Photo Credit: UNICEF Ethiopia

Most visitors to Tanzania need visas, which can be purchased upon entry, though it is recommended to secure one before travel as they are expensive. A quick service from the US can be purchased within three days for an extra fee. Passports must be valid for at least six months and travelers need proof of an onward or return ticket.

Health and Safety

For trips to Tanzania, visitors should be vaccinated against yellow fever (possible in Dar es Salaam’s airport) and hepatitis A. Be sure to carry your yellow fever certificate if you’re coming from a country that is a hotspot for the virus. There is a year-round risk of malaria, and the Rift Valley disease is also present.

Even with a course of a malaria antiviral, the use of insect repellent is advised since tsetse flies may also carry diseases, including one that lead to sleeping sickness. Cholera is a problem in Tanzania and sterilized water (preferably bottled) is a must. Make sure you consume only hot, fully cooked foods.

HIV/AIDS is common among the local population. If you intend to climb Mount Kilimanjaro, be sure you are prepared for possible altitude sickness and give your body time to acclimate. Medical facilities in Tanzania are not great, with the best of the few poorly-equipped clinics in Dar es Salaam. Having comprehensive health insurance is an absolute must, and be sure to bring any prescription medication with you, noting their generic name.

In regards to personal safety, the most obvious risk is from wild animals while on safari—always heed the tour guide’s advice. Pickpockets operate in Dar es Salaam, Arusha and Stone Town (Zanzibar) more than anywhere else. Avoid the Burundi border in northwestern Tanzania.

Don’t wander down dark streets or beaches alone; this applies to women in particular. Take regular breaks if driving as traffic accidents are common due to bad roads and long distances between attractions.

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