Tanzania Safety and security | Travel Advice
Tanzania is a safe country to travel in. Tanzanians are warm – hearted and generous people and are eager to help visitors get the most out of their stay. Hotels are safe and have watchmen. Tanzania is a politically stable, multi-democratic country. Of course, there are some precautions you should take as you begin your journey, just as there are concerns you should consider before any vacation or travel experience. Google is a great source for finding more specific information about any location you travel to, so when in doubt be sure to look there as well. Here, we’ve collected a few things to keep in mind in regards to safety as you travel to the eastern coast of Africa.
Safety and Security Travel Advice
Safety and Security
Driving in Tanzania
Laws and Customs
Health Issues
Medical Care
Tanzania Travel Forum
Safety and Security
As with any travel destination, the main thing is to be aware of your surroundings. Seclusion can be nice, but when an area is overly isolated and you don’t remember the last time you saw another human being that could be cause for concern. Try not to stray too far from the beaten path if you want to prevent risky situations. If you’re in a more central location using public transportation, only accept taxi rides from reputable companies, and never get into a taxi with other riders who are not part of your group.
Don’t take a safari deal from just anyone; do your research before your get to Tanzania and schedule a safari ahead of time. Avoid paying the people before the safari and beware of false “trip leaders.” Never accept rides from strangers who solicit you with their transportation services. Be careful when interacting with anyone trying to sell you something in general.
As far as the cities go, things can get crowded and people can get pushy, especially in Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar. Walk with purpose and stay confident in the flow obvious clueless tourists become a bigger, flashier target for anyone with bad intentions. Again, as with any travel, keep your passport, money, and important travel documents as close to you as possible, and check on them regularly. Don’t offer any money or alternative pricing while holding your wallet in sight. Be smart about where you spend money, and transfer into local currency whenever possible
Driving in Tanzania
If you’re planning to drive in Tanzania, you should be extremely careful. Road safety standards are low, particularly outside towns and cities. Accidents are frequent and are often caused by poor driving, badly maintained vehicles and inadequate lighting. During the rainy seasons (late March to mid-June and mid-November to mid-December), many roads in Tanzania, both urban and rural, are passable only with four-wheel-drive vehicles.
If you want to drive:
- #1. Bring your international driving license and make sure you have adequate and appropriate insurance
- #2. Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is against the law and you risk being detained, fined or banned from driving if caught
- #3. Keep your vehicle doors locked, windows up, and your bags kept out of sight to prevent opportunistic bag-snatching if you’re stopped at traffic lights
- #4. Avoid driving out of town at night.
- #5. If you’re stopped by the police, ask to see identification before making any payments for traffic violations.
- #6. If you’re involved in a road accident, co-operate with the local police.
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Hiring a vehicle
If you’re hiring a vehicle, we advise you not to hand over your passport as a form of security. If you’re allowing your passport to be photocopied, keep it in your sight at all times. Check that you have adequate insurance and read the small print of the vehicle hire contract (particularly any waiver that will come into effect if the vehicle is damaged).
Laws and Customs
Tanzanians are welcoming and well disposed towards visitors, but you should be sensitive to local culture. Loud or aggressive behaviour, drunkenness, foul language and disrespect, especially towards older people, will cause offence. Remember, the local laws apply to you as a visitor and it is your responsibility to follow them. Be sensitive to local customs, traditions and practices as your behaviour may be seen as improper, hostile or may even be illegal.
Be conscious of your dress and behaviour if you intend to visit places of worship and take care not to offend local culture or religious beliefs, especially during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan or other religious festivals.
During Ramadan, Muslims are not permitted to eat, drink or smoke during daylight hours. To avoid offence, you should not eat, drink or smoke in public during this time. Guide books, local hoteliers and tour guides can be good sources of information for how to behave and dress respectfully.Consider dressing modestly when in public. Women should avoid wearing shorts and sleeveless tops away from tourist resorts and in Stone Town in Zanzibar.
HomosexualityHomosexual activity is illegal in Tanzania, including Zanzibar. Public displays of affection between persons of the same sex may be met with arrest, harassment or violence. |
Animal ProductsThere are criminal laws on the protection of wildlife and fauna in Tanzania. Avoid bringing wildlife products such as jewellery into Tanzania as you risk delay, questioning or detention when trying to leave the country. It is illegal to export an animal or animal part (including live or dead animal parts, such as skins and bones, feathers, or shells), whether purchased or received as a gift, without export certification from the government. It is also illegal to gather, collect, or remove any flora or fauna, including seashells, from marine parks. Penalties include fines and/or imprisonment. |
Illegal drugsIllegal drug use (no matter what the drug) carries stiff penalties, including fines and long prison terms. |
Health Issues
Get travel and medical insurance
Before travelling, the WE strongly recommends that you obtain comprehensive travel insurance which will cover all overseas medical costs, including medical repatriation/evacuation, repatriation of remains and legal costs. You should check any exclusions and, in particular, that your policy covers you for the activities you want to undertake.
