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#EniGivenSunday

by Eni Popoola

I Took a Solo Trip to Zanzibar and Here’s How it Went

I recently returned from a solo trip to Zanzibar and I’m sharing the full details of my trip! Though I’m not super experienced, I’m no stranger to solo travel. I took my first international solo trip to Amsterdam in 2018 and my second to Bali in 2022. I did not intend for this trip to Zanzibar to be solo but I am so glad I went through with it. Hands down this is the best travel experience I’ve had and it is now my favorite destination.

Why Zanzibar?

I was in desperate need of a beach vacation. Believe it or not this October trip was the first time all year that I stepped foot on a beach. On top of that, I have had a deep desire to see more of Africa. In fact, all of my international travel this year will be to African countries (Nigeria, Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, and Ghana.) Zanzibar was the perfect destination because I’ve heard and seen so much about how beautiful the beaches are and it allowed me to fulfill my desire to explore more of Africa.

The Logistics of a Solo Trip to Zanzibar

As mentioned earlier in this post, I did not intend for this trip to be a solo one, but life happens and thankfully because I’ve traveled solo before, the thought of going alone absolutely did not stop me.

EntryRequirements 

One thing to know is that U.S. passport holders do need a visa to enter the country of Tanzania. There are two ways you can get a visa: (1) online application or (2) visa on arrival. If you apply online for the evisa it should get approved within 10 business days. When I arrived in Zanzibar I had a printed copy of the visa to show at immigration because that would be easier to hand over. I suggest having a printed copy of your e-visa to be safe.

Additionally, if you are travelling from a yellow fever endemic country you will likely be asked to show proof of yellow fever vaccine. I was travelling from Nairobi so they asked everyone on the flight for their yellow card but the person who saw mine only looked at the address, likely because he saw that I am based in the US which is not on their list of yellow fever endemic countries.

There were no COVID-19 entry requirements when I traveled.

Transportation

Unlike Nairobi which I visited the week before this trip, Zanzibar does not have Uber or Bolt. As far as I know, there are no ride-share apps on the island so the primary method of getting around on the island as a tourist is by taxi. You can easily find taxi drivers through your hotel or through tour guides if you ask around or ask them to arrange it for you. For example, I booked an airport transfer through my hotel when I arrived and that driver gave me his contact in case I needed to get around that week. Because tourism is a huge industry in Zanzibar there really won’t be an issue with finding a driver but if you are traveling solo I suggest booking your initial airport transfer through your hotel just to be safe and worry-free.

The official currency in Tanzania is the Tanzanian Shilling but US dollars are widely accepted in touristy areas. I exchanged some initial currency at the airport when I landed (I know the exchange rate isn’t usually the best at airport currency exchange kiosks but as a solo traveler my priority is having everything I need as soon as possible without much extra work.) When I needed more cash I simply asked the driver I was with to bring me to an ATM so I could withdraw additional money. At restaurants, I paid by card.

Where I Stayed During My Solo Trip to Zanzibar

As most Zanzibar tourists recommend I split my time between Stone Town and a second, more beachy town. A few options for beachy towns are Nungwi (the north side of the island) and Paje or Jambiani (the south side of the island).

While in Stone Town I stayed at Upendo House , a cute boho chic boutique hotel for two nights. Overall I had a great experience and want to point out a couple of things:

• The room I stayed in had an open-concept room style where the only door in the room was the door to enter and exit. This means there were no doors for the bathroom and no delineation between the sink, shower, and tub. As in there is no curtain, no sliding door, no nothing. It ended up working out perfectly that I was solo because there really isn’t any privacy with that specific bathroom layout. There are other room layouts available including ones where the bathroom is a separate room with a door so if you decide to book I would just make sure to closely read the description for your room.
• The hotel has a pretty decent restaurant on its rooftop and it also has a rooftop bar that has stellar views of the sunset. Even if you decide to stay elsewhere in Stone Town I think it’s worth it to stop by for the views.
• I didn’t notice an elevator in this hotel. It’s a walk-up so not quite accessible if you have trouble or are unable to go up stairs. The hotel concierge did help bring my bags to and from my room upon check-in and check-out.

For the remaining five nights, I spent in Zanzibar I stayed at TUI Blue Bahari Resort . Now, I know I mentioned that it’s a good idea to stay in the. North or South side of the island but this resort was located smack in the middle of the two. Because of that for all of my excursions, I spent at least 45 min to an hour in a taxi to Nungwi and even longer to get to the southern part of the island. That being said I absolutely loved my stay at TUI Blue and I want to add some additional notes:

• I get the sense that Zanzibar is much more frequented by European tourists than by Americans. This isn’t surprising to me given Europe’s closer proximity to Zanzibar but it does mean that I didn’t encounter too many other Americans at the resort. I made a friend on the trip and asked her about the demographic of her resort in Nungwi she said the same. So I’m not inclined to believe that it’s a resort thing as much as it is just the nature of traveling to a country so far from the US for vacation. This is neither here nor there but just an observation you also may have if you stay at TUI Blue.

What I Did During My Solo Trip to Zanzibar

• Afternoon arrival in Zanzibar, hotel check-in at Upendo House, and dinner at the hotel’s rooftop restaurant
• Full Day Tour: I booked this full-day tour on Viator that allowed me to visit a spice farm, and tour both Stone Town and Prison Island, where you can feed tortoises. Mady was my tour guide and he was exceptional. During the Stone Town portion of the tour, I ran into another solo traveler who recognized me from social media. We exchanged contact information and agreed to meet up later in the evening.
• Night Food Market: That evening we met up at the Night Food Market which runs from about 6 pm until around 11 pm/midnight. Some things to note about this: it’s a cool thing to see for a few but it can be very overwhelming. Vendors are very persistent in trying to get customers and you will be approached by very many.  Additionally, keep in mind that much of the food for sale at the market is street food. Usually, when I travel I avoid street foods for the sake of my stomach. We noticed that at the market there were only a couple of vendors cooking food on site for us to see. Buying food that wasn’t cooked in front of us made us uneasy because there really is no telling how long some items have been sitting out. We ended up heading to the Cape Town Fish Market nearby to get a break from being solicited by so many vendors. Overall I would say that this is not the most necessary experience to have while in Stone Town and I wouldn’t have gone to this alone.
• Cooking Class & Hotel Transfer: I checked out of Upendo House by 8:30 am and got picked up by a driver who would bring me to Mamas of Zanzibar cooking class . I spoke about it more in-depth on Instagram and TikTok so I’ll just say that I cannot recommend this experience enough. Besides the fact that the food was amazing, it was also great to get to spend time with women that many tourists often don’t interact with. I’d say this activity is a great filler on a day when you are transferring hotels and going from Stone Town to another part of the island. My driver, who was arranged through Mamas of Zanzibar, held my bags in the car and waited for me to finish before taking me to my new resort in time for check-in.
• Evening at the resort: I checked into my all-inclusive resort, got dinner, settled in, and laid low for the evening.
• Mnemba Island Tour: On this day I linked back up with my new friend and met up with her amazing tour guide Abdillah who showed us around for the day. The full day of events included spotting dolphins near Mnemba island, snorkeling along a coral reef, stopping by a sandbank that appears in the middle of the day when the tide recedes, and eating lunch on the beach.
• Baraka Aquarium: After we grabbed lunch our tour guide said goodbye because we wouldn’t need him at the Baraka Aquarium where there were guides who explained important information about feeding the sea turtles and helped take our pictures.
• Evening at the resort: Our driver dropped each of us off at our respective hotels and I enjoyed dinner at the resort that evening.
• Resort Relaxation: I spent the morning relaxing at the resort and getting a serious tan in the process.
• Sunset Dhow Ride: That afternoon I got picked up by my driver (I used the same driver who brought me to the cooking class on day 2) and we headed to Nungwi where I met up with my new travel friend to go on a Dhow boat sunset ride. The ride from my resort to Nungwi takes about 45 min to an hour or more depending on traffic. I don’t have too many details about the boat ride because my new friend handled those logistics but I get the sense that it was not a particular website or tour company used to book but just one of the very many men on Nungwi beach who offer various tour services.
• Horseback riding: I got picked up by a taxi driver at 7:30 am to head over to Nungwi for a 9:00 am session with the Zanzibar Horse Club. We booked the 1 hour beach and village ride which is a great option for beginners. The Zanzibar Horse Club is a very well-run and safe option for horseback riding in Zanzibar.
• Dinner at The Rock: After the ride was over I got dropped at my hotel to freshen up and prepare for dinner later that evening at The Rock Restaurant, an IG famous restaurant perched on a rock in the ocean. Note that if you are staying in Nungwi or closer to the Northern part of the island, it can be a two or more hour drive to get to the Rock.
• Resort Relaxation: You know how people go on vacation and come back feeling like they need a vacation from the vacation? Yeah, I didn’t want that to happen so I deliberately had no plans for my last full day other than to spend it doing nothing on the resort but lying in the sun or cool off on the beach.
• Final Sunset Ride: My new travel friend and I linked up one final time with our amazing tour guide for a sunset ride in a ngalawa.  The boat took us to Kae Funk which is on a beachfront vibe with a DJ and a perfect view of the sunset.
• I enjoyed one last sunrise and breakfast on the resort before packing my things and heading to the airport for my afternoon flight.

Here’s an overview of everything I just described:

What I Would Have Done if I Had More Time on My Solo Trip to Zanzibar

Though it felt like I did a lot on my trip to Zanzibar, there was still much more that I did not do. The entire Southern part of the island has a lot to offer like a butterfly sanctuary and Jozani National Forest which are less aquatic and more land/nature-based activities. I’d consider these activities if you are willing to make a day trip or if you stay on the Southern part of the island for any part of your trip.

How I Felt on My Solo Trip To Zanzibar

• First, the sellers in Zanzibar are relentless. They show up on the beach when the tide is low enough for them to be there and all of them will try and solicit you to visit their shop or take a tour. This can be pretty frustrating because it makes it challenging to actually enjoy the beach depending on where you are. I say this fully aware that tourism is how many of them make their living, but at times it was truly a bit too much.
• Additionally, while I did not fear for my safety there were a couple of times when I was annoyed by the male gaze in Zanzibar. Much of the tourism industry is run by men, particularly when it comes to taxi drivers and tour guides. Some of the male taxi drivers gave the vibe of that one uncle who isn’t necessarily saying anything wrong by calling you beautiful but deep down in your stomach something about it doesn’t sit right with you. There were a couple of times when a driver would call me beautiful in a suspicious way or say something flirtatious and for that reason, I am not recommending the drivers I used or sharing their contact information. Also because Zanzibar is full of many water activities that people wear swimwear to, I could tell that some men were catching prolonged glares at me and my new travel friend.  However, I will say that my tour guide Abdillah was a breath of fresh air compared to this as he was very respectful and we did not feel uncomfortable at all with him at all which is why I highly recommend him especially if you are a solo traveler. And I will say that despite all of this I never got the feeling that anyone would harm me, but it would have been nice to feel completely comfortable at all times.
• Language: You can absolutely get around only knowing English. Many people in Zanzibar speak English well or well enough to communicate with tourists since it is a popular tourist destination.
• As a Black Woman: Tanzania is an African country. So I did not experience anything out of the ordinary due to my Blackness in the country. However, I will say the sellers on the street would consistently ask where I was from, and at times it felt like being a young Black female tourist in the country got me more attention than it would some of my counterparts of another race. I did get the sense, however, especially on the resort, that staff is not used to seeing Black guests on the resort. Many of the visitors at the resort were from Europe and white so being a Black woman guest definitely stood out. But overall there was nothing that made me feel too uncomfortable.

“The LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.” Psalm 121:8

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I am thinking of doing a solo trip for my birthday next July. And I am doing my research from now but this has helped me a great deal. I am def saving this to my must read as I continue my research. One of my questions Did you book your hotel separately from your flight?

Yes I typically book my hotels and flights separately and I did in this instance!

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The Ultimate Zanzibar Travel Guide: Everything You Need To Know

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• Last Updated On: September 10, 2023

Zanzibar has a very rich history and was once one of the most important areas in East Africa. Following Vasco de Gama’s visit in 1499, Zanzibar was ruled by the Portuguese and remained this way for almost two centuries.

Nowadays, it’s one of the most popular beach destinations in Africa and with good reasons. Zanzibar’s coastline offers some of the best beaches in the world, but sand and surf vary depending on what side of the island you’re on. On the east coast, waves break over coral reefs and sand bars offshore, and low tide reveals small pools of starfish, small minnows, and anemones. Up north, ocean swimming is much less susceptible to the tides, and smooth beaches and white sand make for dazzling days in the sun.

I spent numerous months traveling around Zanzibar as you can read in my detailed cost of living breakdown of Zanzibar . I stayed in numerous areas all over the island, really allowing me to get a feel of the place. This guide will serve to give an overview of all the things you need to know about traveling here!

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How to get to Zanzibar

Zanzibar is easily accessible from the world now. It’s built itself as the premier beach destination in East Africa and it’s accessibility proves it. It’s not as upscale as the Seychelles and positions itself as a place both budget and luxury travelers can visit.

Zanzibar island is well connected by international flights around the world. Qatar flies direct from Doha allowing travelers from Europe and America to easily visit. In addition, Ethiopian Airlines has directs flights from Addis Ababa to Zanzibar allowing for easy international connections. Flights are getting cheaper by the day and it’s easy to use miles nowadays to book trips to Zanzibar. 

From Tanzania, you can quickly reach Zanzibar by air from popular places like Kilimanjaro and Arusha. If you’re staying deep in the Serengeti like Seronera, you can take direct flights to Zanzibar.

Take the ferry to Zanzibar

If you are traveling through Tanzania and on a tight budget (or just want to take a ferry on the high seas), there are regular ferry services from Dar Es Salaam to Zanzibar. This is a popular way to get to the island as it’s fast and cheaper than a flight. While flights will be roughly $60-80 one way, the ferry is half the cost.

From Dar Es Salaam’s main port, there are four ferries a day making this trip. The ferries are mostly newer with plenty of outdoor space allowing you to stretch out and enjoy the views. They seem to make new ferries every few years and on my recent trip in 2020, the ferry took 1h 45min to make the trip from Dar to Stone Town .

When you purchase your ticket in Dar Es Salaam, just make sure to reject the swarms of people that will offer to take your bag to the ferry. This is unnecessary and although they’re trying to make a living, you don’t need anyone to take your bags. The ferry terminal is pretty standard with a waiting room that you can absolutely get to yourself.

Entry Visas

As Zanzibar is part of Tanzania, it is subject to the same visa and entry requirements of the mainland. For most Western travelers, you will need a visa to enter Zanzibar/Tanzania.

The entry visa can be:

• Purchased on arrival at the airport. The cost of this is $50 for every nationality besides the US which is $100.
• Purchased online as an e-visa before arrival

In recent years, you can even pay for the visas by using a credit card ! No need to pay using USD cash anymore.

When to visit Zanzibar – best time of year

Zanzibar enjoys warm weather year round. The sun is strong and all your tropical beach dreams will be fulfilled here. Nevertheless, there are some times that are better than others. Here is a breakdown of the seasons in Zanzibar.

High Season: June to October

Right after the stormy season, starting from June is when the high season begins. This time of year sees cooler temperatures but almost no rainfall. It’s popular as many people will visit the Serengeti during this time to witness the Great Migration and come to Zanzibar for beach time afterwards.

Second High Season: Dec to Feb

December to February is the next high season. The temperatures are much warmer during these months and there’s a general low amount of rainfall. This is also the high season for winds which makes places like Paje extremely popular for kitesurfers.

Rainy Season: Mar to May

The big rainy season in Zanzibar is between March and May. During this time, lots of the resorts close down as you can see torrential downpours for weeks on end. Many of the people I spoke with said this time of year sees almost no tourists but it’s a welcome reprieve from the unbearable heat in the months prior.

