The U.S. Department of State has issued a level three travel advisory for those traveling to the East African nation of Tanzania.A level three travel advisory advises that travelers “reconsider” trips to certain destinations, usually following reports of crime, terrorism or the like. These advisories can only go up to Level 4.
Tanzania is a popular destination for tourists seeking outdoor adventures and wildlife experiences. Safaris are popular here, and the island archipelago of Zanzibar off the eastern coast of the country offers gorgeous coastal vibes. Plus, the country is home to Mount Kilimanjaro where hikers from around the world flock to reach the summit.
The State Department raised Tanzania’s advisory from Level 2 to Level 3 “due to unrest, crime, terrorism, and targeting of gay and lesbian individuals.” In the recent advisory, the department wrote “Violent crime is common. It includes assault, sexual assault, robberies, mugging and carjacking. Local police have limited resources to respond effectively to serious crime.”
Following Tanzania’s recent general election in October, demonstrations broke out in the city of Dar es Salaam and continued to pop up around the country in the following days. They were mostly organized by youths angry at the current political system. Protests have turned violent with hundreds of people being killed, according to the BBC.
Tanzania is also generally considered a dangerous destination for the LGBTQ+ community who may experience being targeted by law enforcement when visiting. Visitors who are detained under suspicion of same-sex conduct could face invasive physical examination. In Tanzania, homosexuality and same-sex marriage are illegal. According to a report from Amnesty International in 2019, Tanzania’s LGBTQ+ community lives largely in hiding.
The U.S. has also increased its travel warning for Madagascar following local demonstrations over water and electricity outages in the country. At the moment, the State Department Level 4 advisories include eight African countries including: Burkina Faso, Central African Republic, Libya, Mali, Niger, Somalia, South Sudan, and Sudan. An additional 10 African countries have Level 3 advisories for various reasons.
Click here for the latest U.S. Department of State travel advisories.
