The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) website is a good source of health information for travelers.

Yellow fever vaccination is required for all travelers arriving from or has transited countries where yellow fever is endemic. Direct arrivals from non-endemic countries, including all countries in Europe and North America, are usually not required to show a yellow fever vaccination certificate. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) provides additional information about recommended vaccines and medications for travelers going to Tanzania. The CDC reports that unless a traveler has a medical exemption letter from a physician, some immigration officials require evidence of the vaccine for entry in Tanzania – particularly entry via Zanzibar – from all travelers. Travelers with neither the shot nor an exemption letter are usually allowed entry and directed to a health officer to obtain the vaccine. The CDC recommends that travelers staying for an extended time or those who will be heavily exposed to mosquitoes consider getting the vaccination before visiting Tanzania.

Malaria: Anti-malarial medication is strongly recommended for all travelers to Tanzania. Several anti-malarial drugs are available, including mefloquine, chloroquine, doxycycline, and the new Malarone, which has performed well in recent tests. Your doctor will prescribe the best choice based on your health history and specific destination(s) in Africa. (In most sub-Saharan countries, for example, the prevalent strain of malaria is resistant to chloroquine.) In addition to an anti-malarial drug regimen, personal protection measures should be taken to avoid mosquito bites, especially (but not limited to) the hours between dusk and dawn when malarial mosquitos are most active. These measures include using an insect repellent containing at least 20% to 35% of the active ingredient “DEET,” keeping your arms and legs covered as much as possible and avoiding perfume, hairspray, and other scented products that attract mosquitos. NOTE: Since some lodges in Tanzania are not equipped with screened windows or mosquito netting, it is essential that you carry insect repellent — or purchase some in Arusha (or Nairobi) before venturing into the bush.

Dengue Fever: Dengue fever occasionally occurs in East Africa. Mosquitos that transmit dengue fever, which is predominant in urban centers, are usually found near human dwellings and are often present indoors. Epidemic transmission (when international travelers are at greatest risk) is usually seasonal and occurs during and shortly after the rainy season. There is no vaccine for dengue; therefore, travelers should take adequate precautions against mosquito bites, including using an insect repellent containing approximately 30% of the active ingredient “DEET.”

We recommend that all international travelers ensure that their tetanus, Hepatitis A, and polio vaccines are up-to-date.

Please get in touch with your doctor for up-to-date information on the latest health and vaccination recommendations.

In Tanzania, the unit of currency is the Tanzanian Shilling, divided into 100 Cents. Coins are issued in denominations of 50, 100, and 200 Shillings. Notes are issued in 500, 1000, 2000, 5000, and 10000 Shillings. For the most updated exchange rate, please check http://www.xe.com.

The standard electrical voltage in Tanzania is 220/240 volts. Bringing an adaptor is a good idea if you plan to use electronics (i.e., cell phones, laptops, cameras, etc.) during your trip.

• The food served in Tanzania has dramatically improved in recent years. All lodges and hotels serve Western food and a selection of local dishes.

• Several types of beer are brewed locally in Tanzania and are pretty good. There are imported wines in Tanzania, though specific brands cannot be guaranteed. A limited supply of soft drinks is available. Occasional lack of refrigeration and short ice supplies can mean that beer and other types of drinks may be served warm or only slightly cooled.

• Hard liquor, decaffeinated beverages, and diet (sugar-free) drinks are in short supply in Tanzania, and you may not find your favorite brands. If you favor a particular brand of spirits, you may want to use your duty-free liquor allowance to purchase a bottle en route to Tanzania for your consumption. Similarly, those who prefer decaffeinated coffee or tea may wish to carry packets of these beverages.

• Do not drink or brush your teeth with tap water in Tanzania. Additionally, do not accept ice in drinks. It may be necessary to exercise caution when using “purified” water provided in thermoses and flasks in hotel rooms, lodges, and camps. It is generally safer to drink directly from the can or bottle of a beverage than from a questionable container. We suggest that you drink only boiled or bottled water.

• You should avoid possibly contaminated food, particularly seafood, unwashed vegetables, and fruits already peeled when served. In warm, tropical settings, exercise caution in eating foods that can spoil from a lack of proper refrigeration (such as salads containing mayonnaise, cream-filled pastries, heavy cream, and dairy products).

Tanzania is a multilingual country. There are many languages spoken in the country. English was inherited from the colonial rule are widely spoken as lingua francas. They serve as working languages in the country, with Swahili being the official national language.