Tanzania

Recommended Vaccinations For Tanzania

For Most Travellers

Hepatitis A Vaccine

There is a significant risk of exposure to hepatitis A for this country, therefore, the vaccination is recommended.

Hepatitis B Vaccine

There is a significant risk of infection with hepatitis B for this country, therefore, the vaccination is recommended.

For Some Travellers

Cholera Vaccine

The U.K. NaTHNaC recommends the oral cholera vaccine for some travellers whose activities or medical history put them at increased risk, travelling to areas of active cholera transmission. These risk factors include: aid workers; those going to areas of cholera outbreaks who have limited access to potable water and medical care; travellers for whom the vaccination would be considered potentially beneficial, such as chronic medical conditions. The U.S. CDC recommends the cholera vaccine for children and adults who are traveling to areas of active cholera transmission.

Yellow Fever Vaccine

The vaccine is not generally recommended for Tanzania. However, this country requires a yellow fever vaccination certificate for travellers 1 year of age and older arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission and for travellers having transited more than 12 hours through an airport of a country with risk of yellow fever transmission.

Typhoid Fever Vaccine

There is a risk of exposure to typhoid fever in this country through consumption of unsafe food and water. Since exposure to unsafe sources is variable within this country, the vaccination against typhoid fever is generally recommended, especially when visiting smaller cities or rural areas, where food and water sources may be contaminated.

Rabies Vaccine

Vaccination against rabies is recommended for travellers involved in outdoor activities (e.g., campers, hikers, adventure travellers, and cavers) who may have direct contact with rabid dogs, bats, and other mammals. Those with occupational risks (such as veterinarians, wildlife professionals, researchers) and long-term travellers and expatriates are at higher risk and should be vaccinated.

Recommended Medications For Tanzania

For Some Travellers

Anti-malarial Drugs

Recommended anti-malaria medication includes atovaquone-proguanil, doxycycline, tafenoquine, or mefloquine. Anti-malaria drug resistance for chloroquine is present.

Diseases To Be Aware of for Tanzania

For Most Travellers

Dengue Fever

Dengue fever outbreaks have occurred in Tanzania, and the risk to travellers is significant.

Hepatitis B

There is a significant risk for acquiring hepatitis B in Tanzania.

Hepatitis A

There is a significant risk for hepatitis A virus exposure in Tanzania through contaminated food or water. Infection can still occur at tourist destinations and resorts.

Chikungunya Fever

Chikungunya fever has occurred in this country.

Cholera

Cholera does occur in this country.

For Some Travellers

Rift Valley Fever (RVF)

Sporadic outbreaks of Rift Valley fever occur in Tanzania.

Typhoid Fever

Unvaccinated people can become infected through contaminated food and water in Tanzania, especially when visiting smaller cities, villages, or rural areas where food and water sources may be contaminated.

Sleeping Sickness (Type 2)

This disease occurs in rural Tanzania. It is transmitted through the bite of infected tsetse flies, which live in the woodlands and thickets of the savannah and in the dense vegetation along streams. Travellers to urban areas are not at risk.

Leishmaniasis

Sporadic cases of leishmaniasis occur in Tanzania. The risk of acquiring leishmaniasis is increased in travellers who spend time outdoors in rural areas and at night when sand flies typically feed.

Yellow Fever

There is a very low risk of exposure to yellow fever in this country. This country requires a yellow fever vaccination certificate for travellers 1 year of age and older arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission and for travellers having transited more than 12 hours through an airport of a country with risk of yellow fever transmission.

Tuberculosis

Travellers to this country are at significant risk for tuberculosis, including multi-drug resistant tuberculosis, if visiting sick friends or family, working in the health care field, or having close prolonged contact with the general population.

Zika Fever

Zika fever occurs in this country.

Schistosomiasis

The parasite that causes schistosomiasis is found in Tanzania. It is acquired through contact with fresh water, such as swimming, bathing, or rafting. Well-chlorinated swimming pools and contact with saltwater in oceans or seas will not put travellers at risk for schistosomiasis.

Rabies

Rabies occurs in this country. Travellers involved in outdoor activities (e.g., campers, hikers, adventure travellers, and cavers) may have direct contact with rabid dogs, bats, and other mammals. Those with occupational risks (such as veterinarians, wildlife professionals, researchers) and long-term travellers and expatriates are at higher risk.

Malaria

High risk areas include all areas under 1800 meters (5,906 ft.).

