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Tanzania
A man drives a jeep through the savanna of the Serengeti in Tanzania at sunset.

Sending a Postcard from Tanzania & Zanzibar: Postage & Duration

From a safari in the Serengeti to a dream beach in Zanzibar – here is how to send greetings from East Africa without them getting lost in the jungle.
Photo by Hu Chen on Unsplash

"Hakuna Matata" – there are no problems! You can feel this life motto everywhere in Tanzania. Whether relaxing on the white sandy beaches of Zanzibar, climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, or on a breathtaking safari: everyday life fades into the distance.

But anyone who wants to send this incomparable African feeling home on a classic postcard will quickly reach the limits of the local infrastructure. There are no mailboxes in the savanna, and the state-run "Tanzania Posts Corporation" works strictly according to the second unofficial national motto: *"Pole pole"* (take it easy). Delivery times of one to two months are not uncommon. In this guide, we'll show you how to send your safari greetings smartly, safely, and above all, quickly straight from your phone.

Last updated: April 2026

The Postal System in East Africa

Buying stamps in Zanzibar or Arusha is doable, but the card's journey to Europe is a real adventure.
A safari jeep in the savanna of Tanzania.
Photo by mtsjrdl on Unsplash

The Safari Dilemma

If you're on a safari, you spend your days in a jeep and your nights in camps in the middle of the wilderness. Post offices? Not a chance. Our secret tip: Ask your safari guide! Many drivers are happy to take finished postcards with them and drop them off in the nearest big city at the end of the tour for a small tip.
Sign of a post office in Tanzania.
Photo by Michael Branz on Wikimedia Commons

Pole Pole – The Speed of the Mail

In Tanzania, the clocks tick differently. The wheels of the "Tanzania Posts Corporation" (often recognizable by red and blue signs) grind slowly. If you send a card the traditional way, you'll definitely be back in your home office long before the card arrives.
A hotel on the beach in Zanzibar.
Photo by Polly Sadler on Unsplash

The Hotel Service in Zanzibar

If you're spending your vacation on the beaches of Zanzibar (e.g., Nungwi or Paje), the trip to the post office in Stone Town is often too far. Many better hotels offer to take postcards to the post office for you – a small tip works wonders here.

Phrasebook: Swahili for the Post Office

With a few words of Swahili, you'll instantly bring a smile to the locals' faces – and get what you're looking for much faster.
Hello!

🇹🇿Jambo!

🗣️Jam-bo!

Where is the post office?

🇹🇿Iko wapi posta?

🗣️I-ko wa-pi pos-ta?

I need a stamp.

🇹🇿Nataka stempu.

🗣️Na-ta-ka stem-pu.

To Europe.

🇹🇿Kwenda Ulaya.

🗣️Kwen-da U-la-ya.

Can you stamp and mail the postcard for me?

🇹🇿Unaweza kuweka stempu na kutuma kadi hii?

🗣️U-na-we-za ku-we-ka stem-pu na ku-tu-ma ka-di hii?

Thank you (very much)!

🇹🇿Asante (sana)!

🗣️A-san-te (sa-na)!

How much is the postage from Tanzania to Europe?

Current prices for international airmail shipping. (As of: 2026)

Local Facts (Tanzania Post)

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Postcard (Lodge / Shop)approx. €1.00 - €2.50
Stamp (approx. 1,500 TZS)approx. €0.40 - €0.55
Hotel / Guide Tipapprox. €1.00 - €2.00
Total cost per cardapprox. €2.40 - €5.05
Effort on vacationVery high (often no post office accessible)
Delivery time (Based on experience)4 to 8 weeks
Don't feel like waiting 6 weeks?

The Smart Alternative: SlickPostcard

Forget the search for stamps in Stone Town. Turn your best lion photo into a real postcard – printed in Europe and often arriving before your vacation is even over.

  • Your own safari photo with elephants or beach selfie as a real postcard
  • Fixed price €3.49 incl. postage – independent of African exchange rates
  • Printed & shipped from Europe: Your card is in the mailbox in a few days instead of two months
  • Works anywhere there is Wi-Fi (even in many safari lodges)
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Own Photos or Professional Motifs?

Was the leopard too well hidden for a sharp photo? On Unsplash you'll find breathtaking safari and Zanzibar motifs that you can use for free for your card. Check out our step-by-step guide for more details!

Directly to Image Search:
TanzaniaZanzibarSafariSerengetiLion
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Inspiration: Hakuna Matata for the fridge

„Jambo from Tanzania! We saw the Big Five today and are sleeping in the middle of the wilderness (the hyenas are laughing us to sleep). It's the greatest adventure of our lives!“
„Hakuna Matata from Zanzibar! The water here is so turquoise it almost hurts. We're drinking fresh coconuts, eating incredibly good fish, and sending you lots of sunshine.“
„Pole pole – take it easy! We quickly got used to that here in East Africa. Mount Kilimanjaro greets us in the background and we're really enjoying ourselves. Best regards!“

Writer's block? Our AI formulates your perfect safari greeting!

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Frequently Asked Questions about Postcards from Tanzania

How long does a postcard from Tanzania to Europe take?

You have to be very patient here. The shipping takes 3 to 4 weeks in the absolute best case. Often, postcards from Zanzibar or the mainland are on their way for 6 to 8 weeks. Unfortunately, some never arrive.

Why is my postcard from Tanzania not arriving?

The postal focus in Tanzania is in the major cities. From a safari or Zanzibar, the route to the nearest international airport can be long, often stretching delivery to 4-8 weeks – staying true to the motto: "Pole pole" (slowly, slowly).

Where can you buy stamps in Zanzibar?

In Zanzibar, it's best to buy stamps ("Stempu") at the main post office in Stone Town (Zanzibar City). It's often very difficult to find stamps in the beach resorts in the north or east of the island. If in doubt, ask at the hotel reception.

How much is the postage for a postcard from Tanzania?

The postage is relatively cheap. A stamp to Europe currently costs about 1,000 to 1,500 Tanzanian Shillings (TZS), which corresponds to only about €0.40 to €0.55. Souvenir cards usually cost another 1 to 2 Euros.

Are there mailboxes in the national parks?

No. There is no postal infrastructure in the Serengeti, the Ngorongoro Crater, or the Tarangire National Park. You either have to drop your cards off in the next big city (e.g., Arusha) or resort to digital alternatives like a SlickPostcard.

Where can I find free safari or Zanzibar pictures for my holiday greetings?

Was the lion too far away for the camera on your safari? No problem! On Unsplash you will find breathtaking and free nature shots of the Serengeti National Park or dream beaches on Zanzibar (Search e.g. for "Serengeti Safari" or "Zanzibar Beach"). In our matching guide for free motifs we clearly explain how it works.