Tours & Safaris Safari Essentials Tanzania's Health Information
Tanzania's Health Information
Tanzania - Health
Requirements
Visitors must produce a valid yellow fever certificate obtained no less than ten days prior to travel. It is imperative that you obtain malaria prophylactics before entering Tanzania. When purchasing these please tell your doctor or pharmacist that you intend visiting Tanzania. Precautionary measures to take to prevent contact with mosquitoes include: insect repellent, cover up at sundown, sleep under a mosquito net and wear long sleeve clothing and long trousers in the evenings. Immunisation against cholera, polio, hepatitis A & B, typhoid and tetanus is recommended if travelling by road. There is a current warning that certain immigration authorities are insisting on cholera certificates or will administer a vaccine themselves.
Medical Services
Medical facilities are limited and medicines are often unavailable. If medical assistance is given, doctors and hospitals require immediate payment. It is therefore advisable to obtain medical insurance prior to travel. Emergency services and first aid is unavailable outside major cities and tourist areas. It is wise to bring with you any medication which you may require as you will not have access to pharmacies in most of the areas which you will be visiting. There is great concern about AIDS; recent estimates suggest that 10% of the population may be HIV-positive. There are many hospitals in Tanzania, but they are mostly very understaffed.
Travel Tips
Safety
Tanzania is considered to be generally safe, however extra care should be taken in Zanzibar and Dar Es Salaam. In the past there have been reports of muggings in game reserves and although the government has stepped up security, it is always better to be careful and to stay in close vicinity of other vehicles during your visit. Owing to muggings, bad roads, stray and wild animals, driving at night is not recommended.
Water
Drink only boiled or bottled water, bottled or canned drinks. If camping - bring your own drinking water and all other camping provisions.
