Dorine Reinstein
Weeks after election-related unrest in Tanzania, the U.S. State Department’s Level 3 advisory (“Reconsider Travel”) remains in place despite operators reporting the situation on the ground is “back to normal.” This has raised questions for U.S. travel advisors, operators and their safari partners about what’s really happening beyond the headlines.
The State Department tightened its Tanzania guidance on Oct. 31, citing “unrest, crime, terrorism and targeting of gay and lesbian individuals.” The update followed demonstrations around President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s controversial re-election. The U.K. Foreign Office issued a similar warning, only to soften it days later as calm returned. Yet, while the situation on the ground appears to have stabilized, the U.S. advisory persists.
For Tanzania, where international arrivals surged by 17.5% in 2024, to more than 2 million visitors, the reputational risks of ongoing foreign advisories are real and immediate. A recent poll by South African travel trade publication Tourism Update found that 60% of industry respondents believe Tanzania has suffered a significant reputational setback, while over 23% remain unsure about the long-term impact.
“A continued Level 3 travel warning will dampen traveler confidence, slow bookings from key long-haul markets and put pressure on lodges, tour operators and beach hotels that rely on advance reservations,” said Barry Clemens, CEO of HospitalityEQ, an African-based hospitality consultancy. “Even if the main safari areas remain calm and operational, perception alone can trigger cancellations and shorten booking windows.”
On the ground, however, operators report it’s business as usual. Jean Du Plessis, Tanzania regional director for Wilderness Safaris, said, “Things are back to normal. Tanzanians very much avoid confrontation, so even with elections being fair or unfair, they mostly choose the peaceful path.”
“We’ve seen a measured increase in queries and requests for updates on the situation,” AndBeyond COO Ryan Powell reported. “But all guests traveling during this period chose to continue with their journeys, as conditions in their areas of travel remained stable. We have had no cancellations.”
Kate Waite, head of corporate communications at NawiriGroup, a safari travel group in sub-Saharan Africa, describes the reaction from U.S. clients as “wait and see.” Most, she said, simply wanted direct reassurance, not last-minute reroutes or refunds. “Over 250 bookings traveled in and out during the post-election period with minimal impact.”
What travel advisors are saying
U.S.-based agents largely confirm this pattern. “I haven’t had one question about civil strife in Tanzania,” said Jim Holden, president of Holden Safaris. “Our DMCs in Tanzania keep us well informed of the scale of the disturbances, location and action being taken. Information is king!”
For some agents, managing election-related risks is about strategic timing. “As an experienced Africa safari specialist, we tend to avoid booking any travelers until one month after elections,” said Raza Visram of African Mecca Safaris. “This allows political temperatures to be lowered, contested elections and disputes to move into the courts and post-election destruction and damage to be contained.”
The consensus from trade professionals was clear: When information flows directly between reputable local partners and U.S. agents, travelers remain confident. Quality ground operators provide something government advisories cannot: real-time, granular intelligence about actual conditions versus perceived risks.
“What made the critical difference was active communication: regular updates, managing expectations and making quick, case-by-case itinerary adjustments where needed, including rerouting through Kenya when that offered a smoother experience,” Waite said. Her team’s established crisis protocols enabled 24/7 communication and flexible responses only possible through established partnerships.
Powell advocates working with “reputable partners. For those within consortia, remain engaged with vetted, approved partners, as consortia perform extensive due diligence on partner selection to help mitigate risk.”
Practical recommendations include encouraging clients to register with the State Department’s STEP program, maintaining open communication with ground operators and sharing verified updates to counter misinformation.
“The more accurate and reliable information that can be shared with all parties to whatever is going on will help to keep everyone well informed and less uneasy about the situation,” Holden concurred.
A global reality
Powell said he sees the Tanzania situation as part of a broader challenge.
“The answer extends beyond the Tanzania example. Globally, instability is more common now than it has been in some time. Clear, unified messaging is essential to set realistic expectations for clients,” he said.
Tanzania shows how crucial it is for agents to have reliable partners on the ground — especially when government advisories don’t keep pace with changing conditions.