Safest cities in Tanzania
28 cities with 100k+ population · data updated 2026-09-04
Areas the UK FCDO advises against visiting
- Tanzania
In full or in part — the official advisory lists exact boundaries and exceptions.
What official travel advice warns about
Terrorism
- Terrorism in TanzaniaTerrorist attacks in Tanzania cannot be ruled out.
Political situation
- Social mediaIt is illegal to take or share photographs and video footage of protests and violence. Keep away from activities that could be considered political, including political discussions in public places or online. There is a risk you could be detained for social media activities including posting comments, blogging or sharing photographs or video…
- Electronic DevicesTanzanian security services may request to check your phone and other electronic devices for content related to the events around elections, and to review participation in online groups perceived to have incited violence. The police have said that it is an offence to hold or share videos or images that ‘cause panic or degrade a person’s dignity’.
Crime
- Violent crimeThere is a risk of armed crime, including armed robbery, throughout Tanzania. Take particular care in places frequented by tourists and foreign residents. In Dar es Salaam, tourists and residents have been targeted:
- Sexual AssaultIncidents of assault, rape and sexual aggression against foreigners have occurred, including at beach resorts.
- Express kidnapIn Dar es Salaam, tourists have been ‘express kidnapped’. This means they’ve been assaulted, robbed and forced with the threat of violence to withdraw cash from ATMs. Some have been forced to arrange cash transfers of up to £5,000 through Western Union after being befriended by strangers or getting into unlicensed taxis.
- Protecting your propertyBurglary is a risk. Make sure residential property is secure and lock all doors and windows, especially at night. If where you’re staying has a security guard, they should insist on official identification before allowing anyone to enter your property or compound. If in doubt, do not let strangers in and raise the alarm.
- HarassmentThere have been cases where women travelling alone and in small groups have been verbally harassed.
Laws and cultural differences
- ReligionThere is a high proportion of Muslims in Tanzania, particularly in Zanzibar and Pemba. Respect local traditions, customs, laws and religions. Make sure your actions do not cause offence, especially during the holy month of Ramadan or if you intend to visit religious areas.
- Personal IDAlways carry copies of your passport photo page and visa. Carry your work permit, if you have one. Immigration officials or police can request these documents at any time, so make sure you can get the originals quickly if you need them. If you’re a resident or longer term visitor, consider getting certified copies.
- RamadanRamadan is a holy month for Muslims. The dates vary by year and country. During this time, avoid eating or drinking in public, outside of hotels or restaurants. Get more advice when you arrive from your tour guide, hotel or business contacts.
- Dress codeDress modestly throughout Tanzania. Women wearing shorts or sleeveless tops away from tourist resorts in Zanzibar and Pemba, particularly in Stone Town, may cause offence to the local population.
- Environmental lawsPlastic bags are banned for environmental reasons. If you arrive by air you’ll be asked to hand over all plastic bags on arrival. The ban does not include ‘ziplock’ bags for airline security procedures.
- Illegal drugsTanzania has strict laws on drug use. There may be severe penalties, including lengthy prison sentences which can be applied both for supplying and simple possession of any drugs, including when transiting through the airport.
- Discrimination and harassmentReports made to the British High Commission by Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) British passport holders suggest that they are experiencing additional levels of harassment from immigration officials. If this happens, stay calm and ask that the British High Commission is immediately informed.
- LGBT+ travellersSame-sex sexual activity is illegal in Tanzania, including Zanzibar. Same-sex relationships are not tolerated in Tanzania’s conservative society. If you show affection in public, like holding hands or kissing in public places, you could be arrested or put in prison.
- MoneyUS dollars are widely accepted in tourist areas. Travellers cheques are not widely accepted.
Outdoor activities and adventure tourism
- Game reserves and national parksIf you’re visiting game reserves and national parks, always follow park regulations and advice from wardens.
- Trekking and climbingIf you are trekking or climbing, only use a reputable travel company, stick to established routes and always walk in groups. Make sure you are well prepared and equipped to cope with the terrain and low temperatures.
Transport risks
- Air travelThe UK Air Safety List (ASL) lists all airlines certified by the authorities with responsibility for regulatory oversight of Tanzania. These airlines are banned from operating commercial air services to, from, and within the United Kingdom. Check the UK Air Safety List when considering which airlines to fly with. The list is maintained by the…
- Road travelIf you’re planning to drive in Tanzania, see information on driving abroad.
- Driving standards and road conditionsRoad users often drive dangerously, ignoring the rules of the road. Accidents resulting in death and serious injury are common.
- Police checkpointsThere are frequent police checkpoints. If you’re stopped by the police, ask to see identification. If you are issued with a fine, the police should give you a government control number for payment. The police should not ask you to make any on the spot payments for traffic violations. If you’re involved in a road accident, co-operate with the local…
- Buses and taxisLocal buses (‘dala dalas’), motorbike taxis (‘boda bodas’), and tuk-tuks (known locally as ‘bijajis’) can have poor safety standards. They are often poorly maintained and badly driven. They rarely have proper insurance cover. There are frequent accidents, some of which result in fatalities.
- Rail travelThere have been several accidents on Tanzanian railways. Seek local advice for any long-distance train travel.
