Let’s put things into perspective! Did you know that in 2024 in the United States, violent crime—including serious offenses like rape and assault—occurred every 25.9 seconds, according to the FBI? That includes a rape approximately every 4.1 minutes. Meanwhile, Tanzania’s reported rates are far lower in tourist-facing areas. For example, between January and December 2023, there were only 7,764 reported rape cases across the entire Mainland—with Morogoro leading at 525 cases. This suggests that chances of experiencing or witnessing such crime in the typical travel path are exceptionally slim. In many Tanzanian regions, especially those catered to tourism—like Arusha, Dodoma, Kilimanjaro, and the national parks—criminal threats against solo visitors are minimal and often avoidable with usual common-sense precautions.
Hospitality factor
What makes Tanzania stand out isn’t just the numbers—it’s the people. Tanzanians are famously kind, welcoming, and protective, particularly toward women. As a solo female traveler, you will feel like everyone’s sister, daughter, or granddaughter. People will literally call you dada (sister) and treat you with genuine care. This cultural warmth creates a sense of safety and belonging that is hard to match elsewhere.
Tanzanians look out for guests. If you appear lost, someone will guide you. If you need help with transport, locals are quick to recommend trusted bus companies or even walk you to the right place. This friendliness isn’t superficial—it’s rooted in a culture where visitors are treated as family.
Financial advantage of Solo Travel in Tanzania
Another often overlooked benefit of traveling alone in Tanzania is how pricing works. Unlike many countries where accommodation and tours are priced per room or per group, in Tanzania most prices are charged per person. This makes solo travel very cost-effective.
For example:
-
Government park accommodations (such as those inside Mkomazi National Park, where Uvi Foundation organizes safaris) charge per person, making it affordable for solo travelers.
-
Fish Eagle Point (fisheaglepoint.com), an eco-lodge on the Indian Ocean, also charges per person.
-
Uvi House and Restaurant (uvifoundation.com) follows the same approach, ensuring single travelers don’t pay a penalty for not splitting costs.
This system levels the playing field for solo visitors and allows you to enjoy comfort, safety, and convenience at fair prices.
Transport: flexibility & budget friendly
Getting around Tanzania as a single traveler is easier than you might think. While domestic flights and private transfers are available, many solo travelers mix in public buses to keep costs down. The Uvi Foundation and local contacts can point you toward reliable bus companies worth booking, ensuring safe and punctual travel.
This flexibility means you can create your own itinerary, combining organized activities (like safaris or cultural tours) with independent exploration. Want to spend a few extra days at the beach after your safari? No problem. Want to take a detour to the Usambara Mountains? Buses and shared taxis make it easy.
.
A deeper connection
Perhaps the greatest reward of traveling alone in Tanzania is the quality of connections you make. When you travel with a group, locals may see you as part of a package. But when you travel solo, people open their hearts and homes. You share meals, stories, and laughter. You become more than a tourist—you become family.
Conversations happen more naturally when you’re alone. You’ll hear personal stories, learn local traditions, and perhaps even be invited to a wedding or village celebration. These are the experiences that leave the deepest mark, and they’re far more likely when you travel independently.
Safety Tips (Just Like Anywhere)
Of course, no place in the world is completely free of risk. As in any destination, solo travelers should take simple precautions:
-
Avoid walking alone late at night in city centers.
-
Keep valuables discreet.
-
Use trusted transport providers.
-
Stay in recommended accommodations.
But here’s the truth: in Tanzania, those small precautions are usually all you need. Most women report feeling morelooked after in Tanzania than in many parts of Europe or the US.
Tanzania Welcomes You
Traveling to Tanzania as a single woman is not only safe—it’s liberating. The combination of genuine hospitality, cost-effective per-person pricing, flexible transport, and the chance to build deeper connections makes it an ideal destination for independent female travelers.
Whether you’re watching elephants in Mkomazi, relaxing by the ocean at Fish Eagle Point, or sharing a meal at Uvi House, you’ll discover that Tanzania offers a rare gift: the freedom to travel alone, while never truly feeling alone.
If you want to learn more how to organize your unique tour in Tanzania
