Before leaving for Zanzibar or Tanzania, many travelers wonder if there are mandatory vaccines or if they need to take malaria medication.
Here is the essential information to know before your departure, based on the recommendations currently applied in Zanzibar.
Is a mandatory vaccine required for Zanzibar?
If you are coming directly from Europe, the United States, Canada, Australia, or most other countries with no risk of yellow fever transmission, no vaccine is mandatory to enter Zanzibar or Tanzania.
However, there is an exception regarding the yellow fever vaccine.
This vaccine may be required of you:
- if you arrive from a country considered at risk, such as Kenya for example,
- or if you have a long layover of more than 12 hours in a concerned country before arriving in Zanzibar.
In this case, a yellow fever vaccination certificate may be required upon arrival.
What vaccines are recommended for Zanzibar?
Before your trip, your doctor may recommend certain vaccines such as:
- Hepatitis A & B,
- Tetanus,
- Typhoid,
- Meningitis (A + C + Y + W135)
- Yellow fever.
Check with your doctor before departure if your vaccinations are up to date.
In practice, many travelers coming for a typical vacation in Zanzibar do not encounter any particular problems, especially if they follow basic health guidelines and eat in tourist hotels or restaurants.
For personalized medical advice, it is important to consult your doctor before departure.
Can you drink tap water in Zanzibar?
No.
It is strongly advised not to drink tap water in Zanzibar.
As a precaution, it is also recommended:
- to avoid brushing your teeth with tap water,
- and to use bottled water to limit the risk of digestive issues.
Bottled water is easily available everywhere on the island.
Is there a risk of malaria in Zanzibar?
Malaria, also called malaria, often worries travelers before their departure.
In Zanzibar, the risk still exists, but it is currently very low and the disease has almost been eradicated on the island.
However, there is no zero risk.
It is therefore impossible to guarantee the complete absence of risk.
Should you take anti-malarial medication?
The choice to take anti-malarial medication mainly depends on:
- your type of trip,
- your personal sensitivity,
- and the recommendations of your doctor.
Some people prefer to take medication to avoid any risk, while others mainly choose to protect themselves effectively against mosquitoes.
Travelers also report sometimes unpleasant side effects with certain anti-malarial medications; the best way to avoid these effects is to take your medication during a “fat” meal (dairy products or oily foods, such as cheese, yogurt, nuts, or avocado for example).
For medical advice tailored to your situation, it is recommended to discuss it directly with your doctor.
Mosquitoes in Zanzibar: should you worry?
Contrary to popular belief, there are generally quite few mosquitoes in Zanzibar.
Most of the time there are very few during the day, especially on the beaches or during boat excursions. Mosquitoes mainly appear at sunset, usually around 6:30 PM.
It is at this time that it is advisable to apply an anti-mosquito repellent, containing one of these two compounds:
- DEET (20 to 50 %)
- Icaridine / Picaridine (20 to 25 %)
Essential oils are not sufficiently effective.
You can also wear loose, light cotton clothing in the evening/night when mosquitoes are active. And avoid humid areas or mangroves if you are sensitive to bites.
There may also be a few more mosquitoes during the heavy rainy season, usually between late March and late May or mid-June.
Is the risk higher in mainland Tanzania?
Yes, the risk of malaria is generally a bit more present in mainland Tanzania than in Zanzibar.
This mainly concerns travelers who plan:
- a long stay on the continent,
- several days of safari,
- or prolonged travel outside tourist areas.
In this case, it may be relevant to discuss with your doctor regarding a possible anti-malarial treatment.
