Zanzibar, an island in the Indian Ocean off the coast of Tanzania, is probably one of the most popular beach destinations in Africa, and for good reasons.
Due to its location in the Indian Ocean, Zanzibar is surrounded by magnificent beaches with long strips of white sand, soft to the touch, as well as warm, clear blue water, perfect for tourism.
Despite its postcard-perfect beaches, Zanzibar also has a rich culture and history that not many people know about. Due to its strategic location, the island has attracted all kinds of people, from the Omanis to the Arabs and eventually the Europeans, bringing in a vast amount of trade opportunities and wealth to the island.
The island is so diverse, you can see it in everything from its unique Indian/Arabic cuisine like biryani and shawarma to the beautiful old colonial architecture that blends European architectural style with Indian/Arab/African decors.
With such diverse cultures, Zanzibar also has its fair share of violence and dark history that every tourist should learn about. Zanzibar used to be the central slave trading post of the region back in the day, and you can learn just how treacherous it must have been for people living on this paradise island back then.
As you can see, there is a lot to uncover in Zanzibar, and if you are planning to visit the paradise island, you are going to need this travel guide. I spent 4 days in Zanzibar and have decided to compile a complete list of the best things to do in Zanzibar, as well as all the information you need to plan a great trip there.
Without further ado, here are the 10 best things to do in Zanzibar for solo travelers. Let's first take a look at all the points of interest on the map below:
- Zanzibar Things To Do Itinerary Map
-
10 Best Things to Do in Zanzibar
- Explore the Old Streets of Stone Town
- Learn More About the Terrible History of Slave Trade in Zanzibar
- Spend a Night in a Colonial-style Hotel
- Attend a Local Youth Music Group Concert
- Try Zanzibar Street Food at Forodhani Market
- Visit Prison Island
- Relax at Nungwi Beach
- Go Snorkel and Island Hopping at Matemwe Beach
- Check Out The Rock Restaurant
- Swim with turtles at Baraka Natural Aquarium
- More Zanzibar Activities
- Where to Stay in Zanzibar?
- Where to Eat and Drink in Zanzibar?
- Tanzania Travel Video
- When to Visit Zanzibar?
- How to Get to Zanzibar?
- How to Get Around Zanzibar?
- How Many Days To Spend in Zanzibar?
- How Much Money Do I Need For Zanzibar?
- Is it Safe in Zanzibar?
- Which tourist SIM card is best for Tanzania?
- What to Pack for Zanzibar?
- Further Reading for Tanzania
Zanzibar Things To Do Itinerary Map
10 Best Things to Do in Zanzibar
1. Explore the Old Streets of Stone Town
Exploring the crisscrossing streets of Stone Town, surrounded by colonial buildings, is probably one of the highlights of visiting Zanzibar. Due to its strategic importance as the capital of the spice and slave trade back in the day, Stone Town has been through many rulers, from the Portuguese Empire to the Sultanate of Oman, to the British Empire, and eventually independence.
It was because of these jugglings of power throughout its existence that Stone Town was allowed to be built and developed in a way that is unlike any place you have seen before.
From one corner, you might find a little Arab/Persian influence, and from another, a bit of Portuguese/British influence, as well as some Indians all scattered throughout Stone Town, waiting for you to explore.
- Mikumi National Park Day Trip (13 to 14 hours)
- Full Day Safari in Mikumi National Park from Zanzibar including Flights (9 to 10 hours)
- Full-Day Private Stone Town +Spice Farm and Prison Island Tour (8 hours)
An entire town is crammed into a small area where you will be able to navigate through these narrow pathways, connecting and sometimes even hiding all sorts of hidden gems in plain sight, like the 17th Century Old Fort built by the Omani Arabs, St Joseph's Cathedral, a Catholic church built by the French based on that of the Marseille Cathedral in France, and many more.
Not to mention all the beautiful and unique architectures you can find here, from the elegant Old Dispensary, a 19th-century building adorned with Indian and European elements, to all the elaborately designed wooden doors dubbed the Zanzibar Doors.
These doors are often found throughout Stone Town, with many of them being more than a century old. The doors are built using strong wood from either a jackfruit or mango tree, and they are often decorated with Swahili-style carvings and/or Arabic scriptures, as well as brass studs. This element was borrowed from Indian fortresses, which used it to prevent war elephants from battering down the doors of the fortress.
