Health & Safety Guide

Consult a travel health clinic or your GP at least 6-8 weeks before departure. This gives vaccines time to take effect and allows you to manage any side effects before you travel.

Required vaccinations: Yellow fever vaccination is mandatory if arriving from or transiting through a yellow fever-endemic country. You will need to present your International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (ICVP) at border control. If you are coming directly from Europe, North America, or Australia, yellow fever vaccination is not required.

Recommended vaccinations:

• Hepatitis A — recommended for all travellers to Tanzania
• Hepatitis B — recommended for stays longer than one month or potential medical/dental procedures
• Typhoid — recommended, especially if you plan to eat outside major hotels and lodges
• Cholera — low risk but recommended for some travellers
• Rabies — pre-exposure prophylaxis is recommended for safari travellers; discuss with your doctor
• Polio — ensure routine polio vaccination is up to date
• Tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (Tdap) — ensure routine vaccinations are current
• Measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) — ensure routine vaccinations are current

COVID-19: Tanzania has no COVID-19 entry requirements. However, we recommend being fully vaccinated and carrying proof of vaccination.

Medication to bring: Personal medications in sufficient quantities (in original packaging with prescriptions); broad-spectrum antibiotics (discuss with your doctor); antihistamines; antihistamine cream; rehydration salts; anti-diarrhoeal medication; insect bite cream.

Parts of Tanzania, including the Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Tarangire, and most safari destinations, carry a year-round malaria risk. This is a serious disease, and prevention is essential. There is no vaccine for malaria — prevention relies on avoiding bites and taking antimalarial medication.

Antimalarial medication: Consult your doctor about which antimalarial is right for you. Options include:

• Atovaquone-proguanil (Malarone) — taken daily, few side effects, start 1-2 days before entry and continue 7 days after leaving
• Doxycycline — taken daily, less expensive, can cause sun sensitivity
• Mefloquine (Lariam) — taken weekly, requires starting 1-3 weeks before entry, some people experience vivid dreams

Avoid mosquito bites:

• Apply DEET-based insect repellent (minimum 30% DEET) regularly, especially at dusk and dawn
• Wear long-sleeved shirts and long trousers in the evening
• Sleep under a mosquito net or in air-conditioned accommodation
• All luxury camps provide mosquito nets; ensure they are properly tucked in
• Many camps spray rooms with insecticide and use mosquito coils in evening hours

Recognise symptoms: Malaria symptoms typically appear 10-15 days after a mosquito bite. Symptoms include fever, chills, sweats, headache, muscle aches, and fatigue. If you develop these symptoms within three months of returning from Tanzania, inform your doctor immediately and mention your travel history.

Comprehensive travel insurance is essential for a Tanzania safari. No reputable operator will run a safari without knowing you are insured. Your policy must cover:

• Medical evacuation: Minimum $100,000 USD coverage for emergency evacuation by air ambulance to Nairobi or South Africa. This is not negotiable for remote safari destinations.
• Medical expenses abroad: Coverage for hospital stays, treatment, and doctor visits in Tanzania or Kenya
• Trip cancellation and interruption: To recover costs if you need to cancel due to illness, injury, or other covered reasons
• Lost or delayed baggage: Including safari equipment and camera gear
• Emergency repatriation: If you need to return home for medical reasons
• Activity coverage: Ensure your policy covers safari activities, including game drives and walking safaris

Read the fine print: Some insurance policies exclude high-risk activities or safari regions. Ensure Tanzania is explicitly covered. Keep your policy number and emergency contact numbers accessible — on your phone and in printed form.

Recommended providers: We recommend insurance providers with specific Africa safari experience, including World Nomads, Allianz Travel, and AIG Travel Guard. Ask about their claims process and evacuation protocols before purchasing.

A Tanzania safari is conducted with trained professionals in vehicles designed for wildlife viewing. The risk of dangerous animal encounters is managed by your guide — but there are rules you must follow without exception.

In the safari vehicle:

• Never stand up in the vehicle or extend limbs outside while driving or when wildlife is nearby
• Never exit the vehicle unless your guide explicitly instructs you to do so in a designated area
• Keep voices quiet — loud sounds can startle animals and disrupt natural behaviour
• Follow your guide's instructions immediately without question — their priority is your safety
• Stay seated on the correct side of the vehicle when your guide indicates an animal is nearby
• Never flash photography or use flash near animals

If your vehicle breaks down in wildlife territory:

• Stay inside the vehicle with windows closed
• Remain calm and quiet
• Your guide will use the radio to call for assistance
• Never attempt to walk or exit the vehicle
• Keep engine running if safe to do so — the sound discourages some animals

At camp:

• Never walk outside your tent or accommodation at night without an escort from camp staff
• All luxury camps have protocols for wildlife in camp — follow staff instructions immediately
• Keep tent doors closed and zipped when inside
• Do not leave food or strong scents in your tent — this can attract animals
• Listen to your guide's briefing on camp-specific safety protocols on arrival

At the luxury camps and lodges we use, food safety standards are exceptionally high. Meals are prepared by trained chefs using fresh, properly stored ingredients. However, a few precautions apply:

Water: Drink only bottled or filtered water. All luxury camps we use provide unlimited bottled water for guests. Avoid tap water entirely. Ice in drinks is generally safe at camps and lodges as it is made from purified water.

