A beautiful island just off the coast of Tanzania, Zanzibar is undeniably one of East Africa’s greatest treasures. Imagine powdery white sand, azure skies, and water so fiercely blue you can hardly believe your eyes. It is the literal definition of a tropical paradise.
When it was time to plan a trip for our anniversary and my 30th birthday, we knew exactly what we craved. We had a strong vision for this trip – we wanted a place where the pace of life could slow down, some place we could spend sunny days soaking in the pool, finally reading that book we had been putting off, and undeniably keeping a glass of bubbly in hand. Southeast Asia perfectly fit the description, but hadn’t we just been there last year? Meanwhile, looking anywhere West of India meant dealing with the winter chill.
After days of obsessive research and checking weather forecasts, we finally found our answer. Nestled in the Indian Ocean just below the equator, Zanzibar promised the endless sunny days we were looking for.
But would you appreciate a paradise if it didn’t come bearing a challenge? Flight connectivity directly from India seemed a slight inconvenience. However, our blend of determination and manifestation played rather strongly in our favour. We paired it with our trip to Kenya – the perfect way to wash off the safari dust. By taking a quick, direct flight from Nairobi, we were able to spend the perfect 5 days celebrating on the island.
In this ultimate Zanzibar travel guide, we have thoughtfully curated every single piece of information we wish we had known before planning our own tropical getaway.
Quick Navigation
- Is Zanzibar Really Worth It?
- Best Time to Visit
- How to Plan a Trip to Zanzibar
- Visa Requirements
- Getting in & around Zanzibar
- 5-Day Itinerary
- Expert Tips
Is Zanzibar Really Worth It?
I first heard about Zanzibar a couple of years ago. The first image that captivated me wasn’t just the pristine white sand, but the way the ocean looked. The waves didn’t crash violently against the coast; they gently lapped against it. Add a cloudless sky, a few Maasai men in their traditional attire and wooden dhow boats bobbing on the horizon, and it was enough to convince me that this was the place to make my tropical dreams come true.
We wanted the crystalline waters of the Maldives, the adventurous spirit of Thailand, and the soulful luxury of Bali but all wrapped into one. Zanzibar did not just meet these expectations, it completely ruined us. It was undeniably one of the best trips we have ever embarked on, offering a flawless blend of Swahili culture, raw nature, and pure relaxation.
The Reality of Paradise
Was it an expensive destination? Yes, it certainly was. The prices were at par with the US standards. However, spending time on the island quickly revealed why.
Zanzibar’s economy relies heavily on travellers and tourism is the absolute backbone of the region.
So, is Zanzibar worth it? 100% yes. It is the ultimate tropical escape, especially when paired with a wildlife safari in Kenya or mainland Tanzania.
And our Zanzibar travel guide breaks it down step-by-step.
Best Time to Visit
June to October is the long dry season, offering the absolute best time to visit. The island is at its coolest and most comfortable and this window also coincides with the Great Migration in neighbouring Kenya and mainland Tanzania.
While the rainy season in Zanzibar is short with quick spells of sunshine, it is best to avoid April and May entirely.
Our Experience: The January Window
We visited Zanzibar at the end of January which falls into the island’s “short dry season”. This is also an excellent time to visit which begins from mid-December and lasts till February.
However, it is also the hottest time of the year. We were treated to brilliantly sunny skies, but it was also incredibly windy. While the strong trade winds made the ocean slightly choppy on certain coasts, they also provided the perfect playground for kite-surfing.
Finally, even if you decide to visit during the short dry season, the winds are calmer near the coves, like Kizimkazi.
How to Plan a Trip to Zanzibar
Flight Connectivity: Navigating the Route from India
At the risk of sounding like a broken record, I will say it again. The absolute best way to experience Zanzibar is to use it as the grand, relaxing finale to a thrilling safari expedition in neighbouring Kenya or mainland Tanzania.
