Mbeya Tanzania Travel Guide
Tanzania offers several visa types. The most common for tourists is the Ordinary Visa (Single Entry). You can apply for an eVisa online through the official Tanzania Immigration website (immigration.go.tz). Processing typically takes 1 to 10 business days, so ensure to apply well ahead of time.
Visa on Arrival is available at major entry points, but pre-applying for an eVisa is highly recommended to avoid long queues and potential issues. Obtaining a visa from a Tanzanian the embassy or consulate in your home country of residence is another option.
Gather the following for your visa application and entry into Tanzania:
Valid passport (6 months validity beyond departure), passport-sized photos, completed visa application form, copy of return ticket, proof of sufficient funds (sometimes requested), and invitation letter or hotel booking.
Typically USD 50 for most nationalities.
USD 100 due to reciprocal agreements.
Online payment during application.
Cash (USD preferred, exact change useful) or credit card.
Present passport, visa, disembarkation card; biometrics may be collected.
No special permits for Mbeya; park fees for national green spaces are separate.
A Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate is required for all travelers aged 1 year and older who arrive from countries with a risk of Yellow Fever transmission. This also applies if you have transited through an airport in a Yellow Fever risk country for more than TWELVE hours.
Tanzania considers all its neighboring countries (Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, DR Congo, Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique) as Yellow Fever risk countries. Always carry your original Yellow Fever certificate with your passport.
Consult your doctor or a travel clinic well in advance (4-6 weeks) for medical recommendations.
Discuss routine vaccinations and others like Hepatitis A/B, Typhoid, Rabies.
Mbeya is a malaria-risk area. Antimalarial medication is highly recommended.
Find the most current health advice at a specific travel clinic.
Keep your original Yellow Fever certificate with your passport.
Mbeya is for the most part safer than some of Tanzania's larger cities, but petty crime is prevalent. Maintain vigilance, especially in crowded areas.
Common crimes include pickpocketing, bag snatching, and opportunistic theft. Exercise vigilance in crowded markets (Mwanjelwa Market), bus stations (Majengo Bus Terminal), and isolated or dimly lit areas after dark.
Tanzania lies in an active seismic zone, so minor tremors can occur. Heavy rainfall during the wet season (January-April) can lead to localized flooding and an increased risk of landslides in hilly areas.
Keep a physical and digital list of these contacts readily accessible.