At camps and lodges: Enjoy the full range of meals, local cuisine, and beverages. The chefs at our partner camps are experienced in catering to international dietary requirements and sensitivities. Inform us of any allergies or dietary restrictions before arrival.

Outside luxury accommodation: If you eat street food or visit local restaurants in Arusha or other towns, choose busy establishments with high turnover and good hygiene practices. Avoid raw or undercooked meats and seafood. Peel fruits and vegetables or wash them with purified water.

Sun and heat: Tanzania is close to the equator. Sun protection is essential — use SPF 50+ sunscreen, wear a wide-brimmed hat, and seek shade during peak sun hours. Dehydration is a risk: drink water regularly throughout the day, even when you do not feel thirsty. The dry heat can deceive — you will perspire more than you realise.

Most Tanzania safari destinations are at moderate altitude. The Ngorongoro Crater rim is at approximately 2,400 metres (7,800 feet), which can cause mild altitude symptoms in some visitors, particularly those arriving from sea level.

Symptoms of mild altitude adjustment include slight shortness of breath, increased heart rate, and feeling slightly more tired than usual. These symptoms typically resolve within 24-48 hours as your body adjusts.

Recommendations:Ascend gradually if possible. Avoid strenuous activity on your first day at altitude. Stay hydrated. If you have a pre-existing heart or respiratory condition, consult your doctor before including Ngorongoro in your itinerary. Our guides monitor guests for altitude symptoms and adjust the day's activities accordingly.

All luxury camps have radio communication systems connecting them to their base operations and to emergency services. Your guide carries a two-way radio at all times.

Medical emergency on safari:

• Inform your guide immediately — they are trained in first aid and emergency protocols
• Your guide will contact camp management via radio, who will arrange evacuation if necessary
• For serious medical emergencies, evacuation by light aircraft to Nairobi or Arusha is the standard protocol
• Your travel insurance evacuation coverage will fund this — ensure your insurer is contacted as early as possible
• Keep your insurance documents and emergency contact numbers accessible at all times

Communication:Mobile phone coverage is limited in safari areas but available at most camps via satellite or local networks. Your camp will have a phone number you can share with family. We recommend downloading offline maps of Tanzania before departure and having your guide's contact details.

Your guide is your first point of contact: In any situation — medical, safety, or otherwise — your guide is your immediate resource. They have decades of experience and have managed every contingency. Listen to them, follow their instructions, and communicate any concerns.

Medical supplies to pack:

• Personal medications in original packaging with prescriptions
• Antimalarial medication (start before departure as prescribed)
• DEET-based insect repellent (minimum 30%)
• Sunscreen SPF 50+
• Lip balm with SPF
• After-sun cream or aloe vera gel
• Rehydration salts (e.g., Dioralyte)
• Anti-diarrhoeal medication
• Antihistamine tablets and cream
• Insect bite cream or gel
• Basic first aid kit: plasters, antiseptic, bandages
• Eye drops (safari dust can irritate eyes)
• Hand sanitiser
• Tissues or wet wipes

Other essential items:

• Travel insurance documents (printed and digital copies)
• Yellow fever vaccination certificate (if applicable)
• Prescription copies for any controlled medications
• Contact details for your insurance emergency line
• Any dietary supplements or special dietary requirements
• Sleeping aid if you have trouble sleeping in new environments

Pregnancy: A luxury safari is possible during pregnancy, but careful planning is required. Some camps have restrictions on pregnancy after a certain stage. Consult your doctor and discuss your itinerary with us. Air evacuation from remote safari areas can be complicated for pregnancy-related emergencies.

Pre-existing medical conditions:Inform us of any pre-existing conditions that might affect your safari — heart conditions, respiratory issues, severe allergies, diabetes, or mobility limitations. We work with our camp partners to ensure your accommodation and itinerary are appropriate. Carry a doctor's letter outlining your condition and medications.

Mobility: Game drives involve hours in a safari vehicle over rough terrain. Walking safaris require reasonable fitness. If you have mobility limitations, discuss this with us before booking — we can adjust your itinerary and vehicle setup to ensure comfort.

Allergies: Severe allergies — especially to insect stings, foods, or medications — must be communicated to us before arrival. All luxury camps can accommodate most dietary requirements and allergies, but early communication is essential.