November is the “small rainy season” where you can see spotty rain showers at various points of the day. I actually spent a month in Zanzibar during this month and did not find it bad at all. Sure there were some days where it rained, but for the most part, it was sunny and beautiful throughout my trip.

Different areas of Zanzibar

Zanzibar is a huge island. From north to south it is over 200km and 100km from east to west. It’s unlikely you’ll be able to explore the whole island on a trip if you have anything under a month.

If you’re visiting just to go to a resort for a week or less, it’s likely you’ll stay in one area and never leave that part of Zanzibar. Having spent over a month on the island, I was able to explore most of the island without much effort.

For the most part, Zanzibar is beautiful all around. You will find beautiful beaches, stunning properties and picturesque ocean views everywhere.

The capital of Zanzibar is where everyone will start off. Whether you fly or take a ferry, you will stop in Stone Town. Whether you choose to spend a night or two in the vibrant capital is up to you. If you’re looking for beautiful tropical beaches, this is not the place.

The town is worth a night or two in my opinion if you have the time on your trip.

Nungwi and Kendwa

Located in the far north, Nungwi and Kendwa have in my opinion the most beautiful beaches on the island. The tides are not so extreme and you don’t see the crazy amounts of seaweed and sea urchins that you will find elsewhere. Think of stunning blue beaches and white sand for as far as you can see.

Nungwi is also home to all the huge luxury resorts. If you’re keen for upscale all inclusive 5* resorts with beautiful beaches, Nungwi is your place. Resorts like the Riu, Zuri, and Gemma will satisfy all your desires. Nungwi gets very busy during the high season. In recent years, it’s become somewhat of the party spot. In addition to ultra luxury resorts, there are plenty of budget options here which has kind of turned it into the Phuket equivalent of East Africa.

Kendwa, the town just south of Nungwi is a great option if you want to enjoy the same beaches without the big crowds of people. Both options are prime for enjoying sunsets as the areas in the east, while beautiful, don’t enjoy such things!

Matemwe, Kiwengwa, Pongwe, and the northeast

Matemwe is an area in the northeast of Zanzibar. It’s roughly 1.5 hours from the Stone Town airport by car.

Matemwe is known to be a chilled out beach side area with a collection of boutique hotels. Unlike Nungwi with its huge resorts, there are few standalone restaurants here and no huge hotels. It’s much more chilled, laid back, and offers beautiful views of the beach. Being on the east side, the beaches here have huge high and low tides.

During low tide, the beach extends 500m out to where the reef breaks. It’s fascinating watching the tides come in and out twice a day. I stayed at a beautiful Boutique resort called Zanzibar Sunrise at Bandas which had Makuti style bungalows right in front of the beach.

It’s also the launching point to visit the famous Mnemba Atoll which is the private island off the coast of Zanzibar. This beautiful island is home to a protected Marine park and is home to endless options for scuba diving/snorkeling.

Paje, Jambiani, Michamvi in the southeast

In the southeast of Zanzibar is another very popular area for tourists to stay. This part of Zanzibar has perhaps the best beaches outside of Nungwi. The tides are extremely dramatic but the beaches are mostly sand as opposed to corals and urchins in the north.

Paje is the biggest town here and is the kitesurfing capital of Zanzibar. The winds blow east to west here almost the entire year. Nearby towns like Jambiani, Bwejuu, and Michamvi are also crowd favorites.

The most famous restaurant in Zanzibar, The Rock , is located in this peninsula. It’s well worth the visit if you decide to stay here!

How to get around Zanzibar

Zanzibar being a huge island requires planning to get from place to place. If you’re only staying for a few days, it’s unlikely you’ll need to read up on this because you’ll likely just take a taxi to your resort and call it a day. Here are some general price ranges for taxis that I found from taking taxis all over the island.

Note that these are just broad estimates. Your ability to negotiate and the desperation of your cab driver on the day will dictate your fee. Alternatively, ask your accommodation what they can offer. If you are booking a hotel with a super fancy resort, expect to pay much more than if you’re staying at a more personalized guesthouse.

Stone Town to Matemwe: $30-40

Stone Town to Nungwi: $40-50

Stone Town to Paje: $30-$40

Stone Town to Kiwengwa: $30-$40

Nungwi to Paje: $50-60

Paje to Michamvi: $10-$15

Matemwe or Kiwengwa to Nungwi: $25-30

Budget traveling in Zanzibar

For those that aren’t keen on taxis, then know that Zanzibar is serviced primarily by dala dalas which are the local forms of transport. Think old school hippie style vans. These are common throughout Africa and are the preferred method to get around for those on budgets. Some dala dalas are just trucks with the trunk converted as seating.

This method will be significantly cheaper than taking a taxi and especially useful if you’re a solo traveler. For example, Stone Town to Paje or Stone Town to Nungwi is roughly $2. Of course, with cheaper prices, you can expect it to be much slower. I’d budget for at a dala dala to take 2x as long as a taxi given how often it must stop to pick up and drop off people.

Which areas do I like the most?

Having spent much time on this island, I’ve been able to visit most of the areas. For most tourists, it’s likely you’ll stay at one hotel and stay in that area for the duration of your stay.

It’s not so feasible to just rent a car in Stone Town and cruise around the island. I’ve heard of some people doing this, but the police road blocks on the island make it less than ideal. However, if you are stuck on where to concentrate your efforts, then hopefully this part will help.

If you want the most beautiful beaches

The best beaches in Zanzibar are in the Nungwi and Kendwa area in my opinion. Paje and the area in the southeast are also very beautiful.

If you like the big 5* all inclusive resorts

If you are keen for the big luxury resorts with multiple pools, big dining areas, and fancy common areas, then I think Nungwi will be your best bet. The beaches are fantastic here but the all inclusive style resorts here are big and luxurious.

Recommended Hotels

• Riu Palace Nungwi All Inclusive
• Zuri Zanzibar

If you like boutique hotels on the beach

If you fancy upscale or midscale boutique hotels with beautiful beach views and luxurious accommodations but with few people, then my favorite areas are Matemwe and the southeast. The area of Michamvi is the boutique hotel capital in my opinion. Bwejuu, Paje, Jambiani all have really nice hotels as well.

The beaches here are also very nice in this part of the island.

• Zawadi Boutique Hotel (The Ultimate hotel)
• Matlai Boutique Hotel
• Zanzibar Sunrise at Bandas
• Jua Retreat

If you want cheap accommodation

The beauty of Zanzibar is that it is quite developed for tourism and there are budget options in almost every part of the island. However, I’d say the cheapest places you can find accommodations are in Nungwi, Paje, and of course Stone Town.

• MITI Beach bungalows
• Villa Kiota
• Baladin Hotel
• Michamvi Spirit Lodge

How much do things cost in Zanzibar

Zanzibar is a big island and has been really developed for tourism in the past decade. Zanzibar offers a variety of accommodation options throughout its 2,500 square km of space.

Whether you’re a luxury honeymooner with an unlimited budget or a budget backpacker, there are options available for everyone.

Africa in general is an expensive area to travel around so right off the bat, I would temper your expectations if you’re a budget traveler with ideas of Southeast Asia or Central American prices. It is much more expensive here and you will not find delicious $1 pad Thai on the streets.

There is not much a of a street food scene in Zanzibar that compares to that of Asia. For the most part, you’ll visit tourist centric restaurants run by locals or tourist centric restaurants run by foreigners. The price for a main dish of grilled calamari with rice will be around $6-$10.

There are some restaurants that are part of hotels and the more upscale that hotel is, you can expect to pay more. Local beers like Serengeti and Safari can be had for about $3 for a 500ml bottle and liquor based drinks are slightly more.

Of course, local prices will be lower than this but you will need to find the local spots which are always away from the main beach area.

Zanzibar is an island through and through

Zanzibar is a beautifl tropical island and feels like it. The different areas of Zanzibar are all tourist focused and life mostly revolves around the hotels and resorts. This means, there isn’t much life outside of the beach and hotels surrounding them. The exception is of course in Stone Town which is a proper city.

Zanzibar is large in size but you won’t really travel much between the different towns. You can rent a scooter yes but there are so many police checkpoints that will probably force you to pay bribes that it isn’t a feasible option to travel around.

Zanzibar is very different than say Bali which is also an island with a village like vibe in places like Canggu and Pererenan but offers total first world amenities like trendy restaurants, bars, cafes, and the like. If you’re a digital nomad looking to spend extended time in one place, I would highly recommend Bali over Zanzibar . The infrastructure on Bali is much more developed and the cost of living in Bali is half of what it would be on Zanzibar.

The currency in Zanzibar

Zanzibar uses the Tanzania Shilling (TZS). For almost all tourist centric hotel, prices will be quoted to you in dollars to keep things simple. While you’re at the resort, costs of services and goods will also be in USD. If you stay in a more rustic guesthouse or backpackers spot, it’s more likely you’ll see prices in Shillings.

If you dine outside your resort at a local restaurant, you can expect to pay in shillings. In essence, locals mostly always use shillings so it’s good to have some Tanzanian cash on you.

Hotels mostly accept credit cards but expect to pay a surcharge of 4-5%. Restaurants and bars outside of a big resort are mostly on a cash basis.

ATM Fees are outrageous

One thing that really stood out to me was just how crazy the costs of using ATMs are. They must be some of the most expensive ATMs I’ve ever seen.

Having traveled in Zanzibar for over a month, I had to visit the ATMs numerous times because many things are done in cash. ATMs are extremely pricey, with fees ranging from $6-9 per use!

Even worse, the ATMs cap out at 400,000 shillings which is $180. This won’t get you very far if you need to pay hotel bills in cash! You will need to visit the ATM numerous times and pay that fee each time. If you do not have a no fee debit card like Charles Schwab (US readers only sadly), then you should look into bringing USD or EUR cash and exchanging them in Stone Town.

Diving and Snorkeling in Zanzibar

Zanzibar is a paradise for lovers of underwater life. I spent many days diving in Zanzibar so I have lots of advice to offer. Although Zanzibar doesn’t compare to the diving I did on the nearby islands of Mafia Island and Pemba Island , it will offer vacation goers with more than enough to satisfy.

As Zanzibar is a huge island, there are numerous areas to scuba dive in. Depending on where you stay (refer to the sections above), it will likely dictate where you can dive. For example, if you are staying in Nungwi, it’s unlikely you’ll want to go scuba diving in the southeast area of Paje. The drive alone would be almost 2 hours each way.

Mnemba Atoll

The most popular place in Zanzibar to scuba dive and snorkel is without a doubt the Mnemba Atoll . Located in Zanzibar’s northeast, this is a stunning marine park with crystal blue waters and loads of underwater life. It’s incredibly popular and everyone staying in the area like Nungwi , Kiwengwa, or Matemwe will be able to visit this area for a day of underwater activities.

The diving here, while popular, is not that great. The corals have been bleached to hell and there’s a ridiculous amount of over tourism. It’s completely packed full of people on all days making it not so enjoyable.

Diving in the southeast area of Paje

I dove in the southeast with Rising Sun divers while staying at the beautiful Zawadi Resort . This area is by far the most beautiful diving in Zanzibar. It’s undiscovered and untouched by the other dive shops making it a much more enjoyable experience.

Activities in Zanzibar

As you’d expect, there is as an endless amount of things to do in Zanzibar. Once you’re tired of laying on the beach, you can choose to do a variety of different tours from all around the island. I can’t list all of them because I don’t know all of them.

If you walk through Stone Town, you’ll find a huge list of activities that all the tour agents offer and the price is of course negotiable. While extremely popular, I would actually recommend a visit to one of the spice farms in Zanzibar . It seemed like a super touristy thing to do but I found it to be so educational and interesting, I did it twice!

Other than that, here are a list of things that are popular to do in Zanzibar:

• Mnemba Island visit
• Dolphin Swim tour (this is an ethically terrible tour so don’t do it)
• Prison Island tour
• Safari blue day trip
• Scuba Diving (all over the island)
• Snorkeling (literally everywhere)
• Jozani Forest to see the primates
• A visit to the Rock restaurant
• Kitesurfing in Paje
• Low tide reef tour
• Parasailing in Nungwi
• Dhow cruises (literally everywhere) for sunset or day time

Get out of Zanzibar

Zanzibar has more than enough to keep you occupied for weeks. The island is huge and different areas will give you something different.

However, surrounding Zanzibar is a sea of other options. Outside of the standard safari options like the Serengeti , the Selous, Ngorongoro crater etc, there are nearby islands that are worth visiting.

Mafia Island

If you’re a scuba diver, then you will want to visit Mafia Island. While there are endless diving options in Zanzibar, they do not compare whatsoever to Mafia Island . This is perhaps the best diving in East Africa offering crazy amounts of fish life and beautiful corals.

Mafia Island is also much more rustic and lesser developed than Zanzibar. The beaches are more wild and you won’t any large resorts nearby. From Zanzibar, you will need to take a fligh tto Dar Es Salaam, and onwards to Mafia island.

Pemba Island

Of the three Tanzanian islands, Pemba Island is without a doubt the least visited. This is good for those that are looking for a breathtaking and undiscovered tropical paradise. Pemba’s natural beauty is unmatched in my opinion. The beaches here are incredible and devoid of the beachboys and crowds that are all over Zanzibar. The hotels like the Aiyana are absolute paradise.

The island itself still feels like it lives in the old ways and while driving around, you will feel like you’ve stepped back in time. The diving on Pemba is also spectacular although not quite as amazing as Mafia Island. However, if you want great diving and great beaches, then Pemba is your place.

There are only a handful of hotels on this big island so expect to pay more for your trip here. This is not a budget travel destination so plan for it that way.

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Thank you SO much for this blog! I am going for 2 weeks and my brain is spinning a little bit. I have my diving certification and deciding whether to stay in one area of which hotels halfway through, etc.

Hi Joslyn, glad you found it helpful! Enjoy Zanzibar, it’s realy amazing!

Awesome information here! Me and my family will travel to Zanzibar this December/January. We love snorkeling and while I have found loads of info on snorkeling the Mnemba Island online, there really isn´t much info beside that.

Is it possible snorkeling directly from the beaches in Zanzibar as opposed to taking boat trips all the time? In that case, which beach would you recommend for snorkeling directly from the beach?

We plan to split our time between Kendwa (heard that the reef isn´t that good but more for general hanging around and swimming) and some place on the eastern side. Is it possible for instance to walk all the way to the reef during low tide on the eastern beaches and just kind of jump in and start snorkeling?

We will be dividing our time between Zanzibar and Mafia Island so no biggies if beach snorkeling in Zanzibar isn´t worth it, but it sure would make for more fun beach days =)

Once again, thank´s for an awesome blog, you are a real inspiration!

Hi Mike, Zanzibar is a big place so it relaly just depends on where your hotel and resort is and if there is a good reef nearby. When I stayed at the Zawadi hotel there was a local reef that I could reach as the tides were rising and it was amazing. I would say that most places on the island don’t have an easily accessible reef nearby. Of course, you can always just pick up a snorkel and fins and try your luck but you’re likely not going to see much. But otherwise, save the diving for Mafia and relax while in Zanzibar!

Hey Johnny, thank´s for fast reply! Ok so follow up question (this should probably be posted in your section on Mafia Island instead but oh well). Same question but for Mafia Island, is it possible to snorkel directly from the beach, either in Kilindoni area or in Utende area, or do you need to take boat out every time? Especially in the marine park, it seems it would build up to a lot of money pretty fast together with the daily conservation fees.

Yes definitely in mafia can snorkel from the beach in the marinr park side !

At last what a great blog !!, bookmarked and taking this with me for referencing, just one point I might have missed how long can I stay without renewing my visa. I’m Just arranging flights hope to stay from December until April. Once agian well done much appriated

Hi Jonathan, glad you like the blog. The Tanzanian visa is good for 90 days and you can extend it inside the country for another 90 days for a total of 6 months. It’s quite easy to do and you just need to visit the immigration office in Nungwi or Stone Town. I’m not sure what the cost is but i wouldn’t be surprised if this changed from person to person.

