Zanzibar, the Spice Island, is a tropical paradise full of history, mystery and exotic beauty. An exclusive place where you can go sightseeing, lie down relaxed and watch the time go by or go into the deep sea to practice scuba diving. With a population of 1.1 million inhabitants, tourists come here to enjoy relaxation after a safari or Mount Kilimanjaro Climb in Tanzania.
The capital of Zanzibar is Stone Town , a place where you can see a curious mix of Arab, Indian and African citizens. To have a good vacation, we recommend you follow some of the tips that we are going to provide you below.
The Zanzibares of Zanzibar are very beautiful, but many of them have corals and sea urchins, so it is highly recommended to wear sandals. Likewise, on many of these Zanzibares swimming is not recommended during certain hours of the day due to strong currents. The safest are the Zanzibares of Nungwi, Pongwe and Kendwa.
Furthermore, before traveling it is advisable to get vaccinated against yellow fever and make sure you bring your vaccination record. As for money, in most hotels you can pay with your credit card, although up to 3% will be added to the invoice price. Hence, sometimes it is better to pay with cash (there are ATMs all over the island).
In this sense, the electricity supply is not very reliable throughout the island, with the exception of large hotels. Power outages are quite frequent, especially in small towns. The hotels themselves have emergency generators. In this way, it is advisable to include a hand-held flashlight in your luggage. If you walk through the center at night and the street is left without lights, it will be very useful for you.
The towns and cities of the island are full of people trying to sell you all kinds of tourist packages: guided tours, transportation, etc… They are popularly known as “papasi” and, although they are not entirely very reliable, we must thank them with gratitude. a smile what they propose to us but not accept. Additionally, private transportation can be quite expensive compared to local transportation. When you book a hotel you can make sure if they also offer transportation to or from the airport.
Excursions, island activities and visits should be arranged with professional and reliable tour operators. Before booking any of them, it is advisable to consult the internet forums. The main ones tend to be diving activities, hiking routes, forest excursions, safaris, etc… You have to remember that if what you are looking for is a relaxing experience, it is best to go to the Zanzibar and lie down.
For diving lovers, Zanzibar is a paradise. The best places for diving are around Pemba Island. If you stay in Stone Town (Unguja Island), you should go to the Mnemba Island area and its reefs. Throughout the island there are many shops and diving schools to learn and rent the necessary equipment.
Zanzibar is fundamentally Muslim, so certain local traditions and customs must be respected, especially regarding clothing in some places. Women should cover their shoulders and men should wear long-sleeved shirts in downtown areas.
Transport on Zanzibar
Taxi
The best and easiest way to get around Zanzibar is by taxi. Taxi fares on Zanzibar are regulated by the government, so it is rare to be overcharged by unscrupulous drivers. A one-way trip of 50 km to southeastern Zanzibar or northern Zanzibar from Stone Town costs about $50 USD. Many taxis are minibuses, and it can be slightly cheaper if you share a taxi with others. Upon arrival at the airport, you can look out for a sign with fixed prices for taxi transport to various places on Zanzibar.
Bus (Dala Dala)
Zanzibar’s buses are called “dala dala.” If you have luggage or other valuables, this mode of transport is not recommended, as the buses are often overloaded with passengers, which can lead to theft.
Car Rental
It is possible to rent a car on Zanzibar. However, none of the major car rental companies are established on the island; instead, there are more local operators. If you have a your county driver’s license, you do not need an international driving permit, but you will need a brief visit to the police to obtain a certificate allowing you to drive in Zanzibar. Note that Zanzibar drives on the left side of the road.
Flights
Zanzibar’s international airport (ZNZ) is located just 9 km south of Stone Town. There are daily domestic flights to both Arusha and Dar es Salaam with Precision Air and Coastal Aviation. With Ethiopian Airlines, you can even fly back to Sweden via Addis Ababa in Ethiopia.
- Precision Air
- Coastal Aviation
Boat/Ferry
There are daily high-speed catamarans between Zanzibar and Dar es Salaam on the Tanzanian mainland from the terminal in Stone Town. The sea journey takes about 2.5 hours and is comfortable, but those sensitive to motion may need sea sickness tablets. The environment upon arrival in Dar es Salaam and at Zanzibar’s port can feel a bit chaotic and stressful. Therefore, it is recommended to pre-book a taxi to meet you at the port. Several ferry companies compete on the Zanzibar – Dar es Salaam route, so there are plenty of departures. Always buy your boat ticket at least a day before departure from Zanzibar and be wary of intermediaries who may want to help and thus inflate the cost of your ticket. Visit the ferry company’s own sales office at the port.
