Do You Need to Speak Swahili in Tanzania? A Guide for Travellers

When one of our European team members joined The Ride to Adventure, she believed that mastering Swahili was essential from day one. The idea of navigating Tanzania without speaking the local language felt daunting. However, she quickly discovered what many travellers learn: while Swahili is the national language, English is widely spoken.

According to the 2024 EF English Proficiency Index, Tanzania ranks 72nd out of 116 countries, with an EF EPI score of 487, placing it in the "low proficiency" band. Despite this, English is commonly used in tourist areas, and many locals, particularly those working in hospitality and travel, have a good command of the language. In cities like Dar es Salaam, the proficiency score is higher, at 520, indicating moderate proficiency.

That said, learning a few basic Swahili phrases can greatly enhance your travel experience. Simple greetings like asante(thank you), habari (how are you?), and pole pole (slowly, slowly) can foster goodwill and deeper connections with locals. These small efforts are often met with warm smiles and appreciation.

Concerned about the language in Tanzania? We handle the details—so you can focus on the experience.