The people in Tanzania are relaxed and friendly, yet it is important to observe certain formalities, especially with greetings. It is advisable to learn a few Swahili catch phrases when greeting, followed by a handshake. Women and men rarely shake hands in the Swahili culture, however if the woman extends her hand, the man is obliged to offer his. Tanzanians are to be addressed as Mr., Mrs., and Ms. followed by the family name. Business dress is seldom very formal, however lightweight suits are recommended for formal occasions. Business hours are similar to Western countries, but a longer lunch break is taken during the hotter months and business continues later in the evening on weekdays.

As for communications, the international country dialling code for Tanzania and for Zanzibar is +255. The outgoing code is 000, followed by the relevant country code (e.g., 00027 for South Africa). City/area codes are in use, e.g., (0)24 for Zanzibar and (0)22 for Dar Es Salaam.

International calls made from rural areas may have to go through the operator. Mobile phones work in the main urban areas and in Zanzibar; the network operators use GSM 900 and 1800 networks. Travellers should contact their service provider to ensure they have international roaming. You may wish to avoid making telephone calls from hotels as they can charge as much as $10 per minute. Internet cafes are available in the main towns and resorts.