Drinking Water in Tanzania: What Is Safe on Safari

Staying well hydrated is essential on safari. Days are often warm, the air can be dry and dusty, and you will spend hours in an open-roof vehicle. At the same time, unsafe water is one of the most common causes of upset stomachs for visitors.

The good news is that safe drinking water is easy to get across the safari circuit. This guide explains what to drink, what to avoid and how to keep your plastic footprint low.

Is tap water safe to drink?

We advise visitors not to drink tap water anywhere in Tanzania, including in good hotels in Arusha, Moshi, Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar. Local residents often boil or filter their water too. Water quality varies, and even if it is treated at the source, pipes and storage tanks can introduce contamination.

Stick to bottled, filtered or properly boiled water for drinking. Using tap water for showering is fine; just keep your mouth closed.

Water on safari

On a typical safari, drinking water is part of the experience. Safari vehicles usually carry a supply for guests, and lodges and tented camps provide drinking water in rooms, often filtered and served in glass carafes or refill stations. Our guides keep an eye on how much you are drinking, because it is easy to forget when you are focused on a leopard in a tree.

In remote camps, staff treat and store water carefully. If you are ever unsure whether a jug in your tent is drinking water, just ask.

Ice, drinks and brushing your teeth

Most of the questions we hear are about the small details. Here is how we approach them:

• Ice in established lodges and good restaurants is normally made from treated water, but avoid ice from street stalls.
• Brush your teeth with bottled or filtered water, which most rooms provide.
• Sealed soft drinks, beer and hot drinks made with boiled water are generally safe.
• Freshly squeezed juices are only as safe as the water and hygiene behind them, so choose reputable places.
• Check that the seal on bottled water is intact when buying in town.

Reducing plastic waste

Tanzania banned plastic carrier bags in 2019, and visitors should not pack them, including in luggage. Single-use plastic bottles are still common, but many camps now offer refill stations to cut waste.

We recommend bringing a sturdy refillable bottle, ideally insulated to keep water cool in the vehicle. Some travelers also carry a filter bottle or purification tablets for extra peace of mind when traveling independently. Keep zip-lock bags for toiletries in use only on your trip, as practical items rather than general carrier bags.

How much to drink

Needs vary with heat, altitude and activity, but sipping regularly through the day works better than drinking a lot at once. Signs of dehydration include headaches, tiredness, dark urine and feeling dizzy. On Kilimanjaro or at high points like the Ngorongoro rim, staying hydrated becomes even more important.

Alcohol and caffeine are fine in moderation, but balance a sundowner with plenty of water, especially on game drive days.

Children need particular attention, as they may not notice thirst while they are excited about animals. Offer them water at every stop.