Planning to travel to Zanzibar and in search of a few Zanzibar travel tips? Whether you are on an African honeymoon, finishing up your Kilimanjaro Trek, or exploring the plains of the Serengeti when ending it all with a long beach holiday one thing is for certain – Zanzibar Island is beautiful.
We spent three weeks traveling Zanzibar island, taking a beach break from our long overland trip that started in Cape Town. Here are a few Zanzibar travel tips that are good to know before you visit the island.
Zanzibar Travel – Top Tours and Excursions
Our Top Zanzibar Travel Tips
Where is Zanzibar?
Wondering where exactly Zanzibar is? You’re not alone! Zanzibar is an island in the Indian Ocean, a two-hour (15-mile) ferry ride from Dar Es Salaam, a major city in Tanzania.
How to Get to Zanzibar
You won’t find any US air carriers that fly directly to Zanzibar. However, there are flight connections from major hubs in the Middle East, such as Muscat, Doha, Dubai, and Qatar.
You’ll also be able to find flight connections through Amsterdam and London as the main European hubs, as well as Johannesburg and, of course, Dar Es Salaam.
Is Zanzibar a country?
Zanzibar is not a country but is considered a semi-autonomous region of Tanzania. Politically, it is part of Tanzania. Zanzibar is also not just one island but is the largest of the Zanzibar Archipelago. We’ll get into that below.
Zanzibar is Not Exactly Zanzibar
Before traveling to Zanzibar, you should know that “Zanzibar” is not the island’s official name. When people refer to Zanzibar, it is technically all of the Zanzibar Archipelago. Zanzibar Island’s real name is “Unguja.”
Many other tiny islands surround Unguja. Still, the only ones that most people have likely heard of are Zanzibar, Pemba, and Mafia Island – the only islands inhabited by people.
Not All Zanzibar Beaches Are Created Equal
All the different beaches on Zanzibar offer something unique and special. We spent three weeks on the island hopping around the island in search of the most beautiful beaches on Zanzibar. Yes, some are more beautiful than others, but every single one is wonderful.
After all, white sand beaches, turquoise water, and friendly locals almost guarantee all visitors will have a great time. For us, the most beautiful beaches in Zanzibar are Pongwe and Nungwi, while Paje is great for kite surfing, and Kizimkaze is perfect for seclusion.
Don’t Skip Stone Town
Another Zanzibar travel tip to make sure of before your trip to Zanzibar is that you shouldn’t miss Stone Town. Zanzibar City is the capital of Zanzibar, and Stone Town is the beating heart of it. Whether flying in or taking the ferry, almost all visitors will pass through Stone Town while visiting Zanzibar, Africa.
Your first reaction may be to high tail it out of the city and to the nearest beach resort, but I encourage you to explore for at least a couple days. We entered the Kasbah expecting Stone Town to remind us of the medinas in Marrakech, but thankfully this was not the case. Instead, we were immersed in East African history with touches of European, Arabic, Persian, and Indian cultures.
One of our favorite days in Stone Town would have to be the day we people watched in a Zanzibar Cafe.
Don’t Forget Your Passport
When traveling to Zanzibar, even from Dar Es Salaam, you can expect to go through immigration again. Even if you have come from mainland Tanzania, and even though Zanzibar is now part of Tanzania, it is still a requirement to get your passport checked before entering and leaving the island.
So don’t forget that important little book on your trip to Zanzibar! We were also told to bring our Yellow Fever cards with us, but we never were asked for them.
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Book Your Ferry Tickets in Advance
So how do you get to Zanzibar from Tanzania? The main ferry company to take from Dar Es Salaam to Zanzibar is Azam Marine. When purchasing your tickets, there will be 300 men outside the terminal offering to sell you tickets – do not trust them – their tickets are fake or overpriced.
Only purchase your ferry ticket from the indoor booth. There are no credit card machines so be prepared to pay in Tanzanian Shilling or USD.
We didn’t purchase ferry tickets before our journey and tried to buy them one hour before the ferry departed. No dice. Every seat was sold out, and we had to wait until the morning. On our return ferry, we purchased tickets online, but only upon departure did we realize you still had to pay for them in person (cardless system).
I would recommend buying your ferry tickets in advance when traveling to Zanzibar, especially in high season. Economy tickets cost $35, one way, a person.
