Dar es Salaam Travel Risk — Elevated Risk (57/100)
Official US advisory · Level 3
Reconsider Travel
This decision takes precedence over the analytical composite shown on this page.
Is Dar es Salaam safe to visit?
Reconsider Travel. Follow the current official advisory. The composite score below is analytical context and does not weaken that decision.
Natural disasters (score 30)
Transport safety (score 70)
September 1, 2026
65%
Dar es Salaam, Tanzania has a current Travel Risk Calculator composite score of 57 out of 100 (elevated risk tier); the highest-rated risk category is transport safety at 70/100; the lowest-rated category is natural disasters at 30/100; last updated September 1, 2026. This page is a baseline travel safety overview for Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, covering crime, health, government travel advisory, political stability, natural disasters, transport, environmental quality, digital security, and money safety. Real-time conditions — including today's weather, official US State Department advisory, GDACS disaster alerts, CDC health notices, and recent news headlines — are shown in the Live conditions section below and refreshed multiple times per day.
Get a personalized assessment for your tripHow safe is Dar es Salaam to visit in 2026?
Dar es Salaam is currently under a US State Department Level 3 Reconsider Travel advisory. That official decision takes precedence. The 57/100 elevated composite remains visible only as analytical context and must not be read as permission to disregard the advisory. The highest-rated risk category for Dar es Salaam is transport safety (70/100), and the lowest is natural disasters (30/100). This page was last updated on September 1, 2026; the baseline category scores are editorial estimates, layered with live conditions throughout the day. Live conditions — weather and air quality every 30 minutes, US State Department advisory every 6 hours, GDACS disaster alerts every 30 minutes, CDC health notices every 12 hours, and news every hour — are cached at the source and refreshed automatically when stale.
AI safety snapshot · refreshed Aug 31, 2026
Dar es Salaam is currently rated at an elevated risk with a baseline composite score of 57 out of 100. The U.S. State Department has issued a Level 3 advisory, and a green forest fire alert is active in Tanzania. Additionally, the CDC notes a Level 1 global dengue health notice.
AI-summarized strictly from the live public-source data below (US State Dept advisory, GDACS, CDC, Google News). Auto-refreshed at most once per day on the first visit. Not official advice.
Live conditions last refreshed: Sep 1, 2026 00:49 UTC
What should I do now?
- Run a real assessment. Open the calculator for live data (weather, advisory, news) layered onto this baseline.
- Transport safety (score 70/100): Use the safest available transit. For high-risk routes, prefer reputable carriers and avoid late-night driving.
- Crime (score 67/100): Use registered taxis or ride-share apps. Keep electronics out of sight in public transit. Read recent reviews for your specific neighborhood.
- Check your country's advisory. The single most authoritative live signal. Linked at the bottom of every real assessment.
Safety by traveler type in Dar es Salaam
Computed from the category scores on this page plus general best practice — not personalized advice. For guidance tuned to your exact dates, transport, and profile, run a personalized assessment.
Solo travelers
Crime risk is elevated. Solo travelers should avoid quiet areas at night, keep a charged phone and offline map, and share a live location with someone.
Women traveling solo
General crime risk is elevated. Plan arrivals in daylight, avoid isolated areas, and prefer accommodation with 24h reception. We don't hold gender-specific incident data for Dar es Salaam, so also check the live official advisory above and local women-traveler communities.
Families with children
Health/disaster risk is elevated. Confirm medical-evacuation cover, identify hospitals near your accommodation, and check seasonal hazard (storm/heat/quake) before you book.
Senior travelers
Health/transport risk is elevated. Confirm medical-evacuation cover, plan rest between transfers, and locate English-capable medical care on arrival.
Business travelers
Digital/money risk is elevated. Avoid public Wi-Fi for sensitive work, use a VPN, watch for card-skimming at ATMs, and carry minimal cash.
LGBTQ+ travelers
Local laws and social attitudes toward LGBTQ+ travelers vary widely by country and are not captured in our category scores. The official advisory/political indicators are elevated. Read your government's LGBTQ+ travel guidance carefully and weigh trip purpose against current conditions.
