travel cost to zanzibar

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Travel Budget for Zanzibar Visit Zanzibar on a Budget or Travel in Style

Zanzibar Costs

Zanzibar Hotel Prices
Best Hotels for First Time Visitors in Zanzibar
Best Luxury Hotels in Zanzibar
Best Beach Hotels in Zanzibar
Best Romantic Hotels for Couples in Zanzibar
Best Business Hotels in Zanzibar
Best Family-Friendly Hotels in Zanzibar
Best Hotels for One Night in Zanzibar
Best Hotels for One Week in Zanzibar
Best Hotels for Scuba Diving in Zanzibar
Best Hotels for a Weekend Getaway in Zanzibar
Best Pet-Friendly Hotels in Zanzibar
Is Zanzibar Expensive?
How much does a trip to Zanzibar cost?
Tanzania Costs
Serengeti National Park
Dar es Salaam
How much does it cost to travel to Zanzibar? (Average Daily Cost)
Zanzibar trip costs: one week, two weeks, one month

Is Zanzibar expensive to visit?

How much do I need for a trip to Zanzibar?
Accommodation, Food, Entertainment, and Transportation Costs
Travel Guide

How much does it cost to travel to Zanzibar?

You should plan to spend around $52 (TZS132,825) per day on your vacation in Zanzibar. This is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors.

Past travelers have spent, on average for one day:

$17 (TZS42,860) on meals
$12 (TZS29,202) on local transportation
$50 (TZS126,419) on hotels

A one week trip to Zanzibar for two people costs, on average, $733 (TZS1,859,549) . This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.

All of these average travel prices have been collected from other travelers to help you plan your own travel budget.

Travel Style: All Budget (Cheap) Mid-Range Luxury (High-End)
Average Daily Cost Per person, per day $ 52 TZS 132,825
One Week Per person $ 366 TZS 929,775
2 Weeks Per person $ 733 TZS 1,859,549
One Month Per person $ 1,570 TZS 3,984,749
One Week For a couple $ 733 TZS 1,859,549
2 Weeks For a couple $ 1,465 TZS 3,719,099
One Month For a couple $ 3,140 TZS 7,969,497

How much does a one week, two week, or one month trip to Zanzibar cost?

A one week trip to Zanzibar usually costs around $366 (TZS929,775) for one person and $733 (TZS1,859,549) for two people. This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.

A two week trip to Zanzibar on average costs around $733 (TZS1,859,549) for one person and $1,465 (TZS3,719,099) for two people. This cost includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.

Please note, prices can vary based on your travel style, speed, and other variables. If you're traveling as a family of three or four people, the price per person often goes down because kid's tickets are cheaper and hotel rooms can be shared. If you travel slower over a longer period of time then your daily budget will also go down. Two people traveling together for one month in Zanzibar will often have a lower daily budget per person than one person traveling alone for one week.

A one month trip to Zanzibar on average costs around $1,570 (TZS3,984,749) for one person and $3,140 (TZS7,969,497) for two people. The more places you visit, the higher the daily price will become due to increased transportation costs.

Independent Travel

Traveling Independently to Zanzibar has many benefits including affordabilty, freedom, flexibility, and the opportunity to control your own experiences.

All of the travel costs below are based on the experiences of other independent travelers.

Zanzibar is a reasonably affordable place to visit. Located in Tanzania, which is a moderately priced country, visitors will appreciate the relatively low cost of this destination. It is in the top 10% of cities in the country for its affordability . If you're traveling on a budget, then this is a good destination with affordable accommodation, food, and transportation.

Within Africa, Zanzibar is a reasonably affordable destination compared to other places. It is in the top 25% of cities in Africa for its affordability. You can find more affordable cities such as Dahab, but there are also more expensive cities, such as Dar es Salaam.

For more details, and to find out if it's within your travel budget, see Is Zanzibar Expensive?

How much money do I need for a trip to Zanzibar?

The average Zanzibar trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Zanzibar travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers.

Accommodation Budget in Zanzibar

Average daily costs.

Calculated from travelers like you

The average price paid for one person for accommodation in Zanzibar is $25 (TZS63,210). For two people sharing a typical double-occupancy hotel room, the average price paid for a hotel room in Zanzibar is $50 (TZS126,419). This cost is from the reported spending of actual travelers.

Accommodation 1 Hotel or hostel for one person $ 25 TZS 63,210
Accommodation 1 Typical double-occupancy room $ 50 TZS 126,419

Hotel Prices in Zanzibar

Looking for a hotel in Zanzibar? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.

Find the best hotel for your travel style.

Actual Hotel Prices The average hotel room price in Zanzibar based on data provided by Kayak for actual hotel rooms is $63. (Prices in U.S. Dollars, before taxes & fees.)

Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world.

Recommended Properties

Emerson Spice Hotel Budget Hotel - Kayak $ 126
Tikitam Palms hotel Luxury Hotel - Kayak $ 171

Transportation Budget in Zanzibar

The cost of a taxi ride in Zanzibar is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $12 (TZS29,202) per person, per day, on local transportation in Zanzibar.

Transportation 1 Taxis, local buses, subway, etc. $ 12 TZS 29,202

Recommended Services

Airport /Hotel Transfers Viator $ 25
Airport transfer to Nugwi, Paje and Kiwengwa Hotels Viator $ 45

Flights to Zanzibar

Rental cars in zanzibar, food budget in zanzibar.

While meal prices in Zanzibar can vary, the average cost of food in Zanzibar is $17 (TZS42,860) per day. Based on the spending habits of previous travelers, when dining out an average meal in Zanzibar should cost around $6.75 (TZS17,144) per person. Breakfast prices are usually a little cheaper than lunch or dinner. The price of food in sit-down restaurants in Zanzibar is often higher than fast food prices or street food prices.

Food 2 Meals for one day $ 17 TZS 42,860

Entertainment Budget in Zanzibar

Entertainment and activities in Zanzibar typically cost an average of $13 (TZS33,159) per person, per day based on the spending of previous travelers. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.

Entertainment 1 Entrance tickets, shows, etc. $ 13 TZS 33,159

Recommended Activities

3 hours walking tour in stone town Viator $ 45
8-hour Zanzibar private spice and Stonetown Tours (Include Lunch) Viator $ 100

Tips and Handouts Budget in Zanzibar

The average cost for Tips and Handouts in Zanzibar is $3.49 (TZS8,869) per day. The usual amount for a tip in Zanzibar is 5% - 15% .

Tips and Handouts 1 For guides or service providers $ 3.49 TZS 8,869

Alcohol Budget in Zanzibar

The average person spends about $7.00 (TZS17,770) on alcoholic beverages in Zanzibar per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.

Alcohol 2 Drinks for one day $ 7.00 TZS 17,770
Zanzibar: Pub Crawl & Club Experience Get Your Guide $ 30

Water Budget in Zanzibar

On average, people spend $0.82 (TZS2,084) on bottled water in Zanzibar per day. The public water in Zanzibar is not usually considered safe to drink.

Water 2 Bottled water for one day $ 0.82 TZS 2,084

Zanzibar on a budget.

Neighborhoods

Food and dining, transportation, more related articles.

We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works .

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Activities, Day Trips, Things To Do, and Excursions

Cost of a Trip to Zanzibar, TZ & the Cheapest Time to Visit Zanzibar

The average price of a 7-day trip to Zanzibar is $2,386 for a solo traveler, $4,285 for a couple, and $8,034 for a family of 4 . Zanzibar hotels range from $38 to $217 per night with an average of $64, while most vacation rentals will cost $20 to $400 per night for the entire home. Average worldwide flight costs to Abeid Amani Karume International Airport ( ZNZ ) are between $1,571 and $3,134 per person for economy flights and $4,930 to $9,834 for first class. Depending on activities, we recommend budgeting $32 to $69 per person per day for transportation and enjoying local restaurants.

See below for average , budget , and luxury trip costs. You can also look up flight costs from your airport for more tailored flight pricing.

The Cheapest Times to Visit Zanzibar, TZ

On average, these will be the cheapest dates to fly to ZNZ and stay in a Zanzibar hotel:

January 8th to February 11th
March 26th to May 6th
August 20th to December 9th (except the week of October 22nd)

The absolute cheapest time to take a vacation in Zanzibar is usually early October .

Average Zanzibar Trip Costs

Average solo traveler.

The average cost for one person to visit Zanzibar for a week is $1,391-$3,644 ($199-$521 per day)

Food, Travel, and Sightseeing : $32 to $69 per day for one person’s daily expenses

Flights : $909 to $2,789 for economy

Lodging : $43 to $57 per night for one 2 or 3-star hotel room

or $50 to $62 per night for a 1-bed vacation rental

Average Couple’s Trip

The average cost for a couple to visit Zanzibar for a week is $3,848-$7,606 ($550-$1,087 per day)

Food, Travel, and Sightseeing : $64 to $138 per day for two people’s daily expenses

Flights : $1,818 to $5,578 for economy

Average Family Vacation

The average cost for 4 people to visit Zanzibar for a week is $4,952-$13,772 ($707-$1,967 per day)

Food, Travel, and Sightseeing : $128 to $276 per day for four people’s daily expenses

Flights : $3,636 to $11,156 for economy

Lodging : $86 to $114 per night for two 2 or 3-star hotel rooms

or $70 to $99 per night for a 2-bed vacation rental

Traveling Cheap to Zanzibar

How cheap can you make a vacation to Zanzibar? The cheapest trip to Zanzibar is about $161 per person per day for travelers willing to take standby flights, deal with inconvenience, and otherwise limit travel expenses. About 19% of rentals are available in the $0 to $100 range for an entire place, and vacation rentals can be booked for as low as $20 per night. These inexpensive rentals must be booked as early as possible and may not be in the most desirable areas. 1-star hotels are more likely to be available, with rooms starting at around $34.

Even cheaper trips are possible depending on where you live and whether you can drive. Check the cheapest times to fly for more saving ideas.

Budget Solo Traveler

The lowest cost for one person to visit Zanzibar for a week is $1,127-$3,292 ($161-$470 per day)

Food, Travel, and Sightseeing : $14 to $29 per day for one person’s daily expenses

Lodging : $34 to $38 per night for one 1-star hotel room

or $20 to $50 per night for a 1-bed vacation rental

Budget Couple’s Trip

The lowest cost for a couple to visit Zanzibar for a week is $2,134-$6,284 ($305-$898 per day)

Food, Travel, and Sightseeing : $28 to $58 per day for two people’s daily expenses

Budget Family Vacation

The lowest cost for 4 people to visit Zanzibar for a week is $4,220-$12,424 ($603-$1,775 per day)

Food, Travel, and Sightseeing : $56 to $116 per day for four people’s daily expenses

Lodging : $68 to $76 per night for two 1-star hotel rooms

or $32 to $75 per night for a 2-bed vacation rental

Overall it is easy to travel to Zanzibar cheaply.

The Cost of a Luxury Zanzibar Trip

There is no true ceiling on the cost of a luxury trip, so our estimates are based on what most people do in Zanzibar.

Luxury Solo Traveler

The high-end price for one person to visit Zanzibar for a week is $3,030-$12,359 ($433-$1,766 per day)

Food, Travel, and Sightseeing : $64 to $138 per day for one person’s daily expenses

Flights : $2,054 to $6,833 for first class

Lodging : $88 to $217 per night for one 4 or 5-star hotel room

or $400 to $760 per night for a preferred vacation rental

Luxury Couple’s Trip

The high-end price for a couple to visit Zanzibar for a week is $5,532-$20,158 ($790-$2,880 per day)

Food, Travel, and Sightseeing : $128 to $276 per day for two people’s daily expenses

Flights : $4,108 to $13,666 for first class

Luxury Family Vacation

The high-end price for 4 people to visit Zanzibar for a week is $11,064-$37,580 ($1,581-$5,369 per day)

Food, Travel, and Sightseeing : $256 to $552 per day for four people’s daily expenses

Flights : $8,216 to $27,332 for first class

Lodging : $176 to $434 per night for two 4 or 5-star hotel rooms

or $640 to $1,064 per night for a preferred vacation rental

Zanzibar Hotel Prices

The cost of staying in Zanzibar is lower than the average city. On average vacation rentals are less expensive than hotels. Luxury hotels are more expensive in Zanzibar due to hotel employees. The graphs below show how much cost can vary depending on the type of experience you’re looking for.

Zanzibar Lodging Cost by Star Status

The average price for the class of hotel is on the (y) axis. The hotel class (out of 5 stars) is on the (x) axis.

Prices are based on Zanzibar hotel averages and may not reflect current prices. In some cases, we extrapolate prices to estimate costs, and hotels with your desired star rating may not be available.

Vacation Rental Prices

The percent of vacation rentals in the price range is on the left (y) axis. Price range is on the bottom (x) axis.

There are a healthy amount of vacation rentals serving all budgets in Zanzibar.

Flight Costs to Zanzibar

Averaging flights around the world, prices go from a high of $3,134 average in late December to a low of $1,571 in early October. Median flight price is $1,601. These prices are based on millions of flights. For Zanzibar our data includes 74 originating airports, and 69 airlines. The area has more variance in price compared with other locations. Flying to Zanzibar from an airport like Ontario International ( ONT ) in Ontario, CA (the United States) for an average $7,924 trip fare will obviously cost a lot more than from an airport like Mombasa Moi International ( MBA ) in Mombasa (Kenya) at an average of just $247.

Average Flight Cost by Season

Average flight cost by day of week.

The cheapest day to fly in is typically Monday, and the cheapest day to fly back is usually Monday. Click here to see data for the cost of flights from your airport. In Zanzibar, the difference between the cheapest and the most expensive week is about $1,562, so you can easily save about 99% simply by using our free flight guides and booking in advance.

Daily Expenses Budget

Daily vacation expenses vary more based on what you’re interested in doing. A fine dining restaurant with drinks around Zanzibar can easily cost $210 per person or more, while a standard nice meal might be about $14 per person. Private tours can cost $430 per day, but self-guided tours to see the outdoor sights can be free. Costs vary wildly, so recommendations are made based on the cost of living and averages we see for this type of vacation.

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The Ultimate Zanzibar Travel Guide: Everything You Need To Know

12 Comments

Last Updated On: September 10, 2023

Zanzibar has a very rich history and was once one of the most important areas in East Africa. Following Vasco de Gama’s visit in 1499, Zanzibar was ruled by the Portuguese and remained this way for almost two centuries.

Nowadays, it’s one of the most popular beach destinations in Africa and with good reasons. Zanzibar’s coastline offers some of the best beaches in the world, but sand and surf vary depending on what side of the island you’re on. On the east coast, waves break over coral reefs and sand bars offshore, and low tide reveals small pools of starfish, small minnows, and anemones. Up north, ocean swimming is much less susceptible to the tides, and smooth beaches and white sand make for dazzling days in the sun.

I spent numerous months traveling around Zanzibar as you can read in my detailed cost of living breakdown of Zanzibar . I stayed in numerous areas all over the island, really allowing me to get a feel of the place. This guide will serve to give an overview of all the things you need to know about traveling here!

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How to get to Zanzibar

Zanzibar is easily accessible from the world now. It’s built itself as the premier beach destination in East Africa and it’s accessibility proves it. It’s not as upscale as the Seychelles and positions itself as a place both budget and luxury travelers can visit.

Zanzibar island is well connected by international flights around the world. Qatar flies direct from Doha allowing travelers from Europe and America to easily visit. In addition, Ethiopian Airlines has directs flights from Addis Ababa to Zanzibar allowing for easy international connections. Flights are getting cheaper by the day and it’s easy to use miles nowadays to book trips to Zanzibar.

From Tanzania, you can quickly reach Zanzibar by air from popular places like Kilimanjaro and Arusha. If you’re staying deep in the Serengeti like Seronera, you can take direct flights to Zanzibar.

Take the ferry to Zanzibar

If you are traveling through Tanzania and on a tight budget (or just want to take a ferry on the high seas), there are regular ferry services from Dar Es Salaam to Zanzibar. This is a popular way to get to the island as it’s fast and cheaper than a flight. While flights will be roughly $60-80 one way, the ferry is half the cost.

From Dar Es Salaam’s main port, there are four ferries a day making this trip. The ferries are mostly newer with plenty of outdoor space allowing you to stretch out and enjoy the views. They seem to make new ferries every few years and on my recent trip in 2020, the ferry took 1h 45min to make the trip from Dar to Stone Town .

When you purchase your ticket in Dar Es Salaam, just make sure to reject the swarms of people that will offer to take your bag to the ferry. This is unnecessary and although they’re trying to make a living, you don’t need anyone to take your bags. The ferry terminal is pretty standard with a waiting room that you can absolutely get to yourself.

Entry Visas

As Zanzibar is part of Tanzania, it is subject to the same visa and entry requirements of the mainland. For most Western travelers, you will need a visa to enter Zanzibar/Tanzania.

The entry visa can be:

Purchased on arrival at the airport. The cost of this is $50 for every nationality besides the US which is $100.
Purchased online as an e-visa before arrival

In recent years, you can even pay for the visas by using a credit card ! No need to pay using USD cash anymore.

When to visit Zanzibar – best time of year

Zanzibar enjoys warm weather year round. The sun is strong and all your tropical beach dreams will be fulfilled here. Nevertheless, there are some times that are better than others. Here is a breakdown of the seasons in Zanzibar.

High Season: June to October

Right after the stormy season, starting from June is when the high season begins. This time of year sees cooler temperatures but almost no rainfall. It’s popular as many people will visit the Serengeti during this time to witness the Great Migration and come to Zanzibar for beach time afterwards.

Second High Season: Dec to Feb

December to February is the next high season. The temperatures are much warmer during these months and there’s a general low amount of rainfall. This is also the high season for winds which makes places like Paje extremely popular for kitesurfers.

Rainy Season: Mar to May

The big rainy season in Zanzibar is between March and May. During this time, lots of the resorts close down as you can see torrential downpours for weeks on end. Many of the people I spoke with said this time of year sees almost no tourists but it’s a welcome reprieve from the unbearable heat in the months prior.

November is the “small rainy season” where you can see spotty rain showers at various points of the day. I actually spent a month in Zanzibar during this month and did not find it bad at all. Sure there were some days where it rained, but for the most part, it was sunny and beautiful throughout my trip.

Different areas of Zanzibar

Zanzibar is a huge island. From north to south it is over 200km and 100km from east to west. It’s unlikely you’ll be able to explore the whole island on a trip if you have anything under a month.

If you’re visiting just to go to a resort for a week or less, it’s likely you’ll stay in one area and never leave that part of Zanzibar. Having spent over a month on the island, I was able to explore most of the island without much effort.

For the most part, Zanzibar is beautiful all around. You will find beautiful beaches, stunning properties and picturesque ocean views everywhere.

The capital of Zanzibar is where everyone will start off. Whether you fly or take a ferry, you will stop in Stone Town. Whether you choose to spend a night or two in the vibrant capital is up to you. If you’re looking for beautiful tropical beaches, this is not the place.

The town is worth a night or two in my opinion if you have the time on your trip.

Nungwi and Kendwa

Located in the far north, Nungwi and Kendwa have in my opinion the most beautiful beaches on the island. The tides are not so extreme and you don’t see the crazy amounts of seaweed and sea urchins that you will find elsewhere. Think of stunning blue beaches and white sand for as far as you can see.

Nungwi is also home to all the huge luxury resorts. If you’re keen for upscale all inclusive 5* resorts with beautiful beaches, Nungwi is your place. Resorts like the Riu, Zuri, and Gemma will satisfy all your desires. Nungwi gets very busy during the high season. In recent years, it’s become somewhat of the party spot. In addition to ultra luxury resorts, there are plenty of budget options here which has kind of turned it into the Phuket equivalent of East Africa.

Kendwa, the town just south of Nungwi is a great option if you want to enjoy the same beaches without the big crowds of people. Both options are prime for enjoying sunsets as the areas in the east, while beautiful, don’t enjoy such things!

Matemwe, Kiwengwa, Pongwe, and the northeast

Matemwe is an area in the northeast of Zanzibar. It’s roughly 1.5 hours from the Stone Town airport by car.

Matemwe is known to be a chilled out beach side area with a collection of boutique hotels. Unlike Nungwi with its huge resorts, there are few standalone restaurants here and no huge hotels. It’s much more chilled, laid back, and offers beautiful views of the beach. Being on the east side, the beaches here have huge high and low tides.

During low tide, the beach extends 500m out to where the reef breaks. It’s fascinating watching the tides come in and out twice a day. I stayed at a beautiful Boutique resort called Zanzibar Sunrise at Bandas which had Makuti style bungalows right in front of the beach.

It’s also the launching point to visit the famous Mnemba Atoll which is the private island off the coast of Zanzibar. This beautiful island is home to a protected Marine park and is home to endless options for scuba diving/snorkeling.

Paje, Jambiani, Michamvi in the southeast

In the southeast of Zanzibar is another very popular area for tourists to stay. This part of Zanzibar has perhaps the best beaches outside of Nungwi. The tides are extremely dramatic but the beaches are mostly sand as opposed to corals and urchins in the north.

Paje is the biggest town here and is the kitesurfing capital of Zanzibar. The winds blow east to west here almost the entire year. Nearby towns like Jambiani, Bwejuu, and Michamvi are also crowd favorites.

The most famous restaurant in Zanzibar, The Rock , is located in this peninsula. It’s well worth the visit if you decide to stay here!

How to get around Zanzibar

Zanzibar being a huge island requires planning to get from place to place. If you’re only staying for a few days, it’s unlikely you’ll need to read up on this because you’ll likely just take a taxi to your resort and call it a day. Here are some general price ranges for taxis that I found from taking taxis all over the island.

Note that these are just broad estimates. Your ability to negotiate and the desperation of your cab driver on the day will dictate your fee. Alternatively, ask your accommodation what they can offer. If you are booking a hotel with a super fancy resort, expect to pay much more than if you’re staying at a more personalized guesthouse.

Stone Town to Matemwe: $30-40

Stone Town to Nungwi: $40-50

Stone Town to Paje: $30-$40

Stone Town to Kiwengwa: $30-$40

Nungwi to Paje: $50-60

Paje to Michamvi: $10-$15

Matemwe or Kiwengwa to Nungwi: $25-30

Budget traveling in Zanzibar

For those that aren’t keen on taxis, then know that Zanzibar is serviced primarily by dala dalas which are the local forms of transport. Think old school hippie style vans. These are common throughout Africa and are the preferred method to get around for those on budgets. Some dala dalas are just trucks with the trunk converted as seating.

This method will be significantly cheaper than taking a taxi and especially useful if you’re a solo traveler. For example, Stone Town to Paje or Stone Town to Nungwi is roughly $2. Of course, with cheaper prices, you can expect it to be much slower. I’d budget for at a dala dala to take 2x as long as a taxi given how often it must stop to pick up and drop off people.

Which areas do I like the most?

Having spent much time on this island, I’ve been able to visit most of the areas. For most tourists, it’s likely you’ll stay at one hotel and stay in that area for the duration of your stay.

It’s not so feasible to just rent a car in Stone Town and cruise around the island. I’ve heard of some people doing this, but the police road blocks on the island make it less than ideal. However, if you are stuck on where to concentrate your efforts, then hopefully this part will help.

If you want the most beautiful beaches

The best beaches in Zanzibar are in the Nungwi and Kendwa area in my opinion. Paje and the area in the southeast are also very beautiful.

If you like the big 5* all inclusive resorts

If you are keen for the big luxury resorts with multiple pools, big dining areas, and fancy common areas, then I think Nungwi will be your best bet. The beaches are fantastic here but the all inclusive style resorts here are big and luxurious.

Recommended Hotels

Riu Palace Nungwi All Inclusive
Zuri Zanzibar

If you like boutique hotels on the beach

If you fancy upscale or midscale boutique hotels with beautiful beach views and luxurious accommodations but with few people, then my favorite areas are Matemwe and the southeast. The area of Michamvi is the boutique hotel capital in my opinion. Bwejuu, Paje, Jambiani all have really nice hotels as well.

The beaches here are also very nice in this part of the island.

Zawadi Boutique Hotel (The Ultimate hotel)
Matlai Boutique Hotel
Zanzibar Sunrise at Bandas
Jua Retreat

If you want cheap accommodation

The beauty of Zanzibar is that it is quite developed for tourism and there are budget options in almost every part of the island. However, I’d say the cheapest places you can find accommodations are in Nungwi, Paje, and of course Stone Town.

MITI Beach bungalows
Villa Kiota
Baladin Hotel
Michamvi Spirit Lodge

How much do things cost in Zanzibar

Zanzibar is a big island and has been really developed for tourism in the past decade. Zanzibar offers a variety of accommodation options throughout its 2,500 square km of space.

Whether you’re a luxury honeymooner with an unlimited budget or a budget backpacker, there are options available for everyone.

Africa in general is an expensive area to travel around so right off the bat, I would temper your expectations if you’re a budget traveler with ideas of Southeast Asia or Central American prices. It is much more expensive here and you will not find delicious $1 pad Thai on the streets.

There is not much a of a street food scene in Zanzibar that compares to that of Asia. For the most part, you’ll visit tourist centric restaurants run by locals or tourist centric restaurants run by foreigners. The price for a main dish of grilled calamari with rice will be around $6-$10.

There are some restaurants that are part of hotels and the more upscale that hotel is, you can expect to pay more. Local beers like Serengeti and Safari can be had for about $3 for a 500ml bottle and liquor based drinks are slightly more.

