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Tanzania
23 scams
Many travel to Tanzania to enjoy some of the most beautiful safari reserves in the world, such as the Serengeti national park and the Mount Kilimanjaro national park.
Unfortunately, crime is an issue here, along with a number of tourist targeted scams around tours, shopping and transport.
Note: vast majority of trips are trouble free and there is no need to be paranoid. That said, it always pays to be aware, careful, and prepared.
Emergency numbers
- Emergency: 112
- Traffic Police in Dar es Salaam: +255 22 2111747
Travel resources
Fraudulent tour operators in Tanzania
6 0How it works: Situation: According to the Tanzania Revenue Authority, only 517 formal firm out of 1,401 tour companies complied with the law in 2018. This means there’s a 63%…
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Tanzanite imitations in Tanzania
5 0How it works: Tanzanite is only mined in Tanzania, and like gold, jewelry and other gemstones, you will probably come across imitations on the streets. Places to beware: Arusha What…
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Ferry ticket scams in Tanzania
5 1How it works: Version 1: touts push you to buy tickets for overcrowded ferries and boats at inflated prices. Version 2: fake night ferry tickets from Dar es Salaam to Stone…
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Unofficial guides in Tanzania
5 0How it works: Opening: a friendly local offers to show you around or just starts to follow you and points out places of interest along the way. Set-up: even though…
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Snatch thefts in Tanzania
5 3How it works: Two versions: strike and run; distract and grab. Possible scenarios: Bike/moped: riding past with a pillion rider doing the snatch. Beach: stealing unattended bags/valuables from tourists who…
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Mbeya Lilongwe fake bus scam in Tanzania
4 0How it works: There is a fake bus scam for those travelling out of Mbeya to Lilongwe in Malawi. At the main bus station in Mbeya, brochure flashing touts will…
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Unlicensed money changers in Tanzania
1 0How it works: Opening: unlicensed money changers and street touts will advertise very favourable rates, but will rip you off via: Version 1: sleight of hand tricks. Version 2: passing…
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Unofficial luggage porter in Tanzania
1 0How it works: Version 1: at bus stations, unsolicited unofficial luggage porters will grab your luggage/bag, move it a short distance and then ask for an inflated tip. Version 2:…
Read more…Credit card skimming in Tanzania
1 0How it works: Situation: the vast majority of tourists would probably not fall for this but on the off-chance that you do, you need to know how to spot the…
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Short-changing bus conductor in Tanzania
1 0How it works: Opening: a bus conductor will collect your fare on the bus. If he doesn’t have the coins and so owes you change, he will issue you a…
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Phone tout scam in Tanzania
2 1How it works: A tout claiming to be a shop owner canvassing for customers on the streets offers you a phone at a discounted price claiming that business is slow….
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Taxi scams in Tanzania
1 0How it works: Taxis here do not use meters, hence, they can overcharge you with inflated flat fares. Places to beware: Dar es Salaam Zanzibar What to do: Avoid: taxis…
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Unlicensed taxis in Tanzania
1 0How it works: Version 1: offering a cheap fare first only to demand an inflated fare in the middle (while in a secluded place) or at the end of a…
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Drug set-up in Tanzania
1 0How it works: Street touts may offer you drugs such as Grass (known as Bhangi) or Miraa (Khat or Qat), a mild herbal stimulant from Kenya (legal there but illegal…
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Carjacking in Tanzania
1 0How it works: Opening: flagging you down, then robbing you or your car. Version 1: objects/debris placed in the middle of the road to get you to stop. Version 2:…
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