Tanzania Travel Risk
All collected sources · selected advisory updated 2026-10-16
Site summary · whole-country advice
Level 2 · Exercise Increased Caution
Uses the official U.S. level.
Regional advisories: avoid all travel to some areas. Regional restrictions do not mean a whole-country ban.
China MFA assessments use their own scale and do not affect this site's numeric summary.
Official advisories
Original source wording; interface language does not translate official advice.
U.S. Department of State — Travel Advisories
Read U.S. State Dept official advisory (opens in a new tab) ↗Source document checked 2026-11-01T18:49:53Z · version b0b4d79ea949.
Exercise increased caution in Tanzania due to crime, terrorism, health, unrest, arbitrary enforcement of laws, and targeting gay and lesbian individuals. Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory.
Crime
Violent crime happens in Tanzania. It includes assault, sexual assault, robberies, mugging, and express kidnapping. Crime can happen at any time. It is more common in crowded urban areas and when people are not paying attention. Local law enforcement may be slow to help if a crime happens.
Terrorism
There is a risk of terrorist violence, including terrorist attacks and other activity in Tanzania. Visit the U.S. Department of State's country reports on terrorism to learn more.
Unrest
Demonstrations can take place in response to political or economic issues. The Tanzanian government increases security presence around protests. This includes checkpoints and roadblocks. The Tanzanian government may limit or prohibit rallies or demonstrations.
The government may shut down or limit internet, cell data, and phone service before, during, or after unrest. The Tanzanian government has used internet laws to punish people who share information perceived as criticizing the government.
Reconsider travel to the border between Tanzania and Mozambique in the Mtwara Region due to terrorism.
This is a partial extract. Read the full official advisory for all warnings and locations.
Source: U.S. State Dept — View full advisory ↗. Text extracts from the linked U.S. Department of State advisory. This site is independent; third-party materials retain their own rights.
UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO)
Read UK FCDO official advisory (opens in a new tab) ↗FCDO advises against all but essential travel to some areas — FCDO advises against all but essential travel to parts of Tanzania Tanzania FCDO advises against all but essential travel to any area within 20km of the Tanzanian border with the Cabo Delgado province
Source document checked 2026-11-01T18:49:54Z · version 669cd0540e1b.
Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).
FCDO advises against all but essential travel to parts of Tanzania
Tanzania
FCDO advises against all but essential travel to any area within 20km of the Tanzanian border with the Cabo Delgado province of Mozambique, due to attacks by groups linked with Islamic extremism.
Find out more about why FCDO advises against travel.
Before you travel
No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. You may also find it helpful to:
- see general advice for women travellers
- read our guide on disability and travel abroad
- see general advice for LGBT+ travellers
- read about safety for solo and independent travel
- see advice on volunteering and adventure travel abroad
Travel insurance
If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency.
Safety and security
This section comes from the same source document as the advisory above.
This guide also has safety advice for regions of Tanzania.
Terrorism
There is a high threat of terrorist attack globally affecting UK interests and British nationals, including from groups and individuals who view the UK and British nationals as targets. Stay aware of your surroundings at all times.
UK Counter Terrorism Policing has information and advice on staying safe and what to do in the event of a terrorist attack. Find out how to reduce your risk from terrorism while abroad.
Terrorism in Tanzania
Terrorist attacks in Tanzania cannot be ruled out.
Terrorist attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by foreign nationals, such as:
- places of worship
- transport hubs
- embassies
- hotels
- restaurants
- bars
- major gatherings like sporting or religious events
- crowded places
Stay aware of your surroundings, keep up to date with local media reports and follow the advice of local authorities.
Extremists linked to the Islamic terrorist group Al-Shabaab based in Somalia pose a threat across the East Africa region, and are thought to be active in Tanzania. Attacks by IS-Mozambique, who are based in the Cabo Delgado province of Mozambique, are possible near Tanzania’s border with this area of Mozambique. There is also thought to be some support for Daesh (formerly referred to as ISIL). The Tanzanian authorities have successfully made a number of arrests in connection to terrorism. However, many incidents in Tanzania are of unclear origin and may be conducted by criminal gangs.
Partial safety extract; read the full official section.
Source: UK FCDO — View full advisory ↗. Contains public sector information from GOV.UK licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Regional risks
This section has safety advice for regions of Tanzania. It only covers regions where The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) has specific advice.
You should also read FCDO’s overall travel advice and safety and security advice.
Mtwara Province
FCDO advises against all but essential travel to any area within 20km of the Tanzanian border with the Cabo Delgado province of Mozambique, due to attacks by groups linked with Islamic extremism.
The presence of groups linked to Islamic extremism in Cabo Delgado is creating cross-border tensions and instability. There is a risk of violent attacks. An attack on Kitaya village in October 2020 was claimed by groups linked to Islamic extremism operating from northern Mozambique.
Tanzania-Burundi border and Kigoma region
There have been armed robberies in the area bordering Burundi and in Kigoma region, including vehicle hijackings. Drive only in hours of daylight. There are few facilities for visitors.
