Tanzania is widely recognised as one of the safest countries on the African continent. Every year, over a million travellers from all over the globe visit the country to discover its iconic wildlife and storybook landscapes; and every year, thousands of them are Timbuktu travellers. Safety is our utmost priority for everyone in our care and we would never recommend a country that wasn’t safe.
Is it safe to travel to Tanzania?
In a word, yes! It is important to note that as a visitor, you will predominantly be spending time in Tanzania’s national parks and reserves. These areas are world-renowned and firmly-established as safe, secure and very welcoming for visitors of all nationalities. The camps and lodges are outstanding, and the guides you will encounter are some of the best in the world.
The majority of Tanzanians are kind and friendly, and people of peace who welcome travellers to enjoy their country. In the northern safari circuit (of which Arusha is the central starting point), the tourism industry plays a major economic role and the people are always keen to help visitors and reinforce positivity.
It is fair to say that some places in Tanzania attract potential risks for travellers, but these areas are far-removed from the tourist hotspots and in fact, almost entirely unrelated to tourism at all.
Tanzania is a beautiful country and one that leaves those that visit with life-long memories. In this article, we address some common concerns about safety in Tanzania, both on safari and in the towns and cities that may form part of your trip. Our aim is to alleviate your worries and ensure you have a truly fantastic safari.
Safety in Tanzania
Our knowledge and expertise
At Timbuktu, we take pride in visiting every country we offer trips to. Aside from being one of our favourite parts of the job, we wouldn’t dream of recommending places and properties that we hadn’t experienced ourselves. The knowledge is in the detail, after all. Cumulatively, our Africa travel specialists have spent many months on the ground in Tanzania, following the Great Migration in the Serengeti and looking for wild dogs in Ruaha, sipping sunset cocktails in Zanzibar and ticking off bucket-list birds in Tarangire. Without fail, they all return home with stories of magic and wonder, and it doesn’t take long for them to start planning return visits.
If there are any aspects of travelling to Tanzania that you are unsure about, the best resource is your Timbuktu travel expert. They have first-hand experience of safety, wildlife, cities, food – in fact, just about everything that you might encounter on a trip. Best of all, they are available (almost!) 24/7 and will be able to ease your worries and address any concerns before you travel.
Before you travel, we will provide you with emergency contacts on the ground in Tanzania. These are partners that we have worked with for many years and know and trust explicitly. If you ever feel unsafe, they will be your first port of call – and of course, your Timbuktu travel expert is always a phone call or email away too. We recommend saving these numbers in your phone before you leave so they are always on hand quickly.
Safety when on safari
It is perfectly normal to feel some degree of trepidation when visiting Tanzania’s national parks and reserves, especially if it is your first time on safari. After all, who doesn’t feel a little nervous when visiting or experiencing something new?
The guides and rangers you will meet on safari make up an important part of your experience. They are your key to unlocking the secrets of the bush and their knowledge and expertise will ensure you are safe and well-looked after in every situation, be it enjoying a G&T around the fire, on a game drive, or exploring the bush on an exhilarating walking safari.
Your guides will advise you on the basic rules of the bush. Precautions to take on safari include always listening carefully to instructions and adhering to the basic rules of being on a game drive. These include guidelines like not standing up when the vehicle is moving, not trailing your arms and legs out of the vehicle, and not making any loud noises. When this advice is followed, there is really no risk from wildlife.
Tanzania’s safari lodges and camps are extremely special. Not only are they located in some of the most jaw-dropping locations, surrounded by miles and miles of incredible scenery and wildlife worthy of a David Attenborough documentary, they are comfortable, stylish and designed to keep you as safe as possible. Occasionally, wildlife may enter your camp or lodge. This is completely natural and the teams on the ground, including the security guards, guides and rangers, are very knowledgeable about what to do in such situations. Their thorough training covers all eventualities and you can rest-assured that you are in safe hands. This means that you can enjoy the situation for what it is: a very special, once-in-a-lifetime chance to see the animals up close!
At night, most lodges have security guards, sometimes known as askaris, who patrol the grounds. These guards are most often from the local community and have grown up in the heart of the bush. They have an intimate knowledge of the wildlife and animal behaviour and their job is to keep you safe at all times. Your room will also be equipped with an emergency radio or horn, so if you ever feel unsure about a noise outside, help is quickly and easily available.
Safety at the coast and on Tanzania’s islands
With a picture-perfect, white-sand coastline stretching for as far as the eye can see, and a host of dreamy islands (including Mafia, Pemba and Zanzibar), Tanzania is an excellent choice for a ‘bush and beach’ adventure that combines some time on safari with a few days at the beach. For more information on the islands and beach destinations, please read our article on How to choose between Tanzania’s islands.