Of course, local prices will be lower than this but you will need to find the local spots which are always away from the main beach area.

Zanzibar is an island through and through

Zanzibar is a beautifl tropical island and feels like it. The different areas of Zanzibar are all tourist focused and life mostly revolves around the hotels and resorts. This means, there isn’t much life outside of the beach and hotels surrounding them. The exception is of course in Stone Town which is a proper city.

Zanzibar is large in size but you won’t really travel much between the different towns. You can rent a scooter yes but there are so many police checkpoints that will probably force you to pay bribes that it isn’t a feasible option to travel around.

Zanzibar is very different than say Bali which is also an island with a village like vibe in places like Canggu and Pererenan but offers total first world amenities like trendy restaurants, bars, cafes, and the like. If you’re a digital nomad looking to spend extended time in one place, I would highly recommend Bali over Zanzibar . The infrastructure on Bali is much more developed and the cost of living in Bali is half of what it would be on Zanzibar.

The currency in Zanzibar

Zanzibar uses the Tanzania Shilling (TZS). For almost all tourist centric hotel, prices will be quoted to you in dollars to keep things simple. While you’re at the resort, costs of services and goods will also be in USD. If you stay in a more rustic guesthouse or backpackers spot, it’s more likely you’ll see prices in Shillings.

If you dine outside your resort at a local restaurant, you can expect to pay in shillings. In essence, locals mostly always use shillings so it’s good to have some Tanzanian cash on you.

Hotels mostly accept credit cards but expect to pay a surcharge of 4-5%. Restaurants and bars outside of a big resort are mostly on a cash basis.

ATM Fees are outrageous

One thing that really stood out to me was just how crazy the costs of using ATMs are. They must be some of the most expensive ATMs I’ve ever seen.

Having traveled in Zanzibar for over a month, I had to visit the ATMs numerous times because many things are done in cash. ATMs are extremely pricey, with fees ranging from $6-9 per use!

Even worse, the ATMs cap out at 400,000 shillings which is $180. This won’t get you very far if you need to pay hotel bills in cash! You will need to visit the ATM numerous times and pay that fee each time. If you do not have a no fee debit card like Charles Schwab (US readers only sadly), then you should look into bringing USD or EUR cash and exchanging them in Stone Town.

Diving and Snorkeling in Zanzibar

Zanzibar is a paradise for lovers of underwater life. I spent many days diving in Zanzibar so I have lots of advice to offer. Although Zanzibar doesn’t compare to the diving I did on the nearby islands of Mafia Island and Pemba Island , it will offer vacation goers with more than enough to satisfy.

As Zanzibar is a huge island, there are numerous areas to scuba dive in. Depending on where you stay (refer to the sections above), it will likely dictate where you can dive. For example, if you are staying in Nungwi, it’s unlikely you’ll want to go scuba diving in the southeast area of Paje. The drive alone would be almost 2 hours each way.

Mnemba Atoll

The most popular place in Zanzibar to scuba dive and snorkel is without a doubt the Mnemba Atoll . Located in Zanzibar’s northeast, this is a stunning marine park with crystal blue waters and loads of underwater life. It’s incredibly popular and everyone staying in the area like Nungwi , Kiwengwa, or Matemwe will be able to visit this area for a day of underwater activities.

The diving here, while popular, is not that great. The corals have been bleached to hell and there’s a ridiculous amount of over tourism. It’s completely packed full of people on all days making it not so enjoyable.

Diving in the southeast area of Paje

I dove in the southeast with Rising Sun divers while staying at the beautiful Zawadi Resort . This area is by far the most beautiful diving in Zanzibar. It’s undiscovered and untouched by the other dive shops making it a much more enjoyable experience.

Activities in Zanzibar

As you’d expect, there is as an endless amount of things to do in Zanzibar. Once you’re tired of laying on the beach, you can choose to do a variety of different tours from all around the island. I can’t list all of them because I don’t know all of them.

If you walk through Stone Town, you’ll find a huge list of activities that all the tour agents offer and the price is of course negotiable. While extremely popular, I would actually recommend a visit to one of the spice farms in Zanzibar . It seemed like a super touristy thing to do but I found it to be so educational and interesting, I did it twice!

Other than that, here are a list of things that are popular to do in Zanzibar:

Mnemba Island visit
Dolphin Swim tour (this is an ethically terrible tour so don’t do it)
Prison Island tour
Safari blue day trip
Scuba Diving (all over the island)
Snorkeling (literally everywhere)
Jozani Forest to see the primates
A visit to the Rock restaurant
Kitesurfing in Paje
Low tide reef tour
Parasailing in Nungwi
Dhow cruises (literally everywhere) for sunset or day time

Get out of Zanzibar

Zanzibar has more than enough to keep you occupied for weeks. The island is huge and different areas will give you something different.

However, surrounding Zanzibar is a sea of other options. Outside of the standard safari options like the Serengeti , the Selous, Ngorongoro crater etc, there are nearby islands that are worth visiting.

Mafia Island

If you’re a scuba diver, then you will want to visit Mafia Island. While there are endless diving options in Zanzibar, they do not compare whatsoever to Mafia Island . This is perhaps the best diving in East Africa offering crazy amounts of fish life and beautiful corals.

Mafia Island is also much more rustic and lesser developed than Zanzibar. The beaches are more wild and you won’t any large resorts nearby. From Zanzibar, you will need to take a fligh tto Dar Es Salaam, and onwards to Mafia island.

Pemba Island

Of the three Tanzanian islands, Pemba Island is without a doubt the least visited. This is good for those that are looking for a breathtaking and undiscovered tropical paradise. Pemba’s natural beauty is unmatched in my opinion. The beaches here are incredible and devoid of the beachboys and crowds that are all over Zanzibar. The hotels like the Aiyana are absolute paradise.

The island itself still feels like it lives in the old ways and while driving around, you will feel like you’ve stepped back in time. The diving on Pemba is also spectacular although not quite as amazing as Mafia Island. However, if you want great diving and great beaches, then Pemba is your place.

There are only a handful of hotels on this big island so expect to pay more for your trip here. This is not a budget travel destination so plan for it that way.

Continue Reading:

Visiting Nungwi, Zanzibar: A Detailed Travel Guide
The Ultimate Travel and Kitesurfing Guide to Paje, Zanzibar
Visiting The Rock: Zanzibar’s Ultimate Restaurant With A View

Cost of Living in Zanzibar: How Much It Costs To Live In Paradise

Hotel review for the park hyatt zanzibar: luxury in stone town, review of the matlai boutique hotel, zanzibar: paradise in michamvi.

The Ultimate Guide To Diving & Snorkeling Mnemba Atoll, Zanzibar
The Ultimate Travel Guide For Stone Town, Zanzibar

The Ultimate Pemba Island Travel And Diving Guide

Review of Zanzibar Sunrise Bandas: Matemwe’s Paradise Getaway
Staying At the Dreams Of Zanzibar Hotel

Aiyana Hotel Review: Pure Luxury In Pemba Island

Zawadi Hotel Detailed Review: Zanzibar Paradise Defined
Review Of The Residence Hotel, Zanzibar: Average At Best

Zanzibar Sunrise at Bandas digital nomad

Why Africa’s Great Wildebeest Migration Is A Must

ZANZIBAR COST OF TRAVEL AND DETAILED BUDGET BREAKDOWN

Find out exactly how much it will cost to travel in Zanzibar and what to expect to spend on a daily budget. I included the price of accommodation, transportation, food and drinks, tours and activities. What is the price for a water bottle? Cost of visa? How can you get more for your money? Where to save and how. | Cost of Travel | Tanzania | Zanzibar | Budget travel | Africa travel budget #costoftravelafrica #costoftraveltanzania #costoftravelzanzibar #unguja #pemba #travelcost

Disclosure: This Zanzibar cost of travel and detailed budget breakdown article may contain affiliate links. If you click it and buy something you like, I’ll earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. With it, you will help me buy treats for my dog and parrot, build the time machine, and travel back in time to see dinosaurs and interview stone crafters on Easter Island. Thank you! Read more in Disclaimer .

Is Zanzibar cheap or expensive? What does a trip to Zanzibar cost? Is it possible to visit Zanzibar on a budget?

I was dreaming of going to Tanzania and Zanzibar for years. Up until the last moment I wasn’t sure if I will make it because the flights were getting more expensive by the minute. But then I booked a last-minute flight; bought a ticket on Friday and was flying to Spice Island on Saturday. So, I finally made it to Zanzibar.

I didn’t really know what to expect regarding Zanzibar travel costs. Will the vacation be cheap or expensive? Are the prices comparable to the ones in Asia, or maybe more to the ones in Samoa and Fiji? Perhaps a trip to Zanzibar will be in the same price range as Seychelles? I had no idea what the cost to travel to Zanzibar for 12 days will be. Below you will find my detailed Zanzibar travel budget breakdown. This will give you a brief idea, of how much it costs to travel to Zanzibar for a solo traveler. It will also give you an idea of daily Zanzibar travel costs. I spent 12 days/11 nights on Unguja island, which is known as Zanzibar. I have done some must-do activities and tours, explored Zanzibar beaches and UNESCO-listed Stone Town. Here is how much money you can expect to spend in Zanzibar as a solo (female) traveler.

✈️ If you have been wondering “Would Anja rather miss her flight or lose her luggage?”, you will find the answer hidden in the blog.

Want more Zanzibar travel content? ALSO READ: • HOW TO SPEND TWELVE DAYS IN ZANZIBAR: PERFECT ITINERARY • TOP 12 MOST AMAZING BEACH HOTELS IN JAMBIANI, ZANZIBAR • WHAT ARE THE BEST BEACHES TO STAY IN ZANZIBAR • STAYING AT NEW TEDDY’S ON THE BEACH IN JAMBIANI, ZANZIBAR Interested in Travel tips? ALSO READ: • 13 EASY WAYS TO MAKE YOU MORE SUSTAINABLE TRAVELER • GET OVER JET LAG WITH THESE 19 EASY-TO-FOLLOW TIPS • HOW TO BARGAIN ON YOUR TRAVELS: 17 ESSENTIAL BARGAINING TIPS

Disclosure (being transparent and honest should be fun): You know the way I run this blog. I only recommend products, experiences, hotels, etc. that I personally tried and actually own and use. And some that I am positive will be helpful for you. On this site, you will see pretty colorful links which are known as ”affiliate links”. If you click on this link and buy something you like, I’ll earn some money. I’m talking huge bucks here, like a new Tesla, yacht, and 7-bedroom mansion. Ok, honestly, most of the time it will be enough to help me buy treats for my dog and parrot, eco-friendly travel products or to help me build the time machine, and travel back in time to see the dinosaurs, do an interview of stone crafters on Easter island and have a serious chat with masterminds who ‘invented’ Maths. Thank you! Read more in Disclaimer .

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Table of Contents

Zanzibar budget breakdown

This Zanzibar budget breakdown is based on my experience, from the cost of trip to Zanzibar in August 2022. You can spend way less or way more, depending on your activities, way of travel, food preferences, and negotiation skills.

Zanzibar is one of the destinations, where you’ll find yourself getting ripped off over anything and everything. Bargaining for the prices and haggling is expected and accepted. Not in restaurants and in shops with fixed prices, but anywhere else. So, be prepared to haggle and negotiate; on the streets of Stone Town, when booking transportation (even taxis!), with street food vendors, tour prices, souvenirs … everywhere. Just ask for a ‘Rafiki price’ (Rafiki = friend) and go from there.

The prices stated were the exact values at the time of my writing. They might change in the future. This post is intended for the purpose of trip planning and to give you an approximate idea of how much to budget. To give you an idea of Zanzibar daily travel expenses. To be on the safer side, I would suggest budgeting more.

RELATED POST: • HOW TO SPEND TWELVE DAYS IN ZANZIBAR: PERFECT ITINERARY

Do you want to travel like me? Here are some of my favorite travel tips and resources; FLIGHTS: I use Google Flights or Skyscanner to find the best flight deals. The destination everywhere feature is perfect to find some cheap deals! ACCOMMODATION: Booking.com is my favorite site for finding great hotel deals. RENTAL CARS: When planning an epic road trip, I travel with Discover Cars . TOURS & ACTIVITIES: I like to wander around on my own, but when I want to explore with a group I book a tour with GetYourGuide .

1. Cost of a flight ticket to Zanzibar

Prices of flight tickets are hard to compare because they vary so much. From where you fly, what time of the year you are going to Zanzibar, the airline company you are traveling with, and so on. I will include my flight ticket for reference, and to get a clearer overall cost of a 12-day vacation in Zanzibar. At the end of this post, there will be a total Zanzibar cost breakdown with and without a flight ticket.

To get to Zanzibar, I paid 528€ for a return flight ticket Zagreb-Zanzibar with Qatar Airways. Do note that I booked my flight less than a week before my trip and used Cash+Avios. If possible, book your tickets sooner. As always my recommendation is to use Google flights and Skyscanner or a combination of both. Those two websites are what I always use to book my flights.

If you fly to Dar es Salaam, you will then have to take another flight or choose a ferry. From Dar Es Salaam you can fly to Zanzibar with Precision Air, FlightLink, AirTanzania, or other airlines. The flight is only 20 minutes long and can cost from $40 to $100 US dollars one way. If you decide to go with a ferry, the journey will take a bit less than 3 hours, and will cost between $35 to $60 USD.

My total cost for a flight ticket was 528€.

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2. Cost of a Tanzanian visa

Zanzibar is a semi-autonomous part of Tanzania. And for Tanzania, you need a visa. You can get it flying to mainland Tanzania or flying directly into Zanzibar. No matter where you get it, it covers Zanzibar and the mainland and vice versa.

Some nationalities can get visas on arrival and some have to apply in advance, so check before you travel. If you can, apply for a visa online on the Tanzania eVisa website to skip the immigration queue. Apply at least one week before arrival. If you are getting your visa on arrival it is better to pay with cash. You can pay with a credit card but might be charged a fee. For US citizens, a Tanzanian visa costs $100 USD and it is a multi-entry visa. For the majority of other nationalities, it costs $50 USD for a single entry visa.

My total cost for a Tanzanian visa was $50 USD.

RELATED POST: • 115 BEST ZANZIBAR CAPTIONS FOR INSTAGRAM – CUTE AND WANDERLUST

3. Cost of travel insurance

This is one of those things I am always happy to buy (yes!) and I am even happier if I never have to use it. In that case, I consider it money well spent. Jokes aside, wherever you go, buy travel insurance. Every. Single. Time!

Even in Zanzibar, I have seen people needing medical assistance. One traveler needed it because of heat stroke. A doctor had to come to the hostel and get IV fluids. Not one, many of them. Cost; 270€. Another one sprained an ankle. Seriously, you just never know. I buy travel insurance with a Slovenian company. It covers the whole world and I get the package with the cover for a combined value of 1 million Euros. This travel insurance is valid for one (1) year for travels up to 90 days in one destination. So the more I travel, the better ‘value’ for the price. My total cost for travel insurance was 97€.* * I used the full travel insurance price in the calculation.

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4. Cost of accommodation in Zanzibar

It is not often that I choose to stay in a hostel these days, or in a dorm room. So, why here? Firstly, I haven’t been to Africa (not counting Morocco). In the second place, I wasn’t really familiar with the whole culture or how ‘everything goes’. I am very familiar with the Polynesian and Melanesian cultures but didn’t know what to expect in Zanzibar. Finally, I was traveling alone and didn’t know how safe Zanzibar is for a solo female traveler. I have plenty of experience traveling solo in Asia in the Pacific region, but it is also easier to find friends in a touristy/honeymoon destination in a hostel. Plus it is always nicer to have a cocktail in paradise with like-minded people.

Even when I was searching for hostel accommodation, I was still looking for a place with nice ratings and reviews on Booking.com . And since Zanzibar has so many nice beaches, I really wanted to be on the beach. So, when I spotted The New Teddy’s on the Beach in Jambiani, it was a done deal. They have a front-row beach view, great ratings, and breakfast included in the price. You can read more about Staying at New Teddy’s on The Beach in my review.

My next two accommodations were in the North of Zanzibar, in Nungwi, and in Stone town. In Nungwi I stayed in Makofi Guest house . They have private rooms and 2 dorms. They are located just 2 minutes away from the beach. Staff is super friendly and the atmosphere is great. If you book directly with them, on their website, you will get a 15% discount on food and drinks. So I did.

RELATED POST: • TOP 12 MOST AMAZING BEACH HOTELS IN JAMBIANI, ZANZIBAR

In Stone Town, I again booked my accommodation with Booking.com and stayed at Lost & Found Hostel , which is right in the center of Stone town. Opposite of Freddy Mercury museum. A great feature of this hostel are double beds, curtains for privacy, and your own power sockets and light. The only downside (for me) was that they don’t have breakfast.

In all the selected accommodations I felt great. They all have amazing stuff, a friendly atmosphere where you can meet other people and were silent at night time. I didn’t get woken up once, and none of the dorms were full while I was staying there. The accommodation price stated here includes the actual accommodation rate INCLUDING tax and city tax. City tax/Tourism fee is $9 per person per night and is added to your room rate throughout the island, on top of the regular room rate.

My total cost for accommodation came to $23 a night (room rate + City tax) or $256 for 11 nights (room rate + City tax) . Without the City tax my average room rate came to $14 a night (only room rate) or $157 (room rate only) + $99 (city tax).

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5. Cost of transport in Zanzibar

Transport was by far the biggest expense on my trip to Zanzibar. I didn’t expect that the transport will be that expensive. You can lower the cost of transport if you find other travelers who can share the costs of transport with you. Or, if you can use local transport like Dala Dala, Boda Boda and Tuk Tuk’s.

From the airport, I booked a transfer/taxi to my hostel with New Teddy’s on the Beach for $40. A lot yes. But after my overnight flight, I just couldn’t be bothered, so I took an easy way to sort things out. Later, I found out that this is a pretty standard taxi fare from Stone town/Airport to Jambiani/Paje, which takes 1h and 30 minutes.

Another huge expense was to get from Jambiani to Nungwi, in the North of Zanzibar. You can expect to pay from $50 for 2 and half hour drive. I paid $70 because I stopped at The Rock restaurant and also at Jozani forest. During the time of my visit, the driver was waiting for me.

This route (Jambiani-Nungwi) could also be done with Dala Dala’s. And it would only cost 5000 Tanzanian Shillings (TZS). That way you would firstly have to go to Stone Town. Then change Dala Dala in a little chaotic Darajani bus stop, for Nungwi. The whole journey would take at least 4,5 hours. Zanzibar also has Zanzibus , with shuttles running between main tourist areas.

None of those options were a good fit for me, since I would not be able to stop at desired ‘touristy’ attractions. I would have to visit them as a day trip which would then be almost the same as a taxi ride. I also used Boda Boda in Jambiani and Nungwi to get to Paje, Kiwengwa, Kendwa and Turtle Sanctuary. From Nungwi to Stone Town I shared a taxi with two other travelers I have met in Makofi guest house in Nungwi. It included transport, a Spice tour and Prison island. I will add this to my Activities expenses. From Stone Town to Airport I used Tuk Tuk which was 10.000 Tanzanian Shillings (TZS).

My total cost for transportation came to $174 . With flights, the total is $702. This is $134 for my Zanzibar island transportation and $40 for the transport from my home to Zagreb airport. As I mentioned earlier, my flight ticket was 528€.

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6. Cost of food and drinks in Zanzibar

The cost of food in Zanzibar can be as cheap or as expensive as you want it to be. You can have the best meal on the street for less than $2, dine in local restaurants and pay anything from $3 to $7 and up, or dine in hostels and resorts and pay from $8 up. My most expensive meal was in Stone Town when I splurged on a lobster and paid $33 USD. With the exception of the last two days, I had breakfast included in my room rate. I was eating a lot of seafood and fruit. Seafood is fresh, delicious, and affordable. It is always served with a choice of side (rice or french fries) and vegetables. Fruit, I love fruit. I have bought it at every fruit stand I came across; avocados, pineapples, tomatoes, mangos, and bananas. Cheap and healthy way to fill up your stomach. Tap water is not drinkable in Zanzibar. So you will have to buy water in shops or at street vendors. I usually paid from 1000 to 1500 TZS for a 1,5L water bottle ($0,40-$0,65 USD). Buying plastic bottles was not something I enjoyed but I didn’t want to get sick. Freshly made juices were from 2000 to 5000 TZS ($0,85-$2 USD) and soft drinks from 5000 TZS ($2 USD). Even though 99% of people practice Islam in Zanzibar, you could still find alcohol in hostels and restaurants. No idea how this is during Ramadan. The usual price for a local beer, Kilimanjaro, Savana, or Safari, is around 6000 TZS ($2,7 USD). The price for a cocktail varied from 6000 TZS to 14000 TZS ($6,5 USD). During happy hour you sometimes got 2 cocktails for the price of 14000 TZS. My total cost for food and drinks came to $200 or $17 per day.

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7. Cost of activities and tours in Zanzibar

Zanzibar may be small but it has a lot to offer. You can go diving or spend your time kitesurfing or wave surfing. If you want to try any of those go to the beaches on the South East of Zanzibar. For a price reference check Aquaholics . They have offices in Paje and Jambiani. If you are traveling solo, the prices of tours will usually be more expensive. It is better to find some other travelers, and book a tour together. You will be able to negotiate a better deal as part of the group and save some money by splitting the costs. You can book tours while on Zanzibar (not always the best option) or with GetYourGuide .

My biggest highlight was dolphin watching in Kizimkazi. Now, before you jump, it was an Ethical Dolphin Watch tour. I was on a boat with a guy who works in Zanzibar as a marine conservationist. We didn’t chase the dolphins as it happened on one of the tours in Nungwi. The approach was similar to one of the dolphin tours in Kaikoura, New Zealand. We went further out on the ocean and when the guide noticed dolphins, we drove away from them but sort of followed the path of their swimming. So we watched them swim by on their desired route. Without disturbing them.

On my way to Nungwi beach in the North of Zanzibar, I visited Jozani Forest . The guide in the Jozani explained about the plants in the forest, then you have the opportunity of spotting the mega-rare Zanzibar red colobus monkeys and in the end, you visit the mangrove forest. Entry ticket to the forest costs $12 USD.

In Nungwi, I signed up for a tour to Mnemba. There was a ‘guide’ on the beach who persuaded me that I just have to do it. It was $20 and I was not impressed with it at all. The boat ride from Nungwi to Bill Gate’s Mnemba island takes about an hour. And somewhere along the way driver spotted dolphins. So did 50 other boats. While I would be fine only watching them, that was not the case. Our and the rest of the boats were chasing dolphins, people were frantically jumping in the water to swim with them and it was just horrible. Even when we came to Mnemba island there were countless other boats.

Snorkeling was not good at all. And we only visited 1 spot. I have heard that Mnemba has the best snorkeling spots in Zanzibar, but was not really impressed. There were only a few corals, not really colorful, and we only saw a couple of fish. As I have heard, later on, it is better to arrange a private tour or go to the Mnemba island with a guided tour. You should also ‘mention’ the driver about the ‘spots’ (apparently there are 3) where the corals are still nice and intact. They have to pay a fee for visiting these spots since there are regular patrols. But going to Mnemba and the sand bank with a regular tour arranged on the beach is something I was not impressed with and would not do it again.

I knew I couldn’t go to Zanzibar or the Spice island, without visiting Spice farm and without a visit to a Prison island . I did both of those in one day and paid $50 for the transport Nungwi – Stone Town, including Spice Tour and Prison Island. It was a really good deal when you put into account that only the transport from the Northern Beaches to Zanzibar city is $50.

On the Spice tour, you get to visit a local village, have a cooking class, and are then guided around the spice plantation. The guide explains about the spices, their usage and their health benefits. In the end, you can sample local fruits and watch how locals climb a coconut tree. After the spice tour, we had a private boat arranged to the Prison island . The guide there showed us around, and explained the history behind the island – it was used for quarantine not as a prison. In the end, you get to see the giant Aldabra Tortoises, which were brought to Changuu island (Prison island) from Seychelles. I enjoyed the Spice tour and Prison island so would recommend them both. In Nungwi I also visited Manari Marine Turtle Sanctuary, where you are able to get up close to the green turtles. And since I am geography and history teacher and a tour guide, I booked a Stone town tour . The guide showed me around the narrow alleys of Stone town, explained the history of UNESCO World Heritage city, shared secrets of the Stone town doors, took me inside the old port building, showed me around a bit chaotic Darajani market and to an Anglican cathedral where the was once an old slave market. Tour lasted more than 3 hours and was $20 plus a tip.

My total cost for activities and tours came to $160.

8. Cost of miscellaneous items in Zanzibar

In most countries I go to, I buy a local SIM card as soon as I land. It is my least favorite thing about traveling to a new county. But I didn’t buy a Tanzanian SIM card. Wifi in Zanzibar is amazing! It is fast and reliable. All the accommodations and restaurants have it. And it is FREE. It is also great if you are a digital nomad because the connections here are great.

What I included in the miscellaneous items are tips and souvenirs I bought at the end of my trip in Stone Town. Those were cute wooden animals, a Zanzibar flag, three magnets, two khangas (sarongs), a book and a couple of postcards. I also bought vanilla, coffee, and tea.

Before I left I also bought a chapter from Lonely Planet Tanzania Guidebook, for 3,5€. I love how you can buy PDF guides and then read them on your tablet, computer or iPhone without the need to print everything. The guide covers everything you need; from transport to the island, history, where to sleep, and where to eat.

