Philip is a renowned Africa expert and author of many guidebooks to African destinations, including the Bradt guide to Tanzania.
Tanzania is, in our opinion, safe to visit. This is even more so if you book an organized safari. Theft and pickpocketing are relatively common in big cities but incidents can generally be avoided by following a few simple safety precautions. Almost a million tourists visit Tanzania every year, and most visits are trouble-free.
Below are tips on staying safe in Tanzania.
Staying Safe on Wildlife Viewing Activities
Your safari guide will look after your safety. Always listen carefully to their instructions and follow the park rules. When on a self-drive safari, never leave your car outside of designated areas and never approach animals too close. For additional tips:
Staying Safe on a Chimp Trek
Chimp trekking is a very safe activity. Visitors are taken to a habituated chimpanzee community. The chimps mostly ignore visitors and you’ll be able to watch them behaving naturally. A park ranger will brief you on how to behave while close to the chimps to help to ensure your safety and theirs. For more detailed tips regarding chimp trekking:
Staying Safe in Cities & Towns
Most crime in Tanzania occurs in the cities (as is the case throughout the world). Petty theft and pickpocketing are quite common, but violent crime is rare. You are unlikely to encounter any problems on a guided tour. Venturing out in the cities unguided is fine as long as you follow a few simple safety precautions: check with your hotel whether the area is safe to walk; only take a bit of cash with you; don’t display any valuables; and catch a taxi after dark. For more safety tips that apply to African cities in general:
Other Tips on Staying Safe
Please read the pages below regarding malaria and vaccination information for Tanzania and general travel safety precautions.
Governments' Travel Advice
Please use the links below for governments' travel advice on Tanzania.
- Australia
– www.smartraveller.gov.au - Canada
– travel.gc.ca - EU member states
– ec.europa.eu - Ireland
– www.dfa.ie - New Zealand
– www.safetravel.govt.nz - United Kingdom
– www.gov.uk - United States
– travel.state.gov