Prepare Your Tastebuds
Zanzibar is called “The Spice Island” for its abundance of cinnamon, black pepper, nutmeg, and cloves. The East African island was used as a spice plantation in the 18th century, and those roots still live. To see this in action, tourists can visit local spice farms and get a feel for the different flavors of the island.
Don’t worry if you can’t get yourself on one of the spice farms. You’ll be able to really taste Zanzibar in many of the dishes served around the island. We may or may not have gained a little weight from some delicious prawn curry dishes.
I would also highly recommend making reservations at The Tea House in Stone Town for a spectacular night and delicious food.
Show Respect for the Culture
Before you visit Zanzibar, make sure to keep your travels respectful. Zanzibar is a semi-autonomous part of Tanzania that is predominately Muslim, so it’s important to show your respect for the culture when traveling Zanzibar.
Try not to wear short shorts or bikinis outside of resorts and beaches and don’t plan on eating much bacon. We could only hear the daily call to prayers from Stone Town (which I find soothing), but some people may want to bring earplugs for early wake-up calls.
Watch Out for the Dhows
A dhow is a sailboat used in the Indian Ocean. We saw them all the time on the Mozambican coast and could spend hours watching them bring in goods and fish to shore.
With their thin hulls and large sails, they are quite a sight to see. Luckily, if you’re near the beach on Zanzibar, you are almost guaranteed to see a dhow.
Or you can take a trip out with the locals and sail the warm Indian Ocean firsthand. Make sure they have flippers and eye masks so that you can snorkel!
A Night at the Opera
Did you know that the lead singer of Queen was born in Zanzibar? That’s right – Freddy Mercury himself was born right in Stone Town in the 1940s. Back then, Zanzibar was a British Protectorate, and Mercury’s family had moved to Zanzibar for his father’s job.
Yes, you can even see right where Freddy Mercury lived in the center of Stone Town. Check Out Queen’s Live Aid Performance!
Zanzibar Has a Dark Past
Zanzibar was critical to the Indian Ocean slave trade. It served as the gateway for slaves entering and exiting East Africa and was one of the largest slave ports in the region.
Many groups had a hand in the terrible trade, too. Arabs were the main slave traders, while African kings and families would sometimes sell prisoners, and Europeans used the slaves in their plantations. You can witness the horrific conditions slaves were subjected to at the old slave market in Stone Town or take a tour out to Prison Island.
When is the Best Time to Visit Zanzibar?
The best time to visit Zanzibar is between June and October, which is their cool and dry season. Zanzibar has two rainy seasons, from mid-March to late May and again in November.
We personally visited in February and had nothing but sunny days, although it was hot and humid.
Get Around Zanzibar
Zanzibar is a big island, and you’ll likely want to get out of Stone Town and explore! The cheapest way to get around Zanzibar is with a Dala Dala. A dala dala is an old minibus or converted truck with an open back.
You face other passengers while riding, and in case you are wondering, there are no seatbelts. It’s a confusing, uncomfortable, and stressful ride, but for less than $1, what can you expect?
You can also get around Zanzibar with a shared taxi from the Zanzibus, shared with others you can get across the island for under $10.
A private taxi from Nungwi to Stone Town will at least run you $50, if you book it through your hotel or resort you can expect them to add an additional $10-$20.
Lastly, you can always rent a car in Zanzibar to get around, however I don’t think you will need your own car unless you really plan on exploring every day without much downtime. You can find cheap rates at Discover Car Hire. Keep in mind that driving in Africa is no joke. The roads are never ideal, and police checkpoints are common.
Is Zanzibar Safe?
So, is Zanzibar safe? In general, yes, Zanzibar is very safe. We traveled there for three weeks and never once felt out of our comfort zone. Even Stone Town is safe, and we enjoyed walking around even in the evening.
As always, common sense is important, like anywhere in the world. It’s important to keep your wits about you, don’t get drunk and act sloppy, and don’t flash valuables.
Hakuna Matata
This is my last Zanzibar travel tip! I know you’ve seen Lion King, so I don’t have to explain what Hakuna Matata means. However, once you get to Tanzania, “No worries” becomes the way of life on the island, and the Zanzibaris will definitely let you know.
where to stay in Zanzibar
Seeking the best hotels in Zanzibar? The gorgeous island has a long, colorful past and has been drawing in tourists for decades now. They come to soak up the beautiful white beaches, warm weather, and the perfect stop while on safari in Tanzania.
