Are you considering going on a Zanzibar holiday, but have questions such as – Where to stay, whether it is safe, and when is the best time to visit Zanzibar?
We’ve got all the answers and will provide you with all the essential information you need before your trip to Africa’s tropical paradise!
1 – A Zanzibar Introduction
Located off the east coast of Africa in the Indian Ocean, Zanzibar is a group of islands that forms a semi-autonomous region within Tanzania.
However, Zanzibar is a very different place when compared to the mainland. Once you set foot on this tropical paradise the laid-back feeling is immediately noticeable. The island’s relaxed atmosphere is infused with a laid-back vibe, and you can almost feel the authentic essence of Bob Marley’s ‘Mellow Mood’ – a song that perfectly captures the chilled ambiance of the island.
The main island is Unguja, often called Zanzibar Island, and is the largest and most populated island. This is also the most visited and best known for its paradise beaches found all around the island – picture the clearest of blue waters with endless stretches of white sand!
The second largest island is Pemba Island and it is known for its beautiful and relatively unspoiled beaches.
While Pemba Island is less developed for tourism compared to its larger neighbor – Zanzibar Island (Unguja), it offers a more secluded and tranquil atmosphere, making it an attractive destination for those seeking paradise-like beaches away from the crowds. For this article, we will be concentrating on the most visited island which is Zanzibar island.
Alongside the natural beauty, the region has a very captivating history. Zanzibar’s trading hub dates back to ancient times, with records of maritime trade routes between the island and various countries such as Oman, India, and even as far as China. Sadly, this also includes the slave trade.
You will discover that there are many different cultures on the island such as Muslims, Rastas, Maasai, Arabs, and beach boys! The one thing they all have in common though is that everything is Hakuna Matata.
Another interesting fact is that the shortest war ever was fought here. This was an encounter between the British Navy and the Zanzibar sultanate and lasted only 38 minutes!
2 – How To Get To Zanzibar
Now you know a bit about Zanzibar, let’s find out how to get there! Zanzibar has two main transportation hubs: the Zanzibar International Airport and the Stone Town Ferry Terminal.
Zanzibar International Airport Zanzibar’s main port is situated just 10 kilometers from the historic city of Stone Town, making it a convenient and easily accessible arrival point for travelers.
Following a family safari adventure in Tanzania’s renowned national parks and wildlife reserves, many travelers opt to relax and unwind on the stunning beaches of Zanzibar. They can then immerse themselves in the island’s vibrant culture, admire the breathtaking architecture of Stone Town, and enjoy a well-deserved break after their exciting safari experience.
Stone Town Ferry Terminal – The other option is to take a ferry from the Tanzanian capital, Dar Es Salaam. These ferries can be booked out, so make sure to book your ticket in advance!
A valid passport is needed to book and secure your seat on the ferry. Upon your arrival, you’ll be required to have your passport stamped with a Zanzibar seal, even if you’ve already had your passport stamped in Dar Es Salaam!
If you’re not a fan of taking a ferry, don’t worry – you can take a very short flight from Dar Es Salaam to Zanzibar.
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3 – Do I Need a Visa for my Zanzibar Holiday?
The Zanzibar archipelago is part of Tanzania and for most countries, you can apply for an E-visa before departure.
We found the official website to be very difficult, slow, and often not working. When we entered Tanzania from Kenya, we just showed up at the border and got a visa on arrival, absolutely hassle-free!
The cost for a single entry is 50 USD per person.
Some important reminders
- If you are planning to enter Tanzania multiple times, it’s important to note that getting a multiple-entry visa upon arrival won’t be possible.
- Proof of yellow fever vaccination is only required upon arrival if you are traveling from a country with a risk of the virus.
- Finally, DO NOT use any other website bar the official government websites. They will charge you a lot of extra money for doing the work you can do yourself.
Are you looking for a budget-friendly vacation anywhere in the world? If you’re interested in a vacation that’s affordable, fun, and unforgettable without breaking the bank, if you want some FREE ADVICE from people with real experiences, we’re here to help! Just leave us a comment or send an email and we’ll help you with our top recommendations. It’s free and it’s easy!
4 – When is the Best Time to Visit Zanzibar?
Like most countries situated around the equator, Zanzibar experiences warm and tropical weather throughout the entire year.
The best time to visit Zanzibar is during its dry season, which typically spans from June to October. This period offers pleasant temperatures, with low humidity and hardly any rainfall.
The least favorable time to visit Zanzibar is during its rainy season, which occurs from March to late May.
During this period there will be heavy rainfall combined with high humidity. Not ideal for discovering some of the world’s greatest paradise beaches is it?!
Be aware, that there is a second and shorter rain season which lasts from November to December.
Click here for a detailed guide to Tanzania Weather and the best time to visit Tanzania.
5 – Are There ATMs in Zanzibar?