Great Blog! We are looking to go to Zanzibar next Jan/Feb. We love snorkeling so wanted to ask you where the best place is to snorkel from the beach. I read it is possible to wait for low tide, then walk out to the reef edge to snorkel. I heard this was possible in the Kiwengna Mstemwe areas. Have you got any advice? I know we can do snorkel trips, but it would make it rather expensive to do those daily and we are on a budget. Thanks for any help!

Hi Judith, yes you can snorkel at low tide in matwmwe. Just watch out for the sea urchins! I never did it but my hotel informed me it was possible.

Thanks for sharing this amazing blog with us. I appreciate your efforts to write this blog in detail.

Thank you. Appreciate it.

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The spice islands of Zanzibar

By Condé Nast Traveller

The spice islands of Zanzibar have traditionally been a hub for merchants, explorers and, more recently, backpackers. But with a new wave of luxury resorts, the Tanzanian archipelago is becoming a draw for travellers who enjoy their five-star comforts. Lisa Grainger checks out the best places to stay. Photographs by Martin Morrell.

Zanzibar is one of those names, along with Timbuktu, Kilimanjaro and Marrakech, that conjures extraordinary, exotic images - of Arabian Nights scenes coloured with dhows, spices and treasures - as well as evoking darker stories of traders and adventurers on the hunt for elephants, gold, power and slaves.

For centuries, the archipelago of 50 islands has been host to foreigners stopping by to restock or relax. It was to the shores of its main island, Unguja, just 36km off the coast of Tanzania and thick with forests of fruit trees, that the British missionary explorers Livingstone, Speke and Burton came to find supplies and porters for their arduous journeys into the African interior (and it was from here that Livingstone's body was shipped back to Britain for burial at Westminster). The streets of the capital, Stone Town, are where the poet Rimbaud searched for inspiration, as well as guns and slaves for his own adventures on the continent; and the town's palaces, famously, were the haunts of Scheherazade. (Not everyone succumbed to its charms; Evelyn Waugh described the island as being so overwhelming, so odorously rich, that 'an hour's stroll ashore sufficed, then I retired to the ship for a cold bath and an afternoon under the electric fans'.

Pictured: Market Street in Stone Town, the capital of Zanzibar's main island

The muggy air of Stone Town is filled with the ghosts of invaders who have, over the centuries, tried to make these islands their own. Its elaborately carved doors, coral-built walls, forts and colonial buildings reflect layer upon layer of its past heritage: the Indian sailors who imported durian, lychee, mango, jackfruit and papaya, whose trees now proliferate; the Portuguese adventurers trying to find a passage to the East; the Omani sultans who gave Zanzibar its name ('Land of the Blacks' in Persian) and turned this previously quiet paradise into the epicentre of the spice and slave trade. And, finally, it was home to the British, who came to protect the archipelago in 1890 from increasing German encroachment into East Africa; it became part of the newly independent Tanzania in 1964.

Today, nearly half a century later, another sort of invader strolls the streets of Zanzibar: upmarket tourists. Previously, under the communist-inspired, post-independence government of Julius Nyerere, the only visitors to tackle Tanzania's heavyweight bureaucracy and the vagaries of the Tanzanian airlines' schedules were backpackers and adventurers. Today, thanks to the current government's intention to make Zanzibar a tourist destination to rival Mauritius and the Seychelles, there are more than 300 hotels, and the international airport is busy with European charter flights (mainly from Germany, Belgium, Italy and Spain) as well as planes from Dar es Salaam, Johannesburg, Muscat and Nairobi. There is also a fast catamaran from the mainland that takes less than an hour. Zanzibar has never been so accessible.

Pictured: Portrait of an Omani sultan in the Palace Museum

We flew to the archipelago from the Serengeti, had a week's beach holiday, then hopped on a 12-seater Cessna to the Selous Game Reserve to camp in the wild. One morning I saw the sunrise from my bed in the Serengeti, ate fresh fruit salad for breakfast while watching giraffe, and by lunchtime I was in Zanzibar, in a bikini, with a glass of chilled South African Sauvignon Blanc in my hand and hot powdery sand between my toes.

When I last visited Zanzibar, in 2000, my family and I had sailed along the east coast of Africa to celebrate the Millennium and laid anchor in the harbour at Stone Town. After an hour of wandering around, my mother refused to stay a minute longer: the stench of the open drains, the fly-ridden market, the filthy, sewage-thick beach (which inspired David Livingstone to refer to the island as 'Stinkibar') made her nauseous. I wasn't sorry to return to our boat. The menus at the few hotels that did exist were dull, the palace on the seafront was closed and in dire need of repair, and the shops sold only very basic commodities. It wasn't exactly the exotic Zanzibar of my Arabian Nights dreams.

Pictured: A day bed on the beach at Kilindi Zanzibar

New hotels in Zanzibar

Just 11 years later, it's hard to find a tour operator who doesn't recommend the island as a luxurious Indian Ocean destination. It has always had white sand, blue seas and green forests (in 1856 the British explorer Richard Burton described it as a place where 'earth, sea and sky all seemed wrapped in a soft and sensuous repose') and some of the most beautiful dive sites on earth. Now it also has a handful of very smart boutique hotels, a few restaurants serving delicious seafood, serviceable tar roads that crisscross the island and, thanks to the Aga Khan Foundation, new sewerage drains in Stone Town.

Of course, not everything is perfect in paradise. The landscape is often blighted by hills of refuse, and many villagers still use the beaches as toilets, as they have done for centuries. Tourists ignore the fact that 96 per cent of the population is Muslim and continue to wear revealing clothing in public. The electricity supply can be erratic and many hotels have to rely on diesel generators. Water is becoming scarcer. And the divide between rich and poor is increasingly apparent: although locals on the whole benefit from tourism, the cost of one night in many of the hotels is more than the average Zanzibari earns in a year.

Happily, many hoteliers have realised that in order to survive and thrive on Zanzibar, they need to be sensitive to the needs of islanders, to employ locally, to provide education and training, and to buy from local producers. There are now cocktail bars and hotel villas staffed with trained butlers, chefs and nannies from Zanzibari communities, clearly relishing their jobs.

Pictured: A private sun terrace and plunge pool at Kilindi Zanzibar

Baraza Resort & Spa

Architecturally the most opulent of the island's new hotels, Baraza was styled on the palaces of the Omani sultans who ruled Zanzibar from the mid-1600s until the British took over in 1890. If it were not for the 70 hectares of bougainvillaea, palms, frangipani and jasmine and the wide, white beach, you could be in Oman. The low, white buildings, with arches, flat roofs, wide verandahs and barazas (built-in banquettes) are half-hidden by palm trees; the dining-room entrances are softened by acres of creamy fabric; verandahs echo with the whisk of old-fashioned brass-and-wood fans, and are lit at night by enormous brass lamps.

The owners, the Raguz family (who also own the neighbouring Palms and Breezes hotels), are the creative team behind Palacina Interiors in Nairobi, and all the wooden furniture, the Omani trunks, the brass lamps and the soft furnishings were made specially for the hotel.

The 30 one- and two-bedroom villas - family villas on one side, honeymooners' on the other, each with a plunge pool - are in the gardens or along the 240-metre private stretch of Bwejuu beach. The spacious gold and white interiors feature big, egg-shaped baths, verandahs and sexy, curtained double daybeds.

The beach - fine, white and powdery - is the hotel's greatest asset. It is extensive enough to walk along for hours, past fishing villages and other resorts and guesthouses, marvelling at the millions of seashells and the waves crashing hundreds of metres out to sea on a reef that protects the coast from Indian Ocean waves (and prevents sharks coming anywhere near the beaches).

The reef contains the only National Geographic dive site in East Africa, and the dive centre at neighbouring Breezes hotel can organise trips. Non-divers might take to the tennis courts, retire to the shady library, explore the beaches on bicycles or indulge in the most luxurious spa on the island, styled like an Arabian harem with golden mosaic floors and silk-canopied daybeds. Treatments run from basic facials to Thai massages administered by Noppapadon (known as Apple, 'because people say my name long and I sweet').

Pictured: The pool at Bazara Resort & Spa

Upsides The hotel shop is a treat: a vast emporium stocked with crafts from all over East Africa, from Maasai jewellery to silk kaftans embroidered with shells. And parents will rejoice in the well-equipped kids' club.

Downsides The sea urchins, which attach themselves to rocks all around the island and can be avoided only by wearing strong-soled rubber shoes while swimming; the inclusive wine (mainly a basic South African KWV) and uninspiring food (from pastas, salads and sandwiches for lunch to, one night, dry grilled lobster served with a broccoli, carrot and cauliflower kebab). www.baraza-zanzibar.com . One-bedroom villas from €550 all-inclusive

Pictured: The reception area at Bazara Resort & Spa

Kilindi Zanzibar

Zanzibar is not the first place one associates with Abba, but the band's Björn Ulvaeus originally built Kilindi as a private holiday home before selling it to the Tanzanian hotel group Elewana in 2010. Architecturally, it is unlike anywhere else, with 15 curvaceous, Gaudí-esque villas made up of domed rooms topped with a blue 'eye' of glass; each villa has its own garden, two plunge pools, a circular living room, a bathroom and one or two bedrooms. With 54 acres of landscaped grounds, there's plenty of space between the villas and the restaurant/living area at the heart of the hotel.

Because meals can be served when and where guests want, the public areas never feel crowded. Most guests spend their time relaxing on muslin-covered daybeds by their private pools behind villa walls, with an occasional stroll to the little spa for an Africology treatment or to the quiet, dhow-strewn beach to watch the sunset. In the evening, they gather by the big infinity pool or sip cocktails at the bar before wandering to dinner at tables arranged in various places: under a giant mango tree, beneath the stars, or on a veranda.

The hotel is managed by an experienced South African couple, and it shows: the staff are motivated, smiley and efficient, the gardens well tended and planted with endemic varietals. Unlike at most hotels in Zanzibar, the decor and furnishings are minimalist and urban, with aluminium bar-stools, contemporary art and slick writing desks lit with Italianate lamps.

Pictured: A bedroom opening onto a private terrace at Kilindi Zanzibar

Upsides The South African chef turns out simple but delicious meals using quality ingredients: tender lamb kebabs, grilled swordfish on herbed couscous, apple strudel with orange honey and spice ice cream, accompanied by a choice of six wines (all inclusive). It's also worth visiting the nearby government-run spice plantation to see vanilla growing alongside cloves, turmeric, lemongrass, jackfruit, peppercorns and mangoes.

Downsides Although the beach in front of the resort is private (and so free from vendors and other holidaymakers), the water lapping its shores is muddy. However, there's a beautiful, sandy swimming beach a 10-minute walk away, beyond the dhow-makers' beach. There are no reefs on this side of the island, but Mnemba Island is a 30-minute boat ride away. www.elewanacollection.com . Villas from US$1,300 all-inclusive

Pictured: A view of the Indian Ocean shore from the resort

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Olivia Morelli

The Residence Zanzibar

From the outside, The Residence is no beauty: with 66 brown-tiled brick bungalows in 32 hectares of newly landscaped grounds, it looks a bit like a suburban housing development. But inside, the rooms are stocked with every imaginable hotel treat (DVD players; coconut body products; fresh truffles; an espresso machine) and are elegantly designed and supremely comfortable. Of the new hotels, this is the most obvious choice for those who don't like to venture too far from Western comforts.

The large living rooms, bedrooms and big white bathrooms are all furnished in colonial style and open onto wooden decks and 11-metre private plunge pools (13 of the rooms and the Presidential Villa also have direct access to the beach). As one might expect from a member of the Leading Hotels of the World and a Singaporean owner, the staff are slick (by Zanzibar's standards) and well versed: they smile, proffer ice cream to guests on beach loungers, serve picnic lunches in rattan baskets, deliver cocktails in pretty glasses, and regularly change towels while guests swim in the most dazzling pool on the island: walled with blue glass, it offers surreal views of white beaches and palm trees from under water.

There are two restaurants: the gourmet Pavilion, a soulless room delivering a fussy Middle Eastern tasting menu to the sounds of a live band; and the quieter, more authentic Dining Room, on a palm-shaded deck overlooking the sea, serving delicious cuisine from a knockout buffet breakfast to tangy Indian curries and tender grilled lobster.

Pictured: The master bedroom of a two-bed garden villa

Upsides The hotel spa is the first one in the world to employ an Ohashiatsu practitioner, who delivers sensuous, stretching massages in one of six spartan spa bungalows; local Carita-trained facialists are also on hand to administer skincare and Opi manicures.

Downsides While the beach is beautifully cared for, its creamy sand swept each day to remove seaweed (which is hauled away on a cart by the hotel's black bullock), the lagoon is too shallow to swim in unless it's high tide - hence the long wooden pier, from which guests can take dips or boat rides. Also worth noting: drinks are not included at The Residence, and a glass of New Zealand Cloudy Bay costs US$30. www.theresidence.com/zanzibar . Villas from €550 half-board

Pictured: The glass-sided pool at The Residence Zanzibar

Matemwe Retreat

Matemwe is on the last strip of sand before the beaches give way to cliffs on the dry north-east coast of the island, which feels very unspoilt (in neighbouring Matemwe village, people still make their living from fishing and selling coconuts).

The retreat, which opened in June 2011, is adjacent to the less smart but equally charming Matemwe Lodge. It consists of four private villas built in the 1970s by two Swedish sisters and recently revamped by the new, South African-owned Asilia safari chain.

It is honeymoon heaven here. Overlooking a shallow, rocky lagoon fringed by a coral reef, the double-storey thatched villas are wonderful for hanging out in a hammock on your balcony, or taking a dip in your private rooftop pool while watching fleets of dugout canoes and dhows sail with the tide.

Meals are brought to your veranda once you've discussed with your butler what you'd like to eat (perhaps a fresh prawn cocktail served in a spicy poppadam, followed by fish and salad, and creamy lemon-curd ice cream). Villa fridges are stocked with drinks and ice; the rooftops have shaded banquettes for snoozes with a book; and there are ocean views from the pond-sized tadelakt baths and big beds.

The lodge next door has a relaxed bar, pool and spa if you fancy company, and if another walk on the blinding-white beach doesn't appeal, the laid-back dive staff will take you out for a reef-walk at low tide to explore the pools, or snorkelling in a traditional dhow.

Upsides The luxury resort of Mnemba Island lies just beyond the reef, and although the island itself is private, its waters are public - and its reefs are among the best in Zanzibar. The sea is an absurdly clear, pale aquamarine, turning to sapphire then inky blue.

Downsides At low tide the sea is too shallow to swim in (three to four metres lower than at high tide); and the beach fronting Matemwe village, just down the coast, is where the villagers ablute - so not somewhere for a romantic wander. www.asiliaafrica.com . Villa for two from US$936 full-board, including activities

Essque Zalu Zanzibar

Essque Zalu is the biggest of the new hotels on Zanzibar, sleeping 140 in 40 small thatched bungalows and nine villas on cliffs along the north-east coast.

Owned by four Italian business partners, designed by the Italian architect David Rossa and run by the new Essque brand of hotels based in Dubai, it is distinctly international in outlook.

The main building is a vast A-frame construction covered with what must be one of the largest makuti roofs in Africa. It houses two bars (a casual lounge bar and a more elegant cocktail space) and two restaurants. Between the main building and the cliff edge is an enormous, double-level infinity pool surrounded by loungers and thatched relaxation areas (around which most guests spend their day) and four hectares of pretty, well-planted gardens, thick with frangipani, jasmine, bougainvillaea and tropical flowering shrubs.

