The allure of Zanzibar is timeless and magical. That’s quite a bold statement, but once you’ve been, you’ll wish you never had to leave. Whether as post-safari relaxation or as a stand-alone destination, the beaches on Zanzibar offer a quintessential tropical island paradise. It is the perfect place to give rein to your wanderlust. The island has a vibrant energy about it with bright, colorful communities, picturesque architecture, and aged buildings. From snorkeling to scuba diving, kite-surfing to sailing, or simply swimming in the crystal clear warm water, Zanzibar has it all! With such amazing beaches, loads of sunshine, and ideal water temperatures, it’s all about getting in the water in Zanzibar!
Zanzibar is an island steeped in culture and history – a destination which brought adventurers, vacationers, seafarers and traders from far and wide. The Zanzibar archipelago is set in the Indian Ocean and made up of the larger islands of Pemba and Unguja (also called Zanzibar Island). Zanzibar is also known as the ‘Spice Island’ due to the delicious variety of spices grown on the island’s many plantations. Stone Town, a World Heritage Site, boasts a labyrinth of winding alleys, bustling marketplaces, beautifully carved wooden doors, breathtaking mosques and grand Arab residences.
Here are a few Zanzibar travel tips that are good to know before you visit the island. Whether you have just finish 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.
The semi-autonomous archipelago is a 23 mile hop from mainland Tanzania, and although it is part of the mainland Tanzania, in almost all aspects—politics, religion, culture, food—life there is different. Zanzibar is rich in history, with numerous archaeological sites dotting the island, most notably at Unguja Ukuu, just to the north of the causeway which links Unguja and Uzi Islands. The island has been deeply influenced by Arab culture for many centuries, and was part of the Sultanate of Oman starting in 1698. Unlike mainland Tanzania which has a mix of Christian, Muslim, and indigenous groups; Zanzibar, which the Sultanate of Oman ruled for centuries, is almost entirely Muslim. (The Sultanate had in turn wrestled the islands from the Portuguese – and much later they became a British protectorate, until Zanzibar’s independence in 1963.)
As a base for traders from the African Lakes region, India, and the Arabian Peninsula, Zanzibar became a hub for the region’s slave and spice trades. 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 at 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 plantation. 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.
Zanzibarians speak Swahili (Kiswahili), a bantu language that is extensively spoken in the African Great Lakes region. Swahili is the official language of Tanzania. Many local residents also speak English and Arabic. There are local guides who can speak one of the occidental languages like French, Italian, Spanish, German and Portuguese.
Stop and say Hi! Swahili is an easy language to pick up, and the initial learning curve is quick. Learning just the basics will take you pretty far. Don’t assume the constant street side attention from people is an attempt to sell you something, or trap you into taking some sort of tour—that does happen, but saying hello is also an important part of the local culture. The “Mambos” and “Jambos” are often just that, so it’s a good idea to say hello back. It might be initially overwhelming, but it’s nice to realize that so many strangers will take the time to acknowledge your presence and ask you about your day. (A “Shikamoo”, usually reserved for those you don’t know, your elders or superiors, is a respectful greeting that locals will appreciate.)
Another thing, time-keeping is initially confusing, but actually makes a lot of sense. In Swahili culture, people start counting time at sunrise rather than at midnight, which means that 7 a.m. Western time is one o’clock in the morning Swahili time, and 7 p.m. is one o’clock at night. (This works because sunset and sunrise times are relatively constant year-round, since Zanzibar is so close to the equator.) A trick to decipher this code is to imagine drawing a line directly across a clock face: three becomes nine, four becomes ten. When arranging meeting times, it’s best to specify the time of day you’d like to meet—morning, afternoon, evening, night—that way, even if your numbers are off, chances are you’ll still be connect.
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.
As the world’s most romantic honeymoon destination, Zanzibar has accommodation that ranges from luxury beachfront cottages to exclusive boutique hotels and elegant spa resorts; parents on the other hand will be delighted by Zanzibar’s family-friendly hotels and safe-swimming beaches.
If you are looking for the more budget-friendly accommodation, you’ll find the most choice in Stone Town, Nungwi and Paje/Jambiani. All three areas have a good selection of mid-range options, from larger resort-style hotels to laid-back, beach-chic bungalows.
