Several governments publish official travel advice for Tanzania. The partial travel warning described here comes from Germany's Federal Foreign Office and covers the border region with Mozambique as well as the islands and the coastal region south of Kisiju. The safari areas in the north and Zanzibar are not covered by this German warning. What the authorities say about crime, traffic and natural hazards and what you should look out for is set out here.
In short
According to Germany’s Federal Foreign Office, a partial travel warning applies to Tanzania: it advises against non-essential travel to the southern part of the Mtwara region on the border with Mozambique, as well as to the islands and the coastal region south of Kisiju. The classic safari areas in the north and Zanzibar are not covered by this warning; in the ministry’s assessment, the political situation on Zanzibar is currently stable. The ministry also points to relatively high crime and a situation that remains tense following the October 2025 elections. Correct as of October 2026. Before departure, read the current official travel advice of your own government; such advice is published, for example, by the US State Department, the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, Global Affairs Canada and Australia’s Smartraveller.
What official travel advice says
A partial travel warning means that Germany’s Federal Foreign Office advises against non-essential travel to clearly defined areas, not to the whole country. Specifically, the warning affects the southern part of the Mtwara region on the border with the Mozambican province of Cabo Delgado, as well as the islands and the coastal region south of Kisiju. The danger of terrorist attacks persists in the border region with Cabo Delgado, and the situation there remains volatile.
Following the presidential and parliamentary elections in October 2025, there were protests, some of them violent, with numerous fatalities in several parts of the country, according to Germany’s Federal Foreign Office. The internet was completely shut down for several days; cash, fuel and food were temporarily scarce, and air traffic was significantly disrupted. Since then, the situation has stabilised but remains tense. Further protests, short-notice curfews, shutdowns of the internet and mobile networks, and restrictions on ferry and air services, including to Zanzibar, cannot be ruled out. Demonstrations may occur around political events. Avoid crowds and follow the instructions of the local authorities.
There is a general risk of terrorism in all regions of the country, including Dar es Salaam. Possible targets include tourist attractions, government buildings, embassies, business and tourism centres, hotels, markets, religious sites and larger crowds. Details can be found in the travel and safety advice of Germany’s Federal Foreign Office.
Other European authorities assess the situation similarly. The Austrian BMEIA classifies the border with Mozambique (Ruvuma and Mtwara regions, up to about 20 kilometres before the border) as a ‘high security risk’, level 3 of 4, and the rest of the country as a ‘security risk’, level 2 of 4 (BMEIA country information). Following the unrest, Switzerland initially advised against tourist and other non-urgent travel and relaxed this classification again on 12 November 2025, but continues to urge caution because of possible new demonstrations and roadblocks.
Crime in cities and at the beach
Crime is relatively high across the entire country and has risen further. In addition to pickpocketing, robberies and so-called ’express kidnapping’ are on the increase: perpetrators approach foreigners posing as helpful passers-by or taxi drivers, rob them or force them to withdraw cash.
The tourist hotspots of Arusha, Zanzibar, Dar es Salaam and Morogoro are particularly affected. The places where crimes most often happen are railway stations, ferry terminals and bus stations, and increasingly also residential areas such as Oyster Bay and Masaki in Dar es Salaam.
In the city
- Do not display valuables openly and hold on to bags: bags and rucksacks are increasingly being snatched from pedestrians by people on motorbikes or in cars.
- Keep windows closed and doors locked in the car, as attempts are made to steal valuables through open windows and unlocked doors.
- Do not walk or cycle after dark.
- Use only registered taxis, recognisable by the white number plate with a green, yellow or blue stripe along its length, or have the journey tracked via an app. At the airport, only get into a taxi inside the terminal.
At the beach and on Zanzibar
- Beach walks after dark are considered dangerous, explicitly also on Zanzibar.
- Generally avoid unguarded beaches and secluded areas.
- The Austrian foreign ministry (BMEIA) advises avoiding secluded areas and beaches away from the hotel complexes for safety reasons, even during the day.
On the road
In Tanzania, you drive on the left. The roads are mostly in good condition, but poorer in remote areas, sometimes with severe potholes. On motorways, unfamiliar and very different driving styles make driving a challenge.
