🇹🇿map Tanzania [Safety]

Government and Political Stability

Tanzania is a union of the mainland (formerly Tanganyika) and the semi-autonomous islands of Zanzibar. It operates as a presidential republic with a parliament and an independent judiciary on paper, and a separate house for Zanzibar’s matters. Since 2021, President Samia Suluhu Hassan has led the country after a peaceful constitutional transition, which many locals saw as a stabilizing moment. Day to day, politics are relatively calm compared to some neighbors, though Zanzibar can be more politically charged around election periods. Democratic space has widened somewhat in recent years, with more openness for media and opposition activity than during the previous administration, but the system still leans heavily toward the ruling party and corruption remains a concern you’ll hear about from residents and businesspeople alike.

For expatriates, the practical takeaway is that institutions function, contracts are enforced, and visas and permits are processed—albeit with bureaucratic patience. Protests are uncommon and usually localized; when they do occur, authorities tend to respond quickly to contain them. As in much of the region, it helps to keep a low profile during political rallies and to follow local news in the run-up to national or Zanzibar elections.

Economic Stability

Tanzania’s economy has been one of East Africa’s steady growers, driven by construction, telecoms, mining, and a large agricultural base. You’ll feel that dynamism in Dar es Salaam’s port traffic and in new roads and real estate projects. Inflation has generally been moderate for the region, and the currency (Tanzanian shilling) is managed but can drift—budget with a cushion if you’re paid in foreign currency. Cash is still king outside major urban areas, but ATMs and mobile money (notably M-Pesa, Tigo Pesa, Airtel Money) are widely used in cities.

For professionals, the job market is more welcoming if you arrive with a company or a niche skill. Work permits are formal and must be arranged carefully. Banks are reliable for everyday needs, with international options in Dar and Arusha; still, most expats keep a primary account abroad and use local banks for daily expenses. Price-wise, imported goods, private schooling, and premium healthcare are the big-ticket items; local produce, services, and transport are affordable.

Crime and Personal Safety

Tanzania is generally friendly and laid-back, but urban petty crime is a reality. In Dar es Salaam and Arusha, the most common issues are grab-and-run thefts, bag snatching from passing motorcycles, and occasional residential break-ins. Keep phones out of sight near busy roads, use cross-body bags, and avoid walking at night in quiet areas. Beach towns like Zanzibar’s Stone Town and parts of the northern circuit (Moshi, Arusha) are safe with normal caution, but don’t leave valuables on the beach, and be extra alert in crowded markets and bus terminals.

Police presence is visible in cities, and response can be helpful for documentation, though resolution is often limited to reports for insurance. In an emergency, call your embassy and your insurer’s assistance line in addition to local police. Most expats use vetted taxis or ride services after dark, and choose residences with guards, good lighting, and secure gates. These simple steps go a long way in Tanzania.

Regional Security Issues

Tanzania’s neighborhood is complex, but the country itself has stayed relatively stable. The southern border area with Mozambique has seen heightened vigilance due to the insurgency in Mozambique’s Cabo Delgado province; this is far from the main tourist and business hubs, but it’s wise to check current advice if heading to Mtwara or remote southern coastal areas. To the west, Tanzania has hosted refugees during crises in the Great Lakes region, especially from the DRC and Burundi; this mostly affects specific border districts and humanitarian corridors rather than daily life in cities.

There is a long-standing, mostly quiet dispute with Malawi over the boundary in Lake Nyasa (Lake Malawi). For travelers, it rarely factors into plans beyond occasional diplomatic headlines. Cross-border routes to Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Zambia, and Malawi operate as normal, though you should use official crossings and keep your documents handy.

Terrorism and Civil Unrest

Tanzania has faced isolated extremist incidents historically—most notably the 1998 U.S. Embassy bombing in Dar es Salaam—and sporadic security operations against militants in parts of the southeast in past years. Today, the general threat level is considered manageable, and daily life is unaffected for most residents. That said, authorities maintain a visible security posture at key sites, and large public gatherings, religious holidays, and international hotels use standard screening.