Baseline scores
Source: AI-enriched 2026-08-24 (Ollama-grounded + Jina full text, cited; pending editorial verification) · Confidence: 65
Quick facts
| Hospital access | medium |
|---|---|
| Airport risk | medium |
| Road safety | medium |
| Public transport | medium |
| Tourist scam risk | medium |
| Night safety | medium |
| Last updated | September 1, 2026 |
Live conditions in Dar es Salaam
Real-time data refreshed from public sources — weather and air quality from Open-Meteo, official advisory from the US State Department, disaster alerts from GDACS, health notices from the CDC, news from Google News. For an AI-synthesized briefing tailored to your specific trip, run a personalized assessment.
Official travel advisory
Level 3 · Reconsider Travel
Tanzania - Level 3: Reconsider Travel
Read full advisory → · US Department of State
Disaster alerts
Active Disaster Alerts
-
Green forest fire notification in Tanzania GREEN · country-wide · 2026-08-31
On 25/08/2026, a forest fire started in Tanzania, until 31/08/2026.
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Green forest fire notification in Tanzania GREEN · country-wide · 2026-08-31
On 25/08/2026, a forest fire started in Tanzania, until 30/08/2026.
-
Green forest fire notification in Tanzania GREEN · country-wide · 2026-08-31
On 21/08/2026, a forest fire started in Tanzania, until 30/08/2026.
-
Green forest fire notification in Tanzania GREEN · country-wide · 2026-08-29
On 27/08/2026, a forest fire started in Tanzania, until 29/08/2026.
-
Green forest fire notification in Tanzania GREEN · country-wide · 2026-08-29
On 24/08/2026, a forest fire started in Tanzania, until 30/08/2026.
“~N km away” = event centroid within ~500 km of this location; “country-wide” = a national/regional alert that may not be near this specific city. Source: GDACS · fetched 2026-09-01 00:49:38 UTC
Health notices
Health Notices for this Destination
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Level 1 - Global Dengue WATCH · 2026-07-30
Dengue is a year-round risk in many parts of the world, with outbreaks commonly occurring every 2–5 years. Travelers to risk areas should prevent mosquito bites. Country List : Colombia, Samoa, Vietnam, New Caledonia (France), Maldives, Bolivia, Tonga, Cambodia, Kenya, Malaysia,
-
Level 2 - Global Polio ALERT · 2026-03-09
Some international destinations have circulating poliovirus. Before any international travel, make sure you are up to date on your polio vaccines. Country List : Afghanistan, Algeria, Benin, Cameroon, Chad, Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast), Democratic Republic of the Congo, Niger, Nig
-
Level 1 - Global Measles WATCH · 2025-05-28
Measles cases are rising in many countries around the world. All international travelers should be fully vaccinated against measles with the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, according to CDC's measles vaccination recommendations for international travel. Country List : Afghan
Source: CDC Travelers’ Health · fetched 2026-08-31 15:03:16 UTC
Recent headlines
No recent news headlines were returned for Dar es Salaam. This is not evidence that conditions are quiet; check local and official sources.
1991–2020 climate normals
Seasonal risk & best time to visit Dar es Salaam
The most weather-stable two-month window for Dar es Salaam is July–August, when typical daily temperatures run from about 23°C to 28°C and monthly rain averages 25 mm.
Seasonal planning flags include cyclone season in November–April. These are climate patterns, not forecasts.
Climate normals are planning context, not a short-range forecast. Source: Open-Meteo Climate API. Refreshed Jul 30, 2026.
Calculate risk for these travel dates Compare seasonal windows →
Practical safety map
Safety infrastructure nearby in Dar es Salaam
Dar es Salaam has 10 hospitals, 10 police stations, 5 embassies, 10 pharmacies and 2 fire stations within 7 km of the city center in the latest OpenStreetMap extract.
The interactive map loads when it approaches the viewport.
