Sub Saharan Africa

• Travel Summary
• Safety and security
• Local laws and customs
• Entry requirements

• Health
• Natural disasters
• General
 

Travel Summary

• There are confirmed human cases of the A (H1N1) virus (Swine Flu) in Tanzania. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has raised its Pandemic Threat Alert Phase to Level 6.  The WHO website at: www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/en/index.html has further details.  You should monitor local media reports for any developments and advice.  There are health inspections at all the major entry points to Tanzania.  There is a dedicated Swine Flu page on the FCO website.   Guidance on Pandemic Flu can be obtained on the UK Department of Health website at www.dh.gov.uk.
  
  
• There is an underlying threat from terrorism.  Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.
  
  
• You should exercise particular caution if you intend to travel to the area bordering Burundi.  See the Local Travel (Burundi border areas) section of this advice for more details.
  
  
• Long distance buses are frequently involved in accidents which can often result in fatalities.  If you have concerns over the safety of the vehicle or the ability of the driver, you should use alternative methods of transport.
  
  
• Armed robberies, while still rare, are increasing, both at remote sites and in urban centres. Several serious incidents involving British nationals and other expatriates have occurred in the Arusha region.  See the Crime section of this advice for more details.
  
  
• Around 50,000 British tourists visit Tanzania every year (Source: Tanzanian Tourist Board).  Most visits are trouble-free.  13 British nationals required consular assistance in Tanzania in the period 01 April 2008 – 31 March 2009 for the following types of incident; deaths (3 cases); hospitalisations (1 case); and arrests, for a variety of offences (1 case). During this period assistance was also requested with regard to lost or stolen passports (57 cases).   You should keep your passport safe and secure at all times, and remember to carry a photocopy.
  
  
• We recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling.  You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake.  See the General (Insurance) section of this advice and Travel Insurance  for more details.