Wild Places
Visa & Health Information
Tanzania requires preparation. The e-visa is straightforward but takes time. Malaria prophylaxis requires a GP visit. Yellow fever vaccination may be required. This page covers every official requirement and Tanzania Adventure’s practical recommendations.
The four requirements every
Tanzania visitor must address
Tanzania e-Visa &
How to Apply
Most nationalities require a Tanzania e-visa for entry. The e-visa is available online at the official Tanzania Immigration portal (immigration.go.tz) and covers entry to the mainland including Zanzibar. No separate Zanzibar permit is required. The fee is $50 USD for most Western nationalities, payable by credit card on the portal.
Tanzania Adventure recommends applying at least two weeks before your travel date, though many applications are processed within 24–48 hours. The e-visa is valid for 90 days from issue date and allows single entry. Multiple entry visas are available for clients requiring them (Southern Circuit clients who may cross into Mozambique or Zambia should discuss this at enquiry stage).
Citizens of EAC member states (Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan) have different arrangements. Certain nationalities (including US citizens) can obtain a visa on arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, though Tanzania Adventure recommends the e-visa to avoid any queue on arrival. Tanzania Adventure’s pre-departure guide specifies the requirements for your specific nationality.
Yellow Fever &
When It Is Required
Yellow fever vaccination is compulsory for travellers arriving from or transiting through yellow fever endemic countries. These include most Sub-Saharan African nations and parts of South America. If you are flying to Tanzania via Nairobi, Addis Ababa, Entebbe, or Johannesburg, you may require the yellow fever certificate regardless of your country of citizenship.
The yellow fever vaccine is administered at designated travel vaccination centres and is valid for life (WHO updated the validity from 10 years to lifetime in 2016). The certificate (the yellow International Certificate of Vaccination) must be presented at the Tanzania border. Tanzania Adventure recommends obtaining the certificate regardless of whether your specific routing technically requires it — border officers’ interpretation varies.
Timescale: Yellow fever vaccine can be administered up to 10 days before travel, but immunisation travel clinics fill up quickly. Book your travel clinic appointment as soon as your safari is confirmed.
Malaria Prevention &
Prophylaxis Options
Tanzania is a malaria-endemic country. Malaria prophylaxis is strongly recommended for all destinations including the northern circuit, Zanzibar, and all southern circuit parks. The three most commonly prescribed options in order of Tanzania Adventure’s general preference: Malarone (atovaquone-proguanil), Doxycycline, and Mefloquine.
Each option has different side effect profiles, starting schedules, and costs. Your GP or travel medicine clinic is the appropriate authority for the decision about which option suits your specific health profile. Tanzania Adventure provides factual information but does not give medical advice. Consult at least 6 weeks before departure so that any option requiring extended pre-travel starting times can be initiated.
Insect repellent with 50% DEET applied to exposed skin from dusk is the most effective practical prevention. Tanzania Adventure camps and lodges provide repellent, but personal supply is recommended for game drive use.
Travel Insurance &
What Cover You Need
Tanzania Adventure considers travel insurance non-negotiable for all programmes. At minimum, cover should include: emergency medical treatment with a minimum sum insured of $500,000, emergency medical evacuation and repatriation to home country, trip cancellation for medical reasons, and personal liability.
For Kilimanjaro clients specifically: altitude sickness cancellation cover is essential. It is a standard insurable event on most adventure travel policies and is one of the most common claims Tanzania Adventure clients make. Medical evacuation from Kilimanjaro by helicopter costs $5,000–15,000 without insurance.
Tanzania Adventure can recommend specific policies appropriate for Tanzania safari, Kilimanjaro, and Zanzibar beach programmes. Ask at the enquiry or booking stage for current recommendations.
Everything to Organise
Before Departure
Common Questions About
Entry Requirements
For some nationalities (including US citizens), a visa on arrival is available at Kilimanjaro International Airport. Tanzania Adventure recommends applying for the e-visa in advance regardless — the online application takes 20 minutes and eliminates any risk of queue delays on arrival after a long international flight.
Yes. The Tanzania e-visa covers the full United Republic of Tanzania including Zanzibar. No separate Zanzibar permit is required. Tanzania Adventure verifies this at the enquiry stage for any itinerary including a Zanzibar element.
Yes, if the certificate was issued after 2016 (when WHO updated validity to lifetime). If your certificate predates 2016, check the validity statement — older certificates may be annotated as 10-year validity. Tanzania Adventure recommends obtaining a new certificate if there is any uncertainty.
All Tanzania safari destinations carry malaria risk. The risk level varies somewhat by altitude (Ngorongoro rim at 2,300m has lower mosquito pressure than sea-level Zanzibar) but Tanzania Adventure treats all destinations as malaria risk areas and recommends prophylaxis for all programmes regardless of destination.
After the Paperwork,
the Safari
Practical Health Advice
for Tanzania
Food and Water Safety
Tanzania Adventure lodges and camps serve purified water for drinking and provide sealed bottled water in rooms. Tap water in Tanzania is not potable for visitors. Game drive vehicles carry a day supply of bottled water. In Zanzibar, bottled water is recommended for drinking though resort tap water is safe for teeth-brushing.
Food at Tanzania Adventure partner accommodation meets international hygiene standards. Street food in Arusha and Zanzibar Stone Town is safe at the major markets — Tanzania Adventure guides will identify specific stands they personally use. Raw vegetables and salads at non-Tanzania Adventure accommodation should be assessed with the same caution applied in any developing world context.
Altitude at Ngorongoro and Kilimanjaro
The Ngorongoro rim at 2,300m causes mild altitude symptoms in some visitors — slight headache, reduced appetite, occasional sleep disruption. These symptoms typically resolve within 24 hours of arrival and do not affect game drive activity. Staying well hydrated and avoiding alcohol on the first rim night are the primary recommendations.
Kilimanjaro altitude is a more significant consideration covered in detail on the Kilimanjaro Programme page and in the Tanzania Adventure pre-departure Kilimanjaro guide sent with every booking.
Dengue Fever
Dengue fever (mosquito-transmitted, no prophylaxis available) is present in coastal Tanzania including Zanzibar. The same insect repellent protocol recommended for malaria — 50% DEET on exposed skin from dusk — provides effective protection. Zanzibar resorts apply comprehensive mosquito control programmes. Tanzania Adventure camps use effective mesh protection and repellent availability throughout the programme.
Paperwork Done?
Start Planning
Tell Tanzania Adventure your target dates. We will handle the programme logistics while you handle the preparation checklist.