Tanzania: U.S. raises travel warning over crime and Mozambique border fighting

The U.S. State Department has updated its travel advisory for Tanzania, telling travellers to exercise increased caution in the country. The updated advisory carries a start date of 16 October 2026 and cites crime, unrest, terrorism, the arbitrary enforcement of laws and the targeting of gay and lesbian individuals.

The Department also issued a separate, stronger warning for the Mtwara region, including the border with Mozambique.

Key facts

• Start date: 16 October 2026
• Overall level: Level 2, Exercise Increased Caution
• Mtwara region, including the Mozambique border: Level 3, Reconsider Travel
• Who it affects: travellers to Tanzania
• Reasons cited: crime, unrest, terrorism, arbitrary enforcement of laws and targeting of gay and lesbian individuals

What is changing?

The advisory now places Tanzania at Level 2, which means travellers need to take extra care because of a heightened safety and security risk. The Mtwara region, including the border with Mozambique, is rated Level 3, Reconsider Travel, because of terrorism in the area.

The State Department explains that armed groups and military forces are fighting along the border with Mozambique, and that the fighting sometimes crosses into Tanzania. U.S. government employees working in Tanzania need special authorisation to travel to the Mtwara region.

“The U.S. government has limited ability to offer emergency services to U.S. citizens in these areas due to the safety risks,” the State Department said.

What do the advisory levels mean?

The State Department uses four levels, from Level 1 to Level 4. Level 1, Exercise Normal Precautions, is the lowest and advises that some risk exists. Level 2, Exercise Increased Caution, signals heightened risk. Level 3, Reconsider Travel, warns of serious safety risks. Level 4, Do Not Travel, is the highest, and the Department says it strongly recommends against travel to such destinations, partly because it might not be able to assist travellers in an emergency.

What should travellers do?

The State Department recommends that travellers to Tanzania should not physically resist any robbery attempt, stay alert in tourist spots, stay aware of their surroundings and avoid demonstrations and crowds. It also advises keeping travel documents up to date and easily accessible, and buying travel insurance with medical coverage.

Travellers are told to monitor local media for breaking news and to have a plan to leave in an emergency that does not depend on U.S. government help. Before travelling, the Department says to delete sensitive photos, comments or content from social media or electronic devices that could be seen as controversial or inappropriate in the destination.

The Department further recommends enrolling in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive messages and alerts from the U.S. Embassy and make it easier to locate travellers in an emergency, and reviewing the Country Security Report for Tanzania.

What this means for travellers

Anyone planning a trip to Tanzania is being asked to take extra precautions across the country, and to reconsider travel to the Mtwara region, including the border with Mozambique, because of the Level 3 warning. Checking the current advisory for the destination before booking is one of the steps the State Department suggests.

The advisory applies to travellers to Tanzania; no further updates or review dates were announced in the material reviewed.