Tanzania has year-round mosquito activity in coastal and lowland areas, with peak risk during the long rains from March through May and the short rains from October through December. The coast including Dar es Salaam, the Lake Victoria region, and Zanzibar carry the highest risk. Highland areas and the Serengeti plateau have reduced but present exposure.
Malaria (P. falciparum and P. vivax) is the primary concern, with high transmission throughout most of the country. Dengue fever has emerged in Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar. Chikungunya, Zika, West Nile virus, and lymphatic filariasis are also present.
Anopheles gambiae and Anopheles funestus are the dominant malaria vectors. Aedes aegypti transmits dengue in urban coastal areas. Antimalarial prophylaxis is recommended for all travelers visiting mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar.
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Explore mosquito risk briefings for other destinations in East Africa.
Disease presence data is sourced from WHO, CDC, ECDC, and OpenDengue. This is not medical advice — consult a travel health professional before your trip.