The Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (formerly known as Zanzibar International) is located on Unguja Island in the historic Stone Town, about 3 miles south of Zanzibar City. Travelers can also fly into Julius Nyerere International Airport located in Dar es Salaam and either connect to Zanzibar via a short flight or take the ferry connecting the mainland with Stone Town.

From Abeid Amani Karume International Airport to the city center is around a 20-minute drive, and there are options for taxis, buses, and rental cars. Taxis are the quickest way and the most comfortable form of transportation to your destination. The price for a taxi ride from the airport to the Zanzibar city center is around TZS35000. Taxis to beach destinations cost more with a price of around TZS125,000 to Matemwe, Kiwengwa, and Paje and upwards depending on the final destination. These journeys can take at least an hour. Taxis can be found right outside Terminals 2 and 3.

“Dala dala” minibuses are one of the main forms of transportation in Zanzibar that travel from the airport to the city center, they depart from Terminal 2 and travel to Darajani Market (Dala-Dala Terminus). From here the buses run to other destinations such as Nungwi, Matemwe, Kiwengwa, Paje, and Jambiani. The journey from the airport to Darajani Market takes around 30 minutes, the price for a one-way ticket from the airport to the city center is approximately TZS500, and from the city to other destinations around TZS3000.

There are several international rental car agencies found at the airport where you can rent a car to drive to Zanzibar. You can make reservations either online or by phone before arrival. If arriving in Dar es Salaam and taking the ferry which operates from the harbor to Zanzibar City, the ride takes about 2 hours and runs four times a day.

Being that Zanzibar is part of an archipelago there are many options for visitors to take advantage of boat rides to visit different sites on the island. There are traditional dhows used for getting to various sites around Zanzibar, the dhows are made by locals in towns like Nungwi with local materials. Dhows are also used by fishermen and divers to reach different places and take tourists out for a boat ride to experience the beauty of Zanzibar. From a boat ride in Zanzibar, visitors can enjoy seeing dolphins, along with spectacular views of the Indian Ocean and the sparkling white sand beaches of the island while taking in the fresh air.

The main form of public transportation in Zanzibar is Daladala’s (minibusses), they serve all the major destinations on the island and are very cheap. Generally, any route on the island will cost less than the TZS200. The main Dala Dala stations in Stone Town, which is the main hub for them at the Darajani Market (North end of the island), and Mwanakwerekwe Market (South end of the island). These buses do not run on set schedules, they usually depart when they are full.

When visiting Zanzibar renting a car is not necessarily needed however, it can be a viable option for some travelers. Renting your own vehicle provides the freedom and flexibility to explore the island at your own pace. There are a few factors to consider if you do decide to rent a car such as poor road conditions with all kinds of obstacles, local driving regulations, and parking availability. The main roads are usually in good condition but some rural areas have rougher terrain. Renting a car can save you a lot of time, you can also opt for a one-day and one-way car rental where the car can be delivered to you and picked up from your hotel.

Taxis are plentiful in Zanzibar and can be found at the airport, outside the main bus terminals, at major attractions, called and ordered by your hotel, or flagged down on the street. Prices vary depending on the total distance traveled. For example here are some estimated prices to and from certain locations: Stone Town to Nungwi or Kendwa (1.5 hours) can cost up to TZS70,000; Airport to Nungwi TZS65,000; Nungwi to Kizimkazi (2 hours) TZS80,000; Airport/Stone Town to Paje TZS50,000.

Riding a bike around Zanzibar is a great idea and a wonderful way to see the city and its surroundings. Bikes can be rented from local tour operators all over the island. The island's flat terrain makes a bicycle ride enjoyable and allows visitors to check out the different sites, cultures, and history of the island from your bike. The northern and southern coasts along with other locations are great places to explore on two wheels, and it is an easy way to get to the beaches.

The compact size of Zanzibar makes walking around the perfect pass time, the charming unique neighborhoods and attractions of the island can be easily reached on foot. Historic Stone Town is a pedestrian-only neighborhood with no motor vehicle traffic allowed, there are a few other pedestrian-friendly areas on the island that allow walkers to discover hidden beaches, markets, and off-the-beaten path attractions. There are walking tours available that are organized for tourists to get a glimpse of what the island has to offer with a local guide. Let’s not forget about a relaxing stroll along one of the beautiful beaches of Zanzibar, barefoot on the soft white sands engulfed by the Indian Ocean with the sea breeze in your face is a great way to enjoy your island vacation.

Zanzibar is considered one of the safest holiday destinations along the East African Coast. Take the necessary precautions when sightseeing, use common sense, and keep your valuables out of sight from pickpockets, especially in crowded areas like markets, and tourist attractions. At night stay in well-lit and populated areas, and use reputable transportation companies instead of taking rides from strangers.