The rooms are serviceable, but not luxurious (the fabrics are fire-resistant rather than strokable, the decor practical rather than opulent). However, the hotel does provide everything many travellers now expect: large terrazzo power-showers and Asprey toiletries, a safe with a built-in plug for charging electronic gadgets, a TV, air-conditioning, and (in spite of there being excellent Tanzanian alternatives) drinking water imported from Norway and meat from Argentina, Kenya and South Africa.

Pictured: A sun deck at Essque Zalu Zanzibar

Upsides This is one of the least expensive upmarket properties on the island. The best things about it are the 150-metre jetty, with loungers from which to watch dhows go by, and a spacious bar and restaurant serving excellent mezze platters and seafood. There is also a Healing Earth spa using indigenous African plants and oils. Villas, sleeping up to eight, will suit families who want more privacy; each has a plunge pool, kitchen and private butler, as well as its own massage room.

Downsides There's no beach: the nearest sandy stretch is a 15-minute walk away, and busy with hawkers. The architecture isn't Zanzibari, and the dining rooms are too cavernous to feel comfortable. www.essquehotels.com . Garden Suites from US$496 half-board

Pictured: The beach at Essque Zalu Zanzibar

Zanzibar travel information

DISCOVER ZANZIBAR

GETTING THERE Carrier ( www.carrier.co.uk ) offers a week's holiday from £2,780 per person, based on two sharing, including three nights' fully inclusive accommodation in a pavilion at Kilindi Zanzibar, four nights' half-board in a luxury garden pool villa at The Residence Zanzibar, return flights from Heathrow and private transfers (the price includes a 'stay four nights, pay for three' offer at The Residence, valid 1 April-18 December 2012).

Journey time UK flights, via Dar es Salaam, take about 10 hours.

WEATHER TO GO Average daytime temperatures range from 28°C to 31°C all year round. March-May is the period of heaviest rainfall; June-October is driest, with only moderate humidity.

Published in Condé Nast Traveller March 2012.

Zanzibar Travel Guide

Looking for an off-the-beaten-path tropical destination? Look no further than Zanzibar! This island has plenty to offer between pristine beaches, warm weather, and plenty of culture. Keep reading for the ultimate Zanzibar travel guide.

Where is Zanzibar located?

Zanzibar is about 22 miles off the coast of east-central Africa in the Indian Ocean. This island, with a population of approximately 1 million, is a province of Tanzania. Zanzibar is about 68 miles long and 25 miles wide – its only city, which also serves as the capital, is known as Zanzibar City.

Is Zanzibar Safe?

Overall, Zanzibar is relatively safe for tourists. However, like any travel destination, you’ll want to keep an eye on your belongings to prevent petty theft, especially near the major tourist attractions.

Airports in Zanzibar

There is only one airport in Zanzibar, airport code ZNZ. It is very small. Sometimes, flights in and out of Zanzibar may be more expensive than flying into Dar Es Salaam’s airport. However, you must consider whether the cost savings are worth taking a ferry to Zanzibar or a local flight.

Search flights to Zanzibar

Zanzibar Visa

Most nationalities require a visa for Zanzibar. Fortunately, you can easily apply for a visa online through the Tanzania eVisa system. The e-visa process is straightforward; you’ll need to fill out an application form, pay a fee (usually $100 USD for standard visas), and upload supporting documents like a passport scan. Alternatively, you can obtain a Zanzibar visa on arrival at Zanzibar’s airport. It’s advisable to check the latest visa requirements and processing times on the official Tanzania Immigration website before your trip.

Visa for Zanzibar and Travel Visa for Tanzania information

The best time to travel to Zanzibar

The best months to visit Zanzibar are between June and October, also known as the dry season. During this time of the year, temperatures hover around 77°F, and you won’t have to deal with much rain – it’s the perfect weather for sightseeing!

When planning things to do and where to stay, you should consider the logistics of the areas in Zanzibar. Stone Town is considered the old town of Zanzibar. You can take a ferry to Stone Town or a plane to Zanzibar Airport. Most beaches are 45 minutes to an hour away.

Read tips on taking the Dar Es Salaam to Zanzibar ferry

Where to stay in Zanzibar

Zanzibar north east coast.

The Northeast Coast is one of the best neighborhoods in Zanzibar, with easy access to beaches, snorkeling, and top-notch accommodations. 

Hotels in Zanzibar North East Coast:

• Diamonds Mapenzi Beach (P.O. Box 100 Mahonda Zanzibar, Tanzania) : This all-inclusive resort is located right on the beach and has gorgeous rooms and top-notch amenities. 
• Ocean Paradise Resort and Spa (Kiwengwa Road North East Coast Pwani Mchangani TZ) : Tropical beachfront gardens, a spa, onsite restaurants, and airy rooms make this resort one of the best places to stay in Zanzibar.

Zanzibar East Coast

If you’re a beach lover, this is the best place to stay in Zanzibar – the area is home to some of the most pristine beaches on the island.

Hotels in Zanzibar East Coast:

• Mvuvi Boutique Resort (Kiwengwa, Tanzania) : This laid-back beachfront hotel offers complimentary breakfast, dinner, a private beach, and a saltwater pool.
• Le Mersenne Zanzibar, Autograph Collection (Unnamed Road Michamvi Pingwe Michamvi TZ Pingwe TZ) : This off-the-beaten-path hotel houses 51 guest rooms, an oceanfront restaurant, and thoughtfully-curated decor.

Stone Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a great place to stay for a night during the front or back end of your trip to Zanzibar. This is the historical capital of Zanzibar, with cobblestone streets and plenty of historical sites.

Hotels in Stone Town:

• Upendo House (213/14 Hurumzi St, Zanzibar, Tanzania) : This boutique hotel has an incredible rooftop infinity pool and a fantastic onsite international restaurant overlooking this neighborhood.
• The Seyyida Hotel & Spa (R5RR+2F2, Nyumba Ya Moto St, Zanzibar, Tanzania) : This 17-room hotel has stunning architecture with marble floors, grand archways, and inner garden courtyards. A lounge area overlooks the ocean, where you can enjoy a cocktail while watching the sunset. 

Spice Tree by Turaco 90, 90A Shangani St, Zanzibar 3120, Tanzania

Formerly a Doubletree Hotel, this Marriott property is perfect for those who want to earn Marriott points while in Tanzania.

Things to do in Zanzibar

Explore the old fort.

Located in Stone Town, the Old Fort, built in the 17th century, offers a great view of the ocean. It is the oldest building in Stone Town, so it’s perfect for history lovers.

Check out Forodhani Gardens Food Market in Stone Town

While this area offers gorgeous gardens by day, it transforms into a bustling food market at night. The fresh fish and Swahili cuisine you’ll find at this market are likely some of the best in Africa! Many tourists recommend this. However, I found the experience underwhelming. I was not able to enjoy it because as soon as I entered the market, several people bombarded me with offers to try their food. I settled for a stahl, and it was just okay.

Visit a Former Slave Market

Throughout history, Zanzibar was a significant player in the global slave trade. The world’s last slave market was located in Stone Town until it was shut down by the British in 1873. An Anglican church has replaced the spot where this market stood, and you can learn more about the slave trade history at an exhibit outside the cathedral. 

Take a trip to Prison Island

If you love turtles, visiting Prison Island is a must! Also known as Changuu Island, Prison Island is about a half-hour boat ride from Zanzibar. This island is a sanctuary for Aldabra tortoises, which are some of the largest tortoises in the world!

Take a spice tour

Zanzibar’s nickname is the “Spice Island” due to the abundance of spices grown on its land, including cumin, vanilla, turmeric, nutmeg, cinnamon, and cloves. You can choose from several tours telling the story of Zanzibar’s spice trading history and how they are grown – and you might even get a sample or two!

Go on a safari

Incorporating a safari into your Zanzibar itinerary adds an exciting dimension to your tropical getaway. While Zanzibar is renowned for its stunning beaches and cultural attractions, venturing on a safari allows you to delve into the heart of Africa’s untamed wilderness and encounter iconic wildlife species in their natural habitats. With various safari options available within reach from Zanzibar, including Tanzania’s renowned national parks like the Serengeti, Tarangire, and Ngorongoro Crater, visitors can embark on exhilarating game drives, guided bush walks and even hot air balloon safaris for truly unforgettable experiences. Witnessing the majestic elephants, lions, zebras, and giraffes against the backdrop of vast savannahs or dense woodlands provides a stark contrast to the serene coastal landscapes of Zanzibar. Whether you opt for a day trip or a multi-day safari excursion, combining your beach vacation with a safari adventure offers a well-rounded and enriching travel experience that showcases the diverse natural wonders of East Africa. Be sure to check reviews and research the tour company before forking money over for a tour. Sometimes, your hotel can recommend a reputable option.

Click here for safaris that leave from Zanzibar

Enjoy the beaches

Zanzibar is a true tropical paradise, home to some of the most stunning beaches in the world, showcasing white powdery sand and crystal clear water in the Indian Ocean. Here are a few of the best beaches in Zanzibar:

• Nungwi Beach : Located in the Zanzibar North area, Nungwi Beach has soft sand and sparkling clear waters. As a west-facing beach, this is one of the best Zanzibar beaches for watching the sunset.
• Paje Beach : This quiet beach is an excellent alternative to some of the more popular beaches on the island. Dotted with several palm trees, beach bars, and open-air restaurants, you could easily spend the entire day here. It’s also a great spot for water sports.
• Kendwa Beach : Just a ten-minute drive from Nungwi Beach, Kendwa Beach is perfect for swimming because the tide doesn’t change much in this area. The sunsets here are also incredible!

Best restaurants in Zanzibar

• The Rock Restaurant : Located on a rock just offshore, this tiny eatery serving fresh seafood has only 12 tables but has become world-famous due to its location – be sure to make a reservation in advance and book a transfer/ride to the restaurant.
• Taarab Restaurant : This restaurant has one of the most stunning rooftops in Zanzibar – you’ll get a view of Stone Town and the sparkling Indian Ocean. There is plenty of seafood and vegetarian food on the menu. 
• Secret Garden at Emerson : Hidden away upstairs at the Emerson Hotel complex is a hidden garden with private dinners, cocktails, and tea. This is one of the most beautiful places to eat on the island!

Is Zanzibar Worth Visiting?

With some of the world’s most beautiful beaches, several historical sights, and delicious Swahili cuisine, Zanzibar is definitely worth a visit! Lay on the beach, dip your toes in the water, explore the rich history, and unwind in this real-life tropical oasis.

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Ten Days in Zanzibar: An Itinerary for First-Timers

Located just off the coast of East Africa, Zanzibar is an archipelago with a fascinating and colorful history. Today, Zanzibar is a semi-autonomous zone within the nation of Tanzania, after having experienced several different periods of colonization by a number of different world powers. Throughout this time, however, Zanzibar was a major hub for slavery in the African Great Lakes region, as well as Stone Town being a busy port city. 

Today, this history is reflected in the extensive cultural diversity among Zanzibari people, an ethnic mixture of backgrounds ranging from Persian and Arab to African. The vast majority of the population is Muslim, although there are small factions of other religions present in the archipelago, and Swahili is the locals’ first language.

Visiting Zanzibar offers you the opportunity to enjoy two major sides of what the archipelago has to offer – an incredibly rich cultural and historical experience, as well as a gorgeous seaside holiday. Of course, there are many destinations around the world where you can experience vibrant cultures, fascinating history, and pristine beaches, but there aren’t many places where you can tick all these boxes within 565 square miles. That’s the dream, right? 

My trip to Zanzibar was quite unlike anything else I’ve experienced before. I’d read a lot about the plethora of things to see and do, ranging from visiting the old slave market in Stone Town to swimming with dolphins off the north-eastern coast of the main island. However, when I was finally able to do these things myself, I found myself in awe of how incredibly multifaceted Zanzibar is as a holiday destination. 

The hustle and bustle of the busiest parts of Stone Town make you feel like you’re in a North African riad, while the white sandy beaches of the east coast are comparable to the picture-perfect honeymoon locations of Mauritius and the Seychelles – just quieter and a little more authentic! 

But the best part of all is that Zanzibar is relatively cheap. Whether you’re looking for a budget holiday or a middle-of-the-road type of trip, Zanzibar is a holiday destination that’ll allow you to have an epic experience and do plenty of activities without having to break the bank. I wrote a detailed guide on how to visit Zanzibar on a budget , if you’re interested.

Zanzibar has so many things to do that it can be overwhelming at first, but the good news is that because the main island is small, it’s absolutely possible to experience a little bit of everything without feeling like you’re being run off your feet. It’s all about striking a balance between experiencing the history and culture while also making time to sit back, relax and enjoy your gorgeous surroundings, and in my opinion, this is the perfect place to do just that.

Today, I’m going to share with you some things that I wish I’d known when first visited Zanzibar, along with a comprehensive itinerary of where to go, what to do, and where to stay during your ten days in Zanzibar. 

My itinerary will take you all over the island – you’ll start in Stone Town and see the most important historical sites and do a traditional spice tour, among other things. After that, I’ll guide you through the best way to see the whole island – from doing a dhow cruise in Nungwi to hanging out on the beaches in Kiwengwa, to exploring the legendary Jozani Forest, to finally enjoying a little bit of paradise in Kizimkazi. I’m going to give you advice on where to go, what to do, and where to stay so that you can have an epic trip without any bumps in the road (metaphorically, of course). 

Whether you follow my guide from A to Z or just pick out a few fun places or useful tips, I hope that my experience can help you plan the perfect holiday to East Africa’s most underrated tropical paradise. Now, let’s dive right into our 10-day Zanzibar itinerary!

Day 1: Exploring Stone Town

Prepare to be greeted by Stone Town’s bustling atmosphere the minute you arrive – you’ll be surrounded by friendly locals, bustling storefronts, and remarkable architecture. To be in and amongst the action is the best way to properly experience Stone Town, so I’d suggest exploring on foot as much as possible! I found that it allowed me to really appreciate the complexities of my surroundings – from the colonial buildings to the exquisitely designed wooden doors. The best part of this is that Stone Town is pretty small, so you can absolutely walk it!

Take the plunge and start your adventure at the Darajani Bazaar, arguably the biggest and most popular market in Stone Town. There’s nothing quite like wandering around a traditional market – surrounded by local merchants and families doing their grocery shopping, this is one of my favorite things to do in Zanzibar. There really is no better way to immerse yourself in the local culture! But remember, you will, most likely, stick out like a sore thumb as a tourist, so don’t allow any vendors to take advantage of you and charge you the world for produce or products. 

Next, take a quick stroll down Market Street to the Old Slave Market, probably the most important stop of your Zanzibar itinerary. Be warned – this is, as you may have anticipated, a somber experience. But, having said that, it was truly enlightening and educational too. I’d advise doing a proper tour, during which your guide will show you around the site and explain the distressing history of slavery in Zanzibar. 

The site includes several statues and memorials for the people who died during this period, and the atmosphere is palpable. The former slave market serves as a harsh reminder of the shadows of darkness that are cast by the island’s colonial history of oppression, appearing in stark contrast to the beautiful old colonial buildings that line the streets of Stone Town – but it’s an important reminder, nonetheless.  

Next up, on a slightly different note, head on over to Freddy Mercury House. Yep, you heard me! If you didn’t already know this, you may be surprised to hear that Freddy Mercury grew up in Stone Town and you can visit his former home. You can’t go inside, but you’ll be able to admire the beautiful, traditional door and read all about his life on the plaques positioned outside the house. I found this to be quite a fun and unexpected pitstop, but then again, I’m a bit of a Queen fan girl – so it may not be as much fun if you’re impartial to them (the greatest rock band of all time, cough, cough). Each to their own!

Making a jump to a bit more local history, wander up to the Old Fort, otherwise known as the Arab Fort. The oldest building in Stone Town, the Old Fort was built in 1699 and has been used as a prison and a train terminal, among other things, over the years. Today, it’s well set up for tourists and it even has a visitors’ center and a restaurant.

