Tanzania is one of the African countries where Christianity and Islam coexist in the most balanced way. According to the most widely cited estimates from the Pew Research Center, about six out of ten residents are Christian and about one-third are Muslim, while a small proportion follow traditional African religions or other faiths. However, these are only estimates: since 1967, the national census has no longer asked about religion, precisely to prevent it from becoming a source of political division.
The state is secular, and the Constitution guarantees freedom of worship. For travelers, understanding this balance helps provide a better understanding of the country and ensures they behave appropriately, especially along the coast and in Zanzibar.
Religions by the Numbers
| Religion | Estimated percentage of the population | Where it is most widespread |
|---|---|---|
| Christianity | about 60% | Inland, north, and highlands (e.g., the Kilimanjaro region), southwest |
| Islam | about 35% | Zanzibar, the Indian Ocean coast, and some inland cities |
| Traditional religions | a few percentage points | Rural communities; many traditional beliefs persist even among Christians and Muslims |
| Other religions | less than 1% | Hinduism, Buddhism, the Bahá’í Faith, especially in cities |
Christianity
Christianity arrived in Tanzania primarily through 19th-century Catholic and Protestant missions, which founded schools and hospitals that are still active today in many regions. The Catholic Church is the largest Christian denomination; among Protestants, the most widespread are the Lutherans—who have a particularly strong presence in the Kilimanjaro region—the Anglicans, the Moravians, and a growing number of Pentecostal and Evangelical churches. There are also Adventists and other smaller communities.
For a traveler, attending a Sunday Mass is an experience not to be missed: the services are long and well-attended, with choirs and hymns in Swahili that remain among the most vivid memories of the trip. In Stone Town, the Anglican cathedral stands on the site of the last slave market; in Dar es Salaam, St. Joseph’s Cathedral and the Lutheran church at Azania Front overlook the harbor.
Islam
Islam reached the East African coast long before Christianity, as early as the first centuries after its emergence, through merchants from the Indian Ocean, and helped shape Swahili culture and language. Today, the majority of Tanzanian Muslims are Sunni; there are also Shi’a communities, including the Ismailis led by the Aga Khan—who are very active in education and healthcare—as well as Ahmadiyya communities and a small Ibadite presence linked to the history of the Sultanate of Oman.
Zanzibar is almost entirely Muslim. The archipelago has its own system of Islamic courts, the qadi courts, which handle family and inheritance law for Muslims. Along the coast and in Zanzibar, the call to prayer marks the passage of the day, and many aspects of daily life—from clothing to store hours—follow the religious calendar.
Traditional Religions
Only a small portion of the population identifies as exclusively following traditional African religions, but traditional beliefs and practices remain widespread even among many Christians and Muslims. These religions vary greatly from one group to another, but they share a belief in a creator god, respect for the spirits of ancestors, and the role of traditional healers—the waganga—who are consulted for illnesses and life’s problems. Many families give their children, in addition to a Christian or Muslim name, the name of an ancestor.
Among the Maasai, for example, the god Enkai is linked to the sky and rain, and spiritual leaders, the laibon , play an important role in community decision-making. The Hadzabe of Lake Eyasi have their own spirituality, linked to nature and the tales of their ancestors. Those interested in these encounters will find our “Encounters of Africa” safari an itinerary that alternates parks with village visits.
The other communities
In the cities and on the coast, there are also communities of Indian origin who practice Hinduism, with temples frequented especially in Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar, as well as small Buddhist, Bahá’í, and Sikh communities. In the past, Zanzibar also had a Parsi, Zoroastrian, community: the family of Freddie Mercury, born in Stone Town in 1946, belonged to this community.
A generally peaceful coexistence
Religious coexistence is one of Tanzania’s most admired traits. It is not uncommon for the same family to include both Christians and Muslims, and the major holidays of both religions are national holidays. Many also attribute this to the policies implemented by Julius Nyerere after independence: a secular state, Swahili as the common language, and a policy careful not to divide the country along ethnic or religious lines. This context is described on our page on the country’s history, and the role of language is covered in our Swahili guide.
There have been moments of tension, especially in Zanzibar, linked in part to politics, but these remain isolated incidents compared to the situation in other countries in the region. Religious organizations must register with the Ministry of Home Affairs, which oversees their activities.
Travel Tips
- Dress Code: In Zanzibar and along the coast, outside of beaches and resorts, clothing that covers the shoulders and knees is required. Zanzibar authorities may fine those who do not comply.
- Mosques: Many mosques are not open to non-Muslims. Where entry is permitted, you must remove your shoes, dress modestly, and, for women, cover your hair; it’s always best to ask first.
- Churches: Masses are open to everyone. Modest attire is appreciated, and a small contribution to the collection is a welcome gesture.
- Ramadan: During the month of fasting, it is considered respectful in Zanzibar and along the coast not to eat, drink, or smoke in public during the day. Hotels and restaurants for tourists remain open, but some establishments adjust their hours, and in the evening the streets come alive as people break their fast.
- Photography: Always ask for permission before taking photos of people, especially during religious ceremonies and outside mosques.
- National holidays: Official holidays include Christmas, Good Friday, and Easter Monday, the end of Ramadan (Eid al-Fitr), and the Feast of Sacrifice (Eid al-Adha). The dates of Islamic holidays vary each year.
Additional useful information on customs, laws, and behavior can be found in the Tanzania safety guide.
Would you like your trip to be more than just the savanna—would you also like to meet the people and experience their traditions? Tell us what intrigues you most and request a customized itinerary: we can combine visits to the parks with stops in villages, a Sunday at a church in a Kilimanjaro village, or an evening wandering the alleys of Stone Town during Ramadan.
