Tanzania Travel Vaccinations
What vaccinations do I need for Tanzania?
It depends on where you’re going, for how long, and what you’ll be doing. As a guide, UK travel health guidance groups the vaccinations for Tanzania like this — your pharmacist will confirm exactly what you need at your consultation:
| Protects against | Who should consider it | Doses & schedule |
|---|---|---|
| Most travellers Hepatitis A | All travellers — spread through contaminated food and water, including at lodges and beach resorts. | 1 dose, ideally 2 weeks before travel. Booster at 6–12 months gives ~25 years’ protection. |
| Most travellers Tetanus, diphtheria & polio | All travellers whose last booster was more than 10 years ago. | Single combined booster injection. |
| Most travellers Typhoid | Most travellers — especially for longer trips, rural travel or adventurous eating. | 1 injection, ideally 2 weeks before travel. Protects ~3 years. |
| Certificate Yellow fever | A certificate is required if you arrive from a yellow fever risk country — including airport transits of more than 12 hours (for example via Nairobi or Addis Ababa). Not usually needed for direct UK arrivals. | Single injection at least 10 days before travel. Certificate now valid for life. |
| Some trips Rabies | Safari trips, longer stays, cycling or running — or anyone likely to be around dogs, monkeys or bats. Treatment after a bite is very hard to obtain outside the main cities. | Course of 3 injections over 21–28 days — book early. |
| Some trips Hepatitis B | Longer stays, healthcare or volunteer work, new tattoos or piercings, or activities with a risk of blood contact. | 3 injections — an accelerated course over 21 days is available. |
| Some trips Cholera | Aid and humanitarian workers or travel to areas with very limited sanitation. Not needed for typical safaris or Zanzibar holidays. | Oral vaccine: 2 doses, 1–6 weeks apart, completed at least 1 week before travel. |
| Some trips Dengue fever | Travellers to Zanzibar and the coast (including Dar es Salaam), where dengue outbreaks occur — available at our clinic to all eligible travellers, whether or not you’ve had dengue before. | 2 doses, 3 months apart — start early if your trip qualifies. |
Tanzania (including Zanzibar) requires a yellow fever certificate only if you arrive from a yellow fever risk country — or spend more than 12 hours in transit in one, which catches many itineraries routed via Nairobi or Addis Ababa. Check your route with us, or see our yellow fever page. Vaccine prices are kept up to date on our travel clinic price list. Vaccine prices are kept up to date on our travel clinic price list.
Do I need malaria tablets for Tanzania and Zanzibar?
Yes — for most travellers. Malaria risk is high across mainland Tanzania below about 1,800 m — including the Serengeti, Selous/Nyerere and the coast — and on Zanzibar. Antimalarial tablets are advised for the vast majority of itineraries, beach holidays included.
High-altitude stops are the exception. Risk falls with altitude, so the upper slopes of Kilimanjaro and parts of the Ngorongoro highlands are low risk — but you pass through malarial areas to reach them, so most climbers and safari-goers still need tablets.
Bring your itinerary to your consultation: we check it against current UK risk maps, explain the options and can supply your antimalarial tablets in the same visit. Dengue also occurs on Zanzibar and the coast — spread by day-biting mosquitoes — so bite prevention (50% DEET repellent, covering up, sleeping under nets) matters for every traveller, and dengue vaccination is available at our clinic for eligible travellers.
How our travel clinic works
Book online in 2 minutes
Choose a time that suits you — same-week appointments are usually available, and families can be seen together in one visit.
Personalised risk assessment
Your pharmacist reviews your itinerary, health history and previous vaccinations against current UK travel health guidance, and agrees a plan with you.
Vaccinated the same visit
Most vaccinations — and antimalarial tablets, if you need them — are given there and then. You only pay for what you actually need.
The diseases explained
More detail on each illness you can be protected against before travelling to Tanzania:
Hepatitis A
A viral liver infection spread through contaminated food and water — risk exists even for careful eaters staying in good hotels, which is why vaccination is advised for virtually all travellers to Tanzania. Illness causes weeks of fatigue, nausea and jaundice. A single injection before travel protects, and a booster 6–12 months later extends protection for around 25 years.
Typhoid
A bacterial infection from contaminated food and water causing prolonged fever, headache and abdominal illness. Risk is highest for adventurous eaters and travellers staying with friends and relatives. One injection gives around three years’ protection.
Tetanus, diphtheria & polio
These are covered by the UK childhood programme, but protection fades. Tetanus enters through cuts and animal scratches; diphtheria spreads person-to-person. Travellers whose last dose was over ten years ago need a single combined booster.
Yellow fever
A serious mosquito-borne viral infection of Africa and South America. One dose at least 10 days before travel gives long-lasting protection, and comes with the International Certificate of Vaccination (ICVP) that border officials can demand. We are a registered yellow fever vaccination centre — see our yellow fever page.
