Health Advice
The US Center For Disease Control maintains an updated list of medical advice for those travelling to Tanzania
The CDC recommends being up to date with all your regular shots. These vaccines include measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis vaccine, varicella (chickenpox) vaccine, polio vaccine, and your yearly flu shot
They also suggest being vaccinated for hepatitis A. There is also some advice about protection for hepatitis B and rabies – but this depends to some degree on where you are heading and what you are doing.
Additionally, malaria, yellow fever, zika virus, chikungunya virus and dengue fever are a risk in Kenya so avoiding being bitten by mosquitos is advised. Also, ticks can carry diseases so when going through forested areas or long grass protect yourself by wearing long trousers and shirts. Tsetse flies carry diseases and there are no effective repellents so the same precautions as for ticks are the best prevention.
Healthcare
If you need emergency medical assistance during your trip, dial 112 and ask for an ambulance. You should contact your insurance/medical assistance company promptly if you are referred to a medical facility for treatment.
Medical facilities are limited, especially outside Dar es Salaam. Make sure you have adequate travel health insurance and accessible funds to cover the cost of medical treatment abroad, evacuation by air ambulance and repatriation.
Food Safety
Only eat food that is cooked and served hot. Eat fruits and vegetables that you have personally washed in clean water or peeled yourself. Never eat food sold by street vendors. Only drink boiled water that is sealed and has been filtered and disinfected. Prefer carbonated drinks, hot coffee or tea, and pasteurized milk.
Safety
Violent armed robbery, petty theft and threats of violence are common in Tanzania, especially in Dar es Salaam. Be extra careful in and around Arusha in northern Tanzania. Armed robberies, carjackings and home invasions have occurred. Bag snatching from moving vehicles is increasing. Victims can be injured or killed by being dragged behind vehicles. Don’t resist bag-snatch attempts.
Only use registered taxis. Travellers have been targeted by criminals while using unlicensed taxis.
Security incidents continue along the Tanzania-Mozambique border. Best not to travel there.
Bandit attacks occur along the borders with Rwanda, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Armed bandits have also been reported in the provinces of Kigoma and Kagera and around Mount Kilimanjaro and the Serengeti and Arusha National Parks. Pay attention to your personal security.
During the rainy seasons (March to May and November to December) floods can block roads. The monsoon occurs in coastal and island areas from July to October. Cyclones can also happen in coastal areas. Follow the advice of local officials.
General advice:
- Don’t leave items such as laptops and briefcases in unattended vehicles
- Don’t display jewellery or electronics when walking
- Remain vigilant when using public transportation or walking along deserted streets
- Avoid walking and driving at night
- Taxi and minibus operators have robbed their passengers and stranded them far from their destination. Avoid taking taxis or minibuses that have only one or two passengers, and ensure that your personal belongings are secure at all times when using public transportation.
