Travel Vaccines and Advice for Tanzania
Tanzania is a picturesque destination where travellers can explore the Serengeti, encountering incredible wildlife. For particularly ambitious hikers, Tanzania also provides the challenge of a lifetime: Mt. Kilimanjaro.
For visitors who aren’t quite up to the challenge of Kilimanjaro, there are many other natural landscapes to explore.
Tanzania’s landscape makes for impressive sunrises and sunsets. The food is also unforgettable, a mixture of Arabic, Indian and African influences.
On This Page:
Do I Need Vaccines for Tanzania?
Do I Need a Visa or Passport for Tanzania?
What is the Climate Like in Tanzania?
How Safe is Tanzania?
Visiting Zanzibar
Tanzania’s Rules
What Should I Pack To Tanzania?
Canadian Embassy in Tanzania
Do I Need Vaccines for Tanzania?
Yes, some vaccines are recommended or required for Tanzania. The PHAC and WHO recommend the following vaccinations for Tanzania: hepatitis A, hepatitis B, typhoid, cholera, yellow fever, rabies, meningitis, polio, measles, mumps and rubella (MMR), Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis), chickenpox, shingles, pneumonia and influenza.
See the bullets below to learn more about some of these key immunizations:
- Hepatitis A –
Food & Water –
Recommended for most travellers - Hepatitis B –
Blood & Body Fluids –
Accelerated schedule available - Typhoid –
Food & Water –
Shot lasts 2 years. Oral vaccine lasts 5 years, must be able to swallow pills. Oral doses must be kept in refrigerator. - Cholera –
Food & Water –
A risk in some regions. Especially recommended for those visiting rural areas. - Yellow Fever –
Mosquito –
Required if travelling from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission - Rabies –
Saliva of Infected Animals –
High risk country. Vaccine recommended for long-term travellers and those who may come in contact with animals. - Meningitis –
Airborne & Direct Contact –
Located in the meningitis belt, vaccination is recommended during the dry season (Dec. – June) - Polio –
Food & Water –
Considered a routine vaccination for most travel itineraries. Single adult booster recommended. - Measles Mumps Rubella (MMR) –
Various Vectors –
Given to anyone unvaccinated and/or born after 1957. One time adult booster recommended. - TDAP (Tetanus, Diphtheria & Pertussis) –
Wounds & Airborne –
Only one adult booster of pertussis required. - Chickenpox –
Direct Contact & Airborne –
Given to those unvaccinated that did not have chickenpox. - Shingles –
Direct Contact –
Vaccine can still be given if you have had shingles. - Pneumonia –
Airborne –
Two vaccines given seperately. All 65+ or immunocompromised should receive both. - Influenza –
Airborne –
Vaccine components change annually.
See the tables below for more information:
Recommended Travel Vaccinations for Tanzania |
||
| VACCINE | HOW DISEASE SPREADS | DETAILS |
|---|---|---|
| Hepatitis A | Food & Water | Recommended for most travellers |
| Hepatitis B | Blood & Body Fluids | Accelerated schedule available |
| Typhoid | Food & Water | Shot lasts 2 years. Oral vaccine lasts 5 years, must be able to swallow pills. Oral doses must be kept in refrigerator. |
| Cholera | Food & Water | A risk in some regions. Especially recommended for those visiting rural areas. |
| Yellow Fever | Mosquito | Required if travelling from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission |
| Rabies | Saliva of Infected Animals | High risk country. Vaccine recommended for long-term travellers and those who may come in contact with animals. |
| Meningitis | Airborne & Direct Contact | Located in the meningitis belt, vaccination is recommended during the dry season (Dec. – June) |
Routine Vaccinations for Tanzania |
||
| VACCINE | HOW DISEASE SPREADS | DETAILS |
|---|---|---|
| Measles Mumps Rubella (MMR) | Various Vectors | Given to anyone unvaccinated and/or born after 1957. One time adult booster recommended. |
| TDAP (Tetanus, Diphtheria & Pertussis) | Wounds & Airborne | Only one adult booster of pertussis required. |
| Chickenpox | Direct Contact & Airborne | Given to those unvaccinated that did not have chickenpox. |
| Shingles | Direct Contact | Vaccine can still be given if you have had shingles. |
| Pneumonia | Airborne | Two vaccines given separately. All 65+ or immunocompromised should receive both. |
| Influenza | Airborne | Vaccine components change annually. |
| Polio | Food & Water | Considered a routine vaccination for most travel itineraries. Single adult booster recommended. |
Malaria, dengue and chikungunya are all present in Tanzania. Make sure to bring mosquito repellents, netting and antimalarials.
You may be required to present proof of yellow fever vaccination if you are travelling from a country where yellow fever is present.
Visit our vaccinations page to learn more. Travel safely with Passport Health and schedule your appointment today by calling or book online now.
Does Tanzania Have COVID-19 Travel Restrictions?
