Island, Tanzania
Is Zanzibar safe?
Usually safe for tourists, but bag snatching, night robberies and assaults on isolated beaches have occurred.
Is Zanzibar safe?
Usually safe for tourists, but bag snatching, night robberies and assaults on isolated beaches have occurred. Dress modestly in towns and avoid walking alone after dark.
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 Zanzibar at a glance
| What to expect | |
|---|---|
| Overall | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Crime | Bag snatching from scooters in Stone Town, drug-related theft, hotel room theft and occasional assaults on empty beaches at night. |
| At night | Stone Town's Forodhani area is busy until about 10 pm. Take a taxi from bars; do not walk beaches or village roads alone. |
| Solo women | Harassment from hawkers is common; dress modestly in villages and towns and avoid solo beach walks at dusk. Assaults have occurred, so use trusted taxis at night. |
| Other risks | Malaria; use repellent and consider prophylaxis; Sea urchins, strong tides on the east coast; Heavy rains and flooded roads in Mar–May |
Scams, areas and local laws
Common scams
- 'Beach boys' selling overpriced tours and spice trips
- Unlicensed tour touts who take deposits
- Fake guides at Stone Town ferry terminal
Take care
- Empty beaches and unlit roads after dark
- Stone Town's back alleys late at night
- Leaving valuables on beaches while you swim
- Scooter hire without a licence or helmet
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 Zanzibar 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 Zanzibar safe for solo female travelers?
Harassment from hawkers is common; dress modestly in villages and towns and avoid solo beach walks at dusk. Assaults have occurred, so use trusted taxis at night.
Is Zanzibar safe at night?
Stone Town's Forodhani area is busy until about 10 pm. Take a taxi from bars; do not walk beaches or village roads alone.
What is the crime rate in Zanzibar?
Bag snatching from scooters in Stone Town, drug-related theft, hotel room theft and occasional assaults on empty beaches at night. Nationally, Tanzania records 3.7 homicides per 100,000 people a year (2020).
What number do I call in an emergency in Zanzibar?
All emergencies 112.
More about Zanzibar
Going to Zanzibar solo?
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Sources
- US State Department travel advisory
- Zanzibar Tourism Commission
- Tanzania Immigration
- Azam Marine
- 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.