Medical and Security

Although the government provides health care it is generally recommended that visitors, who can afford it, try to seek private medical care which offer a much higher standard. Private hospitals and clinics can be found in most large towns, of which some of them are inadequately equipped for serious illnesses requiring intensive care or major surgery. Doctors found in these facilities speak English and the pharmacies can provide commonly required medicines such as broad spectrum antibiotics, malaria treatment and prophylactics. Consultations and laboratory tests are reasonabley inexpensive compared to countries in the west.

See Health & Immunisation for medical precautions when travelling to Tanzania.

Tanzania is a fairly safe country to travel around, although visitors should be vigilent when carrying valuable items, especially in cities and towns or travelling by local minibuses (dala dalas). Most tourist hotels and lodges have security guards (askaris).

Visitors are advised not to walk round towns on their own at night, due to the risk of muggings. Is is also not advisable to walk on lonely stretches of beach, either on the mainland or in Zanzibar.

Generally Tanzanians are warm hearted and friendly people who are willing to help visitors get the most out of their stay, but unfortunately visitors have been victims to petty crime. So stay alert when travelling out of the national parks and game reserves.