Health

Taking care of your health and wellbeing when traveling abroad is very important. Well before your departure date, it is vital to consult your doctor or medical adviser for up-to-date medical travel information and to ensure that you have had the correct vaccinations to allow you to travel to Tanzania. You should also consult them about anti-malarial measures, as it is common for any course of anti-malarial drugs to start before your departure date. We would recommend consulting your doctor at least three months in advance of departure.

Travel insurance

Below are the routes we recommend for getting to Tanzania from various parts of the world. There are of course other routes available, not necessarily recommended by Easy Travel, but do contact us should you require further assistance. Bear in mind that airline schedules change frequently, so do check carefully before making travel arrangements that depend on airline arrival and departure times.

Do I need travel insurance to visit Tanzania?

The answer is ‘yes, absolutely.’ You should study the terms of the policy before you take it out, to ensure that it meets your individual needs, but we at Easy Travel would suggest that you take out travel insurance when you make your booking or very shortly after. Some companies will only offer cancellation cover if a policy is purchased shortly after booking. Make sure that you have cancellation cover, in case you are unable to travel due to illness or unforeseen event such as accident.

Which travel insurance should I choose?

We recommend that all visitors carefully check the extent of a policy’s cover before purchasing it.

Visitors from countries (other than the USA) are recommended to obtain their travel insurance from World Nomads.

For those visitors from the USA, we at Easy Travel would recommend the policies of Travel Guard. This company offers Deluxe, Preferred or Essential policies, covering activities such as high altitude trekking and with coverage against trip cancellation, interruption, and delay; lost, stolen and damaged baggage; medical expenses and emergency medical evacuation; and luggage delay, for a reasonable cost. You can compare the Deluxe, Preferred or Essential plans and purchase your policy online through Travel Guard.

Which travel insurance should I choose?

We recommend that all visitors carefully check the extent of a policy’s cover before purchasing it.

Visitors from countries (other than the USA) are recommended to obtain their travel insurance from World Nomads.

What should my travel insurance policy cover?

You should ensure that you get the maximum coverage possible, and if you are proposing to do any high-altitude trekking (such as climbing Kilimanjaro) or any other activity (such as a hot-air balloon safari) then you should make sure that these are specifically covered by your policy.

In general, you should make sure that as a minimum you are covered against the following risks: medical expenses, including repatriation to your home country, if required; personal injury, loss or damage to personal possessions, cover against injury or damage caused by you to 3rd parties, flight and trip cancellation, cancellation by you, cancellation caused by natural disaster or cancellation for any other reason.

How much will my travel insurance cost?

The cost of travel insurance varies according to your age, state of health (such as pre-existing conditions), countries to be visited, level of cover required and other factors. Rather than take out single-trip cover, some travelers take out an annual or multi-trip policy. If you already have or are taking out such a policy, you need to make sure that it is sufficiently comprehensive to cover your proposed trip to Tanzania.

Why is health insurance necessary for my trip to Tanzania?

Your travel insurance has to cover against poor health or injury to ensure that you can get the necessary treatment while in Tanzania. The cost of such treatment can be very high. It is also worth checking that your policy will cover the cost of repatriation to your home country, if it is deemed necessary.

Does my health insurance cover me worldwide?

Some policies will cover you worldwide, while others will limit their cover to certain geographical areas while excluding others unless an extra premium is paid. Do check your policy carefully!

Will my insurance policy cover me for climbing mount Kilimanjaro?

A good question! Most policies will only cover you for climbing to altitudes of up to 4,500 meters, but as Mount Kilimanjaro’s summit is 5,895 meters you will need to purchase specialist insurance cover which includes altitudes up to 6000 meters and which offers helicopter evacuation.

Your physical health and healthcare in Tanzania

Should I consult my doctor before visiting Tanzania?

We at Easy Travel advise all our prospective visitors to consult with their doctor around 3 months before their Tanzanian trip. You should discuss with them the nature of your trip, any strenuous activities you intend to undertake and determine any vaccinations that you will need. You can also take the opportunity to discuss which anti-malarial drugs might be appropriate for your trip.

Will I need to take anti-malarial drugs to visit Tanzania?

Yes, Tanzania is a malaria zone, and some areas are prone to mosquitoes and the malaria that they carry. There are different drugs available to combat malaria, and your doctor (or travel clinic) can advise which might be most suitable.

Can I get hold of all medicines in Tanzania?

You should bring any prescription medications with you from home, as availability can be limited in Tanzania. You should also be aware that not all medicines/drugs are actually legal in Tanzania, even though they may be permissible in your home country. You should check if any prescription drugs you intend to bring are authorized for use in in Tanzania and we would advise that you bring a copy of your prescription or even a letter from your doctor outlining the nature of the medicine, how much you’ll take and stating that it’s strictly for personal use.

Are there good medical facilities everywhere in Tanzania?

Tanzania offers fairly limited medical facilities in its principal cities. These are listed below:

Arusha

Aga Khan Hospital
Aicc Hopsital
NSK Hospital
Total Care Medical Centre
Selian Lutheran Hospital

Dar es Salaam

Aga Khan Hospital
Ebrahim Haji Ithnasheri Asheri Charitable Hospital
Oysterbay Hospital
TMJ Hospital Limited

Kilimanjaro

Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre
Jaffery Charitable Medical Services

Please note that if you become seriously ill or are involved in an accident, it may be necessary to evacuate you by air to neighboring Kenya. Such an evacuation is a very expensive operation.

Can I safely drink the tap water while in Tanzania?

