Health in Zanzibar

Yellow fever

Visitors must produce a valid yellow fever certificate obtained no less than 10 days prior to travel in order to enter Zanzibar.

Malaria

It is crucial that you obtain malaria prophylactics before entering Tanzania. When purchasing these, please tell your doctor or pharmacist that you intend visiting Tanzania. If you're planning on diving in Zanzibar remember to tell your doctor this as it will determine the kind of anti-malaria tablets that are prescribed.

Precautionary measures to take to prevent contact with mosquitoes include: insect repellent, covering up the moment the sun sets by wearing long-sleeved clothing and long trousers and sleeping under a mosquito net.

Other immunisations

Immunisation against cholera, polio, hepatitis A & B, typhoid and tetanus is recommended if travelling by road. There is a current warning that certain immigration authorities in Tanzania are insisting on cholera certificates or will administer a vaccine themselves.

Medical Services

Medical facilities are limited and medicines are often unavailable. If medical assistance is given, doctors and hospitals require immediate payment. It is therefore advisable to obtain medical insurance prior to travel.

Emergency services and first aid are unavailable outside major cities and tourist areas so it's wise to bring with you any medication you may require, as you will not have access to pharmacies in most of the areas you'll visit.

There is great concern about HIV/AIDS; recent estimates suggest that 10% of the population in Tanzania may be HIV-positive.

There are many hospitals in Tanzania, but most are drastically understaffed and under-resourced.

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