National parks
Some parks are extremely remote, and emergency access and evacuation can be difficult. If you choose to camp, only use official sites. Make sure you are properly equipped and seek local advice when travelling to isolated areas.
There are risks associated with viewing wildlife, particularly on foot or at close range. Always follow park regulations and advice from wardens, and make sure you have the correct documentation or permit before entering a national park.
Global Affairs Canada — Travel Advice and Advisories
For Canadian travellers and residents abroad. Official Canadian four-level scale; source wording is retained separately from the site summary.
Older data retained · last successful check 2026-10-17T01:46:28Z
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Regional advisories: Border with Mozambique in Mtwara Region — Avoid all travel; Portion of Mtwara Region south of the A19 highway — Avoid non-essential travel. These do not replace the whole-entity level.
Source document checked 2026-10-17T01:46:28Z · version 2687b85f09ee.
Tanzania travel advice · Author: Global Affairs Canada. Text extracts from the linked official version; this site is independent of the Government of Canada.
Risk level
Tanzania - Exercise a high degree of caution
Exercise a high degree of caution in Tanzania due to the crime levels and the threat of terrorism.
Regional risks
Border with Mozambique in Mtwara Region - Avoid all travel
Avoid all travel to within 10 km of the border with Mozambique, in the Mtwara Region, due to the presence of armed groups, the threat of terrorism and the risk of kidnapping.
Portion of Mtwara Region south of the A19 highway - Avoid non-essential travel
Avoid non-essential travel to the area between the A19 highway and the border with Mozambique in the Mtwara Region, due to the presence of armed groups, the threat of terrorism and the risk of kidnapping. This advisory excludes the areas within 10 km from the border with Mozambique, where you should avoid all travel. This advisory also excludes Mtwara City where you should exercise a high degree of caution.
Safety and security
Border with Mozambique in the Mtwara region
Extremist groups are active in the northern districts of Cabo Delgado, Mozambique. Security incidents have occurred along the border, in the Mtwara Region. Tanzanian military and security forces conduct counterinsurgency operations in the area where access is controlled in several locations and movements in and out are monitored.
Southern Mtwara region
Armed groups have been active in the southern Mtwara region between highway 19 and 10 km from the border with Mozambique. There is a threat of terrorism and kidnappings in this region.
Border with Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (Kinshasa)
Exercise a high degree of caution when travelling near refugee camps in northwestern Tanzania, particularly in the region of Kigoma and to the west of Kagera bordering Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda, due to banditry.
Demonstrations
Demonstrations can occur anywhere across the country and sometimes on short notice. Even peaceful demonstrations can turn violent at any time. Protests following previous elections resulted in fatalities. They can also lead to disruptions to traffic and public transportation.
- Avoid areas where demonstrations and large gatherings are taking place
- Follow the instructions of local authorities
- Monitor local media for information on ongoing demonstrations
During periods of unrest, disruptions to movement, essential services and Internet access may occur. If unrest is anticipated, you should:
- ensure to have enough cash for essential expenses
- always keep your gas tank at least half full
- maintain a supply of water, non-perishable food, medication, and essential items
- if using an eSIM, obtain a local SIM card with calling minutes
- keep mobile devices charged and carry a power bank
- store important documents securely and ensure they are easily accessible
- be aware of nearby medical facilities and ensure you have necessary prescriptions
- inform a trusted contact of your movements
You should also save or print key information in case of an internet disruption, including:
- itineraries
- contact details for the High Commission of Canada in Tanzania, in Dar es Salaam, and the Emergency Watch and Response Centre in Ottawa
- emergency numbers
Mass gatherings (large-scale events)
Partial safety extract; read the full official document.
Read Global Affairs Canada official advice ↗Source: Global Affairs Canada — copy of the version at the official link. Reproduced for non-commercial information; Government of Canada terms.
中国外交部目的地风险评估 · China MFA destination risk assessments
Native MFA risk assessment; no mapping to travel-advice levels. Read regional scope and consular notices.
Last checked 2026-11-01T18:52:11Z
中国外交部评估:蓝色(低风险)
Original document version d9dd6cd66adb.
坦桑尼亚风险等级为蓝色(低风险)
Read collected consular notices alongside this assessment; their dates and validity are separate.
来源:中国领事服务网 · Source: China MFA · destination risk assessments
How the sources compare
| Source | Published advice / scope | Updated |
|---|---|---|
| This site (summary) | Level 2 · Exercise Increased Caution | 2026-10-16 |
| U.S. State Dept | Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution | 2026-10-16 |
| UK FCDO | FCDO advises against all but essential travel to some areas | 2026-10-30 |
| China MFA · consular notices | No data | — |
| Canada · Global Affairs | Exercise a high degree of caution | 2026-10-14 |
| China MFA · risk assessments | 中国外交部评估:蓝色(低风险) | Official update date not provided |
This site shows the higher available whole-country level. Missing data and regional advice are never treated as Level 1. UK FCDO does not publish a 1–4 numeric level — the level shown for it is our mapping of its published advice, not an official UK grading.