Dodging Scams in Tanzania | Bikepacking Africa 🇹🇿 

Hello everyone, to save people leaving comments about the difference of time in Tanzania, we UNDERSTAND that Tanzania uses a different time system, and we said this in the video. We realised this later which is why I mentioned it on the voiceover in the video. The women in the video kept us standing in the street while one of them was kicking our bikes and were trying to get male passers by to join in. If the women weren't scamming, why were we allowed to leave as soon as we insisted on talking to their boss? …and why was it insisted that we pay them the money in cash? We understand that Tanzanians have very low wages, and we give what we can to people living in the countryside, but we will never pay out to scammers. The reason Tanzania is the worst country we've ever visited is explained at the end of the video, and was not just to do with the incident at the hotel - this was just an example of Tanzanians trying to get money out of foreigners along with acting aggressively, which happened to us every day in Tanzania. Foreigners who come to Tanzania NOT on safari trips have very similar experiences to us - a foreigner cannot walk the streets without being followed, harassed, and coerced into scams by locals. This usually happens in cities and much less in the countryside but cities are where foreigners will have to travel before going to see the beautiful parts of Tanzania. Maybe it's worth thinking about why so many Tanzanians are treating tourists like crap in a country that is so dependent on them. We will be advising anyone who wants to visit East Africa to go to Kenya instead 😉

So we are a horrible country because you can not understand Swahili time and expected something no hotel allows… and a perfect stranger took his time to help you for 20 minutes.

It was a simple language problem. 4:00 means 10am in Swahili. If aswahili person tells you we meet at 10, that means 4:00pm or 16:00hrs. Tanzanians are the kindest politest people you will ever meet. This lady thought you were taking her for granted and taking advantage of her hospitality. Apologies on their behalf.

You guys messed up, the standard check-out time in all guest houses in tanzania is at 10 (which is saa 4 asubuhi), and you guys thought it was 4:00 p.m., which is not true, please leave your white-fragility behind and do the right thing! Pay for the late check out at 10:00 a.m. She is saying they knocked at your door at 10:00 a.m. and you were sleeping! No excuses and blaming them for extortion!

If it is a horrible country why don't you leave we don't need hippies\backpackers who lleaves at 4pm and don't want to pay the room who supposed to check out at 10AM. You are very lucky to let go free without paying. This could not have happened in your country for sure 😌

It is unfortunate to have this kind of misunderstanding. With due respect: (a) You, the whites, need to understand that although they were colonized, they have not interested to adopt the way you count hours; you start counting hours at the middle of the night and when you wake up early in the morning, you tell us, it is 6:00 AM. But for Tanzanians and Ethiopians, we start counting hours as we wake up and see the morning light. (b) Secondly, even in your way, how could you expect to wait until 4:00 PM in bed room and want to leave without paying a penny. I believe it is universal rule to leave a bed room before 12:00 AM. As far as I know, Tanzanians are God fearing, very helpful and respectful.

I have lived in Kenya, Uganda and now in the US, Tanzania isn’t a horrible country. These people are CHEAP and therefore like any other country, you’ll not get the best treatment if you stay in cheap places. Tanzania isn’t horrible. He says Kenya was better than Tanzania but even those Kenyans will tell you ,Tanzanians are polite. You should have paid half of it. If you’re smart, you will google the history of Tanzania and find out Tanzania has never experienced any type of conflict. Tanzania has always been a peaceful country. Don’t go by this experience and thinks Tanzania is horrible country. Just because you didn’t get treated like a King.

So let me get this straight - you guys went all the way to Tanzania, and didn't even know that they use an entirely different time system, AND didn't bother to learn two words of survival Swahili to facilitate communication, AND made them pay for your mistake concerning the time? Perfectly unreasonable.

I am a Black From Canada. I went to Tanzania last year, they did the sane thing to me. You never knkw how much something is going to cost you. They always pretend there was a misunderstanding, and they won't let go. While I was there, I spent more money than any other country I have visited. I rented an airbnb. The lady asked me for a price, then I something happened I needed to stay two extra days. She lied to me that someone else has reserved the place so if I want to stay longer, I need to pay more otherwise, she will have to give it to the new guests. I packed my bag and told her go ahead, give it to the other person. When she realized I was about to leave, she told me, oh well because you are already here, you can stay for the same price. This is one of many situations like this. They always create situations to make things look more difficult so you can offer money to make thing go quicker. I saw many Foreigners, mostly African American complaining about the same thing with Tanzanian people living in Tanzania

I discovered there was miscommunication on time for checking out checking out is usually at 10:00 am and in Swahili is 4:00 🤣🤣🤣🤣 take it as a part of learning but it doesn't make our country horrible as you have said.

