Is Nungwi safe?
Usually relaxed in the main beach area by day, but isolated beaches and roads at night can be risky. Dress modestly in the village and keep valuables locked.
Key facts
- SoloSquare safety rating: 3/5, take real precautions.
- US travel advisory: Level 3: Reconsider travel, updated 2025-10-30.
- Homicide rate in Tanzania: 3.7 per 100,000 people (2020, UNODC via World Bank).
- Road deaths in Tanzania: 31.1 per 100,000 people a year (2019, WHO).
- Emergency numbers: All emergencies 112.
Safety in Nungwi at a glance
| What to expect | |
|---|---|
| Overall | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Crime | Theft from rooms and beach bags, pushy touts, and occasional robberies or assaults on empty beaches or dark paths at night. |
| At night | Beach bars are lively until late, but go home with a trusted driver or friends. Do not walk beaches or village tracks alone. |
| Solo women | Hawkers can be persistent. Dress modestly in the village and avoid empty beaches or lone night walks; assaults have been reported. |
| Other risks | Malaria; use repellent; Sea urchins and strong currents near the tip; Frequent power cuts and heavy rains in Mar–May |
Scams, areas and local laws
Common scams
- 'Beach boys' selling overpriced dhow or snorkel trips
- Unlicensed tour touts taking deposits
- Taxi drivers at the airport quoting inflated tourist fares
Take care
- Walking the beach or village roads alone after dark
- Leaving phones or cameras on towels while swimming
- Unlit paths between Nungwi and Kendwa at night
- Strong tides near the tip
Calmer areas to stay
Laws visitors break by accident
- Filming or sharing protest footage is illegal, and police may search phones.
- Zanzibar can fine visitors US$700 or more for 'inappropriate' clothing in public.
- Exporting shells, horns or other animal products without a permit can lead to arrest.
How Nungwi compares in Tanzania
| Place | Safety |
|---|---|
| Moshi | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Zanzibar | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Arusha | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Dar es Salaam | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Stone Town | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Nungwi | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Paje | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
Quick answers
Is Nungwi safe for solo female travelers?
Hawkers can be persistent. Dress modestly in the village and avoid empty beaches or lone night walks; assaults have been reported.
Is Nungwi safe at night?
Beach bars are lively until late, but go home with a trusted driver or friends. Do not walk beaches or village tracks alone.
What is the crime rate in Nungwi?
Theft from rooms and beach bags, pushy touts, and occasional robberies or assaults on empty beaches or dark paths at night. Nationally, Tanzania records 3.7 homicides per 100,000 people a year (2020).
What number do I call in an emergency in Nungwi?
All emergencies 112.
More about Nungwi
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Sources
- US State Department travel advisory
- Zanzibar Tourism Commission
- Tanzania Immigration
- World Bank: intentional homicides (UNODC)
- World Bank: road traffic deaths (WHO)
Safety ratings are SoloSquare's editorial judgment from official advisories, crime data and local reporting. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.