It is these little details that make Stone Town such an amazing place to explore, and something you shouldn't miss when you are in Zanzibar. To see Stone Town properly, I highly recommend you spend at least half a day here and another half going on a boat trip to some of the islands near Stone Town.
2. Learn More About the Terrible History of Slave Trade in Zanzibar
If you are in Stone Town, you also shouldn't miss the East Africa Slave Trade Exhibition, a museum dedicated to telling the terrible stories of the slave trade and the long, hard road to freedom.
As I mentioned earlier, back in the day, Stone Town used to be the capital of the spice and slave trade in the region. A lot of bad things went down here, and in order for you to really understand Zanzibar, how the people came to be, and why its culture is so diverse, you are going to have to start from its dark past.
The exhibition is laid out in chronological order, and each board tells a series of stories about how the slave trade began, all the way to how it ended. The descriptions are in both English and Swahili, and they are extremely detailed. It made me feel a little unsettled at times to learn about how terribly humans treated each other back then.
If you want to learn more about the history of Zanzibar, the East Africa Slave Trade Exhibition is the place to be. Within the vicinity of the museum, you will also find the Anglican Cathedral, a really nice church made out of stone, and the unsettling slave monument.
The East Africa Slave Trade Exhibition opens from 8:30 AM to 6 PM every day, and the entrance fee is 15,000 TZS (6.5 USD) per person. The exhibition can be done without a guide. All you have to do is ignore the people who say you need a guide at the entrance, walk to the ticket booth, buy a ticket, and enter the exhibition.
3. Spend a Night in a Colonial-style Hotel
If you are planning to spend a night in Stone Town, I highly recommend you take this opportunity and stay at a hotel that is located inside a colonial building, where you will be able to experience what it was like to be a sultanate in Zanzibar back in the day.
There are several hotels in Stone Town that are inside an old colonial building, but I highly recommend Mizingani Seafront Hotel or Dhow Palace if you have the budget. Both hotels are elaborately designed with wooden furniture, oversized wooden doors, and provide a nice and quiet space away from the bustling city of Stone Town.
If money is no object, then the best hotel in Stone Town is Emerson Spice Hotel, one of the most beautiful hotels in Stone Town. They also have a nice rooftop bar where you can sit and enjoy a stunning view of Stone Town. You just can't go wrong with Emerson Spice Hotel.
Tours & Tickets You Might Like
If you are looking for more activities to do here, be sure to check out some of the available tours and day trips:
- Mikumi National Park Day Trip (13 to 14 hours)
- Full Day Safari in Mikumi National Park from Zanzibar including Flights (9 to 10 hours)
- Full-Day Private Stone Town +Spice Farm and Prison Island Tour (8 hours)
4. Attend a Local Youth Music Group Concert
While you are in Stone Town, if you are looking for a nice thing to do at night, I highly recommend you drop by Dhow Countries Music Academy and see what kind of shows and performances they have that evening.
Dhow Countries Music Academy often hosts shows performed by local youth music groups. These shows frequently feature a combination of traditional dancing, dramatic traditional acts, and heart-pounding music that will get your adrenaline flowing.
The shows often take place at around 8-8:30 PM and go on until 10 PM almost every day. There will be a sign right in front of the building advertising the show that day, and more often than not, the ticket should cost around 15,000 TZS (6.5 USD) per person.
If you are interested in African & Arab music and would like to experience local musicians and dancers performing in person, I highly recommend you drop by Dhow Countries Music Academy and see what types of shows are in store for you that day.
5. Try Zanzibar Street Food at Forodhani Market
Another thing you should definitely not miss in Zanzibar is to try Swahili street food, which is a mixture of Bantu, Arab, and Indian tastes, unlike anything you have tried before, at Forodhani Market.
Every night at Forodhani Park, the locals gather along the seaside promenade at sunset and start setting up their food stalls, selling all kinds of food to tourists and locals until late at night.
It is a great and cheap place to try all the unique street foods in Zanzibar, like the famous Zanzibar Pizza, which has nothing to do with pizza except for its form factor and name.