Safety & Security in Tanzania

Personal Safety

Tanzania ranks as the seventh safest country in Africa according to the 2024 Global Peace Index. Petty crime such as pickpocketing and bag snatching occurs commonly in crowded tourist areas and urban centers, particularly in Dar es Salaam and Stone Town in Zanzibar. Violent crime including armed robbery exists throughout the country but occurs less frequently against tourists. Express kidnapping incidents have been reported in Dar es Salaam where victims are assaulted, robbed, and forced to withdraw cash from ATMs or arrange transfers after being befriended by strangers or getting into unlicensed taxis. Criminals in Dar es Salaam have become bolder, with regular reports of bag snatching from moving vehicles along Toure Drive on the Msasani Peninsula. Do not resist bag snatch attempts as victims have been dragged behind vehicles. Crime increases at night, so avoid walking alone after dark in urban areas. Tourist destinations like Arusha have experienced armed robberies, carjackings, and home invasions. Zanzibar has seen rising street crime and sexual harassment rates. Drink spiking can happen anywhere, so never accept food or drinks from strangers and monitor your drinks. Scams targeting tourists include fake tour operators, overcharging for services, and requests for money. Most visitors have trouble-free stays when taking appropriate precautions.

Extreme Violence

Tanzania experienced no reported terrorist attacks in 2023. The main terrorism threat comes from groups operating along border regions. ISIS-Mozambique presents a significant danger to citizens living along the border with Mozambique, particularly in Mtwara Region. Several attacks occurred in the Mtwara region in 2020 and 2021, with ISIS-M fighters crossing from Mozambique to loot villages, burn buildings, and kidnap residents. Tanzania closed border crossings with Mozambique for over two years, reopening seven border points in October 2023 under close monitoring and increased scrutiny. The government maintains robust security personnel presence in southern border regions of Mtwara, Ruvuma, and Lindi. Al-Shabaab, based in Somalia, is thought to be active in Tanzania and has increased Swahili language propaganda targeting youth. ISIS-DRC members are believed to cross into western Tanzania from the Democratic Republic of Congo and Burundi, though movements appear to be for financing or recruitment rather than attacks. Youth disappearances in Tanzania have been reported, with concerns about youths joining violent extremist groups from transit points such as Zanzibar, though reports slowed in 2023. Individuals of Tanzanian origin continue to fill leadership roles within terrorist groups in neighboring countries. Most attacks target local security forces, though attacks against western interests remain possible.

Political Unrest

Political tensions have increased ahead of the 2025 general elections scheduled for October 28-29, 2025. Throughout 2024, authorities intensified clampdowns on political opposition. In January 2024, hundreds of Chadema party supporters held the first major protests in seven years, demanding electoral reforms and addressing living costs. By mid-2024, the political climate deteriorated significantly. Over 500 people were arrested during a Youth Day demonstration in Mbeya in August 2024, including opposition leader Freeman Mbowe and former presidential candidate Tundu Lissu. Around 60 people were arrested in September ahead of planned protests against unexplained disappearances of political activists. Several Chadema youth activists disappeared after being arrested by police, including Deusdedith Soka and Dioniz Kipanya. Ally Kibao, a senior Chadema member, was abducted in September 2024 by men identifying themselves as soldiers and found dead the next day with severe acid burns and signs of torture. President Hassan rejected calls for an independent inquiry. Police arbitrarily arrested, detained, and carried out extrajudicial killings during rallies. By late 2024, police announced a moratorium on rallies. Elections have historically turned violent and resulted in fatalities. Demonstrations can occur anywhere on short notice and even peaceful demonstrations can turn violent. Expect increased security presence across Tanzania during election periods. Avoid all demonstrations, rallies, and large crowds.

Areas To Avoid

Avoid travel within 20 to 30 kilometers of the border with Mozambique in the Mtwara Region due to the threat of militant attacks, terrorism, and kidnappings. ISIS-Mozambique has conducted attacks in this area, including incidents in Kitaya village in 2020 where attackers killed an estimated 20 people. Tanzanian military and security forces conduct counterinsurgency operations with controlled access and monitored movements. Exercise caution when traveling near refugee camps in northwestern Tanzania, particularly in the Kigoma region and west of Kagera bordering Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, and Rwanda due to banditry. Cross-border terrorist activity and unrest in these border areas can spill into Tanzania. Dar es Salaam requires vigilance due to higher crime rates. Criminals have become bolder with common reports of crime along Toure Drive on the Msasani Peninsula, particularly bag snatching from moving vehicles. Express kidnapping incidents have occurred in the city. However, most tourists can avoid Dar es Salaam altogether by flying directly to Zanzibar’s Abeid Amani Karume International Airport or Kilimanjaro International Airport in the north. Zanzibar has had some crime and terrorism incidents over the years, with rising rates of street crime and sexual harassment, particularly in Stone Town. The island requires more vigilance than mainland safari areas. Arusha in northern Tanzania has experienced armed robberies, carjackings, and home invasions. Tourist attractions in northern Tanzania including Mt Kilimanjaro and Northern Circuit game parks remain safe.