Tanzania Health, Vaccinations, Anti-Malaria, Medications

General Fitness

Trekking the highest mountain in Africa should not be underestimated, your health and fitness should be taken into consideration. If you are physically and mentally fit, your chances to summit to the highest pick of Mount Kilimanjaro are increased. We would consider hiking up Kilimanjaro to be a high risk adventure, due to the high altitudes and physical exertion required.

Medical Check-up

Consult your family doctor / local GP / physician at least 3 to 4 months before your travel to Tanzania or before you book. Be clear with the acitivites you are doing during your tour, including the high altitude trek and any vaccinations and medication you may require. Your medical check-up may give you an indication of whether you are fit for the adventure.

Medication & First Aid:

Ensure that you carry all your medication (in your hand luggage) and a first aid kit for your travel (we include our own first aid kit on treks but it’s always good to have yours handy).

Vaccinations

Below is a general guideline on common vaccinations that are recommended before entering Tanzania. Please consult your doctor for necessary vaccinations that you require before your travel and any other recommended ones:

Polio – One time booster recommended for any adult travelling to any country that completed the childhood series, but never had the polio vaccine as an adult
Yellow Fever – Recommended for all travellers exposed to mosquitoes. A certificate or proof of vaccination is required for travellers arriving (or transiting for more than 12 hours) from a yellow fever endemic country. You can find a helpful guide here: https://www.iamat.org/country/tanzania/risk/yellow-fever
Hepatitis A – Recommended for all travellers in case of intake of contaminated food or drink in Tanzania
Hepatitis B – Not generally recommend for travel to Tanzania however recommended if you are going to be exposed to contaminated needles, blood products e.g. medical procedures, piercings or tattoos or sexual contact.
Typhoid – Recommended for all travellers in case of intake of contaminated food or drink in Tanzania
Rabies – For travellers spending a lot of time outdoors e.g. hikings, camping, adventure, or in areas with high risk of animal bites, or in activities that will involve direct contact with dogs, bats and other mammals in Tanzania.
Mumps, Measles, Rubella (MMR) – Two doses recommended for all travellers born after 1995, if not previously vaccinated.
Tetanus – Diphtheria – Vaccination recommended every 10 years

Malaria & Insect Protection

Please consult with your doctor the ways in which you should prevent Malaria, you may be required to take prescribed medication before, during and after your trip. You are likely to be exposed to malaria carrying Mosquitoes in Tanzania:
– in altitudes below 1800m
– during the evening and nights
– throughout the year
– in areas where there is dirty water

We would highly recommend you to protect yourself from Mosquitoes and other insects by:
– taking anti-malarial medication
– applying insect repellent
– wearing clothing that covers majority of your body e.g. long sleeves, long pants, hats, shoes etc.
– closing all room windows (by late afternoon) unless there is a net / screen to prevent insects and mosquitoes entering
– using mosquito nets preferably impregnated with insect repellent, over your bed during overnights
– a mosquito coil only as a last resort which will fill the room with insecticide throughout the night, although this method is not pleasant.

Diarrhoea

This is the most common travel-related ailment which is acquired by the intake of contaminated food and / or water. It is characterised by an increased frequency of unformed bowel movements, i.e. three or more loose stools in an 8 hour period or five or more loose stools in a 24 hour period which could be accompanied with urgency, nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, bloating, fever or blood in the stool. In most cases traveller’s diarrhoea are mild where fluid intake and oral rehydration solution may be enough, and medication may not be necessary. Oral rehydration solution comes in sachets of powder which have to be mixed with treated or boiled water. They are generally available in pharmacies worldwide and it aims to restore the fluids and salts lost in diarrhoeal stool. In worst cases an anti-diarrhoeal drug such as Loperamide (Imodium) or Diphenoxylate (Lomotil) should be taken as needed to reduce the frequency of stools, however please seek advice from your doctor before travelling.