Zanzibar Pizza uses sizzling chapati, fried to order with any topping of your choice (chicken or Nutella, whichever you want), all folded up into a packet, and then cut in a chessboard pattern for you to enjoy with a toothpick.
Skew's beef sticks or Mishkaki are also something you should try if you are looking for a more filling option. Urojo, a Swahili-style Indian-based stew mixed with potatoes, chickpeas, and all kinds of spices, giving it a unique taste, is another dish I highly recommend you try.
What you shouldn't try is the seafood stalls with all the hawkers and touts trying to grab your attention and pressure you to buy their seafood with overly friendly gestures that will ultimately scam you in the end.
These seafood stalls often employ many "cheerleaders" who go around the park wearing fake chef hats, luring you into their seafood stalls with overly friendly gestures that scream "I'm gonna scam you!" When you ask about the price, they will often say something like "You can sit, my friend, and we will cook for you. We can discuss the price later."
Once you start eating the bait (seafood sticks in this case), they will come up to you and ask you to pay a whopping $50 for seafood sticks, an outrageous price that not even the most expensive restaurant in Zanzibar would dare charge you.
DO NOT EAT at these seafood stalls, period. If you want to be sure you aren't being scammed, look for food stalls that have menus and prices clearly labeled, and just point to what you want from there. You can easily find these stalls by looking at where the locals are queuing. More often than not, these stalls are legitimate and very delicious.
Other than that, Forodhani Market is one of my favorite places to try out Zanzibar street food, and you shouldn't miss it. The market runs from 6 PM to 11 PM every day.
6. Visit Prison Island
Prison Island is a nice half-day boat trip you can take from Stone Town, which will get you to an island known for its tortoise population, as well as the history behind its ominous name.
Prison Island, a tiny island located just off the west coast of Zanzibar, is, in fact, not an island with a prison on it, although it was not for lack of trying.
Back then, the island was supposed to be used as a slave prison complex, but no prisoners were ever housed there. So, it was converted into a quarantine island (how fitting) for yellow fever patients for a short period of time.
After being used as a quarantine island for only a few years, it was converted into a state-run hotel, and it has since become a popular tourist attraction. On the island, you will find a rather run-down hotel that may not be very exciting, but what they breed around it will excite many of you.
Around the hotel on Prison Island, you will find hundreds and hundreds of giant tortoises, some as old as 200 years old, and you can get up close and interact with them. It's a fun experience for those who have never seen these magnificent creatures up close.
The boat trip from Stone Town to Prison Island often costs about 30 USD if you are one person, 15 USD each if you are more than one. The ticket to enter Prison Island has to be paid separately, and it costs about 4 USD per person.
The tour includes a guide who will accompany you throughout your time on the island, explaining the history behind the tortoise conservation and the previous prison complex.
It should take you about 2 - 3 hours to complete the tour. There is a nice beach if you wish to swim, but it was a little crowded and lots of people were just there waiting for boats, all watching you swim. It was definitely not the highlight of the island.
7. Relax at Nungwi Beach
Now, enough with Stone Town! I know that the main reason why you are visiting Zanzibar is to have a nice and quiet beach vacation, and there are no better beaches in Zanzibar than Nungwi Beach, located on the northern tip of the island.
I've been to many beaches in Zanzibar, but nothing compares to the white powder sand, the vivid blue water, and the stunningly clean beach of Nungwi. Nungwi beach may not be as big as other beaches in Zanzibar, but I found it to be big enough and not as crowded as many people believe.
The sand is soft and powdery to the touch. The tide level doesn't affect Nungwi Beach the way it affected other beaches, so the water is perfect for swimming. And since there is no low tide, you won't see any dead seaweed on the beach like in Paje, making Nungwi one of the cleanest beaches out there.
There are also many nice beachside resorts and restaurants you can indulge yourself in, making Nungwi one of the best places to go for a beach vacation in Zanzibar.
To get to Nungwi, you will either have to rent a car or get on a Zanzibus shuttle bus from Old Fort, and it will bring you from Stone Town to Nungwi in 1.5 hours for around 15 EUR.
8. Go Snorkel and Island Hopping at Matemwe Beach
Another great beach that I highly recommend you visit is Matemwe Beach, located not too far from Nungwi Beach. Matemwe Beach is a less clean version of Nungwi Beach but much longer and less crowded.