In what world have you ever been able to check out at 4pm, 30000 shillings is 12 usd, you should of just paid it

I've travelled Tanzania extensively and they're generally very kind people. There might be some misunderstandings due to the language and culture but as long as you have a positive mindset, you will realise that most situations can be resolved amicably. If you start off with the mindset that you're being scammed, it's usually downhill from there. It blinds you from being able to see the facts. In this case the swahili time difference. Also, the staff probably didn't want to talk to the boss because they were afraid. There is high levels of unemployment and this results in insecurities. I understand not paying on principle due to the misunderstanding, but in the overall scheme of things $15 isn't the end of the world for guys who are travelling for fun. This could have have prevented the sour interaction and thus prevented the negative bias from forming in the first place. So if someone said that Tanzanians are taught that they can make a lot of money off white people, that's what you'll hold on to. In other words, every interaction is selectively filtered to prove your point. Change your outlook and you'll experience a whole different side of the world. This video hasn't dissuaded me from visiting Tanzania at all. It has demonstrated the need to step back and reassess my outlook on life. Thanks for that.

Communication 4.00 in Tanzania means 10 00 am, if you stayed up to 4:00pm that means you stayed over the time of check out

I can understand your frustration, but you do really need to recognize that this was a mix-up due to cultural differences on timekeeping. As others have said, 4:00 in Swahili time is 10:00 using the time system used in most other places.

I think you have not travelled enough. There are scammers all over the world..that's why people pay tour guides and companies to help them navigate in a new soil. You need to understand the culture of where you are going before arriving. I disagree with you that Tanzania is one of the worst countries, I have been in Asia and most parts of Africa. I think Tanzania is my favorite. The title is exaggerated.

No, it is NOT a SCAM, but in this gentle woman's eyes, you are the scammer. , it is an honest mistake and you must have paid full price. Four o'clock means not in the afternoon. What is wrong with you? The sun rises one, the sun rises two..extra. As a tourist, you have to try at least to understand the basic thing. I hope you did not drive on your left since wherever you come from you have driven your car otherwise. The girl couldn't believe people dared to cheat and see how she demanded her money. She could have rented the room to the next person already.

Assiduously listening to your grevience and the hotel staff, it seems like a misunderstanding. I do think staff was not trying to scam you. Perhaps- you may need to hire a native tourist guide to assist you.

Not fair to spoil the status of whole country because of individual conflict.

Fascinating. I'm really enjoying these episodes, you're both making a really captivating travelogue. I look forward to the next episode. On a side note, my very good friend is off to Tanzania to live for a year whilst her husband teaches English there. I imagine, regarding scams and hustling, it might be different for someone living there rather than passing through. Wishing you both all the best for the next part of your journey.

spannende aflevering! Goed dat jullie zo positief blijven. Goede reis verder nog! 🙂👍

Tanzania is a beautiful and friendly country and as a many times visitor I advice You to obey by rules,and You be happy!

You must pay full board if you stay more than check-out time. Fact. That is the rule throughout the world.

First off I have stayed in several hotels in TZ and the check out time in every hotel was 10 am !! It breaks my heart that your on hear being so ignorant and saying they are scam artists...I am sure the check out times were written in the room . Tanzanian people have always been friendly and honest. My advice to you both is to learn sum of the language or take a interpreter with you !!... there you are squatting for the night on someone's land smshshshshs

Those that work in hotels usually speak English. Harbour sharks. Give money, give money.

No one likes being scammed, it doesn't matter who they are

Swahili time - 4 O'clock means 10 O'clock English/Universal. That's swahili time. Even in some coastal towns in Kenya they use swahili time, the clocks there tell swahili time.

Looking forward to this. Seems to be a consensus that Tanzania (along with Ethiopia) are people’s least favourites to cycle through on that side of Africa

“ give me money “ is almost everywhere in African countries

This sound like a miscommunication to me. Check-out worldwide is between 10am and 12 noon. 1pm is like a grace period. Do your research before you travel. And how do you get off calling the country horrible?

Wow that's a lot of climbing. You bike tourists are amazing. We did a week-long ride across South Dakota USA, highest altitude was 1935m and even that altitude made some of us sick, lethargic, and bad at climbing. I suppose all the drinking didn't help either.

Tbh, you wasn't mistreated, you miss understood the Swahili language. All is well, good luck.

How much was the room? I saw a comment somewhere that it was the equivalent of $12 USD. If that’s the case, why didn’t you just pay since it turns out you stayed past checkout time?

