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Browse and explore the best travel guides in Zanzibar.
Zanzibar is a semi-autonomous archipelago off Tanzania's east coast, made up of the main island of Unguja, Pemba, and dozens of smaller islets. Its mix of Swahili, Arab, Persian, Indian, and European heritage shaped both the food and the labyrinthine UNESCO-listed Stone Town, where carved doors, narrow lanes, and the markets of Darajani sit on the western shore.
Beyond Stone Town, the island is best known for its powder-white beaches and turquoise water, especially around Nungwi and Kendwa in the north and Paje and Jambiani in the southeast. Spice farm tours, dhow sails, and snorkelling with dolphins off Kizimkazi round out the standard Zanzibar mix.
Country
Tanzania
Region
Zanzibar archipelago (Unguja island)
Population
~600,000 (Unguja)
Elevation
Sea level - 120 m
Time Zone
EAT (UTC+3)
Currency
Tanzanian Shilling (TZS); USD widely accepted
Language
Swahili; English in tourism
Nearest Airport
Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (ZNZ)
Airport to City Centre
~7 km to Stone Town / 15 min; ~60 km to Nungwi / 90 min
Typical Cost Level
Mid-range
Transport Pass
Dala-dala minibuses, taxis, scooter rentals; no formal pass
Spring (Mar-May)
23-32°C, long rains, lowest prices
Summer (Jun-Aug)
22-29°C, dry, breezy - high season
Autumn (Sep-Nov)
23-31°C, dry, short rains in November
Winter (Dec-Feb)
24-33°C, hot and humid, second peak
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June to October is the cool, dry, breezy season - ideal for beaches and diving, with peak prices in July-August. December to February is hot and dry. Avoid mid-March to May, the long rains, when many small hotels close.
Most travellers fly into Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (ZNZ), 7 km from Stone Town, on direct routes from Doha, Dubai, Istanbul, Addis Ababa, or via mainland Tanzania. Fast ferries also run from Dar es Salaam in about 2 hours.
Stone Town is walking-only in the narrow lanes. Between Stone Town and the beach resorts, pre-booked taxis or hotel transfers cost USD 30-60 each way. Dala-dala minibuses are very cheap but slow. Some travellers rent scooters - drive on the left and with a local permit.
Five to seven nights lets you split between Stone Town (2 nights) and a beach base such as Nungwi, Kendwa, Paje, or Jambiani (3-5 nights). Many travellers add Zanzibar to a Tanzania safari as a 5-7 night beach finale.
Zanzibar is generally safe but petty theft can happen in Stone Town and on isolated beaches at night. Zanzibar is conservative and Muslim-majority - cover shoulders and knees away from the beach. Stick to bottled water and consider antimalarials.
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Entry rules, stay length and passport validity by nationality.