One new area also deserves a mention and that’s the quiet stretch of beach between Bewjuu and Dongwe. Here you’ll find a handful of small resorts and bungalows offering excellent service at an affordable price. Kiwengwa, Matemwe and Kendwa also have a few noteworthy mid-range lodges as does the otherwise more luxury-focused Michamvi Peninsula.
Zanzibar is a big island, and you’re likely going to want to get out of Stone Town and explore! You will probably want to walk through Stone Town. After all, most of the alleys are barely wide enough for a bike to pass. 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 a $1 what can you expect?
Journeying outside Stone Town is most comfortably done with a shared taxi or a private taxi. The latter are essentially also taxis with drivers although they don’t have the official taxi designation. 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 we don’t think you will need your own car unless you really plan on exploring every day without much downtime. Keep in mind that driving in Africa is no joke. The roads are never ideal, and police checkpoints are common.
Zanzibar currency is the Tanzanian shilling (Tsh/=). On the beaches, US dollars and shillings are accepted, but US dollars receive much less rate than the official bank exchange rate. Best would be to trade some of your dollars or euros for shillings, and use that to buy food and some local stuffs. If you buy curios with dollars and euros you will get a better deal, since the hawkers are more prone to bargaining when buying with foreign currency. You get a better exchange rate on US$50 and $100 notes, than on $20 and $10 notes. Please note that the US dollars’ banknotes have to be issued after 2006. Stone Town is a one-stop-souvenir-shopping for many travelers. You can find beautiful textiles, handmade jewelry, intricate wood or stone carvings, spices, knick-knacks, etc.
You don’t find many ATM machines around the island and not every place accepts card payments, always carry a few cash with you. To exchange money, you will need to go to the bank and you will have to show your passport. Banks have fair exchange rates.
Zanzibar is blessed with ornate Omani imperial architecture, a vibrant Islam-informed culture and beaches of the purest sand. To ensure you’re seeing the best of what this Tanzanian island has to offer, check out this list of the top things to see and do in this gem off the East African coast.
ENJOY THE MANY BEACHES: Make sure to get out of the city and explore as many Zanzibar beaches as you can. There’s a beautiful one around every corner. The most popular are Nungwi Beach, Jambiani Beach and Pongwe Beach, but so many others exist to explore. Of course, if you are staying at an oceanside Zanzibar resort or hotel, you’ll likely want to chill at their beach for at least one of your days too! So choose a great hotel with the ideal location!
Zanzibar will always remain to be a semi-autonomous with its own unique history, culture, customs, and norms. This remarkable island has been overwhelmed with people from all over the world, but a strict Muslim heritage has remained the most perceptible impact. Zanzibar attracts a steady number of tourists on holiday, but unfortunately, not everyone takes the time to understand or appreciate the Islamic culture or, most obvious, research what is appropriate to wear. Since Zanzibar is a Muslim country, here are suggestions and guidelines you might want to follow when visiting local villages and Stone Town.
Dress tips for Zanzibar
There are plenty of great places to eat on the island whether you’re looking for authentic Zanzibar food or international dishes. Here are some of our favorites:
Zanzibar is an island that is part of Tanzania of which it is a region. It is therefore necessary, just like travelling to Tanzania, to have an e-visa or e-travel authorization to go there. The online visa or e-visa for Tanzania is a travel permit that allows you to travel legally to Tanzania and therefore Zanzibar for a maximum of 90 days and can be obtained very quickly.
You can apply for this visa online. Don’t leave it last minute, latest two weeks before arrival in Tanzania so you are sure you give them enough time to process your online application. The application will take 20-40 minutes of your time and it will make it easier if you have the below documents ready:
When you are too close to your departure date and therefor too late for the online procedure you can arrange your visa for Zanzibar upon arrival at the airport. You have to pay for the visa in USD dollars and they only take cash payments.
If Zanzibar Island is calling your name, our dedicated team is here to help plan your perfect beach getaway. Just fill in the form below and we’ll reach out shortly. Don’t forget to check your spam folder within 48 hours in case our reply gets filtered. To create a tailored vacation experience, please include your phone number and the best time to contact you — we’ll recommend the ideal beach, resort, and activities based on your preferences and budget.