Across the street from the Old Fort, you’ll find the House of Wonders and the Palace Museum, two of Zanzibar’s landmark museums. They’re both culturally significant, the former being the most modern building in the archipelago at one point in time, and their architecture combines European and Zanzibari styles, adding to their sublime uniqueness. Make sure you take a moment to have a look at these buildings when you leave the Old Fort. Viewing them from the outside should be sufficient, however, because they’re not as well kept as the fort, so don’t waste too much time here!

End your day with a cultural experience that is sure to be an absolute blast! By now, you’re bound to be absolutely dying to try some local Zanzibari street food, and where better to do this than at a local night market? As the sun sets, the Forodhani Gardens, located at the Palace Museum, transforms into a hustling and bustling food market. 

Here, you’ll be able to spend the evening wandering around, meeting locals, and trying out some of the most interesting and delicious food! My favorite things are Zanzibari pizza (which is nothing like a typical pizza), Chapatti, and Urojo! My mouth is watering just thinking about these delicious treats.

Where to stay in Stone Town: Stone Town boasts loads of accommodation options, but I personally think that since you’re going to be doing a lot of exploring and spending significant time outdoors, it’s nice to have a really nice and comfortable place to stay – that’s why I’d recommend Sharazad Wonders Boutique . Its location is super central – only 150 meters from the main beach and close to the Old Fort – and it offers handy extra services like the use of free bikes and air-conditioning in the rooms. 

Day 2: Traditional Spice Tour from Stone Town

No trip to Stone Town is complete without a traditional spice tour! Now, I was a little bit skeptical when I was first told that I had to do a spice tour while in Zanzibar – I’m not particularly interested in spices, nor am I much of a cook (or so I’ve been told). Luckily, however, my curiosity got the better of me and I did it anyway, and boy am I glad it did! 

A Zanzibari spice tour is about more than just spices, it’s a full-on cultural experience. Not only do you get to see and try a vast array of traditional spices, but you get to spend the day with locals away from the business of the town, cook with them, and even share a meal.

Your morning starts at 9:00 where you’ll meet your guide at the entrance of the Old Fort – yes, the one you visited yesterday. From there, you’ll be driven out to the spice farm by means of their arranged transport, so you don’t have to worry about a thing. Best of all, the journey is fairly quick, 20 to 30 minutes maximum, and you’ll get to see Stone Town from a different vantage point along the way.

When you arrive, your guides will show you around the farm, telling you all about their different spices – you can even taste them fresh from the fields which I’d highly recommend. You’ll see things like vanilla, cardamom, and nutmeg that ought to be familiar to you, as well as a few more unusual things as well, it’s all part of the fun. 

After the tour, you’ll be invited to take part in a cassava leaf harvest, a coconut milk-making tour, and finally, you’ll have an intimate cooking lesson with the locals, using a collection of local ingredients and spices. As if the cooking lesson wasn’t fun enough, you get to eat the final product! 

But in all seriousness, I really believe that few traveling experiences come close to sharing a meal with locals, no matter where you are in the world. And here, you get to (literally) break bread with people from a completely different walk of life as they share with you their culture and traditions. It really is an epic experience!

However, from a practical perspective, be warned that you’ll be spending much of the day in the sweltering sun. So make sure you take a hat, sun cream, water, comfortable shoes to walk in, and cash to buy some spices of your own afterward!

You’ll get back to the Fort in the afternoon and will most likely be rather knackered, so I’d suggest that you spend the rest of the afternoon chilling. But if you do feel up to doing something more, consider checking out the Persian baths, the Malindi Mosque, St. Joseph’s Catholic Cathedral, or just going for walk along the beach.

When you’re ready for dinner, I found that the best way to find the most delicious food was to simply take a stroll around town until you found something you like the look of. The streets are bustling in the evenings, and you’ll have no trouble finding a place for dinner – whether you grab something from a street vendor or sit down at a proper restaurant!

Day 3: Changuu Island Day Trip from Stone Town

Get ready for a proper island-style day out when you do a day trip to Changuu Island . Meet at the Old Fort in the morning (yeah, it’s a common meeting place for tours) and you’ll be taken down to the coastline where you’ll hop on a little boat and your guide will drive you out to the island. Although the boat itself is nothing special, it’s always fun to be out on the water. And don’t panic if you get seasick, it’s not a long ride and you won’t spend any time bobbing around!

Changuu Island, colloquially known as Prison Island, is incredibly significant in Zanzibar, naturally, culturally, and historically. The island was purchased by Lloyd Matthews, Zanzibar’s first-ever British Prime Minister back in 1893, and its initial purpose was, you guessed it, to be a prison. However, these plans didn’t materialize and the island was later used as a location for local yellow fever patients to quarantine – yikes!

When you arrive, you’ll be able to wander around and learn about the local history from your guide. But it’s not all about colonial history! Animal lovers will be pleased to hear that the island is inhabited by at least 50 tortoises. In fact, some will be older than you, as there are even a few who are older than 100 years old! You’ll be able to see the local animals and even feed them if you’re brave. Your guide will give you some background as to what these little guys (who aren’t always so little) are doing there. And keep an eye out for peacocks and antelope too!

Once you’ve seen and learned about the island, wander back down to the beach to cool off in the picturesque waters. Your guides will even bring along snorkeling gear, so if you’re keen to check out what’s below you, grab some goggles, flippers, and a snorkel and hit the water!

When you’re tired, lunch will be waiting for you, cooked for you by your guides. You’ll have the pleasure of enjoying a traditional Swahili feast including local fare, a seafood BBQ, fresh fruit, and delicious cheeses.

After your lunch has settled, you’ll jump back on the boat and enjoy a leisurely ride back to the main island. You’ll probably be full from lunch, so if you’re not too tired, wander around and find a spot on the beach for some sundowners – I’d suggest 6 Degrees South or Mercury’s – and get an early night. 

Day 4: Chill Out on the Coast at Nungwi

Start your day bright and early and head up north to Nungwi. There are four ways to get there – by bus, shuttle, taxi, or rental car. When I did the trip, I hired a car and drove myself because I wanted the freedom to stop as I liked. But if you’d rather let somebody else do the driving, my recommendation would be to pre-order a taxi. You can take a bus or shuttle, but you may be in for some delays, multiple stops, and just a generally full and uncomfortable journey. Of course, it’s all about preference! But if you are going to take a taxi, make sure you book it in advance and settle on a price beforehand – this goes for the rest of your trip too!

When you arrive (the drive is only about an hour and fifteen minutes if you go directly), check into your accommodation and spend the day exploring the village and relaxing on the beach.

If you’re an active person, however, and sitting still just isn’t your cup of tea (I get it, I always need to be busy), there are loads of things you can do without going too far. Head down to Nungwi Beach and you’ll find loads of space to lay down your towel and read a book, as well as several operators offering cool things to do. This may include things like hiring snorkeling or diving gear or going surfing. 

For dinner, I’d highly recommend, um, Sexy Fish Restaurant. They serve the most delicious African-European fusion seafood made with locally sourced ingredients – it’s to die for. 

Where to Stay in Nungwi: Nungwi is a fairly touristy part of the island – by Zanzibar’s standards – but Canary Nungwi Hotel and Spa is the perfect escape from the business you may experience elsewhere. It’s only a few hundred meters away from Nungwi Beach and a few kilometers from Royal Beach and Kendwa Beach (which, by the way, is divine). 

Canary Nungwi Hotel is one of my personal favorites, not only because of its location but it’s got a laid-back vibe while still offering you all the amenities you need. It even has its own restaurant, so if you’re needing a quick and easy meal, you don’t have to go far. And their food is delicious too!

Day 5: Visit the Turtles and Go for a Sunset Dhow Cruise

You’ve seen local tortoises, and now it’s time to hang out with their aquatic counterparts! Visit the Mnarani Marine Turtle Conservation Pond in Nungwi, a natural aquarium, and see these little local wonders with your very own eyes. 

At the conservation pond, you’ll be able to learn all about the local turtle population and the aquarium’s conservation efforts. If you’re keen, you’ll even be able to feed and swim with the turtles – a truly special experience! Entrance fee is $10 which goes towards their conservation efforts, which is pretty worth it if you ask me.

Spend the afternoon relaxing on the beach and in the sun before heading out on a sunset dhow cruise . In my humble opinion, this was one of the coolest things I got to do while in Zanzibar. Being out on the open ocean in a traditional Zanzibari dhow with a glass of wine – it doesn’t get better than that. Depending on the weather, you may even have the option of jumping in the water for a snorkel when you arrive at the reef, and you’ll be serenaded with local live music on the boat while you enjoy your sundowners. 

Day 6: Visit the Kiwengwa Caves on the Northeastern Coast 

It’s time to hit the road – you’re going to Kiwengwa! This is when it comes in handy to have hired a car, but don’t fret if you don’t – you can, once again, pre-order a taxi (for about $25) or catch a local bus. It’ll only take you about 45 minutes to get there.

Kiwengwa is a popular destination for tourists, and it’s no wonder why. It boasts a gorgeous beach and several cool attractions – also, the beaches in the North Eastern part of Zanzibar are known to be the best, and I can absolutely attest to that!

When you arrive, drop off your bags and enjoy a relaxing morning. Then put on some active clothes, comfy shoes, and get ready to do some exploring, because you’re going to the Kiwengwa Caves! 

There are actually two caves – one is 150 meters long and the other is 200 meters long – and they differ in shape and height. They’re a pretty awe-inspiring sight and when you get there, you’ll be surrounded by bats and exquisite birds, making this an epic excursion for animal lovers, especially ornithologists. The caves are full of massive trees and their roots, as well as stalactites hanging from the roof of the caves. 

Spend the afternoon exploring the nearby little village of Pongwe. It’s a quaint local village with a beautiful beach boasting pristine, calm waters and a protected coral reef. Wander around the village and meet the locals, and spend some time lazing around on the beach and in the water.

Head back to Kiwengwa and have dinner at La Base Jungelkite, a local seafood and fish restaurant. Now, don’t be thrown off when you realize it’s also a kitesurfing school – their food is excellent and there’s always a cool atmosphere! 

Where to stay in Kiwengwa: When you’re visiting Kiwengwa, you absolutely have to stay at Ndoto Africa Bungalows . Here, you’ll be treated to all the comforts of home along with a typical East African touch. The rooms are separate little bungalows so you can enjoy your privacy and there’s a lovely pool that you’re sure to want to use to cool off after long, hot days in the sun.

Their breakfasts are also an absolute must – they serve a variety of options, including an a la carte menu, continental breakfast, as well as several Italian-style options if you’d like to try something different. 

Day 7: Kiwengwa

Today is all about relaxing. After all, Kiwengwa, along with the rest of the northeastern coast of Zanzibar, is renowned for its sublime beaches and epic swimming spots. And after a busy week, you’re most likely aching for a day in the sun and the sand doing whatever the heck you want. 

So, start your morning in the most relaxing way possible and down to the Yoga Bar. Enjoy a yoga class at the beach at this special family-run establishment and stick around for a coffee and a healthy breakfast afterward.

Spend the rest of the day hanging out on the beach and taking a walk out on the sand banks at low tide. Hit the water and do some snorkeling, or, if you really feel like being active, why not try out a kite surfing lesson? I’d recommend either making your way back to La Base Junglekite or try out One Love Kite Surfing – they’re both popular kite surfing schools and you’re bound to have a fun day out! 

In the late afternoon, head to the Beach Lounge for sundowners and enjoy a laid-back evening.

Day 8: Visit Jozani Forest from Jambiani

Hit the road and head from Kiwengwa to Jambiani – the drive should take you just over an hour (if you travel directly) and a taxi will cost you between $35 and $40. Jambiani is a quaint little village, slightly quieter and less touristy than some of the northeastern parts of Zanzibar. It’s known as a fishing and seaweed farming village and wandering around the streets and up the seven-kilometer-long beach is a beautiful and fascinating experience.

Spend the morning exploring the village, enjoying the beach, and frolicking in the water before getting ready to head out for a little afternoon adventure. Make sure you’re wearing comfortable clothes head on out to Jozani Forest – either drive or hop in a taxi. The forest is located inside Jozani Chwaka National Park – Zanzibar’s only national park. 

For the full experience, I would absolutely recommend doing a guided forest tour. That way, you’ll be shown around the forest by a local guide, and they’ll tell you all about the natural vegetation and the wild animals that call the forest home. One of the most unusual animals you’ll see are Red Colobus Monkeys – they’re only found in Zanzibar, so they’re a pretty special sight!

After your day in the forest, head back to Jambiani to enjoy an evening on the beach. If you’re into seafood, I’d highly recommend going to Casa Del Mar – they serve Sea Cigal which is a local breed of lobster, and it’s absolutely to die for! And if you’re into Instagrammable settings, take a taxi up to the Rock for dinner: the instafamous restaurant that’s located on a rock in the ocean!

Where to stay in Jambiani: Since you’re only staying one night, why not treat yourself to a full-on resort experience? And there’s no better place to do it than at Zen Boutique Resort .

The resort offers visitors everything you could possibly dream of – from a pool with crystal clear water to a top-notch restaurant and vibey bar. Ideally, it’s only about 30 kilometers from Jozani Forest and there’s even a shared lounge, which I’ve always found is a really fun way to meet other travelers!

Day 9: Enjoy the Beach at Kizimkazi

The time has come for you to head to your final destination of your trip to Zanzibar – Kizimkazi. It’ll only take you about half an hour to get there (once again, either by driving yourself or by taxi) so have a slow morning in Jambiani before you head down south. 

Kizimkazi is the ideal place to relax and just enjoy the tropical paradise that is Zanzibar during your second last day on the island. My favorite beach to visit when I was there was Aya Beach – it may not boast the white sandy beaches you see on postcards, but I actually think that in many ways, it’s better! It’s a beautiful piece of shoreline and you can walk along the beach no matter the tides. 

Spend the day enjoying the outdoors and hanging out on the beach. If you’re feeling adventurous, why not go snorkeling? The water is warm and it’s crystal clear! 

For dinner, head down to Mnana Lodge. Here, you’ll find an awesome spot that serves Italian-Zanzibari fusion food – it’s exactly what you never realized you’ve been missing in your life! Honestly, the food is incredible and it’s super well-priced, you simply can’t go wrong with Mnana Lodge. 

Where to stay in Kizimkazi: Last but certainly not least is Kamelon Blue in Kizimkazi – my favorite place that I’ve stayed at on the island! Kamelon Blue just has such a cool atmosphere. It’s relaxed but professional, and you’ll have access to a gorgeous pool and cool bar on the property (make sure to try out a few of their signature cocktails, they’re amazing). 

The setting is absolutely gorgeous, with the private rooms situated in and amongst greenery all around the property, so walking back to your room tonight makes you feel like you’re in the middle of the forest!

Day 10: Enjoy a Blue Safari 

It’s your last day in Zanzibar, but don’t let that get you down! Spend your final morning going on what the locals call a blue safari – a day trip on a boat to marvel at some of the island’s most incredible scenery and wildlife! Best of all, you’ll even get to hop in the water and come face-to-face with some of them. 

Now, before you head out, it’s essential that you’re properly prepared – it gets pretty darn hot out there, so make sure you pack a hat, sun cream, and clothing that won’t make you too hot. Definitely wear a swimsuit and if you have a second skin, take it along! The last thing you want is to get a gnarly sunburn just before you have to travel home.

When you’re deciding which tour operator to pick, my advice is to look carefully at what the tours include and make a decision based on how long you want to be out on the water and which activities most suit your interests. Some of the activities they include are visiting Menai Bay which is Zanzibar’s largest marine protected area, going snorkeling in special locations, viewing dolphins, and even swimming with dolphins. Some will offer all, especially if it’s a private tour, while others tend to focus on either sightseeing at Menai Bay and learning about the conservation side of things or swimming with the dolphins. 