My total cost for miscellaneous items came to $85 .

9. My total expenses for 12 days/11 nights in Zanzibar

Flight ticket: 528€ = $528 Visa: $50 Accommodation: $256 Transportation: $174 Food: $200 Activities and tours: $160 Miscellaneous: $85 Total amount WITH flight ticket in 12 days: $1453 Total amount WITHOUT flight ticket in 12 day: $925

My average daily amount spent came to $77 per day (without flights).

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All of the above in a nutshell

Zanzibar can easily be traveled on a budget. It is not as cheap as Asia but it is also not as expensive as Seychelles. Once you get to know the system and are accustomed to the prices, you can spend your time there on a super-tight budget. If you skip tours, use local transport, and eat at food markets and stands Zanzibar can be a very budget-friendly destination.

My travel costs in 12 days in Zanzibar averaged on $77 per day, not including flights. I wasn’t traveling on a tight budget. I splurged on tours, was having nice meals in restaurants, plus had a beer and cocktail almost every day.

The biggest travel expense was the transport. I had no idea that the taxis will be that expensive. And I didn’t want to lose time by traveling on local transport so I went with it. You can lower the transport expense by traveling with other people and splitting the costs. I was lucky enough to do it once.

I hope you found my Zanzibar detailed budget breakdown helpful. Is it meant to be informative nature to help you with your Spice Island travel planning. The prices mentioned can change and can be lower or higher based on the time of year you are visiting Zanzibar (peak or off-season), your travel style, if you will be traveling solo or with a group, and your own personal travel style and preferences. Do you think Zanzibar is cheap or expensive? Shine on, Anja

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➤ What you should read next …

• 15 Best hotels in Jambiani Zanzibar for a perfect holiday • 15 Best places to stay in Stone Town Zanzibar • Perfect Zanzibar Itinerary • Best beaches to stay in Zanzibar • Best bargaining tips and tricks

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17 thoughts on “ZANZIBAR COST OF TRAVEL AND DETAILED BUDGET BREAKDOWN”

What a destination! I’d love to visit Zanzibar someday! Thanks so much for sharing.

It is amazing! Everything you wish for! A bit of culture, cuisine, language, customs … but friendly and affordable.

Very cool. I’ve always wanted to visit, so thank you for providing such a detailed guide and price breakdown.

Thank you! I love reading detailed budget breakdown posts… so I have a rough idea on what to expect and how much money to save. I know we all differ in our travel style and spending habits, but it is nice to have an approximate 😀

It seems pricey to get there, but hotels, transport and food seem very affordable! Would love visit, so this is very useful 😍

Thank you. It was pricey at the time of my annual leave (when all the rest of the Europe and US also have their annual leave). But if you search for dates in Jan in Feb next year, regular prices are lower than what I paid (at that is without using miles).

It looks like you had a good time on a decent budget. In another life, I would have loved to have done that.

IT was amazing! And it is never too late 😉

It was great to read about your budget for Zanzibar. I know that many costs depend on choices you make. But this covered all the different kinds of costs to expect. Good think that hubby is good at haggling! I will definitely budget enough for some great activities.

Thank you! when I search for a budget breakdown I want to have as much info as possible. I know that it will be different at the end, but at least to know what to expect. Yeah, bargaining is a necessary must so … be prepared 😀

Sounds like an exciting place to visit. A great breakdown of costs, helps me to put into perspective what I would spend, give or take, visiting. I’d love to take a Tuk Tuk if I visit!

Thank you! It is just to get a perspective for planning. I did take a tuk-tuk from Stone Town to the Airport. They told me that the ‘good price’ is 10.000 shillings (taxi is from $10-$12).

Wow. So much I didn’t know that Zanzibar offered! What a detailed article. Thank you

Zanzibar was already high on my wishlist and now even more so! What a beautiful place!

Hi Anja I am visiting Zansibar in April 2023 for 7 days – need to know is it better to keep my money in USD or exchange the USD to TZS? And can I take my shells I buy there and the spices on the plane back to Namibia?

Hi! Wow, so happy you are going there! Do you have anything booked? Also, there might be some rain in April but it shouldn’t be too bad.

Money wise. I exchanged all my money to TNZ. EUR to TNZ was a bit better exchange rate than from USD. Also, the best exchange rate that I found was outside the airport. You go outside and then turn right, like you want to go back inside and check-in for another flight. The exchange office is super small and outside of the building. USD or TNZ. There are some hotels that take EUR or USD, only a few take cards (but they add a fee). Also, there are not many ATMs so bring cash – a lot of it. And don’t worry, because there are safes in the room.

I don’t know if you can take shells. My personal opinion is that you should not take shells or sand or anything from the beach or nature. I know that in some countries the laws for doing this are super strict and fines are high. No idea about Zanzibar/Tanzania. a little bit of sand might not seem like much, but I see it as a because it’s a “theft” [from] future generations and a rick to the environment. It took thousands of years for sand to be formed, and pristine beaches created. Over time, shells will break down and become sand. It is part of great circle of life. So, I don’t know if you can, but I would advise you against it.

Is Zanzibar Expensive? | Tanzania 10 Day Trip Budget Breakdown

Currency in Zanzibar. 460,000 Tanzanian Shillings the equivalent of $200USD

Before travelling to Zanzibar, I didn’t really have much of an idea when it came to how much I would need to budget for. So is Zanzibar expensive? In this post I share my 10 day trip budget breakdown including the different prices in Zanzibar for various elements of my trip. From accommodation costs, transport, tours and food and drink.

Disclosure: I do my best to try and keep information up-to-date but please check direct with businesses for current opening times and prices.

Is Zanzibar Expensive?

When it comes to budget travel I found Zanzibar to be fairly middle ground. I travelled comfortably but it could have been cheaper and it could have been way more expensive.

You’ll find hostels, hotels for different budgets including all-inclusive resorts. All my costs were based on me travelling Zanzibar solo , so I had no one to split taxi or accommodation costs with.

My total expenses for 10 days came to approximately $1100.

Dividing this equally into days, it works out at: $110 per day .

🛏️ Accommodation ($592)| 🚐 Transport ($100)| 🐢 Tours & Activities ($250)| 🥗 Food & Drink ($157)| 🛍️ Misc ($35)

Currency in Zanzibar

Local currency in Zanzibar = Tanzanian Shillings (TSh)

For the most part, you can’t get Tanzanian Shillings outside of Zanzibar/Tanzania . I took US Dollars in cash and then changed up a chunk of money into local currency at the airport .

Dollars were mostly used for: accommodation, transport and tours. I used shillings for: food, drink and souvenirs.

I arranged most things through my accommodation . they accepted card payments as well as cash payments in US dollars, Euros and Shillings . This way I was able to charge most things to my room and just pay at the end in one big transaction.

I already knew the cost of all of the tours I wanted to go on. I kept the tour amount in dollars and then changed up the rest into shillings.

As I didn’t spend as many shillings as expected, I was settled my hotel bill with the left over shillings and then paid the rest in USD. After all USD is more useful to keep and saved me from converting the shillings back at the airport on the way home.

Restaurants and shops had everything priced in local currency . They had a standard conversion that they would use for USD payments . If you paid in dollars, they would often give you the change in shillings. One restaurant we went to in Paje added extra to the conversion rate if you paid with bill denominations that were smaller at $20.

Zanzibar Currency to USD

At the airport I changed up $200USD and received 460,000TSh (in late 2022)

I was given it ALL in 5000 notes, so as a rule of thumb I was working on the rate of: 5000TSh converted to $2USD

As you can see from the header image, the pile of notes was HUGE. I only carried my daily budget of 50,000TSh around with me ($20). The rest stayed locked in my bag in the hotel room.

Cards and ATM in Zanzibar

Most major places accepted card payments . Including hotels (and their restaurants), The Rock restaurant etc. (Although the hotel I stayed at for 1 night ONLY accepted cash). HOWEVER all card payments were subjected to a 5% fee (on top of any foreign exchange fees from banks).

My main hotel removed the 5% fee for the room rate ONLY when paying by card, but any other charge to the room (tours, restaurant, yoga etc) had it added.

This was one of the reasons I preferred to use cash to avoid all the extra 5%’s adding up!

As mentioned I took cash to exchange for cash, but there are ATMs at the airport , as well as a handful where I was staying in Paje. I saw them in Stone Town too but didn’t use any of them. The ATMs in Zanzibar have a maximum withdrawal of 400,000TSh .

Prices In Zanzibar

Accommodation.

During my time in Zanzibar I stayed in 2 separate hotels in Paje. There were several hostels in Paje with dorm rooms, however I wanted to stay in private accommodation so opted for more budget friendly hotels instead.

Both hotels had swimming pools, breakfast included (which took away a meal expense), WiFi and good ‘safety’ reviews for solo female travellers . Paje by Night had slightly more amenities and facilities which is why I decided to spend most of my time there.

There are also discounts with Paje by Night when booking direct , such as a 15% discount early bird offer and 10% on stays over 5 nights.

Heart of Zanzibar Bungalows – 1 night: $52

Paje by Night – 8 nights: $540 ($67.50 per night)

Total: $592 (9 nights)

The budget friendly local transport in Zanzibar are the Dala Dalas . However, as I was travelling alone and had the budget for it, I used taxis . The taxis were absolutely spotless and always on time.

I pre booked my first airport pick up with Zanzibus and they charge in EUROS. I paid €5 online in advance and then €30 in cash to the driver. The others were organised via my accommodation.

Zanzibar Airport to Paje (with Zanzibus): €35

Paje to Zanzibar Airport: $40

Paje to The Rock restaurant RETURN: $25

Total: $100

Tours & activities.

Not including The Rock restaurant, I did five tours/activities. The two biggest expenses were the combined full day tours that I did. Again, as I was travelling solo, my tours were private and the driver stayed with me all day . If I was travelling with others, the cost per person would have been lower.

Compared to UK/USA prices (around $1/£1 per minute), I was impressed with the price of my massage. It’s something I do like to treat myself to when I travel and it was definitely on the lower end of the scale (although maybe not SE Asia prices!).

75 minute Yoga session: $15

75 minute massage: $45

Mwani Seaweed Centre tour : $10

Stone Town & Prison Island: $110

Jozani Forest & Spice Farm : $70

Total: $250

girl with red flowers at a Zanzibar spice farm

Food & Drink

Is zanzibar expensive to eat and drink.

I paid for all food and drink in cash . Apart from The Rock restaurant, I paid for everything else in Tanzanian Shillings. I had a daily food budget of 50,000TSh ($20). But in reality I ended up only spending around 27,000 ($12) per day (not including The Rock).

As mentioned above, both hotels had very good sized breakfasts included in the room rate . (For non guests, Paje by Night charge 20,000 shillings for a breakfast). Paje by Night also provided a large flask of drinking water which was refilled for free every day . Because of this, I didn’t need to spend anything on water (to refill the flask was 2000 shillings).

The Spice Farm tour included a good sized lunch in the cost of the trip.

The Rock restaurant was one of the most expensive meals I’ve had while travelling…potentially ever. I had: a bottle of local beer, chicken skewers with potatoes and vegetables (the cheapest main on the menu) and a pineapple flambé for $40.

The food was ok, you definitely pay for the novelty of the restaurant being on a rock in the middle of the sea/beach.

Instead of listing every last thing I ate and drunk, here are some of the average food and drink prices in Zanzibar (in Tanzanian Shillings), specifically at bars and restaurants in Paje :

Local beer (Safari, Kilimanjaro etc): 5000

Cocktails: 15,000

Coke/soft drinks: 2000 -3000

Juice: 5000

Noodles and vegetables: 10,000

Burger and chips: 15,000

Chicken and rice (in a Stone Town restaurant…HUGE portion!): 20,000

Rice/curry: 6000

Avocado salad: 11,000

Lunch dishes/light bites: 10,000

Ice cream: 4000-6000

Total: $157

(275,000 paid in shillings – 83,000 of which was alcohol ($35) + $40 in USD at The Rock)

Heart of Zanzibar Bungalows Breakfast Menu

I spent around 50,000 shillings (plus $15) on random things like souvenirs for myself and my family and tips. Tipping isn’t expected in Zanzibar, but it is appreciated .

Final Words

Like I said above, I did use all the 460,000TSh I had exchanged , as I paid for some of my tours (which were priced in USD) with what I had left over. However I actually only spent 325,000 in local currency while out and about.

Is Zanzibar expensive? I thought tours and taxis were quite expensive , especially as they were all priced in USD. However I think the Zanzibar food prices weren’t too bad considering I was averaging around £6 for a dinner including a drink.

In this budget breakdown, I didn’t include flights. Depending on the time of year or where you are flying in from, this could vary. I flew from London Stansted (STN) to Zanzibar (ZNZ) via Dubai, flying with Emirates and FlyDubai.

The flight cost around £700 and included meals and checked bags (although I only took hand luggage). STN to DXB took around 6hrs and the DXB to ZNZ took just over 5hrs.

In GBP my budget was around £1500 for the whole trip, everything included. Typically I also hit the poor exchange rate, just before GBP and USD were almost level!

Zanzibar Prices FAQ

Is zanzibar an expensive holiday destination.

It depends on what you want to do and how you want to travel. The resorts are expensive, as are the day trips. However if you are able to tailor make your trip to pick cheaper hotels, or if you just want to use it to relax on the beach, it can be done much cheaper.

How much is a beer in Zanzibar?

A bottle of the local beer in Zanzibar (such as Safari, Kilimanjaro etc) is approximately 5000 shillings, which converts to around $2USD

How much is a meal in Zanzibar?

Meals in Zanzibar were on average were between 10,000 to 20,000 shillings. This converts to $4 – $8USD. I often ate on the lower end of that scale.

How much should I budget for a trip to Zanzibar?

This completely depends on your travel style. With a few day trips and private accommodation in a hotel (not a hostel), my budget for a trip to Zanzibar for 10 days was £1500 GBP (including flights).

Zanzibar Vacation Cost: What We Spent in Zanzibar in 2022

Are you wondering how much a Zanzibar vacation costs? We stayed in Zanzibar, Tanzania for 8 days and 7 nights in November 2022, and the cost of our luxury vacation was far less than you would think!

Prior to scoring a flight deal to Zanzibar, I assumed that this exotic, distant destination with such gorgeous turquoise water would cost as much as a trip to Bora Bora or the Maldives. Boy, was I wrong!

Zanzibar is surprisingly an affordable island, and a great place to plan an exotic vacation or honeymoon. A number of all-inclusive resorts exist, and we find them to be quite comparably priced to resorts we have stayed at in Mexico. And if you can find a deal on airfare, you may end up spending less than you would for a Caribbean vacation!

I’ve detailed every single cost we incurred during out trip to Zanzibar in this post. From flights to accommodations to food and drink to transportation, it’s all here. Keep reading for an inside look into what it costs to take a luxury vacation for two to Zanzibar.

Disclosure: Our blog utilizes affiliate links throughout our posts. We may earn small commission at no cost to you when you click through affiliate links and make a purchase.

Table of Contents

How Much We Spent in Zanzibar in 2022

Our Zanzibar vacation cost breakdown covers two people (a couple) and is a detailed accounting of every dollar we spent on our vacation. We did NOT have any points, miles, or rewards to decrease the cost of our trip.

Zanzibar Vacation Costs: Airfare

The only reason why we planned a trip to Zanzibar was because a flight deal popped up in my email from Going (formerly Scott’s Cheap Flights) . The advertised rate was right around $730/person for a round trip ticket from JFK in New York to Zanzibar.

In addition to this base fare, we did need to book roundtrip flights from our home airport in Nashville to JFK. We did originally have a more affordable domestic flights planned through JetBlue. However, the flight times were changed fairly last minute, and we had to rebook elsewhere at a slightly higher cost unfortunately.

Our flights costs also include extra costs for seat selection. We picked slightly upgraded seats on two legs of our journey to ensure we could sit together.

BNA to JFK via Delta: $247.20
JFK to ZNZ via Delta/KLM: $1,463.94
JFK to BNA via Delta: $257.20
Seat selection costs: $64.20

Total Flight Costs: $2,032.54 ($1016.27/person)

Zanzibar Vacation Costs: Entry

United States citizens are required to obtain visas from the Tanzanian government in order to enter the country. We highly recommend applying and paying for your visas online in advance of your trip. Otherwise, you will be stuck in a very long line for visas on demand upon landing in Tanzania.

At the time of our trip, the Tanzanian government required all visitors to either be vaccinated other for COVID or provide proof of a negative test. There was no cost of us here as our insurance covered the shots.

We were not required to get any other vaccinations for our trip. While you may have heard a Yellow Fever vaccine is required, it is only necessary if you are transiting through a Yellow Fever endemic country.

Tanzania Visas: $200
Vaccinations: $0

Total Entry Costs: $200 ($100/person)

Zanzibar Vacation Costs: Hotels & Resorts

We chose to split up our seven nights among three different hotels in three different parts of the island so we could experience as much of Zanzibar as possible.

We booked a historic hotel Stone Town, an all-inclusive resort on the north end of the island, and a boutique hotel on the east side. Although this added to our transportation costs, we were glad we were able to experience these three vastly different locations.

Our first stay was a historic hotel Emerson on Hurumzi in Stone Town that featured open-air, themed rooms. This was such a unique experience, and we definitely recommend spending a night or two here to explore the city’s history and culture before heading to the beach.

The second resort we stayed at was traditional all-inclusive resort, similar to what you can find in many Caribbean countries. Located on the north end of the island, we had the best swimming here and stunning Gatoraid blue water. While an amazing resort, we wished we would have only spent two nights here since we’ve done the all-inclusive experience so many times before.

And our final hotel, and the highlight of our stay, was two nights in a six-room, family-owned boutique hotel. We were able to opt for a full-board package to include two meals with our rate. It was incredibly romantic with exceptional personalized service, and we really wished we would have added a third night here.

2 nights at Emerson on Hurumze : $370.00 ($185/night including breakfast)
3 nights at Riu Palace Zanzibar : $1,310.82 ($436.94/night all inclusive)
2 nights at Boutique Hotel Matlai : $816.00 ($408/night full board)

Total Hotel Costs: $2,496.82 ($1,248.41/person)

Zanzibar Vacation Costs: Food & Drink

The majority of our food costs were included in the nightly rate of our accommodations. Whenever possible, we try to opt for all-inclusive or full board because we LOVE to eat and drink! At the minimum, we always book rooms that include free breakfast, as that typically fills us up through lunch as well.

Our stay at Emerson on Hurumze included free breakfast, Hotel Riu Palace Zanzibar was all-inclusive, and Boutique Hotel Matlai included three meals daily.

Our only food and drink costs for the trip include a rooftop dinner experience at Emerson on Hurumze (highly recommend!), and drinks at Hotel Matlai (including cocktails, beer, and wine bottles at dinner).

And since we had meal service included in our long-haul flights, we only had two airport meals and two coffee stops during our 36 hour journey to Zanzibar and back. Airport food is expensive and the travel long, so don’t forget to budget for these costs as well.

Emerson on Hurumze Rooftop Dinner: $80.00 (Fixed menu)
Emerson on Hurumze Drinks: $48.00 (2 bottles of champagne)
Hotel Matlai Drinks: $238.00 (Cocktails, beer, and 3 bottles of wine)
Airport Meals: $182.05 (2 meals, 2 beers, 4 coffees, + tip)

Total Food & Drink Costs: $548.05 ($274.02/person)

Zanzibar Vacation Costs: Transportation

We utilized taxis for our transportation and arranged each one through our hotel directly to make things easy. The taxi rates were quite reasonable, considering we were traveling 1-2 hours across the island each way.

Taxi from Airport to Stonetown: $20.00
Taxi from Stone Town to Nungwi (north): $50.00
Taxi from Nungwi to Pingwe (east): $100
Taxi from Pingwe to Airport: $50.00

Total Transportation Costs: $220.00 ($110.00/person)

Zanzibar Vacation Costs: Activities

While we were in Zanzibar, we did not choose to do any activities. Originally, I had a few excursions planned, but we were simply too tired to go through the effort of leaving the resorts, especially with the limited amount of time we had at each location.

Instead, we spent our days swimming and snorkeling in the ocean, laying by the pool, and eating and drinking at an all-inclusive. Totally free!

Total Activities Costs: $0

Misc Expenses

We did have quite a few miscellaneous expenses during our trip. This includes laundry service prior to our departure, a 30-minute shower at the Minute Suites at the JFK airport, and costs to use our cell phone abroad.

In addition, we also spent about a $100 on tips. While this number is lower than we might spend on tips someplace like Mexico, there is not as heavy of a tipping culture in Zanzibar as we were used to. Additionally, our hotels recommending doing a tip at the end of the stay, as their cultural norm is for the staff pools tips and shares equally.

Minute Suites Shower at JFK: $32.66
Laundry Service: $25.00
AT&T International Day Pass: $180.00 (10 days for Stella and 8 days for David at $10/day)
Tips: $100.00

Total Misc Costs: $337.66 ($168.83/person)

Note: While we had a rather large bill for pet sitting during our trip, we did not include this in our breakdown as this is a highly personalized cost that not everyone will have. We also build this into our budget separate from travel, and are used to making such arrangements when we go out of town .

Total Zanzibar Vacation Cost

Alright, the moment you have been waiting for! What our entire trip to Zanzibar cost including airfare, visas, hotels, food& drink, transportation, activities, and miscellaneous expenses.

Total Cost of a Trip to Zanzibar: $5,435.07 ($2717.53/person)

Is our Zanzibar vacation cost higher or lower than you thought? Leave a comment below and make sure you check out our other Zanzibar resources !

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Zanzibar Travel Guide & Tips – Everything You Need To Know

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Zanzibar is a dream destination, with crystal-clear waters and white sandy beaches surrounded by lush tropical forests. This Zanzibar travel guide will make sure that you get the most out of all that this east Africa archipelago has to offer.

Located off the coast of Tanzania in the Indian Ocean, Zanzibar Island has captivated travelers with its stunning landscapes, picturesque villages, the historical Stone Town, and vibrant culture.

Whether you’re looking to soak up some sunbathing on beautiful stretches of beach or explore ancient Stone Town which is steeped in history and tradition, Zanzibar promises an unforgettable vacation.

To help ensure your best trip possible, this Zanzibar travel guide offers insight into getting there, getting around during your stay, different beaches you can visit as well as attractions to check out along the way.

Plus recommendations for local restaurants and bars where you can sample delicious Swahili cuisine as well as travel tips to keep in mind while visiting!

Overview of Zanzibar – History and Culture

Zanzibar is an archipelago off the coast of Tanzania, known for its exotic beaches, ancient culture, and unique cuisine.

The history of the Zanzibar Archipelago has been marked by significant events. Historians believe the islands have been inhabited for over 20,000 years; in the 12th century, it was part of a trading empire including Ramallah, Karachi and Mogadishu. The country has a rich culture comprised of African and Arabic roots, with influences from India, Persia and Europe.

Over many centuries Zanzibar served as a major trading port, which contributed to its distinctive cultural mix. Today locals go about their daily lives against the breathtaking backdrop of palm-fringed shorelines so beautiful you’ll just want to dive right in.

Zanzibar Visa

When to visit zanzibar, dala-dalas – public transportation, 10 days in zanzibar, places to stay, nungwi beach, kendwa beach, pingwe and michamvi beaches, jambiani beach, visit the house of wonders, stroll through the old fort, shop at the forodhani market, relax on nungwi beach, visit jozani forest, go snorkeling or diving, take a spice tour, visit stone town, go on a dolphin safari, prison island, sunset cruises, mafia island, pemba island.

The Rock Restaurant

Visit Markets

Local restaurant – luckmann restaurant, zanzibar travel guide: the tropical paradise, zanzibar travel tips.

How to Get to Zanzibar

Now, getting to Zanzibar is easier than ever with Zanzibar’s new international airport.

There are direct flights to Zanzibar from many African cities and the Middle East, direct flights from Europe, and flights from America with one or two stops.

Flights from Dar Es Salaam take 20 minutes and with just a little planning will be the same cost as the ferry.

A journey from Dar Es Salaam, on mainland Tanzania, to Stone Town is made easy with the four daily ferries, many of which are modern and spacious.

The ferry takes 1h 45min on board one of these vessels and you can sit back and relax and take in the breathtaking views.

Especially in the busy season, it is best to book ferry tickets in advance.

Note: As you arrive at the ferry terminal before departure (either Dar E Salaam or Stone Town, do not be intimidated by those offering to take your bags. A firm no thank you (or two) will suffice

Exploring the idyllic coral-sand beaches and beautiful turquoise waters of Zanzibar is an unforgettable experience.

As Zanzibar is part of Tanzania, the visa entry requirements for Tanzania apply.

Fortunately, the Zanzibar visa situation for Western travelers is fairly straightforward.

Most Westerners will be able to obtain either an e-visa or a Visa on Arrival. The cost is $50 per visa, with US residents required to pay $100.

You can read more information on gaining a Tanzania/Zanzibar visa on arrival or an e-visa on the Tanzania Immigration website .

Zanzibar is an all-year destination with a tropical climate, thanks to its closeness to the equator.

With temperatures usually between 29 and 32 Celsius (even at night), it’s no wonder visitors flock here – especially during the dry season (also the high season) of July through September.

For those looking for both beach time plus safari fun in Tanzania, June or October are perfect shoulder seasons that also peak when on safaris.

