Is Tanzania safe for a safari?

It is one of the questions we are asked most, and it is a sensible one. The short answer is that Tanzania is a welcoming, peaceful country and the great majority of visitors have a trouble-free trip. The longer answer is that, as with travel anywhere, a little preparation and common sense go a long way. Here is the practical advice we give our own guests.

Safety inside the national parks

Wild animals are wild, but with a professional guide, a game drive is a very safe experience. The animals in the parks are used to vehicles and generally see them as part of the landscape, not as a threat or as food.

• Stay inside the vehicle during game drives unless your guide tells you it is safe to get out at a designated spot.
• Follow your guide's instructions around wildlife at all times. Keep your voice low and do not stand up suddenly or lean out near animals.
• Never feed animals, including the monkeys and birds at picnic sites.
• Walking safaris are only done with an armed ranger, in areas where walking is permitted.
• At lodges and tented camps, wildlife may pass through at night. Use the escort to and from your room after dark.

City sense in Arusha and Stone Town

Arusha and Stone Town are lively, friendly places, and most visitors enjoy them without any problems. Petty theft can happen in any busy town, so the usual city sense applies.

• Do not flash valuables such as expensive jewellery, cameras or large amounts of cash.
• Use arranged transfers at night rather than walking or taking an unknown taxi.
• Use ATMs inside banks or hotels, during the day where possible.
• Keep your passport and spare cash in your lodge safe.
• Dress modestly in Stone Town and in villages, covering shoulders and knees, out of respect for local culture.

Health before and during your trip

Speak to a travel clinic or your doctor several weeks before you travel. They can advise which vaccinations are recommended for you and which malaria prevention is right for your health and itinerary.

If you are arriving from, or have recently transited through, a country with a risk of yellow fever, you may be asked to show a yellow fever vaccination certificate on arrival. The rules can change, so check them before you travel.

• Drink bottled or treated water. We provide drinking water in the vehicle.
• Use insect repellent, especially at dawn and dusk, and sleep under a net where provided.
• Respect the sun: high altitude and the equator make it stronger than you expect. Wear a hat, sunglasses and high-factor sunscreen, and drink plenty of water.
• Bring any personal medication in your hand luggage, with a copy of your prescription.

On the road

Distances between parks can be long, and road conditions vary. Your safety on the road depends most of all on who is driving. Our safaris are driven by experienced driver-guides who know the routes, the vehicles and the conditions well.

We plan realistic driving days and allow time for changing road conditions, rest stops and the scenery along the way.

Check official travel advice

Before you go, check your own government's travel advice for Tanzania, and any countries you will combine it with, such as Kenya or Uganda. It is updated regularly and covers entry rules, health requirements and any areas to avoid. We are always happy to talk through anything you read there.

Travel insurance

We strongly recommend comprehensive travel insurance for every guest. Make sure it covers medical treatment and medical evacuation, as well as trip cancellation and your belongings. If you are climbing Kilimanjaro or Mount Meru, check that your policy covers trekking at high altitude.

What we do to look after you

• Our Arusha office stays reachable while you travel, by phone or WhatsApp.
• Your private guide stays with you throughout, and knows the parks, the lodges and the local contacts.
• We choose trusted lodges and camps, and plan realistic driving days.
• We brief you on arrival, and you can ask us anything at any time.

If you have a specific concern, whether it is travelling solo, with children or with a health condition, tell us. We would much rather talk it through honestly before you book than have you worry on the trip.