When we arrived on the island of Zanzibar after driving across Africa for four months we set out to find the best hotels in Zanzibar. After all, the hotels and resorts of Zanzibar are designed for decompression after a long safari in Tanzania. It’s the perfect place to trade in your safari attire and binoculars for a bathing suit and coconut water.
Kilindi Zanzibar
The most exclusive of all the resorts on Zanzibar is without a doubt Kilindi Zanzibar. The resort is near Kendwa on the Northwestern part of the island and is one of the top Zanzibar hotels on the beach. Its large grounds give plenty of privacy to its 15 villas that pop up from a lush hillside.
The white-washed domed villas feel like a sultan’s palace that should only be fit for a king or a pop celebrity. In fact, the resort was formerly the private residence of ABBA band member, Benny Andersson. It’s definitely the best hotel in Zanzibar for honeymoon vacations.
Park Hyatt Zanzibar
The Park Hyatt Zanzibar is an exquisite hotel delivered in a way only capable of a Park Hyatt and is easily one of the top 10 hotels in Zanzibar. The hotel finds a perfect balance between the brands signature look and the former palace that the main building now occupies.
Essque Zalu Zanzibar
Essque Zalu is one of the best beach resorts in Zanzibar. This Zanzibar hotel is not for the faint of heart, at Essque Zalu bigger is better. It is one of the largest resorts on Zanzibar, but the intimacy of Zanzibar has not been lost. Essque Zalu Zanzibar sits at the Northern end of Zanzibar, close by to Nungwi Beach.
Book A Safari in Tanzania
Traditionally if you wanted to book a safari, you’d have to go to a travel agent and have them book your safari for you. They suggest camps and lodges then present you with a large bill. Most of the industry still operates in this fashion.
Timbuktu is a new platform that allows you to select the lodges you’d like and see the pricing per day so you can select the best itinerary for yourself. They will then contact the lodges and help you through booking your safari. Experts on staff can also provide suggestions and arrange the little details like a travel agent.
Another great option is Safari Bookings. Safari Bookings offers safaris all around Africa in every price range!
Zanzibar Travel Resources
- Travel Insurance: We don’t travel without travel insurance, and neither should you. You never know what can happen while traveling, so it’s best to be prepared. HeyMondo provides excellent short-term and long-term travel insurance plans.
- Travel Waterbottle: When uncertain about the water supply, we use our Grayl Purifier. It’s come in exceptionally handy around Africa.
- Bathing Suit: You’ll need a bathing suit for all these beaches. Andies Swim makes my favorite suits.
- Sandals: Rainbow Sandals last forever and are great for the beach.
- Camera Gear: Chances are you’ll want a camera for your trip to Africa. We love the Sony RX100V, a pocket-size camera, and the Fujifilm X-T4, a professional camera. Check out our favorite cameras for Africa.
- Travel Adapter: You’ll need a special travel adapter for traveling to Africa. Get one before you get there so you don’t pay a premium on the ground.
Travel Zanzibar
Great summary!!! Making this trip later this year after years of wishing… I’m deciding whether it’s better to travel directly to DAR or ZNZ. Any thoughts? It will be a 9 day trip where I want to spend most of time in ZNZ. Thanks again for posting!
Thank you for this very informative list Cameron and Natasha. Definitely, useful for me to go over when I pack for my Zanzi bar holiday! Really really excited.
Jambo!;) Very informative article, thanks a lot! I’m arriving in Zanzibar next month, my first time in Tanzania. I will be staying in Makunduchi (Clove Island – cloveisland.com) and although the place itself is really awesome, I’m hungry for seeing new spots and doing a lot of different things. Your article inspires me!:) Thanks once again! Can’t wait 🙂
I plan to go to Zanzibar post trip to see Big 5, concerned that I am going to enjoy beach but do not want to be surrounded by honeymooners. Ideas?
Paje Beach is more of a locals beach – less romance and honeymooners
I fell in love with Zanzibar! I have visited Clove Island. Before my trip I have read this post and it helped a lot! This is really a place to die for!