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Vaccinations for Tanzania — 2026 Guide
Tanzania requires a yellow fever vaccination certificate for travellers arriving from, or transiting for more than 12 hours through, countries with yellow fever risk. Direct travellers from the United States, the United Kingdom, and most of Europe normally do not need a yellow fever certificate, but should still review routine vaccines and malaria prevention.
Important: If your itinerary includes Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia, or another yellow-fever-risk country before Tanzania, carry a valid yellow fever certificate. Border and airport checks can be stricter on multi-country safari routes and Zanzibar connections.
Yellow Fever Vaccination
| Entry requirement | Certificate required if arriving from/transiting through an endemic country (including Kenya, Ethiopia, Uganda) |
| Direct from UK/US/Europe | Not required by Tanzania entry rules unless your route includes a yellow-fever-risk country transit of more than 12 hours |
| Zanzibar | The same Tanzania entry rule applies, but checks may occur on Zanzibar arrival or transfer routes |
| CDC recommendation | Generally not recommended for Tanzania unless your individual itinerary or risk profile makes vaccination appropriate |
| Cost (UK) | £60–£85 |
| Cost (US) | $150–$350 |
| Certificate validity | Lifetime |
Zanzibar warning: Even if flying from mainland Tanzania (Dar or Arusha) to Zanzibar, authorities sometimes ask for Yellow Fever proof if your original entry into Tanzania was from an endemic country. Always carry your Yellow Card when travelling to Zanzibar.
Recommended Vaccinations
| Vaccine | Who Needs It | Doses | Advance Time | UK Cost | US Cost | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hepatitis A | All travellers | 2 (0 + 6–12m) | 2+ weeks | Free NHS / £50 | $50–$100 | 25+ years |
| Hepatitis B | Long stays, medical workers, adventure | 3 doses | 6m / 3 wks rapid | Free at-risk / £50/dose | $50–$100/dose | Lifetime |
| Typhoid | All travellers | 1 injection | 2+ weeks | Free NHS / £30 | $40–$80 | 3 years |
| Rabies | Safari, Kilimanjaro climbers, rural, children | 3 (0, 7, 21–28 days) | 4 weeks | £50–£65/dose | $200–$400/dose | Pre-exposure course |
| Meningitis ACWY | Recommended, especially for prolonged stays | 1 dose | 2+ weeks | £40–£65 | $100–$200 | 5 years |
| Cholera | Zanzibar, remote coast, aid workers | 2 oral doses | 2+ weeks | £55–£70 | $100–$150 | 2 years |
| Polio (booster) | All (>10 years since last) | 1 booster | Any time | Free NHS | $40–$80 | 10+ years |
| Routine (MMR, Tetanus) | All — ensure current | Check records | Any time | Free NHS | Varies | Varies |
Kilimanjaro climbers: Rabies pre-exposure is recommended for Kilimanjaro treks. You may encounter monkeys in the forest zone, and remote mountain locations make accessing post-exposure treatment difficult. Additionally, Typhoid and Hep A are important as food hygiene on the mountain varies.
COVID-19 Requirements (2026)
Tanzania, including Zanzibar, has no COVID-19 vaccination or testing requirements as of 2026.
Where to Get Vaccinated & Costs
United Kingdom
- NHS GP: Free Hep A, Typhoid, Polio, Tetanus/Diphtheria
- Private clinics: Yellow Fever (NaTHNaC centres), Rabies, Meningitis, Hep B
United States
- CDC-approved Yellow Fever centres; travel clinics for other vaccines
Estimated Total Cost
| Trip Type | UK | US |
|---|---|---|
| Zanzibar beach holiday (YF + Hep A + Typhoid) | £60–£100 | $250–$500 |
| Safari + Zanzibar (above + Rabies + Hep B) | £300–£450 | $800–$1,500 |
| Kilimanjaro + Safari (comprehensive) | £400–£600 | $1,000–$2,000 |
Children & Pregnancy
Children
- Yellow Fever from 9 months
- Rabies recommended for children on safari — monkeys at lodges and camping sites
- Kilimanjaro: Not recommended for children under 10 (altitude + vaccination/health logistics)
- Zanzibar: Full vaccination suite recommended including Hep A, Typhoid
Pregnant Women
- Yellow Fever (live vaccine) generally avoided in pregnancy
- If transit requires certificate, discuss risk-benefit with doctor
- Kilimanjaro is contraindicated during pregnancy
- Zanzibar beach holiday: Hep A and Typhoid injections are safe in pregnancy
Certificate & Immigration
- Julius Nyerere (Dar), Kilimanjaro (JRO), and Zanzibar (ZNZ) airports all check Yellow Fever certificates for arrivals from endemic countries
- Land border crossings from Kenya (Namanga, Taveta) require Yellow Fever proof
- Zanzibar ferry from Dar: certificates sometimes checked
- Keep your Yellow Card with your passport throughout your trip