Reconsider Travel
“The advisory level increased from Level 2 to 3. The “unrest” risk indicator was added.”
Updated Fri, 31 Oct 2025
Full advisory →Is Dar es Salaam safe? 🇹🇿
Tanzania · Safety report last updated
As of July 2026, Dar es Salaam scores 56/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: mostly — take normal precautions. No — Dar es Salaam is not safe for visitors right now. The main risks for visitors are pickpocketing (high risk) and robbery (moderate risk). The U.S. State Department rates it Level 3 (Reconsider Travel).
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
Dar es Salaam 🇹🇿
Tanzania · Assessed 28 July 2026
56
/ 100
Mostly — take normal precautions
Safer than ~50% of countries
What drives this score
Crime63/100FairCrime index 53.5 / 100
Sentiment55/100FairMostly negative
Advisories39Elevated
Stability63Fair
Health95Good
01 · Official Guidance
Advisories
Elevated
Advises against all-but-essential travel to parts
“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.”
Updated 2026-05-19T14:47:49Z
Full advisory →Exercise a high degree of caution (with regional advisories)
“Canada's official risk level for Tanzania: exercise a high degree of caution (with regional advisories).”
Updated 2026-07-08T10:01:52.0187784-04:00
Full advisory →02 · Evidence Signals
Crime
Fair
Homicide rate
3.7 / 100kHomicide rate · per 100kJapan0.2Switzerland0.6Tanzania3.7World avg5.2United States5.8Brazil19.3South Africa43.7
74
Robbery / mugging
ModerateMugging and armed robbery are uncommon but can occur in isolated areas, especially after dark
Pickpocketing
HighPickpocketing and bag‑snatching are frequent in crowded markets, bus stations and tourist sites
03 · Environment
Health & Air
Good
04 · Institutions
Stability
Fair
05 · Field Research
Current Situation
Moderate
Traveller sentiment score
Mostly negative
55/100
Reported feel45Mostly negative
Robbery risk62Moderate risk
Pickpocket risk58High risk
Recent traveler reports describe feeling unsafe during protests and in dense city centres, with many cutting visits short.
No — Dar es Salaam is not safe for visitors right now.
Recent political unrest and heightened security alerts have pushed safety scores into the moderate range, with elevated risks of violent protests and opportunistic crime.
Recent developments
- Jun 2026Large protest in Dar es Salaam turned violent, leaving several injured; police deployed heavy security— Citizen Digital, 2026-06-12
- Jul 2026U.S. Embassy issued Security Alert warning of possible unrest near the city centre— U.S. Embassy in Tanzania (.gov), 2026-07-15
- Nov 2025U.S. Embassy updated travel advisory to Level 3, citing increased crime and terrorism concerns— U.S. Embassy in Tanzania (.gov), 2025-11-28
Common scams
- Overcharging in taxis and informal markets
- Fake tour guides offering cheap excursions
Full briefing
Dar es Salaam is currently experiencing a volatile security environment. Recent news from July 2026 shows protests over election‑related grievances that were met with heavy police presence, and the U.S. Embassy has repeatedly issued security alerts warning of possible unrest near the city centre. The official government advisories now advise travelers to exercise a high degree of caution, and the U.S. has raised its travel warning to Level 3—Reconsider Travel, citing heightened crime and terrorism concerns. While homicide rates remain low compared with many global cities, pickpocketing and bag‑snatching are reported as high‑risk activities in crowded markets, bus terminals and popular tourist spots, and opportunistic robbery can increase after dark. Scams targeting visitors—such as inflated taxi fares and fake tour‑guide services—are common, so it is essential to negotiate prices beforehand and use reputable operators. Travelers should avoid night travel, stay clear of large gatherings, keep valuables concealed, and verify any excursion offers through trusted agencies. By staying alert, limiting exposure to crowded public spaces after dark, and following the practical safety tips above, you can reduce risk while visiting Dar es Salaam.
06 · Neighbourhoods
Safest areas and areas to avoid
Our field research rated 8 Dar es Salaam districts for visitors: 2 safer, 4 needing caution and 2 best avoided. See them plotted on the Dar es Salaam safety map.
Kigamboniavoidavoid: higher crime rates and reports of violent incidents, especially near the port area
Buzaavoidavoid: known hotspot for gang activity and drug‑related incidents, stay clear
Osteriacautioncaution: pickpocketing and occasional petty theft reported, stay alert especially after dark
Ubungocautioncaution: traffic congestion and occasional opportunistic theft, avoid walking alone at night
Temekecautioncaution: mixed safety record, petty crime common, exercise vigilance
Mkurangacautioncaution: occasional unrest and protest‑related clashes, monitor local news
Mzizimasafersafe: generally low crime, well‑patrolled, popular with tourists
Ilalasafersafe: central business district, frequent police presence, generally safe for visitors
07 · After Dark
Is Dar es Salaam safe at night?
Mugging and armed robbery are uncommon but can occur in isolated areas, especially after dark
After dark, be most careful around Kigamboni, Buza, Osteria, Ubungo. Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Trip Profiles
Score by traveller type
Who's travelling changes which risks matter. These re-weight Dar es Salaam's category data for common trip types — same data, different emphasis. Run your own profile from the interactive checker.
Solo female travellerCrime +35% weight58
Solo travellerCrime +23% weight58
Family with kidsCrime +19% weight · Health & Air +12% weight62
Nightlife-focused tripCrime +28% weight58
Travellers 65+Crime +13% weight · Health & Air +16% weight · Stability +4% weight63
Business tripCrime +14% weight · Stability +6% weight57
09 · Questions
Dar es Salaam safety FAQ
Is Dar es Salaam safe for tourists right now?
No — Dar es Salaam is not safe for visitors right now. Recent political unrest and heightened security alerts have pushed safety scores into the moderate range, with elevated risks of violent protests and opportunistic crime. (Assessed 28 July 2026.)
Which areas of Dar es Salaam should tourists avoid?
Field research flags Kigamboni, Buza as best avoided. See the district-by-district safety map.
What are the most common scams in Dar es Salaam?
- Overcharging in taxis and informal markets
- Fake tour guides offering cheap excursions
How does Dar es Salaam compare with other places in Tanzania?
Dar es Salaam ranks #2 of 2 Tanzania destinations we've assessed, scoring 56/100. See the Tanzania safety overview for the full list.
How is this Dar es Salaam safety score calculated?
The score blends 12+ public data sources — government advisories, UNODC/World Bank crime statistics, WHO health data, live air quality and disaster alerts — with AI field research over current local reporting. The databases carry 82% of the weight; the traveller-sentiment score from field research carries 18%. Full methodology.
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4 reportsBrowse the Tanzania safety overview or all destinations. Raw data: dar-es-salaam.json (CC BY 4.0).