Honestly, all these options are epic. But since you have limited time, I’d say you should prioritize swimming with the dolphins. I mean, how often do you get that kind of opportunity?

After a special day out on the water, surrounded by phenomenal scenery and beautiful animals, you ought to feel pretty fulfilled! And while you may be sad to leave, the one upside is that your trip back out to Stone Town, from where you’ll depart (either by plane or ferry) will only take you about an hour by taxi. 

Final Thoughts on How to Spend 10 Days in Zanzibar

Well, there you have it! I’ve done a fair bit of traveling in different parts of the world, but there’s just something special about Zanzibar. It’s the locals, the food, the incredible scenery, and the fact that the archipelago has such a rich and deep history just waiting to be explored. The true essence of Zanzibar is tangible wherever you go and whatever you do, and in my opinion, it’s something that everybody should experience. 

So, now that you’ve heard my take on the best way to see Zanzibar in ten days, all there’s left to do is start booking and pack your bags!

Lauren Juliff

Lauren Juliff is a published author and travel expert who founded Never Ending Footsteps in 2011. She has spent over 12 years travelling the world, sharing in-depth advice from more than 100 countries across six continents. Lauren's travel advice has been featured in publications like the BBC, Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and Cosmopolitan, and her work is read by 200,000 readers each month. Her travel memoir can be found in bookstores across the planet.

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Zanzibar Travel Guide | 10 Best things to Do in Zanzibar for Solo Travellers

by Ashleigh Page Last Updated: Nov 4, 2023 Tanzania , Africa , Travel Destinations

Page Contents

10 Best Things to Do in Zanzibar for Solo Travellers

Just 50 Kilometres off the coast of the African nation of Tanzania , and surrounded by the turquoise-blue waters of the Indian Ocean, is the tropical archipelago of Zanzibar. 

Once Africa’s greatest ancient world trade hubs, this island is known for its melting pot of different cultures and unique mix of buildings and culinary culture. 

Zanzibar is a place of a thousand stories and the solo traveller that is willing to take the time to explore this ancient tropical escape will find an adventure unlike any other.

Wander the narrow alleys of the historic Stone Town as you cut through streets of ancient buildings with tile decorated balconies and intricately carved doors.

Rest on white sandy beaches as wooden dhow boats sail along the coast or escape to a more rural life in a countryside that is dotted with rich smelling plantations that are the reason Zanzibar is known as the “Spice Island”. 

Experience world-class snorkelling and scuba diving, visit vibrant beach bar locations or watch the sunset from a rooftop garden. Zanzibar has all you could imagine and more. 

No matter what you hope to see in this little part of paradise we have got you covered with our Zanzibar Travel Guide containing the 10 best things to do in Zanzibar.

Related Articles:

• An Easy Guide to Tanzania & 5 Critical Tips for Solo Travellers in Tanzania
• How to Visit the Serengeti National Park (Tanzania’s Greatest Treasure!)

How to Get to Zanzibar Island

There are two main ways to get to Zanzibar and many choose either to get a light aircraft flight or by taking one of the high-speed ferries.

Flights to Zanzibar usually fly out of Arusha Airport near the Serengeti National Park . After all, what could be better than spending some time unwinding on a tropical island after an intensive safari experience in Tanzania.

Flights usually take around 1.5 hours to reach the island and will have you starting your Zanzibar experience at Abeid Amani Karume International Airport, which is only a 15-minute drive from the historic Stone Town.

Another way to reach Zanzibar is by taking a high-speed ferry out from the Tanzanian capital of Dar Es Salaam.

The ferry leaves four times a day, takes around two hours and costs approximately $45 USD for the journey. It is one of the most scenic routes to get you to the port of Zanzibar city. 

The 10 Best Things to Do in Zanzibar 

Zanzibar has a variety of unique and interesting locations for travellers to explore and activities to experience. 

As part of our Zanzibar Travel Guide, we have listed 10 of our favourite things for solo travellers to do in Zanzibar. 

1) Stone Town

Stone Town is a city of great historical importance in East Africa. Its architecture is rich and diverse and many of its buildings date as far back as the 19th century. 

The town was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000 due to its diverse mix of architecture and cultures with a range of influences such as Swahili, Arab, Persian, Indian and European elements being found throughout the old quarter of Stone Town.

The town’s unique history and heritage make i t one of the most popular tourist destinations in all of Zanzibar.

As a solo traveller, you’ll feel like you’ve travelled back in time whilst exploring the spice bazaars and towering archways of this ancient city! 

There is a huge variety of activities for travellers in Stone Town so we have listed some of the best for you to check out below.

Top activities to do in Stone Town

• Visit the Forodhani Gardens Food Market where dozens of food stalls sit right on the city seafront and provide a delicious selection of local Zanzibar cuisine for you to enjoy
• Visit the Zanzibar old fort which is set on the promenade and is free to enter! The fort contains an art gallery and souvenir market and is a great way to spend a few hours in the city
• Make sure to visit the Palace Museum which is based at the former Sultan’s Palace and will give you a glimpse into this island’s unique history from its ancient roots all the way to its 1960s revolution
• Enjoy drink on the rooftop of the Africa House Hotel as you watch the fisherman’s wooden dhow boats return from a day at sea. This is a must-see for Zanzibar as nothing truly creates a sense of tropical escape like watching dozens of wooden ships return to the harbour while a golden orange glow fills the sky
• Visit Zanzibar’s national museum which is unofficially known as the “House of Wonders” and is located on the seafront in Stone Town. Not only is it an impressive building but it’s a perfect place to start your Zanzibar solo trip as it helps you learn about interesting locations all over the island.

Top Hotels in Stone Town

Stone Town has dozens of different hotels for travellers to enjoy and we have listed some of our favourites below. 

1) Double Tree by Hilton, Stone Town

• For the solo traveller seeking to enjoy a premium comfort stay  then the DoubleTree by Hilton is a great option to check out.
• S et in the heart of the town and only a five-minute walk from the shoreline it is in the perfect location.
• The hotel is designed in traditional Swahili architecture and is renowned for its premium service. 

2) Zanzibar Coffee House Hotel

• For the solo traveller looking for a more budget but charmingly boutique option  the Zanzibar Coffee House Hotel offers an authentic experience in one of the oldest Arabic homes in the city.
• It is a stylish hotel with relaxed interiors, antiques and rich fabrics.

3) Lost and Found 57 hostel

• If you’re seeking a cheap backpacker-friendly option which allows you to stay with other like-minded travellers, then the Lost and Found 57 hostel is the perfect place to rest your head.
• Located in the heart of Stone Town in a stunningly renovated townhouse this is the perfect place to enjoy a drink on the balcony while making new friends from all over the world.
• Staff are friendly and also help with bookings for local tours throughout Zanzibar.

2) Take a Local Village Tour

Visiting one of the rural villages dotted around Zanzibar is the perfect way to get an insight into the local people’s daily life. It is also a nice way to support the local economy and enjoy a side of Zanzibar that standard tourists never see. 

There are organised tours to the coastal village of Jambiani which allow you to see local fishermen, the village herbalist and a seaweed farm as well as enjoy a traditional Swahili lunch. 

You can also enjoy a 4×4  quad bike off-road adventure tour through remote African villages, farm lands, and plantations.

It is important to remember that taking pictures of people without permission is not widely accepted in African nations. If you’re going to take your camera make sure to remember to ask before you take a snap! 

3) Enjoy a Traditional Dhow Boat Sunset Journey

There is no better way to enjoy the waters of Zanzibar than by taking a sunset cruise on a traditional fisherman’s Dhow boat. 

Watch the coast glide by as your boat passes fishing villages and watch dolphins leaping from the blue waters of the warm Indian Ocean. Enjoy an ocean swim or just lounge on the front of your boat and take in the smell and sights of the sea.

There are a variety of different boat trips such as dinner cruises or party boats so always make sure to do a little research and pick the one that best works for you.

Most of the sunset cruises depart from the main towns on the west of the island and you can take cruises from the town of Nungwi or Stone Town.

4) Take a Spice Tour

Discover why Zanzibar is called the Spice Island and visit some of the unique spics plantations found all over the island which grow spices like vanilla, turmeric, cumin, cinnamon and many others. 

Many of the island’s hotels offer this experience and it usually involves having a local guide take you to one of the island’s many plantations where you can walk among the fields and learn about the history of the spice trade on Zanzibar. 

This is also a great experience to combine with a local cuisine cooking class as it allows you to see the whole journey of spice through Zanzibar and learn how to make a new dish to show off when you return home from your solo travels! 

5) Enjoy a Blue Safari Around the Island

Blue safaris are a full day trip that focus on seeing the beautiful coral reefs that surround the island.

One of the best blue safaris starts at the stunning south coast village of Fumba, where you will take a trip out on a traditional dhow boat to the beautiful Menai Bay.

There are also tours that allow you to swim with the wild dolphin pods and snorkel over the vibrant coral reefs of diverse and tropical fish life.

6) Visit the rare red colobus monkeys in Jozani Forest

Jozani Forest is a mangrove and tropical rainforest national park located in the south-central region of Zanzibar. It is a unique marine and animal environment and is the only protected national park on the island. 

Jozani Forest is also home to the rare red colobus monkey species that is only found in this unique part of the world and as you walk the boarded paths you will get to see these beautiful monkeys up close. 

The forest is also home to a variety of other unique animal species such as the Sykes monkey, bush babies and more than 50 species of butterfly which can be seen fluttering between the forest trees. 

There is also the rumoured existence of the possibly extinct Zanzibar leopard residing in the forest.

It was last seen in 2018 on a documentary camera trail, sparking renewed interest in this incredibly rare animal which hasn’t been seen in person for nearly 18 years. 

7) Visit the Rock Restaurant

To the southeast of the island, just off the coast of Michanwi Pingwe beach, you will find the somewhat unusual sight of the Rock Restaurant which is built on a rock formation sat in the middle of the Indian Ocean. 

The Rock Restaurant makes for stunning scenery as you enjoy a meal while surrounded by the crashing waves of the ocean and this is definitely one of the most scenic meals you could hope to ever enjoy. 

Availability is limited, so make sure to book ahead of time. 

8) Visit Prison Island

The Changuu Island or more commonly referred to as Prison Island is a former slave prison found just off the coast of Stone Town. Today it is now the home of giant tortoises.

Visiting here means you can feed the tortoises and learn about their conservation. You can also enjoy walking through the forest or sunbathing on the white sandy beaches.

The island is surrounded by a coral reef which is a great place for swimming and snorkelling and the water is dotted with colourful starfish and tropical marine animals.

9) Enjoy a Full Moon Party at Kendwa Rocks

For those looking for a little more nightlife during their solo travels through Zanzibar, the Kendwa Rocks Hotel on the north of the island holds a Full Moon Party once a month.

This is a great event to let loose at and meet other travellers. There are also regular Saturday parties if you aren’t there at the time of the full moon.

The party plays a variety of reggae African beats and the food and drinks attract locals and travellers alike.

Dance the night away barefoot in the sand as you watch traditional leopard print clad dancers and fire twirlers provide guests with a stunning show. Alternatively, you can simply rest around one of the many campfires and exchange stories with other travellers. 

10) Catch Some Sun at the Stunning Nungwi Beach

The village of Nungwi is found on Zanzibar’s north west tip and is one of the island’s most stunning beaches.

The tide doesn’t head out too far (like it does in some other areas of Zanzibar island), and it isn’t overrun with tourists yet. This makes it a great location to soak up the sun and enjoy a good book. 

There is a variety of hammocks and cabanas that you can use and a good mix of restaurants that you can enjoy along the beach.

You can also explore Nungwi village with a local Swahili meal or visit the local turtle sanctuary on this part of the island.

In Summary:

No matter what you plan on doing in Zanzibar you’re guaranteed to enjoy an escape unlike any other found in this world.

From its diverse mix of cultures and interesting history to its stunning tropical sunsets and vibrant coral reefs, Zanzibar is one of the world’s best island paradises.

In summary, here’s the list of our top recommended things to do as part of our Zanzibar Travel Guide for solo travellers:

• Take a Local Village Tour
• Enjoy a Traditional Dhow Boat Sunset Journey
• Take a Spice Tour
• Enjoy a Blue Safari Around the Island
• Visit the rare red colobus monkeys in Jozani Forest
• Visit the Rock Restaurant
• Visit Prison Island
• Enjoy a Full Moon Party at Kendwa Rocks
• Catch Some Sun at the Stunning Nungwi Beach
• Adventure Travel to Tanzania

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Weather & climate

Zanzibar: Weather & climate

The best time to visit zanzibar, combining the wildebeest migration with a trip to zanzibar, weather in other african countries.

January: gets drier as the month progresses, it’s the start of the ‘short dry season’.

February: the hottest month, and relatively dry, just before the main rains start.

March: as the ‘long rainy season’ starts gradually many beach lodges close.

April: the wettest month of the year; most beach lodges are closed.

May: the rain continues as the temperatures start to reduce a little.

June: as the ‘long rains’ end; the island dries up a bit and the beach lodges open up again.

July: the dry season is now in full swing – Zanzibar’s best few months.

August: during these months the min temp is around 20°C, max up to 30°C.

September: dry and lovely, similar to July and August.

October: generally dry, but the temperatures rise and the rain increases towards the end.

November: the ‘short rains’ begin – they can still be heavy.

December: temperatures gradually edge up during the second month of the ‘short rains’.

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Laying a short distance off the coast of Tanzania, Zanzibar conjures up images of palm-fringed beaches and white-sailed dhows on a turquoise sea. Perfect for anyone who wants to enjoy a lazily luxurious beach vacation, or explore the spice plantations and markets.

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Zanzibar Tours & Holidays

With endless golden beaches, crystalline blue waters and tantalising spice plantations – Zanzibar is a feast for the senses.

The island of Zanzibar may be small, but there are many ways to get lost here: amongst the ancient, cobble-stoned streets of Stone Town; in the colourful history of the people that call this paradise home; or amid the coral reefs that rival the best snorkelling destinations in the world. Take your pick, but after a day in this hidden paradise, we can promise you won’t want to be found!

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Culture and customs.

The Zanzibar archipelago is an eclectic melting pot of cultures, customs and religions. Within the streets of Stone Town, you’ll find mosques and churches standing literally side by side. While Zanzibar is a primarily Muslim region, it shares a history of cultural influences that spread as far wide as the Middle East,  India  and ancient Persia. Previously a protectorate of Britain and officially a part of Tanzania since 1964, the archipelago has a long history of bureaucratic changes and tensions. 

Currently, the population of Zanzibar is largely divided. Many still champion for independence from Tanzania and seek to have Zanzibar declared its own country. Despite their political differences, the discussion remains respectful between the locals. You are just as likely to see them passionately debating politics in town centers as you are to see tropical fruit farmers hawking their produce roadside all around the islands. But one thing everyone in Zanzibar has in common is their love of soccer. Head to any beach in the late afternoon and you are almost guaranteed to witness the locals coming together for a friendly game of beach soccer.

Eating and drinking

The variety of food in Zanzibar rivals anywhere in the world. It owes this entirely to its geography: being at the crossroads of ancient trade routes, the locals have picked up a thing or two about worldly cuisines.  Whether it is yam and plantain-based dishes from the Bantu peoples of Eastern Africa, Indian inspired masala curries featuring many of the spices the island is famous for, or the sweet date and hazelnut bread is traditionally eaten to celebrate the end of Ramadan – you will be spoiled for choices to fill your plate! Unsurprisingly for an island, seafood takes pride of place in Zanzibar and seafood lovers will rejoice at the wide range of dishes available at restaurants and markets.   An absolute must for anyone visiting Stone Town is the Forodhani night market. As soon as the sun sets each night, beachside Forodhani Park transforms into an open-air food market filled will vendors tempting you to try their dishes. Our pick is the Zanzibar pizza – filled with whatever fresh ingredients take your fancy at the time. Wash it all down with fresh coconut juice (direct from the coconut of course!)

