· Golden Memories Safaris
Millions of visitors travel to Tanzania safely each year, and the great majority of safari trips pass without any trouble at all. At the same time, like every country, Tanzania has risks that are worth understanding, and a few of them are very different from the ones you may be used to at home. This guide gives you an honest picture: what is genuinely safe, what needs care, how to avoid the common problems and where to find current official advice, because that advice changes.
In this guide
- The overall picture
- Government travel advice: where to look
- Crime and petty theft
- Scams and touts
- Road and transport safety
- Wildlife safety on safari
- Health risks
- Political situation, protests and local laws
- Safety for solo travellers, women and LGBTQ+ visitors
- Is Zanzibar safe? Is Arusha safe? Is Kilimanjaro safe?
- Money, documents and technology
- Practical safety checklist
- Frequently asked questions
What is the overall picture?
Most tourists visit Tanzania through organised trips: they are met at the airport, driven in a safari vehicle with a guide, stay in lodges and camps and are looked after by staff. That kind of travel is safe, and the incidents that do happen are typically minor, such as a lost bag or a stomach upset. The real risks are less dramatic than most people expect, and they are mostly about the journey, not about the wildlife. The most likely cause of serious harm to any traveller anywhere in East Africa is a road accident, followed by illness. Violent crime against tourists on safari is rare.
Safety is also not a fixed property of a country. It depends on where you go, how you travel, who you travel with and what is happening at the time. That is why we recommend checking current advice before every trip, not relying on an article that was written months ago, including this one.
Where do you find current government travel advice?
Several governments publish and update travel advice for Tanzania, and these are the best source for current risks. Read the advice for your own country, and read the full page, not only the headline level.
- The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office publishes detailed advice on safety, entry rules, local laws and health.
- The US Department of State publishes a travel advisory and an overview for Tanzania, with a level that is updated when conditions change.
- Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, Germany and many other countries publish equivalent pages through their foreign ministries.
- The CDC and the UK's TravelHealthPro cover health risks. See our health guide.
Advisory levels move up and down over time, and a governmental advisory can mention particular regions or periods, such as around elections. Read what the advice says about the places you will visit, and sign up for your embassy's traveller alerts if offered. If something concerns you, ask your safari company, who will have local knowledge.
Crime and petty theft
In towns and cities, the most common problem for visitors is opportunistic theft: pickpocketing in crowded markets and bus stations, bag snatching from pedestrians or from vehicles stopped in traffic, and thefts from parked cars or unattended beach bags. Motorbike snatch thefts occur in Dar es Salaam, Arusha and other towns. These crimes are rarely violent, but they can ruin a day and cost you a phone or passport.
- Carry only what you need, and leave your passport, spare cards and extra cash in the hotel safe, with a photocopy or photo on you.
- Keep your phone and camera out of sight in crowded places and when walking next to the road, and do not use them near open vehicle windows.
- Use a cross-body bag or money belt, and keep it in front of you.
- Avoid walking alone at night in towns and on empty beaches, and take a registered taxi or ride-hailing car, or one arranged by your hotel.
- Do not leave valuables visible in vehicles, and keep doors locked and windows up in busy traffic.
- Do not wear flashy jewellery or carry expensive items you do not need.
Inside national parks and on safari, theft is very uncommon. Lodges and camps have security and safes, but you should still keep valuables secure.
Scams and touts
The most common problems for tourists are scams more than crimes. A few to know:
- Touts in Arusha and Moshi who approach you in the street, at the bus station or outside hotels, offering cheap safaris or climbs. Many are middlemen, and some are fraudulent. Book with a company you have checked in advance. See our guide to choosing a safari company.
- Fake or copied websites and unlicensed operators, which take deposits and disappear. Verify licences and pay into a company account, not a person's account.
- Overcharging taxis and boats, especially at airports and ports. Agree the fare before you start, or use ride-hailing apps in towns where they work, or a hotel-arranged transfer.
