Guest Feature: How to deal with tsetse flies in Tanzania - don't let them ruin your trip!

Written by Sustainable Travel blogger Emma Cartwright from That Travel. 

How to deal with tsetse flies in Tanzania - don't let them ruin your trip!

Picture the scene: you're cruising through the Serengeti, eyes peeled for elephants without a care in the world... except tsetse flies! But is this really the case? Are tsetse flies in Tanzania such a big problem as they're made out to be? Can they be worse than mosquitoes?? Or maybe you didn't even know they were an issue until reading this very article?

OK, so firstly, don't panic. Tsetse flies are definitely a concern in Tanzania, especially in the dry season (August - October), and they can be pretty unpleasant, BUT there are definitely ways to combat them and the chances of it getting nasty are slim. In this post I'll talk through everything you need to know and how to avoid the worst. Let's dive in!

What on earth are tsetse flies?

Tsetse flies are small biting flies, found in many different parts of tropical Africa and the word 'tsetse' comes from Tswana (it actually means 'fly'). In Tanzania, tsetse flies are most prevalent in the Northern Serengeti, Tarangire and Ngorongoro crater, so, basically, you need to watch out for them if you're taking a safari as part of your itinerary. They look a bit like large house flies or horse flies.

How dangerous are tsetse flies in Tanzania?

Tsetse flies have been known to transmit African Sleeping Sickness, which is why people often worry about them. However, it is important to remember that the likelihood of getting ASS from a tsetse fly is less than 0.1%, so there’s no need to worry too much.

That being said, they will give you a nasty bite that will itch like crazy and can come up in a big bump (not the nicest bug to encounter!).

How likely is it to see tsetse flies and can you avoid them altogether?

If you're taking a safari or walking through the bush at all in Tanzania, it's highly likely you'll see or be around tsetse flies and they're pretty impossible to avoid sadly. You can try to reduce your chance of bites by choosing the right clothing, sleeping under a mosquito net and checking your room thoroughly before you sleep, but you’ll probably still spot them out and about during the day. You might not even recognise them though!

How to reduce the likelihood of getting bitten

Clothing is important, but the one thing you won't want to go without is great insect repellent. I use incognito, which is the only repellent I've found that actually works against tsetse flies (and I have tried a lot of them!). It's DEET-free, so I was a bit nervous when I first started using it, but honestly I can't imagine using anything else now, as it's so much better than DEET-based sprays. The repellent itself is great, but the thing I always make sure I have on hand is their Zap-Ease bite relief, which stops the bites itching instantly if you are unlucky enough to be bitten.

Get 15% off incognito with my code THTRAVEL15 - thank me later!

What to wear on safari

In terms of clothing, lightweight, long-sleeved, full-leg clothing is best for avoiding bites. I often use material like cotton or hemp so that it doesn’t get too sweaty! You may want to avoid blue, black or very vibrant clothes, and you'll certainly want to wear long sleeves and trousers so that you have as little skin as possible on display. I also like to wear high socks and hiking boots that cover my ankles, as this is an area that insects love!

For a safari in general, I recommend to take lots of layers, as it can be colder in the mornings, and a scarf or face mask to protect you from the dust. Take a look at my full safari packing list recommendation here!

Is it true that tsetse flies are attracted to black and blue clothing?

There is research that suggests tsetse flies like black, blue and very vibrant bright colours, so it's best to stick to neutral colours like beige and khaki, but the good news is that you should be wearing those kind of colours to stay safe on safari anyway. If you're struggling to know what to pack, take a look at my safari packing list to help you out!

About me

Hi! I’m Emma and I’ve been lucky enough to take 19 safaris, so I really know how best to prepare for them, and nowadays I even run group trips in Tanzania with a locally-owned safari company. My blog focuses on adventurous sustainable travel: i.e. minimising your environmental impact as much as possible, giving back to people and the planet, and making sure our money benefits local economies. I love to travel with an open mind and find out as much as I can about everywhere I go!

All images featured in this article were taken by Emma Cartwright in Tanzania and are used with permission.