Tanzania international medical insurance and visa guide
January 04, 2019
Tanzania is the largest country in the East of Africa, including the beautiful islands of Zanzibar, Pemba and Mafia. Tanzania is also home to the highest point in Africa - Mount Kilimanjaro. It’s, therefore, a great spot for both relaxation and adventure.
There’s a lot to get excited about when organizing your visit. To fully enjoy your adventure, make sure you give yourself peace of mind and organize your travel insurance policy as soon as possible, so you can kick back, relax and enjoy your vacation knowing that you have got all your bases covered.
Aside from finding the right cover for you, here are some other important travel tips to be aware of before you set off on your adventure:
Visa Information for Tanzania
Do I Need a Visa to Visit Tanzania?
Yes
U.S. Citizens traveling to Tanzania will need a Visa. The U.S Embassy advises that the visa is obtained prior to arrival. However, you can get the Visa at ports of entry, on arrival.
To obtain your visa before your trip, visit a Tanzanian Embassy to apply for your visa. Your U.S. passport should be valid for at least six months from the date of arrival in Tanzania.
Health and Medical Advice
Before jetting off on your travels, you should check for any health risks, required vaccinations and any epidemic breakouts occurring in Tanzania. It’s also a good idea to find out where the nearest hospital is in case of an emergency.
Do I Need to be Vaccinated When Travelling to Tanzania?
There are no obligatory vaccination shots for travelling to Tanzania, but we would highly recommend that you get protected against Typhoid, Hepatitis A and B, and Rabies as well as getting your routine vaccinations updated. The standard vaccines are:
- MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella)
- Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis
- Influenza
- Polio
- Chickenpox
Widespread diseases in Tanzania include Dengue and Malaria. Take extra precaution by using mosquito repellent and wearing long-sleeved clothes to prevent getting bitten.
Book an appointment with your local practitioner or find your local Passport health clinic. You should book an appointment, at the latest, four to six weeks before your trip, giving enough time for the vaccinations to take effect.
Emergency Contact Information in Tanzania
No one ever wants to have to call the emergency services while they’re on vacation, but unfortunately, accidents happen and it’s important to be prepared for when they do.
General Emergency number: 112
Police Emergency number: 192
Fire Brigade Emergency number: 193
Tanzania Local Laws and Customs
- Be prepared to show your visa status and passport when entering or existing Zanzibar
- Taking photos of military installations is forbidden – individuals have been imprisoned and had their photography equipment taken away.
Safety and Security
- When travelling between Julius Nyerere International Airport and Dar es Salaam, U.S. citizens should take provisional measures. Incidents of robberies have been reported when cars are stationary at traffic lights on this route.
- Robberies are common: avoid wearing flashy jewellery or using your mobile phone visibly in public.
U.S. Embassy
U.S. Embassy Dar Es Salaam
686 Old Bagamoyo Road,
Msasani
Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Telephone: +(255) 22-229-4122
Emergency After-Hours Telephone: +(255) 22-229-4000, dial '1' for an emergency operator
Fax: +(255) 22-229-4721
[email protected]
Useful Tips for Tanzania
Official Languages: Swahili and English
Currency: Tanzanian shilling
Before your trip make sure to exchange enough Tanzanian shilling for your spending requirements and to get the best exchange rates.
Plug Sockets: Types D and G
Tanzania uses Types D and G plug sockets. The standard voltage and frequency is 230V and 50 Hz. We would recommend that you buy a plug adapter if you don’t have one already.
You can determine if you need a converter or a transformer by looking at the appliance rating plate. A dual voltage rated appliance will display for example ‘INPUT: 110-240 V’ on the appliance body. In this case, you wouldn’t need a converter or transformer.
© 2018 UnitedHealth Group Incorporated. For informational purposes, UHG does not guarantee the correctness or completeness of the information.