Tanzania Safety Guide 2025
Stay safe during your Tanzania trip with essential safety information.
Safety Overview
Tanzania is generally safe for tourists who take standard precautions. Violent crime against foreigners is uncommon in tourist areas, but petty theft, pickpocketing, and opportunistic scams are present in cities and tourist hotspots. Zanzibar is considered safer than the mainland.
Tanzania is East Africa's premier safari destination, home to the legendary Serengeti plains, Africa's highest peak Mount Kilimanjaro, and the pristine beaches of Zanzibar. Experience the Great Migration, explore ancient Stone Town, and discover incredible wildlife diversity.
Current Advisory
Exercise normal caution in most areas. Exercise increased caution in border regions with Mozambique and DRC. Dar es Salaam requires awareness in specific areas after dark.
Last updated: 2025-01
Travel Advisories
Official warnings and recommendations from government sources.
US State Department
Exercise normal precautions in most of Tanzania. Use increased caution in certain areas including border regions.
UK Foreign Commonwealth & Development Office
Tanzania is generally safe for tourists. Be vigilant in urban areas especially after dark and avoid isolated beaches at night.
Official Advisory Sources
- 🇺🇸 US: travel.state.gov
- 🇬🇧 UK: gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice
- 🇨🇦 Canada: travel.gc.ca
- 🇦🇺 Australia: smartraveller.gov.au
Safety Checklist & Emergency Card
Download our printable safety checklist and emergency contact card.
Common Scams to Avoid
Be aware of these common tourist scams.
Gem and Tanzanite Scam
Strangers approach tourists claiming to be miners selling tanzanite or other gems cheaply, often showing certificates. The gems are synthetic, glass, or heavily overpriced low-quality stones.
Overcharging Taxis
Unlicensed taxis quote high prices to tourists who don't know local rates, especially at airports and tourist areas. Prices can be 3-5x the going rate.
Forced Friendship Scam
Friendly strangers offer to show you around town, then take you to their 'uncle's shop' and pressure you to buy at inflated prices. Refusal can become uncomfortable.
Beach Nuisance Vendors
Persistent beach vendors, especially on Zanzibar, can be very insistent. Some use guilt tactics or follow tourists for extended periods claiming you agreed to buy.
Fake Safari Operators
Unofficial 'safari agents' approach travellers in Arusha offering cheap safari packages upfront, then disappear with deposits or provide a very poor experience.
Essential Safety Tips
Practical advice for staying safe during your trip.
Avoid demonstrations and political gatherings
Limit movements after dark in urban areas
Use reputable tour operators for safaris and excursions
Register with STEP (Smart Traveler Enrollment Program) if US citizen
Keep valuables secure and avoid displaying expensive items
Use ATMs inside banks or shopping malls during daylight
Hire registered taxis or use ride-sharing apps in cities
Visit the US/UK embassy website before travel and enroll in STEP for emergency alerts
Carry proof of yellow fever vaccination required for entry and checked at borders
Dress conservatively on Zanzibar and in Muslim areas; cover shoulders and knees away from beach
Safety by Traveler Type
Solo Travelers
Generally safe for solo travellers who stay in tourist areas and use common sense. Dar es Salaam requires extra vigilance after dark - stick to the Msasani Peninsula. Zanzibar is one of East Africa's safer solo destinations. Kilimanjaro and northern circuit safaris are very safe as part of guided groups.
Female Travelers
Female solo travellers report Tanzania as manageable with appropriate precautions. Dress modestly in Muslim areas (especially Zanzibar). Avoid isolated beaches alone after dark. Use ride apps rather than street taxis at night. Harassment levels in tourist areas are generally low compared to other regions.
Families
Tanzania is excellent for families. Safari lodges are very family-oriented, most parks are easily managed with children, and Zanzibar beaches are calm and shallow. Malaria prophylaxis for children is essential. Most medical facilities for emergencies are concentrated in Dar es Salaam.
LGBTQ+ Travelers
Same-sex relationships are illegal in Tanzania and Zanzibar under colonial-era laws. Penalties can be severe. There is no visible LGBTQ+ scene. Discretion is strongly advised. Public displays of affection should be avoided by all couples, but especially same-sex couples.
Health & Medical
Stay healthy during your trip.
Vaccinations
Hepatitis A & B, Typhoid, Rabies (if wildlife contact likely), Tetanus, Polio, Measles-Mumps-Rubella
Water Safety
Not safe to drink. Drink only bottled water (widely available $0.50-1 per liter). Use bottled water for brushing teeth. Avoid ice in drinks unless from reputable establishments.
Food Safety
Medical Facilities
Medication Tips
- Bring enough prescription medication for your entire trip plus extra
- Keep medications in original containers with pharmacy labels
- Carry a letter from your doctor explaining your medications
- Some medications may be restricted - research before traveling
- Pack basic medications: pain relievers, anti-diarrheal, antihistamines
Emergency Contacts
Important numbers to have on hand.
Emergency Services
Police, Fire, Ambulance
Medical Emergency
Hospitals and clinics
Your Embassy
Consular assistance
Tourist Police
Tourist assistance
Before You Go
- Register with your embassy's travel notification program
- Save emergency numbers in your phone
- Note your hotel's address in local language
- Share your itinerary with family/friends
- Know your travel insurance emergency hotline
Travel Confidently in Tanzania
Get our complete safety guide with emergency card, insurance recommendations, and area-by-area safety ratings.
Download Safety Guide