Facility list (works without JavaScript)
- Hospital: Burhan Charitable Health Centre
- Hospital: D & B Laboratory
- Hospital: Dental Clinic German Lab
- Hospital: Ebrahim Haji Charitable Health Centre
- Hospital: Kariakoo Dispensary
- Hospital: Mnazi Mmoja Hospital
- Hospital: Nurbhai
- Hospital: Regency Medical Center
- Hospital: Shree Hindu Mandal Hospital
- Hospital: Shree Hindu Mandal Hospital
- Police: Unnamed police
- Police: Unnamed police
- Police: Unnamed police
- Police: Unnamed police
- Police: Unnamed police
- Police: Mnazi mmoja police station
- Police: Mnazi Mmoja Police Station
- Police: Msimbazi Police
- Police: Police Post West Upanga
- Police: Polisi Usalama Barbarani Kanda Maalum
- Embassy: Embassy of Brazil
- Embassy: Embassy of Indonesia
- Embassy: International Labour Organisation(ILO)
- Embassy: Japan Embassy
- Embassy: Mozambique Embassy
- Pharmacy: Unnamed pharmacy
- Pharmacy: Amazon Pharmacy co.ltd
- Pharmacy: Apollo Medical Centre
- Pharmacy: Appeton
- Pharmacy: Dr Hassanal
- Pharmacy: Dyna Pharmacy (T) Ltd
- Pharmacy: Kadidhai
- Pharmacy: Kas Medics
- Pharmacy: Mdee Pharmacy
- Pharmacy: Pathology labaratory
- Fire station: Unnamed fire station
- Fire station: Fire Station
Map and facility data © OpenStreetMap contributors. Locations can be incomplete or outdated; confirm before relying on them. See this destination’s numbers or browse emergency numbers by country.
Emergency numbers (Tanzania)
| Police | 112 |
|---|---|
| Ambulance | 114 |
| Fire | 115 |
| General | 112 |
See nearby hospitals, police, pharmacies, embassies, and fire stations on the safety map.
Medical access
| Hospital access | medium |
|---|---|
| Pharmacy access | medium |
| Emergency response | low |
| English-speaking care | unknown |
| Evacuation complexity | medium |
Travelers should prepare for health risks such as malaria while visiting Dar es Salaam. Medical infrastructure varies, and serious emergencies may require medical evacuation.
Common scam patterns
- Fake Tourist Police Badge Extortion. Individuals presenting counterfeit Tanzania Police Force or Tourist Police badges approach tourists near popular sites to extort money. Visitors should remain vigilant of unauthorized personnel demanding fines or checks. Tip: Ask for official identification and remain calm, or suggest going to a nearby police station if suspicious.
- Fake Safari Operators and Ferry Overcharging. Tourists encounter inflated or overpriced ferry tickets to Zanzibar and fraudulent safari operators, particularly around transit and market hubs like Kariakoo. Always verify ticket offices and tour agency credentials directly. Tip: Book excursions and transport through reputable providers or your hotel rather than random street agents.
- Airport and Street Taxi Scams. Travelers face overpriced taxi fares and related transport scams from Julius Nyerere Airport or when using unmarked taxis. It is recommended to use app-based ride services instead. Tip: Use app-based ride services like Uber or Bolt and always confirm the fare beforehand.
Area notes
- Oyster Bay. An upscale, leafy coastal enclave favored by diplomats and expatriates, making it an ideal and secure neighborhood for visitors.
- Kariakoo. East Africa's largest open-air market area, where visitors need to exercise extra caution due to crowds and reported fake safari operators.
Frequently asked questions
Is Dar es Salaam safe to visit right now?
Follow the current official advisory. The composite score below is analytical context and does not weaken that decision. Composite score: 57/100 (Elevated risk). Crime category sits at 67/100; theft and pickpocketing in tourist areas are significant — keep documents and electronics secured. Last refreshed September 2026.
What is the current travel advisory for Dar es Salaam, Tanzania?
The current US State Department advisory level for Tanzania is shown in the Live conditions section above. Always cross-check your home country's foreign-ministry advisory — for many countries the tier differs from the US assessment. Real-time advisory text is fetched every 6 hours from the US State Department RSS feed.
How safe is Dar es Salaam for tourists?
