According to sunglassestracker, Zanzibar (Unguja) is an island in Africa that is part of Tanzania. Together with the islands of Pemba and Mafia, Zanzibar forms the so-called Spice Islands. The capital of Zanzibar is Zanzibar with the same name.
Zanzibar is best known for its tropical character. The coastline of Zanzibar consists mostly of white sandy beaches and clear blue water. The waters around Zanzibar are excellent for diving and snorkeling because of the many colorful coral reefs. Many tourists also come for the old part of the capital Zanzibar City, namely Stone Town. In this city you can see influences from the Persians, Arabs, Portuguese and Africans who traded here in the past (especially spices). You can see many different architectures in this city, from mansions to mosques. There are many luxury resorts on Zanzibar where mainly newlywed couples spend their honeymoon. See justinshoes for the best of Tanzania.
Where is Zanzibar located?
Travel information of Zanzibar
Official name: Zanzibar
Continent: Africa
Area: 1,554 km²
Capital: Zanzibar
Country code: TZ, TZA
Population: 896,721 inhabitants (2012)
Form of government: Republic
Highest point: 120 m
Distance (Amsterdam – Zanzibar): 7,251 km
Flight time: approximately 11 hours
Travel advice
Current status: Attention, safety risks.
Current color code: Yellow.
Corona
Due to the coronavirus (COVID-19), (temporary) measures may apply to Zanzibar that you as a tourist may have to deal with. For the most up-to-date corona travel advice, please refer to our special coronavirus travel advice page. For the number of current corona infections, number of deaths and various corona-related graphs of Zanzibar, please visit Countryaah.
Travel offer
On our travel offer page you will find an overview of reliable travel organizations that offer complete trips and holidays to Zanzibar. In addition, you will find an overview of separate travel components (hotels and airline tickets) with which you can compile your ideal trip yourself.
Travel guides and maps
Are you looking for a travel guide, map, walking map, cycling map, book or DVD about Zanzibar?
Excursions, activities and day trips
With the help of Countryaah you can reserve an excursion, activity, tour, entrance ticket and/or day trip for your stay on Zanzibar at a discount. This way you are assured of a place, in some cases you can skip the queue and you can already plan your travel program.
Weather and climate
Zanzibar has a tropical climate. Temperatures are around 25 to 30 degrees all year round. Summer and winter time are opposite to those in the Netherlands.
The current weather (weather forecast) and a weather forecast for Zanzibar can be found on our extensive weather page.
Detailed information about the climate of Zanzibar can be found at Climate info.
Best time
July, August and September are the best months to travel to Zanzibar. You avoid the highest temperatures and the rainy season.
Language
Swahili is the official language in Zanzibar. In addition, English is spoken on a small scale.
Would you like to translate from or into Swahili for free? Use the Google translator for this.
Travel documents
You must have a passport that is valid for at least 6 months upon arrival in Zanzibar.
A visa is required. You can request this in person at the Consulate of Tanzania in Nieuwerkerk a/d IJssel.
Embassies and consulates
Below is an overview of relevant diplomatic representations, including addresses and contact details.
Netherlands Embassy in Tanzania (also for Zanzibar): netherlandsworldwide.nl.
Embassy of Tanzania in the Netherlands: rijksoverheid.nl.
Consulate of Tanzania in the Netherlands: tanzania.nl.
For urgent assistance, you can contact the Ministry of Foreign Affairs 24/7 on +31247247247.
Vaccination (inoculation)
Before visiting Zanzibar, it is mandatory to get vaccinated against cholera.
In addition, there are one or more vaccinations that are recommended.
For extensive vaccination advice and to make a vaccination appointment at home, please visit Thuisvaccinatie.nl. You can also see here whether your health insurance reimburses the vaccination(s).
Malaria
There is malaria on Zanzibar. Malaria is an infectious disease transmitted by malaria mosquitoes. This infectious disease can lead to death if not treated in time and/or incorrectly.
For prevention and control of malaria, please visit our malaria page.
Money and Currency Affairs
Zanzibar is used to pay with the Tanzanian shilling (TZS).
The current position of this currency (currency, currency) can be found on our exchange rate page.
An overview of all ATMs on Zanzibar can be found on our ATMs page.
