Electrical outlets in Tanzania: Do I need a travel adapter?

Adapter needed

Yes, you need a travel adapter (plug adapter) for a trip from the United States to Tanzania. In Tanzania, people are using different plugs and electrical outlets that are not compatible with plugs from the United States!

Tanzania und United States compared

United States

Outlets

120 VoltVoltage

60 HertzFrequency

Tanzania

Outlets

230 VoltVoltage

50 HertzFrequency

The best travel adapters

Looking for a travel adapter for your upcoming trips? We have taken a close look at all the best adapters, and these are our favorite models:

Recommended

A powerful travel adapter suitable for trips all around the world

USB charger included

Versatile adapter including USB ports to top up your smartphone's battery

Country information

Tanzania is a country in Africa (Eastern Africa) with about 51 Millionen inhabitants on an area of almost 947 000 km². The capital of Tanzania is Dodoma (181 000 inhabitants).

People in the country are mainly speaking Swahili, English and Arabic.

The neighbors of Tanzania are Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda, Uganda and Zambia.

TLD: .tzCurrency: TZSCountry calling code: +255Country Code : TZ

Power sockets

Tanzania uses electrical outlets of type D and G. Electrical outlets of type A and B, which are common in the United States, are not in use in Tanzania.

Outlets of type D

Outlets of type G

Mains voltage

The voltage in Tanzania is 230 volts.

The voltage, therefore, is higher than the 120 volts in the United States. This difference means that you have to be cautious when using electrical devices purchased in the United States:

You should read the instruction manual of your device and check at which voltage it is safe to use.

If the voltage stated in the user's manual or on the device's power supply differs from the mains voltage in Tanzania, you should either not use your device there, or buy a voltage converter before departing.

Utility frequency

The utility frequency in Tanzania is 50 Hertz.

The frequency, therefore, is lower than the 60 Hertz in use in the United States. This difference may not be a problem for most of your devices, but you still have to be cautious:

Devices that either measure time, or are equipped with moving and rotating parts, are particularly dangerous! So, if you plan to use shavers, heaters, kitchen appliances or alarm clocks in Tanzania, read the instruction manuals to see if these devices are safe to use on the local utility frequency.

If the mains frequency specified in the manual or on the power supply is different from the rate used in Tanzania, you should not use the device!

Neighboring countries information