The Australian Government has increased its travel warning level for one of Africa’s top emerging destinations after the country’s presidential elections sparked widespread “civil unrest and violent protests”.
In an update on Wednesday, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) stated it had raised the overall travel advice level for Tanzania, on Africa’s east coast.
“We now advise reconsider your need to travel overall due to civil unrest and violent protests, including limited access to airports, following presidential election,” DFAT says on its Smartraveller website.
“The security situation across Tanzania remains unpredictable. Curfews have been lifted but may be reimposed at short notice.”
The new travel warning brings Tanzania to the government’s second-highest alert level.
According to DFAT, access to Tanzania’s main gateway, Julius Nyerere International Airport in the city of Dar es Salaam, is “limited”.
“Airlines are resuming services but may take time to return to normal flight schedules,” it states.
“You’ll need ID and a copy of your ticket to get through checkpoints to airports. You or your vehicle might also be checked.
“Contact your travel provider or airline to confirm your flight and proceed to the airport only if it is safe to do so. Otherwise, shelter in place.”
The travel warning extends to the tourist island of Zanzibar, renowned for its beautiful beaches, rich history and diverse wildlife. However, the latest update does not specifically mention the popular island.
According to comments in a forum on the Travelling to Zanzibar Facebook page, ferries between Dar es Salaam, East Africa’s most populous city, and Zanzibar have also resumed operations.
Despite the restoration of telecommunications and internet services in the country, DFAT says “disruptions” may continue.
It also advises travellers to “avoid protests, demonstrations and large gatherings”.
“Check local media for updates and follow the instructions of local authorities,” it recommends.
Tanzania tourism
The managing director of an Australian travel wholesaler recently told Karryon that their business had seen significant growth in East Africa tours, including to Tanzania.
That anecdote has been supported by data from Tanzania’s Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism, which shows that international visitation to the African nation grew by 130 per cent between 2021 and 2024, to more than 2 million visitors last year. International tourism receipts during that period also rose by 200 per cent – from US$1.3 billion (around AU$2 billion) in 2021 to US$3.9 billion (around AU$6 billion) in 2024.
With a 48 per cent rise in visitation over pre-pandemic levels, the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) ranked Tanzania as the fastest-growing destination in Africa in 2024, ahead of Ethiopia (40%) and Morocco (35%).