- People who say you must pay a fee to enter a village or a viewpoint, or who ask for money after helping you with directions.
- Fake officials and fake police checks. Ask for identification and, if in doubt, contact your guide or hotel.
- ATM and card skimming. Use ATMs inside banks or hotels in daylight, cover the keypad and check your statements.
- The "friendship" approach on beaches, which ends in a request for money or a sale. A polite, firm no is enough.
Read: How to choose a Tanzania safari company
Road and transport safety
The roads are the highest risk for most travellers. Many roads are narrow, vehicles are sometimes in poor condition, overtaking can be reckless, and animals and pedestrians use the road. Night driving is particularly dangerous, because of unlit vehicles and people. Long distances on rough roads also cause fatigue.
- Choose a company with well-maintained 4x4 vehicles, experienced drivers, a back-up plan and a policy of avoiding night driving.
- Wear seat belts when they are fitted, and ask your driver to slow down if you feel unsafe. Good drivers will respect that.
- Avoid local buses and minibuses on long routes, where accidents are more common, and prefer a flight for long distances.
- If you hire a car, check the insurance, the condition of the vehicle and local licence requirements, and avoid driving at night.
- Use helmet and careful riding if you rent a motorbike or scooter, and check that your travel insurance covers it. Many policies do not.
Flights between parks use small aircraft run by licensed operators. Check that your company uses well-known airlines, and confirm baggage limits.
Wildlife safety on safari
Safari is safe because of simple rules, which guides enforce. Wild animals are not tame, and the risk of injury is close to zero when you follow instructions.
- Stay inside the vehicle at all times in the parks, except at designated picnic spots or when your guide says it is safe.
- Do not stand up or lean out of the vehicle unless your guide tells you to, and keep arms and cameras inside near elephants and lions.
- Keep your voice low, do not shout or make sudden movements, and never try to attract an animal's attention.
- Do not feed wild animals, including monkeys and baboons, which can steal food and bite.
- At camps and lodges, follow the rules about walking at night. Many require you to be escorted by a staff member with a torch, because animals such as hippos and buffalo can pass through camp.
- Keep your tent zipped, and never keep food in your tent.
- Follow your guide on walking safaris, stay in a line, and obey instructions immediately.
Fatal accidents with wildlife involving tourists on a guided safari are extremely rare. They almost always involve people who broke the rules, such as leaving a vehicle or approaching animals on foot.
Health risks
Health is a bigger risk than crime for most visitors. Malaria, stomach upsets, sunburn and dehydration are the most common problems. Most can be prevented with vaccines, tablets, repellent, safe food and water, and sensible habits. Medical care in cities is good and evacuation insurance is essential. For details, see our guide to Tanzania vaccines, malaria and health.
Read: Tanzania vaccines, malaria and health
Political situation, protests and local laws
Tanzania has a long record of stability compared with some neighbours. However, there have been periods of political tension, including around elections, during which demonstrations, security measures, curfews and disruptions to travel or the internet can occur. Government advisories describe these when they arise. If you are travelling during a period of tension, follow the advice of your embassy and your company, avoid demonstrations and large gatherings, and allow for delays.
It is worth knowing a few local laws and customs.
- Drugs: penalties for possession, including of cannabis, are severe. Do not carry or use illegal drugs.
- Photography: do not photograph military sites, airports, government buildings, police or officials. Ask permission before photographing local people, and do not take photographs of people without consent.
- Clothing: some advisories warn against wearing camouflage patterned clothing, which may be restricted. Choose neutral colours such as khaki instead.
- Plastic bags: single-use plastic carrier bags are banned, and customs may ask you to surrender them.
- Dress: dress modestly in towns and in Zanzibar, which is mostly Muslim. Shoulders and knees covered is a good rule outside beach resorts.
- Drones: you need a permit to fly a drone, and drones are banned in national parks. Do not bring one without clearance.
- Alcohol and public behaviour: drink responsibly and be discreet in public, especially during Ramadan in Muslim areas.
