Frequently Asked Questions
Vaccinations
Before travelling to Tanzania, consult a healthcare professional to ensure your routine vaccinations, including measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) and tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (Tdap), are up to date. Depending on your itinerary and health needs, vaccinations for hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and typhoid may also be recommended. Rabies vaccination may be worth considering if you plan to spend time in remote areas or take part in activities that increase your exposure to animals.
Tanzania is generally considered a low-risk country for yellow fever, and vaccination is not routinely required for travellers arriving directly from countries without yellow fever transmission risk. However, proof of yellow fever vaccination may be required if you arrive from a risk country or meet certain transit conditions. Requirements can change, so check the latest official entry regulations and seek professional travel health advice before departure to ensure you are properly prepared for your Tanzania safari.
What Is Yellow Fever?
Yellow fever is a viral disease transmitted through the bites of infected mosquitoes. Symptoms usually develop within three to six days and may include fever, chills, headache, muscle pain, and fatigue. While many people experience mild symptoms, the disease can become severe and life-threatening in some cases.
Yellow fever vaccination is not routinely required for travellers arriving in Tanzania directly from Europe or the United States, as these are not yellow fever transmission-risk areas. However, proof of vaccination may be required if you arrive from a country with a risk of yellow fever transmission or meet certain transit conditions. Check the latest official entry requirements before travelling.
Do I Need a Yellow Fever Vaccination for Tanzania?
Most travellers arriving in Tanzania from countries with no risk of yellow fever transmission do not need a yellow fever vaccination certificate. However, vaccination may be required if you are arriving from a country with a risk of yellow fever transmission or meet specific transit conditions. Requirements depend on your travel route and can change, so check the latest official entry regulations before departure.
What Are the Yellow Fever Requirements for Travelling to Tanzania?
Travellers arriving in Tanzania from countries with a risk of yellow fever transmission may be required to present a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate. This requirement generally does not apply to travellers arriving directly from countries such as the United States or most European countries. If your journey begins elsewhere or includes international transit, check the latest requirements and the list of yellow fever risk countries before departure.
Important: Travellers who transit through a country with a risk of yellow fever transmission may also need proof of vaccination, depending on the transit duration and circumstances. Tanzania commonly applies this requirement when transit exceeds 12 hours in a risk country. Since entry rules can change, confirm the requirements for your specific route with official Tanzanian authorities or a qualified travel health professional before travelling.
When Should I Receive the Yellow Fever Vaccination?
If you need a yellow fever vaccination for your trip to Tanzania, it should be administered at least 10 days before arrival. The vaccine is usually given as a single dose, which provides long-lasting protection and is considered to offer lifelong protection for most people. Keep your International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (yellow fever certificate) and carry it with your travel documents if vaccination is required for your route.
If a healthcare professional advises against vaccination because of a medical condition or another health-related concern, ask them about an official medical waiver. However, acceptance of a waiver is not guaranteed, so confirm the applicable entry requirements with Tanzanian authorities before travelling. Consult a qualified healthcare professional to determine whether the vaccine is appropriate for you.
Flying Doctors
When planning your East African safari, it is natural to consider what would happen in the event of a medical emergency in a remote area. AMREF Flying Doctors provides emergency air ambulance services across East Africa, with medical teams available to support patients who need urgent evacuation. Its services can be particularly valuable when travelling to wildlife parks and other destinations far from major hospitals.
AMREF offers the Maisha Tourist evacuation membership for eligible travellers visiting participating East African countries, including Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Burundi, and Rwanda. Coverage, membership fees, duration, and eligibility conditions may vary, so check the latest details directly with AMREF Flying Doctors before your trip. Please note that an air evacuation membership is not a substitute for comprehensive travel insurance.
What Happens If You Have a Medical Emergency on Safari?
A medical emergency in a remote safari destination can be worrying, especially when the nearest hospital is far away. AMREF Flying Doctors provides emergency medical assistance and air evacuation services across parts of East Africa, helping travellers access appropriate medical care when needed. For example, if you suffer a snakebite in Kenya’s Maasai Mara, you can contact the service for guidance and assistance, depending on your membership and the circumstances.
Whether you sustain a serious injury in Uganda’s Queen Elizabeth National Park or experience a sudden medical complication in Tanzania’s Serengeti, an air evacuation may be arranged when medically necessary and operationally possible. The medical team can transport you to a suitable hospital for further treatment, depending on your condition and the available facilities. Coverage, response times, evacuation destinations, and eligibility depend on the service terms, so confirm the details with AMREF Flying Doctors before travelling.
