Car rental in Tanzania

Tanzania's major national parks, such as Serengeti and Ngorongoro, are located far from each other and from coastal resorts like Zanzibar. Public transportation between regions is limited, and domestic flights significantly increase travel costs. Renting a car in Tanzania provides an excellent solution for organizing a holiday that includes safari zones and coastal areas.

Why Rent a Car Through Localrent

Booking a vehicle through Localrent simplifies trip preparation considerably, offering several advantages:

1. Many vehicles feature actual photographs in their listings.
   
2. The flexible filter system allows you to select cars by class, brand, and required features.
   
3. Free delivery within city limits is available for many vehicles.
   
4. Most offers have no mileage restrictions, ideal for extended routes.
   
5. Booking requires only a partial prepayment of 15-20%, with the remainder paid when collecting the vehicle.

This rental format minimizes unexpected situations and allows you to choose from an extensive fleet rather than whatever happens to be available at the office.

Requirements for Renting a Car in Tanzania

To rent a vehicle, you'll need a passport or ID and a valid driver's license. The license must be either in Latin script or an international driving permit.

Rental companies assist with arranging this document for an additional fee.

Rental conditions vary by vehicle, typically requiring drivers to be at least 20 years old with a minimum of 1 year driving experience. When selecting a car through filters, specify your age and driving experience—Localrent will display available options.

Traffic Rules and Driving in Tanzania

Tanzania follows left-hand traffic. This is the main adjustment required, particularly at intersections and when exiting parking areas.

Speed limits vary depending on road type:

• Urban areas: 40-60 km/h
• Rural highways: 80-90 km/h
• National parks: 35-50 km/h

Watch for speed bumps, frequently installed at village entrances, often appearing without warning signs.

Road quality in Tanzania ranges from good asphalt in tourist zones to narrow dirt roads in rural areas. Main routes, such as those on Zanzibar from Stone Town to Nungwi or Paje, typically have decent surfaces.

Local driving style can be characterized as spontaneous. Expect drivers to stop abruptly without signaling or make maneuvers without warning. Roads have many pedestrians, cyclists, and occasionally animals, especially when passing through villages. Road signs aren't installed everywhere—navigation apps will be your most reliable tool.

Night driving in Tanzania is not recommended. Many roads have poor lighting, and pedestrians and animals on roadways become virtually invisible.

Petrol Stations in Tanzania

You won't find self-service stations in Tanzania. Uniformed staff perform all fueling tasks for you. Payment occurs after fueling is complete, when the total amount is stated. Cash payment in shillings is standard; card acceptance is limited.

Before fueling begins, check the pump display. Ensure it shows 0.00 liters and 0.00 cost—this prevents you from paying for the previous customer's fuel.

Tipping, typically 1,000-2,000 shillings, isn't mandatory but is widely practiced as appreciation for service, particularly if the attendant cleans your windows.

Fuel during daylight hours when possible. Choose major, well-lit stations. On Zanzibar and the mainland, several major operators exist, such as Puma Energy, Oryx Energies, and TotalEnergies. These stations generally offer higher fuel quality and honest service.

Parking in Tanzania

In Tanzanian cities, you'll rarely encounter familiar multi-level car parks. Parking typically involves interaction with people rather than machines. Parking usually consists of a roadside area or space near a shopping center monitored by an attendant. Rather than searching for a payment machine, a uniformed person or someone wearing a badge will approach your vehicle—payment is typically made before departure.

Pay attention to road signs indicating permitted parking times and methods. Always choose well-lit and guarded parking areas, especially overnight.

Hotel guest parking is generally free and often secured. When on safari in national parks, park only in designated areas, such as viewpoints or picnic zones.

How to Book a Car in Tanzania

Begin by specifying your desired rental dates on the Localrent website. Then:

1. Use filters to specify transmission type, vehicle class, engine size, and other characteristics important to you.
   
2. Open the listing for your preferred option—note included mileage, insurance details, and available payment methods.
   
3. Add necessary options such as child seats or additional drivers.
   
4. Specify collection time and location, enter personal details—driver information, contact phone, and email address.
   
5. You'll pay a deposit online by bank card—typically 15-20% of the total amount.

Booking confirmation with order details will arrive via email. This voucher must be presented when collecting the vehicle along with original documents.

What to See in Tanzania

Tanzania is a large country with a well-developed network of paved roads, and many interesting places are accessible by car. Seeing everything in one trip is challenging, but here are the most notable locations—definitely visit these sites if you're nearby:

1. Dar es Salaam. The country's largest metropolis and center of Swahili culture. Visit the bustling Kariakoo Market, see the historic Azania Front Lutheran Church, and observe zebras and antelopes at nearby Pande Game Reserve.
2. Mikumi National Park with wild animals. On its plains, you can easily spot lions, giraffes, zebras, and large elephant herds. This park offers an excellent option for a brief safari.
3. Arusha—the starting point for exploring the northern region. In Arusha, visit the lively Maasai Market for souvenirs and head to a coffee plantation to learn about coffee growing and processing.
4. Stone Town on Zanzibar—a labyrinth of narrow streets with Arabian mansions, bazaars, and souvenir shops. Main attractions include the Sultan's Palace, Anglican Cathedral, and an 18th-century fort. In the evening, a vibrant market with local snacks opens at the Forodhani Gardens waterfront.
5. Kalambo Falls on the Zambia border—one of Africa's highest waterfalls. It drops from a sheer cliff into a deep gorge, creating an impressive spectacle, particularly during the rainy season. The surrounding area is a natural forest reserve.

If nature and solitude appeal more to you, add the Ngorongoro Crater to your route, where nearly all African megafauna can be observed within a small area. For cultural and historical exploration, visit the town of Lushoto in the Usambara Mountains, where traces of the Wasambara Kingdom remain and scenic valleys unfold.

Where to Rent a Car in Tanzania

You can rent a car in Tanzania through Localrent at main tourist locations like Zanzibar and Jambiani. When booking, you independently select convenient collection and return locations from available options.

Tips for Those Planning to Rent a Car in Tanzania

To ensure a safe and comfortable trip, consider the features of Tanzanian traffic and road conditions.

Choose Your Vehicle Based on Your Route

When planning your trip, determine the necessary vehicle type in advance. For city and resort travel, a compact, economical car like the Toyota Ist is suitable.

If your plans include visiting national parks, a four-wheel-drive crossover such as the Suzuki Escudo or Toyota RAV4 would be more appropriate.

Be Prepared for Frequent Police Checks

On Tanzanian roads, particularly between cities, you may encounter police checkpoints. Always keep a complete document set ready: valid driver's license, passport, and rental agreement. Remain calm and courteous when communicating with officers.

Adapt to Local Road Etiquette

Driving style in Tanzania may seem chaotic. Expect other drivers to frequently use headlight signals for communication: a brief flash of high beams may indicate a warning about police ahead or a request to yield. In cities, exercise increased caution regarding pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcycles, which typically don't signal maneuvers.

Use Offline Maps

Road signs in many Tanzanian areas are infrequent or absent entirely, and mobile network coverage beyond major cities is unstable. Before traveling, download regional maps, for example in Maps.me or Google Maps. This helps you navigate confidently even without internet access and find alternative routes if the main road becomes washed out after rain.

Be Ready for Road Obstacles

Maintain vigilance at all times, especially when traveling on rural and suburban roads. Beyond typical potholes, domestic animals like cows or goats, or even wild animals near reserves, may suddenly appear on roadways. In villages, children may play right by the road. Reduce speed when passing through populated areas and be prepared for sudden braking.

Questions and Answers About Car Rental in Tanzania