Due to consistent heavy rains, the months of April and May are considered the low season, where many resorts close due to the combination of the rainy season and lack of tourists.

Getting Around Zanzibar – Transportation Options

Exploring the sights and sounds of Zanzibar is a must for any traveler interested in experiencing the best of this magical island. When figuring out how to get around, you’ll be pleasantly surprised with the range of travel options available.

Taxis and minivan rides provide convenient door-to-door transport. Taxis are particularly useful for transfers from the airport or Zanzibar City to the beach hotels in the villages, especially with luggage.

Airport transfers can be arranged through your hotel, and many taxi drivers are waiting in the busier areas meaning some ‘shopping around’ is possible.

Dala-Dala’s are a unique and exciting way to travel around Zanzibar! These colorful minibus taxis zip through the streets, filled with locals commuting from one destination to another.

Given the stop-and-start nature of dala-dalas, the trip will take much longer than the same trip taken in a taxi.

Zanzibar’s vibrant streets are alive with the distinctive sound of tuk-tuks – a unique and colourful way to explore this remarkable African island.

Using tuk-tuks is a time and money saver when traveling around Stone Town.

How Many Days in Zanzibar?

7 to 10 days would be the perfect time to spend in Zanzibar. You can experience the beauty and culture of Zanzibar in just a few days, or extend the trip to a week or two and have a relaxing trip by the beach! From its powder-white beaches to exotic wildlife, this small island off Tanzania’s coast offers plenty to explore within your Zanzibar Itinerary. Perfect to blog Zanzibar.

Spending 10 days in Zanzibar is a great way to immerse yourself in the local culture and sightsee gorgeous beaches.

Start off by biking around Stone Town to get an introduction to the area and explore the largest ancient town in East Africa.

Then, while the day away on one of Zanzibar’s many secluded beaches, taking time to snorkel through coral reefs and lush tropical scenery.

If you’re looking for more of an adventure, book a guided tour into Jozani Forest Reserve where you can observe incredible wildlife like monkeys and elephants living off the land.

To end your trip on a calm note, take advantage of one of the countless spas offering relaxing massage treatments or enjoy a stroll along the Old Fort Walkway with its stunning views of terracotta rooftops and blue-washed alleyways. Regardless how you choose to spend your 10 days in Zanzibar it is sure to be an unforgettable experience!

Where to Stay and Visit

Step back in time and explore the stunning city of Stone Town, located on the exotic island of Zanzibar. The narrow cobbled streets are filled with character and charm as you wander around traditional market stalls bustling with life.

Discover unique architecture from a bygone era that reflects both Arab and European influences within its many grand buildings adorned with ornately carved doors – providing an exciting insight into the cultural heritage.

Shaba Boutique Hotel

Best Beaches on Zanzibar Island

Nungwi Beach is a stunning coastal destination with its gleaming white sand and sparkling turquoise waters. In addition to its breathtaking beauty, Nungwi Beach is also known for being a hotspot for activities like windsurfing, scuba diving and snorkeling, with plenty of options to explore local wildlife.

Located on the north coast of Zanzibar, Kendwa Beach is a stunning stretch of sand perfect for relaxing or enjoying some exciting watersports. It is quieter than the nearby Nungwi, and is also home to full moon parties.

Unwind at the serene village of Pingwe and Michamvi nestled on a beautiful peninsula between the central and southeast coasts. Here, your soul will be soothed by untouched natural areas amid idyllic powdery white sand beaches with incredible sunsets – though beware of its drastic tides! Boutique hotels line this perfect getaway spot for those seeking peace away from busy cities.

Jambiani Beach is a stunning seaside paradise located on the east coast of Zanzibar. Its picturesque white sand, crystal-clear water and coral reef make it an ideal spot for swimming, snorkeling, or simply lounging in the sunshine. Life moves at a slower pace here – visitors can enjoy strolling around the beach village, meeting friendly locals who offer homemade handicrafts and freshly caught seafood. Nature lovers will also appreciate its abundance of marine life, including turtles and manta rays.

Zanzibar’s east coast is an idyllic destination for backpackers and beach-goers alike. With a stunning strip of sand, surrounded by turquoise waters, this location offers the perfect backdrop for relaxation or adventure. From kitesurfing to sunbathing on its expansive shoreline – there truly is something here for everyone!

Things to do in Zanzibar

This Zanzibar travel guide includes more than 10 things to do in Zanzibar, Tanzania.

The archipelago consists of two islands, Unguja and Pemba, each with its own distinct culture and sights to explore.

Due to its strategic location along historical trading routes over the centuries, visitors will find numerous interesting monuments sprinkled throughout the islands ranging from mosques, Arabic houses, and even ancient tombs.

Whether staying in Stone Town or basing yourself at a beach hotel, there is something to inspire everyone in this stunningly beautiful paradise

The House of Wonders is one of the most iconic buildings in Zanzibar, and a visit here is a must-do. The building was constructed in 1883 and served as the sultan’s palace. Today, it houses a museum that is well worth exploring.

The Old Fort is a great place to get a feel for Zanzibar’s history and culture. The fort was built by the Omanis in the 17th century, and today it houses several museums and art galleries. Be sure to wander through the atmospheric streets surrounding the fort as well.

Forodhani Market is the place to go for street-food, spices, some souvenirs, and our favorite local oddity – Zanzibar Pizza.

It is also a great place to people-watch and soak up the atmoshphere of Stone Town.

Nungwi Beach is one of Zanzibar’s most popular beaches, and it’s easy to see why. The water is crystal clear, and the beach is lined with palm trees. It’s the perfect place to relax and enjoy some time in nature.

Jozani Forest is home to Zanzibar’s only national park, and it’s a great place to see some of the island’s unique flora and fauna. Be sure to keep an eye out for red colobus monkeys, which are endemic to Zanzibar.

With its clear waters and abundant marine life, Zanzibar is a great place for snorkelling and diving. There are many operators offering tours, so you’re sure to find one that suits your needs.

Zanzibar is known as the “Spice Island,” so a spice tour is a must-do when visiting here. You’ll learn about the different spices grown on the island, and you’ll even get to sample some of them!

Stone Town, a UNESCO world heritage site, is the capital of Zanzibar, and it’s full of history and culture. Be sure to explore the narrow streets, visit the markets, and see some of the historic buildings such as the House of Wonders and the Old Fort.

One of Zanzibar’s most popular activities is dolphin watching, and there are many operators offering tours around Kizimkazi village. This is a great activity for nature lovers, as you’re sure to see some amazing wildlife!

Prison Island on Zanzibaar is an infamous place, attracting the attention of visitors from all over the world. at the centre of the island lies an imposing prison complex. Rumours abound about strange cults and dark rituals conducted within its walls, and visitors often report feeling mysterious energy emanating from the structure itself.

For centuries, East Africa has been graced with the presence of Dhows – majestic boats that have their roots in either India or Arabia. With an iconic single sail and crafted from wood, these vessels offer a beautiful sight to behold. Enjoy breathtaking views as you set off for a relaxing sunset cruise from many parts of the island.

For those looking for an alternative to Zanzibar, look no further than Mafia Island. Located off the coast of Tanzania, this remote island paradise is home to perfect white sand beaches and turquoise waters, as well as plenty of wildlife and nature spots to explore.

It’s a beautiful place for scuba diving and snorkelling, with its coral reefs offering unique and vibrant marine life, especially during the summer months when the ocean teems with diverse aquatic species such as green turtles, dolphins, whale sharks, manta rays and even humpface wrasse.

Whether you’re after some tranquil relaxation in a secluded beach setting or a thrilling plunge beneath the waves on a scuba dive adventure; Mafia Island has it all!

Pemba island near Zanzibar is a serene paradise full of magnificent ocean views and opportunities for exploration.

From beach-hopping to kayaking, there are many options for entertainment on this beautiful island. For the more adventurous travellers, some dive sites allow snorkellers and divers alike a chance to explore and discover life underwater.

Pemba island has deep cultural roots with nearby villages that offer a great insight into traditional Swahili customs and culture, such as the art of dhows (sailing vessels) building.

Lovers of nature will be in heaven here; the island is full of unique flora and fauna, such as exotic trees like wild mangoes and cashews, along with countless bird varieties.

The Rock Restaurant, just off the Michamwi Pingwe Peninsula, is not just a place to grab a bite to eat, but an experience worth having. This restaurant is literally built into a rock right at the edge of the Indian Ocean.

Take your seat on one of their terrace tables and watch breathtakingly beautiful sunsets. They serve seafood and a variety of other culinary delights in flavors that they claim only come from Zanzibar. Price-wise, it’s slightly higher than other restaurants nearby, but worth it for the unique atmosphere and terrific views.

There are many lively markets on the island, full of vibrant colors, exotic sounds, and delicious smells. A highlight is Darajani Bazaar in Stone Town, where you will find spices, tropical fruits , vegetables, and fresh seafood for sale.

Who knows what awaits someone prepared to explore this stunning part of the world?

Food in Zanzibar

Dining in Zanzibar is an unforgettable experience as the local cuisine is an exciting fusion of Indian, African , Middle Eastern, and other Southeast Asian flavors creating many distinctive dishes.

Whether exploring the street food scene or local restaurants, there are many must-try dishes on the menu.

Read here for a comprehensive look at the food in Zanzibar .

Must-try dishes include Pilau Rice, Zanzibari Biryani, Zanzibar Mix, Zanzibar Pizza, and a range of coconut curry dishes including octopus and shrimp.

Zanzibar is a destination for any traveler who is looking for a unique, unspoiled experience.

From the stunning beaches to the vibrant culture and fascinating history, there’s something in Zanzibar that will cater to every type of visitor.

With budget-friendly flights and secure accommodation, this island paradise is surprisingly easy to reach.

Accommodation options are plentiful and transportation around the island can easily be arranged, meaning getting around quickly become effortless.

Not only can you enjoy tanning on one of several beautiful beaches around Zanzibar, but you can also explore the local markets, check out historical attractions like Fort Jesus or spend your days strolling through Stone Town.

Eating local cuisine is a must-do activity in Zanzibar, with lots of options from street food to high-end restaurants.

For anyone looking for an exotic holiday destination with plenty of discovery opportunities, use this Zanzibar travel guide to make the most of your trip.

Zanzibar City Prices & Travel Costs

Zanzibar City is the economic and government capital of the Zanzibar Archipelago. The city is divided into two sections, Stone Town and Ng’ambo. Ng’ambo is the newer area focused on economics and growth. Stone Town is the center of all tourism in the city and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Unless you are visiting on business, you will likely not find a reason to visit Ng’ambo.

Travel Costs to Zanzibar City

Accommodation costs in zanzibar city.

Due to the huge numbers of tourists visiting the area, prices have increased drastically in the past ten years. However, it is still possible to find reasonably priced accommodation. Though there are no hostels in the city, many smaller hotels offer single rooms with a shared bathroom for a discounted price. Be ready to climb winding staircases at almost all of the hotels in the city; the buildings are all tall and thin!

Zanzibar City Hotel Seasons

Hotel seasons follow the weather and the travel habits of the Western world. The two high seasons run from Christmas to mid March and July to the end of August. It will save you time and stress to book ahead during high season.

During low season, prices drop by as much as 30% and you may be able to bargain even lower if you are staying for more than one night or traveling in a group.

Zanzibar City Hotel Prices

Zanzibar city hostels prices, zanzibar city attractions prices, zanzibar city food and drink prices.

There is an unlimited selection of food in all price ranges. Being right on the Indian Ocean, the seafood is delicious, but can be pricey even at some of the local restaurants so shop around before deciding where to dine. Every evening there is a food market set up at the waterfront which can be the best place to try some of the local seafood and delicacies.

Due to the Muslim culture of the Zanzibar Archipelago, some restaurants and hotels won’t serve or allow alcohol. If you want drinks with dinner, you won’t have a problem finding places that do serve or shops that sell it.

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Zanzibar city transport prices, getting around zanzibar city.

Because Stone Town is a labyrinth of small alleys and multi-story structures, you won’t need to pay for taxis; vehicles can’t get down most of the “roads” in this area. Almost everything is within walking distance and when you realize that you’re lost in the maze, there are plenty of young Tanzanians ready to offer their guide services for a reasonable fee.

When to visit Zanzibar City

Temperature and rainfall, zanzibar city weather advice.

Zanzibar Town is a located just south of the Equator and offers a hot and often humid climate. The nicest time of year to visit is from June to mid October when there is very little rainfall and humidity is bearable.

From March to May, the area endures the “long rains” which comprise of long afternoon downpours that flood the streets and bring high humidity. The “short rains” normally happen in November and December. Although humidity can be quite high, daily rain doesn’t normally last long enough to ruin your day.

Sunrise and sunset

Where to go before and after.

Find cheap flights to Zanzibar from $420

This is the cheapest one-way flight price found by a kayak user in the last 72 hours by searching for a flight to zanzibar departing on 4/30. fares are subject to change and may not be available on all flights or dates of travel. click the price to replicate the search for this deal., search hundreds of travel sites at once for deals on flights to zanzibar.

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Cheap flight deals to Zanzibar

Flights to zanzibar - travel insights & trends, get data-powered insights and trends for flights to zanzibar to help you find the cheapest flights, the best time to fly and much more., what is the cheapest day to fly to zanzibar, based on kayak data, the cheapest day to fly to zanzibar is wednesday where tickets can be as cheap as $1,381. on the other hand, the most expensive day to fly is friday, where prices are $1,673 on average., what is the cheapest month to fly to zanzibar, the cheapest month for flights to zanzibar is september, where tickets cost $1,187 on average for one-way flights. on the other hand, the most expensive months are july and june, where the average cost of tickets from the united states is $2,193 and $1,907 respectively. for return trips, the best month to travel is february with an average price of $974., what is the cheapest time of day to fly to zanzibar, the cheapest time of day to fly to zanzibar is generally at night, when flights cost $1,031 on average. the most expensive time of day to fly to zanzibar is generally in the morning, which is peak travel time and where the average cost of a ticket is $1,505., how far in advance should i book a flight to zanzibar, to get a below average price, you should book around 0 weeks before departure. for the absolute cheapest price, our data suggests you should book 80 days before departure., how long is the flight to zanzibar, the duration of your flight to zanzibar depends on your departure and arrival airports. obviously any flights that include a layover will also be longer. the most popular routes to zanzibar on kayak are from san francisco , which takes 20h 15m, new york , which takes 20h 55m, miami , which takes 26h 15m, and boston , which takes 26h 25m., good to know, when to book flights to zanzibar, faqs - booking zanzibar flights, how do i get from abeid amani karume international airport to stone town.

Passengers who want to travel to the famous Stone Town mainly known for its historical heritage which is located around 5 miles away, can take a taxi which is the only readily available means of transport. The journey takes approximately 15 minutes from Abeid Amani Karume International Airport at an affordable cost.

How can I access a visa for an unexpected trip to Zanzibar?

For passengers who happen to have an abrupt trip to Zanzibar, you can readily access a visa at the airport. You need to visit the visa place through to the luggage collection within the airport. The airport offers the visa at an affordable price. Keep in mind that the visa is important on a return flight.

What are the requirements for passengers accompanied by minors?

For passengers who are accompanied by a minor, you need to have a valid passport for yourself and the minor. Also, the minor's guardians should provide a consent letter to validate their permission for the minor to travel.

Are there direct flights to Zanzibar?

Unfortunately, there are no direct flights to Zanzibar. Choose from one-stop flights to Zanzibar if you're flying out of major airports in places like New York, Washington, Chicago, and Los Angeles. Turkish Airlines, Austrian Airlines, United, Emirates, and Lufthansa are the airlines that fly into Zanzibar most frequently. The flight includes a layover and it will probably be in one of several popular locations along this route, depending on the airline, such as Istanbul, Doha, Dubai, or Kilimanjaro.

What is the quickest way to get from Zanzibar Airport to the city center?

It will take approximately 20min to travel into Zanzibar by taxi and cost about $20. While flat-rate taxis are available in the transportation area of the arrival terminal, you can also try putting your bargaining prowess to work and negotiating a lower fee. Alternatively, you can also make it to the city center in 30min by using the “Dala Dala” bus for less than $1, or, depending on your final destination and time of the day, pay $20 for a rideshare like Uber or Bolt.

Which major cities are closest to Zanzibar Airport?

Zanzibar Airport is the second-largest airport in Tanzania, with frequent departures to major East African destinations, such as Nairobi, Kenya, the coast of Mombasa, Kilimanjaro, Dar es Salaam, Arusha, Tanga, and even Dubai. Zanzibar Airport has also partnered with international airlines to make connecting to different parts of Europe, Asia, and North America relatively easy. Additionally, seasonal non-stop flights to Zanzibar are available from well-known airlines; to find affordable rates, use the KAYAK search engine to compare fares from Europe and the Middle East.

Does Zanzibar Airport provide amenities for travelers with reduced mobility?

Yes, every possible accommodation with be made for those with disabilities or reduced mobility. If you or your travel companion has reduced mobility, you can talk to the airport staff to make proper arrangements because every airport is mandated to provide assistance to travelers with special needs.

Are there designated pick-up and drop-off zones at Zanzibar Airport?

Yes, taxis are located right outside the arrivals terminal, and unless you are ready to haggle, it’s easier to ask an airport attendant to call a cab on your behalf. If you have made online reservations for a rental car, you can pick up your car keys directly at the car rental company desk within the airport.

How far is Zanzibar from central Zanzibar?

The distance between Zanzibar and downtown Zanzibar is 4 miles.

What is the name of Zanzibar’s airport?

All flights to Zanzibar land at Zanzibar. The airport code is ZNZ,and it can also be referred to as Abeid Amani Karume Intl, Kisauni, or Zanzibar Intl.

How does KAYAK find such low prices on flights to Zanzibar?

KAYAK is a travel search engine. That means we look across the web to find the best prices we can find for our users. With over 2 billion flight queries processed yearly, we are able to display a variety of prices and options on flights to Zanzibar.

How does KAYAK's flight Price Forecast tool help me choose the right time to buy my flight ticket to Zanzibar?

KAYAK’s flight Price Forecast tool uses historical data to determine whether the price for a flight to Zanzibar is likely to change within 7 days, so travelers know whether to wait or book now.

What is the Hacker Fare option on flights to Zanzibar?

Hacker Fares allow you to combine one-way tickets in order to save you money over a traditional round-trip ticket. You could then fly to Zanzibar with an airline and back with another airline.

What is KAYAK's "flexible dates" feature and why should I care when looking for a flight to Zanzibar?

Sometimes travel dates aren't set in stone. If your preferred travel dates have some wiggle room, flexible dates will show you all the options when flying to Zanzibar up to 3 days before/after your preferred dates. You can then pick the flights that suit you best.

Which airline offers the most flights to Zanzibar?

Of the 10 airlines that fly to Zanzibar, Auric Air offers the most flights, with around 98 per week, followed by Flightlink with 61 flights per week.

Top tips for finding cheap flights to Zanzibar

Enter your preferred departure airport and travel dates into the search form above to unlock the latest Zanzibar flight deals.
Zanzibar Airport (ZNZ) serves as the hub for ZanAir. If you'll be exploring more than the island, consider flying with ZanAir as you can easily get many domestic connections, including to Arusha, Dar es Salaam, Pemba Island, Saadani, and Selous.
Zanzibar Airport has three terminals, but only Terminals 2 and 3 handle flights. Terminal 3 serves only international flights, and most likely the terminal to receive flights from the US, while terminal 2 handles both domestic and international (continental) flights.
If you’re traveling to Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (ZNZ)—commonly called Zanzibar Airport—with pets, ensure that they are vaccinated for rabies at least 30 days before your flight. You must also apply for a special permit from Zanzibar authorities that allows you to bring an animal through the Zanzibar Airport.
If you are traveling with children, consider visiting the Kids Play area, located at Gate 11 in the Zanzibar Airport. You may also be able to use a complimentary stroller at the airport for your infant or toddler.
If you’re looking for a quiet space to unwind at Zanzibar Airport, you can purchase a Priority Pass to gain access to the Zanzibar DHOW Lounge or the 24-hour Paradise Business Lounge. These lounges also cater to business travelers who need work-related services, such as printing, copying, and faxing.
Travelers renting at a car at Zanzibar Airport should inquire with their car rental companies about rental package add-ons, such as additional drivers, liability insurance, or GPS systems to help navigate the Zanzibar archipelago.
Flying through an alternative airport near Zanzibar provides opportunities to fly with different airlines or find cheap fares and connections. You can opt for one of Tanzania’s largest airports, such as Dar es Salaam Airport (DAR), Pemba Airport (PMA), or Tanga Airport (TGT) in Northern Tanzania.

Prefer to fly non-stop to Zanzibar Kisauni?

Find which airlines fly direct to Kisauni, which days they fly and book direct flights.

Nonstop departures

United States to Zanzibar Kisauni

Air France, Air India, Air Serbia, +32 more

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Air France, Air India, Air Serbia, +34 more

Air France, Air India, +35 more

Air France, Air India, Air Serbia, +31 more

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Zanzibar Kisauni to United States

Top 5 airlines flying to zanzibar.

The flight was delayed but we got to our final destination.

Boarding was great. The flight landed early. It took the crew over an hour and a half to bring out drinks. I paid to upgrade my seat to Comfort+ only to be near a crying/screaming baby who was seldom quiet. Noise-cancelling earbuds didn’t even help. Waste of money to upgrade.

Boarding was good, was able to get on early and get settled in . Loved the glass of wine before take off. Once in the air the service was amazing, from the snacks, drinks and the food was good. The flight attendants were very good and attentive. Love flying with Delta..

Seats in first class on the E175 recline too far back. I was in 2A, and the man in 1A fully reclined almost the entire flight. It took 6-7 inches of space away from me and made it very difficult to work on my laptop.

On 2 different flights the wifi was horrible and there was no drink or snack service.

Wifi wasn’t working well so we couldn't view any media.

Flight was late. Club was full. Experience is exactly what I expected.

Carly the flight attendant was extremely helpful and very accommodating to passengers on the flight from what I noticed. Couldn't be more satisfied with the service and assistance from Delta's flight attendant, Thanks again Carly!!

I didn’t not like that I could not select my seat and ended up with the worse seat.

I didn’t like that I could not select my seat and was assigned a seat when I checked in at LAX

Qatar airways from Doha to guangzhau was excellent big bird Boeing 777 more room and smoothly flight, I Love it

It was good no problems made it on time for the next flight overseas!

The made us waiting and held our passports and boarding pass making us miss our flights

Not impressed. Only allowed one carry on on such a long flight.

The flight was good but my neighbor had the vent open full power for the whole flight and because the air was blowing from the side instead of from the top and I got very cold and ended up with a sore throat.

Bad experience with the delay n long wait time for connecting flight after missing the connection flight from Doha.

Wore experience due to delay and took me 3 days to reach my destination.

All over with Qatar airlines my experience was really bad due to delays and then putting me on different airlines and after 8 hours of wait I had to listen to their is no plane to fly for another 24 hours. Wore experience ever.

Excellent will be flying again in May with Qatar. to Botswana.

Ultimate customer care humble and excellent service oriented crew , perfect timing maintained by the crew . My profound appreciation.

Quality of service on board was very inconsistent. FA service primarily seemed robotic and they barely engaged with passengers

Flight canceled and then “uncanceled” after I booked are placement. I had to pay for both a Turkish Air doesn’t admit their mistake

I’m unclear why I had to pay extra for assigned seats as Turkish airlines did not honor the seating. We were placed across the aisle from each other on TK 34, and were seated behind one another on TK 694. Because my name was misspelled on e-ticket (Klawiter, instead of Klawitter) I could not log onto website to get the connection gate number in Istanbul. The monitors in the airport were a jumbled mess 1/2 Arabic and 1/2 English.

On line check in needs a lot of improvement. I tried and gave up.

Food not good, flight attendants not the best, not accommodating very ruff

the female flight attendant was racist towards me. I could tell she treated the two other passengers next to me with more softness.

Very cheesy food in both options - had to pass. Boarding with open doors (winter)

Oh my god! For an13 hour flight they serve you food just one time. Also don’t be thirsty they give you a little small cup of soda to drink. They seem like their goal is to feed you one so they don’t have to be bothered with you. It quite surprise for such a long flight there are several times to eat at least three and the food was well lackluster. The food and lack of offering drinks which were always hot no ice provided.

Leaving on time would have been a good start . Sat in plane while they cleaned around us . We got to Turkey raced to our next flight to see plane sitting at the gate 5 minutes before departure time to be told “ plane is gone “ while obviously it wasn’t . Showed them time on my phone before departure. Then “ gate is closed “ . Then he said “Instead of talking to me you need to go talk to someone else to get another flight “ . We booked business class no service waited in line to have to rebook same flight day later. Offered hotel room but wait for a bus to heard us to what I’m sure would have been cheap hotel. Opted for private cab and decent hotel at our own expense. Bad service at ever turn . NEVER TURKISH AIRLINES AGAIN !

We were traveling first class. Checkin counter lady and her manager, both were in bad mood and did not treat us well about checking in the handbag. The gate agent took care of it right away. I travel Turkish twice a year in first class. No one has ever refused to check in the hand bag. Not sure, why this agent and her manager refused. Everything else was excellent.

It is just ok, the sits are very uncomfortable, the temperature too low and there weren’t blankets. The food is mediocre and there are no screens to watch movies.

