Just a few decades ago, Zanzibar was an island in an unknown African country, and Tanzania itself was strongly associated with yellow fever and malaria. Today, Zanzibar is one of Africa's most popular tourist destinations. More and more tourists are choosing this place for their vacation because of its accessibility, white beaches, and unique culture. You can purchase a tour to Zanzibarto spend your summer in this natural wonder. We have compiled information on how to get the most out of your vacation.
Entry requirements
To enter the country, you need to obtain a tourist visa. You can do this after landing at the airport or at the consulate. You can get assistance in obtaining a visa. It allows you to stay on the island for up to 90 days. The visa costs $50. To obtain a visa, you will need a passport that will be valid for at least 6 months after your trip, and a completed visa application form and arrival declaration form upon arrival.
We recommend having $50 in cash with you to guarantee entry into the country and avoid being stuck at the border. No one is immune to terminal malfunctions. In addition, they often charge high commissions.
The next essential document is medical insurance. Please note that the insurance must cover the entire period of your stay on the island.
No vaccinations or supporting certificates are required to travel to Zanzibar.
The best time to relax
Zanzibar is an island of eternal sunshine and summer, but even in such conditions, you need to know when it is most comfortable to come here on vacation.
Throughout the year, the average air temperature ranges from +29°C to +35°C, and the sea temperature ranges from +25°C to +30°C.The best time to travel to Zanzibar is from May to October. During these months, Zanzibar experiences a dry season, which makes the weather ideal for beach holidays and water sports — this is the best time to visit Zanzibar. Once you have made your choice, you can select a tour online.
The periods between March and May and October and November are known for their rainy seasons. The number of tourists on the island is minimal during these times. Rain often washes away roads and floods the entire area. It is practically impossible to plan a comfortable trip in such unpredictable weather conditions.
December, January, and February are the hottest months in Zanzibar. If you are tired of the European winter and feel comfortable with an average temperature of up to +28°C during the day, then you can plan your trip. Don't forget about cloudy and windy weather. Winter, albeit tropical, has not been canceled.
What to see and do?
Freddie Mercury's apartment
Admit it, did you know that the leader of Queen was born in Zanzibar? Yes, this island gave the world not only a paradise resort, but also a star of the first magnitude. Freddie was not only born here, but also lived here for eight years.
Now Freddie and his family's house has become a museum, visited not only by fans of Queen, but also by ordinary tourists. Incidentally, it is one of the most popular attractions on the island.
The building has two entrances, one of which has been completely transformed into a hotel. Yes, accommodation here will cost you from $132 per night, but the chance to see such a place does not come along very often. You can book a hotel here.
The second entrance houses the Freddie Mercury Memorial Museum. It is a small room where you can see archival photos, album covers, and handwritten song lyrics. Admission to the museum costs $10. It's a pretty good tour of Zanzibar's musical history, don't you agree?
Stone Town
Coming to Zanzibar and not seeing Stone Town is a real crime! It is one of the oldest parts of the island. UNESCO has included Stone Town in its list of World Cultural Heritage Sites!
In the Old Town, you can see how history blends with modern trends and how the styles of different peoples harmoniously come together. The architecture of Stone Town is sure to leave an impression. Stroll through the narrow streets and passageways, pop into traditional shops, and soak up the atmosphere of the bazaars. Admire the beauty of the cathedrals and mosques, and take some time to visit the Old Fort and the House of Wonders. If you have time, be sure to buy a ticket to David Livingstone's house museum.
Prison Island
What do you think about traveling to a prison? We suggest you go there. Don't worry, the prison has long since ceased to operate, and the main attraction of the island is the huge turtles, which you can swim with and take pictures of. Here you can pet the animals, walk with them, and even feed them. Admission to Prison Island costs $4-5.
You can get to the island from Stone Town in just 30-40 minutes, so we recommend planning a trip to both locations in one day.
Jozani Forest
This is one of the most beautiful attractions in Zanzibar. Jozani is a unique national park where you can walk among mangrove trees and see wild birds and animals in their natural habitat.
Special tourist routes have been created for travelers, where they can encounter red colobus monkeys, a rare species. Not far from the park are a turtle farm and a butterfly park. Admission to Jozani Forest costs $10, and admission to the butterfly park costs $5.