There are many exciting shopping opportunities to be explored in Zanzibar with authentic local shops, bustling markets, souvenir shops, and shopping malls. Stone Town is situated in the heart of Zanzibar Islands, a legendary shopping sport where visitors can find many of the city’s markets and shops and purchase a variety of hand-crafted items that include textiles, fabrics, handmade jewelry, intricate wood or stone carvings, spices, knick-knacks, and local art.

Hit up the local markets such as; Darajani Market, Mwana Kwerekwe Market, and Shimoni Market. Darajani Market is located in Stone Town, a historical market, one of the oldest and main markets in the city. A bustling attraction where you can purchase anything from delicious food to local souvenirs and spices. The authentic market setting is filled with local life and flowing conversations between locals and tourists, the atmosphere here is eclectic with the colors, noises, and smells to feed all your senses. There are also some great shopping selections to be explored in Nungwi on the northern part of Unguja Island, Paje Beach which is brimming with souvenir shops.

The city is home to modern-day shopping malls like Michenzani Mall, and Mpendae Mall filled with hundreds of stores and plenty of food and entertainment options to choose from.

When it comes down to what to buy when shopping in the city there are quite a few things that Zanzibar is known for including spices! It is known as Spice Island due to the production of strong-quality spices for centuries. So shoppers will be able to seek out the smell of spices in Zanzibar’s markets. Souvenirs in the city are made by locals or from Tanzania mainland by the Masai tribe, if you buy souvenirs you are helping the local community, especially local women. Shoppers can find some of the best souvenir shops such as Memory of Zanzibar, Zanzibar Curio Shop, Hurumzi Henna Art Gallery, Deep Africa Boutique, and Masai Souvenir Shop. Clothing stores are big here as well you can find different shops all over the city selling beachwear, swimwear, different types of fabric, as well as traditional clothing. In the beach villages like Paje, Jambiani, Bwejuu, and Uroa Beach Seaweed farming is one of the main activities for the majority of local women who live here. These local women can be found along the shores and seaweed is used for food or to reproduce other products such as soap, scrubs, and cosmetics. There are plenty of jewelry shops to choose from, many found in Stone Town, Tanzanite is the stone of Tanzania and one of the main gems that people shop for. There are different types of Tanzanite jewelry to choose from including rings, bracelets, earrings, pendants, and necklaces.

Zanzibar is home to a tantalizing array of breathtaking tropical beaches, beachgoers are spoilt for choice when it comes to excellent beaches to visit. Relax on powdery soft white sands while soaking up the sunshine and gazing at the palm trees swaying in the breeze. There are many beaches to choose from including Bwejuu Beach, Jambiani Beach, Paje Beach, Nungwi Beach, and Kendwa Beach. Here is a breakdown of a few of the most popular ones to visit for swimming, snorkeling, sunbathing, and staying in luxurious beach resorts.

Nungwi Beach is situated on the northwest coast of Zanzibar, it is one of the most beautiful and popular beaches in the city. It made the list of the Top 25 Beaches in the World in TripAdvisor’s Traveller’s Choice Awards 2018. It is a lively area brimming with numerous beach resorts, hotels, restaurants, bars, shops, and entertainment. The Nungwi coast offers fantastic vibrant coral reefs which make it the ideal location for diving and snorkeling with an opportunity to see dolphins, green turtles, and whale sharks. Due to Nungwi’s west-facing coastline, this is one of the best locations to capture a breathtaking sunset, as well as sunset cruises on board traditional dhow sailing boats.

Kendwa Beach is sometimes referred to as Nungwi’s “little sister” but a much quieter version situated in the north. There are colorful starfish that call Kendwa home and can be spotted just offshore, the tide here really doesn’t change meaning the clear waters are perfect for swimming, snorkeling, and diving. The sunsets here are legendary, and once the sun sinks below the horizon the beach comes alive with nightlife and relaxed beach parties.

Paje Beach is nestled along the southeast coast boasting a long stretch of white sand, palm trees swaying in the tropical breeze, with sparkling turquoise waters lapping the sands. The quaint village of Paje is peaceful and quiet and a nice change to the more developed beaches in Zanzibar. Paje is known for watersports and excellent kitesurfing conditions which draw amateur and professional kitesurfers from all over the world. The crystal clear warm waters are great for scuba diving, with offshore reefs that are home to turtles, starfish, trumpet fish, moray eels, and other colorful marine creatures.

Bwejuu Beach is without a doubt one of the best beaches in Zanzibar, a nice, quiet area with palm-fringed white sand nestled on the southeast shore. A great beach for complete relaxation, tranquility, and seclusion. There is a verdant mangrove forest in the area as well as opportunities to take a dhow boat trip, a reef safari, snorkeling, and diving.