Perhaps the most famous export from Zanzibar is its spices, including pepper, cinnamon and ginger to name a few. Visit a spice plantation to sample countless types of spices directly from the source. Don’t forget to pick up a selection from the local markets before you leave.

Zanzibar has a large Muslim population, so bear in mind that Ramadan is the fasting month for all Muslims. During this month, no food, drink or smoking is permitted during daylight hours. While non-Muslims aren't expected to fast, it's recommended to try to avoid eating, drinking or smoking in public during daylight hours.

Must-try foods in Zanzibar:

1. pweza wa nazi.

 Octopus boiled in coconut milk to create a curry-based dish with cinnamon, cardamom, garlic and lime juice.

2. Barbecued lobster  

 Enjoy a lobster grilled to perfection at one of the many beachside eateries around the island. 

3. Spice cake

 A typical local dessert made using pastry with a mix of cinnamon, clove, nutmeg and chocolate.

Geography and Environment

Zanzibar is an island province of Tanzania located off the coast of East Africa. Surrounded by the Indian Ocean on all fronts, it is covered mostly in lush rainforest and encircled by white beaches and coral reefs.

Zanzibar is actually an archipelago made up of many small islands and two prominent, main ones: Pemba Island and Unguja Island – the largest, often mistaken as ‘Zanzibar Island’, where the majority of the province’s population lives.

While there are various swanky stores in main hubs like Stone Town, specialising inexpensive trinkets and homewares, you simply can’t visit Zanzibar and not take an afternoon stroll through one of its lively, colourful markets. Lose yourself amongst the hustle of Darajini market in Stone Town, where you will find stores piled high with spices, vegetables, fabrics and dried snacks. The market is so jam-packed, stores often spill out into the tiny laneways nearby.

Things to buy in Zanzibar

Don’t leave the island without purchasing a selection of the many spices still grown on plantations today. Pepper, cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg are among the islands’ specialities. But you can find almost every type of spice imaginable here!

2. Woven handicrafts

Pick up a handmade ukili bag, placemat, rug or even a sun hat. The locals have perfected this handicraft and are widely available throughout Zanzibar. A great way to support local initiatives and talent.

Festivals and events

Festival of the dhow countries .

The highlight of the Zanzibar International Film Festival, the Festival of the Dhow Countries is a cultural celebration of international film, music, theatre and performing arts. One of the biggest annual cultural festivals in Africa, it takes place over the first two weeks of July. Film screenings, exhibitions and craft classes are on offer during the day, while at night beach parties are a fun way to interact with locals.

Sauti Za Busara Festival 

If you are lucky enough to visit Stone Town in early February you’ll be treated to a hypnotising swell of Swahili music and dance during this vibrant celebration of East African culture. The festival concludes with a beachside festival of crafts, cuisine and entertainment.

Further Reading

Zanzibar travel faqs, do i need a covid-19 vaccine to join an intrepid trip.

Trips from 1 January 2023 onwards

From 1 January 2023, Intrepid will no longer require travellers to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19 (excluding all Polar trips and select adventure cruises).

However, we continue to strongly recommend that all Intrepid travellers and leaders get vaccinated to protect themselves and others.

Specific proof of testing or vaccination may still be required by your destination or airline. Please ensure you check travel and entry requirements carefully.

Is tipping customary in Zanzibar?

Tipping isn’t mandatory in Zanzibar but a little generosity will be received positively, especially when considering the low wages that service workers are typically paid in Zanzibar.

Setting aside a small amount for porters, guides and drivers is wise, as is leaving spare change or rounding up the bill at restaurants.

What is the internet access like in Zanzibar?

Internet access is widespread throughout the main islands of Zanzibar. However, if visiting smaller islands there will be limited to no access available.

What are the toilets like in Zanzibar?

Western-style flushable toilets are generally available in most hotels, tourist attractions and other modern buildings in Zanzibar.

I n rural areas squat/pit toilets are the general standard for local amenities.

Carry your own supply of soap and toilet paper as these are rarely provided.

What will it cost for a…?

• Street snack = US 0.45 
• Bottle of beer = US 0.90 
• Plate of food from a local eatery = US 1.35 
• Dinner in an international restaurant = US 4.50 – US 9

Can I drink the water in Zanzibar?

Drinking tap water isn't recommended in Zanzibar.

For environmental reasons, try to avoid buying bottled water. Instead, fill a reusable water bottle or canteen with filtered water.

Ask your leader where filtered water can be found; some hotels we stay in may have drinking water available.

It's also advisable to avoid ice in drinks and peel fruit and vegetables before eating.

Are credit cards widely accepted in Zanzibar?

Credit cards are usually accepted by large hotels and Western-style restaurants but not by smaller vendors.

Ensure you have adequate cash to cover purchases not able to be made on credit.

What is ATM access like in Zanzibar?

ATMs are easily found in urban centers such as Stone Town but are rarer in rural areas and villages.

Be sure to have other payment methods available when venturing out of the built up areas as ATMs aren't always an option.

Is Zanzibar a safe destination for LGBTQIA+ travellers?

Tanzania is a conservative country and homosexuality is still officially illegal, including in Zanzibar. While prosecutions might be rare, penalties can be severe with potential imprisonment as punishment.

For this reason, public displays of affection (even between members of the opposite sex) is considered taboo and not advised.  

For more detailed and up-to-date advice, we recommend visiting   Equaldex   or   Smartraveller   before you travel.

Do I need a visa to travel to Tanzania?

TANZANIA: Australia: Yes - Visa required Belgium: Yes - Visa required Canada: Yes - Visa required Germany: Yes - Visa required Ireland: Yes - Visa required Netherlands: Yes - Visa required New Zealand: Yes - Visa required South Africa: Yes - Visa required Switzerland: Yes - Visa required United Kingdom: Yes - Visa required USA: Yes - Visa required It is recommended you purchase your visa in advance at any Diplomatic or Consulate Mission of the United Republic of Tanzania abroad. The cost is approximately US$100 depending on nationality and should take 1 business day. At the present time you do not require a multi entry visa to Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda due to an agreement between the three countries (eg. if you exit Kenya to Tanzania you can re-enter Kenya on the same visa). However if your trip visits Tanzania twice after a visit to a country other than those listed above, you may need to purchase two visas. For the purpose of the visa application you can use the following address: Kibo Palace Hotel PO Box 2523 Old Moshi Road Arusha - Tanzania Phone: +255 272544472 It is also possible to obtain a tourist's visa for a single entry at any one of the following main entry points to Tanzania, subject to the fulfilment of all immigration and health requirements: -Dar es Salaam International Airport -Zanzibar International Airport -Kilimanjaro International Airport (KIA) -Namanga Entry Point (Tanzania-Kenya border point) -Kasumulu Border crossing  -Isebania Border crossing

This is for general information only and may be subject to change. It is your responsibility to obtain relevant visa and travel information required for entry, departure and travel to each country or region you visit on your trip. You should confirm these with the relevant embassies and/or consulates. 

Last updated: 28/11/2023

What public holidays are celebrated in Tanzania?

• 1 Jan: New Year's Day
• 12 Jan: Zanzibar Revolutionary Day
• 7 Apr: Sheikh Abeid Amani Karume Day
• 14 Apr: Good Friday
• 17 Apr: Easter Monday
• 26 Apr: Union Day 
• 1 May: Labour Day
• 25 Jun: Iddi El Fitry / End of Ramadan
• 26 Jun: Iddi El Fitry Holiday
• 7 Jul: Maonyesho ya Saba Saba
• 8 Aug: Wakulima ya Nane Nane / Peasants' Day
• 1 Sep: Iddi El Haji / Feast of Sacrifice
• 14 Oct: Mwalimu Julius Nyerere Day
• 30 Nov: The Prophet's Birthday
• 9 Dec: Republic Day
• 25 Dec: Christmas Day
• 26 Dec: Boxing Day

Please note, Tanzania public holidays may vary.

Do I need to purchase travel insurance before travelling?

Absolutely. All passengers travelling with Intrepid are required to purchase travel insurance before the start of their trip. Your travel insurance details will be recorded by your leader on the first day of the trip. Due to the varying nature, availability and cost of health care around the world, travel insurance is very much an essential and necessary part of every journey.

For more information on insurance, please go to: Travel Insurance

Does my trip support The Intrepid Foundation?

Yes, all Intrepid trips support the Intrepid Foundation. Trips to this country directly support our global Intrepid Foundation partners Eden Reforestation Projects and World Bicycle Relief. Intrepid will double the impact by dollar-matching all post-trip donations made to The Intrepid Foundation.

Eden Reforestation Projects

Eden Reforestation Projects are helping to mitigate climate change by restoring forests worldwide; they also hire locally and create job opportunities within vulnerable communities. Donations from our trips support restoration across planting sites in 10 countries around the globe. Find out more or make a donation World Bicycle Relief

World Bicycle Relief provides people in low-income communities with bicycles to mobilise school kids, health workers, and farmers in far-out areas – giving them access to vital education, healthcare, and income. Donations help provide Buffalo Bicycles – specifically designed to withstand the rugged terrain and harsh environment of rural regions – to those who need them most. Find out more or make a donation

• Hit putovanja S Mondom na sjever Europe Naša preporuka Europska putovanja zrakoplovom Europska putovanja autobusom Daleka putovanja Krstarenja Hrvatska Wellness & vikend aranžmani Skijanje Mediteran
• Sjeverna i Srednja Amerika
• Južna Amerika
• Australija i Južni Pacifik
• Afrika i Bliski Istok
• Sjedinjene Američke Države - SAD
• Dominikanska Republika
• Čile - Patagonija
• Argentina - Patagonija
• Novi Zeland
• Ujedinjeni Arapski Emirati
• Mjanmar - Burma
• Egipat - zemlja faraona
• Južna Afrika
• Zelenortski otoci
• Saudijska arabija
• Prijava / Registracija

Daleka putovanja

Grupni polasci, Daleka putovanja

Dubai i Zanzibar

Dodaj u omiljena

O putovanju:

Vidi još slika

Program putovanja:

Putovanje Dubai i Zanzibar. 10 dana/8 noćenja

Vrijednost više:

Zrakoplovom iz Zagreba

1. dan: ZAGREB – DUBAI

Sastanak putnika s voditeljem putovanja u zračnoj luci Zagreb dva sata prije polijetanja zrakoplova. Nakon preuzimanja putne dokumentacije prijava na let i polijetanje zrakoplova prema Dubaiju na liniji FZ1794 (FlyDubai) u 14.30 sati. Dolazak u Dubai predviđen je u 23.05 sati. Sastanak s predstavnikom lokalne agencije i odlazak prema hotelu. Noćenje.

2. dan: DUBAI - (razgled grada; fakultativni izlet GLOBAL VILLAGE)

Nakon doručka odlazak na poludnevni razgled grada. Razgled obuhvaća stari i novi dio grada te započinje vožnjom do plaže Jumeirah, najpoznatijeg i najluksuznijeg područja u Dubaiju. Odlazak na Palm Island, umjetno

stvoren otok u obliku palme, na kojem se nalaze luksuzne privatne rezidencije i luksuzni hoteli poput Atlantis The Palm. Slijedi stanka za fotografiranje poznatog hotela u obliku jedra i jednog od najluksuznijih hotela na svijetu, Burj Al Araba. Nastavak vožnje ulicom Šeika Zayeda, uz najvišu građevinu na svijetu, Burj Khalifu, do starog dijela grada. Posjet muzeju Dubaija, koji predstavlja pravo putovanje u povijest. Slijedi prelazak zaljeva brodićem „abra“ u drugi dio grada, gdje se mogu otkriti neponovljivi mirisi, boje i okusi raznih začina uz šarenu tržnicu tekstila te posjet najvećem bazaru zlata na svijetu. Po završetku razgleda grada, uz doplatu, moguć odlazak na vidikovac Burj Khalife, najviše zgrade na svijetu. Poslijepodne i večer slobodni za vlastite programe i aktivnosti ili pak predlažemo fakultativni odlazak na izlet u Global Village gdje možete na jednom mjestu upoznati kulturu, gastronomiju, poznate građevine i atrakcije u preko 90 zemalja svijeta uz odličan zabavni program i ponudu velikog broja predstava i raznih zabavnih sadržaja. Povratak u hotel. Noćenje.

3. dan: DUBAI – (fakultativni izlet PUSTINJSKI JEEP SAFARI S VEČEROM) – DUBAI

Doručak. Slobodno za vlastito otkrivanje grada. Predlažemo (uz doplatu) odlazak na zabavu u vodenom parku Wild Wadi (pored hotela Burj Al Arab), plivanje s dupinima i cjelodnevnu zabavu u Aquaventure park u sklopu hotela Atlantis, ručak ili večeru u luksuznom hotelu Burj Al Arab, ili pak odlazak na Jumeirah Beach Walk, mondeno šetalište s brojnim kafićima, restoranima i dućanima te odmor na prekrasnoj pješčanoj plaži. Za ljubitelje shoppinga preporučujemo odlazak u jedan od najvećih shopping centara na svijetu, Dubai Mall, koji se nalazi u podnožju Burj Khalife; od 18 sati navečer možete promatrati "igru vode i svjetla" tijekom koje fontane izbacuju vodu i do 150 m u visinu.

U poslijepodnevnim satima predlažemo (doplata) odlazak na pustinjski jeep safari. Adrenalinska vožnja luksuznim džipovima po veličanstvenim pješčanim dinama u pustinji, promatranje zalaska sunca te posjet beduinskom selu, uz mogućnost jahanja deva, ukrašavanja kože kanom ili uživanja u aromatskoj vodenoj luli (šiša). Za večeru možete isprobati arapske specijalitete s roštilja i uživati u orijentalnom ugođaju. Povratak u hotel. Noćenje.

4. dan: DUBAI – (fakultativni izlet DUBAI MIRACLE GARDEN i DUBAI FRAME )

Doručak. Predlažemo da ostatak dana iskoristite za odlazak na fakultativni izlet Miracle Garden i Dubai Frame. Svake godine od sredine studenog pa sve do sredine svibnja, Dubai cijeli dio grada pretvori u najljepšu cvjetnu bajku – Miracle Garden. Više od 70 tisuća metara kvadratnih tako osvane u najljepšem šarenom ruhu raznovrsnog bilja, cvijeća i cvjetnih instalacija. Miracle Garden otvoren je na Valentinovo 2013. godine, a čarobni svijet raskošnog vrta krasi 150 milijuna cvjetova koji su raspoređeni kroz divne instalacije u obliku raznih modela, oblika i lukova. U neposrednoj blizini nalazi vrt Butterfly koji je dom za oko 35.000 leptira (više od 25 vrsta). Zatim odlazimo do najnovijeg spomenika koji mijenja izgled višemilijunskog grada Dubaija,  fantastičnog okvira koji predstavlja spoj povijesti grada i moderne arhitekture. Sama struktura nazvana "Dubai Frame" odnosno "Okvir Dubaija" nalazi se u parku Zabeel i sastoji se od dva tornja visoka 150 metara koji su povezani staklenim mostom dugim čak 93 metra. S modernog se mosta pruža pogled od čak 360 stupnjeva na grad, dok se u dnu strukture nalazi muzej koji pokazuje razvoj Dubaija od malog ribarskog sela do metropole koja pršti životom. S jedne strane ovog modernog spomenika promatrači mogu uživati u uokvirenom pogledu na građevine starog grada, dok s druge strane okvir ističe nebodere kao što je Burj Khalifa, odnosno najviše građevine na svijetu. Sam okvir izvana je ukrašen dekorativnim zlatnim uzorkom. Ukoliko ste više raspoloženi za samostalno istraživanje grada predlažemo odlazak na nezaboravan snježni doživljaj usred Dubaija. Ski Dubai, prvi zatvoreni skijaški centar na Bliskom Istoku, nalazi se u sklopu shopping centra „Mall of the Emirates“. Predlažemo također i posjet novootvorenim atrakcijama poput Dubai Legolanda ili tematsko-zabavni park IMG Worlds of Adventure s 5 tematskih cjelina uključujući i Cartoon Network te Marvel zone. Povratak u hotel. Noćenje.