While Tanzania has no entry restrictions in place, all travellers must have a medical screening on arrival. A completed ‘Health Form’ must be presented upon arrival.
While there is not yet a vaccine to prevent COVID-19, vaccines do guard against typhoid and yellow fever, two infections common in Tanzania, as well as medication to prevent travellers’ diarrhea are readily available. Call us at or schedule an appointment online to learn more about protecting your health while travelling in Tanzania.
Customer Reviews
Passport Health – Travel Vaccines for Tanzania
“The nurse was wonderful. My trip to Tanzania was seeming a bit overwhelming but she took the time to explain everything to us, and answered all of our questions. She was amazing!”
“Good service and understanding of the perils of contracting illnesses during one’s travels with good specifity of the area in which one is travelling. Definitely feel better about my Tanzania trip.”
“Informative and very knowledgeable answered all my questions. Any questions or problems that I asked about Tanzania we’re dressed in a courteous friendly manor.”
“Very easy and efficient to sign up for. Customer service was great. I didn’t have to jump through medical systems and appointment calls as if going to a hospital. The young nurse there was very professional yet talked like a kind human being – balanced personality; answered all of my Tanzania questions thoroughly.”
“Very cheerful, knowledgeable, health nurse was able to answer all questions about Tanzania satisfactorily, and took the time to explain why recommended meds and vaccines were needed, and when and how to take them. Truly pleasant first visit.”
Do I Need a Visa or Passport for Tanzania?
A valid passport and visa are required for entry to Tanzania. It is best to get a visa before arrival to avoid any problems at entry.
Tanzania Entry Requirements |
||
| Do I Need A… | For My Trip to Tanzania? | |
|---|---|---|
| Passport |  |
|
| Tourist Visa | |
|
| Business Visa | |
|
| Vaccinations | |
|
Sources: Embassy of Tanzania and Canadian Travel and Tourism
Volunteer activity is prohibited on a tourist visa.
Visit the Canadian Travel and Tourism website for more information on entry and exit requirements.
What is the Climate Like in Tanzania?
Tanzania’s climate is very diverse, with tropical and coastal areas as well as cool mountainous regions. Tanzania has two main rainy seasons, the short rains and long rains.
- Short rains: October through December
- Long rains: March through June
Outside of the two rainy seasons, Tanzania’s climate is often dry and hot. In February, Tanzania’s average high temperatures are around 28 degrees Celsius and lows are around 17 – 18 degrees. Highs in July reach to around 26 degrees and lows reaching to around 14 degrees.
The best season for travel is from June to September, when animal sightings are common.
How Safe is Tanzania?
There is a high risk of terrorism in East Africa and Westerners may face an increased threat.
Break-ins, carjackings, robberies, ATM and bank fraud, muggings and assaults are not uncommon. Robbers in passing vehicles may attempt to grab bags off of pedestrians. Travellers should carry bags loosely so as not to be dragged if someone attempts to do so.
Peaceful demonstrations can turn violent in Tanzania, try to avoid them.
Visiting Zanzibar
Off the coast of Tanzania lies Zanzibar, or the Spice Island, a former slave Island. Travellers can wander around Stone Town, a UNESCO world heritage site with impressive architecture, beautiful beaches and a fascinating historical legacy.
Beyond Zanzibar, there are many smaller islands around Tanzania that offer bright blue waters and white beaches.
There are many differences between Zanzibar and the mainland. The island is almost entirely muslim and it uses it’s own system of timekeeping.
Tanzania’s Rules
Possession and sale of drugs in Tanzania are punished severely.
It may not always be clearly marked where photography is not permitted.
Tanzania is a majority Islamic state. During the holy month of Ramadan, when Muslims fast during daylight hours, avoid eating, drinking, smoking, or chewing gum in public.
Consensual same-sex relations are illegal in Tanzania and on Zanzibar. These relationships are punishable by prison time. LGBTI travellers may face targeting or harassment.
Travellers should exercise extreme caution while driving, taking taxis and public transportation.
In Tanzania, it is recommended to dress conservatively.
It is illegal to export animals or animal parts and to gather, collect or remove flora or fauna from marine parks.
What Should I Pack for Tanzania?
Here are some essential items to consider for your trip to Tanzania:
- Insect repellent and sunscreen.
- Travellers may experience diarrhea from contaminated water or food they are not used to. Traveller’s diarrhea kits are highly recommended.
- Beach supplies if you’re headed to the coast or Zanzibar!
- Light clothing for hot temperatures.
Canadian Embassy in Tanzania
Canadian consular services can help travellers with many issues they may face including passport services. Once in Tanzania, the information for the Canadian Embassy is:
Canadian Embassy in Tanzania
26 Garden Avenue/ 38 Mirambo street,
Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Telephone: 255 (22) 216-3300/255 (22) 211-2831/255 (687) 216-330
Stay safe abroad with Passport Health. Call or book online now and start travelling safely today!
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