It is Dangerous to Travel to Zanzibar: Safety Guide 2025
Is it dangerous to travel to Zanzibar? The short answer is NO - Zanzibar is generally safe for tourists with low violent crime rates. However, there are specific risks: petty crime (pickpocketing, bag snatching) in Stone Town, common scams, malaria requiring mandatory prophylaxis. Thousands visit annually without incident, but proper preparation is essential. This guide explains real risks, safe areas, common scams, safety for single women and practical tips on traveling to Zanzibar insurance.
Real crime: Is it dangerous to travel to Zanzibar?
Security context statistics
RealityZanzibar has high crime rates significantly lower than mainland Tanzania and many western cities.
Violent crimes against touristsExtremely rare. Armed assaults, unusual physical aggression.
Petty crimeMore common but manageable with basic precautions.
Common crime types travel to Zanzibar
Pickpockets and snatches:
- Where: Stone Town alleyways, Darajani Market, Forodhani Gardens evening
- Method: Groups distract while another takes purse/wallet
- Frequency: Occasional, non-epidemic
Opportunistic theft: Beaches (unattended objects swimming), hotel rooms (no use of safe).
Nocturnal assaultsRemote/poorly lit areas after 22:00 (rare but possible).
Comparison of similar destinations
Zanzibar vs Tanzania mainlandZanzibar safer.
Zanzibar vs. similar destinationsComparable or safer than Thailand, Bali, Morocco.
Safe areas to avoid when traveling to Zanzibar
Generally safe areas
Stone Town dayVery safe with crowds, visible tourist police.
Beach resorts (Nungwi, Kendwa, Paje): Inside properties very safe. Beaches main day safe.
Jozani Forest: Secure national park with rangers.
Increased caution areas
Stone Town night (after 22:00)Dark alleys with little traffic, avoid walking alone. Use cabs for night trips (5.000-10.000 TZS).
Remote beaches at nightDo not walk alone on dark beaches. Rare but possible assaults.
Public transportation at night: Give-dala-dalas after dark avoid. Unlicensed cabs risk scam/theft.
No prohibited areas
There are no "no-go zones". for tourists in Zanzibar. All islands can be visited with normal precautions.
Health and malaria: Risks of traveling to Zanzibar
Malaria - Significant risk
RealityZanzibar has malaria transmission year round although less than mainland.
Mandatory prophylaxis:
- Medications: Malarone (most popular), Doxycycline, Mefloquine.
- Cost: 50-150 USD complete treatment
- Duration: Start before arrival, continue weeks after departure.
Additional prevention:
- DEET repellent 30%+ constantly
- Long sleeve sunset/sunrise clothing
- Room mosquito nets
- AC when possible
Other health risks
Traveling diarrhea30-50% : 30-50% tourists experience. Prevention: bottled water, avoid ice, unpeeled fruits.
SunstrokeHot, humid climate. Drink 3-4 liters of water daily. Sunscreen SPF 50+.
Limited hospitalsSerious cases require evacuation Dar es Salaam/Kenya. Travel insurance with medical evacuation.
Common scams when traveling to Zanzibar
Typical tourist scams
"Fake "Spice tour: Street vendors offer 10 USD tours, they take you "primo" plantation with inflated prices. Prevention: Reservation of established operators.
Unlicensed cabsAirport/ferry ask for 100,000 TZS (actual 50,000 TZS). PreventionNegotiate price BEFORE going up.
Unsolicited "Amigo" guide: Approaches friendly, "helps" for free, then demands large payment. PreventionHapana, asante (No, thank you).
Change street money: Offers "better" rate, gives counterfeit bills. Prevention: Exchange only at official banks.
Overpriced products: Markets inflate prices 300-500% for tourists. PreventionAsk price in 3-4 places, aggressive bargaining.
How to avoid scams
General ruleIf it sounds too good to be true, it's probably a scam.
Be wary of .: Unsolicited offers, pressure to decide quickly, excessively low prices.
Single women: Is it dangerous to travel to Zanzibar?
Reality for women travelers
Physical securityGenerally safe. Sexual assaults against tourists extremely rare.
Verbal harassmentMost common. Beach boys may be pushy, occasional comments about appearance.
Cultural contextImage: Zanzibar 99% Conservative Muslim. Tourist in bikini/revealing clothing attracts unwanted attention.
Specific precautions for women
Modest dress:
- Stone Town: Shoulders, knees covered
- Beaches: Bikini OK inside resorts, covers way to/from
- Significantly reduces unwanted attention
TransportationAvoid crowded dala-dalas, use registered cabs, do not walk alone on dark beaches/streets at night.