Before we tell you which parts of Zanzibar are the best to stay, there’s an essential piece of advice we’d like to share first regarding cash and ATMs in Zanzibar.
In most places, Cash is king and the only accepted form of payment. Furthermore, depending on where you are staying ATMs may not always be feasible. We will tell you below which places do NOT have an ATM.
Keep this in mind if you are planning long stays in certain areas and ensure to have an adequate supply of cash on hand. The most you can take out in one transaction is 400,000 Tanzanian Shillings. However, if your bank allows, you can take out multiple transactions on the same day.
This brings us to another crucial tip we’d like to share: Be aware that certain ATMs impose fees that are as high as 8 USD per transaction!
Fortunately, several banks offer free withdrawal services, they are ECO Bank, KCB Bank, and DTB Bank, which means you don’t have to worry about additional fees, especially 8 dollars per transaction fees!! Use Google Maps to find the locations.
At the time of writing – 2,500 Tanzanian Shillings is around 1 USD
6 – Which Parts of Zanzibar Are The Best to Stay?
Your main reason for visiting Zanzibar is because of the paradise beaches right? But when the whole island is a paradise beach, where do you stay?
All corners of Zanzibar have something different and unique on offer and it comes down to personal preferences and interests. Here are the main options, all of these places in Zanzibar were visited by us.
6.1 – Zanzibar Best Places to Stay: Stone Town
When arriving by ferry from Dar Es Salaam you will be arriving at the UNESCO site and the island’s historic center of Stone Town.
Allow yourself 2 days to explore and get lost on purpose in a maze of many narrow streets, ancient buildings, and lots of bustling markets.
You’ll be close to cultural attractions like The House of Wonders, The slave trade market site, The Old Fort, and the house where a certain Farrokh Bulsara grew up, more commonly known as Freddy Mercury!
6.2 – Zanzibar Best Places to Stay: Nungwi
Located at the very north of the island, Nungwi has the unofficial title of the nicest beach in Zanzibar. Nungwi is known for its relaxed vibe with many stunning white sandy beaches, clear turquoise waters, and some outstanding sunsets.
Activities include day trips to nearby islands such as Prison Island and Mnemba Island for snorkeling and diving.
In Nungwi town, a unique opportunity awaits – the chance to swim alongside sea turtles.
We were a bit apprehensive about this at first. Fortunately, we crossed paths with a helpful English woman volunteering there who assured us that the well-being of the animals is the main priority and they are not subjected to exploitation.
We went to Nungwi Marine Turtles and had the entire place to ourselves, the entree was 10 USD per person.
If you are going to visit one, this is the one we would recommend. As we walked past the “Swim with Turtles Sanctuary Zanzibar” and it seemed quite crowded in comparison.
Only a few kilometers away from Nungwi is the village of Kendwa.
If sharing a beach with hundreds of other tourists is your thing and not experiencing any local life, then this is your place….Or maybe save yourself a fortune on flights and just go to Spain!
6.3 – Zanzibar Best Places to Stay: Paje
Situated on the eastern side of the island, Paje is counted as one of the top tourist destinations for a Zanzibar holiday.
In Paje, there’s something to suit everyone, families going on exotic holidays, couples desiring luxury accommodations, and backpackers in search of a vibrant nightlife that lasts till the early hours of the morning.
Renowned as a kite surfer’s paradise due to its consistent winds and shallow waters. Paje is the place for water sports enthusiasts and travelers who want to try something new, kite surfing lessons and rentals are readily available everywhere you go.
We heard people giving out because the tide goes out for quite a distance, but use those opportunities to walk out and discover a free aquarium of fish, eel, octopus, and much more!
6.4 – Zanzibar Best Places to Stay: Jambiani
A town that is only a few kilometers down the road from Paje, yet it has a very different feel to it.
The stretched coastline of Jambiani is dotted with many beach resorts. If you intend to unwind and enjoy beachfront relaxation, including resort dining and drinking, then Jambiani will be the ideal destination for you.
There are no ATMs available in Jambiani, the nearest is in Paje.
It is possible to use local buses known as Dala Dalas to travel to Paje. This should only cost you 1000 Shillings for two people. These buses operate throughout the day, just simply wait by the roadside, and flag one down when it comes your way.
6.5 – Zanzibar Best Places to Stay: Pingwe
Found on the East Coast of Zanzibar, Pingwe is the closest town to the famous “The Rock” restaurant. During our stay, we chose the nearby village of Michaemvi Kae, which is situated within Chwaka Bay.
The great thing about the bay is that waves are pretty much non-existent, and it looks more like a still lake.
Beyond the tranquil surroundings, the bay also provides an opportunity to witness stunning sunsets, over the water which is nearly impossible when you are on the eastern side.
There are not many restaurants to choose from, and we would recommend this place to come to hang out in a resort for a few days.
