This advice has been reviewed and reissued. It contains new information in the Summary and under Safety and Security: Civil Unrest/Political Tension (election-related unrest). The overall level of the advice has not changed.

Summary

Safety and Security

Terrorism

Terrorism is a threat throughout the world. You can find more information about this threat in our General Advice to Australian Travellers.

We advise you to exercise a high degree of caution in Tanzania, including Zanzibar, because of the threat of terrorist attack and high levels of serious crime. In planning your activities, consider the kind of places known to be terrorist targets which include commercial and public areas known to be frequented by foreigners such as hotels, clubs, restaurants, bars, schools, places of worship, airports, marketplaces, outdoor recreation events and tourist areas.

Pay close attention to your personal security at all times and monitor the media for information about possible new safety or security risks.

Civil Unrest/Political Tension

Incidents of civil unrest have been reported with preparations underway for the Presidential and Parliamentary elections in October 2010. Political tensions may increase in the lead up to and during the period surrounding the elections. You should avoid all public rallies and protests as they may turn violent.

Border areas with Rwanda, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo: We strongly advise you not to travel to the border areas with Rwanda, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo because of the risk of banditry which continues to flow from the conflict in the Great Lakes region. Security risks in these areas are heightened, especially at night.

Crime

Crime, including robbery and petty theft accompanied by violence or the threat of violence, is common in Tanzania, especially on public transport, in national parks and on beaches. Crime levels in Dar es Salaam and armed banditry at coastal resorts in mainland Tanzania and on Zanzibar and Pemba Islands, are increasing. Carjackings occur throughout the country and driving at night over long distances should be avoided. Travellers have also been targeted by thieves in isolated areas. Some criminals use fake police identification cards to request money for alleged offences.

You should not accept food or drink from strangers as it may be drugged.

Due to the high prevalence of HIV/AIDS, victims of violent crime, especially rape, are strongly encouraged to seek immediate medical assistance.

National Game Parks and Reserves. Incidents of armed banditry have been reported in national parks in Tanzania, including around Mount Kilimanjaro and the Serengeti National Park. You should take care with your personal security when visiting game parks and reserves.

Local Travel

Driving in Tanzania can be hazardous, especially at night, as most roads and vehicles are in poor condition. Excessive speeds, poor driving habits and poor lighting also pose risks. Traffic accidents are common and bus accidents have resulted in fatalities. See also our bulletin on Overseas Road Safety.

The safety standards Australians might expect of tour operators are not always met, especially for adventure sports, such as scuba diving. Diving equipment may not meet international standards.

Swimming in lakes and rivers is unsafe because of the possibility of being attacked by wildlife and the risk of catching water-borne diseases.

Piracy occurs in the coastal areas of Tanzania. Pirates have been using motherships to attack shipping further than 600 nautical miles (1110 km)from the coast of Somalia. All forms of shipping are attractive targets for Somali pirates, including commercial vessels, pleasure craft (yachts etc) and luxury cruise liners. We strongly advise Australians to maintain a high level of vigilance and to exercise extreme caution when anywhere near these waters. See our travel advice on travelling by sea for more information. The International Maritime Bureau issues piracy reports on its website.

Airline Safety

Please refer to our travel bulletin for information about Aviation Safety and Security.

Natural Disasters, Severe Weather and Climate

The rainy seasons are March to May and November to December when flooding occurs and roads may become impassable. Monsoons occur in the coastal areas and islands between June and October. Information on natural disasters can be obtained from the Humanitarian Early Warning Service.

All oceanic regions of the world can experience tsunamis, but in the Indian and Pacific Oceans, there is a more frequent occurrence of large, destructive tsunamis because of the many large earthquakes along major tectonic plate boundaries and ocean trenches. See the Tsunami Awareness brochure.

If a natural disaster occurs, follow the advice of local authorities.

Wildlife

Australians are advised to respect wildlife laws and to maintain a safe and legal distance when observing wildlife, including marine animals and birds. You should only use reputable and professional guides or tour operators and closely follow park regulations and wardens' advice.

