A Tanzania safari is planned months ahead, but the paperwork usually waits until the end, and that is where most doubts appear: whether to get the visa before or on arrival, whether the yellow fever vaccine is compulsory, what to do about Zanzibar insurance. This guide gathers what is asked of a traveler today, with official sources at the end and a timeline so nothing is forgotten.
Updated October 29, 2026. It is based on the notice of the Spanish Foreign Ministry for Tanzania, updated on October 20, 2026, and on the official Tanzanian and Zanzibar websites. We describe the rules for travelers holding a Spanish passport; if you hold another one, check the rules for your nationality. Rules change, so confirm them at the sources below before you pay or fly.
| Requirement | What is asked | When to do it |
|---|---|---|
| Passport | At least 6 months of validity from entry and 3 blank pages | Check it now |
| Visa | Required. Tourist, up to 90 days: 50 USD. Online or on arrival | 2 to 4 weeks before |
| Yellow fever | Certificate only if you arrive from a risk country or spend more than 12 hours in transit in one | Only with a stopover or a neighboring-country combination |
| Insurance | Compulsory in Zanzibar. Recommended, with repatriation, for the whole trip | When you book |
| Malaria and vaccines | Not entry requirements, but there are health recommendations | 6 to 8 weeks before |
| Health form | The Ministry notice says an online health control form must be completed | Before flying |
Your passport must be valid for at least six months from the date you enter Tanzania and have a minimum of three blank pages. Check it first: renewing takes time and it is the one thing that cannot be fixed at the airport. Carry a paper copy and a copy on your phone.
Travelers with a Spanish passport need a visa. There are two ways:
According to the Ministry notice, the tourist visa of up to 90 days costs 50 USD. The single-entry business visa costs 250 USD and the transit visa, up to 14 days, costs 30 USD. Be wary of websites that charge much more to process it: you can do it yourself on the official portal.
Two important notes. Children also need a visa and, if they travel without one of their parents, the corresponding permissions. And a tourist visa does not allow work or volunteering: the Ministry warns that breaking this rule can lead to a fine, deportation and an entry ban.
Spain is not a risk country, so travelers flying directly from Spain do not need the certificate. Tanzanian authorities require it from those arriving from a country with yellow fever transmission or who have had an airport transit of more than 12 hours in one. Tanzania’s neighboring countries are on that list.
That is why it is worth checking if your flight stops over in Africa or if you combine the safari with Kenya, Uganda or another neighbor. If that is you, get vaccinated in good time and carry the international vaccination certificate in your hand luggage. To compare both options, see our guide to a Tanzania or Kenya safari.
Our proposals state clearly what they include: they carry AMREF Flying Doctors air evacuation cover, but they do not include travel insurance or the visa. AMREF covers medical evacuation within Tanzania and does not replace travel insurance with medical expenses, cancellation and repatriation.
Apart from yellow fever in the cases above, no vaccine is compulsory to enter Tanzania. The Ministry does recommend updating routine vaccines (diphtheria, tetanus and whooping cough, tuberculosis, rabies and, for children, measles, rubella and mumps) and considering typhoid, hepatitis A and B and meningitis A, C, Y and W135.
Malaria is present in most safari areas, with more risk in the rainy season. There is no vaccine: it is prevented with repellent, long sleeves at dusk, a mosquito net and, if your doctor advises it, preventive medication. The regimen depends on your history, route and dates, so book an appointment at an international vaccination center 6 to 8 weeks ahead, because some schedules need several doses.
We are not doctors and we do not tell you what to take. We do tell you to discuss it early. For the first-aid kit and clothing, see our packing list for a Tanzania safari.
The currency is the Tanzanian shilling. Lodges and park agencies accept US dollars, but restaurants and small purchases are better paid in local currency. According to the Ministry, euros and dollars can only be exchanged at banks, some shops charge a 5% fee for card payments and you should carry dollars issued after 2009. There are no ATMs in the parks, so bring the cash you need from the start. For tip amounts, see our guide to tipping on a safari.
The overall level in the notice is “travel with caution”, with special attention to big cities. In the parks and on an organized safari day-to-day life is calm, but the Ministry includes a warning that directly affects anyone booking: scams have been reported in the booking of trips and safaris with unregistered local companies.
Before you pay any operator, ours included, check the following:
It is a fair question and any serious operator answers it without trouble. To see how we set it out, read how much a Tanzania safari costs.
When you book with us, besides the proposal with everything itemized, you receive a trip preparation guide with these same steps adapted to your dates and route. We make clear from the start which steps depend on you (visa, insurance, vaccines), so there are no surprises at the last minute.
Tell us how many days you have and who you are traveling with, and we’ll prepare a proposal where you can see exactly what is included and which steps are up to you.
Plan My Tanzania Safari