Tanzania (TZ)

East African expat base with Swahili-English daily life, Indian Ocean access, major safari and NGO sectors, growing mining and energy work, and relatively low local costs offset by permit, insurance, school, and hard-currency housing expenses.

Capital: Dodoma

Region: Africa

Language: Swahili

Currency: TZS (TSh)

Cost of living: Very affordable (index 27)

Emergency: 112

Education & Schools

Schools, universities, and language courses in Tanzania.

👶 Childcare & Kindergarten

Local daycare / nursery TSh 150,000-600,000

Age: 6 months-5 years

Visit in person, inspect hygiene/security, provide vaccination records and emergency contacts.

⏱️ Good centres near expat neighbourhoods fill quickly at school-year starts.

Private preschool TSh 500,000-2,500,000+

Age: 2-6 years

Application form, passport/birth certificate, vaccination records, assessment or interview.

⏱️ Apply 6-12 months early for popular Dar, Arusha, Moshi, and Zanzibar schools.

Nanny / housekeeper-nanny TSh 250,000-800,000+ plus food/transport/leave depending duties

Age: Infant-school age

Use references, written contract, ID copy, probation period, and clear working hours.

⏱️ Personal referrals are safer than anonymous online posts.

🏫 Schools

Public and private primary Free

Shule ya msingi

Ages: Approx 7-13 · Language: Swahili in public primary; English or international curricula in private/international schools

Public schools use local registration; expats usually choose private/international schools requiring passports, prior records, vaccination records, fees, and assessment.

Public schools are low-cost but rarely chosen by short-term expat families because of language, class size, and curriculum continuity.

Public, private, and international secondary Free

Shule ya sekondari

Ages: Approx 14-18 · Language: English is more common at secondary level; international schools use IB, British, American, or Cambridge curricula.

Submit prior transcripts, passport, residence documents, vaccination records, assessment, and term fees.

International schools can be expensive and may invoice in USD or USD-linked TZS.

International Schools

Main options include International School of Tanganyika (IST, Dar; 2025/26 fees: USD 18,000 Early Childhood, USD 26,300 K–Grade 5, USD 30,500 Grades 6–8, USD 32,400 Grades 9–10, USD 37,300 IB Grades 11–12 — plus capital/registration fees), Haven of Peace Academy, Dar es Salaam International Academy, Braeburn Dar es Salaam (fees in TZS), Kennedy House, St Constantine International School (Arusha), International School Moshi, and Zanzibar International School. Annual fees range from USD 5,000 (community/budget schools) to USD 37,300+ (IST IB level).

University

Tuition fee

Public universities are lower-cost for citizens; international/private programmes vary widely from a few thousand USD to higher professional fees.

Semester fee

Varies by institution and programme.

Student visa

Student visa/pass or residence route required depending programme length. Immigration guidelines list student visa fees from USD 50 to higher amounts depending duration/category.

Health insurance

Universities may require medical cover; private insurance is strongly recommended for foreign students.

Application process

Apply directly or through relevant admissions systems; foreign certificates may require verification and translations.

🗣️ Language Courses

Swahili private lessons

Provider: Private tutors, language schools, universities, NGOs · Duration: Flexible · Levels: Beginner to advanced

TSh 20,000-80,000/hour or package pricing

Most useful investment for everyday life, fieldwork, and integration.

University Swahili courses

Provider: University of Dar es Salaam and other institutions · Duration: Short intensive to semester courses · Levels: Beginner to academic

Varies by programme

Good for researchers, diplomats, NGO staff, and serious learners.

Community language exchange

Provider: Meetup, churches, mosques, expat groups, NGOs · Duration: Ongoing · Levels: Conversation practice

Free to low-cost

Pair with formal lessons for grammar.

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