Money and Valuables

Before you go, organise a variety of ways to access your money overseas, such as credit cards, travellers' cheques, cash, debit cards or cash cards. Australian currency and travellers' cheques are not accepted in many countries. Consult with your bank to find out which is the most appropriate currency to carry and whether your ATM card will work overseas.

You should use credit cards with caution in Tanzania because of the risk of fraud. Keep your credit card in sight at all times when using it. Avoid using ATMs that open onto the street and instead use ATMs in controlled areas within banks, shops and shopping centres.

Make two photocopies of valuable documents such as your passport, tickets, visas and travellers' cheques. Keep one copy with you in a separate place to the original and leave another copy with someone at home.

While travelling, don't carry too much cash and remember that expensive watches, jewellery and cameras may be tempting targets for thieves.

As a sensible precaution against luggage tampering, including theft, lock your luggage. Information on luggage safety is available from Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority.

Your passport is a valuable document that is attractive to criminals who may try to use your identity to commit crimes. It should always be kept in a safe place. You are required by Australian law to report a lost or stolen passport. If your passport is lost or stolen overseas, report it online or contact the nearest Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate as soon as possible.

You are required to pay an additional fee to have a lost or stolen passport replaced. In some cases, the Government may also restrict the length of validity or type of replacement passports.

For Parents

For general information and tips on travelling with children see our Travelling Parents brochure.

If you are planning on placing your children in schools or childcare facilities overseas we encourage you to research the standards of security, care and staff training within those establishments. You should exercise the same precautions you would take before placing children into schools or childcare facilities in Australia.

Ideas on how to select childcare providers are available from the smartraveller Children's Issues page, Child Wise and the National Childcare Accreditation Council.

Local Laws

When you are in Tanzania (including Zanzibar), be aware that local laws and penalties, including ones that appear harsh by Australian standards, do apply to you. If you are arrested or jailed, the Australian Government will do what it can to help you but we can't get you out of trouble or out of jail.

Information on what Australian consular officers can and cannot do to help Australians in trouble overseas is available from the Consular Services Charter.

Homosexual acts are illegal in. Penalties range from 30 years to life imprisonment.

Penalties for drug offences are severe and include lengthy imprisonment.

Spitting in public and the possession of pornographic material are illegal.

Photography around military zones, military assets and/or military personnel is prohibited.

Serious crimes, such as treason and murder, carry the death penalty.

Penalties for some crimes, including rape and robbery with violence, include corporal punishment.

Some Australian criminal laws, such as those relating to money laundering, bribery of foreign public officials, terrorism and child sex tourism, apply to Australians overseas. Australians who commit these offences while overseas may be prosecuted in Australia.

Australian authorities are committed to combating sexual exploitation of children by Australians overseas. Australians may be prosecuted at home under Australian child sex tourism laws. These laws provide severe penalties of up to 17 years imprisonment for Australians who engage in sexual activity with children under 16 while outside of Australia.

Local Customs

There are conservative standards of dress and behaviour in Tanzania, including Zanzibar, and you should take care not to offend. Away from tourist resorts, women should dress modestly and avoid wearing shorts and sleeveless tops.

Information for Dual Nationals

Tanzania does not recognise dual nationality. This may limit our ability to provide consular assistance to Australian/Tanzanian dual nationals who are arrested or detained.

Our Travel Information for Dual Nationals brochure provides further information for dual nationals.

Entry and Exit Requirements

Visa and other entry and exit conditions (such as currency, customs and quarantine regulations) change regularly. Contact the nearest Embassy or Consulate of Tanzania for the most up-to-date information.

A Yellow Fever Certificate is required for entry into Tanzania.

Tanzania is listed by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as endemic for yellow fever. Some airlines may require passengers to present a valid Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate before being allowed to board flights out of the country. If in doubt, check with your airline.

If you have visited Tanzania in the last six days prior to your date of return to Australia, Australian Customs officials will ask you to present a valid Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate on entry into Australia.

