Complete Guide for Your Trip to Zanzibar: Practical Tips and Useful Information


 

Planning a trip to Zanzibar? You're in the right place! In this article, I'll provide essential information and practical tips to make your experience unforgettable. From choosing the best time to visit the island to dealing with bureaucracy, currency, vaccinations, and must-see attractions, here's everything you need to know.

1. Climate in Zanzibar 

Zanzibar's climate is characterized by two rainy seasons:

  • Short rains: From November to December. During this period, the rains are not very intense, so you can visit the island without too much inconvenience.
  • Long rains: From late February to May. During this period, the rains are very intense, and it is not recommended to travel.
  • When does it not rain? Generally from late May to September. We visited in late September and experienced a couple of days of light rain, but it stopped quickly.

2. Where to Stay 

The most popular areas to stay in Zanzibar are:

  • North of the island: Nungwi and Kendwa, where the tidal phenomenon is less pronounced and the sea is similar to the Mediterranean.
  • Central-east and south-east of the island: Paje and Kiwengwa, where the tidal phenomenon is more pronounced, and the sea is very characteristic.

We stayed in Kiwengwa at Bravo Village, where the tidal phenomenon is very pronounced, and we were very happy with our choice.

3. Visa and Bureaucracy 

To enter Zanzibar, you need a visa which can be obtained:

To avoid queues upon arrival at Zanzibar airport, we preferred to apply online before leaving.

4. Language and Communication

The official language in Zanzibar is Swahili, but English is widely spoken, especially in tourist areas. In some resorts and hotels, the staff also speaks Italian.

5. Currency and Payments

The official currency is the Tanzanian Shilling, but US dollars are accepted everywhere, preferably in small denominations. Euros are accepted in few places, so it is preferable to bring dollars. Credit cards are not accepted everywhere, so it is advisable to have cash. The best way is to pay with the local currency, which you can exchange on-site. If you need cash, there are some ATMs available.

6. Vaccinations and Medicines

There are no mandatory vaccinations for Zanzibar, but the following are recommended:

  • Anti-malarial prophylaxis: Antibiotics to be taken before, during, and after the trip.
  • Yellow fever vaccination: Not mandatory but recommended.

For safety, we got the yellow fever vaccination, which consists of a single injection and lasts a lifetime. After the vaccination, we didn't even experience a fever (which can sometimes happen).

Medicines to bring:

  • Mosquito repellent.
  • Antibiotic for intestinal infections, like Orobicin.
  • Medicines for diarrhea (although they may not be effective in all cases).

During our stay, we had diarrhea, probably from eating fruit washed with local water, but we resolved the issue in half a day by taking an antibiotic for intestinal infections.

7. Things to Do in Zanzibar

Besides relaxing on the beautiful beaches, there are many interesting excursions:

  • Stone Town: The historic capital of Zanzibar.
  • Prison Island: Famous for its giant tortoises.
  • Nakupenda: A sandbank in the sea that disappears with the high tide.
  • Spice plantations: To discover the local fragrances.
  • Jozani Forest: Where you can see the Red Colobus Monkey, an endangered species.
  • Sunset in Nungwi and Kendwa: One of the most beautiful sunsets in the world.

We did the excursions with the beach boys and had a great experience.

8. Useful Tips

  • Water: Do not drink tap water, use bottled water even for brushing your teeth.
  • Bargaining: Always bargain the prices, especially with the Masai vendors on the beaches.
  • Excursions: Consider whether to do excursions with the local beach boys (cheaper but without insurance) or with official village tours.

Have a great trip and enjoy your adventure in Zanzibar!

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