Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Dar's main market and the most dangerous area for tourists. Extremely high pickpocketing and theft risk even during the day. Only go with experienced local guide, peak hours, zero valuables. Most travelers should skip it - safety risk outweighs any cultural experience.
Kariakoo Market is Dar's main commercial hub - massive, chaotic, thousands of Tanzanians buying everything from fabric to electronics. Authentic as it gets. Also the most dangerous place in the city for tourists, period. The crowd is extremely dense, creating perfect conditions for pickpockets and thieves. Locals and guidebooks all say the same thing: this is where you get targeted. If you absolutely must go, daytime only during busy hours, bring nothing valuable, bag on your front, nothing in pockets. No expensive cameras, phones, or anything you can't afford to lose. Even in daylight, pickpockets work the crowds freely. Hotels and local friends warn people away from here constantly. At night it gets much worse - muggings, robberies. The market runs 24/7 now but that just means vendors are there, not that it's safe. Scams are frequent around Kariakoo, the ferry terminal, and Samora Avenue. Go with an experienced local guide during peak daylight if you go at all. The authentic market experience isn't worth the real safety risks.
Daytime Safety
PoorNight Walking Safety
PoorHarassment Risk
HighPublic Transport Safety
PoorPickpocketing Risk
Very HighScam Risk
Very HighPolice Visibility
ModerateEmergency Services
ModerateEvening Venues
PoorSolo Dining
PoorDrug Activity
ModerateHomelessness Visibility
ModerateGetting By in English
Poor"My hotel strongly advised against going even during the day"
"Went with a local guide in daylight and still felt unsafe"
"Pickpocket got my friend's phone in seconds despite precautions"
"The authentic experience isn't worth the risk"
"Local women warned me to avoid this area completely"
Areas with comparable safety profiles for solo female travelers
The safest, most foreigner-friendly part of Dar. Good restaurants, cafes, security. Expensive and cut off from local culture, but first-timers often prefer it for the safety and English.
Diplomatic area with embassies, upscale hotels, heavy security. Good for sophisticated dining and nightlife with international standards. Skip Coco Beach, especially after dark.
Middle ground between expat zones and rougher areas. More affordable, more authentic, reasonably safe. Better for travelers with some Africa experience who want local culture without Peninsula prices. Less English, more adaptation needed.
Help other women stay safe in Kariakoo
Neighborhood conditions can change. Check recent news, ask locals or your accommodation about current safety, especially for nighttime plans.