Jambiani Beach is located near Paje in the southeast part of Zanzibar, a great place to visit for the best kite surfing on the island with consistently good winds. If you visit during high tide you can swim in the clear blue waters, and during low tide, you can take a nice walk out and enjoy the horizon. There are coconut palms lining the soft white sand beach and just a short distance away there are many conveniences like restaurants serving excellent seafood. Jambiani is home to quaint fishing villages, fishing is done here to support the local community.

The official language spoken in Zanzibar is Swahili. English is widely spoken, especially in the service industry, it is taught in schools and used in government, business, and the media. Many people speak fluent English, especially in hotels and restaurants. We recommend getting a good English/African guidebook and learning the basic questions like please, thank you, and numbers 1-10.

The best time to visit Zanzibar is during the dry season from June to October with daily average temperatures that hover at a comfortable 77F degrees. Zanzibar has a tropical monsoon climate, the heat of the summer is often cooled by the strong sea breezes that are associated with the northeast monsoon “Kaskazi”, particularly on the north and east coasts. The islands are situated near the equator and there are two rainy seasons the long and the short. The maximum rains arrive in March, April, and May associated with the southwest monsoon, and the shorter rains come in November and December. The dry season coincides with the safari high season on Tanzania’s mainland when many travelers factor in a trip to Zanzibar post-safari. The rains clear the humidity that was left behind by the sticky East African summer, and the months following are far more pleasant. February is the warmest month of the year with daily average temperatures of 82F and about 70% humidity. The months of December and January offer average highs of 80F and a little less humidity. The best time to visit Zanzibar is July and August, and December to February which are the dry seasons with warm weather and less chance of rain.

The currency of Zanzibar is the Tanzanian Shilling (TSH, TZS), US dollars are also widely accepted. You will need to exchange your currency for the Shilling, which can be done upon arrival at the airport currency exchange desks or banks and specialized stores called Foreign Exchange Bureaus. ATMs can be found in the city, tipping is discretionary and appreciated, and cash is usually preferred.

The cuisine in Zanzibar offers visitors a great variety with eating stalls, local authentic restaurants, and beachside bars serving up a mix of delicious food. Traditional local dishes include wali na maharage which is rice and beans served with fish, meat, or vegetables. Other ubiquitous eats include chapati, rice, chips, and Ugali dishes as well as crab claws, calamari steaks, shrimp on a stick, and Zanzibar beef pizza. There are some unique places to visit for a great meal and experience in the city for example Forodhani Gardens which opens in the late afternoon and gets busy after sunset. This is the place to sample local food in a large open space with many food stalls and local cuisine such as the famous Zanzibar pizza (a cross between an omelet and a pancake), and a savory crepe filled with beef, eggs, and salad. The superb setting and atmosphere blend perfectly with the food. Many of the hotels and resorts in the area include onsite restaurants that serve typical Western cuisine. There are many markets in Zanzibar and all of them offer a great variety of food, especially the night market at Darajani Market. You can pick a table and the ‘chef’ will make a plate for you with the food that they have cooked at home and transported to the market. Be sure to visit the fruit market for fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as freshly baked pastries such as pancakes, breads, and an assortment of donuts. And don't miss out on sugar cane juice and fresh coconut milk available at most markets.

The spectacular beach destination of Zanzibar offers visitors and partygoers a vibrant variety of nightlife to choose from. There is so much to choose from and a great variety of places in the city for a good night, whether it be cocktails at a beach bar while watching a sunset, cruising on a traditional dhow sailboat on the Indian Ocean, cruising the night markets for food and beverages, or dancing the night away at a club. The nightlife can be enticing to say the least when locals and tourists come together to drink, dance, and gather on the beaches. Zanzibar is known for extraordinary things when it comes to nightlife, with fun and unique opportunities.

The historic Stone Town is one of the best places to go to enjoy the hustle and bustle of Zanzibar nightlife with the highest concentration of dining and drinking options. A wonderfully unique area for unwinding, sipping on drinks, and enjoying a nice scenic evening. Explore the buzzing ancient streets dotted with bars, pubs, and clubs with live music to entertain everyone.

Kendwa Beach is another go-to place offering a chilled with delicious food and drinks. This is the place to dance the night away on the beach under the moonlight, or simply relax by the sea and capture one of Zanzibar’s spectacular sunsets. The beach bars come alive at night and there are many of them to choose from along with loungers on the beach with music to soothe the soul.

Zanzibar is the perfect place to experience a stunning sunset on a Dhow cruise. On board enjoy cocktails accompanied by mesmerizing music and a romantic atmosphere. Cruise along the shores of the enchanting Indian Ocean and absorb this magical experience with a simply stunning sunset over the horizon to treasure forever.

In case of an emergency dial 112 for local police, and 114 for an ambulance, or fire.

Hospitals:Ampola Tasakhtaa Hospital tel.255-778-679-414

Al Rahma Hospital tel.255-24-223-6715

Mnazi Mmoja Hospital tel. 255-24-223-1071