A Comprehensive Guide to Visiting Zanzibar
A Comprehensive Guide to Visiting Zanzibar, Looking for a tropical island for your beach holiday? Zanzibar is a much better option. This idyllic archipelago lies on the east coast of the Indian Ocean, approximately 82 kilometers from Dar es Salaam, Tanzania’s commercial capital. It has more than 50 islands, with the largest ones being Unguja and Pemba.
Major Highlights in Zanzibar
Zanzibar Beaches.
The palm-lined, sun-kissed beaches are Zanzibar’s main highlights. People come here to relax, sunbathe, swim, and engage in a lot of water sports. Whether you want busy beaches for vibes like Kendwa and Nungwi or want quiet and remote ones like those of Pemba and Misali, Zanzibar has you covered.
The Stone Town.
Built several centuries ago, this bustling town displays the ancient architecture of the Portuguese, Arabs, Persians, Indians, and Swahili. You can explore old buildings like the Old Fort, Mtoni Ruins, and Persian Baths, or eat like a local at a restaurant in the Forodhani Gardens.
Festivals and Events.
Apart from exquisite beaches, Zanzibar is famous for its fantastic festivals. These include the Zanzibar International Film Festival held in the Old Fort in July, Mwaka Kogwa Festival held in Makunduchi village in Unguja. You can also attend the Sauti za Busara Festival, which premieres in February every year.
Spices.
It’s for a reason Zanzibar is sometimes called the ‘spice island.’ Introduced by the Portuguese and Arab traders, different spices characterize the delicious dishes of Zanzibar. You can embark on a spice tour at the spice plantation or walk along the beaches like Jambiani, which has plenty of spices.
How to get to Zanzibar
You can get to Zanzibar in two ways: by flight or by ferry. We go into the details of each way down below.
1. International travel.
Zanzibar has great flight connections with many parts of the world. The best way to get there is by flying into the Abeid Amani Karume International Airport, the island’s main airport. This airport receives international flights from Europe, Asia, and the Americas. The archipelago has flight connections to about 27 airports. Here are some airlines with flights to Zanzibar.
- Qatar Airways – from Qatar to Zanzibar
- Ethiopian Airlines – from Addis Ababa to Zanzibar
- Kenya Airways – Nairobi to Zanzibar
- Turkish Airlines – Istanbul to Zanzibar via Dar es Salaam
- Emirates – Dubai to Zanzibar
- Air France – Paris to Zanzibar
- KLM – Amsterdam to Zanzibar
- Oman Air – Oman to Zanzibar
2. Regional Flights.
It’s also a good idea to start your safari in the main parks like Serengeti National Park or Nyerere National Park. Here’s how: you fly into the Kilimanjaro International Airport in Arusha or the Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam, visit your wildlife destination, then fly to Zanzibar. Zanzibar has direct flights from Serengeti, Ruaha, Nyerere, and many other regional airports.
Insight: We can, if you allow us to, book your flight from anywhere to Zanzibar. We are also open to helping you reach this idyllic archipelago.
3. Getting to Zanzibar by ferry.
There are ferry trips from Dar es Salaam to Zanzibar. These trips are not only the easiest way to reach Zanzibar but also a unique opportunity to explore the Indian Ocean before setting foot on the island.
Zanzibar entry requirements.
Most guests ask: What do you need to enter Zanzibar? Here are your answers.
- You need a passport, and it has to be valid for at least six months and have at least two blank pages.
- A travel visa. You can apply for it online or get a single-entry visa on arrival. We highly recommend starting your application online.
- A mandatory travel insurance from Zanzibar Insurance Corporation (ZIC).
- A yellow fever vaccination if you’re coming from a yellow fever risk country. This requirement includes transit via a risk country.
Insight: you don’t need a separate visa if you’ve obtained one while entering the Tanzania Mainland (because Zanzibar is part of Tanzania).
When is the best time to visit Zanzibar?
Zanzibar is good year-round. But for clear skies, predictable weather, and dry days, June to October is the best. This time coincides with the best time to see wildlife in the mainland parks. For instance, the wildebeest migration reaches its pinnacle during this time. Therefore, June through October is perfect for combining wildlife with beach relaxation.
However, if you want to avoid the crowd, you can plan your visit between January and March. While other parts of Europe are freezing, Zanzibar is warm and cool. This time also comes with discounted rates in the hotels and resorts.
Final word.
Whether you’re looking for a perfect beach destination or want to trade the Caribbean for a tropical paradise beach destination, Zanzibar has it all. From our experiences of guiding guests to this award-winning archipelago, we’ve learned that most of them keep returning to Zanzibar. We are sure you too will. Start your plan today: we are here to help you.