Price level
The prices on Zanzibar are a lot lower than in the Netherlands. The price difference with the Netherlands is -35% on average. Some examples are: restaurants (60% cheaper), food (34% cheaper), imported beer in catering (50% cheaper), cigarettes (77% cheaper) and public transport (90% cheaper). Please note that the price difference in tourist areas, especially during high season, may vary.
Tipping
In Zanzibar it is customary to tip, especially in tourist areas. Wages in Zanzibar are very low. Good service is about 10% tip.
Time difference
During our summer time it is 1 hour later on Zanzibar.
During our winter time it is 2 hours later on Zanzibar.
Zanzibar has no difference in winter time and summer time.
The local time, date and time zone for Zanzibar can be found on our time difference page.
Traffic and route
On Zanzibar you must drive on the left.
To drive and/or rent a motor vehicle in Zanzibar you must have an international driver’s license. The international driver’s license is available at an ANWB shop.
With the Google route planner you can compile a route description from, to or within Zanzibar.
Electricity
On Zanzibar you need a travel plug.
More information about common plugs and sockets on Zanzibar can be found on our electricity page (look under Tanzania).
Emergency services
If you need help from the police, fire brigade and/or ambulance in an emergency, you can use the emergency numbers below.
– Police: 112
– Fire: 112
– Ambulance: 112
Tap water
It is not recommended to drink water from the tap.
If you are unable to buy bottled water, use a water purifier to purify the water or boil the water for 5 minutes. After this you can safely use it as drinking water and for things like brushing teeth, cleaning lenses and washing vegetables and / or fruit. More information about drinking water and/or the purchase of water purification products can be found on our drinking water page.
News and newspapers
The latest news related to Zanzibar can be found on Google news.
An overview of the newspapers from Tanzania and Zanzibar can be found on Abyznewslinks.
Internet
Websites from Zanzibar end in.tz.
Zanzibar official websites: zanzibartourism.net and tanzaniatourism.go.tz.
Telephony
The country code (international access code) to call someone on Zanzibar is 00255 or +255.
Do you want to call the Netherlands from Zanzibar? Then use the Dutch country code 00031.
(If you use a country code, you must leave out the first 0 of the number to be called.)
Company details can be found in the Yellow Pages of Zanzibar.
Photos and videos
On Flickr you will find a nice collection of photos of Zanzibar.
On Youtube you will find a nice collection of videos from Zanzibar.
Holidays
An overview of all public holidays on Zanzibar can be found on Beleven.org.
Reviews and travel experiences
On Zoover and TripAdvisor you will find reviews from travelers about accommodations (eg hotels and holiday homes), restaurants and destinations on Zanzibar, supplemented with photos, videos and places of interest.
Travel reports
Are you looking for a travel report about Zanzibar?
On Zanzibar.startpagina.nl you will find travel reports and experiences of travelers who have previously visited Zanzibar. It is also possible to keep a free diary of your trip for family and/or friends.
Nature and world heritage
An overview of the protected nature areas (including national parks, reserves and wildlife parks) on Zanzibar can be found on Protected Planet.
Zanzibar is not on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Customs rules
Do you want to know how much you are allowed to import and export when traveling to Zanzibar? On the IATA website you will find an overview with the maximum quantities of cigarettes, alcohol, perfume and money, among other things. If you stick to these quantities, you don’t have to declare anything to customs. You will also find the laws and regulations regarding the entry of pets on this website.
Entrepreneurship and doing business
If you are planning to do business on or with Zanzibar, it is wise to prepare well. The Netherlands Enterprise Agency can help you with this. On PaulSourcing.com you will find a large amount of information about Zanzibar, including: opportunities, import and export regulations, trade figures, do’s and don’ts, business partners and subsidies.
Relevant legislation
Below you will find relevant legislation and regulations that you may encounter during your visit to Zanzibar.
– Alcohol: Buying and/or drinking from the age of 18.
– Alcohol and traffic: The maximum permitted alcohol content is 0.5.
– Tobacco: Buy from the age of 18, smoking at all ages.
– Smoking ban: In public places.
– Homosexuality: Not allowed. Prison sentence more than 10 years.
Did you know that…
…Zanzibar has a free port (no import control)?
…Zanzibar is the only place on earth where the Zanzibar colobus lives?
…Zanzibar is the third largest producer of cloves in the world?
…Zanzibar is known for the production of various spices?
…Zanzibar ever had the shortest war of 38 minutes?
…Zanzibar was the first African country with a color television in 1974?