Beach boys: Insistent but generally not dangerous sellers. Repeated firm "no" works.
Opinions women travelers
Most single women report positive experience with sensible precautions. Occasional but rarely threatening verbal harassment.
Terrorism: Context travel to Zanzibar
Current status
Zanzibar specifically: Zero significant terrorist attacks against tourists in recent decades.
Tanzania mainland: Some isolated incidents (2019 Dar es Salaam bus attack).
Risk assessment
Threat levelLow in Zanzibar. Western governments classify low risk.
RealityTourist probability of being affected extremely low - lower than many European cities.
Practical safety tips for travel to Zanzibar
Before traveling
Travel insuranceMandatory with medical evacuation.
VaccinesYellow fever (if you come from an endemic country), hepatitis A/B, typhoid, tetanus.
Malaria prophylaxis: Starts before arrival.
Copies of documentsPassport photo, visa, insurance. Separate storage.
During your stay
Money:
- Carry only the cash necessary for the day
- Use bank tellers in branches
- Hand out money (safe, with you, backpack)
Valuables: Use hotel safe, do not leave unattended on the beach.
Transportation: Registered cabs, negotiate price before boarding, do not give them at night.
Communication: Purchase local SIM (10,000 TZS), share location WhatsApp.
Emergencies
Useful numbers:
- Police: 112
- Ambulance: 114
- Stone Town Tourist Police: +255 24 223 2410
Frequently Asked Questions: Is it dangerous to travel to Zanzibar?
Is it dangerous to travel to Zanzibar in 2025 for tourists?
No, it is generally NOT dangerous to travel to Zanzibar. - has low violent crime rates compared to many global destinations, with thousands of visitors annually without incident. The main risks are petty crime manageable (pickpockets Stone Town/Darajani market, occasional purse snatching) preventable with basic precautions: do not display valuables excessively, use hotel safe, avoid walking alone in dark areas after 22:00. Malaria is a real health risk requiring mandatory prophylaxis (Malarone, Doxycycline 50-150 USD) and constant DEET 30%+ repellent. Common tourist scams include unlicensed cabs at inflated prices, unsolicited "friendly guides" demanding payment, fake spice tours - prevention: negotiate prices beforehand, use established operators. According to UK Foreign Office, Travel to Zanzibar is considered low risk with adequate preparation: mandatory medical evacuation travel insurance, up-to-date vaccinations, modest dress (99% Muslim), common sense precautions.
Is it safe for women to travel alone to Zanzibar?
Yes, it is safe to travel to Zanzibar for single women. with specific precautions: Zanzibar 99% conservative Muslim then modest attire criticism (shoulders, knees covered Stone Town/urban areas, bikini covers on the way to beaches) significantly reduces unwanted attention. Occasional verbal harassment possible especially beach boys being pushy with comments, but rarely threatening - firm "Hapana, asante" repeated works, seek hotel staff/tourist police if persistent. Sexual assaults against tourists extremely rare but sensible precautions: avoid walking alone on beaches/dark streets after 22:00, use registered cabs at night, avoid crowded dala-dalas, check room door closes well. According to Lonely PlanetMost single women report positive experience Travel to Zanzibar feeling safe with appropriate clothing and normal precautions. Accommodation resorts in tourist areas (Nungwi, Paje) are generally safer than remote guesthouses.
Is there a risk of terrorism or serious diseases when traveling to Zanzibar?
Low terrorism risk - Zanzibar has had zero significant terrorist attacks against tourists in recent decades. Mainland Tanzania has experienced some isolated incidents but Western governments classify Zanzibar as low terrorism risk, with the probability of affected tourists being extremely low. Serious diseases real risk require preparation: (1) Malaria - transmission year round, 5-10% local population contracts annually, tourists at risk requiring mandatory prophylaxis (Malarone, Doxycycline start before arrival) plus constant DEET 30%+ repellent, mosquito nets, long-sleeved clothing; (2) Traveling diarrhea - 30-50% tourists experience, prevention bottled water, avoid ice/unpeeled fruits; (3) Limited hospitals - serious cases require evacuation Dar es Salaam/Kenya then travel insurance with medical evacuation. According to CDCrecommended vaccinations Travel to ZanzibarHepatitis A/B, typhoid, tetanus, yellow fever (if you come from an endemic country), being health preparedness more critical than safety concerns.