One logistical hurdle to keep in mind is that Zanzibar’s airport does not offer direct flights to India. While this lack of direct connectivity might seem slightly challenging at first glance, it is very manageable if you route your trip smartly.
For our journey, we bridged our safari and beach holiday by flying Kenya Airways directly from Nairobi into Zanzibar. It was a quick, seamless flying experience and we highly recommend it. When it was time to finally head home to India, we flew out of the island via Oman Air. This specific route included an overnight layover in Muscat, which actually broke up the long transit perfectly.
How Long to Stay
As you piece together your Zanzibar travel guide itinerary, remember that the early bird gets the best beach view! We highly recommend planning your trip and securing your preferred beachfront accommodations at least a couple of months in advance, especially if you are aiming for the peak dry season.
While a lot of travelers prefer to set aside a full week to slowly explore the island, we found our 5-day trip to be perfectly adequate. It gave us just the right amount of time to soak in the ocean, explore the history, and leave feeling completely rejuvenated without any travel burnout.
Visa Requirements
While the entry requirements to visit Zanzibar may seem complicated at first glance, we have put together a step-by-step guide to help Indian citizens navigate the process with ease.
Getting in & around Zanzibar
Zanzibar has two main points of entry:
By Air
Zanzibar’s Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (ZNZ) is rather well-connected. Major international carriers like Qatar Airways, Oman Air, Turkish Airlines, Ethiopian Airlines, and KLM operate frequent flights directly into the island. Located just a few kilometers south of the Stone Town, it serves as the perfect, hassle-free landing pad to kick off your tropical getaway.
If you are bridging your island holiday with a mainland safari, regional African carriers like Air Tanzania, Precision Air, Safarilink, Kenya Airlines and RwandAir offer quick, seamless hopper flights that connect Zanzibar with the rest of East Africa.
The best way to map out your specific route and find the smartest layovers is by checking your flight connections here.
By Ferry
If your Zanzibar travel guide itinerary already has you starting in Dar es Salaam on mainland Tanzania, you can take a high-speed passenger ferry directly to the port in Stone Town.
It is a more economical alternative but the ride takes about 1.5-2 hours. Although you will arrive after enjoying gorgeous views of the Indian Ocean, the immigration process at the ferry port in Zanzibar can be quite chaotic and time-consuming.
Zanzibar Fast Ferry operate throughout the day to afford more flexibility. Book your tickets here.
5-Day Itinerary
While many travellers recommend setting aside a full week to explore this culturally and naturally vibrant island, we found a well-planned 5-day itinerary to be perfectly adequate.
During our time in Zanzibar, we carefully curated our route to experience the island’s dynamic contrasts. We started by exploring the lively northern coast in Nungwi, making sure to carve out time for a breathtaking sunset at Kendwa Beach. It is celebrated as one of the best beaches in all of Africa for its unobstructed, golden-hour views, and it served.
From there, we took a day-trip down to the cultural beating heart of the island, Stone Town, to soak in the rich Swahili history and architecture. Finally, we drove down to the southeast coast and parked ourselves in Jambiani for three days of uninterrupted beachfront bliss.
Our route offered the ultimate balance. It was complete with thrilling scenic boat trips, chilling with locals on hidden sandbars, observing the beautiful hustle and bustle of the historic town, and lazy days that perfectly embodied the spirit of Hakuna Matata.
Ready to steal our exact route? As a companion to this Zanzibar travel guide, you can browse our complete, step-by-step 5-Day Zanzibar Itinerary. It is packed with daily activities, accommodation options, restaurant recommendations, and expert transit tips.
Expert Tips
While this guide summarises all the essential information you need to start booking your flight tickets to the magical island, there are a few raw, on-the-ground truths we wish we had known before landing.
Which Currency to Carry?
Zanzibar is ruggedly beautiful, but it is still a developing island. Due to the economic conditions, almost everyone, from boutique hotels and restaurants to tour operators and street vendors, is incredibly happy to accept US Dollars.