Vaccinations
Check what vaccinations you may need for your trip at least eight weeks before you travel. We can’t advise you on vaccinations, but you can get information about vaccinations from your local GP or an International Health and Travel Centre.
A Yellow Fever vaccination certificate is required for all travellers arriving from, or having transited through countries with a risk of yellow fever transmission, and will be inspected on arrival in Tanzania. You may also be required to provide a yellow fever certificate on arrival in Zanzibar, even if you travel there from the Tanzanian mainland, regardless of the country you have originally travelled to Tanzania from. Travelers with neither the vaccination nor an exemption letter are typically allowed entry and directed to a health officer to obtain the shot.
For more information on yellow fever see: http://www.who.int/csr/disease/yellowfev/en/
Medical Care
Medical Care in Tanzania
Quality medical care services are limited, especially outside Dar es Salaam and other major urban centres. Medical help at the scene of an accident is also likely to be limited. In the case of serious accident or illness, evacuation by air ambulance may be required. Adequate insurance can be crucial in helping people get the medical attention required.
Medication
Make sure you bring enough medication for your entire trip and for any unexpected delays. You may wish to also bring copies of your prescription in case you lose your medication.
Malaria
Malaria is common in Tanzania and is transmitted by mosquitoes. You cannot be vaccinated against malaria. Malaria can be contracted throughout the year and anywhere in Tanzania, including in Dar es Salaam.
Water
Water quality can be poor in Tanzania and outbreaks of waterborne diseases can occur. Ensure that drinking water is safe before consumption
Tanzania Travel Forum
Are you looking for a friendly community to talk travel with? You’ve found the right place. Our forum is non-commercial, independent and home to expert travellers who will be more than happy to help you plan your perfect trip. One of the best Travel and Safaris Questions and Answers (Q&A) forum with millions of wisdom seekers collaborating to ask questions and get best answers. Explore a wide variety of topics about Safari to Tanzania and Africa in general. Click below to access Questions and answers about safari to Tanzania, feel free to Join, browse Questions and answers, ask Questions and post your travel Experience in Tanzania.
Safaris & Tours
Tanzania is one of Africa’s top safari destinations. The wildlife viewing is out of this world and big cats are especially easy to see. All members of the Big Five can be found in various Tanzanian parks and reserves, and all five are present in the Ngorongoro Crater and Serengeti National Park.
Mountain Climbing
The most frequent expeditions are obviously to Mt. Kilimanjaro and Mt. Meru, but there are also other destinations such as the Crater Highlands. Trekking companies will happily put together an itinerary that suits your preferences and all other important details for your comfortability.
Beach Holidays
Unguja/Zanzibar Island, is the main island in the Tanzania. Stone Town, part of Zanzibar, is an old trade center, with mosques and winding lanes. The 1883 House of Wonders is a former sultan’s palace with a clock tower. The Old Fort now houses a cultural center and a stone amphitheater, The best beaches!
Tanzania Travel - Safety & Security FAQ
Yes, At present, Tanzania is a safer country to visit than Kenya. Some of Kenya’s struggles have to do with city-based crime, political violence, internally displaced peoples, and terrorism.
Things to know before going to Tanzania
- Visas are necessary.
- Malaria and other sicknesses are a real thing here.
- Tanzania is safe to travel.
- Weather can be tricky.
- Proper clothes in Tanzania is a real deal.
- You will get lost in Stone town.
- You must tip your guide or driver.
- Tanzania has several airports.
Yes! Tanzania has been rated numerous times as the safest African country to visit. Especially for solo female travellers. Though no country is 100% safe, Tanzania is one of the safer African countries.
Yes, it is safe to travel to Zanzibar Islands. This is one of the safest African destinations, even for solo female travellers. The Zanzibar Archipelago is part of Tanzania, which is one of the most stable African countries. Tanzania is ranked as the most peaceful country in East Africa, in fact.
YES! Dar is a safe city, compared to say Nairobi. You can safely walk about in the city centre and any crowded areas in the daytime – however do not wear any jewellery, expensive watches etc, and beware of pickpockets.
YES! Tanzania is a safe country to visit. It’s the safari capital of Africa and government ensures safety of foreign tourists is a priority. You’ll be safe in Tanzania as long as you travel in the care of a reputable tour operator and take the usual precautions to stay out of harm’s way and avoid falling ill.
YES! Serengeti National Park is safe to visit as long as you follow the rules and guidelines set out by park staff and your guide. Incidents with wildlife are extremely rare on safaris, especially when everyone is there to respectfully view animals in their natural habitats.
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