Safety for solo travellers, women and LGBTQ+ visitors
Solo travellers
Many people travel alone in Tanzania, usually on a private or small group tour, so that they are never alone in unfamiliar places. Booking with a licensed company, with a driver and guide, is the safest approach. Joining a small group safari also gives you company and cuts costs.
Women travellers
Women travel safely in Tanzania in large numbers, on safaris, on Kilimanjaro and on Zanzibar. As in many countries, women may receive unwanted attention in towns and on beaches. Dress modestly, avoid walking alone at night, and be firm and polite with anyone who persists. Choose accommodation with good reviews from other women, and tell your company if you want a female guide, when available.
LGBTQ+ travellers
Same-sex relationships are illegal in Tanzania and carry severe penalties, and public attitudes are conservative. Government travel advice recommends discretion. Many LGBTQ+ travellers visit safely on private, well-organised trips, avoiding public displays of affection and not discussing their relationships with strangers. Ask your company about private arrangements, and read the advice from your own government.
Is Zanzibar safe? Is Arusha safe? Is Kilimanjaro safe?
Zanzibar
Zanzibar is generally safe for visitors, and its main risks are petty theft, pushy beach sellers, bag snatching in Stone Town and the usual sun, sea and mosquito hazards. Avoid walking alone on empty beaches at night, keep valuables in the hotel safe, use licensed boat operators and respect local dress codes. Take care in the water, check currents and tides, and wear reef shoes.
Arusha
Arusha is the base for most northern circuit safaris and Kilimanjaro climbs. It is lively and generally safe by day. Petty theft and touts are the main issues, so use your hotel, keep valuables out of sight, take registered taxis at night and book your safari in advance.
Kilimanjaro
Kilimanjaro is safe in the sense that it is a well-run, popular trek, but altitude sickness is a genuine risk and every year some climbers are evacuated. The way to reduce it is a longer route, a slow pace and a good company that monitors you. Our guides to altitude sickness and to choosing a route explain how.
Read: Altitude sickness on Kilimanjaro
What does a well-run safari do to keep you safe?
Much of the safety on a good safari is invisible, because it is built into how the company works. Knowing what to look for helps you choose well.
- Vehicles are serviced regularly, carry spare tyres, tools, water and a first aid kit, and have a back-up plan if one breaks down in a remote area.
- Guides are licensed, trained in first aid and experienced in reading animal behaviour. They brief you on the rules on the first day, and they decide when to move away from a sighting.
- The company knows where each vehicle is, with radios or phones, and keeps an emergency plan with contacts for clinics, flying doctors and rescue teams.
- Camps have security, trained staff, torches and a process for escorting guests at night.
- Timings are planned so that you are not driving in the dark or rushing to reach a camp before the park gates close.
- The company pays and treats its staff fairly, which matters because tired, unhappy drivers take more risks.
Ask any company how it handles an emergency. The best answers are specific: who calls whom, which clinic, how long a transfer would take and what the insurance process is.
What happens in an emergency on safari?
If someone is ill or injured, your guide will stabilise the situation with first aid, call the camp or the company office and arrange transport. For minor problems this means a drive to a clinic. For serious ones it may mean a flight by air ambulance from the nearest airstrip to a hospital in Arusha, Nairobi or Dar es Salaam. Your insurer needs to be told as soon as possible, so keep its emergency number accessible. In the parks, response times can be long because of distance, which is why a good plan and insurance with evacuation matter so much.
Getting around towns: taxis, ride-hailing and SIM cards
- Registered taxis and hotel-arranged cars are the safest choice for evening trips. Ride-hailing apps work in Dar es Salaam, Arusha and some other towns, and show the driver's details and the route.
- Motorbike taxis, known as bodaboda, and three-wheeled tuk-tuks, are everywhere. They are cheap and quick, but the risk of accidents is higher, and helmets are not always provided. Many travellers prefer a car.
