Vaccinations and Health Before Travelling to Tanzania: A Coordinator's Practical Notes

Health preparation is less exciting than the trip itself, but it's the area where leaving things late means running out of time. Some vaccines are given in several doses, so a last-minute appointment won't be enough. What follows is our summary of the questions travellers ask us most — it is general guidance only. What you need depends on your destinations, your medical history and your doctor's advice. As a rule of thumb, see a travel clinic 6–8 weeks before departure.

Vaccinations to consider

Yellow fever Tanzania is not considered a high-risk yellow fever country, but **you may need a vaccination certificate if you arrive from, or transit through, a yellow fever risk country** — for example on flights via Kenya or Ethiopia. Vaccinate at least 10 days before departure.

Hepatitis A Spread through food and water. Strongly recommended for Tanzania. Two doses give long-term protection.

Tetanus, diphtheria and polio You may need a booster — check your vaccination record.

Typhoid Spread through food and water. Recommended if you plan to eat at local restaurants.

Rabies Recommended if you may come into contact with wild animals, dogs or bats. It requires several doses, so plan ahead.

Malaria prevention

Much of Tanzania is a malaria area. Preventive medication and careful use of insect repellent are the basics.

Common preventive medicines - **Atovaquone/proguanil (Malarone)**: popular for its mild side effects. Once a day, from 1–2 days before travel until 7 days after you return - **Doxycycline**: inexpensive, but can cause sun sensitivity. Once a day, from 1–2 days before travel until 4 weeks after you return - **Mefloquine**: once a week. Watch for psychological side effects

Choose the right option with your doctor.

Avoiding mosquito bites - Repellent with **at least 30% DEET** - Long sleeves and trousers, especially from dusk onwards - Lodges and tents with mosquito nets - **Air conditioning or a fan** indoors to keep mosquitoes less active

Food and water

• Never drink tap water — bottled water only
• Avoid ice, which is often made from tap water
• Go easy on raw salads and washed fruit from street stalls
• Avoid raw fish and undercooked meat
• The lodges we partner with follow strict hygiene standards

Altitude sickness (for Kilimanjaro climbers)

• Allow at least six days on the mountain to acclimatise
• Keep daily altitude gains to around 500 m where possible
• Ask your doctor about Diamox (acetazolamide)
• Drink 3–4 litres of water a day
• Walk slowly — "pole pole"

Medicines to bring

• Painkillers / fever reducers (ibuprofen, paracetamol)
• Anti-diarrhoea medicine and rehydration salts
• Antibiotics (prescribed by your doctor)
• Plasters, bandages and antiseptic cream
• Travel-sickness tablets (for bumpy safari roads)
• Altitude medication (if climbing)

Medical care in an emergency

The main cities (Arusha, Moshi and Dar es Salaam) have hospitals offering Western-standard care. Access to medical facilities is limited on safari and on the mountain, so travel insurance is essential.

We can recommend tours that are covered for emergency medical evacuation (Flying Doctors / AMREF).

Finding a travel clinic

Look for a specialist travel clinic or a doctor with travel-medicine training in your country. Many national health services publish country-by-country vaccination advice for travellers, which is a good starting point before your appointment.

Summary

The top priorities are yellow fever (if your route requires it), hepatitis A and malaria prevention. Any of them can take longer than you expect, so booking a clinic appointment 6–8 weeks before departure is the safest approach.

If you're climbing Kilimanjaro, see altitude and preparing for the climb, and for gear our packing list.