Is Dar es Salaam Safe? Crime Rates & Safety Report

Dar es Salaam is Tanzania’s financial and political hub though it lost its status as official capital.

That place was taken by Dodoma in 1973.

Dar es Salaam offers dozens of beautiful inexpensive beach resorts and all manner of beach and ocean activities – sailing, kayaking, scuba, kite surfing.

The city is only a 90-minute boat ride away from Zanzibar for world-class getaways or a bit further for other easy weekend trips.

Here, you’ll find very friendly, warm and cool people.

Their hospitality, modesty, and openness should make it easy for you to meet people and make friends.

Dar es Salaam is a growing and prospering city that’s improving in the quality of life each year.

Warnings & Dangers in Dar es Salaam

OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM

If you go and visit Dar es Salaam, chances are you will have no negative experiences or incidents. However, it is a city where you should be vigilant and take all possible precautions measures to minimize the risk of something going wrong.

TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: MEDIUM

Public transportation is not the safest or the most convenient option: you are highly advised to call your reliable taxi driver instead of hailing one on the streets, and public transport is where the pickpockets and thieves operate.

PICKPOCKETS RISK: MEDIUM

There is an extreme threat to petty crime. Pickpockets are practically an everyday occurrence. You should be extremely careful when handling your valuables and never carry your money in a purse or a pocket. Never carry all your money in the same place, and be aware of your surroundings at all times.

NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM

Dar es Salaam city was subjected to massive flooding, and landslides are also a common natural disaster in Dar es Salaam.

MUGGING RISK: MEDIUM

There is also a risk of getting mugged and violent crimes aren't really rare in Dar es Salaam. Avoid traveling alone. It’s generally recommended not to resist armed attack.

TERRORISM RISK: MEDIUM

Tanzania has been targeted for terrorist attacks, so caution is advised in Dar es Salaam. Most recently, on April 2017, several police officers were ambushed and killed in an attack in the Pwani coastal region, about 100km south of Dar es Salaam.

SCAMS RISK: LOW

When it comes to scams, there is a high risk of getting scammed in Dar es Salaam: children might try and fool you just to steal from you in the end, and others might try to distract you. There are also scammers impersonating officials or authorities and trying to extort money from you. Apart from that, double check your change and negotiate everything in advance.

WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW

Dar es Salaam isn't exactly the safest place for a woman to be visiting alone. If you do, be sure to avoid remote streets, both during day and night, and do not flash your belongings or handle money in public. Stay out of the streets at night and be vigilant for any possible dangers at all times.

So... How Safe Is Dar es Salaam Really?

Dar es Salaam isn’t exactly the safest place to visit, and caution is recommended in tourist areas of Dar es Salaam.

Apart from petty crime on the streets of Dar es Salaam in the form of pickpocketing, bag snatching and common scammers that operate in crowded areas such as markets and bus or train stations, there is also a violent crime, and violent crime against foreigners is not altogether uncommon either, so be very cautious.

When it comes to pickpockets, be especially wary of children running around, since they might try and steal from you.

When it comes to dangerous areas in Dar es Salaam, there are areas like Temeke, Kigogo, Mburahari, Tandale, Mwananyamala where you shouldn’t walk around alone during the day or night.

Another safety issue is taxi drivers and you are highly advised to call a taxi you trust instead of hailing one on the streets.

If you must take a taxi that is unknown to you, take its number and send it to someone you trust so that they can track it, just in case something happens.

Also, bear in mind there are scammers impersonating police and authority, trying to extort money from you while flashing “immigration papers” at you.

Keep in mind that real officers mostly wear uniforms.

How Does Dar es Salaam Compare?

Useful Information

Visas

All visitors to Dar es Salaam require a valid Visa each time they enter the Republic, and the visa you receive is valid for up to 3 months from the date of issue. If you are not sure about your visa status, contact your local Tanzanian embassy for further information.

Currency

The Tanzanian shilling is the official currency in Dar es Salaam. You are recommended to collect your money directly from an ATM since that's your safest option.

Weather

Dar es Salaam has a tropical wet and dry climate with dry winters. It has two rainy seasons; the short rains that last from October to December, and the long rains lasting from March to June.

Airports

Julius Nyerere International Airport is the biggest international airport in Dar es Salaam. The airport is located about 12 km southwest of the city center.

Travel Insurance

Just like anywhere else, we recommend getting travel insurance when traveling to Dar es Salaam, since it covers not only the costs of medical problems but also theft and loss of valuables.

Dar es Salaam Weather Averages (Temperatures)

Average High/Low Temperature

Tanzania - Safety by City