Make sure your passport has at least six months' validity from your planned date of return to Australia. You should carry copies of a recent passport photo with you in case you need a replacement passport while overseas.

Health Issues

Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 has spread throughout the world. The World Health Organisation (WHO) provides useful information for individuals and travellers on its website. For further information and advice to Australians, including on possible quarantine measures overseas, see our travel bulletin on Pandemic (H1N1) 2009.

We strongly recommend that you take out comprehensive travel insurance that will cover any overseas medical costs, including medical evacuation, before you depart. Confirm that your insurance covers you for the whole time you'll be away and check what circumstances and activities are not included in your policy. Remember, regardless of how healthy and fit you are, if you can't afford travel insurance, you can't afford to travel. The Australian Government will not pay for a traveller's medical expenses overseas or medical evacuation costs.

Your doctor or travel clinic is the best source of information about preventive measures, immunisations (including booster doses of childhood vaccinations) and disease outbreaks overseas. The World Health Organization (WHO) provides information for travellers and our Travelling Well brochure also provides useful tips for staying healthy while travelling overseas.

Medical facilities are very limited in Tanzania. In the event of an accident or illness, medical evacuation by air ambulance to Nairobi would be necessary and, if serious, a medical evacuation from Kenya to a destination with the required facilities would be recommended. A medical evacuation from Tanzania could cost tens of thousands of dollars.

Malaria occurs widely and throughout the year in Tanzania, except in areas above 1800 metres. Chloroquine-resistant strains of malaria have been reported. Other insect-borne diseases (including yellow fever, dengue fever, filariasis and African sleeping sickness) also occur. We encourage you to take prophylaxis against malaria and take measures to avoid insect bites, including using insect repellent at all times.

The rate of HIV/AIDS infection in Tanzania is high. You should exercise appropriate precautions if engaging in activities that expose you to risk of infection.

Water-borne, food-borne and other infectious diseases (including cholera, typhoid, hepatitis, tuberculosis, measles, Rift Valley fever and rabies) are prevalent with more serious outbreaks occurring from time to time. We encourage you to consider having vaccinations before travelling. We recommend you boil all drinking water or drink bottled water, and avoid ice cubes and raw and undercooked food. Travellers should avoid contact with domestic animals. Do not swim in fresh water to avoid exposure to certain water-borne diseases such as bilharzia (schistosomiasis). Seek medical advice if you have a fever or are suffering from diarrhoea.

Those climbing Mt Kilimanjaro should be physically fit, in good health and aware of the risks of altitude sickness.

The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) has confirmed cases of avian influenza in birds in a number of countries throughout the world. For a list of these countries, visit the OIE website. For information on our advice to Australians on how to reduce the risk of infection and on Australian Government precautions see our travel bulletin on avian influenza.

Where to Get Help

Australia does not have an Embassy or Consulate in Tanzania. By agreement between the Canadian and Australian governments, the Canadian High Commission in Dar es Salaam provides consular assistance to Australians in Tanzania. This service does not include the issue of Australian passports. The address is:

Canadian High Commission
38 Mrambo Street/Garden Avenue
Dar es Salaam, TANZANIA
Telephone: (255 22) 211 2831 or 211 2835
Facsimile: (255 22) 211 6897
Website: www.daressalaam.gc.ca

You can also obtain consular assistance from the nearest Australian High Commission which is in Kenya:

Australian High Commission
Riverside Drive (400 metres off Chiromo Road)
Nairobi, KENYA
Telephone: (+254 20) 4277 100
Facsimile: (+254 20) 4277 139
Website: www.kenya.highcommission.gov.au

If you are travelling to Tanzania, whatever the reason and however long you'll be there, we encourage you to register with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. You can register online or in person at any Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate. The information you provide will help us to contact you in an emergency - whether it is a natural disaster, civil disturbance or a family issue.

In a consular emergency, if you are unable to contact the above missions you can contact the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on +61 2 6261 3305 or 1300 555 135 within Australia.

In Australia, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Canberra may be contacted on (02) 6261 3305.