It is also a great beach to launch yourself into exploring Mnemba Island and its surrounding marine life. You can hire a dhow at Matemwe to take you to Mnemba Island and go snorkeling in one of the most beautiful snorkeling areas in Zanzibar. There can also go with an organized tour to Mnemba Island if you are short on time.
If you are looking for a quieter and more secluded beach than Nungwi, Matemwe Beach is another great option. There are many cool resorts around Matemwe. Since it is much longer and less touristy, you will have a more peaceful and quiet experience here than at any other beaches in Zanzibar.
9. Check Out The Rock Restaurant
Located on Pingwe Beach in the southwest peninsula of Zanzibar, the Rock Restaurant is one of the most popular and beautiful landmarks on the island. As the name suggests, this restaurant is built on a small rock island where you can access it by walking at low tide or taking a boat at high tide.
The Rock Restaurant itself is pretty unique, but it becomes even more beautiful if you are there during high tide. Unfortunately, I was there when the tide was low, and all I saw was dead seaweed everywhere.
If you want to eat at the Rock Restaurant, you will have to reserve a spot online beforehand, as the restaurant is very small and extremely popular among tourists. You can reserve a table at the Rock Restaurant here.
The Rock Restaurant opens from 12 PM to 8 PM every day. You do not have to eat at the restaurant to take photos of the place. You can just drive here and spend your time enjoying yourself and the view of the Rock Restaurant at Pingwe Beach. It is also an awesome place to be at sunset.
10. Swim with turtles at Baraka Natural Aquarium
Have you ever wanted to swim with sea turtles? If that is your dream, you can finally tick it off the list at Baraka Natural Aquarium in Zanzibar. Baraka Natural Aquarium is located on a rocky coastal area with shallow water where the sea turtles often come to feed on seaweed. It is a popular place for local tourists to go and swim with them.
There are more than a dozen sea turtles swimming around this shallow pool, and with such clear water coming from the Indian Ocean through cracks in the coastal rocks surrounding the area, you can see these beautiful animals as clear as day, even from above the water.
Baraka Natural Aquarium opens from 8 AM to 6:45 PM, and the entrance fee is 10 USD per person. It can get extremely crowded quickly, so I highly recommend going right at 8 AM to have a nice and quiet experience with these lovely animals. You can also rent snorkeling goggles for 10 USD if you wish, but the water is clear enough even without them.
Where to Stay in Zanzibar?
Accommodation Inside Stone Town
Accommodation Outside Stone Town
Where to Eat and Drink in Zanzibar?
Try Zanzibar Pizza at Forodhani Market
Again, if you are in Zanzibar, you have to try their delicious street food like Zanzibar Pizza, and the best place to do that is at Forodhani Market.
When you order a Zanzibar Pizza, you can choose between sweet or savory toppings like Nutella + Banana or skewered beef or chicken. They are both delicious, and you can eat them as a meal or a dessert. They often cost between 4,000 TZS (2 USD) for vegetarian options all the way to 15,000 TZS (6.5 USD) for seafood options.
Just a reminder not to eat at the seafood stalls at Forodhani Market. They are just scammers in disguise with fake chef hats, waiting to prey upon unknowing tourists.
Eat A Lunch at Secret Garden
Secret Garden is a fancy restaurant located in an old garden surrounded by old colonial buildings right smack in the middle of Stone Town. It is decorated with beautiful wooden furniture and vintage decor.
Despite being a fancy restaurant, they also offer a very affordable lunch set that comes with seafood and all kinds of traditional side dishes and spices for you to try.
We had calamari and lobster dishes for lunch, and they were delicious. It costs us 20,000 TZS (8.5 USD) per dish, which isn't too bad for the quality you get.
If you are looking for a proper seafood dish that isn't street food, come check out Secret Garden. The restaurant is open from 12 PM to 10 PM every day.
Eat like a Local at Lukmaan Restaurant
If fancy restaurants don't do it for you and you want something more local, you are going to love Lukmaan Restaurant, a popular local restaurant in Stone Town that serves various kinds of popular local dishes, such as grilled seafood and biryani, which you can choose and pay for. They also offer made-to-order options.
