To travel to Tanzania you need three things: a tourist visa (around 50 USD, online or on arrival), a passport valid for at least 6 months, and a set of recommended vaccines plus malaria prophylaxis. Yellow fever is not mandatory if you fly in directly from a non-risk country such as Spain. On top of this comes travel insurance with good medical coverage, which isn't mandatory but is highly advisable. Here's everything, step by step.
Important note: entry and health requirements change. This guide is indicative and updated as of June 2026. Before traveling, always confirm the information with official sources: your country's foreign affairs ministry, Tanzania's official immigration portal and your international vaccination center.
Visa for Tanzania: how, how much and when
Most travelers need a visa to enter Tanzania. The good news is that the process is simple and you have two routes:
- e-Visa (recommended): applied for online on Tanzania's official government portal before traveling. You fill in the form, upload a passport-style photo and a copy of your passport, pay by card and receive approval by email within a few days. You arrive with the visa already sorted.
- Visa on arrival: available at the main international airports (Kilimanjaro, Dar es Salaam) and in Zanzibar. It means queuing and paying at the counter, usually in US dollars in cash.
For the vast majority of travelers, the single-entry tourist visa is enough. Here are the key facts:
| Visa type | Approx. cost | Validity | Entries |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tourist (single entry) | 50 USD | Up to 90 days | One |
| Multiple entry | 100 USD | As granted | Several |
| Transit | 30 USD | Up to 7 days | One |
Passport requirements:
- Validity of at least 6 months from the date of entry.
- At least 2 blank pages for entry and exit stamps.
- Recent passport-style photo and, for the e-Visa, a digital copy of your passport.
Our advice: apply for the e-Visa at least 3-4 weeks in advance to avoid any rush. If you book with us, we guide you through the process so no detail is missed.
Vaccines for traveling to Tanzania
This is the question we get most, so let's get to the point. No vaccine is legally mandatory to enter Tanzania if you arrive directly from a non-risk country, but there is a set of recommended vaccines worth having in order. The distinction matters:
| Vaccine | Mandatory? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Yellow fever | Only in one case | Required only if you arrive from a risk country or have transited one for over 12 h. Flying in directly from a non-risk country, no. |
| Hepatitis A | Recommended | Via water and food. Highly advisable. |
| Typhoid | Recommended | Via contaminated water and food. |
| Tetanus-diphtheria | Recommended | Keep your schedule up to date (booster every 10 years). |
| Hepatitis B | To assess | Depending on length and type of trip. |
| Polio | To assess | Booster if your schedule isn't current. |
The yellow fever nuance is the one that causes most confusion. In short: if your country isn't a transmission-risk country, the certificate isn't required for a traveler flying in directly. It's only requested from those arriving from, or who have spent over 12 hours transiting, an endemic country (for example, certain stopovers in sub-Saharan Africa or South America). If your flight has a layover, check the transit country. When in doubt, many travelers get vaccinated anyway, since the certificate simplifies any check.
Vaccination should always be planned by your international vaccination center, which assesses your history and specific itinerary. Book an appointment 1-2 months in advance, as some schedules take time.
Malaria: the prevention that really matters
Tanzania is a malaria area below 1,500 meters of altitude, which includes much of the safari circuit and Zanzibar. There is no tourist-use malaria vaccine; prevention rests on two pillars:
- Prophylaxis (preventive medication): your doctor will prescribe an antimalarial (the common ones are started before the trip and continued for some days after). Which one and for how long depends on your case: leave it to the specialist.
- Avoiding bites: the most effective barrier. DEET repellent, long sleeves and trousers at dusk (when the Anopheles mosquito is most active), and sleeping under a net or in protected accommodation.
With these measures, the real risk for a tourist is low. It's no reason to give up the trip, but it is something to prepare with your doctor before leaving.
Travel insurance: not mandatory, but travel without it at your own risk
Tanzania doesn't legally require insurance to enter, but traveling without it is a mistake we don't recommend to anyone. Quality private healthcare is expensive and, in a serious emergency, a medical evacuation can cost tens of thousands of euros. Good travel insurance costs a tiny fraction of that. Make sure yours includes:
- Broad medical coverage (ideally from €100,000 or more) and hospitalization.
- Medical evacuation and repatriation.
- Coverage for the activities you'll do (a Kilimanjaro trek requires specific high-altitude coverage).
- Cancellation, lost luggage and delays.
If your plan includes a safari and a Kilimanjaro climb, expressly check the altitude coverage: many standard policies exclude above a certain elevation.
Documentation checklist before departure
- Passport with 6+ months validity and 2 free pages.
- Approved e-Visa (printed and on your phone) or USD cash for the visa on arrival.
- International vaccination card (and yellow fever certificate if your route requires it).
- Prescribed antimalarial prophylaxis in sufficient quantity.
- Travel insurance policy with a 24-h assistance phone number.
- Digital copies of everything (email + phone) and some on paper.
- Tickets, bookings and contact details for your agency and accommodation.
When to start preparing? A timeline
- 2-3 months before: appointment at the international vaccination center and a medical check for prophylaxis.
- 1 month before: apply for the e-Visa and take out travel insurance.
- 2 weeks before: buy repellent, a basic first-aid kit and start prophylaxis if your schedule indicates.
- Days before: print documentation, make copies and pack (we help with what to pack for a safari).
"Most last-minute headaches are avoided with one thing: starting early. Vaccination and the visa are no mystery if you plan them with margin. That's why, when someone books with us, the first thing we do is give them the to-do calendar." — Kipama team
In summary
Traveling to Tanzania is simpler than it looks at first glance: an online visa of around 50 USD, recommended vaccines (not mandatory except the specific yellow fever case), malaria prophylaxis and good travel insurance. With a couple of months' lead time, it's all sorted without stress.
If you're still wondering about the destination's safety, also read is Tanzania safe to travel? and check the weather in Tanzania to choose dates. Questions about your specific case? Write to us via contact, check the FAQ or request your tailor-made safari: we'll be with you for every step.