Tanzania’s beach destinations are the ideal spot for some R&R and taking a well-deserved break. Just like the parks you will have visited on safari, these areas are predominantly safe and visitors are well-catered for. Common sense should always prevail, however, and we recommend taking precautions such as not walking along deserted or isolated beaches, booking activities and experiences with recommended operators, and staying at reputable hotels. At Timbuktu, we work with a network of trustworthy local operators who treat safety with the same respect as us.
How safe is Zanzibar?
Zanzibar is the largest of Tanzania’s islands and as such, there is a slightly elevated level of crime, especially in Stone Town, the capital city. This has never caused us concern however, and the incident rate is not of a level for us to declare the island a no-go area. Instead, we recommend you practise common sense. When exploring Stone Town, don’t walk around with your valuables on show (expensive cameras and jewellery) and make use of a concealed money belt for items that you do need to carry with you. It is also advisable to leave your passport and other important documents in the hotel safe.
Are the cities in Tanzania safe?
Whilst most travellers to Tanzania will spend the majority of their time in the iconic safari parks and reserves, you may overnight in either Arusha or Dar es Salaam before or after your safari adventure begins. Both towns have a remarkably low crime rate but it is still advisable to exercise caution when in cities in Tanzania, just as you would in any major town in Europe or North America. Pick-pockets can take advantage of busy and bustling areas like marketplaces, shopping streets and other hotspots, and we would never recommend walking at night.
Is it safe to take public transport?
On a Timbuktu trip, all your transport needs will be taken care of from the moment you arrive at the airport in Tanzania. If you are going straight to a national park, a 4×4 safari vehicle will be waiting to take you to your camp or lodge, and if arriving in a city, pre-arranged drivers and clean, safe cars will be at your disposal. We do not recommend making use of public transport in Tanzania, including local taxis. If you need to make any extra transport arrangements during your trip, contact your travel specialist who can make all the necessary plans using reputable companies.
Can I eat the food in Tanzania and drink the water?
The food you will enjoy on safari in Tanzania is one of the biggest drawcards for many travellers! Fresh, abundant and cooked to the highest standard by (often) internationally-trained chefs, it rivals the food in some of the world’s best restaurants. You can enjoy everything from freshly-made bread, toasted over the fire in the morning, to innovative salads at lunch and a selection of internally-recognisable dishes and some local specialities at dinner.
The water in safari camps and lodges is usually pumped from a borehole and is filtered, fresh and delicious. If you do not feel comfortable drinking it, bottled water is readily available.
In the towns and cities, restaurant food is of a similar high quality. If you are visiting markets or other establishments to taste local dishes or enjoy a meal, we would advise using your discretion. Hygiene and cleanliness may not be of the same standard as your home country, and whilst you will not become seriously ill, your stomach may not be used to it! It is advised to drink bottled water in the towns and cities.
Remote areas
Tanzania’s border with Mozambique can sometimes hit the news with outbreaks of violence. The area in question is in the south of the country and is very far removed from any tourist areas or national parks. In fact, the Serengeti National Park is almost 2000 kilometres away from the border with Mozambique.
Natural disasters
Tanzania is not known to experience major national disasters. There are two distinct wet seasons – the long rains and the short rains – but neither of these periods cause serious disruption. If you are travelling in one of the wet seasons, your Timbuktu travel expert will advise you on practical clothing to take and what to expect in the parks and reserves. To find out more about the different seasons, you can read our article on the Best time to visit Tanzania.
Is Tanzania safe for a family holiday?
Tanzania is a wonderful destination for a family holiday. The national parks and world-class attractions will reward you with adventures that will open children’s eyes to the magic of the natural world, and who doesn’t enjoy splashing in the warm waters of the Indian Ocean, young or old? More than anything, however, is the love that Tanzanians have for kids. Safari guides and rangers are often family men themselves and have a way with children that surpasses even the best babysitter at home, and locals will go out of their way to help and assist a visiting family.
On safari, our top tips to ensure safety for children include choosing a family-friendly lodge or camp that offers specialised kid’s activities, food, accommodation, and in some instances, babysitting and child-minding facilities. At the coast, choose hotels on safe and sheltered beaches, or ones with large lawns and play areas for children.
In both areas, there are age restrictions on activities like walking safaris. These limits are there for a reason and to keep you and your family safe, and should always be respected. Similarly, if you follow your guide’s instructions at all times and respect the wildlife both on land and in the ocean, there is no reason why Tanzania can’t be a safe destination for the whole family to enjoy.
We would always recommend that our guests keep up to date with what is happening on the ground in Tanzania–and we will always pass on important news–but don’t let inaccurate information persuade you from the trip of a lifetime! Tanzania is a very safe destination to visit and our Timbuktu travel experts are always on hand to answer any questions you might have.