Seat in front of my wife was broken so it reclined further than normal and without having to push the recline button so my wife had absolutely no room the entire 17 hour flight. My seat was broken and wouldn't recline at all. Also.. my tray table was sticky and dirty right away before I even used it. Also...the floor in the back of the plane from our row of seats on back was totally soaked and both times we landed water came rushing out of the food/servant area like a flood onto the same already wet carpet. It got everything wet that was placed around our feet...including our shoes and socks.

Flight was smooth but unnecessary long because we had to refuel at FCO Rome. Air hostesses service and response to call light could be better. Both planes were old with broken seat arms and toilets. Why Africans had to be given the farthest Gates is what baffles me and why we have to pay for Aisle seats I found really strange. Is there ever an end to ripping people off even after paying over $2300 for one seat.

On my return flight the TV did not work the entire flight! They knew it wasn’t working but they let me sit there. The guy sitting nièce to me told me he was ok the previous flight and it wasn’t working. This is business class by the way!

The entertainment (movies) blockbuster and classics never change. I am a frequent Ethiopian flyer and this should be addressed. Not much changed from my summer flight and my December flight. It is annoying - surely you can update the selections more often. Same with food options. It becomes extremely boring to be offered the same exact meals from Washington to Addis to Maputo every trip, each time. AS

Entertainment was very poor. Couldn’t watch anything. Ear pieces were the wrong type .

Food was horrible. Our flight was not comfortable due to turbulence, seats was not comfortable, Very tight barely can not move anywhere.

The check in staff was amazing. Best customer service! The plane was old! My entertainment on the first flight didn't work at all, in my seat or in the seat next to me. The bathroom doors were old and troublesome. One of the bathrooms, the whole sink panel was broken. Everything felt old and falling apart. The airline stewardesses were amazing and quite hospitable. When there were delays, they kept us well informed. Transit was GREAT! I wasn't sure how I would make it to my next flight in 1 1/2 hours but the security lines were short and efficient. The C gates in Addis Ababa were CROWDED! That whole space downstairs was too crowded and challenging to manuever. I usually fly Ethiopian within Africa and was interested to see how the experience would be intercontinental. Overall, I would choose it again if it was cheaper than Delta/Air France or Lufthansa/KLM. I wouldn't make it a first choice if the prices were the same because the planes are so old! The food and entertainment also weren't as good. Good selection of movies but as I mentioned, on the first flight they didn't work at all (I slept so it was okay) and the 2nd flight it was glitchy. All in all, I didn't hate it but it would be a first choice only if it's cheaper.

The wifi service was really poor I try to use it the service was extremely poor if that could be improved that will go a long way

I've never been served three bread courses in a single meal before. Was really impressed by the novelty of that.

Paid an extra USD 100 for so-called Comfort seats. All of these (the bulkhead seats) had parents with babies and infants who were screaming much of the time. One mother even decided to change nappies on the seat. This was anything but comfort!

Front section of economy cabin is better than rear. Paid for seats selected.

Good flight. Paid for seats sat the frront section of the economy. Better than rear cabin.

Apart from delay of 3 hrs in Nairobi for onward flight to Dar all fine. Looked like operational issues caused it.

It has been 1 week since arriving at my destination and I still have not recieved my kite surfing bags. Office will not communicate properly on location or when my bags will arrive. No advice on what to do on luggage that has not arrived in over a week. Simply not happy with Kenya airways at the moment.

Excellent. They canceled our flight & put us up for the night. Then upgraded us. We are impressed

On a long flight us customers need more rehydration by the crew. Some of us have water bottles but no crew is coming around to offer water. I’m not saying issue us all with plastic water bottles.

The flight staff were not very kind. I went back to get a drink, 4 of them back there chatting. They all looked at me continued to talk then they started doing stuff and one finally asked after I was standing there awhile what I needed. This happened multiple times. The movies were not the great and seemed dated. My seat squeaked every time I moved and it moved around a bit.

My flight from Nairobi to nyc. My seat made noise and moved around. The two toilets in the back didn’t work well cause you didn’t know if someone was in there cause the light didn’t work. The bathroom doors didn’t lock well either, so I walked in on someone. The crew wasn’t quick or super helpful. When I went to get something they were chatting and they would look at me, continue on with their conversation and finally I would interrupt to get a drink.

The flight attendants on this flight were incredible! One even gave me her own dinner when my special meal order wasn’t transferred due to a flight delay! She insisted and I was so grateful. That is going above and beyond! The issue I had with the flight was with Lufthansa support. I missed my connection due to a flight delay and they wouldn’t rebook online, only in person. This took a lot of time and visits to the airport waiting for a Lufthansa agent to arrive 5 hours later than posted and almost paying full-fare price for the new flights and refusal to add my special meal orders. It made for a challenging journey home and I didn’t feel valued as a customer.

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Zanzibar Travel Guide

Looking for an off-the-beaten-path tropical destination? Look no further than Zanzibar! This island has plenty to offer between pristine beaches, warm weather, and plenty of culture. Keep reading for the ultimate Zanzibar travel guide.

Where is Zanzibar located?

Zanzibar is about 22 miles off the coast of east-central Africa in the Indian Ocean. This island, with a population of approximately 1 million, is a province of Tanzania. Zanzibar is about 68 miles long and 25 miles wide – its only city, which also serves as the capital, is known as Zanzibar City.

Is Zanzibar Safe?

Overall, Zanzibar is relatively safe for tourists. However, like any travel destination, you’ll want to keep an eye on your belongings to prevent petty theft, especially near the major tourist attractions.

Airports in Zanzibar

There is only one airport in Zanzibar, airport code ZNZ. It is very small. Sometimes, flights in and out of Zanzibar may be more expensive than flying into Dar Es Salaam’s airport. However, you must consider whether the cost savings are worth taking a ferry to Zanzibar or a local flight.

Search flights to Zanzibar

Zanzibar Visa

Most nationalities require a visa for Zanzibar. Fortunately, you can easily apply for a visa online through the Tanzania eVisa system. The e-visa process is straightforward; you’ll need to fill out an application form, pay a fee (usually $100 USD for standard visas), and upload supporting documents like a passport scan. Alternatively, you can obtain a Zanzibar visa on arrival at Zanzibar’s airport. It’s advisable to check the latest visa requirements and processing times on the official Tanzania Immigration website before your trip.

Visa for Zanzibar and Travel Visa for Tanzania information

The best time to travel to Zanzibar

The best months to visit Zanzibar are between June and October, also known as the dry season. During this time of the year, temperatures hover around 77°F, and you won’t have to deal with much rain – it’s the perfect weather for sightseeing!

When planning things to do and where to stay, you should consider the logistics of the areas in Zanzibar. Stone Town is considered the old town of Zanzibar. You can take a ferry to Stone Town or a plane to Zanzibar Airport. Most beaches are 45 minutes to an hour away.

Read tips on taking the Dar Es Salaam to Zanzibar ferry

Where to stay in Zanzibar

Zanzibar north east coast.

The Northeast Coast is one of the best neighborhoods in Zanzibar, with easy access to beaches, snorkeling, and top-notch accommodations.

Hotels in Zanzibar North East Coast:

Diamonds Mapenzi Beach (P.O. Box 100 Mahonda Zanzibar, Tanzania) : This all-inclusive resort is located right on the beach and has gorgeous rooms and top-notch amenities.
Ocean Paradise Resort and Spa (Kiwengwa Road North East Coast Pwani Mchangani TZ) : Tropical beachfront gardens, a spa, onsite restaurants, and airy rooms make this resort one of the best places to stay in Zanzibar.

Zanzibar East Coast

If you’re a beach lover, this is the best place to stay in Zanzibar – the area is home to some of the most pristine beaches on the island.

Hotels in Zanzibar East Coast:

Mvuvi Boutique Resort (Kiwengwa, Tanzania) : This laid-back beachfront hotel offers complimentary breakfast, dinner, a private beach, and a saltwater pool.
Le Mersenne Zanzibar, Autograph Collection (Unnamed Road Michamvi Pingwe Michamvi TZ Pingwe TZ) : This off-the-beaten-path hotel houses 51 guest rooms, an oceanfront restaurant, and thoughtfully-curated decor.

Stone Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a great place to stay for a night during the front or back end of your trip to Zanzibar. This is the historical capital of Zanzibar, with cobblestone streets and plenty of historical sites.

Hotels in Stone Town:

Upendo House (213/14 Hurumzi St, Zanzibar, Tanzania) : This boutique hotel has an incredible rooftop infinity pool and a fantastic onsite international restaurant overlooking this neighborhood.
The Seyyida Hotel & Spa (R5RR+2F2, Nyumba Ya Moto St, Zanzibar, Tanzania) : This 17-room hotel has stunning architecture with marble floors, grand archways, and inner garden courtyards. A lounge area overlooks the ocean, where you can enjoy a cocktail while watching the sunset.

Spice Tree by Turaco 90, 90A Shangani St, Zanzibar 3120, Tanzania

Formerly a Doubletree Hotel, this Marriott property is perfect for those who want to earn Marriott points while in Tanzania.

Things to do in Zanzibar

Explore the old fort.

Located in Stone Town, the Old Fort, built in the 17th century, offers a great view of the ocean. It is the oldest building in Stone Town, so it’s perfect for history lovers.

Check out Forodhani Gardens Food Market in Stone Town

While this area offers gorgeous gardens by day, it transforms into a bustling food market at night. The fresh fish and Swahili cuisine you’ll find at this market are likely some of the best in Africa! Many tourists recommend this. However, I found the experience underwhelming. I was not able to enjoy it because as soon as I entered the market, several people bombarded me with offers to try their food. I settled for a stahl, and it was just okay.

Visit a Former Slave Market

Throughout history, Zanzibar was a significant player in the global slave trade. The world’s last slave market was located in Stone Town until it was shut down by the British in 1873. An Anglican church has replaced the spot where this market stood, and you can learn more about the slave trade history at an exhibit outside the cathedral.

Take a trip to Prison Island

If you love turtles, visiting Prison Island is a must! Also known as Changuu Island, Prison Island is about a half-hour boat ride from Zanzibar. This island is a sanctuary for Aldabra tortoises, which are some of the largest tortoises in the world!

Take a spice tour

Zanzibar’s nickname is the “Spice Island” due to the abundance of spices grown on its land, including cumin, vanilla, turmeric, nutmeg, cinnamon, and cloves. You can choose from several tours telling the story of Zanzibar’s spice trading history and how they are grown – and you might even get a sample or two!

Go on a safari

Incorporating a safari into your Zanzibar itinerary adds an exciting dimension to your tropical getaway. While Zanzibar is renowned for its stunning beaches and cultural attractions, venturing on a safari allows you to delve into the heart of Africa’s untamed wilderness and encounter iconic wildlife species in their natural habitats. With various safari options available within reach from Zanzibar, including Tanzania’s renowned national parks like the Serengeti, Tarangire, and Ngorongoro Crater, visitors can embark on exhilarating game drives, guided bush walks and even hot air balloon safaris for truly unforgettable experiences. Witnessing the majestic elephants, lions, zebras, and giraffes against the backdrop of vast savannahs or dense woodlands provides a stark contrast to the serene coastal landscapes of Zanzibar. Whether you opt for a day trip or a multi-day safari excursion, combining your beach vacation with a safari adventure offers a well-rounded and enriching travel experience that showcases the diverse natural wonders of East Africa. Be sure to check reviews and research the tour company before forking money over for a tour. Sometimes, your hotel can recommend a reputable option.

Click here for safaris that leave from Zanzibar

Enjoy the beaches

Zanzibar is a true tropical paradise, home to some of the most stunning beaches in the world, showcasing white powdery sand and crystal clear water in the Indian Ocean. Here are a few of the best beaches in Zanzibar:

Nungwi Beach : Located in the Zanzibar North area, Nungwi Beach has soft sand and sparkling clear waters. As a west-facing beach, this is one of the best Zanzibar beaches for watching the sunset.
Paje Beach : This quiet beach is an excellent alternative to some of the more popular beaches on the island. Dotted with several palm trees, beach bars, and open-air restaurants, you could easily spend the entire day here. It’s also a great spot for water sports.
Kendwa Beach : Just a ten-minute drive from Nungwi Beach, Kendwa Beach is perfect for swimming because the tide doesn’t change much in this area. The sunsets here are also incredible!

Best restaurants in Zanzibar

The Rock Restaurant : Located on a rock just offshore, this tiny eatery serving fresh seafood has only 12 tables but has become world-famous due to its location – be sure to make a reservation in advance and book a transfer/ride to the restaurant.
Taarab Restaurant : This restaurant has one of the most stunning rooftops in Zanzibar – you’ll get a view of Stone Town and the sparkling Indian Ocean. There is plenty of seafood and vegetarian food on the menu.
Secret Garden at Emerson : Hidden away upstairs at the Emerson Hotel complex is a hidden garden with private dinners, cocktails, and tea. This is one of the most beautiful places to eat on the island!

Is Zanzibar Worth Visiting?

With some of the world’s most beautiful beaches, several historical sights, and delicious Swahili cuisine, Zanzibar is definitely worth a visit! Lay on the beach, dip your toes in the water, explore the rich history, and unwind in this real-life tropical oasis.

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My 2 Week Trip to Zanzibar (beach huts, local food, activities and more)

Never did I think I would make it to this island off the coast of mainland Tanzania but somehow, like most of my travels, it just happened.

After bouncing around Kenya and Tanzania for a while, it was time to take it easy and catch up on work, and Zanzibar seemed like a logical, and nearby, option. All we hoped for was a relatively quiet beach in a tropical setting, close to a local village, and where accommodation wasn’t too expensive.

And it didn’t take long to find our ideal setup. For two whole nights at least.

The place we chose to stay at is the Promised Land Lodge , located on the very southern tip of Zanzibar. Beautiful setting on the wild coast, large jungle bungalows on a cliff overlooking the shining water, great local food, hammocks, a beach bar, a nice swimming pool and the village of Kizimkazi only 20 minutes walk away.

Trip to Zanzibar - Promised Land Lodge hut

For $50 per night, with breakfast included, we were truly giddy over this gem of a find.

So, after two nights there, we packed up and left.

This is the downside of working online. The location of this lodge proved to be one of the last spots on Zanzibar without 3G internet coverage, so our SIM cards and data packages were useless. The internet provided at the lodge, as expected, didn’t work too well either. As a result, it was quite difficult for us to get our work done and we had no choice but to leave.

Off we went, quite bummed, in search of another option.

You can then imagine our surprise when, amazingly, with very little research and a lot of luck, we found another accommodation setup that rivaled, or at least matched, what Promised Land had offered.

Suddenly, our trip to Zanzibar took us to the village of Jambiani, on the southeast coast, where we happily threw down our bags at the welcoming and idyllic Mango Beach House .

We stayed here for eleven nights. And it was absolutely perfect.

Here’s how our stay went down…

If you’re looking for a quiet white sand beach with a laid-back vibe, local village life, perfect sunrises, warm ocean water, a good scattering of places to eat and that feeling of being in paradise, Jambiani is the place to go. I’ll admit that we didn’t really explore too many other parts of Zanzibar but once we found this ideal corner, we were more than happy to stay put.

What a crazy, beautiful beach! I have never, in all my travels, seen the ocean act as weirdly as it did in Zanzibar. In Jambiani at least, the tide would be one kilometer out when low and then, in what seemed like a remarkably fast period of time, the tide would suddenly be high, very high, covering almost all of the beach. And the colors changed all day long, with such an impressive array of blues and greens sparkling away. It was strange, mesmerizing and spectacular all at the same time.

Trip to Zanzibar - Jambiani beach colors

When the tide was high, this beach was great for swimming. The only downside, at least in March, is that the water temperature was basically ‘hot’.

Go swimming in the morning though, before 9am, and in the evening, around 6pm, and it will be cooler at those times, offering a refreshing way to start and end your day!

Accommodation

There are probably 20 or so accommodation options to choose from along the three kilometers of Jambiani beachfront, ranging from inexpensive, basic rooms in a simple house (around $25 USD per night) to nicer guesthouses with tropical settings and more comfortable rooms (around $50 – $60 per night) and all the way up to fancier bungalows and hotels for $90 – $200 USD per night.

We must have checked out 15 of these places in our search for accommodation. In the end, though, as soon as we stepped through the gate of the Mango Beach House , we knew it was the place for us.

The local owner, Kiddo, was super kind, the rooms were spacious, colorful, airy, well-decorated and with a clear view of the ocean, the grounds were filled with palm trees and flowers, there were swinging beds, lounge chairs and raised platforms to hang out on and there was a cozy open-air cafe and restaurant.

Here’s a quick video tour I created:

The place was spotless, the entire team of four staff were extremely helpful and there were only four rooms, making it feel almost like a private retreat.

At around $50 USD per night (for 2 people), with breakfast included and a common kitchen to use, it was by far the best deal that we found in Jambiani. If I ever take another trip to Zanzibar, this is exactly where I would stay again.

At the Mango Beach House, like at most small accommodation on Zanzibar, if you let the staff know ahead of time that you want dinner, the in-house chef will cook you up some dishes. From fresh seafood to vegetable curries to grilled chicken, salads and more, for about $8 USD per person, we had an excellent evening feast several times.

On other nights, and for most lunches, we would venture out into the village or along the beach where we found:

Local restaurants ($5 – $7 USD per person) – Stone Culture was our favorite, right next to Mango Beach Guesthouse…we came here 4 or 5 times for inexpensive, tasty local dishes cooked by the friendly owner/chef

– Pishi Restaurant in the center of the village was another decent, cheap option

Trip to Zanzibar - Stone Culture Restaurant

Other hotel restaurants ($7 – $10 per person) – The food at the Mamamapambo Boutique Hotel was wonderful, and great value, especially for lunch…try the masala iced tea and you’ll end up coming back every day (located next door to Mango Beach Guesthouse)

Western food ($5 – $10 per person) – Bahari Pizza is an Italian owned place with a perfect spot on the beach, great pizzas, excellent service and plenty of other quality dishes

– Mr. Kahawa in Paje (the next village up the beach, about 5 kms from Jambiani) serves fresh and delicious sandwiches, salads, wraps, fruit juices, coffees and pastries in a funky, minimalist beach cafe setting

Those are all the places where we ate. Not a ton of options, but definitely enough for a two week stay!

The Village

Jambiani is small and quiet, with about 1500 people spread out along a three kilometer stretch of beach. It’s a collection of sandy ‘roads’ and narrow sandy paths that weave between very simple homes and huts, some small shops and fruit stands and several mosques. The people are generally friendly, especially the younger generation who seem to have had more contact with foreigners. The locals working in the guesthouses and restaurants are really friendly and you can easily have a conversation with any of them. They are more than happy to discuss local life and answer any questions.

The village, like most of Zanzibar, is conservative and all local females have their arms and legs covered while outside. Most females, including young girls, also have their hair covered. Nobody seemed to mind travelers wearing more western clothing but you’ll definitely stand out and receive plenty of stares if you don’t dress somewhat conservatively while walking around the village. You don’t need to put on pants and a long sleeve shirt but wrapping a sarong around yourself while in the village seemed to be the method of choice.

On the beach itself, things were more relaxed and swimsuits were much more acceptable. Nobody appeared to mind beach clothing being worn at the beach.

We would go for a walk through the village once or twice per day more or less, usually to pop into a small store to buy water, snacks or bananas and to grab a local dinner. There isn’t much to do in the village apart from that but interacting with the kids, shopkeepers and others in the streets was always good fun while out and about.

Nearby Activities

Paje – The next village up the beach, here you’ll find a wider stretch of white sand, a smaller village, a lot of kitesurfing schools and a lot more foreigners. We preferred Jambiani but I did enjoy the 1 hour walk along the beach up to Paje every now and then for a change of scenery. You can also take a taxi for around 10000 TSH ($3 USD).

Jozani Forest – About 15 minutes by car away from Jambiani, this forest/national park is one of the last places in the world where you can encounter the red colobus monkeys.

You can always rent a car for around $30 USD per day to drive to other parts of the island. There are plenty of more beaches and villages out there than Jambiani so a couple of day trips would be a great option for those looking to explore during their trip to Zanzibar. Other popular areas are Nungwi (way up on the northern tip of Zanzibar), Matemwe (northeast coast), Pongwe (east coast) and Bweeju (about 11 kilometers north of Jambiani).

Additional Details

Internet – If you need internet like we do (to work every day!), the connections offered at most accommodation will be very poor at best. However, if you buy a SIM card in Zanzibar City (the capital and main entry point of Zanzibar), you can get solid 3G connection if you’re staying in an actual village on the island, such as Jambiani. We found Airtel offered the most reliable service on the island and was quite inexpensive (3 GB for around $8 USD).

Taxi costs – Getting from Zanzibar City/Stone Town to Jambiani or Kizimkazi or pretty much any of the main beach areas on the north, east or southern coast should cost between $25 – $40 USD. A taxi from the airport to the center of Stone Town should cost around $8 – $12 USD. There are also local trucks/vans that have set routes around the island. Often very crowded and much slower than a taxi, they are indeed cheap, allowing you to travel a good distance for just a dollar or two. If you do plan to visit many parts of the island during your trip to Zanzibar, you might want to look at renting a car instead of using taxis as it will save you a good amount of money.

Tours and activities – If you’re looking to be more active than just sitting on the beach, there’s a long list of possible activities on Zanzibar, including snorkeling, scuba diving , surfing, kitesurfing, dolphin trips, fishing, visiting outer islands, spice tours and more. Plenty of people will approach you on the beaches offering such tours. Keep in mind that these people are just middlemen and usually not connected in any way to the company that actually offers the activity. It’s worth talking to the staff at your hotel or guesthouse as they should have direct contacts with reliable tour operators, boatmen, drivers, etc and it avoids huge markups. It’s also perfectly acceptable to negotiate the price for any tour/activity.

Money – The main currency is the Tanzanian shilling but many prices are quoted in USD or Euros as well. Keep in mind that the only ATMs on the island are in Zanzibar City/Stone Town so it’s best to take out local currency there before you head off to your beach location. Otherwise, you’ll need to travel 45+ minutes back to Zanzibar City every time you need money and that can cost $60 USD roundtrip by taxi. Money exchange options are also limited on the beaches (Jambiani didn’t have any!) so if you don’t have enough local currency, you’ll have to pay in USD or Euros. Some restaurants and accommodation will accept visa credit cards but do add on a 3%-5% bank fee.

Stone Town – We also stayed in Stone Town, which is the old section of Zanzibar City, the capital of Zanzibar. And it’s definitely worth visiting. We spent one night there when we first arrived on Zanzibar and two nights at the end. You can spend an entire day getting lost in the winding maze of lanes, eating lunch at the excellent Lukmaan Restaurant , visiting the educational former slave market, spending time inside the House of Wonders (aka the best worst museum in the world ), wandering through the colorful main market and enjoying a refreshing drink on the beach at sunset. It’s a cool place to hang out for a couple of days.

In Stone Town we stayed at the incredibly friendly and comfortable Zenji Hotel and at the more centrally-located Tausi Palace . Both were excellent budget options and I’d simply choose whichever one has the best rate on any particular dates.

Overall Costs of a Trip to Zanzibar

On a tight budget, your trip to Zanzibar could cost you as little as $25 USD per day if you stay in a hostel or simple room/hut and eat at the most local of restaurants and food stalls.

For $50 USD per day, you can stay in a quality beachfront guesthouse or beach hut (such as Mango Beach House, when split between two people) and throw in an extra activity/excursion every few days.

At $70 USD per day, along with your beachfront room, you could also eat some more expensive meals/dishes and hire a car to really explore the island.

Zanzibar is one of those destinations that can fit into any budget!

Getting There

Getting to Zanzibar from mainland Tanzania is quite easy. There are several ferries per day to/from Dar es Salaam with the company Azam Marine . The journey takes around 2 hours and costs approximately $35 USD per person.

Before you book the ferry though, be sure to check out Precision Air , one of Tanzania’s local airlines. They offer Zanzibar – Dar es Salaam flights for as low as $40 USD per person. That’s what we paid for the 15 minute flight and it came with gorgeous views of the island and the Tanzanian capital en route!

Any questions about Zanzibar? Any additional advice from those who have already been to this island?

New blog posts, honest updates from my 21 years of constant travel, personal recommendations and the best of travel from around the world.

86 Comments

Good day me and my boyfriend want to visit zanzibar we are a gay couple where will be the best place to book an 2week stay

Hey Adriaan – I only know the place where we stayed, which was awesome. I’m not too sure about all the other options on the island unfortunately.

Hey – I just found your information via the Every Passport Stamp presentation you just did. Lots of good info. Will be subscribing to your newsletter.

Question – it looks like you count Zanzibar as one of the countries you travelled to. Is it listed as an actually country? I’m not being nit picky – I’m just at the 98 country mark and am wondering to count it on my list o’ countries. I always just thought it was part of Tanzania. Thanks!

Hey Michelle – Thanks for signing up and I appreciate you watching the Q&A! As for your question, I’m honestly not trying to be too particular with my count. I generally talk about countries, territories, semi-autonomous regions and so on as separate entities but only because it seems clearer to do so. As for my actual count though, it’s only countries and fully autonomous regions that I include.

I travelled around Zanzibar a couple of years ago by hiring a scooter. Very cheap and lots of fun! But also pretty dangerous – the traffic is pretty crazy in Stone Town, and on the highways there are lots of trucks, surprise speedbumps and police roadblocks. Also it’s worth noting that the scooters may have one of two mechanical issues 🙂 We stayed at Paje after a day of riding, it made it absolutely worth it!

