If you are travelling with domestic busses - do it lightly. Large luggage will have to be placed on top of the bus where it is difficult to monitor. Also, don’t wear jewellery or carry valuables. Be prepared for breakdown delays and carry your own food, water, and toilet paper. Women travelling alone should stay close to the front of the bus near the driver and/or near other women. Buses often run behind schedule except for the first one in the morning.

By domestic bus, dalla-dallas and taxis

View from the front seat of a dalla-dalla (mini-bus) in Mwanza.

Very local routes are serviced by 30-seater busses and more commonly by 12-seater mini-busses - the so-called dalla-dallas.

A ride in a dalla-dalla can be a hair-raising experience, and the vehicles make many stops and are invariably extremely crowded. The prices are fixed and inexpensive - 200 Tsh in town and slightly more for longer journeys.

Each town in Tanzania has a main bus station from which buses for several different bus lines arrive and depart. Different bus companies specialize in certain destinations. If possible, purchase the ticket in advance, thus increasing the chance of being assigned one of the first few seat numbers at the front of the bus; the back of the bus is often extremely crowded with passengers with standing-only tickets. It is also possible to buy a ticket from the bus conductor, but, unless you get there very early, you are likely to end up with a standing-only ticket. If you are travelling long-distance e.g. from Arusha to Mwanza or longer - go for the intercity bus option.

A local bus far out in the bush.
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Be careful: Active thieves and pickpockets are busy on domestic buses (or while waiting at the bus stand) stealing from inattentive passengers. (Unfortunately a personal experience.)
Taxis can be hired near the market, at the intersection of Station- and Kenyatta Roads in front of Four Ways Travel and in front of Szechuan Mahal Restaurant. No taxis have meters, so you will need to discuss the fare with the driver before getting in. The standard fare in town is 1.000 Tsh, to Nyakato (The new bus stand) 3.500 Tsh and to the airport 10.000 Tsh.
A taxi ride to Bujora Cultural Centre will cost you another 10.000 Tsh - and don’t forget to close a return deal with your driver, if you want to go back to town late in the evening.