Zanzibar Frequently Asked Questions
Zanzibar FAQs: What to Know Before You Visit
Zanzibar FAQs: What to Know Before You Visit provides essential information to help you confidently plan your journey to Zanzibar. This section answers common questions about visas, health requirements, safety, currency, local customs, and the best time to travel so you can prepare for a smooth island experience.
You’ll also learn what to expect when exploring the historic streets of Stone Town, relaxing on Zanzibar’s white-sand beaches, or joining popular activities like spice farm tours and dhow sunset cruises. The FAQs help travelers understand the island’s culture, climate, and practical travel tips.
Whether you’re visiting for beach relaxation, cultural discovery, or ocean adventures, this guide helps ensure you arrive informed and ready to experience Zanzibar at its best. With the right preparation, your island journey can be smooth, memorable, and filled with authentic experiences.
Yes. As of late 2024 and continuing through 2026, the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar requires all foreign non-residents to purchase Mandatory Inbound Travel Insurance. This costs $44 USD per person (with discounts for children) and is valid for up to 92 days.
Even if you have premium international insurance, this local policy is mandatory for entry. We strongly recommend purchasing it online via the official portal before you fly to avoid long queues at the airport.
No. Zanzibar is a semi-autonomous part of the United Republic of Tanzania. Your Tanzanian Tourist Visa (Single Entry) covers both the mainland and the islands. However, please note that you will go through a mini-immigration check upon landing in Zanzibar to show your passport and health documents (like Yellow Fever certificates if arriving from an endemic zone)
Absolutely. Zanzibar is widely considered one of the safest destinations in East Africa. The local culture is exceptionally welcoming and “Karibu” (welcome) is a way of life here. While petty theft can happen in crowded markets (like any global destination), violent crime is extremely rare.
Zanzibar is a predominantly Muslim society, and respecting local traditions ensures a much better experience.
While bikinis and shorts are perfectly fine at your beach resort or on a boat, we recommend covering your shoulders and knees when walking through Stone Town or local villages. A light sarong (locally known as a kanga) is a stylish and practical item to carry with you!
Both are widely used, but there is a catch: US Dollars must be printed after 2009 (newer “blue” bills are preferred) and should be in crisp condition.
For local markets, small tips, and street food in the Forodhani Gardens, having Tanzanian Shillings (TZS) will get you a much better rate. We suggest withdrawing Shillings from an ATM in Stone Town before heading to the more remote beach areas where ATMs are scarce
Yes, but we advocate for ethical marine encounters. Places like Menai Bay and Mnemba are famous for wild dolphins.
We ensure our boat captains follow strict guidelines—maintaining a respectful distance and never “chasing” the pods—to ensure the animals are not stressed and you get a more authentic, natural experience.
Yes, but we advocate for ethical marine encounters. Places like Menai Bay and Mnemba are famous for wild dolphins.
We ensure our boat captains follow strict guidelines—maintaining a respectful distance and never “chasing” the pods—to ensure the animals are not stressed and you get a more authentic, natural experience.
This is a very important detail for beach lovers! The East Coast (Matemwe, Paje, Jambiani) is famous for its dramatic low tides.
During low tide, the ocean recedes hundreds of meters, revealing a fascinating lunar-like landscape of coral lagoons and seaweed farms.
It is beautiful for walking but not for swimming. If you want to swim in the ocean all day regardless of the tide, we suggest staying in Nungwi or Kendwa on the North Coast
Zanzibar is in a tropical zone, so mosquitoes are present, especially at sunset. Most luxury resorts are very diligent with “fogging” (eco-friendly spraying) and providing high-quality mosquito nets. Regarding Malaria, we are travel experts, not doctors, so we always recommend consulting your travel clinic 4-6 weeks before your trip. Most travelers choose to take a prophylaxis, but the best defense is wearing long sleeves and using a good repellent in the evenings
Tanzania has strict drone regulations. To fly a drone legally in Zanzibar, you must register it with the Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority (TCAA) and obtain a permit well in advance. Flying without a permit can lead to heavy fines or confiscation at the airport. If you are a professional photographer, we can help guide you through the permit process to ensure your “bird’s-eye view” shots are legal and stress-free
Zanzibar charges a mandatory Infrastructure Tax of $5 USD per person, per night (this can vary slightly depending on the hotel’s star rating). This fee is usually not included in your online booking price and must be paid directly to the hotel upon check-out. It is used by the government to improve the island’s roads and services, so it’s a small contribution to the island’s future!
The “Golden Season” for Zanzibar is during the long dry season from June to October. During these months, you’ll enjoy deep blue skies, low humidity, and the best underwater visibility for snorkeling at Mnemba Atoll. There is also a shorter dry spell from January to February which is perfect for those escaping the Northern Hemisphere’s winter. We recommend avoiding April and May, as these are the months of the “long rains.”
