopian Airlines, and FlySafair.

Step-by-Step Guide

  1. Check your passport

    Six months' validity beyond your stay and a blank page. South Africans need no visa for Tanzania — there is nothing to apply for at eservices.immigration.go.tz.

  2. Buy Zanzibar's insurance if the island is on the trip

    USD 44 per adult at visitzanzibar.go.tz before travel; the QR code is checked on arrival in Zanzibar. South Africans are exempt from the mainland charge as SADC nationals.

  3. Carry a return ticket

    Tanzania's visa guidelines require visitors to show a return ticket at the point of entry, visa-exempt or not.

  4. Plan around 90 days a year

    The exemption covers up to 90 days in a year. Longer stays need a pass from Tanzania Immigration.

Required Documents

  • Valid South African passport Must be valid for at least 6 months beyond entry date. Minimum 2 blank pages required.
  • Confirmed return or onward flight ticket Tanzania requires visitors to show a return ticket at the point of entry.
  • Hotel or accommodation confirmation Hotel booking or safari camp confirmation for your Tanzania stay.
  • Zanzibar inbound travel insurance (if visiting Zanzibar) USD 44 per adult, bought before travel at visitzanzibar.go.tz. The QR code is checked at immigration.

Recommended (Optional)

  • Yellow fever certificate Not required for direct travel from South Africa. Strongly recommended to carry as it may be requested on entry to certain areas.

No visa application is made on this route, so there is no refusal rate. Entry can still be declined at the border.

Latest Updates

2026-10

Correction: South Africans are visa-exempt for Tanzania

Tanzania's Visa Guidelines (Immigration Services, September 2026) list the nationals not required to apply for a visa: EAC members, SADC members except Comoros, and Commonwealth countries except the UK, Canada, India, Pakistan, Australia and New Zealand. South Africa's exemption took effect on 1 July 2013 and South Africa's own reciprocity list records it as 90 days a year. This page showed a USD 50 e-visa until October 2026.

2024-10

Zanzibar requires USD 44 travel insurance bought before arrival

Zanzibar requires every visitor to hold inbound travel insurance, USD 44 per adult and USD 22 for children aged 2 to 17, bought before travel at visitzanzibar.go.tz. A QR code is issued and checked at immigration on arrival. It is separate from the visa and from mainland Tanzania — a South African traveller flying straight to Zanzibar needs it even though nothing on the mainland leg suggests so. Only the government portal is official.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do South Africans need a visa for Tanzania?
No. Tanzania's Immigration Services exempt SADC nationals, South Africa included, from applying for a visa; the exemption for South Africans has applied since 1 July 2013 and covers up to 90 days a year. Bring a return ticket, and buy Zanzibar's USD 44 insurance if you are going to the island.
Do South Africans need a separate visa for Zanzibar?
No. Zanzibar is part of Tanzania and South Africans need no visa for either. Zanzibar does require its own inbound travel insurance — USD 44 per adult, bought before travel at visitzanzibar.go.tz.
How much does it cost South Africans to enter Tanzania?
There is no visa fee. The only compulsory charge is Zanzibar's inbound travel insurance, USD 44 per adult, for visitors to the island.
Is malaria a risk in Tanzania for South Africans?
Yes — malaria is present throughout Tanzania, including Zanzibar, the Serengeti, Ngorongoro, and coastal areas. Malaria prophylaxis is strongly recommended for all Tanzania travel. Consult your travel health clinic before departure and begin medication as prescribed.

Data Sources & Verification

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