Travel Info Zanzibar
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ZanzibarLying off the coast of Tanzania like a tiny jewel delicately placed in the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean is Zanzibar, the ‘spice island’. A name recalling ancient adventures and legends, mythical gold, ivory and slave trades, warm clear water and silver sand, uncontaminated nature and traces of a magnificent past. GeographyZanzibar is an archipelago made up of Zanzibar and Pemba Islands and several islets. It is located in the Indian Ocean, about 25 miles from the Tanzanian coast and 6° south of the equator. Zanzibar Island (known locally as Unguja) is 60 miles long and 20 miles wide, occupying a total area of approximately 650 square miles. It is characterized by beautiful sandy beaches with fringing coral reefs and the magic of historic Stone Town which said to be the only functioning ancient town in East Africa. ClimateZanzibar has a tropical climate, dominated by the Indian Ocean monsoons. The Kaskazi winds from the north bring the short rains in November and December. The long rains known as Mwaka, arrive in April and last until late May. January to March is hot and dry with little rainfall. July to October is the ideal months to visit with an average temperature of 25°C. What to wear?Women should cover their shoulders, knees and midriff. Please take diving booties and plastic beach shoes to the coast in order to protect your feet from sea urchins. Topless bathing is illegal. VisasAll visitors require a passport, valid for the duration of their stay. Preparations are under way for visitors to obtain visas at any entry point; this time-saving facility is available to visitors arriving at Zanzibar International Airport. Other points in Tanzania currently offering visas on entry are Dar es Salaam, Kilimanjaro International Airports and Namanga on the road border between Tanzania and Kenya. Nationals of some countries do not require visas, so it is advisable to check with your nearest Tanzanian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate prior to visiting Zanzibar. Latest entry requirements and visa information can be found at the Tanzania High Commission (London, UK) web-site. LanguageKiSwahili is the official language spoke in Zanzibar. English is widely spoken and understood. Some people speak Italian. HealthA yellow fever certificate is compulsory. There is also a Malaria risk in Zanzibar, so prophylactics are a necessity. It is not advisable to drink tap water as bottle water is sold everywhere. When returning to South Africa, immigration officials may ask for proof of your current Yellow Fever vaccination. Travel InsuranceIf you need medical care whilst in Zanzibar, it is best to be aware that medical providers may not accept payment through your insurance company. In these circumstances you will have to pay in full after your treatment and file a claim with your insurance company for reimbursement. Therefore you should have access to cash, either from a credit card or by wire transfer. If you need assistance contact the country's local embassy or representative. To be compensated you must be treated by licensed medical personnel and provide your insurance company with proper documentation and receipts. It is advisable to always ensure you have a comprehensive travel insurance policy which covers you for repatriation to your home country. MoneyTanzanian Shilling (TZS) is the currency in Zanzibar. Euro and USD cash are widely accepted. All hotel payments must be in foreign currency, be aware that hotels will add a surcharge for credit card and traveler’s cheque payments. Only Visa and Master cards are accepted. You cannot take TZS out of the country and airports will not exchange TZS into foreign currency. Therefore take small denominations of cash / traveler’s cheques with you to avoid any problems. Local TimeGMT + 3 hours Restaurants and BarsAs Zanzibar is known as the 'Spice Islands', its little surprise that spices play an important role in the cuisine. With African, Arab, Goan, Indian and Chinese influences, traditional food is truly a fusion experience. Most restaurants feature spices in their menus although there are also Italian, Thai and other international establishments for those looking for something a little closer to home! Lobsters, kingfish, prawns, octopus, crabs and squid are just a few of the many types of seafood on offer. It is not surprising that Zanzibar's specialties are centered around what is available locally, so take full advantage of the variety of spicy seafood dishes on offer. Coconut also features in many dishes. Bars can be found in Stone Town and in many of the hotels and restaurants around Zanzibar Island. AccommodationZanzibar has excellent hotels, both in Stone Town and on the beaches. It is recommended that visitors combine a short stay in Stone Town in order to experience the history and explore the architecture of the isles' cultural heart, with a stay on one of the beautiful Indian Ocean beaches. The east coast of Zanzibar Island features several establishments on the beach, ranging from small and intimate properties to larger resort outfits. Further afield, great lodges can be found on Pemba and Mafia and smaller islands such as Chumbe and Mnemba. BeachesThe beaches in Zanzibar are a paradise, interspersed with quaint fishing villages, where the people live a simple way of life, unchanged over the years. There are more than 25 fantastic beaches in Zanzibar, and some are so peaceful and remote that the only noise breaking the silence is likely to be the ocean. At the northern tip of the island is Nungwi, approached by a road lined by banana palms, mangroves and coconut trees. This is the dhow building capital of Zanzibar Island, so it is a good place to see traditional craftsmen at work. On the west coast of Zanzibar, Mangapwani beach is worth a visit and to the east are the beaches of Matemwe, Pwani Mchangani, Kiwengwa, Uroa, Bwejuu and Jambiani all with stretches of beautiful and uncrowded sands and blue ocean. Zanzibar also boasts several small offshore islands which are ideal for a day-trip. Prison (or Changu) island is the most popular with tourists because it is only a short trip from Stone Town. Originally, it was used by Arabs to detain slaves, and then a jail was built by the British, but it was never actually used. Visitors to Zanzibar will notice a large population of ancient Aldabra tortoises. Other islets near to Stone Town are Chapwani, Chumbe and Bawe. Electrical Power3-pin square prong, 230 V (like in the UK) and 3-pin round triangular plugs (not South African size). Getting ThereSouth African Airways, 1Time and Air Tanzania have several flights to Zanzibar. Charter flights have a strict baggage allowance of 15kgs for checked in baggage (soft bag only) and one small item of hand luggage (5kg). Anything above these weights will not be allowed. Culture Zanzibar is still unspoilt by the unpleasant effects of mass tourism. It is our hope that increases in tourism do not impact adversely on the magic of Zanzibar, and we humbly ask all visitors to follow a handful of guidelines, ensuring they will not offend the traditional values of the local people or harm the environment in any way.
Public Holidays
Useful AddressesTanzania High Commission Tanzanian Embassy Submit an enquiry so we can assist you in planning your holiday to Southern Africa, East Africa or combining the beautiful ‘’Spice Islands’’ of Zanzibar in a tailor-made itinerary.
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