Rabies
Tanzania has rabies in its animal population, and a lick, scratch or bite from a dog, cat, monkey or bat can transmit it. Once symptoms appear rabies is almost always fatal — and treatment after a bite can be expensive and hard to obtain quickly. Pre-travel vaccination is a course of three injections over 3–4 weeks, so it rewards booking early. Particularly advised for longer stays, rural travel, children and anyone likely to be around animals.
Hepatitis B
A blood-borne viral liver infection transmitted through unprotected sex, tattoos, piercings, medical procedures and injuries. Advised for longer stays, healthcare workers and anyone whose plans carry a risk of blood contact. The standard course is three injections; an accelerated 21-day schedule suits imminent departures.
Cholera
A severe diarrhoeal illness from heavily contaminated water. Risk to conventional tourists is very low; the oral vaccine is reserved for aid workers and travel to areas with very poor sanitation.
Dengue fever
Dengue is a common mosquito-borne infection in Tanzania and, unlike malaria, the mosquitoes that carry it bite during the day and thrive in towns. A second infection can be more severe than the first. A dengue vaccination is available at our travel clinic — open to all eligible travellers, whether or not you’ve had dengue before — given as two doses three months apart, so it rewards booking early. Bite avoidance remains important even when vaccinated. Read more on our dengue fever page.
Where in Tanzania are you going?
Serengeti & the northern circuit
Serengeti, Ngorongoro and Tarangire: malaria tablets are usually essential, with hepatitis A, typhoid and boosters as the core cover. Rabies awareness matters around camps — and multi-dose courses need 3–4 weeks, so book as soon as your safari is confirmed.
Zanzibar & the coast
Zanzibar is malarial — tablets are advised even for beach-only holidays — and dengue outbreaks occur, so pack strong repellent and ask about dengue vaccination. Food and water precautions cover the rest.
Kilimanjaro & Arusha
The mountain itself is low risk for malaria, but Arusha, Moshi and the approach routes are not — most climbers need tablets. Discuss altitude sickness prevention at your consultation too.
Southern & western parks
Nyerere (Selous), Ruaha, Katavi and Mahale: remote, high-malaria areas a long way from medical care — tablets, rabies cover and a well-stocked first-aid kit all earn their place.
Planning your timing
Most UK travellers visit Tanzania in the June to October dry season, with a second window in January to February — also the classic Kilimanjaro climbing seasons. Safaris and climbs are usually booked 3–6 months ahead, so sort vaccinations as soon as your trip is confirmed — and no later than 6–8 weeks before you fly, because the rabies course takes 3–4 weeks and yellow fever (if your route needs it) takes 10 days to become valid.
Everyday health essentials for Tanzania
Food & water: drink bottled or boiled water, avoid ice of unknown origin, choose freshly cooked food served hot, and peel fruit yourself. Bites: 50% DEET repellent, cover arms and legs at dawn and dusk, sleep under nets or in screened rooms. Sun & heat: high-SPF sunscreen, hydration, and shade in the middle of the day. If you're unwell after you return — especially with fever — see a doctor promptly and mention your travel history. Our pharmacists can advise on travel first-aid kits, oral rehydration and stomach remedies at your appointment.
Frequently asked questions
How far in advance should I book my Tanzania vaccinations?
Ideally 6–8 weeks before travel — multi-dose courses such as rabies take 3–4 weeks to complete. Flying sooner? Single-dose protection against hepatitis A and typhoid works at shorter notice — book the earliest appointment you can and we’ll prioritise.
Do I need malaria tablets for Zanzibar?
Yes — unlike some Tanzanian Ocean islands, Zanzibar has year-round malaria transmission, so tablets are advised even for beach-only holidays. We match the right antimalarial to your trip and supply it at your appointment.
Do I need a yellow fever certificate for Tanzania or Zanzibar?
Only if you arrive from a yellow fever risk country — or transit one for more than 12 hours, which catches many routes via Nairobi or Addis Ababa. Flying direct from the UK, no certificate is needed. Bring your itinerary and we will confirm.
How much do travel vaccinations cost?
You only pay for the vaccinations you actually need, agreed at your consultation. Current prices are on our travel clinic price list.
Can my family be vaccinated at the same appointment?
Yes — we routinely see couples and families together. Book one slot and mention the number of travellers, or call us on 01276 21002 and we’ll arrange it.
What should I bring to my appointment?
Your itinerary (destinations, dates, rural stops), your vaccination history if you have it, and a note of any medicines you take or allergies.
Rated by 330+ patients of our Camberley pharmacy and clinics.
GPhC registered pharmacy 1105418 · Superintendent pharmacist Jirina Thielens (GPhC 2069634).
This guide follows UK national travel health guidance (TravelHealthPro / NHS) and was last reviewed in August 2026. Recommendations can change — your consultation always reflects the latest advice.
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