The lady she said u delay to check out u need to pay the money for the room u check out 13.00pm come on Tanzania is beautiful county I'm in dar es salaam is nearly fews years now

you seems you cheated her, why are you guys filming while you are still wrong ? nothing is free , we can see here generous people help you out , while you are out of money ....

Oh my, the video starts off with basic Swahili miscommunication. Time in swahili is actually inverted on the clockface. so the hotel was right on the checkout time 🤣🤣🤣

They were correct, because in Tanzania the check out for all hotel it is at 10.00 am to allow cleaning. I understand that, other country checking out is within 24 hours from the check in time.

Saa Moja ...7 o'clock Saa mbili...8 o'clock Saa tatu ...9 o'clock Saa nne... 10 o'clock... And it goes on and on So them saying saa nne they meant 10 o'clock not 4 o'clock. Saa kumi is 4 o'clock... It was just an issues of translation here.

YOU CALL MY COUNTRY HORRIBLE!? Man don't you ever repeat that word to my country!

Stop calling them scammers. Wanting to be paid for overstaying in your accommodation is not a scam it's common practice. They may well have turned other customers away because you were already occupying the room and they've lost out on the 30k. That poor girl may well have lost her job over the missing money.

The person you checked in with should have known you know nothing about Swahili time, but that is how lax the communication and service is often times. That is until its time to pay, LOL!

You guys are brave !!!

Thank you for the first point on explanations at the end of the video “Tanzania in general was a beautiful country” so it is better if you change your title instead of spoiling other people who are willing to visit Tanzania, “Comfortable while wild camping” in general this sounds selfish to me, life is not complete without people, and everywhere you go you’ll need people, and you will find good people and bad people. I think all the struggles you’ve got won’t be to this extent if would find someone to trust, who understand and speak both English and Swahili to help you on your journey, and at least teaching you some basic Swahili words to facilitate the good communication, not google, because google doesn’t know Swahili enough as people does. Tanzania is the big country with many tribe and different culture and life style, even for a Tanzanian to visit the different culture or tribe we must learn how to behave, how do they live , and learning basic words to help communicating with those who doesn’t speak Swahili. This is what you were supposed to do. Everywhere in this world there’re good people and bad people, but we escape from bad people by learning from good people. Camping in the wild was confy for you, which is way more dangerous since you are very far from people but you made it safely. Am very disappointed with the tittle of video which doesn’t help other people to understand your experience and instead you’ve got in to your own conclusion which it is not fair Tanzania is one of the best country and peacefull one but this doesn’t mean you won’t find the scammers but you can escape them easier by have good communication with good people. All the best to your journey

Interesting video about the element of time " Lost in translation " - English to Swahili and vice versa.

it's a misunderstanding .. In tanzania, when they say ( saa 4 Asubuhi ) that means at 10:00 A.M.. but you guys checked out saa 9 Jioni , That means 3:00 P.M But they is not hotel in the world that people can check out 3:A.P

I was searching if Tanzania is safe. Seems not good. Can you please tell wich country is the most safe in Africa

This sister is not wrong, in Tanzania if we say 4 that means 10am and not 4pm, now that you have increased the hours being late, her boss will surely charge her more money because you will be staying for two days and you were asked to check out at 10am in the morning

I don't get it, if you can check out at 4, when does the next guest check in because they need to clean the room and check in starts at 12. All over the world, check out is at 10

Ohh Pole Time here is read the opposite way to be precise: The day starts at 6AM (with sun rise) and ends at 6PM (with sunset). This means 12 is 6 and 3 is 9 and so on. Though directly accusing the whole country for a single experience isnt fair and you should have done your research. kindly change the Title, Tanzania is an amazing travel country especially by bike, Suggest get involved with local clubs and get the necessary info/Contacts needed for your travel, we have a network all over Tanzania precisely to help make Tanzania tourism experience better and the advice comes free of charge.

It is no horable country, then you were not suppose to be there.

Here we go westerners influencing people not to go to Tanzania 🇹🇿 because of one incident. How many times do we see bad things in the West - we do not then generalise whole of the west do we.

@oscarejdonovan - I have never encounter a hotel that can do check out later than 14:00 in this life, for free. Usually I have to ask at reception if they can allow for a late check out, and off course will be a fee.

The interesting part is the collision of the bikes!

Swahili time is different and if you directly translate to how time is said in English there will be confusion.