Not sure whether to stay Zanibar Town side of the island or the East side. Im there solo for 6 nights later this year but looking to book accom now as it is filling up fast. If you stay on the west side, is it easier access to amenities like food, ATMs, tours etc? If you stay East side, are you basically stuck to your own hotel other than when you walk along the beach and pretty much just have to hang by the pool and do nothing?? I intend to do a fair bit of that, but also still want to do a fair few activities like scuba, snorkel etc so whcih has better access to these?? Dont really want to be travelling in a $60USD cab each day to go do something.

Hey Tim – The difference is that on the west side, you’re in a small city. On the east side, you’re on the coast with a more beach/village atmosphere. You can rent a car over there, take day trips and there’s plenty of stuff to do if you stay on the east side. But overall, Zanzibar isn’t exactly a destination with a ton of activities. It’s more of a place to chill. If you want to scuba and snorkel, you should stay on the east side where the nicer beaches are located and there is more access to such activities. Stone Town is a good place to see, either on a day trip from the east side of perhaps spending 2 nights there and 4 nights somewhere else.

Hey. We are looking to go next week to Zanzibar. We really wanted to do some sort of a safari but we are on a budget. Do you have any recommendations of closer ones to Zanzibar? Also what would the weather be like now end of February time. Thanks!

Hey Farah – Since Zanzibar is an island, you won’t be very close to places that offer a safari. You would need to fly somewhere and to be honest, if you’re going to be in that region, you might as well go to the Serengeti for the safari as that is one of the best you can experience anywhere!

Hi, My husband and I are going on a Safari in Kenya and then flying to the Ocean Paradis Resort, Kijangwani, Zanzibar to extend our holiday. We have a choice of different board options and normally we would just go for the basic breakfast option but I have heard food and drink is quite expensive and that it isn’t that safe to go out at night. I am hoping that this is just scare mongering and that to go out and find restaurants at night would in fact not only be a great way to experience the culture but also to feel part of the local community. What are your thoughts? Thanks

Hey Janet – To be honest, I’m not too sure. Where we stayed was a small village in Zanzibar and so there really wasn’t much to do at night. We did walk along the beach to a restaurant a couple of times at night without any issues but there wasn’t much going on in this village. The restaurants in the village were great and not expensive at all, but I don’t know too much about the more touristy areas of Zanzibar. I’m sure in those areas the restaurant prices will be more expensive (usually happens around resorts where they know people are paying a lot of money per night) but I’m not sure about safety in those areas.

Derek, your article is so so perfect. We are spending 15 days with my wife in zanzibar on May 2021, just relaxing, and swimming on the white sand turquoise water, which beach or island u think has the best view, and its the best beach for you?. Also how far away is each beach from each other

Hey Juan – The island is full of beaches but it can take a couple of hours to get from one end to the other. The north part of the island is the more tourist part with resorts and bigger hotels and the south / southeast corner of the island is more relaxed and quiet. So I would choose based on the kind of experience you want. I personally like the southeast corner away from the crowds.

Awesome blog! I am looking to travel end of May into June for about 2 weeks. I haven’t decided weather to go North than south around the island or South around to North… Any suggestion is appreciated. Also what items are a must to take. Thank you!

Hey Yvie – Either one works. I wouldn’t spend too much time thinking about it as the island isn’t that big. South to north or north to south are both doable and should be great experiences! There really isn’t any reason why I would choose one over the other.

Great post! I have just came back from Zanzibar, I have stayed at Clove Island and I can say for sure that this was my best travel experience so far!

Hey Derek! Just came upon your article and now I’m even more confused 🙂 I’ve been tossing up which area to stay – Nungwi or something a little more “local” like where you stayed. The reason I’m still deciding is because I’ll be a solo female traveller. I’ll just have spent a month in East Africa by myself on a pretty full itinerary, so I know I’ll be ready for down time (and Mango Beach looks perfect for that!) but I’m also not sure about whether a beach like where you stayed is ok for a solo female traveller? Hope you are well – not sure if you remember but we met at TravelCon in Austin a few years ago (I was sitting at your table in the lobby bar the day before the conference started), was great to meet you after all these years of following your blog!

Hey Rebecca – Very nice to hear from you and yes, I do remember meeting you in Austin! As for your question, that’s a tough one. On one hand, Mango Beach is such an awesome place but on the other hand, it is a little isolated and might not be the best time for someone who’s looking to do more than just chill out by the beach. Being a solo female traveler wouldn’t be a problem as the people are very nice and there are other guesthouses and hotels around, on the same beach. It’s just much quieter overall than the more touristy parts of the island. Definitely a tough call! If you want more activity and to be around a bigger group of other travelers, another area might be best. If you’re looking for peace and quiet and a cool local, chill experience, Mango is the way to go!

Appreciate it, thanks Derek! I’ll have to see how I’m going after a few weeks travelling… I think by then I’ll probably be very ready to do absolutely nada, so Mango sounds perfect for that!! 🙂

Your Article is amazing. We would like to go to Zanzibar for our Honeymoon in November. How is the weather in November?

Thank you so muchh 🙂

Joanna and Alexis

Hey Joanna – It’s a decent time to go there but you can expect heavy rain for short periods during the day.

Hello Derek! Is there any vaccination required in order to get into a boat to Zanzibar? Thanks in advance!

Hey Olga – Nothing is required so it’s a personal decision. But there is a high risk of malaria and it’s always good to have your general Hepatitis vaccinations for any country.

Jambo Derek!;) Very informative article, thanks a lot! I’m arriving in Zanzibar next month. I will be staying in Makunduchi (Clove Island – cloveisland.com) and although the place itself is really awesome, I’m hungry for seeing new spots and doing a lot of different things. Your article inspires me!:) Thanks once again! Can’t wait 🙂

Hey Doris – Enjoy!! I’m sure you’ll love it over there!!

Hi there. I am going to Zanzibar in September and flying from the uk so I won’t go into any yellow fever risk countries. Will I still need a certificate?

Hey Harry – If you’re coming from the UK, you won’t need to show proof of a certificate.

Hi there, Thanks for the great informative post :-)Are scooter/motor bikes freely available for rental in Zanzibar in stead of a car? How much would a rental cost per day? Thanks so much.

There were scooter rentals available but I’m not sure how much it would cost per day. The island is quite large and the roads not that great, so I don’t think a scooter would be too comfortable for exploring. It would take a long, long time to get around. But there are definitely places to rent them, at least in the bigger tourist areas.

So we are flying to and from Zanzibar but have 3 weeks to play with during which we want to safari in Tanzania. What do you recommend!? Thanks Sara

Hey Sara – Well, that’s plenty of time of course but keep in mind that the safari areas of Tanzania are quite a distance from Zanzibar. You’ll most likely want to fly from Zanzibar to Arusha and then start your safari experiences from there.

we going to Jambiani in November. where we can hire a car? airport? we planning to be quite active so car would help us out a lot. and travelling between airport 4x as going to safari too in Tanzania can save us a lot. thank you Judit

Hey Judit – Just do a quick search on any car rental booking site and you’ll see your options. It’s probably best to rent a car from the airport or from Stone Town.

You can get a little suzuki or toyota 4 seater for $25 dollars a day from here https://www.ztrans.co.tz/cars.php . They are technically 4×4, but are not suitable for extreme terrain… will be fine for just cruising around Zanzibar though 🙂 You also need to get a permit to drive on Zanzibar (these cost $10) and watch out for corrupt traffic police – they are always after bribes, especially from tourists. An alternative to hiring a car is using the shuttle bus run by http://www.thezanzibus.com – these are door-to-door transfers and cost $10 per person to go to/from anywhere on the island. The shuttles are a good budget option, although if there are more than four of you it will be about the same price to book your own taxi. By the way, November is low season so try to negotiate a discount with your hotel!

hi there – just wondering if you could advise me re going with family (6) in December 2019 and if I really need to book in advance or would it likely be that I could just wander around and find something reasonable, I am much keener to follow my nose than book something in advance and be stuck with it, however don not want to get here and find no room at the inn ! many thanks for your time – Luke

Hey Luke – That depends on what kind of accommodation you’re looking for. If you have 6 people and need 3 rooms or so, it can be a little risky as places can easily fill up. December is one of the high tourist seasons. I would recommend booking in advance. You could probably find something if you didn’t but it will take much longer and you might only have a couple of options left.

Hi This is a great post. thanks for sharing ! We are looking to go somewhere a bit different with our 3 children 2, 7 and 9 years. would you say this was a good place to stay and is there anything we should consider. Sorry if this has been asked already. thanks lisa

Hey Lisa – It’s a great place if you’re looking for something laid back. You could easily book their family room or two of their regular rooms and you’d have plenty of space, right on the beach at a great price. There aren’t many amenities as it’s not a proper resort or anything like that but the staff are wonderful, the breakfast is great and if you want a relaxed experience, you’ll definitely have that here.

Hi Derek! Thank you very much for all the info and advice. I will be staying in Jambiani and I wonder if I can rent a car from there. I understand one can contact the car rental in Stone Town to deliver the car to Jambiani, but do you know if one can directly rent it from Jambiani village? I will be staying at the Mango Beach House. Thanks for your time in advance 🙂

Hey Marcela – There are no car rental companies in Jamibiani but if you ask Kiddo, the owner of the Mango Beach House, he will help you out I’m sure. Please tell him I say hello!

Hi Derek, all the information that you provided here are very helpful! Me and my fiance are planning to go there from 1st of May (for 10 days), but we are not sure about the weather conditions at that time. What is you suggestions for visiting Zanzibar on early May?!

Hey Bessy – May is a good time. There can be some rain though so that should be expected. But overall, if you don’t mind some rain, the temperatures are quite warm and the water should be quite warm too.

Hi Derek I am going for a week only. I already found a guesthouse but I was wondering what budget should I bring along. I wanted to visit 3-4days out of 7 and go to market to buy some local gifts. What budget would you advice me to take? I will be on my own. Thank you.

Hey Fatim – That is hard to say as it really depends on what you want to buy in the markets and also on how you will get around the island. Buses will cost much less than taxi for example. But for normal things – meals, water, general things you need to buy – I would say that $25 – $35 USD per day would work. This would be for good, simple meals. It does not include accommodation or transportation.

Be extremely cautious with nightlife as there is a lot of scam going on. I would not recommend you go out of the disco with the local girl as they might rob you. We met a guy who was robbed. Try to go with somebody you know as a suport. I does not mean it will happen to you, just be carreful. Good trip to you! Zanzibar and Tanzania are so exotic and beautiful!

Nice and helpful post Derek!

How about nightlife in Zanzibar? Are there some bars/clubs options and is it safe?

Hey Mario – Where we were there wasn’t any nightlife as it was a quiet village on a nice stretch of beach. There are a couple of areas up north where there are bigger tourist hotels grouped together and I’m sure there’s some options there. However, keep in mind that the main religion on the island is Islam and it’s very difficult to find alcohol in general as a result.

Hi Derek, I am going for 8 nights to Tanzania from Zambia. Wanted to spend 3 nights in Zanzibar and 3 nights doing game viewing. Would you suggest tours and a budget for a basic trip…no frills but clean comfortable time. Thanks Snigs

You’ll have to do some research for that. I simply visited Zanzibar for 2 weeks. But for a game drive, you can organize that out of Arusha and you don’t need a tour for Zanzibar. You can easily do that on your own.

HI Derek, What about mosquitos on zanzibar island? My girlfriend and me eventually stay in an Airbnb but we are not sure about getting bitten and so on.. What’s your experience due to Maleria/mosquitos =)

Honestly, I don’t remember many mosquitos. When there are mosquitos in a destination, we simply spray in the evenings and that’s about it. I don’t take malaria pills as I don’t like the side effects. It really comes down to covering yourself and spraying when the mosquitos are out and about!

Hi Derek Just making a little detour on the way home to SA – and stopping in Zanzibar for two weeks. Just wanted to thank you for all the great info. Just the sort of information, I was looking for !! 🙂 Many thanks again Regards Craig

Hey! Did you stay in Dar at all? If so, do you have any suggestions for places to stay?

Hey Sue – We just spent one night at a guesthouse near the Dar es Salaam airport before our flight out the next day. I don’t even remember the name as it was a simple place that had good reviews, about 1 mile from the airport.

Hi, does anyone know of spots where you can snorkel straight off the beach, rather than taking a boat trip?

Thanks for this, such an informative post.

We traveled to Zanzibar three years ago when living in Arusha and had a lovely time.

Is Uber available and did you have any issues driving on the roads? I know on Tanzania mainland Uber has a strong presence.

Thanks again,

Hey Nic – I don’t know if Uber is available. I don’t think so. Most people we met just hired a car or you can easily negotiate with locals you meet to take you places. The distances are quite large between towns/beaches/etc. But there were no issues driving on the roads. They were in pretty good condition.

good to read such blogs about affordable and safe options to visit Zanzibar. Last night we stumbled upon blogs and comments that only mentioned how expensive and how unsafe Tanzania in general is.

Let’s hope we can squeeze Tanzania in our budget 🙂 BTWm is it safe to drive on Zanzibar roads?

Hey Enzo – It’s quite safe to drive over there. Most of the roads are pretty good, paved and there’s not a lot of traffic outside of Stone Town. Enjoy it if you go!

Hi Derek, First of all, thank you so much for useful info’s and tips particularly on cost saving. I’m intrested in visiting Ngorongoro crater, tanzania. Need your opinion / rating art ngorongoro compared to masai marra? is it possible to big 5’s in ngorongoro? planning to visit with 7 yrs old daughter. is it safe to take my daughter? thanks in advance. Ravikumar.

It’s safe for sure, but it’s recommended to join a group or at least hire a driver to organize the trip for you. I personally prefer Masai Mara…I love that place as it is generally much less crowded than Ngorongoro. But yes, you do have a chance to see the Big 5 in both parks.

Hey! Great post. I booked tickets to Zanzibar from 24th of March and didn’t realize it was rainy season at that time. Do you think I will be strongly affected by the rain or do you still think Zanzibar will we be worth visiting? Thank you!

Hey Victoria – You should be fine. It can rain in the morning and evenings usually, but it shouldn’t rain all day. So you’ll probably face some wet weather but you should still have much of the day to enjoy. Of course, it’s difficult to actually predict but that’s the general idea.

could still be amaizing!!! mostly 9 hours of sunshine and about 6 rainy days in march..will be fun and worth visiting..Enjoy!!

Looks AMAZING! Thinking of heading to Zanzibar for a “working” holiday and just had an internet question. Did you tether the internet to your computer from the sim card? Or did you only use the internet on your phone for working? Do you remember if the wifi provided at Mango Beach House was decent?

Hey Vicky – Yes, we just tethered from our local SIM cards. The wifi at Mango Beach House was okay at best, which was pretty much how it is all over the island. We didn’t find any place that had fully reliable internet unfortunately. It’s best to get SIM cards from a couple of the networks that operate on the island so that you’ll be connected wherever you are.

Nice post! I went there in February. It was my first solo trip 🙂 I really enjoyed my stay there and felt safe the whole time (I’m a woman). I stayed in Stone town and did day tours to explore the Island. + 1 for Luukman restaurant! I mostly ate there and at fodorhani garden.

Hello Ayana Did you use a tour company? If yes what’s the name please? I am travelling solo in a couple of weeks and I am a bit apprehensive.

Great article; full of good and useful info. I am traveling to Kenya then on to Zanzibar in a few weeks. After researching, I am still confused about needing a visa for each country. Tanzania’s official website writes about a transit Visa, do you have any advice? Thanks!

It depends on your nationality but most countries do need a visa to travel to these destinations. But you can usually get the visa on arrival at the airport (for most nationalities).

Zanzibar sounds great! This is 2. or 3rd time i am reading this post and i know that i will definetely go there some day 🙂 Thank you for informing us about such great places Earl! I have been following you and learning a lot from your posts about 5 years now and you have been truly inspiring to me 😉 Go Earl, we will follow you!

Thanks for the comment! Looking forward to hearing about your travels to Zanzibar once you do make it there!

Great post Derek. I was in Zanzibar in January. Travelled by road from Kenya, stayed in Moshi for two nights then proceeded to Dar es Salaam to cross to Zanzibar by ferry. I only toured Stone Town though. I hope to go back soon to explore the East coast.

Fabulous place to stay for a week or two. Beach is looking just perfect. I am planning to take a break and relax at some place like this. Thanks for the details and recommendations 🙂

Just returned from Kenya and Tanzania….loved the latter in particular.

I have a friend who’s a small, Tanzanian-based tour operator; I live in Melbourne, Australia. He’s keen to grow his business and, given you’re probably a bit of an East Africa expert by now, I thought you might be about to give me/us some suggestions on how to do this, and also your thoughts on joint ventures/partnerships with Western-based companies.

Hey Rosemary – If you want to send me an email through my Contact link at the top of my blog, I’ll be happy to answer any questions and offer some suggestions!

Perfect timing… I’m going in three weeks! Was it easy to book things as you went along? We’ve booked three nights in stone town but that’s it so far.

You should be fine. We just walked up and down the beach in Jambiani, checked out each place and went with the one that was best for us. It’s also low season now…actually, many places close for the months April and May (restaurants, beach huts, etc.). So there might be fewer options but also fewer people, so you should be able to find something by just showing up!

Did you get a chance to visit Freddy Mercury’s childhood home while you were in Zanzibar? 🙂

Lukmaan! I love that place. And Zanzibar in general. I also stayed near Jambiani and mostly just went from the ocean…to lunch…to the pool…back to the ocean…to dinner… It was so relaxing. Good memories :).

Is it only nice for couples or are there more solo travellers? What about safety for women?

Hey Martha – There was definitely a mix of travelers, both couples and solo. In the village of Paje, there were more foreigners overall, so more solo travelers there too. As for safety, everyone we spoke with said the same thing – the island is very safe if you use the same common sense you would use pretty much anywhere. It’s best not to walk alone at night but apart from that, during the day, all was good. We didn’t hear of any problems or meet anyone who had any safety issues during their stay.

I stayed at Zenji when I was there about 2 years ago. I loved the hotel and its location! One of my favorite things to do was go to Fordhani Gardens in the evening, grab a few kabobs and a cup of sugar cane juice, and sit and smoke hookah while people watching. It was pretty incredible. Zanzibar remains one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been to.

And, my boyfriend and I are already making honeymoon plans to visit more of that area. We’re thinking Madagascar, but I can’t wait to read your Seychelles article to see if it makes sense for us to go there as well.

So happy to have read this, Earl! I wanted to go to Zanzibar before (and actually looked at the options of having a wedding there) but then shied away. At Jambiani, were there often many people on the beach selling stuff? I mean those who don’t take no for an answer? From your photos it seems like a more secluded spot further from the resorts. Thank you!

Hey Veronika – There were a handful of people that would appear every now and then selling stuff but they left if we said ‘no’ once. I didn’t come across anyone who wouldn’t take no for an answer. It is a very laid-back beach/village and even the beach sellers were extremely relaxed and friendly.

That’s great to hear, thank you Earl 🙂

The Cost of Travel in Tanzania: My 2024 Budget Breakdown

Karibu sana Tanzania! (Welcome to Tanzania!)

If you’re planning on travelling to Tanzania, get used to hearing this welcoming Swahili expression. I lived in Tanzania for a year and never tired of it. But I also never tired of Tanzania — the culture, the language, the scenery, and the people all captured my heart, which made leaving all that more emotional.

I moved to Tanzania to work on a Global Affairs Canada project for a year, during which time I lived in Mwanza, a stunning port city on the shores of Lake Victoria, towards the western region of the country. It’s a place that had some of the most beautiful sunsets I’ve ever seen, but it was the rest of the country that had me falling head over flip-flops in love with Tanzania.

Over my year in the country, I put my all into seeing as much of it as possible, visiting places that so many people dream of seeing one day. I’ll never forget the moment I saw wild elephants for the first time or how it felt to welcome in the new year beside the turquoise waters of Zanzibar. Even battling my way to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro was a life experience I’ll always treasure.

Today, I’m excited to share just how much you can expect to spend on a trip to Tanzania. The good news is that it is possible to visit the country on a budget… but the bad news is that I don’t recommend doing so.

In Tanzania, your money can go a hell of a long way when it comes to food, transportation and, in some cases, accommodation. But if you’re going to be flying to the east of Africa from any other continent on the planet, you’re probably going to spend a lot of money on flights. Plus, all of those once-in-a-lifetime experiences can quickly eat up your budget.

That being said, w hat’s a trip to Tanzania without going on safari?

Fortunately, Tanzania is one of the few countries that hasn’t been affected by skyrocketing prices post-pandemic. In 2024, it’s still possible to travel the country as a budget backpacker and score great deals on luxury safaris.

One thing’s for sure, a trip to Tanzania will stay with you forever. Tanzanians are incredibly friendly and hospitable, and they love when foreigners come to explore their country. It also doesn’t hurt to learn a bit of Swahili (hello = jambo; thank you = asante; you’ll hear hakuna matata a lot, too: it means no worries!) I’ve never been anywhere where the locals appreciate me speaking the local language more than Tanzania.

Even though I lived in Tanzania for a year, I quickly learned that the time of year makes a huge difference to the type of trip you’ll want to put together. In Tanzania, there are both short and long dry seasons and short and long wet seasons.

Peak (dry) season : June to October. This is the long dry season in Tanzania: these are the months where you’ll encounter the least amount of rain. Because of this, it’s also the most popular time of year for tourists to visit, as it coincides with northern hemisphere school holidays. And because of that , you’ll encounter more crowds and higher prices. The wildebeest migration in the Serengeti is usually during June and July, and that’s always super-popular!

Low (wet) season : April – May (long rains) or November – January (short rains). These months will be the best time to plan your trip to Tanzania only if you’re looking to save money on accommodations and excursions while in the country.

There’s also the short dry season, which is my personal favourite time of year to visit. That runs between February and early-March. You’ve got the great weather combined with smaller crowds and slightly cheaper prices.

With all of that in mind, let’s start taking an in-depth look at how much you can expect to spend while travelling in Tanzania.

Partially-constructed wooden boats (dhows) on a beach in Nungwi, Zanzibar, with palm trees lining the sand.

What’s Included in This Post

This budget breakdown covers how much I spent on accommodation, transportation, activities, and food while I travelled around the country.

I’ve not included my flights into and out of Tanzania, as this is going to vary significantly based on where you’ll be arriving from.

The amounts in this guide are listed in U.S. dollars, simply because the vast majority of my readers are from the U.S. I also included some prices in Tanzanian Shillings (TZS), as this is the local currency that you’ll use the most. But most of the tour operators and accommodations will also take USD.

Okay — let’s get started!

Small rocky island in the ocean shallows with a house built on top of it and wooden stairs from the water.

How to Save Money on the Cost of Accommodation in Tanzania

As always with travel, it’s possible to cut your accommodation costs down to zero if you have the time and patience to seek out an offer.

Housesitting is a great option for free accommodation. This is where you’ll take care of somebody’s house while they’re away, and usually look after their pets, too. It’s best for long-term travellers or retirees as you can’t pick and choose dates and destinations, so you need to have a lot of flexibility as to where you go and at what time of year.

If you do have that freedom, it’s a wonderful way to cut down your travel expenses, soak up some home comforts, and live like a local for a while. Trusted Housesitters is the best site for getting started with housesitting, as they have the highest number of listings. That said, there still aren’t a lot of housesits that come up in Tanzania, but it’s still worth taking a look: you never know your luck!

I’m suspecting, though, that for most of you, you’re not interested in the free accommodation and just want somewhere clean, safe, and affordable to rest your head each night. If that’s the case, there are several options available for you.

The first of these are hostels . In Tanzania, you’ll come across hostels all over the country, finding them on tiny islands, in large cities, and even in the national parks. They’re one of your best options for saving money.

Hostels in Tanzania are on a par with the rest of Southeast Africa, and you can expect to spend around $15 a night for a dorm bed for a well-reviewed hostel in Tanzania, with the price increasing to slightly about $25 a night for the absolute best of the best.

When it comes to private rooms in hostels, prices start at around $35 a night for a clean, basic room in a well-rated hostel in good location, so if you’re travelling with friends or with your partner, you may find it cheaper to grab some privacy over settling for two beds in a dorm room.

I use HostelWorld to find the cheapest hostels, as they tend to have the greatest number of listings at the lowest prices.

And, of course, there are always hotels, which will usually come in at around $20-$50 a night for a decent, clean, mid-range property in a central location. I always use Booking , as they have the most accommodation options for the cheapest prices.

The Cost of Accommodation in Tanzania

When it comes to accommodations in Tanzania, even the budget-friendly options emit a feeling of luxury. There were some places I stayed in that offered amazing value at a fraction of what I would pay for a hotel of similar caliber in Canada.

Most quality, mid-range accommodations will cost you around $25-$60 a night. High-end stays can fall anywhere between $100-$200 + a night, depending on location and amenities.

When it comes to going on a multi-day safari or trek, however, prices definitely go up. You’re looking at (brace yourselves!) anywhere from $350 – $1,500 a day when staying in private lodges, or around $225 a day for more budget versions where you’re camping most or all of the time. This usually includes everything including food, transport, and guides, however, not just accommodation, and bargains can still be had with a bit of research. I’ll be sharing how to do that later on in this guide.

When it comes to accommodation in Tanzania, I have a ton of recommendations for you.