- Buy a local SIM card at the airport or in town to stay in contact. You will need your passport to register it, and your company can advise which network works best in the parks you will visit.
- Share your itinerary and hotel details with someone at home, and check in regularly.
Travelling with children
Tanzania is a rewarding place to travel with children, but a few extra safety points apply. Choose camps that accept children and have a good safety record, and ask whether tents and fences are secure. Keep younger children close in camp and never let them walk unaccompanied at night. Make sure each child has a window seat and a seat belt where possible, and bring sun hats, sunscreen and repellent. Check the vaccine and malaria advice for children, and carry a small kit for stings and stomach upsets. Our family safari guide has more.
Read: Family safari in Tanzania
How to stay informed before and during your trip
- Read your government's travel advice before booking, and again a week before you go.
- Register with your embassy or sign up for alerts, if your country offers it.
- Ask your safari company for an update a few days before arrival, including anything affecting roads, flights or events.
- Follow reliable local news and your company's messages during the trip.
- Be flexible, and keep some room in your plan for delays.
If an advisory changes after you book, speak to your company and your insurer. A good company will talk through the options with you and, where possible, find a safe alternative.
Money, documents and technology
- Keep a photo or scan of your passport, visa and insurance, stored securely online, and carry a photocopy.
- Carry a mix of cash and a card, and keep some cash separate in case of loss. See our guide to money and tipping.
- Tell your bank you are travelling, to avoid blocked cards.
- Use a screen lock and a tracking app on your phone, and back up photos regularly.
- Use secure wifi and avoid banking on public networks.
- Keep emergency numbers, your insurer's number and your embassy details in your phone and on paper.
A practical safety checklist
- Check your government's current travel advice for Tanzania, and sign up for alerts.
- Book with a licensed company you have verified, and pay safely.
- Buy comprehensive travel insurance, including medical evacuation.
- See a doctor or travel clinic about vaccines and malaria prevention.
- Keep copies of your documents, and store valuables in safes.
- Avoid walking alone at night, and use trusted transport.
- Follow your guide's wildlife rules and camp rules.
- Dress modestly, be respectful and ask before taking photographs of people.
- Stay informed about the local situation, and be flexible if plans change.
Frequently asked questions
Is Tanzania safe for tourists in 2026?
Tanzania remains a popular, generally safe destination for organised safari and trekking trips. Conditions can change, so check your government's advice before you book and again before you travel.
Is it safe to go on safari in Tanzania?
Yes. The parks are among the safest places in the country, and a good guide manages every sighting. Follow the rules and the risk is very low.
Is Tanzania safe for solo female travellers?
Many women travel alone safely, usually on organised trips. Take sensible precautions in towns and on beaches, and dress modestly.
Is it safe to walk around Arusha at night?
We advise against walking alone at night. Use a taxi from your hotel or a trusted ride-hailing service.
Is Tanzania safer than Kenya for safari?
Both are popular, and the situation depends on where you go and when. Check the advice for each country. See our comparison of Kenya and Tanzania for safaris.
Do I need to worry about terrorism?
Government advisories mention a risk of terrorism in the region, as they do for many countries, and recommend vigilance in crowded places. Follow the advice from your own government and your company.
Plan a safe Tanzania trip with us
Keep planning your Tanzania trip
These guides cover the next questions most travellers ask.
Tanzania vaccines, malaria and health
How to choose a Tanzania safari company
Kenya or Tanzania safari: which is better?
Sources and further reading
Facts and figures in this guide come from the sources below. Fees, schedules and entry rules change, so confirm current details before you book.
- UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, Tanzania travel advice, gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/tanzania.
- US Department of State, Tanzania travel advisory, travel.state.gov.
- US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Travelers Health, Tanzania destination page, wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel.
- Tanzania Immigration Department and Tanzania Revenue Authority, entry and customs information, immigration.go.tz and tra.go.tz.
US travel advisory for Tanzania
Last reviewed 7 October 2026. Safety conditions, laws and advisories change, so check current official advice before you travel.