We are elated by the ongoing efforts around the world to relax requirements for international travel. This month alone, there has been a major push by our source markets like Canada, the United States, United Kingdom and many more announcing relaxed measures. To say we are excited for travel to resume is an understatement.
The Government of Tanzania has also released an updated travel advisory with relaxed entry requirements for fully vaccinated travelers.
Below are the most important updates for tourists entering Tanzania, effective 17th March 2022:
- Fully vaccinated entrants will be exempted from both RT-PCR and Rapid Antigen Test requirements. Travelers will be required to present a valid vaccination certificate with QR code for verification upon arrival. The only accepted vaccines are those which have been approved by the United Republic of Tanzania and the World Health Organization.
- Not fully vaccinated, unvaccinated and those not eligible for vaccination due to their country policy will be required to present a negative COVID-19 RT-PCR or NAAT certificate with QR code obtained within 72 hours before departure. If travelers originate from countries listed at www.moh.go.tz or Points of Entry will be tested for COVID-19 upon arrival using Rapid Antigen Test at their own cost of 10 USD for Tanzania Mainland. If found positive they will be tested with RT-PCR for confirmation, allowed to self-isolate and the results will be sent via email or any other means.
- For travelers who require a PCR or rapid test for re-entry to your home countries, the updated costs are as follows:
- Mainland Tanzania: PCR test = $50 USD // Rapid Test = $10 USD.
- Zanzibar Archipelago (including Pemba Island): PCR test = $80 USD // Rapid Test = $25 USD
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What are the travel requirements for arriving in Zanzibar?
Zanzibar has a similar Covid-19 advisory to that of Mainland Tanzania. The major exception is that international travelers arriving from the United Arab Emirates through the Zanzibar Amani Abeid Karume International Airport (AAKIA) will be tested upon arrival for Covid-19 using the non-invasive, Examination Deep Examination (EDE) scanners. The charge for this test is $35 per person. It can be payable online at https://zanzibarcovidtesting.co.tz/ or upon arrival by credit or debit card through a POS device or cash to a bank teller at the arrival booth. If a traveler tests positive on the EDE scanner they will be required to take a Rapid PCR Test at an additional cost of $110 at the airport.
Please note Zanzibar is part of Tanzania. They have some different regulations, but Zanzibar and Mainland Tanzania together make up the United Republic of Tanzania. Therefore, if you are traveling between Mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar Island, it is considered domestic travel and you are not subjected to any of the Covid-19 travel rules.
What do I do if my Covid vaccine card doesn’t have a QR code?
You can get a QR code associated with your vaccination card by using a variety of third party online systems. One example is gogadet.com
Does Tanzania have a quarantine rule?
Yes, non vaccinated travelers who don’t have a negative COVID-19 RT-PCR will be dealt with as follows:
- In case of air transport, international marine vessels will be tested for COVID-19 using RT PCR test at their own cost of 100 USD for Tanzania Mainland. Results will be sent to them while isolated.
- In case of international regional and inland vessels will be tested by Rapid antigen test at their own cost of 10 USD while positive will be further confirmed by RT-PCR at a cost of 50 USD for Tanzania Mainland.
What is required for me to travel to Tanzania?
- Fully vaccinated travelers must present a valid vaccination certificate with QR code for verification.
- All unvaccinated travelers to Tanzania are required to present a negative PCR test collected within 72 hours of your departure. The only tests permitted are the Real Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) and Nucleic Acid Amplification Test (NAAT).
- All unvaccinated arriving travelers will be screened and required to take a rapid test upon arrival for the cost of $10 USD on Mainland Tanzania and $25 in Zanzibar. Travelers are advised to pay for this online through the respective health form (see below).
- All travelers must complete a Travelers Health Surveillance Form – Mainland Tanzania Form and Zanzibar Form – within 24 hours of arrival. Upon completion, travelers will receive a code that is to be presented to officials at the airport upon arrival.
What else should I know?
First, please review your home country’s specific requirements for re-entry after your trip. All countries have different requirements for testing and they are changing often.
Second, regularly check with your flight carrier for their terms and conditions and the requirements for all countries along your journey, including countries through which you will transit. Pristine Trails will not be responsible for guests who are not permitted to travel due to failure to comply with travel requirements.
Can I get a COVID-19 test in Tanzania before returning home?
Yes. Tanzania’s Ministry of Health has designated testing sites at health centers and mobile clinics in major towns and cities (such as Moshi, Arusha, Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar and Pemba) and within reach of major tourist attractions. The test most widely available is the RT-PCR test.
The base cost of the test is $50 USD on Mainland Tanzania and $80 USD in Zanzibar and Pemba. At some of the private clinics, there can be up to an additional $50 charged.
To schedule a test, appointments must be made online through the relevant ministry portal up to 2 weeks and no later than 4 days before sample collection. The results will be accessible within 48 hours via email and on the same portal.
Our staff will assist you in determining which date and testing center is most convenient for your itinerary and will assist in completing the online booking form and making your payment ahead of time.