Important Limitations of Flying Doctors Services
AMREF Flying Doctors assesses each emergency to determine the appropriate assistance and evacuation arrangements. Depending on your membership, the service may cover emergency medical advice and air evacuation, but hospital bills, medical treatment, visas, and other related expenses may not be included. If you are evacuated to Nairobi from another country, additional entry requirements may apply. Although AMREF may assist with relevant arrangements, its services do not replace comprehensive travel and medical insurance.
For emergencies on Mount Kilimanjaro, helicopter evacuation may be possible, subject to weather, terrain, altitude, and operational limitations. Landing altitude and evacuation availability depend on the circumstances at the time. Mount Meru climbs may not be covered under certain AMREF Flying Doctors arrangements, so confirm the current terms before your climb. Make sure your travel insurance explicitly covers mountain climbing, emergency rescue, and medical evacuation for all activities included in your itinerary.
Enjoy Your Safari with Greater Peace of Mind
Your safety and well-being are important to us. We can help you explore options for AMREF Flying Doctors’ emergency evacuation membership so you can prepare for your safari with greater peace of mind. Our team works hard to make every journey safe, comfortable, and memorable, while recognizing that travelling through East Africa’s wilderness can involve unexpected situations.
A safari brings you close to incredible wildlife and remote natural landscapes, where being prepared matters. AMREF Flying Doctors has provided emergency medical services in the region for decades, helping travellers access assistance when serious medical emergencies occur. With appropriate evacuation arrangements and comprehensive travel insurance, you can enjoy your adventure with greater confidence, knowing you have planned for the unexpected.
Safety
Tips for Staying Safe in Tanzania
Use Reliable Transportation
Choose reputable transport providers when travelling around Tanzania. For a safari, booking with a trusted local operator helps ensure that your transfers and game drives are arranged by experienced drivers and guides. Stay alert, follow local advice, and trust your instincts if a situation feels uncomfortable.
Keep Valuables Secure
Keep your passport, cash, electronics, and other valuables in a secure place, such as a hotel safe when available. Carry only what you need for the day, and keep your bag and belongings within sight when visiting busy public areas. Your safari guide can also offer practical advice on protecting your belongings.
Dress Simply and Avoid Displaying Valuables
When exploring towns, markets, and other crowded areas, avoid displaying expensive jewellery, large amounts of cash, or costly electronics unnecessarily. Choose comfortable clothing suited to the destination and activity, and remain aware of your surroundings to reduce the risk of opportunistic theft.
Choose Reputable Accommodation and Tourist Areas
Research your destinations and accommodation before travelling, and choose reputable places with appropriate security arrangements. Ask your tour operator or accommodation staff for advice about local conditions and areas to avoid, especially after dark. Our team at Mamnana Adventures can help you plan your itinerary and arrange suitable accommodation and activities.
Stay Connected
Keep your mobile phone charged and accessible throughout your trip. You can check with your mobile provider about international roaming or purchase a local SIM card or eSIM for data and calls. Carry a power bank on day trips, and let someone know your plans when travelling independently. During safari drives, you may also be able to charge your phone in the vehicle, depending on the facilities available. Remember that mobile coverage can be limited in remote national parks, so save important contact details and travel information for offline access.
Are There Areas to Avoid in Tanzania?
Tanzania offers many rewarding travel experiences, but it is important to stay informed about local safety conditions and take sensible precautions. Some areas require extra care, particularly near the border with Mozambique in southern Tanzania, where security concerns have been reported. Before travelling to remote or border regions, check your government’s latest travel advice and consult a reliable local operator. Most popular safari destinations are located elsewhere, so your itinerary may not include these areas.
Dar es Salaam is a major commercial city and an important gateway for many travellers. While it is not a place you need to avoid altogether, visitors should be alert to risks such as pickpocketing, bag snatching, and other opportunistic crime, particularly in crowded areas and after dark. Use reputable transportation, keep valuables out of sight, and ask your accommodation or guide for advice on local conditions. With sensible planning and awareness, you can explore the city more confidently.
Plan your trip to
Tanzania
Whatever you want from your adventure in Tanzania, our team of expert travel designers are ready to help.
