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Whether you’re thinking about going on the solo trip of a lifetime or simply looking for a new destination to explore with your loved ones, Tanzania offers vibrant culture, stunning wildlife, and unforgettable experiences. However, one question naturally comes to mind: is Tanzania safe?
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll help you understand exactly how safe Tanzania is to visit. Moreover, we’ll share essential safety tips to ensure you can explore this beautiful East African country with complete confidence.
Now, for the all-important question – is Tanzania safe to travel? When considering any new destination, it’s completely natural to be concerned about safety. Fortunately, you’re making the right decision by doing your research before booking those flight tickets.
The good news is that Tanzania is generally considered a safe place to both live in and visit as a tourist. In fact, this certainly explains why so many travel organizations offer package trips to this incredible country!
According to the 2022 Global Peace Index, Tanzania ranks as the sixth-safest country in Africa. Furthermore, this ranking demonstrates the country’s commitment to maintaining security for both residents and visitors. Consequently, millions of tourists visit Tanzania each year and return home with amazing memories and no safety incidents.
For the most part, the main areas of Tanzania are not only safe to visit but also cultural hotspots perfect for exploring. Specifically, tourist destinations such as Mount Kilimanjaro, the Serengeti, and Ngorongoro Crater are considered some of the safest places for visitors while guaranteeing memories that will last a lifetime.
However, like all countries worldwide, there are some areas you should avoid as a tourist. Therefore, let’s break down which areas are safest and which require extra caution.
The following areas maintain excellent safety records and are highly recommended for tourists:
Notably, these tourist hotspots welcome thousands of visitors annually and have well-established safety measures in place. Discover our complete guide to Tanzania’s top destinations
Even though Tanzania is a safe country to visit, there are some places we don’t recommend – especially if you’re planning a solo trip.
The Deep South Near Mozambique Border
First and foremost, we strongly recommend avoiding the far south of Tanzania, particularly areas within 20km of the Mozambican border. In recent years, this region has experienced relatively high crime rates and security concerns related to groups linked with Islamic extremism.
Fortunately, tourist attractions aren’t anywhere near this border region, so there should be no reason to visit the far south of Tanzania anyway.
Dar es Salaam – The Capital City
Additionally, you should remain vigilant while exploring the capital, Dar es Salaam. Now, while this isn’t by any means a place you should completely avoid, it does have higher crime rates, particularly assault, vandalism, and theft.
However, just like the south of Tanzania, there isn’t a compelling reason for most tourists to visit Dar es Salaam. Indeed, it’s considered more of an industrial, working city rather than a tourist destination. Most international visitors fly directly to Kilimanjaro International Airport instead.
The Zanzibar Archipelago – Mixed Safety Record
It’s also worth noting that the Zanzibar archipelago (situated just off the east coast) is considered slightly less safe than some other tourist destinations. While it’s certainly not a “no-go” region like the borders, there is a higher crime rate in certain areas of Zanzibar compared to other parts of the country.
Nevertheless, thousands of tourists visit Zanzibar safely every year. Therefore, with proper precautions, you can still enjoy the beautiful beaches and rich culture of this island paradise. Worth keeping this in mind before visiting.
So, even though we’ve learned that Tanzania is a reasonably safe country to visit, you should still take precautions – just like you would anywhere in the world. Consequently, following these safety tips will help ensure you get the most out of your trip while staying protected.
First things first, using reliable transportation is one of the most important steps you can take to ensure your safety while exploring Tanzania. Is it safe to travel in Tanzania? Absolutely – when you use reliable transportation and common sense.
Specifically, whether you’re visiting as a solo traveler or with a group of friends, it’s extremely important to get taxis from reputable companies, especially during the night. Therefore:
Furthermore, public minibuses (daladalas) are cheap but often overcrowded and chaotic. Moreover, road conditions outside major cities can be poor, and accidents are common. Consequently, we recommend choosing more reliable transportation options for your safety.
What else can help ensure your safety while in Tanzania? We strongly recommend keeping all valuable items somewhere secure, such as in a safe.
If you’re staying in a hotel, you should be provided with a safe in your hotel room. However, if you’re staying in alternative accommodation, keep in mind that you may need to pay a small fee for safe access.
Additionally, never leave valuables unattended, even for a moment. Therefore:
Along with the above advice, it’s also recommended that you wear simple clothing and minimal jewelry while sightseeing in Tanzania.