On a side note, Tanzania is a big destination for African Americans who want to "go home" to Africa. I subscribe to several RU-vid channels where they talk about their experiences. Many tell similar stories of scamming and official corruption. They say that some Tanzanians don't care whether the foreigner is white or Black, they are viewed as walking ATM machines. The phrase you will here over and over is "give me money!"

you check out at 11 EVERYWHERE never 4....you are wrong... 1:30 pm is curtoucy

This is embarrassing Tanzanians we gotta do better

As a black American this so beautiful to see them get what they put down you go South Africa

If you visit another country it's your responsibility to learn the proper way of communicating. It sound to me like you took advantage of them. I've always had to go or call where I was checked in at to request extra time. It is your problem! You guys took advantage of them!

Tanzania and Ethiopia could be different to other African countries in terms of language, culture etc. What I see there is language barrier between you and the lodge attendant no scamming at all and you should have understood that.

Tanzania is the best country, it's just time in Swahili is different from English,

Plus please report this video on youtube as bullying and abuse

Wow! Will visit these countries via youtube!

Saa nne is NOT 4PM World clock - it’s 4pm KiSwahili time which is 6 hours in front of world clock, meaning check out was 10AM 🤷🏽‍♂️ They were NOT extorting you and this issue happens a lot in Tanzania IT IS NOT A SCAM but a cultural difference that most travellers do not respect. It’s certainly not a “horrible” country as I’ve lived in UK for 40 years and I’ve known far worse Racist Opportunism and violence from locals for simply being different from them. Whilst living in UK I’ve had many positive experiences but on the flip side had also been told that most Europeans /Caucasians think Afrikans are stuck in the Stone Age, are Primative or generally stupid… the media fuelled insidious racism is perhaps most shocking when found in government policies targeting Afrikans by race ie The Windrush Scandal insisting that Afrikans must be deported for literally no reason!

Before you go to any country for tourist save a lot it seems your not even in 3 star hotel thats why you get all this

They are very negative tourists.

Always the poor created a situation, check out is 10am you are checking out at 3pm What she is telling you by you checking out late they miss the cleaning Wageni matapeli nyie, you know she is working and if you don't pay the late fees is going to cost her job, pay the late fees the cleaning money I can even here the people around they said they even knock the door for you to leave the room, wageni wahuni

There's no hotel in the world were check out is at late afternoon, how will they get the room ready for the next customer...any way parking scam in Gatwick drop-zone beats all scams hands down ..

i really recomend Tanzanians to come for english lessons from kenya

6:17 explains everything

This was purely misunderstanding no scamming happened next time learn how systems work in different countries

The guy in white shirt is nice person

They slept there and they wanted to leave without paying money that is why that lady was asking for the money

The hotel situation was your fault, you where not educate yourself about time, so don't blame the hotel staff for your ignorance

Hi people

In Swahili you say 4AM to mean 10AM

Thanks for that i won't be going there

ha ha ha ha! It seems like mix up of time! matter of swahili time and English time!!

Mpumbavu sana wewe how can you dare to call our country wrost county only for the few people you meet

Watanzania wamechoma!!!!this is one county I will never set foot in

I don’t suppose you even considered you might have misunderstood before you slandered that poor woman. Swahili time starts at sunup, i.e 6am, so 4:00 is 10am english time. This video title and your attitude comes across as ignorant, disrespectful and entitled. Do yourself a favour and re-edit and change the title.

Almost hotel s check out is 10 am. And in 12 am in daresalam !

Tanzania use the japan time,once they said the time, double check morning or afternoon, tanzania time or international time

Change the name " before we die " Its not appealing

🙄🙄🙄

Mlikuwa msiwaache wamefanya makusudi hao hakuna nchi mtu mweusi usipolipa bill yako wakuacha huko kwao ulaya. Check-out ikipita ulipie siku nzima. Huyo kaka aliyekua akitafsiri amekosea sana.

i think you what you are doin in not right to despise and say bad things about Tanzania is not worth at all. the way we live in Tanzania is quite different from where u came from. pls do nor put negative things about Tanzania, you have bad intentions to our country . pls stop doing that . pls stop lying to the world about our country.

That's for you,that's your opinion,

Why you don’t fly home instead of traveling that “horrible country “. Money extortion in the West is the worst with your small print in the papers to sign. You Muzungu always you are negative about people of other countries. I wonder why people they don’t treat you like the way you treat foreigners in your countries.

A swahili saa nne (04:00) in English is 10:00 am! Plse acquiant urself of simple things liker time in swahili! So u were basically told 10:00 am was a checkout AND NOT 04:00 pm!

Muzungu una tabia mbaya

Report her to the police 🚓 conmanship. This is why some tourist never come back.