— FAQ
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Zanzibar is famous for its white-sand beaches and turquoise water, for Stone Town — a UNESCO World Heritage Site full of carved doors, markets and Swahili history — and for its spice farms, which gave it the name “the Spice Island”. It’s also known for excellent snorkeling at Mnemba Atoll, dolphins at Kizimkazi, the red colobus monkeys of Jozani Forest and sailing trips on traditional dhows.
No. Zanzibar is a semi-autonomous region of the United Republic of Tanzania. It has its own president, government and parliament, but it is part of Tanzania, uses the Tanzanian shilling and follows Tanzanian visa rules. If you arrive by ferry from Dar es Salaam you’ll pass a short passport check at the port.
Almost everyone in Zanzibar is Muslim, with small Christian and Hindu communities. Visitors are warmly welcomed. In Stone Town and the villages it’s respectful to cover your shoulders and knees; swimwear is fine at hotels and on the beach. During Ramadan, avoid eating or drinking in public during the day outside your hotel.
The driest, sunniest months are June to October and December to February. The long rains fall from late March to May, and November has short showers. Read our full month-by-month guide to the best time to visit Zanzibar.
It depends on your style. Nungwi and Kendwa in the north have swimming at any tide and the best sunsets. Paje, Jambiani and Bwejuu on the south-east coast are quieter, with wide beaches, big tides and great kitesurfing. Matemwe and Kiwengwa on the east coast are calm and close to Mnemba Atoll. Many travellers also spend a night or two in Stone Town. Our holiday packages cover every area — see also things to do in Nungwi.
Most visitors need a Tanzanian tourist visa. You can apply online in advance through the official Tanzania Immigration eVisa portal (visa.immigration.go.tz), or get a visa on arrival at Zanzibar’s Abeid Amani Karume International Airport. A single-entry tourist visa is US$50 for most nationalities; US citizens pay US$100 for a multiple-entry visa. Your passport must be valid for at least six months. We recommend applying online a few weeks before you travel, and carrying clean US dollar notes in case you need to pay on arrival. Visa rules can change, so always check the official immigration website before you fly.
Yes. Since October 2024, every foreign visitor to Zanzibar must buy the government’s inbound travel insurance from the Zanzibar Insurance Corporation (ZIC). It costs US$44 per adult, covers up to 92 days and is bought online before you travel — your own travel insurance does not replace it. From October 2026, mainland Tanzania also requires a separate inbound insurance policy, so if you are combining Zanzibar with a Tanzania safari you may need both. Please check the official ZIC and Tanzania government sites for the latest rules.
The easiest way is a pre-booked private transfer with fixed prices: $20 to Stone Town and $40 to Nungwi, Kendwa, Matemwe, Kiwengwa, Michamvi, Paje, Jambiani or Kizimkazi. See all Zanzibar airport transfers and book on WhatsApp in seconds.
No — Uber does not operate in Zanzibar and has withdrawn from Tanzania. The ride-hailing app Bolt has been licensed in Zanzibar since 2025 and works best in and around Stone Town, but cars can be hard to find in the beach areas and at night. For airport runs and longer journeys, a pre-booked private transfer is the most reliable option.
Yes, there are exchange bureaus and ATMs at the airport, and more ATMs and bureaus in Stone Town; beach villages have only a few. The local currency is the Tanzanian shilling (TZS), but US dollars are widely accepted for tours, hotels and transfers — we accept US dollars and euros in cash, as well as cards (a 5% card surcharge applies). Bring recent, undamaged US dollar notes, as older or torn notes are often refused.
Only if you arrive from, or transit for more than 12 hours through, a country with a risk of yellow fever (for example Kenya or Ethiopia). If you fly directly from Europe, the UK or North America you do not need a certificate. Check with your doctor or a travel clinic before you go.
Yes, Zanzibar is generally a safe and friendly destination. Use normal travel sense: don’t walk alone on empty beaches at night, keep valuables in your hotel safe, and book tours and taxis through trusted companies rather than beach touts.
You can take a fast ferry from Dar es Salaam port to Stone Town, which takes about two hours, or a short domestic flight of around 20 minutes. If you arrive by ferry, ask us about a transfer from Stone Town port to your hotel.
Zanzibar uses 230V electricity with UK-style three-pin plugs (Type G). Bring an adapter if your devices use a different plug. Short power cuts can happen, but most hotels have generators.
Tipping isn’t compulsory but is appreciated. Many travellers tip their guides, drivers and boat crew after a tour, and leave around 10% in restaurants if service isn’t included.
Pick a tour and book online with your date and number of guests. You can also message us on WhatsApp (+255 620 388 138) or email booking@zanvanillasafari.com and we’ll arrange everything for you.
We accept cash in US dollars or euros, and all major credit and debit cards. Card payments carry a 5% surcharge to cover bank fees. Payments from overseas bank accounts must be paid in full; bank and transfer fees are paid by the sender.
Children aged 3 and under travel free. Children aged 4 to 12 pay 50% of the adult price, and from 13 years they pay the adult price. Some tours show their own child prices on the tour page.
Yes. On many tours the price per person drops as your group grows — you’ll see the group prices on each tour page. For groups we also give one free place for every 20 paying guests.
Yes — pickup and drop-off from your hotel is included on our tours unless the tour page says otherwise. Just tell us your hotel name when you book.
For ocean tours: swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, a hat, water shoes and a water-resistant bag for your phone or camera. In Stone Town and villages, clothing that covers shoulders and knees is respectful.
Of course. Every holiday package can be adjusted to your dates, budget and hotel — add a safari, swap a tour or slow the pace. Send us your ideas and we’ll suggest a plan.
Yes. Guests under 18 must travel with an adult who is responsible for them.
Cancellations must be made in writing (email is fine). Charges depend on how far ahead you cancel:
Same-day cancellations and no-shows are charged in full. Your deposit is non-refundable in all cases. Read the full policy.
If a tour can’t run because of something beyond our control — such as severe weather — we’ll offer you a comparable alternative or refund the money you paid.
Yes, where possible. Contact us as early as you can and we’ll try to move your tour to another date. Changes you make yourself while travelling are your responsibility, and unused services can’t be refunded.