Just like everywhere in the world, tourist destinations can be hotspots for pickpocketing and petty crime. That’s why it’s wise to opt for more modest, inconspicuous clothing to ensure you don’t become a target.
Furthermore, this advice serves a dual purpose. Not only does it help with safety, but it also shows respect for local culture. Specifically:
Indeed, in Zanzibar, women wearing shorts or sleeveless tops away from tourist resorts may cause offense to the local population. In fact, Zanzibari authorities can fine you $700 or more for inappropriate clothing. Therefore, dressing conservatively protects both your safety and shows cultural respect.
If you’re planning to visit Tanzania, one of the best ways to ensure you stay safe is by doing thorough research. This includes only visiting areas recognized as tourist-friendly and well-traveled.
Not only will choosing tourist-friendly areas make your trip smoother, but it will also lower the odds of any undesirable events. Consequently, if you want to be certain you’re visiting safe locations, spend time planning and doing pre-trip research.
Moreover, get to know Tanzania before you go, and you’ll be well-prepared and safe. Additionally, if you book through a travel company, the organizers should provide information on how to stay safe while exploring all that Tanzania has to offer.
Last but certainly not least, your best bet for staying safe while exploring Tanzania is to remain connected for the entire duration of your trip.
You should always have your mobile phone with you wherever you go. Additionally, inform your phone carrier about your trip so you can use mobile data as usual.
Keep in mind that if you want to go on day trips in Tanzania, you might find yourself away from accommodation for extended periods. For this reason, we strongly recommend investing in a portable charger or power bank. This prevents your phone from losing power while you’re exploring.
Besides ensuring you can snap pictures, having your charged phone means you can use it in emergencies! Therefore:
Remember, staying connected is important regardless of whether you’re a solo traveler or visiting with a group.
Get our complete Tanzania packing checklist
Currently, travelers need to pass through health screenings, including body temperature checks, at all entry points into Tanzania. Additionally, health precautions are essential for a safe trip.
Before you travel, therefore:
Furthermore, while in Tanzania:
Meanwhile, Tanzania’s incredible wildlife draws visitors worldwide, but animals require respect and caution. Therefore, always follow these rules:
Importantly, professional guides understand animal behavior and will keep you safe while providing amazing wildlife encounters.
Furthermore, respecting local customs enhances both your safety and experience. As mentioned earlier, dress modestly throughout Tanzania. Additionally:
Indeed, showing cultural respect often leads to warmer welcomes and safer interactions with locals.
Notably, solo travelers, including women, successfully visit Tanzania every year. However, solo travel does require extra awareness and preparation.
Consequently, follow these recommendations:
Moreover, women travelers should pay particular attention to dress codes and cultural norms. Specifically, dressing conservatively and avoiding isolated areas at night significantly improves safety.
Read our complete solo travel guide for Tanzania
First, before your trip, take these precautions:
Additionally, keep these emergency contacts for Tanzania:
Furthermore, if you experience theft or assault, report it to local police immediately and contact your embassy for assistance.
Ultimately, Tanzania remains politically stable, its borders are open to tourists, and travel is safe in 2025 when you take basic precautions and stay informed.
Moreover, Tanzania offers incredible experiences from pristine beaches to world-class wildlife viewing. Indeed, millions of tourists visit safely each year by:
Therefore, the question isn’t really “is Tanzania safe to travel to?” but rather “am I prepared to travel safely in Tanzania?” Consequently, with proper planning, awareness, and the precautions outlined in this guide, you can explore this magnificent country with complete confidence.
There we have it! We’ve reached the end of this comprehensive safety guide.
We hope this article has given you a better understanding of how safe Tanzania is, as well as the best precautions to ensure you can travel to Tanzania safely and without issues.
Remember, Tanzania is considered one of the safest countries to visit in Africa. Furthermore, with the right preparation and awareness, you can experience everything this beautiful country has to offer while staying completely safe.
Before you go, why not bookmark this guide? That way, if you ever need to refresh your memory on staying safe while traveling, you’ll know exactly where to find us.
Thank you for reading this guide, and we hope you enjoy your visit to Tanzania! In case you need assistance in planning your trip, reach out to us – we’ll help make your Tanzania experience as safe and enjoyable as possible.
Start planning your safe and incredible Tanzania journey today. Your African adventure awaits!
WEGUIDE AFRICA SAFARIS 100% Tailors Made Africa Authentic Incredible Experiences. WeGuide Safaris is bespoken tour operator that specialists in crafting high-quality, customized Authentic experiences to Tanzania. Africa.
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