- Lake and sea travelIn the last few years there have been several ferry disasters. Hundreds of people have died when travelling:
Extreme weather and natural disasters
- Rainy seasonsThe length of rainy seasons can vary, but they generally run from:
- EarthquakesEarthquakes and tremors are a risk in Tanzania. The US Federal Emergency Management Agency website has advice about what to do before, during and after an earthquake.
Headings and opening lines from the UK FCDO “Safety and security” travel advice for Tanzania, updated 2026-05-19 (Open Government Licence v3.0). Read the full advice on gov.uk →
Country figures
- Homicide rate
- 3.3 /100k2024
- Income inequality
- Gini 40.52018
- Human development
- HDI 0.5552023
- Income
- $4,370/yrGNI per capita PPP
- Road deaths
- 31.1 /100kWHO, 2019
- Political stability
- 59/100WGI, 2024 · higher = more stable
- Rule of law
- 48/100WGI, 2024
- Corruption perceptions
- 40/100Transparency Intl, 2025 · higher = cleaner
- Natural-hazard risk
- 6.0/10EU INFORM, 2026 · higher = riskier
- Women, Peace & Security
- 0.62GIWPS, 2025 · 0-1, higher = better
- Air quality
- 20.2 µg/m³PM2.5, 2023 · WHO guideline is 5
- Safe drinking water
- 31%of population, 2024 · WHO/UNICEF JMP
- Healthcare capacity
- 0.1 doctors /1k0.8 hospital beds per 1,000
- Malaria
- 137 /1k at riskWHO, 2024 · endemic countries only
Natural hazards
- Drought
- 4.7/10EU INFORM, 2026 · higher = riskier
- Earthquake
- 4.4/10EU INFORM, 2026 · higher = riskier
- Flood
- 4.2/10EU INFORM, 2026 · higher = riskier
- Tsunami
- 3.1/10EU INFORM, 2026 · higher = riskier
Hazard types scoring under 1 out of 10 are not listed.
Same-sex sexual activity is criminalized in Tanzania (as of 2025). This describes the law on the books, not necessarily enforcement practice.
How Tanzania compares
| Measure | Tanzania | World median | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Homicide rate | 3.3 /100k | 2.4 /100k | +0.9 /100k — better for World median |
| Income inequality (Gini) | 40.5 | 35.2 | +5.3 — better for World median |
| Human development (HDI) | 0.555 | 0.763 | −0.208 — better for World median |
| Road deaths | 31.1 /100k | 15.4 /100k | +15.7 /100k — better for World median |
| Rule of law | 48/100 | 52/100 | −4/100 — better for World median |
| Corruption perceptions | 40/100 | 39/100 | +1/100 — better for Tanzania |
| Air quality (PM2.5) | 20.2 µg/m³ | 19.7 µg/m³ | +0.5 µg/m³ — better for World median |
| Natural-hazard risk | 6.0/10 | 3.8/10 | +2.2/10 — better for World median |
| Measure | Tanzania | Africa median | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Homicide rate | 3.3 /100k | 4.7 /100k | −1.4 /100k — better for Tanzania |
| Income inequality (Gini) | 40.5 | 38.3 | +2.3 — better for Africa median |
| Human development (HDI) | 0.555 | 0.563 | −0.008 — better for Africa median |
| Road deaths | 31.1 /100k | 27.9 /100k | +3.2 /100k — better for Africa median |
| Rule of law | 48/100 | 42/100 | +6/100 — better for Tanzania |
| Corruption perceptions | 40/100 | 30/100 | +10/100 — better for Tanzania |
| Air quality (PM2.5) | 20.2 µg/m³ | 27.7 µg/m³ | −7.5 µg/m³ — better for Tanzania |
| Natural-hazard risk | 6.0/10 | 5.2/10 | +0.8/10 — better for Africa median |
Medians, not means, so one extreme country cannot drag the reference value. Each row compares only the countries that have a published figure for that measure, and differences are plain arithmetic between stored values.
All 28 cities, safest first
- Mwanza64.5 · #4002 worldwide
- Arusha64.5 · #4003 worldwide
- Mbeya64.5 · #4004 worldwide
- Morogoro64.5 · #4005 worldwide
- Moshi64.5 · #4006 worldwide
- Tanga64.5 · #4007 worldwide
- Dodoma64.5 · #4008 worldwide
- Songea64.5 · #4009 worldwide
- Iringa64.5 · #4010 worldwide
- Tabora64.5 · #4011 worldwide
- Sumbawanga64.5 · #4012 worldwide
- Bukoba64.5 · #4013 worldwide
- Geita64.5 · #4014 worldwide
- Kahama64.5 · #4015 worldwide
- Tunduma64.5 · #4016 worldwide
- Katoro64.5 · #4017 worldwide
- Sengerema64.5 · #4018 worldwide
- Shinyanga64.5 · #4019 worldwide
- Singida64.5 · #4020 worldwide
- Mpanda64.5 · #4021 worldwide
- Ifakara64.5 · #4022 worldwide
- Zanzibar City61.5 · #4318 worldwide
- Dar es Salaam61.1 · #4352 worldwide
- Musoma59.6 · #4462 worldwide
- Kasulu56.4 · #4752 worldwide
- Mumigunga55.7 · #4793 worldwide
- Kigoma54.5 · #4887 worldwide
- Mtwara54.3 · #4909 worldwide