Dar es Salaam — Cefa Hostel ($43 a night) : You’ll likely spend some time in Dar, the bustling urban metropolis and central landing city for incoming arrivals from abroad. Cefa Hostel is a comfortable launching pad to the rest of your time in Tanzania. The rooms are clean and comfortable, the wifi is strong (which is not always the case in Tanzania) and it’s just steps away from the ocean. The owner is also incredibly welcoming and can help you with all of your onwards bookings, connect you with locals, and show you the Dar that she knows and loves.

Don’t let the fact that it’s a hostel put you off booking — it’s a guesthouse, really, as there aren’t any dorm rooms on the property, it’s clean and quiet, and attracts couples on a mid-range budget.

Zanzibar — Villa Kiota ($53 a night) : Zanzibar is a must (I repeat a must!) during your time in Tanzania. This semi-autonomous island is probably what you envision when you have dreams of being in paradise. I was lucky enough to travel to Zanzibar a couple of times during my year in Tanzania, and my favourite place to stay was Villa Kiota in Paje. The staff are wonderful, the breakfast is delicious, and the rooms are spotlessly clean. There’s a lovely garden to chill out in, and you couldn’t be closer to glorious Paje beach without sleeping literally on it! I can’t recommend it highly enough.

Mwanza — Malaika Beach Resort ($140 a night) : Here’s the thing. I lived in Mwanza, so I never had to stay anywhere else besides the room I rented out. But word gets around fast and I quickly learned that Malaika is THE place to be on Sundays because of their infamous Sunday buffet brunch. I fondly remember many Sundays spent here, eating the delicious food then spending the afternoon by the infinity pool with stunning views of Lake Victoria. Friends who stayed there let me know the rooms are also immaculate, and well worth the extra spend during your time in Mwanza.

Moshi — Kilimanjaro Scenic Lodge ($69 a night) : If you’re trekking up Mount Kilimanjaro, then you’ll be spending some time in Moshi before and after. I stayed at Kilimanjaro Scenic Lodge and loved it. As the name suggests, there are great views of the mountain from many of the rooms, but that’s just the beginning. There’s also an onsite restaurant with great food, so you don’t even need to leave the premises to eat: handy if you’ve just got back from climbing up and down a mountain! There’s a lounge and bar to chill out in, comfortable beds, hot showers, and free Wi-Fi. Gabriel and the team are happy to look after your luggage while you’re climbing the mountain, and will make you feel right at home throughout your stay. Definitely recommended.

Arusha — Greenside Hotel ($56 a night) : Arusha will almost certainly be a stop during your Tanzania trip, and with superstar attractions like Serengeti National Park, Arusha National Park, and Lake Manyara nearby, why wouldn’t it be!? Greenside Hotel is the perfect place to stay while you’re there: it’s a quiet and friendly place just outside the bustling city center, with large, clean rooms. The food is reasonably priced and delicious, with a tasty breakfast included. But it’s the staff that really make this place: I loved them! They’re only happy to help you with anything you need, from getting a SIM card to transport, food, or whatever other travel requirements you have.

A small propeller plane parked on a runway, with several people walking towards it.

The Cost of Transportation in Tanzania

Transportation around Tanzania can be quite affordable, if you’re up for a little adventure. I had firsthand experience of all the below transportation methods and I took the most pleasure from taking dala dalas and boda bodas .

Dala dala (minibuses) — You’ll see dala dalas everywhere in Tanzania. These are minibuses that you share with anywhere from 8 to 16 people (there’s no such thing as a limit in Tanzania). If they can squeeze one more person or animal in, they will. The great thing about dala dalas is their affordability and accessibility. They come and go from stops quite frequently and it only costs around 20 cents or 400 TZS for a one-way journey within a city. There are dala dalas running between major cities as well, at a fraction of the price of a taxi: just bear in mind that there isn’t much room for luggage!

Boda bodas (motorcycle taxis) — Taking a Boda Boda may seem daunting and intimidating at first. Of course, don’t take one if you’re not comfortable, but these are a fast and cheap way to get around. Not to mention, it’s very thrilling to be on the back of a motorbike just to get from point A to point B. But I would only recommend taking a boda boda when the driver has a second helmet for you to use.

You also might need some basic Swahili and negotiating skills if you’re a foreigner taking a boda boda, because there’s no official price scheme. That being said, talk to someone at your accommodations about what the general rate is for locals in the area and try to approach a boda boda driver with confidence. When I lived in Mwanza, I generally paid only 2000 – 3000 TZS (80c to $1.25) to get around on a boda boda. And knowing some Swahili gave me the confidence to negotiate fair prices.

Taxi — Taxis are an easy and safe way to get around in Tanzania, although they aren’t especially budget friendly. Also, try to only use taxis/drivers that are recommended to you by an official tour guide or accommodation staff member. Whenever I take a taxi here, I try to use one that’s been recommended by somebody trustworthy. Usually an average taxi ride in the city costs between 20,000 – 40,000 TZS ( $8-16 ).

Rideshare — Uber and Bolt have both arrived in Tanzania, although in 2024, you’ll still only find them in Dar es Salaam. If that’s where you’re trying to get around, though, they’re definitely the most convenient private transport option, and cheaper than a taxi. Payment can be made by card or cash, although expect a bit more “discussion” over the price if you use the latter!

Plane — City transportation is one thing, but when it comes to getting around the country, that’s a whole other story. While there are several long-haul bus rides available, these can get quite lengthy and unpredictable. If you only have a short time in Tanzania, I would recommend taking flights to travel from one part to another, especially considering they’re still relatively budget-friendly. Here are some of the routes and their respective prices from Skyscanner :

Dar es Salaam to Moshi — $78 or 195,000 TZS
Dar es Salaam to Zanzibar — $30 or 75,000 TZS
Dar es Salaam to Arusha — $83 or 210,000 TZS
Moshi to Mwanza — $98 or 246,000 TZS

Ferry — If you plan on going to Zanzibar (how could you not?), then you have a choice between taking a flight or a ferry. I found the ferry between Zanzibar and Dar es Salaam to be pretty decent and comfortable. Two companies run this service, with a total of six ferries in each direction per day. The journey takes around two hours, and costs $35 or 88,000 TZS each way. You may get a small discount when buying a return ticket.

Close-up of a Zanzibar pizza being cooked on a grill, with a partial view of a metal spatula alongside.

The Cost of Food in Tanzania

One of the best parts of living in Tanzania is how much access I had to fresh fruit and vegetables at low costs. Whenever I went to the local market, it was pretty obvious that whatever I saw was from the crop of that day or week. And when avocados and mangos cost around $0.15 , I question my decision to leave whenever I return to Canada.

I categorize food in Tanzania in one of two ways: local food and western food. You can expect local food, whether it’s sold on the street or at a small restaurant, to be very affordable.

Some typical Tanzanian dishes include: ugali (cornmeal paste), mshikaki (marinated beef), chips mayai (egg mixed with fries), nyama choma (grilled meat), pilau (rice mixed with spices) or rice and beans. All of these dishes, whether combined or alone will cost you around $1.50 – $4 (3800 – 10,000 TZS) . Therefore, eating only local food can cost you as little as $5 per day .

If you’re eating at a more western restaurant or hotel, then be prepared to pay a reasonable price compared to what you’d expect back home. I’m letting you know ahead of time, though, it will feel like a punch in the gut once you’re used to local food prices! For a typical western meal of (for example) pizza, pasta, or burgers at a good restaurant, you might pay about $12 – $20 (30,000 – 50,000 TZS) per person .

The Cost of Activities and Entrance Fees in Tanzania

Saving the best for last—the outdoor experiences are the best part of any trip to Tanzania. You have access to vast national parks, incredible wildlife, some of the world’s best beaches, and Africa’s tallest mountain. It’s understandable, then, why Tanzania is home to activities on many people’s bucket lists.

Seeing animals in Serengeti National Park, climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, and waking up in Zanzibar on New Year’s Day are among some of my favourite travel experiences of all time. I’d recommend a safari and Zanzibar excursion for anyone who visits Tanzania. For Mount Kilimanjaro, as great as standing at the summit is, bear in mind that getting there requires a challenging week-long high-altitude trek that isn’t appropriate for everyone.

Luckily, you’re spoiled for things to do in this stunning and welcoming country. There are plenty of gorgeous national parks, small day-hikes and places to explore. Every day feels like an adventure.

Below is a breakdown of some of the costs you can expect for the top attractions in Tanzania. Keep in mind that this mostly consists of just entrance fees. These can vary depending on the time of year: I’ve given a range where that’s the case.

I also included some example prices for safaris and Kilimanjaro hikes as well, but your final prices will almost certainly be different depending on the companies you use, the type of accommodation you stay in, and the length of the experience.

Entrance Fees

Serengeti National Park: $60-70 per person, per day
Lake Manyara, Tarangire and Arusha National Park: $45-50 per person, per day
Mount Kilimanjaro: $70 per person, per day
Gombe National Park: $100 per person, per day

Safari and Trekking Costs

9-day Mount Kilimanjaro Hike via the Lemosho route (budget): $2,695 per person
2-day safari in Serengeti National Park (budget): $510 per person
7-day safari in Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Crater (mid-range): $2,695 per person
7-day private safari in Serengeti National Park following the Great Migration (luxury): $4,120 per person

There are so many companies offering safari experiences in Tanzania that sorting through them all can be a bit overwhelming: I’d strongly recommend using the Safari Bookings site to help narrow things down.

It’s a massive marketplace for safaris around the country, with nearly 5000 different trips ranging from a half-day to three weeks, and filters that make it much faster to find exactly what you’re looking for. It can be cheaper to book with the safari company directly once you’ve found a tour you like (although many don’t give exact prices until you email them), but I’d definitely start with the Safari Bookings site either way.

Note that when you go on a guided safari or tour, tipping is customary. For a safari, I would add around $15 extra per day . For a guided trek, I’d add around $25 extra per day .

If you’re like me, and love to make the most of your time, there are also loads of shorter half or full-day tours that let you experience aspects of Tanzania beyond the famous safaris and mountain treks. To find them, I recommend hopping over to Get Your Guide , a marketplace for tours that I’ve used over the world. I took this spice tour in Zanzibar , for example, while I was on the island, and loved it so much that I wrote an entire blog post reviewing it.

Hands holding berries in Zanzibar spice farm

Miscellaneous Costs

Tanzanian SIM card : I don’t know about you, but one of my least favourite aspects of arriving in a new country is having to figure out how to get connected. Specifically: buying a local SIM card so that I have data to use while I’m in the country.

There’s locating a store that will sell you one, language barriers to deal with, various forms of ID you might need to bring, scams to navigate, and… well, it’s a headache. In Zanzibar, I actually got scammed when I tried to buy a local SIM card! I ended up being charged five times the actual price by the store owner and didn’t realise until after I’d left.

Last year, I started using Airalo , which sells local e-SIM cards for travellers. What that means is that you can buy your SIM online before you arrive in Tanzania, and then as soon as you land in the country, you can switch on your data and start using it. It’s worked flawlessly for me and I’ll never go back to physical SIM cards! You’ll pay $4.50 for 1 GB of data or $26 for 10 GB in Tanzania, and can top-up on your phone through the Airalo app if you run out.

However, if you’re on a tight budget and don’t mind a bit of hassle, you can opt to save money by buying a SIM card from a local store. Just watch out for those scams I mentioned earlier! In Tanzania, I recommend getting a SIM card with Vodacom. Data is super-cheap this way, and Vodacom has the widest coverage network in Tanzania . You can top up anywhere at a Vodacom booth in the country.

I paid $12 (30,000 TZS) for a Vodacom SIM with 10 GB of data, plus way more calls and texts than I could ever use, that lasted for a month. Not a bad deal at all!

The Cost of Travel Insurance in Tanzania

If you’ve read any other posts on Never Ending Footsteps, you’ll know that I’m a great believer in travelling with travel insurance. I’ve seen far too many Go Fund Me campaigns from destitute backpackers that are unexpectedly stranded in a foreign country after a scooter accident/being attacked/breaking a leg with no way of getting home or paying for their healthcare. These costs can quickly land you with a six-figure bill to pay at the end of it.

In short, if you can’t afford travel insurance, you can’t afford to travel.

Travel insurance will cover you if your flight is cancelled and you need to book a new one, if your luggage gets lost and you need to replace your belongings, if you suddenly get struck down by appendicitis and have to be hospitalised, or discover a family member has died and you need to get home immediately. If you fall seriously ill, your insurance will cover the costs to fly you home to receive medical treatment.

I use SafetyWing as my travel insurance provider, and recommend them for trips to Tanzania. Firstly, they’re one of the few companies out there who will actually cover you if you contract COVID-19. On top of that, they provide worldwide coverage, don’t require you to have a return ticket, and even allow you to buy coverage after you’ve left home. If you’re on a long-term trip, you can pay monthly instead of up-front, and can cancel at any time. Finally, they’re more affordable than the competition, and have a clear, easy-to-understand pricing structure, which is always appreciated.

With SafetyWing, you’ll pay $1.50 a day for travel insurance.

How Much Does It Cost to Travel in Tanzania?

It’s time to tally up all of my expenses to see my total travel costs! For activities and entrance fees, I just included the bare minimum for an average day, as this price will vary greatly depending on the activities you choose to do.

Accommodation: $51 per day
Transportation: $10 per day
Food: $6 per day
Activities/Entrance Fees: $45 per day

Average amount spent in Tanzania: $112 a day!

Related Articles on Tanzania 🇹🇿 How to Visit Zanzibar on a Budget 🏝 22 Incredible Things to Do in Zanzibar, Tanzania 🌶 Why You Must Take a Spice Tour in Zanzibar ✈️ A Ridiculous Introduction to Travel in Tanzania

Author bio: Born and raised in Toronto, Lydia has found “home” throughout her travels around the world. She’s a passionate storyteller and writer and you can usually find her dreaming about new adventures or having a deep conversation with a friend.

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Lauren Juliff

Lauren Juliff is a published author and travel expert who founded Never Ending Footsteps in 2011. She has spent over 12 years travelling the world, sharing in-depth advice from more than 100 countries across six continents. Lauren's travel advice has been featured in publications like the BBC, Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and Cosmopolitan, and her work is read by 200,000 readers each month. Her travel memoir can be found in bookstores across the planet.

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I love Tanzania! I spent a month there just before the pandemic and loved it so much that I planned to keep returning every year. You can guess how well that has worked out so far! Hopefully I’ll be able to get back there soon. This was a great guide and I love your accommodation recommendations. So helpful!

A great guide for Tanzania! Thanks so much for all of the details you included here – I really appreciated having a local’s insight into the costs I can expect to encounter. Now it’s time to start saving up so I can make it there within the next year!

Hi Lauren, My Travel agent quoted us about $7000 per person for a 10 days trip to Tanzania in august, is not luxuries . I find very expensive but I don’t know if I can plan this trip on my own. Any ideas would be appreciate. Thanks for your post!

Oh yes, that is very expensive! It shouldn’t be tooooo difficult to book on your own — where were you planning to go over your 10 days? I’m happy to take a look at your route and included activities to see how much it’d cost to book on your own. In general, you can easily find accommodation on Booking.com and flights on Skyscanner, so that covers the basics. And then you’ve got the safaris and tours, which can be trickier, but are still easy to book on your own. But it’s hard for me to say definitively without knowing the details of your trip :-)

What a wonderful, enthusiastic and informative post! I like to travel slowly so I can experience people and culture as much as nature, and you got me re-excited about my upcoming visit just at the point I was beginning to feel overwhelmed.

My friend is probably backing out of the five week adventure we planned for this summer, and suddenly I’m having to scramble to re-do everything on my own with a tighter budget, because traveling solo costs more. (The good news? I get to do it all my way, and I’ll probably have a more interesting time).

I’m really grateful for your thorough, informative, and evocative sharing. I have a much better sense of the experience and I feel more confident in how to organize my time there – which is coming up pretty soon. (I’m going in 2 months!). As you wrote this originally in 2018, I’m wondering whether the price guidelines have been updated for 2023.

And now I’m off to read more of your Tanzania/Zanzibar posts :D Thanks again.

Meet Lauren Juliff

Budget friendly ways to make the most of Zanzibar

We know you dream of escaping to paradise. That place that pops into mind when life gets a little too stressful and the bustling, busy city life gets a little too chaotic to handle. Sometimes all we want, is to retreat to a beautiful, stress-free island. Sip cocktails on the sea shore, fall asleep in the sun and swim in crystal clear waters all day.

That paradise island immersed in peace and tranquility does exist – and this trip of a lifetime is not too far from reach. An exotic island getaway in one of the world’s most sought after locations may sound like a luxury too far out of your budget, but not if you visit the paradise island of Zanzibar .

This Indian Ocean island situated off the coast of Tanzania is one of the most beautiful destinations in the world. Zanzibar is one of the most popular Indian Ocean islands to visit. While it’s the perfect beach holiday, it’s not the only reason travelers love to visit.

Find your next Adventure with African Overland Tours

Why visit Zanzibar?

‘Spice Island’ as it’s fondly known, is rich in culture which can be felt no matter where you find yourself on the island. The locals pride themselves on their strong cultural and religious beliefs. Their warmth, hospitality, food and even their crafts are an expression of their culture. If you take a walk through Stone Town the ‘olde town’ of Zanzibar city, you will see a plethora of beautiful Mosques and the rich Middle Eastern influence.

Zanzibar is also diverse and enables you to enjoy the adventurous side or get in touch with unspoiled nature. This is an island getaway with substance and one that will leave you feeling enriched and relaxed.

Traveling to Zanzibar

You can expect to find cheap flights and affordable accommodation in Zanzibar, making it the perfect place to travel on a budget. Since Zanzibar travel costs are low – it has become a much-loved destination by travelers worldwide. Zanzibar still has an ‘undiscovered’ feel, as the streets are free from traffic and even tourist locations are not overcrowded.

The seaside village is rustic. Scenes of fisherman hauling crates of fish up to the markets, while women sit beading jewelry. Life on the island is simple, which is why Zanzibar is an incredible place to relax and rejuvenate. That’s right, you may need to forfeit some strong mobile signal – but that’s what you’re looking for when you mean ‘take a break,’ right?

Visiting Zanzibar town, which boasts monuments, markets and food stalls is a lovely experience. However, spending time on the many breathtaking beaches is what you really want to do! There are few places in the world as beautiful as Zanzibar with it’s azure waters.

34 Day Zanzibar to Cape Town Overland Adventure Tour

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Zanzibar to Cape Town Adventure Tour (34 Days)

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Zanzibar, Victoria Falls & Kruger Overland (22 Days)

Zanzibar travel costs.

As the Tanzanian Shilling (Zanzibar’s local currency) is rather weak, your money goes a long way. For example, 1 USD will get you 2,300 TSh. To put things into perspective, a cold drink will cost you around 600 TSh, while a hearty meal will cost you around 10,000 TSh (+-$4.5). Since Zanzibar is off the coast of Tanzania, you will need to budget for the travel costs to get there, which includes a 2 hour ferry or you can take a 40 minute flight. The ferry will cost you around $35 per person, with cheap flights sometimes as low as $40 per person.

Transport costs around the island are also affordable. Most travellers opt for the ‘Dalla-Dalla’ (minibus taxis). These aren’t always the safest or most comfortable option but they’re the cheapest, at $1.50 per person. Alternatively, you can take the regular taxis which are a little pricey, at around $20 on average.

If you avoid buying souvenirs or unnecessary extras and stay in simple accommodation, eating at the local restaurants, you could get away with as little as $30 a day! Zanzibar is all about the adventure at a fraction of what you would pay in other parts of the world. Yet another reason why it’s so easy to relax – you never have to worry about burning a hole in your pocket!

Let’s take a look at how you can get the most out of your trip to Zanzibar, without feeling the pinch of high travel expenses:

Things to do in Zanzibar on a budget:

Dine at forodhani, a popular local food market.

Forodhani is good to your taste buds as well as your pocket. Located in the main Zanzibar town, Forodhani consists of hundreds of small food stalls selling local cuisine. The food is absolutely delicious and as fresh as you can imagine. Some of the seafood would have been caught just a few minutes before landing up at a stall in the market! Sometimes the food is a little spicy as the island is a spice haven, but you are sure to find something that tickles your taste buds. This is where we’d recommend you get some hearty, authentic meals as they are extremely budget friendly (around 4,000 Tsh, +- $2 for a good meal). Eating at the local eateries will certainly help you to stay within your daily budget.

Visit the breathtaking beaches and enjoy affordable water activities

There are exhilarating water sports and activities on offer while holidaying in Zanzibar. The activity prices are also reasonable compared to other island destinations. You can expect to pay around $40 for a three hour snorkeling activity in the best snorkeling locations, such as Kendwa. The island is blessed with an abundance of exotic fish that live beneath its shallow waters therefore snorkelling and scuba diving is a must do.

Mnemba Beach Atoll is better for scuba diving, while Kendwa, Stone Town Reef and Prison Island are the favourites for snorkelling. Water sports such as parasailing, wakeboarding and kite surfing are also very popular as the waters enclosing the island are still and calm. When you’re not actively enjoying Zanzibar’s soothing waters, you can laze on the white sand beaches that are always clean and well maintained. Usually surrounded by beautiful palm trees and healthy vegetation. Sounds like a dream, doesn’t it?

The best beaches to visit include: Kendwa Beach, Nungwi Beach, Paje and Kiwengwa. Although almost every beach in Zanzibar is breathtaking!

Visit the Colobus Monkey paradise: Jozani Forest

Jozani Forest is a beautiful tropical forest home to the Colobus Monkeys. It’s well worth a trip, and eager hikers can either go as part of a tour or by themselves. Doing the trek ‘on your own’ is around 12,000 TSh ($7), and comes with a guide.

Take a 30 min boat trip to Prison Island (also known as the tortoise reserve)

If you’re eager to explore the surrounding islands of the Zanzibar archipelago (which is highly recommended), take a trip to Prison Island. It’s a fascinating place steeped in history as it served as the place where slaves were detained. Although it has a dark past, the island has since flourished. You’ll be able to see the ruins of the old prison, as well as see the giant tortoises which have since claimed it as home.

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Do some exploring of your own.

Take a walk through Stone Town and pay a visit to the House of Wonders – an exhibition on Swahili culture. Just 4000 TSh will get you in the door (+-$2). You cannot miss the building because it’s the tallest and most visually striking in all of Stone Town. We’d also highly recommend you visit the Palace Museum which is around the same fee as House of Wonders. The museum is of great historical importance and now holds a significant amount of Zanzibari history in the form of artifacts and century old memorabilia. Another great excursion is the Spice Tour. There are many to choose from, with a local guide walking you through the town and explaining their famous spice trade which is their oldest and most profitable trade. Spice tours are around $20 per person.

What’s great about Zanzibar is that even though it comes across as a holiday destination fit for the rich and famous alone, it is affordable for almost anyone travelling on a budget.

Travel to Zanzibar with African Overland Tours – the most affordable way to explore Africa!

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Love your post! Me and my fiance are going to be staying at Clove Island on Makunduchi Beach, we are looking for some tips how to spend some time alone and still have fun without splurging on organized trips. Your post helped us a lot! Thanks!

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The Ultimate One Week Zanzibar Itinerary

My one-week trip to Zanzibar was perfect. It ticked all the boxes: history and culture in Stone Town, relaxation in Jambiani Beach, and pristine beaches in Nungwi. It had a little bit of everything. As the island is so incredible, I wanted to put together my recommendations for a one week Zanzibar itinerary .

Zanzibar was so much more than I expected – it was otherworldly. From the snaking, medina-like streets to the celestial blue waters, I often felt like I was either time-traveling or in a beach resort commercial.

The Rock Restaurant on ZanzibarThe Rock Restaurant on Zanzibar

Note that this is not a backpacking itinerary . When I first started planning my trip to Zanzibar, I wanted to stay in hostels for half of the trip and boutique hotels for the rest. Zanzibar doesn’t really have hostels, and doesn’t lend itself well to backpacking (I would argue East Africa in general doesn’t have much of a backpacker scene).

So this itinerary is best for those who want to a true daiquiris-by-the-pool vacation, with a side of culture and adventure.

Table of Contents

An Epic One Week Zanzibar Itinerary

Day 1 – stone town.

Everything you need to plan the perfect one week Zanzibar itinerary.

Morning: Arrive in Stone Town. Stone Town is a UNESCO World Heritage site whose winding streets are straight out of Aladdin . My advice for your first few hours? Just stroll. Take photos of the famed Zanzibari doors, enjoy a traditional Zanzibari lunch at 6 Degrees South , pop into a few shops.

RELATED: The 9 Best Things to Do in Stone Town

Afternoon: In the afternoon, arrange a walking tour with your hotel. Most walking tours will take you to sites like the Old Fort and Christ Church Cathedral . Our tour cost $20 each for two hours.

Evening: Have dinner at the magical Tea House Restaurant , located on top of the Emerson on Hurumzi Hotel. Make sure to make reservations in advance! And arrive at 6 p.m. to watch the sunset over Stone Town and to enjoy a few sundowners.

NOTE: A word of warning to ladies traveling to Zanzibar – you may want to dress conservatively while in Stone Town . While Zanzibar as a whole is predominantly Muslim, Stone Town is more conservative than the rest of the island. I felt better having my shoulders and midriff covered in Stone Town.

Where to stay in Stone Town: The Dhow Palace Hotel The Dhow Palace Hotel is a quaint historic hotel built in the traditional Zanzibari style. We loved it; it had free breakfast, airport pickup, a pool, and most importantly, air-conditioning. Rooms at the Dhow Palace Hotel start at $194 for a double room. For more Stone Town hotels, check out current rates here .