Civil unrest is rare and typically short-lived. If demonstrations occur, they are usually confined to specific neighborhoods or political offices. The common-sense rule applies: avoid crowds if tensions rise, monitor local media and embassy alerts, and keep flexible plans during election seasons, particularly in Zanzibar.

Natural Disasters and Environmental Risks

Tanzania’s biggest seasonal risk is heavy rain and flooding, especially during the long rains (roughly March to May) and shorter rains (around October to December). Urban flooding can disrupt roads in Dar es Salaam and other coastal areas. The country experiences occasional earthquakes, mainly in the Rift Valley regions near Lake Tanganyika and the north, but strong events are uncommon. Coastal storms hit the Indian Ocean region periodically, and while direct cyclones are rare, their remnants can bring heavy rains and high seas that affect ferry schedules to Zanzibar.

Infrastructure is improving but can be strained by weather. Power cuts occur, and water supply interruptions happen in some neighborhoods. A modest household preparedness plan—flashlights, a power bank, a few days of drinking water—will make you much more comfortable. If you plan to hike Kilimanjaro or visit remote parks, follow park ranger guidance on weather windows and road conditions.

Health and Medical Security

Healthcare in Dar es Salaam, Arusha, and Zanzibar has a mix of decent private clinics and hospitals, while rural facilities vary widely. Many expats use private hospitals in Dar es Salaam for routine care and keep medical evacuation coverage for serious issues. Malaria is present in much of the country, including coastal regions and Zanzibar, so discuss prophylaxis with your doctor and use repellents and bed nets. Dengue fever outbreaks occur in coastal areas and Dar; cholera occasionally appears after heavy rains.

Tap water is not consistently treated—stick to bottled or filtered water, and be selective with street food until your stomach adjusts. Pharmacies in cities are well stocked for basics, but bring any specific prescriptions and a copy of your script. Emergency response times can be slow; keep the numbers for your insurer’s 24/7 assistance and a reliable private clinic handy, and consider a first-aid kit if you’ll be in remote parks or islands.

Travel Advisories and Regulations

Most major governments advise normal to heightened caution in Tanzania, highlighting petty crime in cities, road safety, and occasional security concerns near the Mozambique border. Entry requirements typically include a passport with six months’ validity and a visa; many nationalities can obtain an e-visa in advance or a visa on arrival, but check the official immigration site before you fly. Work and residence permits are separate processes—employers usually spearhead these, and timing can be unpredictable.

Register with your embassy if you’ll be in-country for a while, and keep digital copies of your passport, visa, and permits. Local laws are conservative on drugs and public indecency, and penalties are severe. Drone use, professional photography, and certain research activities require permits; ask first rather than assume.

Practical Safety Tips

• Keep a low profile with valuables, especially phones near roads where motorcycle snatches happen. Use cross-body bags and choose indoor ATMs or those at malls and hotels.
• Rely on vetted taxis or ride-hailing in cities, particularly at night. For intercity travel, use reputable bus lines or flights; avoid night driving outside towns due to livestock and unlit roads.
• On the Zanzibar ferries, book reputable operators, travel in daylight when possible, and follow crew instructions. Seas can be rough during rainy seasons.
• Learn a few Kiswahili basics—it helps with day-to-day interactions and negotiating prices. Save key contacts: your embassy, insurer, primary clinic, landlord, and a trusted taxi driver.
• Choose housing with solid gates, lighting, and a guard if possible. Get contents insurance and log serial numbers for electronics.
• For business, document everything, be patient with processes, and work with a local fixer or attorney for permits and contracts. Relationships matter and make things move.

With sensible precautions and a bit of East African patience, Tanzania offers a stable base, warm communities, and extraordinary travel experiences—from Serengeti safaris to the spice-scented alleys of Stone Town—without feeling on edge about safety.

Amara
Amara is a business strategist and cultural liaison originally from Nairobi, Kenya, with over 12 years of experience in African markets and international corporate development across the continent. Having worked for major multinational corporations and regional organizations including the African Development Bank and East African Community, Amara has extensive experience facilitating the relocation of international talent to Kenya, South Africa, and other key African markets, as well as helping African professionals navigate assignments abroad.