Arusha Safety Guide 2026

Use registered taxis or ride-hailing apps — Use Bolt or taxis recommended by your hotel rather than accepting offers from touts. Agree fares in advance when not using an app. Avoid unmarked vehicles.

Beware of 'friendly' commission touts — The area around the Clock Tower and bus stand has touts who approach tourists offering free help, then expect commission from the shops or operators they steer you to. Politely decline unsolicited help and go directly to operators or shops independently.

Keep valuables concealed in public — Do not display expensive cameras, phones, or jewellery in the city centre or at crowded markets. Use a money belt for passports and bulk cash. Keep a small amount of cash in a separate pocket for daily expenses.

Avoid walking at night in unfamiliar areas — Use taxis or Bolt after dark, particularly in the city centre and areas around the bus stand and market. Well-lit main streets are generally safe but residential backstreets should be avoided at night.

Be cautious at Arusha Central Market — The central market and bus stand area has the highest concentration of pickpockets in the city. Keep a hand on your bag at all times, carry only what you need, and be aware of distractions used to create opportunities for theft.

Only use licensed tour operators — Book safaris and treks with Tanzania Association of Tour Operators (TATO) or Tanzania Tourist Board (TTB) registered operators. Unlicensed operators pose safety and financial risks. Check registrations on the Tanzania Tourism Authority website.

Have comprehensive travel insurance — Ensure your policy covers safari and trekking activities, medical evacuation, and emergency repatriation. AMREF Flying Doctors is widely used for emergency air evacuation in East Africa — consider an annual membership.

Take malaria precautions seriously — Arusha city at 1,400m has low malaria risk but parks at lower altitude (Tarangire, Lake Manyara) carry higher risk. Consult a travel doctor before departure about prophylaxis. Use DEET-based repellent at dawn and dusk.

Respect wildlife and maintain safe distances — Follow all park rules and ranger instructions during safaris and treks. Never approach animals on foot without a qualified guide. Buffalo, elephant, and hippo are responsible for more African wildlife fatalities than predators.

Acclimatise properly before high-altitude treks — If trekking Mount Meru or Kilimanjaro, spend at least one night in Arusha (1,400m) before starting. Do not rush summit attempts. Know the symptoms of altitude sickness and descend immediately if symptoms worsen.

Drink only bottled or purified water — Tap water in Arusha is not reliably safe. Buy sealed bottled water or use a water purification system. Ice at restaurants may be made from tap water — ask before accepting drinks with ice.

Register with your embassy on arrival for long stays — For stays over two weeks, register with your country's embassy in Dar es Salaam or Nairobi. In case of emergency, consular services can be reached via phone.