5. dan: DUBAI – ZANZIBAR

U ranim jutarnjim satima transfer od hotela u zračnu luku. Po dolasku prijava na let i polijetanje zrakoplova za Zanzibar u 3.00 sata na liniji FZ1687 (FlyDubai). Noćni let s obrokom tijekom leta. Dolazak na Zanzibar predviđen je u 7.40 sati po lokalnom vremenu. Po dolasku sastanak s predstavnikom lokalnog agenta te prijevoz do hotela na Zanzibaru. Ukoliko bude moguće prijava i smještaj u sobe odmah po dolasku u hotel, a ukoliko ne, smještaj u sobe nakon u vrijeme predviđeno za prijavu u sobe od 14.00 sati. Ostatak dana slobodno vrijeme za uživanje na najljepšim plažama Zanzibara. Večera u hotelu. Noćenje.

6. dan: ZANZIBAR - (fakultativni izlet STONE TOWN i PRISON ISLAND/OTOK KORNJAČA)

Doručak. Slobodno vrijeme za uživanje na plaži ili uz bazen hotela. Predlažemo odlazak na cjelodnevni fakultativni izlet Stone Town i Prison Island. Stone Town je povijesni dio glavnog grada Zanzibara, nekadašnja prijestolnica vladara i centar trgovine začina. Zbog svog povijesnog i umjetničkog značaja, glavna je atrakcija za turiste koji posjete Zanzibar, a njegova ekonomija uglavnom ovisi od aktivnosti vezanih za turizam. Arhitektura Stone Town-a uglavnom datira iz 19. st. i kroz nju možete primijetiti utjecaje različitih kultura, europske, indijske i arapske. Središte Stone Towna se sastoji od labirinta uskih uličica, prodavaonica, bazara i džamija. Ako prošećete kroz brojne gradske uličice starog grada Zanzibara, doživjet ćete jedinstvenu i autentičnu kulturu, a sigurno ćete primijetiti i da je karakteristika kuća i zgrada na Zanzibaru da imaju fino ukrašena drvena vrata, s bogatim reljefima. Također, možete posjetiti tradicionalnu tržnicu u Stone Townu i otkriti širok spektar začina, ribe i lokalne hrane. Zatim brodom odlazimo do otočića Prison Island udaljenog oko 6 km od Stone Towna. 1893. godine otok je kupio britanski guverner Zanzibara Lloyd Mathews koji je na njemu izgradio zatvorski kompleks koji kao takav nikad nije zaživio već je kompleks služio kao karantena za oboljele od žute groznice. Tako je Prison Island postao popularna turistička destinacija Zanzibara i poznato odredište za ronioce i ljubitelje prirode. Ovdje možemo pronaći ugrožene divovske kornjače Aldabra zbog kojih je otok zaštićeno područje. Budući da je otok izuzetno malen, dugačak 800 m,  a širok oko 230 m, možete ga obići za sat vremena. Povratak u hotel. Večera i noćenje u hotelu.

 7. dan: ZANZIBAR – (fakultativni izlet FARMA ZAČINA)

Nakon doručka slobodan dan za odmor, kupanje i sunčanje na plaži. Predlažemo odlazak na poludnevni fakultativni izlet Farma začina. Zanzibar je poznat i kao "Otok začina". Ovaj izlet koji uključuje posjet začinskim farmama je apsolutna preporuka za sve one koji posjećuju ovaj živopisni otok. Posjetit ćemo plantaže i manja seoska gospodarstva na kojima se sezonski uzgajaju različiti začini, tropsko voće i ljekovito bilje. Od tropskog voća tu su svakako nangka (jackfruit), ananas, mango, ljuskasta anona (sugar-apple), marakuja, kruhovac (breadfruit), rambutan, avokado, mandarina, tangerina; zatim rijetke biljke poput stabla kane, bixa orellana. Od začina možete vidjeti i degustirati klinčić, muškatni oraščić, cimet, crni papar, limunsku travu, đumbir, kurkumu, kardamon te mnoge druge. Domaćini će nam objasniti sve o začinima i njihovoj primjeni u kuhinji i kozmetici kao i o njihovim brojnim ljekovitim svojstvima. Ovdje ćete imati priliku i kupiti razne začine i ulja i to po najpovoljnijim cijenama na Zanzibaru. Svakako je dodatna vrijednost ovog izleta i upoznavanje s lokalnim stanovništvom, njihovim običajima i svakodnevnim načinom života. Povratak u hotel te poslijepodne slobodno vrijeme. Večera i noćenje u hotelu.

8. dan: ZANZIBAR – (fakultativni izlet SAFARI BLUE)

Doručak. Slobodno vrijeme za uživanje na plaži, odmor uz hotelski bazen ili predlažemo odlazak na cjelodnevni fakultativni izlet brodom Safari Blue, ugodna plovidba na jedrenjaku, tradicionalno izrađenom ručno od mahagonija. Odlazimo do pristaništa u ribarskom selu Fumba gdje se ukrcavamo na tradicionalni arapski jedrenjak dhow. Ovo mjesto je idealno polazište za istraživanje zaljeva Menai koji je ujedno i zaštićeno oceansko područje. U zaljevu je čitav niz prekrasnih nenaseljenih otočića i pješčanih sprudova. Imat ćemo priliku roniti u jednom od najljepših dijelova Indijskog oceana bogatog koraljnim grebenima i raznolikom morskom florom i faunom. Menai Bay je poznat i po velikom broju dobrih dupina koji se tamo mogu vidjeti u svom prirodnom staništu. Slijedi ručak na otoku Kwale gdje će nam biti posluženi svježe ulovljeni riba i morski plodovi tradicionalno pripremljeni na roštilju. Nakon dana ispunjenog razgledavanjem čarobne prirode, kupanja, ronjenja i sunčanja slijedi povratak u hotel. Večera u hotelu. Noćenje.

9. dan: ZANZIBAR – DUBAI

Doručak. Odjava iz hotela u za to predviđeno vrijeme. Prtljagu ćemo ostaviti u hotelu u za to namijenjenu prostoriju te ostatak dana slobodno vrijeme za kupanje i sunčanje, uživanje u zadnjim zrakama tropskog sunca prije povratka kući. U ranim večernjim satima organizirani transfer u zračnu luku Zanzibar. Po dolasku prijava na let i polijetanje zrakoplova za Dubai u 22.20 sati na liniji FZ1688 (FlyDubai). Noćni let s obrokom za vrijeme leta.

10 dan: DUBAI – ZAGREB

Dolazak u Dubai predviđen je u 5.00 sati po lokalnom vremenu. Nastavak leta za Zagreb u 10.00 sati na liniji FZ1793 (FlyDubai). Dolazak u Zagreb u 13.30 sati.

Fotografije & video

Dubai- Souk Madinat Jumeirah -Tržnica u tradicionalnom bliskoistočnom stilu

Dubai, Burj Al Arab, zalazak sunca, luksuzni hotel

Dubai, povijesni kvart Al Fahidi

Dubai- najveći akvarij na svijetu u trgovačkom centru Dubai Mall

Zanzibar, prekrasne boje lokalnih tržnica ispunjenih egzotičnim voćem i povrćem

Dubai Mall, jedan od najluksuznijih shopping centara svijeta

Dubai, neboderi dominiraju panoramom grada

Zanzibar, Tanzanija, Rock restoran- jedna od "must see" atrakcija

Zanzibar, Mladunci i mama na stijeni u rezervatu

Zanzibar, afrički pavijani

Zanzibar, bar sa svježe spravljenim koktelima na plaži

Zanzibar, plaža s bijelim pijeskom i tirkizno plavim morem

Zanzibar, poznat još i pod imenom "otok začina"

Zanzibar, život na selu, djevojčica s maramom

*First Minute popust 400 kn za rezervacije do 60 dana prije polaska ili do popunjenja mjesta po FM cijeni.

Mogućnosti plaćanja

Cijena aranžmana uključuje:

• prijevoz zrakoplovom prema programu u ekonomskoj klasi na relaciji Zagreb – Dubai – Zanzibar – Zagreb 
• smještaj u dvokrevetnoj sobi na osnovi 4 noćenja s doručkom u hotelu 4* u Dubaiju
• smještaj u dvokrevetnoj sobi na osnovi 4 noćenja s uslugom polupansiona u hotelu 4* na Zanzibaru
• grupne transfere i prijevoze prema programu    
• poludnevni razgled Dubaia
• voditelja putovanja na hrvatskom jeziku tijekom putovanja
• usluge lokalnih vodiča u Dubaiu i na Zanzibaru
• organizaciju putovanja i jamčevinu

Cijena aranžmana ne uključuje:

• obveznu doplatu za pristojbe zračnih luka 2.990 kn
• doplatu za jednokrevetnu sobu 2.690 kn 
• vizu za Tanzaniju (50 USD na licu mjesta u zračnoj luci)
• lokalnu pristojbu "Tourism Dirham" u Dubaiju - obvezna doplata na licu mjesta 15 AED (cca 30 kn) po sobi/ noć
• lokalnu pristojbu na Zanzibaru 1 USD po osobi po noćenju, obvezna doplata na licu mjesta u hotelu
• napojnice za vodiče i vozače 30 EUR (obavezna doplata na licu mjesta voditelju putovanja)
• dodatne usluge, obroke i izlete
• putna osiguranja

Doplate i popusti:

Popusti: 

• dijete do 12 godina na dodatnom krevetu (u pratnji dvije odrasle osobe) 10% od osnovne cijene aranžmana
• treća odrasla osoba u dvokrevetnoj sobi s pomoćnim ležajem – na upit

Fakultativni izleti i sadržaji: DUBAI - Burj Khalifa: 420 kn - Pustinjski Jeep Safari i večera u beduinskom kampu: 390 kn - Dubai Miracle Garden i Dubai Frame: 490 kn - Dubai Global Village: 250 kn

ZANZIBAR - Stone Town i Prison Island: 340 kn - Farma začina: 230 kn - Blue Safari s BBQ ručkom: 650 kn

Informacije:

VIZA ZA TANZANIJU/ZANZIBAR: Za državljane Republike Hrvatske viza za Tanzaniju odnosno Zanzibar je potrebna (cijena 50 USD oko 350 kn). Viza se izrađuje po dolasku u zračnoj luci ili online unaprijed na https://eservices.immigration.go.tz/visa/   Putovnica mora vrijediti minimalno 6 mjeseci nakon ulaska u Zanzibar te je potrebno imati barem jednu praznu stranicu za vizu.

Važne napomene - Kategorizacija hotela odgovara službenoj kategorizaciji u UAE i Tanzaniji te nije usporediva s kategorizacijom hotela drugih zemalja. - Pristojbe zračnih luka su podložne promjenama, konačan iznos se određuje na dan izdavanja zrakoplovne karte cca 14-7 dana prije putovanja, a prema uvjetima zrakoplovne kompanije koji vrijede za grupe izdaju se za sve putnike u jednom danu. - Molimo da se o sigurnosti putovanja u pojedine zemlje informirate u Ministarstvu vanjskih poslova ili na njihovoj web stranici: www.mvep.hr   - Neispravni putni dokumenti ili neodobravanje vize, koji za posljedicu imaju odustajanje od putovanja, ni u kojem slučaju ne obvezuju organizatora putovanja te se primjenjuju uvjeti otkaza putovanja organizatora. - Organizator putovanja ima pravo na izmjenu programa putovanja, kao i vremena polazaka zrakoplova (kada to zahtjeva situacija tijekom putovanja), ali garantira da će se program izvesti u cijelosti; agencija zadržava pravo izmjene redoslijeda itinerera putovanja ovisno o radnim vremenima lokaliteta koja se posjećuju. - U slučaju promjene cijena kalkulativnih elemenata do iznosa većeg od 1,5% organizator putovanja ima pravo na promjenu cijene aranžmana.  - Izlet Pustinjski safari ne preporučuje se osobama koje imaju problema sa srcem i kralježnicom, budući da se radi o adrenalinskoj vožnji. - Putovnica mora vrijediti još najmanje 6 mjeseci od dana ulaska u UAE i Tanzaniju

COVID-19 NAPOMENA: Za ulazak u Ujedinjene Arapske Emirate potreban PCR test na COVID-19 (ne stariji od 72 sata). Za više informacija o putovanju u UAE kliknite ovdje: http://www.mvep.hr/hr/konzularne-informacije/informacije-o-putovanjima/upozorenja/ujedinjeni-arapski-emirati,143.html 

Za ulazak na Zanzibar (Tanzanija) potreban je negativan PCR test na COVID-19 koji nije stariji od 72 sata nakon uzimanja brisa. Svi putnici moraju ispuniti online obrazac za kontrolu putnika u roku od 24 sata od dolaska u Tanzaniju, dostupan na  https://afyamsafiri.moh.go.tz/ . Obrazac je na engleskom jeziku i popunjava ga svaka osoba pojedinačno, maloljetnici također moraju ispuniti vlastiti obrazac. Po popunjavanju obrasca moraju se dostaviti podaci o putovnici, podaci o putovanju (uključujući datum dolaska i vrijeme leta). Nakon popunjavanja obrasca primit ćete poruku potvrde o uspješno ispunjenom obrascu i dobiti jedinstveni UHC kôd za svakog putnika pojedinačno. Kôd se mora pokazati osoblju zračne luke po dolasku u zračnu luku Zanzibar. Bez navedene šifre nije moguće ući u državu. Ispunjavanje internetske najave za ulazak u Tanzaniju obvezuje sve putnike. VAŽNO: obrazac možete ispuniti unutar 24 sata prije dolaska

Napomena: Od 01.06.2019. nastupila je zabrana proizvodnje, unosa i korištenja plastičnih vrećica u Tanzaniji. Zabrana se odnosi i na turiste koji dolaze u Tanzaniju, stoga molimo da izbjegavate korištenje istih, te na drugi način pakirate svoje stvari (bilo u ručnoj ili predanoj prtljazi) kako biste izbjegli plaćanje visokih novčanih kazni. Plastične vrećice i ostala plastična ambalaža u kojima se nalaze proizvodi kupljeni u zračnoj luci moraju se ukloniti prije ulaska u avion kao i sve „zip“ vrećice koje putnici koriste za pakiranje tekućina. Ukoliko ih putnici koriste tijekom leta, iste moraju ostaviti u avionu.

Broj putnika:

Odgovorni organizator:

Često postavljena pitanja

JEDNOKRATNO - Gotovina - Kreditne kartice: Maestro, Master card, Visa, Diners, Visa Premium card - Virmansko plaćanje na račun agencije u Erste banci, IBAN: HR4924020061100096516 ili PLAĆANJE NA RATE - Za sva obročna plaćanja od 2-12 rata agencija obračunava manipulativne troškove u iznosu od 5%. Maestro kartica ( Zagrebačka banka, Privredna banka Zagreb, ERSTE i Splitska banka ) do 12 rata - Visa Premium karticu na 12 obroka - Visa ( Splitska banka ) do 6 rata - Diners card do 12 rata beskamatno (ovisno o iznosu) - Mastercard ( Zagrebačka banka ) do 12 rata (ovisno o iznosu) - Mogućnost obročnog plaćanja obuhvaća i korisnike debitnih kartica sljedećih banaka MBNET grupacije: KentBank, Slatinske banke, Primorske banke, Sberbanke, Istarske kreditne Banke, Jadranske banke, Kreditne banke Zagreb i Veneto banke. (plaćanje u poslovnici)

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