Should i travel to tanzania

Travelers with neither the vaccination nor an exemption letter are typically allowed entry and directed to a health officer to obtain the shot. Quality medical care services are limited, especially outside Dar es Salaam and other major urban centres. Medical help at the scene of an accident is also likely to be limited. In the case of serious accident or illness, evacuation by air ambulance may be required.

Adequate insurance can be crucial in helping people get the medical attention required. Make sure you bring enough medication for your entire trip and for any unexpected delays. You may wish to also bring copies of your prescription in case you lose your medication. Malaria is common in Tanzania and is transmitted by mosquitoes.

You cannot be vaccinated against malaria. Malaria can be contracted throughout the year and anywhere in Tanzania, including in Dar es Salaam.

It is highly advisable to take precautions:. Water quality can be poor in Tanzania and outbreaks of waterborne diseases can occur. Ensure that drinking water is safe before consumption. Irish citizens require a visa to enter Tanzania. This visa can be obtained on arrival at entry points.

Your passport should be valid for a minimum period of 6 months from the date of your visa application. If you are planning to work or volunteer, you will need a valid work permit. Your employer or volunteer organisation should arrange this before you travel. A separate permit is required if you intend to engage in journalism whilst in Tanzania. Your location and circumstances may limit the help we can give you. As Ireland does not have a Consulate in Zanzibar there may be additional complications in processing and application for a new passport.

You should contact the Irish Embassy in Dar-es-Salaam to find out what you need to do to apply for a passport. They will also be able to advise you on the fees which apply.

The Tanzanian Shilling is the official currency of Tanzania. Most banks in major cities have ATMs, but they are not always reliable and sometimes break down or run out of money. To minimise the risk of card cloning, only use ATMs located within the bank. Tanzania lies on a fault line Rift Valley fault and earthquakes can occur. The last significant earthquake magnitude 5. In the areas bordering the Indian Ocean there is a risk of tsunamis but these usually occur in deep sea waters and warnings are usually issued in advance.

The main rainy season extends from March to May in Tanzania, with a shorter, lighter rainy season in November and December. In the districts of the larger cities with a high density of informal settlements there is a risk of severe flooding in low-lying areas during the rainy season.

Effective from the 1 st June , all plastic carrier bags, will be prohibited from being imported, exported, manufactured, sold, stored, supplied and used in mainland Tanzania.

Plastic or plastic packaging for medical services, industrial products, foodstuffs, sanitary and waste management, and for use in the construction industry and agricultural sector are not prohibited,. Visitors to Tanzania are advised to avoid carrying plastic carrier bags, or packing plastic carrier bags or items in plastic carrier bags in their suitcase or hand luggage before embarking on a visit to Tanzania.

A special desk will be designated at all entry points for surrender of plastic carrier bags that visitors may be bringing into Tanzania. Box , Dar es Salaam Tanzania. Contact our Embassy in Dar-es-Salaam for assistance. Travel Advice A-Z list of countries Tanzania. Fri, 19 Apr BST. General Travel Advice In weighing up the decision to travel to Tanzania at this time, Irish citizens should take into consideration the risk of restrictions being introduced during their travel and, also, the impact which responding to COVID may have on local health care systems over the course of their proposed visit.

You should monitor developments regularly and follow the advice of local authorities. Travel to Ireland Up to date information on travelling to Ireland can be found on gov. Fri, 29 Oct BST. Safety and Security Safety and security Terrorism and Political Unrest The political situation in Tanzania is reasonably stable but terrorist incidents, including the bombing of the U.

Check no one has followed you after conducting your business Avoid walking alone, especially in isolated areas and on beaches and particularly after dark. Walk as far from the road side as possible to avoid bag snatching. Credit card fraud Credit card fraud is increasing. Although most visits to Tanzania are trouble-free, violent and armed crime is increasing.

Take sensible precautions to protect yourself and your belongings. See Crime. On occasion, demonstrations and political rallies across Tanzania have turned violent and resulted in fatalities. You should avoid all demonstrations and rallies. See Safety and security.

During the rainy seasons, end of March till May and October to middle of December, exceptionally heavy rainfall and strong winds can occur. As of 1 June , plastic bags are banned for environmental reasons. See Local laws and customs. Terrorists are likely to try to carry out attacks in Tanzania. See Terrorism. If you need to contact the emergency services, dial and ask for the emergency service you require. There is a threat of piracy in the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean.

See River and sea travel. Foreign authorities might not recognize or accept proof of vaccination issued by Canadian provinces and territories. You may need to obtain a translation, a notarization, an authentication, or the legalization of the document. Foreign Representatives in Canada.

Travel near refugee camps in northwestern Tanzania, particularly in the region of Kigoma and to the west of Kagera bordering Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda, is dangerous due to banditry. Demonstrations increase during flare-ups of political tension which can include election periods. Even peaceful demonstrations can turn violent at any time. They can also lead to disruptions to traffic and public transportation.