Follow the current official advisory. The composite score below is analytical context and does not weaken that decision. The biggest risk factor right now is Transport safety (70/100). Travelers should specifically prepare for this area before arrival.
What is the biggest risk in Dar es Salaam?
The highest-scoring risk category is Transport safety (score 70/100). Travelers should specifically prepare for this area before arrival. Full 9-category breakdown is in the Scores section of this page.
Is it safe to visit Dar es Salaam in September 2026?
For September 2026, the composite risk for Dar es Salaam is 57/100 (Elevated risk). Live weather, disaster alerts, and news shown in the Live conditions section above are refreshed every 30 minutes to 6 hours depending on the source. For an AI-synthesized briefing for your specific trip dates and traveler profile, use the Travel Risk Calculator linked at the top of this page.
How are these travel risk scores calculated?
Each category is scored 0-100 based on government travel advisories (US State Dept), crime indices (Numbeo), Global Peace Index data, WHO/CDC health context, and curated regional knowledge. The composite is a weighted sum — see /methodology for the full weight breakdown. Live data (weather, advisories, news) is layered on top of every assessment.
How often is this page updated?
This page is updated daily: live weather, official advisories, disaster alerts, health notices and news refresh automatically multiple times per day, and an AI safety snapshot is regenerated on the first visit each day. The baseline category scores are editorial estimates reviewed periodically (see the Transparency & Sources section below).
Is this a substitute for an official travel advisory?
No. Travel Risk Calculator provides estimated risk information for planning purposes only. Always check your home country's official travel advisory and any health notices from your national health authority before traveling.
When is the best time to visit Dar es Salaam?
July–August is the most weather-stable two-month window in the stored 1991-2020 normals. The most weather-stable two-month window for Dar es Salaam is July–August, when typical daily temperatures run from about 23°C to 28°C and monthly rain averages 25 mm.
What is the rainy, hurricane, or severe-weather season in Dar es Salaam?
cyclone season: November–April.
Run a personalized assessment for Dar es Salaam
Get a tailored briefing in ~15 seconds, with live weather, advisories, and recent news.
Calculate my trip riskScore history
| When | Score change | Tier | Reason / source | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 24, 2026 | 0 → 0 | unknown | Auto-enrichment from Ollama-grounded AI (https://kakapo.travel/blog/city/is-dar-es-salaam-tanzania-safe | https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/tanzania/safety-and-security | https://beforeyougotravels.com/destinations) AI-enriched 2026-08-24 (Ollama-grounded + Jina full text, cited; pending editorial verification) |
50% |
| May 15, 2026 | — → 41 | moderate | initial snapshot Editorial baseline 2026-05-14 (round 2: Numbeo + WHO + State Dept + GPI + EPI references) |
65% |
Every editorial change to Dar es Salaam's composite score is logged here, with the source and reason for the change. Live data overlays (weather, advisories, disaster alerts, news) refresh continuously on their own cadences and are not recorded as score changes — see the Live conditions section above for current overlay state.
Transparency & Sources
We try to be honest about what we know, what we estimated, and what we don't have. Below is the audit trail for this page.
Review status
verified
Last reviewed
2026-08-24 02:35:59
Data confidence
65%
Sources used
- SimpleMaps World Cities (CC BY 4.0): Coordinates, region, population for Dar es Salaam
- Editorial baseline (Travel Risk Calculator): City-level threat scoring across 9 categories (crime, health, advisory, political, disaster, transport, environmental, digital security, money safety)
Live data overlays on this page refresh asynchronously on the source cadences shown above. Run an assessment to create a trip-specific briefing using your dates and traveler profile.
What is estimated
- Composite tier and category scores are an editorial baseline estimate, not a real-time measurement.
What is unavailable
- Transport-hub safety notes (airport, train stations).
Methodology · Data review process · Full data-source registry · Report a correction
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Disclaimer
Travel Risk Calculator provides estimated travel-threat information for preparation purposes only. It does not replace official government advisories, medical advice, emergency alerts, immigration rules, insurance advice, police guidance, embassy information, or professional security consultation.