If you wish, you can use the services of an English-speaking guide, and you can buy souvenirs in a special shop at the park exit.
Spice farms
Zanzibar is an island where vanilla, cardamom, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, pepper, and turmeric are grown. Two hundred years ago, Zanzibar was one of the world's main clove-growing regions, and the island was literally self-sufficient thanks to the income from its sale.
Nowadays, tourists can choose from several spice tours, where they will be shown how spices are grown and even given the opportunity to taste some of them. These tours can be booked at hotels or visited independently. If you want to book a tour in advance, you can do so here.
What kind of food to try?
Traditional Zanzibari cuisine is a symbiosis of several culinary traditions. African cuisine undoubtedly plays the leading role, but the influences of Arab and Persian cultures should not be overlooked.
The most popular side dish on the island is bananas: fried, stewed, baked. By the way, they go well with almost all dishes. We recommend trying banana beer and banana wine. These drinks fully capture the national flavor.
Zanzibar is a great place to enjoy fresh seafood and fruit. They are sold almost everywhere, and the prices are very reasonable.
In tourist areas, you can find many cafes and restaurants serving more familiar dishes, and if you are unsure about any ingredient, ask for it to be removed in advance.
Language and currency in Zanzibar
The main language spoken on the island is Swahili. Numerous local tribes speak their own dialects, but Swahili has the status of one of the official languages.
If learning Swahili is not part of your plans, don't worry. Another national language of Tanzania is English. With it, you will definitely not find yourself in an unpleasant situation and will always be able to find out the information you need. Employees in the tourism industry often speak other languages.
Incidentally, the locals are particularly sympathetic to those who show an interest in their culture and heritage. Say a few words in Swahili, ask which tribe they were born into, and it becomes much easier to get a discount or a gift in a shop.
We have compiled a pocket Swahili dictionary that will come in handy when traveling to Zanzibar:
- Asante sana — thank you very much;
- jambo — hello;
- msaada — help;
- habari gani — how are you?
- kwa heri — goodbye;
- ngari — how much does it cost?
- Gina Langu Ni — that's my name.
The main currency in the country is the Tanzanian shilling. You can also pay with US dollars in Zanzibar. Cash and cards are accepted, but you will have to pay a hefty commission for using a card.
You can exchange dollars for shillings at the airport, in cities, and in crowded villages. We recommend taking large denomination bills of $50 or more with you on your trip. The exchange rate for these is higher than for smaller bills.
Before buying, find out the prices in shillings and dollars, and pay in the currency with the more favorable exchange rate. This way, you won't overpay and will be able to adequately assess the goods or services.
Remember that it is prohibited to take local currency out of the country. Do not exchange large amounts at once, so that you do not have to spend it in any way during the last few days.
Communication and Internet
For convenience and constant access to the Internet, you can purchase a SIM card with a service package from a mobile operator. There are four providers operating in Tanzania: Halotel, Tigo, Vodacom, and Airtel. You can find out about their rates and prices on their official websites.
Prices for service packages from local operators start at $4. For this amount, you can get:
- 3 GB of internet, 400 minutes, and 100 texts for 7 days from Vodacom;
- 6 GB of internet from Airtel;
- 4 GB of internet, 280 minutes, and 50 text messages for 30 days from Halotel.
To purchase a SIM card, you must provide your fingerprints at the airport. Without them, you will not be able to purchase a card. You will also need your passport to register as a subscriber in the system.
Many hotels, cafes, restaurants, and tourist spots offer Wi-Fi hotspots. Keep in mind that the speed may be limited and may only be sufficient for sending a short text message.
Answers to the most popular questions:
Where is Zanzibar located and which ocean is nearby?
Zanzibar is an archipelago in the Indian Ocean, located off the east coast of Tanzania, a few degrees south of the equator.
Do I need a visa to travel to Zanzibar?
Yes, you need one. You can get one at the airport on the island for $50.
What currency can I use to pay?
The main currency on the island is the Tanzanian shilling, but you can also pay with dollars.
Should we be afraid of yellow fever and malaria mosquitoes?
There is a minimal risk of infection. However, the situation on the island is stable and does not pose a serious threat to life. Vaccinations are available if desired, but they are not mandatory for entry into Zanzibar. Advice for tourists: use repellents and special nets to protect yourself from mosquitoes.