Day 2 – Stone Town to Jambiani Beach

Arrange a taxi to go to Jambiani Beach – it will cost around $50 for two people. Jambiani Beach is a small village on Zanzibar’s southeastern coast. It’s relaxed and laid-back, and less touristy than other parts of the island.

RELATED: Jambiani, Zanzibar Guide: Where to Find the. Real Zanzibar

Note – before you leave Stone Town, take out cash from an ATM. There are no ATMs on Zanzibar outside of Stone Town.

Where to stay in Jambiani: Red Monkey Beach Lodge The Red Monkey Beach Lodge is a small, budget beach lodge in Jambiani Beach. It’s not a luxury resort, but it’s a great place if you’re looking to save money without staying in a hostel. Rooms at the Red Monkey Beach Lodge start at $90 for a double room with AC. For more Jambiani hotels, check out rates here .

Day 3 – Jambiani Beach

There’s not a lot to do in Jambiani, but that’s kind of the beauty of it. You can take a half-day cooking class at Tangawizi Bistro , learn how to play bao at Coral Rock , or just swim to your heart’s content in the beautiful aqua waters.

Basically just relax, drink a few beers, and eat seafood.

Day 4 – Lunch at The Rock Restaurant in Michamvi

You can’t go to Zanzibar and not have lunch at The Rock Restaurant! The Rock Restaurant is a tiny restaurant perched on a rock in the Indian Ocean, and it’s only a twenty-minute drive from Jambiani.

Make sure to make reservations in advance – it’s popular.

RELATED: Lunch at the Rock Restaurant on Zanzibar

Day 5 – Jambiani to Nungwi

Next, head to Nungwi for the island’s best beaches – picture miles of white sand and turquoise waters. Nungwi is more touristy than Jambiani but it’s for a good reason – the beaches are much better, and it’s nearby the island’s best dive spots.

Where to stay in Nungwi: Z Hotel Z Hotel is a luxury boutique hotel with an infinity pool and gorgeous views of the ocean. I absolutely LOVED Z Hotel – it was one of my favorite hotels I’ve ever stayed at. Small enough to feel cozy, but big enough to have several restaurants and lots of activities, Z Hotel ticked all the boxes for me. Plus, the interior design is gorgeous. Rooms at Z Hotel start at $190 for a double room. For more hotels in Nungwi, check out rates here .

Day 6 – Snorkel or Dive Mnemba Atoll

The best snorkeling and diving on Zanzibar is at Mnemba Atoll. Mnemba Atoll is a beautiful reef with strong currents, so it’s the perfect place to try drift-diving.

I didn’t see any big sea life but I did see ghostly white pufferfish, turquoise parrotfish, grouper, small, white moray eel, unicorn fish battling, and sea stars. While the diving was good, I wouldn’t plan a trip to Zanzibar for the diving alone – it wasn’t mind-blowing.

But if you like drift diving, you will love Mnemba Atoll – I drifted so far on my dive that I completely lost my group, ha.

Note to all scuba divers – make sure to give yourself more than 24 between your dive and your flight!

Which company to dive with: I enjoyed my experience with Spanish Dancer Divers . Spanish Dancers charges $110 for two dives, and also charges a $30 supplement for Mnemba Atoll. Snorkeling Mnemba costs only $55. It takes about 45 minutes to get from Nungwi to Mnemba Atoll by speed boat.

Day 7 – Airport

Say goodbye to Z Hotel (sob) and head to the airport.

Other activities to add to your one week Zanzibar itinerary:

Paje is a great place to learn how to kiteboard.
If you’re looking for a super fancy, romantic resort, everyone seems to love Breezes.
Kendwa Rocks hosts a Full Moon Party every month, so if you like to party, consider planning your trip around that.

More posts on Zanzibar you may find helpful:

The 9 Best Things to do in Stone Town, Zanzibar

Jambiani Beach: Where to Find the Real, Untouristy Zanzibar

Lunch at The Rock Restaurant on Zanzibar

Important info: When to visit Zanzibar – we visited in March, which marks the start of the rainy season which continues through April and May. However it didn’t rain at all during our stay, so I’d highly recommend visiting in March as flights and accommodation were much more inexpensive than during the high season. See more advice on when to visit Zanzibar here. Citizens from most western countries can get their visas on arrival for $50 on Zanzibar, payable by cash for credit. However it costs $100 for US citizens. Learn more about visa information here. Travelers to Tanzania must present proof of the yellow fever vaccination at the airport if you are traveling from a country with risk of yellow fever – see countries with risk of yellow fever virus (YFV) transmission here. The malaria risk on Zanzibar is low, so I didn’t take medication. However, some travelers decide to. See the recommended vaccines for Tanzania here. Make sure to purchase travel insurance before your trip to Zanzibar. I’ve used World Nomads for years and highly recommend it.

Have you ever visited Zanzibar? What do you think of this one week Zanzibar itinerary?

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About Ashley Fleckenstein

Ashley is a travel and lifestyle blogger who lives in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Since college she has au paired in Paris, backpacked the world solo, and lived in Uganda. Her work has been featured by Buzzfeed, Forbes, TripAdvisor, and Glamour Magazine.

16 thoughts on “The Ultimate One Week Zanzibar Itinerary”

Holy cow, adding Zanzibar to the travel bucket list. I planned to visit Africa, but since so few it seems travel there, I can never find many posts so it’s a big mystery still. Thank you for visiting and providing so much detail and guidance for Zanzibar! It’s nice to forgo hostels and backpacking for a luxury trip once in a while isn’t it? Can’t wait to visit–that restaurant is awesome!!

While I was bummed that there weren’t any hostels, in the end it turned out for the best – Z Hotel was AMAZING and we had an absolute blast :)

Ok so after reading this we definitely have to add Zanzibar to our bucket list. It look stunning.

It’s definitely gorgeous! I’d highly recommend :)

Oh my goodness, it looks like a locale the gods must have made way back when :) I’ve wanted to visit ever since a friend of mine finished her honeymoon there (they did the safari experience in Tanzania and then did some r & r there). The Maldives has always been my exotic bucket list beach destination and yet I think I’d like Zanzibar more since there’s so much history and the blending of cultures there. Beautiful photos although you probably can’t take a bad one either.

I definitely loved that Zanzibar had so much to offer in the way of beaches AND history, culture, and food. Safari or Kilimanjaro with a vacation on Zanzibar is the perfect combo I think :)

So damn Beautiful Zanzibar..

It’s seriously gorgeous :)

What a beautiful place! I can’t believe this Rock Restaurant – it looks unreal! And crazy cute :)

I can only imagine the trekking that can be done in such location…

Happy travels! Ioanna A Woman Afoot

Thanks so much, Ionna! You too.

What a magical trip, Ashley! I’m loving your new life in Africa. So dreamy.

It was seriously magical. You would love it!

Zanzibar has recently appeared on so many instagram pages that i follow that i had to move it to the top of my destination list. I cannot wait to get there and have my own stories to tell. It looks absolutely amazing.

It does seem to be on Instagram a lot these days!It´s really a special place – I´m sure you will love it.

Hey Ashley How much did your trip cost you in total?

It was a year and a half ago so I’m not completely sure. Sorry about that!

Comments are closed.

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Zanzibar prices guide. how much does a trip to zanzibar cost the estimated travel expenses for food, public transport, attractions entrance and accommodation..

Currency in Zanzibar is Tanzanian Shilling

If you are travelling alone to zanzibar, depending on your expectations, you will pay for an overnight stay from 17 usd (45,000 tzs) for a hostel to 213 usd (548,000 tzs) for a luxury hotel., the other daily costs you have to pay when travelling to zanzibar are:.

Food 7.90 USD (20,000 TZS)
Meals in restaurants 8.60 USD (22,000 TZS)
Bottled water 0.39 USD (1,000 TZS)
Local transportation 1.60 USD (4,000 TZS)
Entrance tickets 12 USD (30,000 TZS)
Alcoholic beverages 4.90 USD (12,000 TZS)

As you can see - a stay for a few days in Zanzibar can cost 137 USD (353,000 TZS) or 963 USD (2,483,000 TZS) , depending on whether you are a frugal tourist or you are planning to spend a luxurious holiday in Zanzibar.

How much Tanzanian Shilling should I have for one week in Zanzibar?

If you want to spend a week in Zanzibar the cost of your stay will be:

320 USD (824,000 TZS) - a cheap stay for 7 days in Zanzibar
471 USD (1,213,000 TZS) - a budget travel for 7 days in Zanzibar
674 USD (1,738,000 TZS) for a one week of comfortable stay in Zanzibar
2,200 USD (5,795,000 TZS) for a week of luxury holidays in Zanzibar

How much money do I need per day to stay in Zanzibar?

If you are travelling alone to Zanzibar, 46 USD a day should be enough. If you choose a hotel for your stay in Zanzibar, the price will rise to 67 USD. A couple will have to pay around 120 USD for one day in Zanzibar. A family with two children should have 200 USD for one day stay in Zanzibar.

How to visit Zanzibar on a low budget? How to travel Zanzibar cheaply? How to save money while travelling in Zanzibar?

In order not to exceed reasonable expenses during a trip to Zanzibar, which we estimate at 67 USD (173,000 TZS) for a one day, you must comply with the following rules:

Choose to stay in a hostel (17 USD (45,000 TZS) ) or in a cheap hotel (34 USD (87,000 TZS) ).
Use public transport. The price for a one-way ticket is 0.39 USD (1,000 TZS) and for a monthly pass 15 USD (37,000 TZS) .
Make your own breakfast and own dinner. Daily shopping cost in the shop is around 7.90 USD (20,000 TZS) in Zanzibar.
Choose restaurants outside the city centre and close to tourist attractions. Meal in a cheap restaurant cost around 5.80 USD (15,000 TZS) in Zanzibar. McMeal at McDonalds (or equivalent meal in other fastfood restaurant) costs approximately 4.30 USD (11,000 TZS) .

Car-related costs are mainly fuel, road tolls and parking fees. Of course, the price depends on the purpose of the journey and energy efficiency of a vehicle.

In Zanzibar, you will pay for the fuel accordingly:

Petrol price in Zanzibar is around: 1.10 USD (2,900 TZS)
Diesel fuel price in Zanzibar is around: 1.10 USD (2,700 TZS)
1kg sausage: 11 USD (28,000 TZS)
0,5 kg bread: 1.10 USD (2,700 TZS)
10 eggs: 1.70 USD (4,300 TZS)
1kg cheese: 4.70 USD (12,000 TZS)
1 liter milk: 1.60 USD (4,000 TZS)
1 kg apples: 2.90 USD (7,500 TZS)
Bottle of local beer (0,5 liter): 2.10 USD (5,500 TZS)

What is most famous in Zanzibar? How much does an average entrance to travel attractions in Zanzibar cost?

The most important tourist attractions in zanzibar that we recommend:, the museums worth a visit in zanzibar:, on warmer days, we recommend walking in parks in zanzibar. below is a list of the largest and most interesting parks in zanzibar. parks in zanzibar:, view map of hotels and accommodation.

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How to Travel to Zanzibar: A Luxury Ferry Ride or a Relaxing Flight?

Perhaps you’ve just explored the vast plains of the Serengeti , hiked the peaks of Kilimanjaro or simply looking for a beach holiday like no other, then the spice islands should certainly be your next stop. But just how to travel to Zanzibar is the biggest question for tourists.

Whether you choose to fly to Zanzibar over the stunning blue waters to view the tropical wilderness from the air, or take a ferry to Stone Town and experience the heart of Zanzibar from the ground – or the ocean – Zanzibar won’t disappoint.

Day tours in Zanzibar? Here are my top picks...

Quad bike tour to a local village (4 hours)
Stonetown food market and street food walking tour (3 hours)
Zanzibar spice tour with traditional cooking lesson (3 hours)
Rock restaurant and cave tour (6 hours)
Private tour to Prison Island (3 hours)

How to Travel to Zanzibar

This article will give you all the important information you need to know about how to travel to Zanzibar:

special tips on staying safe in Zanzibar
the best times to visit Zanzibar
how to travel to and through Zanzibar
things you can do in Zanzibar

Map of Zanzibar

Where is Zanzibar?

Zanzibar is an archipelago just east of Tanzania, East Africa, also known as the spice island archipelago, owing to its long history of agriculture and export of cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg. The main island is called Ugunja and is surrounded by many small islands boasting idyllic resorts with exquisite beaches , incredible diving spots and world-class fusion cuisine .

North of Ugunja is Pemba Island , the second largest island, which has far fewer tourists and is excellent for an off the beaten track experience.

Is Zanzibar Safe?

Zanzibar is considered one of the safest holiday destinations along the East African Coast. That being said, muggings, pickpocketing and thefts do occur, so it is advised to stay alert, especially when wandering around Stone Town or late at night and to keep valuables locked in a safe at your hotel as a precaution.

Travellers enjoying a safari trip to the Serengeti have a few options when flying to Zanzibar. One way is to fly directly to Abeid Amani Karume Airport (Zanzibar) from Serona, with prices ranging from $400 to $450 per person. Other airstrips offering flights to Zanzibar include Grumeti and Koge.

Best Times to Travel to Zanzibar

Most travellers try to avoid Zanzibar during the rainy season which lasts between March and June, with short spells over the month of September. The best times to visit Zanzibar would be between June to August and October when the weather is warm and dry.

As a small warning, the ocean can get rough, so if you’re the type of person that doesn’t fare well with boats and choppy seas and don't know how to travel to Zanzibar, opt for the skies and book a flight to Zanzibar.

Safari in Tanzania before Flying to Zanzibar

Many travellers enjoy the option of booking their safaris in Tanzania before flying directly to Zanzibar for a post-trek relaxing beach holiday . Travellers visiting Mount Meru can fly directly from Arusha to Zanzibar for between $230 and $270 with an approximate hour and a half flight to Zanzibar and if you’re booking through an agency, a shuttle can be arranged to take you straight to your hotel or resort .

Where to stay? Here are 5 of my favourite accommodation options in Zanzibar:

Melia Zanzibar ( see prices )
Z Hotel ( see prices )
Park Hyatt Zanzibar ( see prices )
Zuri Zanzibar ( see prices )
Sevi Boutique Hotel

See more Zanzibar accommodation options .

Hikers and tourists visiting Mount Kenya have a choice of flying from Nairobi to Zanzibar or stopping off at Dar Es Salaam before making their way to the Spice Islands. Prices range from $190 and $250 directly to Zanzibar from Nairobi and back.

For the best travelling experience, make sure all your essentials are covered and you have travel insurance for peace of mind.

How to get to Zanzibar

How to get to Zanzibar is entirely up to you. The best way to get to Zanzibar is by plane - first with an international flight to one of Tanzania's domestic airports. From there, you can take relaxing and inexpensive ferry rides along this illustrious island.

Flights to Zanzibar

Flying to Zanzibar from Dar es Salaam is only marginally more expensive than catching a ferry but the views from the sky are stunning and with so many flights available it’s a fast and reliable option that takes you straight to Abeid Amani Karume Airport in Zanzibar City where you have the option of spending a few nights in Stone Town or going straight to your vacation spot.

Flights from Kilimanjaro to Zanzibar

Mountaineers and tourists visiting Kilimanjaro can fly straight to Zanzibar from the airport in Makao Mapya. This direct flight takes only one hour and with multiple airlines and daily scheduled flights, getting to Zanzibar is reasonably priced and flexible, for a spontaneous post-hike getaway.

Take a Ferry to Zanzibar from Dar Es Salaam

Zanzibar city is located to the west of the island and is between one and two hours from Dar Es Salaam , the main business port of Tanzania. The ferry gives travellers a unique oceanic view of Ugunja as the horizon of white coral stone buildings of Stone Town (the oldest part of Zanzibar city) line the turquoise water around the port and come into view.

There are two main ferry companies ( Azam Marine and Fast Ferries ) both offering modern catamarans, that provide a comfortable and fast excursion to the island , with multiple departure times throughout the day. Prices range between $35 and $50 depending on your seats and times of travel, but be sure to book a day or more before as they can get busy.

Things to do in Zanzibar

Spend a weekend at coco beach before catching a ferry to zanzibar.

Travellers coming to the end of their Kilimanjaro hike or ending their safari across the Serengeti can head to Coco Beach before ferrying off to Zanzibar. Take a day to laze in the sun, meet the locals and taste some of the incredible street food in and around Oyster Bay .

The Coco Beach is a soft sandy strip on the Msasani Peninsula of Dar Es Salaam that attracts tourists and locals alike for its live music, fruit beer, food vendors and of course white sandy beach and warm waters.

Stop off in Stone Town

Arriving in Zanzibar by ferry, passengers enter through immigration, so it’s good to have your passport with you when travelling between mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar at all times. The ferry is unique in that passengers get to step off into the heart of Zanzibar’s Stone Town and visit the incredible landmarks including the Old Fort, Forodhani Gardens , wander the ancient stone lanes and explore the bustling Darajani Bazaar right after the ride.

Stone Town Zanzibar: From Spices and Slave Trade to Artisan Mastery

Take a Trip to Prison Island

Spend a few days in Stone Town before shuttling off to a lazy beach resort further north of Ugunja, like Kendwa or Nungwi Beach. Learn more about its rich Arab, European, African and Indian history, the Zanzibar spice trade, as well as its role in the early 18th-century slave trade. With a short 30-minute boat ride, travellers can visit Prison Island.

Zanzibar Dress Code and Culture

As if entering another world, visitors will immediately notice the vast difference between mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar. Men dressed in the traditional lightweight Kanzu dress and Kofia hats and women in their brightly coloured Kanga , reflecting the Muslim Arabic and Swahili cultures that dominate the islands.

For holidaymakers and visitors entering into Zanzibar, both men and women are advised to keep themselves covered, especially whilst visiting local villages and Stone Town. The beach resorts and hotels are a better option for bare arms, shorts and swimwear.

And that's a wrap on How to Travel to Zanzibar! Whatever your budget, it's very easy to make the trip of a lifetime to one of East Africa's exotic jewels.

Mark Whitman

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How to Visit Zanzibar on a Budget
ZANZIBAR COST OF TRAVEL AND DETAILED BUDGET BREAKDOWN
How to Visit Zanzibar on a Budget
Travel Costs Breakdown: Zanzibar
Travel Guide to Zanzibar: What to Know and Where to Go
How to Visit Zanzibar on a Budget

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COMMENTS

Zanzibar Travel Cost
Food Budget in Zanzibar Average Daily Costs. Calculated from travelers like you. While meal prices in Zanzibar can vary, the average cost of food in Zanzibar is $17 (TZS42,860) per day. Based on the spending habits of previous travelers, when dining out an average meal in Zanzibar should cost around $6.75 (TZS17,144) per person.
Cost of a Trip to Zanzibar, TZ & the Cheapest Time to Visit Zanzibar
The average cost for one person to visit Zanzibar for a week is $1,391-$3,644 ($199-$521 per day) Food, Travel, and Sightseeing: $32 to $69 per day for one person's daily expenses. Flights: $909 to $2,789 for economy. Lodging: $43 to $57 per night for one 2 or 3-star hotel room. or $50 to $62 per night for a 1-bed vacation rental.
The Cost of Travel in Zanzibar: My 2024 Budget Breakdown
You'll be looking at around $6 between Stone Town and Nungwi/Kendawa, $5 for a trip from Stone Town to Paje, and $8 for a ride between Nungwi/Kendawa and Paje/Jambiani. This is easily the simplest and cheapest way to get around Zanzibar. My total cost for transportation came to $10 for my on the ground costs in Zanzibar; $90 if you include my ...
The Ultimate Zanzibar Travel Guide: Everything You Need To Know
As Zanzibar is part of Tanzania, it is subject to the same visa and entry requirements of the mainland. For most Western travelers, you will need a visa to enter Zanzibar/Tanzania. The entry visa can be: Purchased on arrival at the airport. The cost of this is $50 for every nationality besides the US which is $100.
ZANZIBAR COST OF TRAVEL AND DETAILED BUDGET BREAKDOWN
From Dar Es Salaam you can fly to Zanzibar with Precision Air, FlightLink, AirTanzania, or other airlines. The flight is only 20 minutes long and can cost from $40 to $100 US dollars one way. If you decide to go with a ferry, the journey will take a bit less than 3 hours, and will cost between $35 to $60 USD.
Is Zanzibar Expensive?
You'll find hostels, hotels for different budgets including all-inclusive resorts. All my costs were based on me travelling Zanzibar solo, so I had no one to split taxi or accommodation costs with. My total expenses for 10 days came to approximately $1100. Dividing this equally into days, it works out at: $110 per day.
15 Zanzibar Travel Tips To Know BEFORE You Go
Here are a few Zanzibar travel tips that are good to know before you visit the island. Zanzibar Travel - Top Tours and Excursions. Luxury: The classic Tanzanian bush & beach safari. Mid Range: Best of Northern Parks and Zanzibar. Spice Farm Tour with Traditional Cooking Lesson. North Coast and Turtle Sanctuary Tour.
Zanzibar Vacation Cost: What We Spent in Zanzibar in 2022
Total Zanzibar Vacation Cost. Alright, the moment you have been waiting for! What our entire trip to Zanzibar cost including airfare, visas, hotels, food& drink, transportation, activities, and miscellaneous expenses. Total Cost of a Trip to Zanzibar: $5,435.07 ($2717.53/person)
Zanzibar Travel Guide & Tips
As Zanzibar is part of Tanzania, the visa entry requirements for Tanzania apply. Fortunately, the Zanzibar visa situation for Western travelers is fairly straightforward. Most Westerners will be able to obtain either an e-visa or a Visa on Arrival. The cost is $50 per visa, with US residents required to pay $100.
Zanzibar City Prices & Travel Costs
If not, local stalls and small cafes have cheap and simple breakfast options. 1.55 - 2.33. Budget lunch. Street vendors and small local cafes cater to both local residents and tourists. Ordering seafood increases the price drastically. 2.13 - 4.26. Budget dinner.
Cheap Flights to Zanzibar from $392 in 2024
The cheapest month for flights to Zanzibar is September, where tickets cost $1,187 on average for one-way flights. On the other hand, the most expensive months are July and June, where the average cost of tickets from the United States is $2,193 and $1,907 respectively. ... Find out the best times to travel to Zanzibar based on our flight data ...
Zanzibar Travel Guide
However, you must consider whether the cost savings are worth taking a ferry to Zanzibar or a local flight. Search flights to Zanzibar. Zanzibar Visa . ... Visa for Zanzibar and Travel Visa for Tanzania information. The best time to travel to Zanzibar. The best months to visit Zanzibar are between June and October, also known as the dry season ...
My 2 Week Trip to Zanzibar (beach huts, local food, activities and more)
Taxi costs - Getting from Zanzibar City/Stone Town to Jambiani or Kizimkazi or pretty much any of the main beach areas on the north, east or southern coast should cost between $25 - $40 USD. A taxi from the airport to the center of Stone Town should cost around $8 - $12 USD. There are also local trucks/vans that have set routes around the ...
Ten Days in Zanzibar: An Itinerary for First-Timers
Hit the road and head from Kiwengwa to Jambiani - the drive should take you just over an hour (if you travel directly) and a taxi will cost you between $35 and $40. Jambiani is a quaint little village, slightly quieter and less touristy than some of the northeastern parts of Zanzibar.
The Cost of Travel in Tanzania: My 2024 Budget Breakdown
Some typical Tanzanian dishes include: ugali (cornmeal paste), mshikaki (marinated beef), chips mayai (egg mixed with fries), nyama choma (grilled meat), pilau (rice mixed with spices) or rice and beans. All of these dishes, whether combined or alone will cost you around $1.50 - $4 (3800 - 10,000 TZS).
Zanzibar on a Budget
Zanzibar travel costs . As the Tanzanian Shilling (Zanzibar's local currency) is rather weak, your money goes a long way. For example, 1 USD will get you 2,300 TSh. To put things into perspective, a cold drink will cost you around 600 TSh, while a hearty meal will cost you around 10,000 TSh (+-$4.5). Since Zanzibar is off the coast of ...
The Ultimate One Week Zanzibar Itinerary
Day 2 - Stone Town to Jambiani Beach. Arrange a taxi to go to Jambiani Beach - it will cost around $50 for two people. Jambiani Beach is a small village on Zanzibar's southeastern coast. It's relaxed and laid-back, and less touristy than other parts of the island. RELATED: Jambiani, Zanzibar Guide: Where to Find the.
How much does a trip to Zanzibar cost? Daily, 3-days and weekly cost to
If you want to spend a week in Zanzibar the cost of your stay will be: 320 USD (824,000 TZS) - a cheap stay for 7 days in Zanzibar. 471 USD (1,214,000 TZS) - a budget travel for 7 days in Zanzibar. 674 USD (1,739,000 TZS) for a one week of comfortable stay in Zanzibar. 2,200 USD (5,798,000 TZS) for a week of luxury holidays in Zanzibar.
How to Travel to Zanzibar: A Luxury Ferry Ride or a Relaxing Flight?
Travellers enjoying a safari trip to the Serengeti have a few options when flying to Zanzibar. One way is to fly directly to Abeid Amani Karume Airport (Zanzibar) from Serona, with prices ranging from $400 to $450 per person. Other airstrips offering flights to Zanzibar include Grumeti and Koge.