Tanzania is no doubt a beautiful country. The culture is rich and the landscapes are drop-dead gorgeous.
From Ngorongoro Crater to Mount Kilimanjaro to the safaris and the local tribes, there’s a lot to see in Tanzania.
I’ve written extensively about my travels there—and it truly is one of my favorite destinations in Africa.
But I know what my fellow solo female travellers are thinking: is it safe for women to go there alone?
And the answer is yes. Yes, it is. Overall, I can confidently say that Tanzania is one of the safest countries in all of Africa for solo travellers, including women.
However, there are a few things you need to keep in mind to avoid any trouble and err on the side of safety.
On Public Transport
I’ve personally had no problems commuting in Tanzania, and I haven’t heard of anything fishy from other people either.
You’ll probably be taking a dala-dala to get around, which are public mini-buses and are the country’s main form of public transportation. They’re very cheap but can get crowded at peak hours. It’s also hot and loud—but safe nonetheless.
Just be mindful enough to keep things clutched and close to you, especially during those times. And make sure not to bring or wear anything that looks expensive (like jewellery or fancy bags).
Speaking of transportation, beware of the taxis at the airport in Dar Es Salaam. They’ll charge up to $50 for a trip between terminals—which are merely 5 minutes away from each other by car!
Hostels also often offer their own drivers and in my experience, they were safe and reliable.
When Walking Around
Definitely don’t go out alone at night, but feel free to walk around during the day. If you wish to go out at night, go with a group or with a local.
And the same rules apply: don’t flash anything expensive-looking and just keep your bag, phone, etc. close to you.
You might get people approaching or following you to try and sell you things. The more aggressive ones will even walk alongside you for a while and invite you to their shop or paint studio. Just politely keep saying no and be on your way.
Like any city, some areas are safer than others. Stay in well-lit locations where many people are and you should be fine. And as a rule of thumb, simply trust your instincts. If a situation feels off, then remove yourself from it.
If you can, find a genuine local and ask for advice about which areas are safe and which areas are sketchier.
You may also experience the occasional whistling or catcalling, admittedly. But it’s nothing that you wouldn’t expect from virtually anywhere else in the world.
Tanzanians are warm and nice people, so simply be respectful and polite in return and you’ll be okay!
Private Tours
The roads around the national parks are well-maintained, so you can go on self-driving tours on a 4×4—which is great if you know a local you can trust.
However, if not, I highly suggest going on a private tour or safari. Prices can vary a lot, so check out my guide on safari prices here to help you budget.
And while I haven’t been on them so I can’t vouch for them personally, I do know that some organizers have women-only tours, including female drivers and guides.
So if you think you’ll be more comfortable with those, then go ahead! But I’m not sure how much they cost in comparison to regular tours.
A few other things:
In Zanzibar, dress modestly. I know it can be quite hot in the country, especially if you’re coming from a colder nation, but the city is quite conservative in that way.
Regardless, the people are warm and nice here, as stated. In fact, I’d suggest dressing modestly in the country in general.
Also, bring an unlocked phone so you can buy a local sim card. I also highly recommend using a valid phone number generator to get a temporary number for your privacy. Although I suggest doing this no matter where you travel anyway.
And that’s it really!
Some things to keep in mind, definitely, but you can say that for a lot of other places. Tanzania is a beautiful, beautiful country and I see no reason to hesitate going here as a solo woman.
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