Is Tanzania Safe For Solo Female Travelers? (A Guide)
Is Tanzania Safe For Solo Female Travelers? (A Guide) Tanzania is a great place to visit in Africa by yourself because it has everything you could want. There are, however, risks in this country as well, especially for women traveling alone.
This guide will help you stay safe on your trip to Tanzania by giving you the best safety tips and the most interesting places to see while you’re there by yourself.
Is Tanzania a safe place for women?
So, is Tanzania safe for women traveling alone? Yes, that’s correct!
Tanzania is one of the best places in Africa, especially for women tourists who are traveling alone. That being said, no country is completely safe.
No matter what type you are, you should be careful on any trip you take by yourself. If you plan ahead and use common sense, you should be safe in Tanzania and be able to enjoy everything the beautiful country has to offer.
To help you get ready, we’ve put together some of the best safety tips that will keep you safer as a female traveler in Tanzania by yourself, as well as some basic safety steps that all tourists should take.
How to Keep Yourself Safe in Tanzania
Look for a trustworthy safari company.
When you go to Tanzania and want to go on a safari, make sure you book with a safari company that has a good reputation and has had happy customers.
Our website rates different excursion and tour companies so you can find the best safari service with a great name.
In the wilds of Africa, where no one has gone before, you need to find a tour guide you can trust completely. Read reviews on the internet to find out what other people have said about the business.
The best adventure trips will take care of everything for you, like food, drinks, lodging, and transportation.
Take out travel insurance.
It is important to have travel insurance no matter where you go, because anything could go wrong. When something goes wrong, travel insurance can actually save your life.
If you have travel insurance, you won’t have to worry about the financial problems that can come up because of medical emergencies or risks while you’re traveling. This is very important in Tanzania because of the malaria there.
When you book your trip, whether online or with a travel planner, you can get cheap travel insurance.
Set up transportation
Once you get there, it’s a good idea to set up transportation to and from the airport.
It means you won’t have to worry when you land in Tanzania, and you won’t have to worry about getting into an illegal taxi by chance.
Most of the time, you can book transportation ahead of time with your hotel or tour company. They will be happy to help you if you just ask.
Take care of the culture
People who are traveling should dress modestly because Tanzania has a lot of cultural customs. Being modest in what you wear will help you fit in since most people on the islands and along the coast are Muslim.
If you don’t want to draw attention to yourself, wear skirts or pants that fall below the knee and tops that hide your shoulders and upper arms.
Touristy beach areas let people wear clothing, but topless swimming is not allowed at all.
It’s important to follow this advice so you don’t offend the people who live in Zanzibar’s more traditional places.
Know the streets.
Kenya’s streets are very safe to walk on during the day.
In places with lots of tourists, the only problem you might have is with people trying to sell you things on the street.
This could be their goods, their services, or even a table at their restaurant.
You may not like street vendors, but you should be polite to them because they are just trying to make a living.
If you don’t want what they’re selling, tell them “no, thank you,” which is written in Swahili as “hapana asante.” They will leave you alone.
On the other hand, it’s not a good idea to walk around or take public transportation at night. This is true for all travelers, not just women traveling alone.
You should find someone to go with you if you want to go to a bar or restaurant in the evening.
A lot of people who travel alone want to make friends with other people who travel alone, so pair up and stay safe!
Your hotel should be able to set you up with a reliable taxi driver to take you to and from your location.
To get a cab, you should not be in the street, but this is the best thing to do.
Take a phone that isn’t locked.
If you want to stay in Tanzania for a while, you should bring an open phone with you and buy a local SIM card when you get there.
It costs a lot less and lets you stay in touch with family and friends back home as well as any new friends you make in Tanzania.
If your phone gets stolen, it’s also a good idea to use a cheap open phone.
That way, you’ll still have your important cell phone and can call for help as soon as you get back to your lodging.
There is Wi-Fi in Tanzania, but only in high-end places. Most likely, you’ll be able to connect to the internet in your lodging.
But when you’re out in public and using a SIM card that you can buy in the country, you’ll probably have to use 3G or 4G.
Because internet speeds might not be as fast when you leave, you should get any apps you need, like WhatsApp or Skype, before you go.
Don’t show off.
If you bring your phone or other goods with you to Tanzania, make sure thieves can’t see them.
Taking too many items with you is not a good idea. If you do bring some, keep them in a fanny pack in front of you or a locked backpack.
Putting on pricey jewelry or brand clothes in public is also not a good idea because it can make you a target.
Keep in mind that Tanzania is still a growing country, and some people there may see you as a chance.
