Tanzania

Use High Level of Caution

The United Republic of Tanzania is located in East Africa between Kenya and Mozambique. The country's coastline is on the Indian Ocean. Tanzania's population is about 43 million people. While the official capital city is Dodoma, the principal commercial city is Dar es Salaam.

The government of Tanzania is a republic with a president as chief of state and head of government. The president is elected by popular vote. The legislative branch is a unicameral National Assembly, the Bunge, with the majority of the members elected by popular vote, and others appointed, including some seats allocated to women nominated by the president.

Although Tanzania has escaped tribal rivalries and political upheavals that plague many of its neighbors, it remains one of the poorest countries in the world and has been turning to western nations for development aid. Tourism is an important source of revenue for the country. In Tanzania is found some of Africa's most stunning scenery, including Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa's highest peak. Tanzania is known for its vastness, the rich diversity of wildlife, famous game reserves, such as Serengeti.

Currency	TZS: Tanzanian shilling
Language	English and Swahili
Capital	Dodoma
Recent Alerts	None
Latest Alert	Not Available

Diseases To Be Aware Of

The diseases listed below are those which occur most often in Tanzania. Other, less frequently encountered diseases might be displayed within the Travel Alerts section if they have occurred recently.

Malaria High risk areas include all areas under 1800 meters (5,906 ft.).
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.
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.
Hepatitis B There is a significant risk for acquiring hepatitis B 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.
Dengue Fever Dengue fever outbreaks have occurred in Tanzania, and the risk to travellers is significant.
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.
Plague Plague continues to be a threat in areas of Tanzania, particularly in the provinces of Shinyanga and Tabora, along the eastern part of the border with Kenya, and in the Lushoto and Tanga districts in the Tanga Province. The disease usually occurs in rural areas, and urban outbreaks are rare. The risk to travellers is low unless they have contact with fleas, infected rodents, or suspected plague patients.
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.
Rift Valley Fever (RVF) Sporadic outbreaks of Rift Valley fever occur in Tanzania.
Chikungunya Fever Chikungunya fever has occurred in this country.
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.
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.
Cholera Cholera does occur in this country.
Zika Fever Zika fever occurs in this country.

Vaccinations to Consider

The following is a list of recommended vaccinations for travelling to Tanzania.

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.
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.
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.
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.
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 travellers who are 18-64 years of age and who plan to travel to areas of active cholera transmission. CDC notes that most travellers do not travel to areas of active cholera transmission, and that safe food and water practices can prevent many cholera infections.

Medications to Consider

The following is a list of recommended medications for travelling to Tanzania.

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

Safety and Security in Tanzania

Emergency Numbers

112

Personal Safety

Levels of crime are increasing in Tanzania. Avoid showing signs of wealth and keep valuables out of sight to avoid being targeted for theft. Safeguard your important documents, such as your passport. When walking, walk toward the flow of traffic and keep your bags on the side away from the road to avoid having them snatched by someone in a passing car. Avoid walking alone at night. Do not carry large sums of cash. Avoid isolated areas and deserted beaches. Do not accept food or drink from strangers due to reports of drugging. Use only licensed taxis.

Violent street crime such as robberies and car theft can occur. Attacks and robberies have been reported in Stone Town and coastal areas in Unguja. Be especially alert in Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar.

Avoid travelling on any ferry that appears to be overcrowded or run-down and in poor condition.

Stay in tourist areas and avoid remote areas. If possible, travel in a convoy when leaving city areas. Carjackings occur throughout the country. Reports of crime occurring along the Toure Drive on the Msasani Peninsula are common. When driving you should keep all windows closed, doors locked and keep valuables out of sight. The United Nations recommend the use of police escorts on parts of the Rusomo to Kahama Road near the Rwandan border due to attacks by armed bandits.

There have been reports of bandits near refugee camps in the northwestern border areas of Tanzania. Stay vigilant if travel to these areas is necessary.

Banditry occurs in the provinces of Kigoma and Kagera near the borders with Rwanda, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Armed robberies, including vehicle hijackings have been reported in the area bordering Burundi.

Exercise caution when visiting game parks and reserves. There have been reports of armed robbery, including the Serengeti and Arusha National Parks, and around Mount Kilimanjaro.

Political Unrest

Violent political protests have occurred in Tanzania. Minimize safety risk by avoiding public and political gatherings and demonstrations since even peaceful protests can quickly and unexpectedly escalate and become violent.

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Updated: July 12, 2018