We strongly recommend you consult your own physician, public health clinic and/or travel clinic for detailed travel health information.
Tanzania: Health Tips
What are the principal health risks?
While health risks in Tanzania are many, you will not be in danger if you are cautious and follow good health protocol. The following is not intended to be an exhaustive list of potential concerns, so refer to the
Centers for Disease Control for additional information.
- HIV AIDS is prevalent. You can protect yourself by your own behavior.
- Malaria is also prevalent throughout the country, especially at altitudes below 6,000 feet. There are medications that help protect against malaria and insect repellant and loose fitting cotton clothing also offer some protection.
- Infectious tropical diseases can be largely prevented by vaccination. Proof of immunization against yellow fever is required to enter Tanzania if you are traveling through or coming from a country infected with yellow fever.
- Travelers diarrhea is common among foreign visitors. Ask your physician about a prescription for Cipro or another antibiotic.
- Poisonous snakes live in this region of Africa and you must be very careful to walk only on well-treaded paths in open areas.
- Wild animals are one of the attractions of East Africa and they live throughout Tanzania. You must use caution, especially in rural villages.
- Bees are found in rural villages. Be prepared if you are allergic to bee stings.
- Traffic accidents are perhaps one of the most serious safety risks.
- At higher elevations, you must take care to avoid altitude sickness indicated by headaches, dizzyness and low energy, which can become life-threatening if not treated.
What health precautions should I take?
Is the water safe to drink?
Tap water is contaminated. Global Volunteers provides bottled or purified drinking water throughout the service program for drinking and brushing teeth..
Is it safe to eat food purchased from street vendors?
We strongly recommend that you do not purchase food from street vendors.
How can malaria and other travel-related illnesses be prevented?
- Visit your health care provider 4-6 weeks before foreign travel for any necessary vaccinations and a prescription for an antimalarial drug.
- Take your antimalarial drug exactly on schedule without missing doses.
- Prevent mosquito and other insect bites. Use DEET insect repellent on exposed skin and flying insect spray in the room where you sleep.
- Wear long pants and long-sleeved shirts, especially from dusk to dawn. This is the time when mosquitoes that spread malaria bite.
- Sleep under a mosquito bednet that has been dipped in permethrin insecticide if you are not living in screened or air-conditioned housing.
What type of insurance do you recommend?
We strongly recommend medical insurance that covers you while you are outside your home country, and trip cancellation insurance. Your travel agent can refer you to travel insurance providers. Global Volunteers will provide you with emergency medical evacuation insurance.
