Is Zanzibar safe? 🇹🇿

Zanzibar City remains one of East Africa’s most visited coastal destinations, and the latest safety data confirms it is generally safe for travelers who exercise caution. Crime scores are moderate; pickpocketing is the most prevalent threat, especially in Stone Town’s bustling alleys, ferry terminals and crowded markets, while armed robbery or muggings are less common but can occur in isolated incidents, particularly after dark. Recent news from November 2025 and June 2026 highlights sporadic political unrest and warnings about express kidnappings, underscoring the need for vigilance, especially when using public transport or unfamiliar routes. Travel advisories from Canada and the UK echo this, urging a high degree of caution and flagging risks near the Cabo Delgado border, though Zanzibar’s city centre is not directly affected.

Visitor sentiment, drawn from recent traveller accounts, is largely positive during daylight hours, with most reporting a comfortable sense of safety when staying in well‑lit, tourist‑friendly zones. However, scams such as overcharging for tours, souvenir haggling tricks and occasional express kidnappings surface regularly, so confirming prices and using reputable operators is essential. The city’s infrastructure is stable, with no active disaster alerts and air quality classified as moderate, but health notices for dengue and polio remind travelers to protect against mosquitoes and stay up‑to‑date on vaccinations. Keep passports and valuables secured, avoid walking alone at night, and stick to established transport services to mitigate the modest but real risks that persist.