How to Avoid Stomach Problems in Tanzania

Nothing spoils a game drive like an unhappy stomach. Mild traveler's diarrhea is common in many destinations, simply because your body meets unfamiliar bacteria, food and routines. In Tanzania, most cases are short-lived, and many can be avoided altogether.

Safari lodges and camps generally maintain high kitchen standards, so the biggest risks often come from the edges of a trip: street snacks, town restaurants, long travel days and forgotten hand washing. Here is how to stay comfortable.

Hand hygiene comes first

Many stomach bugs are spread from hands to mouth. On safari you touch vehicle rails, binoculars, cameras, money and door handles, often far from a sink. Carry hand sanitizer in your daypack and use it before every snack and meal, including picnic lunches in the bush.

Wash your hands with soap and water whenever you can, especially after using the toilet and before eating.

Keep your nails short and avoid touching your mouth or face with unwashed hands. Carry a small pack of wet wipes too, which are useful for wiping down hands and surfaces before a bush picnic.

Choosing food wisely

Tanzanian food is delicious, from grilled meat and pilau rice to fresh tropical fruit, and we encourage guests to try it. The goal is to eat smart, not to eat bland.

• Choose food that is freshly cooked and served hot.
• Peel fruit yourself where possible, such as bananas, mangoes and oranges.
• Be cautious with salads and raw vegetables outside well-run lodges.
• Avoid buffet dishes that look as if they have been sitting at room temperature.
• Pick busy local restaurants with high turnover over empty ones.

Long drives and changes in routine

Safari days start early and include long hours on bumpy roads, which can unsettle digestion on their own. Eat regular meals rather than skipping breakfast, keep drinking water and go easy on rich food and alcohol in the first couple of days.

If you have a sensitive stomach, tell us when booking. Lodges can usually prepare plainer meals, and our guides can plan toilet stops more often. Most lodges and camps also handle dietary needs well when told in advance.

Ease into new foods gradually. Rich sauces, unfamiliar spices and large amounts of tropical fruit are all delicious, but your digestion may prefer to meet them a little at a time.

Pack a simple travel health kit

Ask your doctor or travel clinic what to bring for stomach upsets, as they can advise on medicines suited to you. Many travelers carry oral rehydration salts, which help replace fluids and salts lost through diarrhea, plus hand sanitizer, tissues and any personal medications in their original packaging.

Keep the kit in your daypack rather than your main luggage, so it is with you in the vehicle.

When to seek medical help

Most mild upsets settle within a day or two with rest and fluids. Seek medical advice promptly if you have a high fever, blood in your stool, severe pain, signs of dehydration or symptoms that do not improve. Because malaria can sometimes cause stomach symptoms, any fever in Tanzania deserves a medical check.

Tell your guide if you feel unwell. We can adjust the day's plan and help you reach a clinic if needed.