Travel Smart
Honest, sourced guidance so you travel confident. Most of any country is calmer than the headlines suggest.
Safety
Countrywide advisory (Government of Canada)
Exercise increased cautionExercise a high degree of caution (with regional advisories) Regional advisories apply; see the source for zone-level detail.
Source: Government of Canada · Verified 2026-07-26
Northern Safari Circuit and Kilimanjaro
Exercise normal precautionsArusha, Moshi, and the Serengeti-Ngorongoro region are well-established, secure tourist destinations with robust infrastructure and security presence.
Common scams: Overcharging foreign tourists, unauthorized guides offering substandard services, currency exchanges at unfavorable rates
Source: UK FCDO, US State Department · Verified 2026-07-06
Dar es Salaam and Coast
Exercise increased cautionDar es Salaam is the largest city with active nightlife and commerce. Petty crime (bag snatching, pickpocketing) is common; avoid walking alone at night in certain districts. Zanzibar is safe and a major tourist destination.
Avoid: Ilala and Chalinze districts of Dar late at night; isolated beaches after dark
Common scams: Bag snatching, false taxi fares, counterfeit currency, drug solicitation in touristy areas
Source: UK FCDO · Verified 2026-07-06
Southern and Inland Regions
Exercise normal precautionsIringa, Mbeya, and southern regions are generally safe. Tourism is less developed, so services are more limited but security incidents affecting tourists are rare.
Common scams: Overcharging foreigners, limited ATM availability and related scams
Source: UK FCDO · Verified 2026-07-06
4 zones rated separately against Government of Canada, UK FCDO, US State Department. Oldest check on this page: 6 July 2026.
Emergency Contacts
Police, unified national emergency line
police
The UK Foreign Office and Australian Smartraveller both give 112 for police, fire and ambulance alike. Numbers such as 999 and 111 circulate widely for police in travel writing and on social media, but none could be confirmed against a Tanzanian government source, and the police service's own site publishes no emergency contact.
SourceFire and rescue, unified national emergency line
fire
The same unified number, per both the UK Foreign Office and Smartraveller. A separate fire number, 118, appears in secondary sources but could not be confirmed on any primary page.
SourceMedical emergency, unified national line
ambulance
The same unified number. There is no reliable nationwide government ambulance service in practice, particularly outside Dar es Salaam, so the standard advice is to call a private hospital directly or make your own way there rather than wait for a dispatch. A separate ambulance number, 114, is widely cited but is not confirmed on any primary government page.
SourceAga Khan Hospital, Dar es Salaam, Accident and Emergency
hospital · Dar es Salaam
Ocean Road at Ufukoni Street, Dar es Salaam
Listed by the US Embassy in Dar es Salaam among the facilities used by foreign residents and visitors. It runs a direct accident and emergency line alongside a separate emergency mobile number, both given here.
Source