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Last update: 26 Oct 2026
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Zanzibar Summary
These place ratings give you a quick overview of how well a destination matches different types of trips.
‘Best for’ scores:
The specific interest scores show where this place really shines – whether it's ideal for hiking, food & drink experiences, museums or other activities. These highlights help you understand what makes the destination special at a glance.
‘Your personal’ scores:
This reflects how well a place matches your personal preferences. You can adjust the importances of travel topics or other personal requirements categories in your account settings.
‘Suited for’ badges:
These give you a quick overview of how well a destination suits specific types of travellers, to help you find the places that match your lifestyle, preferences or travel situation.
Suited for
Tanzania – Quick facts
| Power Grid: |
230 V, 50 Hz Plug: Type D , Type G
Type D:
  Read about power adapters |
|---|---|
| Currency: |
Tanzanian Shilling (TZS) £1 ≈ TZS 3,520.45 |
| Cashless info: |
Rating 3/5
Cashless payments are becoming more common in Tanzania’s larger cities, but cash is still the most widely accepted form of payment. Credit cards are accepted in some establishments.
Save with a travel credit card |
| eSIM providers: |
Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison |
| Tipping: | Tipping is appreciated in Tanzania, typically around 5-10% in restaurants. Taxi fares should be rounded up, and small tips for hotel staff are common. |
|---|---|
| Public drinking: | Public drinking is not common in Tanzania, and alcohol is typically consumed in licensed venues like restaurants and bars. |
| Public smoking: | Smoking is allowed in outdoor public spaces and designated indoor areas. Many restaurants and public spaces have non-smoking sections. |
| Independence Day (9 December) |
Celebrates Tanzania’s independence from British colonial rule |
|---|---|
| Saba Saba (7 July) |
Industry Day |
| Emergency contact: | Emergency Number: 112 |
|---|---|
| Taxi apps: | Uber, Bolt |
| Other: | Tanzania is famous for its stunning wildlife, including safaris and Mount Kilimanjaro. The coast also offers beautiful beaches, particularly around Zanzibar. |
Best times to travel
The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.
Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.
Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.
Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.
Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.
for Zanzibar, Tanzania
Long rains April to May: many hotels and restaurants close, especially on the east coast
Ramadan: daytime food options limited in Stone Town and villages, many restaurants closed until sunset
Tides differ by coast: east coast beaches (Paje, Jambiani) are shallow at low tide, north and Nungwi swim all day
Don't miss
- 🏰 Explore Stone Town's narrow streets and historic sites
- 🤿 Snorkel in the clear waters of Mnemba Atoll and spot vibrant marine life
- 🐒 Visit Jozani Forest to see rare red colobus monkeys
- 🌅 Relax on the white sandy beaches of Nungwi and watch the sunset
- 🍤 Taste fresh seafood at a beachside restaurant in Kendwa
You've been here?
Log in to manage your own bucket list! Why travel to Zanzibar?
Zanzibar offers a perfect blend of relaxation and adventure. Its pristine beaches are ideal for sunbathing and watersports, while Stone Town immerses you in history and culture. The island's spice farms add an aromatic twist to your trip and the seafood is as fresh as it gets. Be cautious of strong ocean currents when swimming and always negotiate taxi fares in advance.
🏙️Cities & Regions
-
1
Zanzibar City
One of Africa's premier island hubs, Zanzibar City boasts historic Stone Town and pristine beaches. Despite tourist crowds, explore quiet alleys away from the main square to find authentic spice markets and serene waterfronts.
🏯Places worth seeing
🎡Places for activities
🏞️Natural landmarks
🛍️Shopping
🎈Events
-
Sauti za Busara Music Festival
-
Zanzibar International Film Festival
-
Mwaka Kogwa Festival
-
Eid Celebrations
-
Zanzibar Beach & Watersports Festival
Knowledge before you go
- Explore Stone Town for rich history and culture.
- Visit Jozani Forest to see rare red colobus monkeys.
- Take a spice tour to learn about local flavors.
- Relax on Nungwi or Kendwa beaches for turquoise waters and vibrant nightlife.
How to travel to Zanzibar
Fly into Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (ZNZ) in Zanzibar City. Ferries are also available from Dar es Salaam, offering a scenic sea route to the island.
Access summary
- From Zanzibar Airport (ZNZ): Taxi or transfer to Stone Town, about 15–30 minutes.
- From Dar es Salaam: Short domestic flight to ZNZ, usually around 20–30 minutes.
- Ferry Dar es Salaam–Zanzibar: Passenger boats typically take about 2–3 hours.
Check your route from anywhere
Where to stay in Zanzibar
Zanzibar offers everything from budget hostels to luxurious beach resorts. Stone Town is perfect for history lovers, while Nungwi and Kendwa are ideal for beach seekers.
Hotel recommendations
*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.
How to get around Zanzibar
Taxis, shared minibuses (dala-dalas) and rental scooters are common ways to get around. Stone Town is walkable and for beach hopping, boat transfers are widely available.
Budget snapshot
Costs compared to home
We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.
To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.
Daily expenses in Zanzibar are around 68% lower than the average across United States. That means you'll spend a lot less on meals and getting around.
Exchange rate trend
The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.
Your exchange rate (GBP to TZS) is 12% better than in recent years. That means travelling now is cheaper compared to the past.
Travel costs
To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.
Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.
Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.
To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.
Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.
Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.
Daily cost summary
Travel style categories explained:
Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.
Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.
Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.
Travel style categories explained:
Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.
Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.
Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.
| Backpacker | Mid-range | Luxury | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation | |||
| 🏨 Accommodation per night, per person | |||
| 🍝 Food per day | |||
| 🚕 Transportation per day |
Food & Drink
| 🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person | |
|---|---|
| 🍛 Lunch Set, per person | |
| 🍟 Fast food combo | |
| 🍝 Preparing your own food, per day | |
| ☕ Cappuccino | |
| 🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l |
Transportation
| 🚌 Public transport ticket | |
|---|---|
| 🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi | |
| ⛽ Petrol, 1 l |
Other
| 🎞️ Cinema ticket | |
|---|---|
| 👩⚕️ Doctor's consult | |
| 🤧 Cold medication | |
| 💇 Basic haircut |
Safety information overview
General safety
Zanzibar is generally safe, but petty crime such as pickpocketing can occur. Avoid isolated areas at night and always negotiate prices before using taxis or tours.
Health & Medical
Medical facilities are basic. Bring necessary medications and consider travel insurance with emergency evacuation. Malaria prevention is recommended, as well as safe food and water practices.
Accessibility
Stone Town has narrow, uneven streets, which may not be wheelchair friendly. Beaches and modern hotels generally offer better accessibility.
Tap water
Tap water is not safe for drinking. Stick to bottled water and avoid ice in drinks unless you're sure it’s made with purified water.
Packing recommendations for Zanzibar
Log in to add this place to a travel list and get a summary of all recommended items for your whole trip.
📷
Camera
👟
Comfortable walking shoes
🌞
Sun cream
👕
Light, breathable clothing
🕶️
Sunglasses
🪰
Insect repellent
🩱
Swimwear
🩴
Flip-flops
🏖️
Beach towel
🔋
Power bank
👒
Sun hat
🛁
Quick-dry travel towel
📱
Travel eSIM
🔌
Universal travel adaptor
💳
Credit card with no foreign transaction fees
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