More about mass gatherings large-scale events. Petty crime, such as pickpocketing and purse snatching, occurs, particularly in public places and popular tourist areas in Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar and Arusha.

Tourists have been victims of assaults, including sexual assaults, in Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar and Arusha. If you are the victim of an armed robbery, do not resist. Attackers could assault you for failing to comply or not complying quickly enough. Crimes against children and people with albinism, including murder, have occurred.

Be particularly cautious. Organized crime associated with international drug trafficking occurs in Tanzania, as it is situated along a transit route used to transport drugs from Asia to Africa. Though tourists are rarely affected, exercise caution in large cities.

Kidnapping-for-ransom does not pose significant risk in Tanzania, though armed groups from bordering countries are known to employ this tactic. Tourists have been taken to ATMs and forced to withdraw funds from their account after accepting a ride from a stranger, a local taxi, ride share companies or a recent acquaintance.

These incidents have most often occurred near hotels and transportation hubs such as ferry, bus and train terminals in Dar es Salaam. To minimize the risk, do not accept unsolicited offers of assistance or rides from new acquaintances or strangers. Always book transportation from a reputable company or through your hotel. Always lock your doors and windows and use reinforced barriers wherever possible. Do not rent temporary accommodations from new acquaintances. Be sure to go through a reputable agency if looking for long-term accommodations in Tanzania.

LGBTQ2 persons have been subject to physical and verbal harassment by locals and authorities. The situation has become worse since under the new government. Road signs are often missing, and visibility is poor due to insufficient lighting. Poorly maintained cars, roaming wildlife, livestock, cyclists and pedestrians also increase the risk associated with driving.

Outside major cities, four-wheel drive vehicles are highly recommended. Tourist facilities are adequate in major cities but limited in remote areas, with the exception of principal game lodges and beach resorts. Drivers often drive at excessive speeds, and they can be aggressive or reckless.

Accident causing fatalities are common. Armed robberies, carjackings and attacks on moving vehicles have occurred in Arusha and Dar es Salaam, particularly on Toure Drive Msasani Peninsula. Crowds tend to form around accidents and foreigners are extorted for money or assaulted even when they are not at fault. Organized tours and independent travellers have been victims of armed robbery in parks and nature reserves. Avoid camping or travelling alone and hire a reputable tour guide.

Hotels can make recommendations for reputable tour companies. While camps and lodges are generally guarded, potentially dangerous wild animals often venture within the boundaries of the camp. If you are considering climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, carefully consider the inherent risks involved.

People are seriously injured or killed on the mountain every year, and emergency assistance is severely limited. If you intend to climb:. There is a threat of terrorism, particularly in Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar, Arusha and border areas. Terrorist attacks could occur at any time. Targets could include:. Never leave food or drinks unattended or in the care of strangers. Be wary of accepting snacks, beverages, gum or cigarettes from new acquaintances.

These items may contain drugs that could put you at risk of sexual assault and robbery. Some officials solicit bribes as you go through customs at airports. In a common scheme, an official will ask the visitor to produce a certificate of proof of inoculation against yellow fever, even in cases where you do not need one.

If you think you are dealing with a corrupt official, you may inform them you will contact the High Commission for advice. This tends to dissuade them from soliciting bribes. You should avoid travelling by bus dala dala , as public buses are often overcrowded, poorly maintained and driven in a reckless manner.

Public buses are frequently involved in accidents which have resulted in fatalities. There have been reports of sexual assault on buses. Rail service is limited and maintenance standards are low. There have been reports of theft on crowded trains, particularly overnight trains. A licensed taxi is a white car with a white never yellow licence plate, a coloured stripe running laterally on the side panels of the vehicle, a number located inside a circle on the passenger doors and visible insurance and registration numbers located on the windshield.

There are regular ferries travelling between Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar. Tanzanian ports are often frequented by persuasive ticket scalpers. Pirate attacks and armed robbery against ships occur in coastal waters, particularly in the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean. Mariners should take appropriate precautions.

We do not make assessments on the compliance of foreign domestic airlines with international safety standards. General information about foreign domestic airlines. Due to power shortages, outages may occur on a daily basis. Expect occasional disruptions in power, as not all businesses are equipped with a generator. Most governments have implemented special entry and exit restrictions and requirements for their territory due to COVID Before travelling, verify if the local authorities of both your current location and destinations have implemented any restrictions or requirements related to this situation.

Consider even your transit points, as transit rules are in place in many destinations. This could disrupt your travel. Every country or territory decides who can enter or exit through its borders. We have obtained the information on this page from the Tanzanian authorities. It can, however, change at any time. Verify this information with the Foreign Representatives in Canada. Before you travel, check with your transportation company about passport requirements. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the date you expect to leave Tanzania.

Official travel. Different entry rules may apply when travelling with a temporary passport or an emergency travel document. Before you leave, check with the closest diplomatic mission for your destination.

Canadians need a visa to visit Tanzania. At main ports of entry, you can get a visa on arrival for a maximum of 3 months.