15 November 2022
One glance at a single photograph of Tanzania is enough to understand why so many people decide to spend their holiday in this country.
Tanzania is full of natural beauty, and it teems with wildlife as well.
That is a large part of the reason people go on safari in Tanzania, but plenty of visitors come to Tanzania for its people too.
The culture in Tanzania is far warmer and friendlier than Western culture, and that draws a great many people.
In this guide for tourists we look at whether Tanzanians really are friendly, and at a good deal more besides. So if you would like to know more, read on!
Are Tanzanians Friendly?
Let us get straight to the point and consider whether Tanzanians are friendly or not. Naturally we cannot speak for every single person, since everybody is different.
Broadly speaking, though: yes, Tanzanians are friendly.
By and large, Tanzanians greet visitors with open arms, and they are usually very polite and helpful towards tourists.
Much of this comes from the strong sense of national pride that people feel right across Tanzania.
It also has to do with the enormous mix of ethnic groups that call Tanzania home.
When more than 120 different ethnic groups live side by side, it makes sense that many people will also be welcoming to those who come to Tanzania from far away.
Most Tanzanians you meet will be very friendly.
Even so, the surest way to be well received by the people of Tanzania is to read up on their culture and traditions before you arrive.
A lot of travellers are guilty of overlooking cultural differences when they visit other countries.
So the best way to make sure you get along with Tanzanians is to do your homework beforehand, so that you treat their beliefs with respect at all times.
Tanzania greets tourists with open arms. Welcoming strangers is a central part of the culture here, because every stranger could turn out to be a friend.
Handshakes play a big role in Tanzanian culture, so do not be surprised if a local comes up to you, shakes your hand and says “jambo”.
That is the Tanzanian word for “hello”, so be sure to return the greeting.
Friendliness runs deep in Tanzanian culture, which means the best way to receive a warm welcome in this country is to be open and friendly yourself.
Smile, make an effort with the people you meet, and you will soon be made to feel part of the community where you are staying.
Is Tanzania a Safe Place to Visit?
In general terms, yes, Tanzania is a safe country to visit.
It is among the safest African countries you can travel to, and the only real risks of travelling in Tanzania are the same ones you face in most countries.
We have put together a full guide to staying safe while travelling in Tanzania, so do read it before you book your Tanzania vacation.
Still, let us run through the main points briefly.
The crimes that most often put tourists at risk in Tanzania are scams and pickpocketing.
Scams are usually small-scale, with gangs using children to distract tourists while the criminals make off with their belongings.
Pickpocketing happens even more often, because opportunistic criminals target tourists. It is most frequent in crowded places and on public transport.
That said, scams and pickpocketing are among the most common crimes in many popular tourist countries.
These are crimes you can guard against by taking precautions and staying alert at all times. Apart from this, Tanzania is generally a safe place to visit.
Cultural traditions to know about before you go
As we said earlier, the best way to make sure Tanzanians give you a warm welcome during your visit is to know their cultural traditions and to respect them.
So here are a few cultural traditions you ought to be aware of.
Great People Individually
In most Western countries it is perfectly normal to walk into a room full of people and greet them all at once.
Quite often, in fact, it would seem odd to go round the room greeting each person individually. In Tanzania, however, things are different.
In Tanzania, greeting everyone individually is the norm. So whenever you are in Tanzania, always take the trouble to greet the people you meet one at a time.
That is simply what counts as friendly and polite in Tanzania.
Always Use Your Right Hand
In Tanzania the left hand is reserved for bathroom use, and so it is regarded as unclean.
For that reason you should not eat, greet people or do anything else with your left hand, apart from wiping yourself after using the toilet.
Offering your left hand in greeting is a guaranteed way to offend local people. So, to keep things friendly, use your right hand (even if you are left-handed).
Dos and Don’ts in Tanzania
Do
- Dress modestly
- Respect cultural boundaries
- Respect your elders
- Greet people with your right hand
- Greet people individually
Don’t
- Wear revealing clothes
- Greet people with your left hand
- Hold hands, kiss, or hug in public
Summary: are Tanzanians friendly?
To sum up: yes, on the whole, Tanzanians are friendly. To avoid offending anyone in Tanzania, do your research in advance and respect cultural boundaries.
But in general, as long as you arrive in Tanzania in a friendly frame of mind and open to talking with local people, you will be greeted in just as friendly a way.
Thanks for reading!