You may see locals drinking tap water while in Tanzania, but we do not recommend that visitors copy them. Bottled water is freely available and Easy Travel recommends all visitors to drink only this and any water designated as ‘safe’ by your hotel or lodge.

Locals are fully adapted to Tanzanian tap water, but its different composition -containing minerals which may not be present in the water of your home country – means you should avoid drinking it. Visitors drinking Tanzanian tap water may fall ill and while this is usually limited to a bad stomach, it can confine you to your accommodation and spoil a few days of your Tanzanian vacation.

Don’t let this prevent you from drinking water when in Tanzania! We at Easy Travel recommend that you drink at least two litres of water while you’re here. Keeping well-hydrated in the Tanzanian climate is absolutely crucial.

Will I be at risk of getting diarrhea during my Tanzanian trip?

A visit abroad puts you at an increased risk of getting diarrhea, there is no point in denying it. Easy Travel advises you to include appropriate medicines to combat this in your first-aid kit.

Will I be at risk from tsetse flies in Tanzania?

Yes, the tsetse fly can be found throughout Tanzania’s Northern Circuit, the most popular part of Tanzania for visitors. Certain areas are particularly popular with the tsetse (as well as with visitors. These are the forested parts of Serengeti National Park, Tarangire National Park and Lake Manyara National Park.

What dangers are posed by a tsetse fly?

Potentially, a tsetse fly bite is extremely dangerous. Its bite can result in symptoms such as an unpleasant fever, fatigue, swelling to the lymphnodes, headache, fatigue and aching joints and muscles. A severe rash on the skin is also a possibility. Tsetse flies can also carry a very dangerous parasite which can cause something called “human African trypanosomiasis” (or “sleeping sickness.” Sadly, this can often be fatal without the correct treatment.

How can I protect myself against the tsetse fly?

While there is no way of completely protecting yourself against the tsetse fly, there are nevertheless several things you can do to try and avoid being bitten by the tsetse fly and other annoying insects while in Tanzania. Your choice of clothing is important: choose long-sleeved shirts to cover your arms and long trousers (pants) to protect your legs. Even the colour of what you wear can play a part, as dark and bright colours are favoured by the tsetse fly. Instead, go for beige, olive-coloured or white clothes to minimize the risk of getting bitten. And although no insect repellent is guaranteed to be 100% effective, we at Easy Travel recommend visitors to bring repellent with them and use it. Keeping out of bushes and other wooded areas is another useful tip.

Vaccinations necessary to visit Tanzania

What vaccines must I have to visit Tanzania?

You must have had appropriate vaccines against Covid-19 to be allowed to enter Tanzania. You should keep up-to-date with the rules in force, as these change from time to time.

Will I need to show a yellow fever certificate when I arrive in Tanzania?

If you arrive from a country designated as being at risk of yellow fever then you will have to be able to demonstrate that you have been vaccinated against the disease. This is a requirement of the Government of Tanzania. You will also require proof of yellow fever vaccination if, during your journey, you have a layover longer than 12 hours in a country with a known yellow fever risk. (This might occur if you are changing planes, for example).

Apart from any mandatory vaccines (see above), what other vaccines are recommended for my trip to Tanzania?

Unless you require the yellow fever vaccine, all other vaccines are recommended rather than mandatory. We at Easy Travel recommend that you consult your physician, medical advisor or travel clinic and ensure you are up-to-date with these. We recommend vaccination against Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Rabies and Typhoid.

Is it possible to travel to Tanzania without a yellow fever vaccine?

Remember that proof of this vaccine is only required if you arrive from a country designated as being at risk of yellow fever, or during your journey, you have a layover longer than 12 hours in a country with a known yellow fever risk. If either of these apply to you, but for any reason you are not able to take the yellow fever vaccine then you will need to contact your doctor to provide you with an official letter which explains why you are not able to have this vaccine. You will be required to show this letter to the authorities on arrival at the arrival airport or at the Tanzanian border.

Are there any exemptions from the requirement for a yellow fever vaccine certificate?

There is no requirement for infants (less than 6 months old) to be vaccinated against yellow fever. Additionally, anyone who suffers from an allergic reaction to the vaccine is not required to be vaccination. However, anyone claiming exemption from the vaccine requirement must obtain an official letter of exemption to present to the authorities on arrival in Tanzania.

How much does it cost to have a yellow fever vaccination in Tanzania?

If a vaccination against yellow fever is required while in Tanzania, this costs $50 USD for foreigners and 30,000 Tsh for Tanzanian residents and citizens of the East Africa Community. An official receipt is issued for payment of any vaccination charges.

Should I have a vaccination against rabies before my trip to Tanzania?

While a rabies vaccination is not mandatory for a trip to Tanzania, it is certainly advisable if your proposed itinerary is likely to bring you into close contact with dogs or wildlife. Please note that rabid dogs are quite commonly found in Tanzania, particularly in rural areas. You should also be aware that in the more remote areas, medical treatment may not be readily to hand. As a bite or scratch could prove fatal, Easy Travel advises all visitors to ensure that they have an up-to-date vaccine against rabies.

Which visitors are most likely to encounter rabid dogs or other wildlife?

Anyone who is likely to come into contact with dogs or wildlife is at risk of being bitten or scratched and therefore at risk of getting rabies. Such visitors include those camping, those spending time outside of their safari vehicle and indeed any visitor to the more rural areas of Tanzania.

Should children be vaccinated against rabies before travelling to Tanzania?

Children are as likely, if not more likely, to be bitten or scratched by a rabid dog or other creature. Easy Travel advises all children travelling to Tanzania to be vaccinated against rabies.