Serious road accidents occur frequently, most recently also an increasing number of serious bus accidents on motorways.
The ferry service between Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar also has a troubled record: several serious ferry accidents with several hundred fatalities occurred in the past, and adequate maintenance of the ferries cannot always be assumed. Avoid visibly overcrowded or overloaded ferries and crossings during storms or thunderstorms.
Safety on safari
Clear rules apply in the national parks. According to its Serengeti Visitor Guide, the park authority TANAPA requires visitors to comply with the park rules, remain in the vehicle or in designated areas, not feed wild animals and observe speed limits. Guides must be certified, and drones are prohibited without a separate permit. TANAPA also recommends always travelling with a guide, carrying sufficient water, following the rangers’ instructions and not wandering off alone.
The official brochure of Mkomazi National Park shows just how specific these rules are: a speed limit of 50 km/h applies there, feeding the animals is prohibited, as is leaving the vehicle without authorisation outside permitted areas. The park gates open at 06:00 and close at 18:00.
These rules reduce the risk, but some risk always remains around wild animals. The key thing is to follow your guide’s instructions; they know the behaviour of the animals and the park’s requirements.
On a private safari with Wildfinder Safaris, you travel with a private vehicle and your personal guide from the team in Arusha, without other travellers and on your own route. Your guide speaks English. They will be waiting for you at Kilimanjaro Airport and will accompany you in the same vehicle throughout the trip. The local team is available throughout your trip. How this differs from a group safari is explained in the article Private safari or group safari.
Nature and weather
The rainy seasons in the north and on the north coast fall mainly from March to May and October to December, and in southern, central and western Tanzania from November to April or May. During the rainy season, heavy rain, flooding and landslides are possible. Roads and bridges can become temporarily impassable, and air and ferry services can also be affected. For October to December 2026, Germany’s Federal Foreign Office expects above-average rainfall in parts of the country due to the El Niño weather phenomenon. Which months suit which route is set out in the article on the best time to visit Tanzania.
Tanzania also lies in a seismically active zone, i.e. an area with an increased risk of earthquakes. Earthquakes and volcanic activity are possible.
What you should know about health before departure is set out in the article on vaccinations for Tanzania.
Frequently asked questions about safety in Tanzania
Is there a travel warning for Tanzania?
According to Germany’s Federal Foreign Office, there is no full travel warning for Tanzania, only a partial one: it applies to the southern part of the Mtwara region on the border with Mozambique, as well as to the islands and the coastal region south of Kisiju (as of October 2026). Other governments publish their own travel advice and may rate the country differently, so check the advice of your own government.
Is Zanzibar safe for tourists?
Largely, but with clear caveats: according to Germany’s Federal Foreign Office, the political situation on Zanzibar is currently stable. Unguarded beaches are considered dangerous, and after dark you should not go for beach walks there either.
Where in Tanzania is crime at its highest?
The tourist hotspots of Arusha, Zanzibar, Dar es Salaam and Morogoro are particularly affected. Common crime scenes are railway stations, ferry terminals and bus stations, and in Dar es Salaam increasingly also the residential areas of Oyster Bay and Masaki.
Is a safari in Tanzania safe?
Not entirely risk-free, but clearly regulated: the park authority TANAPA requires visitors to remain in the vehicle or in designated areas and not to feed the animals, and recommends following the rangers’ instructions. On a private safari with Wildfinder Safaris, you travel with a private vehicle and your personal guide from the team in Arusha.
Can I walk around at night in Tanzania?
No. After dark you should avoid walks and bicycle rides; this explicitly also applies to beaches on Zanzibar. Instead, take a registered taxi, recognisable by the white number plate with a green, yellow or blue stripe along its length.
- German Federal Foreign Office: travel and safety advice for Tanzania
- BMEIA (Austria): travel information Tanzania
- travelnews.ch: FDFA eases travel advice for Tanzania
- Tanzania National Parks: Serengeti Visitor Guide
- Tanzania National Parks: Mkomazi National Park brochure (PDF)
- US Department of State: Tanzania Travel Advisory
- UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office: Tanzania travel advice
- Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation: travel recommendations for Tanzania