Listen to the locals
Most of the time, the people who live in Tanzania are some of the nicest and most welcoming you’ll ever meet.
When you need help or advice, don’t be afraid to ask. Most people want you to be happy and healthy, so go to a bar and start talking!
It’s best to do this during the day, since bad people are more likely to target travelers who are alone at night.
Know how people feel about female travelers.
Most people in the big towns and cities are open-minded and forward-thinking when it comes to women.
Women don’t usually travel alone in East African countries and places that aren’t as popular with tourists, though. Some people might be interested in seeing you.
Most of the time, this is just harmless flirting, but some men have a different idea of what is acceptable in Western countries when it comes to limits.
These guys may think that their advances are flattering, but to a woman traveling alone, they are more annoying and even scary.
Most of the time, politely asking them to leave you alone will work. But if they keep trying, don’t be afraid to be more strong.
Most of the time, Tanzanians are very polite of women. But if you feel threatened, go to a place with a lot of people, like a bar or the beach, and don’t be afraid to ask for help from locals or other travelers.
You can even ask a man you trust to act like your boyfriend to keep Tanzanian men from bothering you.
Simple Safety Tips
Now that we’ve talked about the best ways for a woman traveling alone in Tanzania to stay safe, here are some general safety tips that can help anyone on their trip:
At your hotel, keep your passport, visa, and other important papers in a safe place.
Also, you should bring copies with you, whether they are digital or paper. Keep records close to you if you need to carry them.
Watch out for people who come up to you on the street. Not everyone wants to do the right thing.
Stay away from lonely places, especially at night. Always pay close attention to what’s going on around you.
If you’re with someone of the same sex, don’t show love in public. Because of differences in culture, not all locals are as open to what Westerners think is normal.
Do not take taxis that are not registered. You should only call cabs from a taxi stand or from your hotel.
Don’t leave your drinks or food alone.
If you look like a stranger in a place with few people, you might be targeted. Don’t look at plans in public and try to walk with purpose.
Don’t bring too much cash or expensive things with you, like watches.
The best places to visit by yourself
Is Tanzania safe for women traveling alone? Of course! You’ll love every minute of your trip to Tanzania if you follow our safety tips. You can get the most out of your trip by going to these great spots.
Moshi
There is Kilimanjaro.
Mount Kilimanjaro is the world’s biggest mountain that stands alone. It is a dormant volcano. It’s almost 6,000 feet tall and a famous place for tourists who want to try something new.
If you want the most exciting walk of your life, you should definitely go up! Making sure you are ready for this trip is important because the climb is hard.
The hot springs at Kikuletwa
These hot springs are also close to Moshi. It’s about an hour and a half from the main town and is thought to be one of Tanzania’s secret gems.
You can soak away your problems in the amazing natural hot springs in the beautiful area. Large fig trees circle the peaceful pool, which is great for people who want to relax.
Waterfalls in Materuni
The Materuni Waterfalls are not too far from Moshi’s center.
The first part of a day tour is a short climb to a waterfall. There, you can cool off in Kilimanjaro’s mountain water and enjoy the stunning views of the slopes below.
There will be a stop at a traditional farm on the way back where you can learn how coffee is made, from choosing the bean to cooking it. After learning, you can enjoy a tasty cup of coffee!
You will also be able to see how the Chagga people live along the way.
Chola Lake
Lake Chala is only 1.5 hours away from Moshi. It is on the border between Kenya and Tanzania.
Beautiful scenes like this one show how much natural beauty this country has to give.
Lake Chala is a crater lake that was made by a volcano erupting more than three million years ago.
Many kinds of plants and animals live there because of the beautiful blue water and lush green forest.
Marangu Town
Marangu Village is the best place to learn about other cultures.
A lot of people from the Chagga tribe live in this area. The nearby museum and several historic caves can help you learn about how important this place is in Tanzania’s past.
People who live here are likely to be nice, so don’t be shy about trying the food they serve you!
Arusha
Mount Meru
It costs less to climb Mount Meru than Mount Kilimanjaro.
Mount Meru, which is in Arusha and is the second-highest hill in Tanzania, is 4,566 meters high.
Some mountain hikers even say the hike is more beautiful than climbing Kilimanjaro.
This hike is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to see some truly stunning natural beauty, thanks to the mountain’s wide range of plants and animals.
The Museum of American History
In Arusha, you can also visit the National History Museum.
A lot of old things are kept in the museum, which is sometimes called the Old Boma museum.
Anyone who wants to learn more about Tanzania’s past and culture should start there.