- The Golden Rule: If you bring USD, ensure the bills are crisp and printed after 2013. Banks and vendors will strictly reject older bills due to counterfeiting fears.
- Closed Currency: You will receive your change in Tanzanian Shillings (TZS). Keep in mind that TZS is a “closed currency,” meaning you cannot exchange it back to USD or INR once you leave the country. Spend your shillings before you get to the airport.
ATM Withdrawals are Costly
Despite ATMs being available in almost every major town, the local banks charge a hefty access fee of roughly 14,000 to 17,000 shillings (about $5 to $6 USD) per transaction.
- Our advice: If you bring enough USD cash, you may never need to make an ATM run. Furthermore, most hotels and larger restaurants accept credit cards.
- Zero-Fee ATMs: If you absolutely must withdraw cash, seek out the PBZ (People’s Bank of Zanzibar) or KCB (Kenya Commercial Bank) ATMs in Stone Town near the ferry terminal. They are perhaps the only machines on the island that do not charge local transaction fees.
What to Pack
Zanzibar is home to a predominantly Muslim population, making it imperative to respect the local culture and dress modestly. Pack as many bikinis and swimsuits as you like, as the dress code for private hotel pools and directly on the beach is the same as any other tropical island. However, the moment you step off the sand, you need to cover up. Your best bet is to pack airy linen clothes, dresses, and a good sarong to wrap around your waist when walking through the villages. Also, don’t forget a lot of sunscreen.
Yellow-Fever Certificate
If you are flying into Zanzibar from a Yellow Fever endemic zone, like mainland Tanzania, Ethiopia, or Kenya, it is an absolute requirement to carry a Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate. Border officials will ask to see your “Yellow Card” before stamping your passport.
Bargain before Settling
The natural way of life in Zanzibar is to negotiate. Whether you are getting into an unmetered taxi, buying souvenirs, or hopping on a local boat tour, always agree on the price before the service begins. It not only safeguards you from being overcharged, but it is also an expected and respected part of the culture.
Be Prepared for a Pole Pole
The literal motto of everyone’s life on the island is Hakuna Matata (no worries), and their pace of life is strictly Pole Pole (slowly, slowly). From food orders at a restaurant to your taxi pick-up for a guided tour, everything operates on “island standard time.”
The most shocking part was when we were on a boat trip to Mnemba Atoll. At one point, everyone including our boat captain and the guide just anchored the boat, jumped into the water, and started swimming. A moment later, one of them climbed back aboard and handed us a tray of freshly cut tropical fruits, all while gleefully saying, “Hakuna Matata, my friends!” Just embrace the pace and the fun.
Also, side note: Eat as many tropical fruits as you can. We haven’t had juicer pineapples or watermelons anywhere else.
Don’t Expect Southeast Asian Island Level of Development
We were actually quite surprised by how underdeveloped the infrastructure in Zanzibar is. Outside of Stone Town, there is essentially only one main paved road connecting the towns. The moment you turn off toward your beachfront hotel, you are navigating incredibly bumpy dirt roads.
When we inquired about the road conditions, our local guide simply laughed and asked us “What did you come here expecting? Singapore?”
Be Prepared to be Haggled
It is characteristic of Zanzibari touts to offer you everything from boat tours to taxi services, whether you want them or not. They are quite persistent and will happily walk alongside you, pitching their services. You will also spot “beach boys” showing off acrobatics or trying to sell bracelets. While they are mostly just looking to have a conversation or earn a small tip, the constant attention can be tiring. A firm but polite “Hapana, Asante” (No, thank you) usually does the trick!
Finally, Zanzibar remains to be one of the most beautiful tropical destinations in East Africa and certainly one that I would love to go back to.
Is Zanzibar also on your bucket-list? Is there anything else that we missed? Drop a comment below and we will be sure to help you out 🙂
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