Health & Safety in Tanzania

At our Lodge

Before you read the following paragraphs please consider that crossing the road in any town or city, or driving a motorway is extremely dangerous. You have long since minimised these dangers in your mind and they do not worry you; you just take care automatically. In Africa there are other dangers, which are new to you, you have not had the experience to minimise them in your mind. Just take care, follow the advice in the next paragraphs and the risk is absolutely minimal. You will soon find that the beauty of our location and the excitement of Africa makes you forget all worries!

Our accommodations are built for safety in the bush and with en-suite toilets & showers you need not go out at night. Nonetheless, when walking through the camp at night use a torch to see where you are walking. This is necessary because the ground is uneven. Snakes are extreme rare visitors and are not agressive, but you should look where you are walking, even on our clearly marked paths. We at Manyara Valley Culture camp cannot be made responsible for any form of natural danger.

Walking outside the lodge, without a guide, is forbidden at all times (unless you are in a town or village).

At 1,200 metres above sea level we are less bothered by mosquitos than down below in the valley. However there may still be malaria carrying mosquitoes around our camp. Apart from taking the advice of your doctor (better still a tropical doctor) you can protect yourself by wearing long sleeved shirts or sweaters from 5 p.m onwards, by making sure that your mosquito nets are never open and that the door to your bungalow is kept closed in the evening.

Tanzania in General.

Although you will not be spending much time in the cities (Nairobi or Dar Es Salaam) you should be aware that they are subject to areas of crime and some places are not safe for lone individuals at night - just like in London, New York and other major cities! However Tanzania has been a safe and stable country since the nineteen sixties and the rural villages and towns of Tanzania are populated by peaceful, friendly and honest people.

Whilst on safari please listen carefully to your guide. He is trained in matters of safety and security.

You will feel the excitement of Africa! Just take care, and you will enjoy it too!

Sickness and Injury

Once again the following lists sensible precautions. Look after yourself, take care, and you will return home fit and well after a wonderful experience!

Three months before you fly to Tanzania you should speak to your doctor about innoculations. Even if the Tanzanian government does not demand any your doctor may advise you differently. A tropical doctor is even better. Tell the doctor where you are going and that you will be in close contact with Africans. Tanzanian authorities may or may not demand vaccinations - check that out first and make sure that all of your innoculations and vaccinations are recorded, officially, in an internationally accepted (W.H.O) certificate as evidence that you have had them.

We have an agreement with the local hospital that our staff and guests may use its facilities in the case of any emergency. The hospital is currently building a wing for tourist patients (August 2007).

Bring a small travelling first aid kit with you, one which includes polythene gloves - a pair for each adult. If the car in front of you has an accident and you go to help, make sure that you are wearing those gloves.