National Park of Arusha
Arusha National Park is home to many interesting animals, such as zebras, elephants, hippos, goats, hyenas, and giraffes.
It’s not as big as some of Tanzania’s other national parks, but it has a lot of different areas where you can see a lot of different species.
People who love animals should definitely go here.
Hello, Dar es Salaam
The Shores
Kigamboni Beach is a place where both locals and tourists go to relax and enjoy some peace and quiet.
With its beautiful white sands and blue water, it’s definitely a place you should visit.
Also great places to relax are islands like Bongoyo or Mbudya.
Since they are farther away from Dar Es Salaam, they are much quieter and have beautiful beaches, clear water, and tasty fish.
You can take a short boat ride from several spots in Dar es Salaam’s port to get here.
The Village Gallery
The Village Museum is a reconstruction of many homes from many of Tanzania’s 120 different ethnic groups that were built before they were colonized.
The homes and the many information kiosks about the different ethnic groups, their crafts, and everyday household things are both open to the public.
At the museum, you can also see ngomba, tribal dancing, and other traditional events.
City of Bagamoyo
A fishing village called Bagamoyo city is a little farther away from the capital.
The area has a long past and has been home to traders from India and the Middle East, German colonial officials, and Christian missionaries.
It has been an important place in world history because it was a hub for Arab and European preachers, explorers, and traders in East Africa.
Bagamoyo, Tanzania, used to have a big slave trade. Now it’s home to a history museum, an old church, a German graveyard, and a thriving sailboat business.
The Market for Woodcarvers
One of the other things to do in Dar es Salaam is visit the Woodcarver’s Market.
Tanzanians have a long history of cutting wood, so this is a great place to buy gifts to take home. It makes a lot of different things, but statues and wood carvings are what it does best.
Before you buy something, make sure you look around to see what else is out there, and don’t be afraid to bargain.
Aegean Sea
Stone Town
Stone Town is the most populated area of the island and has unique buildings with Arabic architectural elements.
In Stone Town, you can really get into the history of the area.
People who come to Tanzania can do a lot in this busy town. There are a lot of places to eat and drink, and there are also some beautiful things to see.
Prison Island
To get to Prison Island from Stone Town, which is about 30 minutes away, you’ll need to take a boat.
The name of this island comes from the fact that it was once a jail for slaves who had escaped.
A lot of people like to visit, and the big tortoises are one of the best things about it. These interesting species have lived on the island for almost 200 years!
The Shores
People love to travel to Zanzibar, which is known for its beaches.
The beaches in Zanzibar are truly amazing, with clear blue water and delicious foods from around the world.
Many travelers looking for a relaxing beach vacation can find everything they need at places like Jambiani, Matemwe, and Bwejuu.
You can book a room at a beach hotel for the perfect beach holiday.
The Jozani Forest
Another great place for animal lovers to visit is the Jozani Forest.
It’s a great place to see views you won’t find back home because it’s full of amazing species and lush plants.
Wildlife like the rare red colobus monkey can be seen up close in this forest.
The Palace Gallery
One of the other things to do in Zanzibar is visit the Palace Museum.
The Palace Museum, which is also known as the Sultan’s Palace, may be Stone Town’s oldest building.
The building was made in the 1800s and now holds items from the former Sultan family, giving visitors a look into royal life.
Questions People Ask Often
When is the best time to go to Tanzania?
Tanzania has a nice temperature all year, but the best time to go is during the dry season, which lasts from June to October.
The country has some of its best weather during these months, and the Great Serengeti Migration happens.
Aside from that, the best time to try to climb Mount Kilimanjaro is when it is dry.
How long should I stay in Tanzania?
Tanzania has a lot to see and do that you might need to go back more than once.
Depending on your plans, two to three weeks is usually enough time if all you have planned are trips.
This gives you four to five days for each trip and three days to see the place where you’re staying. You should also plan to travel, rest, and go on day trips.
While I’m in Tanzania, where should I stay?
Tanzania has seen a huge rise in tourism in the past few years. You can stay in a lot of different places, from cheap hostels to high-end hotels.
It depends on what you want and how much money you have.
Tanzania is also a great place to go green travel.
The country really cares about the earth, and there are a lot of eco-friendly lodges you can stay in while you’re there.
When you book a tour, you’ll probably be given one of these to stay in while you’re on the trip. You really should take them up on their offer!
In Short
As a woman traveling alone, you need to do everything you can to stay safe when you’re in a different country by yourself.
With this guide, you’ll be ready for your trip to Tanzania and know how to stay safe so you can enjoy your once-in-a-lifetime holiday.
