Tanzania’s popularity continues to rise despite unusual challenges.

Research conducted amongst the UK’s Africa specialist tour operators highlights growing strength of the destination.

The survey, conducted in late December and early January, highlighted that 44% of the respondents enjoyed increased sales for Tanzania, with 12% enjoying significant increases in 2025 versus 2024.

A third of respondents expressed confidence that the upward trend would continue into 2026.

Tanzania Tourism UK asked the travel trade for feedback regarding 2025 sales as well as the impact of the variety of unusual challenges faced by the industry during the year.

Head of Tourism Marketing, Tim Henshall stated, “We are hugely gratefully for the unerring support of the UK trade. These issues could have derailed our efforts but as we have hopefully resolved our “issues”, Tanzania is back to its richly-deserved place at the top of Africa’s safari destinations”.

Issues face have included the Kogatende incident (see point 1 later); the threat of Mandatory Travel insurance (see point 2); a UK ban on Tanzanian airlines (point 3) and post-election unrest (point 4).

Whilst some issues caused postponements and cancellations in the short term, 77% of operators reported little or no impact on sales.

Point 1 - Kogatende

This has been addressed by strict fines and ban for offenders; the introduction of new park rules; increased training for safari operators; and “behaviour guidelines for visitors” issued by TTUK.

Point 2 - Mandatory insurance

Whilst the policy has been approved, lobbyists within parliament have successfully delayed its implementation, with no imminent action date.

Point 3 - EU & UK ban on flights

The ban refers only to European airspace not in Tanzania. UK insurance underwriters are happily continuing to support travel insurance on domestic flights.

Point 4 - Post-election unrest

The UK’s FCO advice was changed on 8th Dec reflecting the calm being restored in country. So travel insurance is now fully valid again.

Report in full >>>>