Again, stock up on cash, because there are no ATMs in this area of Zanzibar!
6.6 – Zanzibar Best Places to Stay: Kizamkazi
Lastly, on the southern side of the island, you will find the small town of Kizamkazi.
Just like Pingwe, this is an ideal place to do nothing and just embrace the paradise surroundings. Well-known for dolphin tours, there are many boat trips to spot dolphins in their natural habitat and even swim alongside them.
Because Kizamkazi is off the beaten track, there are again no ATMs available in the area.
If time is not a factor then you should try and experience all of the above places.
Unfortunately, time is an important factor for many, in that case, we would recommend a visit to Stone Town, Nungwi, and Paje as the 3 main destinations to visit.
7 – What is the Best Way to Get Around During Your Zanzibar Holiday?
The easiest way of getting around is by taxi. A trip from Stone Town to Nungwi or Paje takes roughly one hour and will cost you around 25 USD. Don’t accept the first price offered by the driver. Use your haggling skills to get that price down.
However, the cheapest way is by using local transportation, called dala dala’s. Throughout our stay, we always relied on dala dalas, and the fares for these local buses are incredibly cheap. Almost free, it is that cheap!
A trip from Stone Town to Nungwi or Paje costs us 2000 Shillings per person, that’s roughly 60 cents.
The downside of using dala dalas is that at times, they can become quite crowded. Just when it seems like the bus can’t accommodate any more passengers, a few more manage to squeeze in.
Just picture a train in India! This never bothered us, but what did prove bothersome though was the need to backtrack to Stone Town every time to catch another dala dala whenever we wanted to go somewhere new on the island. If you are backpacking this will save you a lot of money.
8 – Zanzibar Culture
The main religion in Zanzibar is Islam. Therefore you should respect the local culture and don’t walk around half naked, that’s for men and women!
However, on the beaches and resorts, this is not a problem. In case you didn’t know, Muslims do not drink alcohol. So again be respectful and don’t be falling around the place drunk out of your mind.
Power outages are a regular occurrence in Zanzibar. These interruptions can be brief, lasting a few minutes, or in some cases, they might extend for as long as 8 hours. While numerous hotels have backup generators, it’s important to note that not every hotel does.
One thing that did surprise us was that not everyone speaks English. Given that we had arrived from Kenya where nearly everybody spoke English, it did catch us off guard. Luckily they speak Swahili in both Kenya and Tanzania and we picked up many basic words and phrases to help us along.
Some simple words you should know are:
- Jambo – Hello (Respond with “Mambo”)
- Asante – Thank you
- Hapana asante – No thank you
- No Worries/All good – Hakuna matata
- Poa Poa – Cool Cool
- Magi – Water
9 – Is a Zanzibar Holiday Cheap or Expensive?
Whether you’re a backpacker on a tight budget or newlyweds on a honeymoon, there are all sorts of budgets on the island, it is entirely up to you how much you will spend.
For budget-conscious travelers, with a bit of research, you will find some excellent beach resorts with rates starting at around 25 to 30 USD per night.
If you opt to go to local eateries, you can enjoy meals for as low as 3,000 shillings to 10,000 shillings. Restaurants that cater to tourists generally feature prices starting at 20,000 Shillings. (Remember, at the time of writing 2500 Shillings is around one US dollar)
When it comes to grabbing a drink, you’ll find that local beer prices vary. A fresh local will set you back around 5,000 Shillings, although we’ve noticed some places charging upwards of 10,000 to 15,000 Shillings for the same beverage.
10 – Is Zanzibar Safe?
When asked – Is Zanzibar safe? Our answer is a big yes. The people of Zanzibar are truly special, and we found the locals to be some of the friendliest and most laid-back individuals we’ve ever met. We never felt a moment’s worry or concern for our safety, even when we found ourselves exploring unlit neighborhoods or venturing off the beaten path.
The only thing you need to worry about is being overcharged. This happened to us a few times initially as we were still learning the prices of everything.
If you realize you’re being asked to pay too much, don’t hesitate to address it, we even experienced this in resorts a few times.
Also, don’t be afraid to ask for your change back that was “accidentally forgotten” about. People will have different opinions about this. Personally, we don’t like getting scammed, even if it is a small amount.
Our Top Zanzibar Day Trip recommendations are:
- Mnemba boat trip and dolphin snorkel adventure
- Nungwi Turtle Aquarium + A Guided Half-Day Tour
- Stone Town 3-Hour Walking Tour
- Prison Island Private Half-Day Guided Tour
- Selous Day Safari with flights
Enjoy Your Zanzibar Holiday!
We are certain, like us, you will have the time of your life on your Zanzibar Holiday.
Have you ever been to Zanzibar and know about any must-do activities that we did not mention? If so, please let us know in the comments below or message us on our socials.
Slán go fóil
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