As of 20 Oct 2026, 22:30 (UTC+7) / 18:30 Tanzania time (EAT)
Tanzania has tightened health checks for everyone arriving in the country. Under Travel Advisory No. 18, issued by the Ministry of Health on 17 October 2026 with immediate effect, all travellers must fill in an online health form before departure or on arrival, and everyone is screened at the border. On 20 October the UK government added these rules to its Tanzania advice, along with a note on possible protests on 29 October.
At a glance
| What | Details |
|---|---|
| Rule | Travel Advisory No. 18, Tanzania Ministry of Health, 17 Oct 2026, immediate effect |
| Why | The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and a recent case in Kenya of a patient who travelled from the DRC |
| Who | All travellers arriving in Tanzania |
| Form | Online Traveller's Health Surveillance Form at afyamsafiri.moh.go.tz, before departure or on arrival; keep the QR code or reference number |
| At the border | Health screening, including body temperature, at airports, land crossings and ports |
| Follow-up | High-risk travellers: daily automated messages for 21 days, even after leaving Tanzania |
What Tanzania's Ministry of Health says
The Ministry of Health advisory, signed by Permanent Secretary Dr Grace Magembe, sets out these main points for visitors:
- Online form for everyone. All travellers must truthfully fill out the Traveller's Health Surveillance Form at afyamsafiri.moh.go.tz before departure or on arrival, and keep the confirmation QR code or reference number so Port Health officers can check it when you land.
- Screening at every entry point. Health screening, including body temperature checks, applies to all travellers at airports, land border crossings and ports.
- Self-monitoring. Travellers are advised to watch for symptoms and report them to the nearest health facility or point of entry, or to call the toll-free number 199 or email [email protected].
- 21-day follow-up for high-risk travellers. Their health will be monitored for 21 days by daily automated messages or other means. They must reply to the messages for the whole period, even after leaving the country.
What the UK government added on 20 October
The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) updated its Tanzania travel advice on 20 October 2026. Its entry requirements page now covers the Ebola screening and the health form.
Its safety and security page says there have been calls on social media for demonstrations on public holidays and on 29 October, the one-year anniversary of Tanzania's elections. The FCDO advises travellers to stay away from demonstrations, rallies and large crowds. It also notes that the authorities have previously limited internet access during or after protests, and suggests writing down important phone numbers in case the internet is not accessible.
The same page says some products containing cannabidiol (CBD) are illegal in Tanzania, and advises travellers not to try to enter with skincare products or e-cigarette refills that contain CBD.
Who is affected
- Every visitor to Tanzania, whether arriving by air, land or sea, including safari, Kilimanjaro and beach travellers.
- Anyone in Tanzania around 29 October, given the FCDO note on possible protests.
What to do now
- Fill in the form before you fly at afyamsafiri.moh.go.tz, and save the QR code or reference number as a screenshot so you can show it without a signal.
- Allow extra time on arrival for screening, and give a phone number you can be reached on.
- If you feel unwell during or after your trip, call 199 or email [email protected].
- Avoid demonstrations and large crowds, especially around 29 October, and write down key phone numbers in case the internet is limited.
- Leave CBD skincare and e-cigarette refills at home.
- If your trip includes Zanzibar, ask your airline or tour operator before you fly which health form they expect you to show.
Staying connected on your trip
The form, the QR code and any follow-up messages all live on your phone. A Tanzania eSIM lets you set up mobile data before you travel, so you can open the form and your booking details as soon as you land. If you are also visiting neighbouring countries, see our East Africa eSIM and check its coverage list. No eSIM can get around an internet restriction, so keep screenshots of your QR code, tickets and key numbers offline too.
For practical tips on arriving in Tanzania, read our Tanzania ground guide, and for other disruptions see our weekly travel disruptions roundup.
Official sources
- Tanzania Ministry of Health: Travel Advisory No. 18 of 17 October 2026 (PDF)
- Traveller's Health Surveillance Form (afyamsafiri.moh.go.tz)
- UK FCDO: Tanzania entry requirements
- UK FCDO: Tanzania safety and security
FAQ
Do I need to fill in a health form to enter Tanzania?
Yes. Under Travel Advisory No. 18 of 17 October 2026, all travellers must fill out the online Traveller’s Health Surveillance Form at afyamsafiri.moh.go.tz before departure or on arrival, and keep the QR code or reference number for checks on arrival.
Is there Ebola screening at Tanzanian airports?
Yes. Tanzania’s Ministry of Health says all travellers are screened, including body temperature checks, at all points of entry: airports, land border crossings and ports.
Are protests expected in Tanzania on 29 October?
The UK FCDO says there have been calls on social media for demonstrations on 29 October, the one-year anniversary of Tanzania’s elections, and advises travellers to stay away from demonstrations, rallies and large crowds.
This article is for travel planning only and is not official guidance or medical advice. Always follow Tanzania's Ministry of Health, your own government's travel advice and your airline.
Photo: Kilimanjaro International Airport terminal building, Tanzania (file photo, 2014, resized). Peter Makholm / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Tanzania eSim