Lukmaan Restaurant is extremely popular among both the locals and the tourists, so you will often find this place packed with people during lunch and dinner time. It can also seem quite hectic once you get in, but it shouldn't take you long to find a seat inside.
Lukmaan Restaurant opens from 8 AM to 11 PM every day, and if you're looking for authentic local cuisine that isn't street food, you can't go wrong with Lukmaan Restaurant.
Try Spice Coffee at Stone Town Cafe
If you like coffee and are looking to try something new, I highly recommend you drop by Stone Town Cafe and try their aromatic spice coffee that costs only 3000 TZS for a cup or 5000 TZS for a whole jar.
The aroma of spicy coffee served here is definitely different, and I love it. They also serve breakfast, as well as light snacks like chicken rolls, lunch, and dinner at a very affordable price.
Stone Town Cafe opens from 8 AM to 11 PM every day. If you are looking for a nice cafe to chill and try something new in Stone Town, Zanzibar, you can't go wrong with this one.
When to Visit Zanzibar?
The best time to visit Zanzibar is during the dry season from July to September, where you will experience fewer rainy days. This allows you to truly enjoy the stunning outdoors of this paradise island, with temperatures hovering around 24-34 °C.
However, you can still travel out of the recommended period if you wish, as the rain usually doesn't last very long, and the island will likely be less crowded.
There are only 2 months that get long rainy days, which are April and May. So, if you want a nice vacation in Zanzibar, I recommend you avoid traveling in these 2 months.
How to Get to Zanzibar?
Despite having an international airport, very few international airlines outside of the East African region fly directly to its Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (ZNZ).
From the US, you are going to have to fly via Middle Eastern airlines like Qatar and Emirates, which will take you more than 29 hours, including transit in Doha or Dubai respectively. Unfortunately, there is no direct flight from the US at the moment.
From Europe, it is a little easier with airlines like KLM, British Airways, Emirates, and Qatar operating the route to Zanzibar with one transit departing from big hub cities like London, Amsterdam, and Frankfurt, etc. The flight often takes around 14 hours and will take you directly to Zanzibar International Airport.
From Asia, there are a few Middle Eastern airlines running the route which you can take from most big cities like Jakarta, Bangkok, Tokyo, and Seoul. Airlines like Emirates and Qatar fly the route quite often and can take you from Asia to Zanzibar in about 16 hours with one transit.
From Africa, you will have more options to fly to Zanzibar. Kenya Airways, Ethiopian Airlines, Qatar, FlyDubai, etc. operate this route quite frequently, and most flights often transit once in their headquarters city or in Dar es Salaam, the main travel hub of Tanzania.
To find a cheap flight to Zanzibar, I would recommend you use Skyscanner or Expedia to look for the cheapest route and schedule so you can compare and choose the best one.
How to Get From Zanzibar Airport to Your Accommodation?
Taxis: This is the most convenient way to get from Zanzibar airport to your accommodation in Stone Town or elsewhere on the island. They often charge a fixed price of 10 USD to take you to Stone Town, a journey that will take about 30 minutes.
For further places like Nungwi and Paje, the price will vary from driver to driver. So, if you are planning to go there, you will either have to negotiate hard with the taxi driver or organize it with your accommodation. Usually, the price ranges from 40 to 60 USD for a taxi to take you to northern and eastern Zanzibar. The journey takes about 1.5 hours.
Taxis + Shuttle Bus: If you are staying outside of Stone Town, you can also save a bit of money and take a taxi to Stone Town for 10 USD. Ask the driver to drop you off in front of the Old Fort, and you can get a shuttle bus operated by the Zanzibus. They will take you to Nungwi or Paje for 15 EUR per person.
This option is great for solo travelers who do not want to rent a car and drive in Zanzibar, which is very understandable as the roads aren't the best in Zanzibar, and there are lots of corrupt police along the road to watch out for. The shuttle bus journey takes about 1.5 hours, costs 15 EUR each way, and you can book a spot with this link: Book a shuttle bus in Zanzibar.
Car Rental: You can also rent a car prior to your arrival and ask them to drop it off for you at the airport right after you arrive, so you can drive to your accommodation. I rented one with Kibabu Cars, and they are great. Good 4WD cars, and quite affordable at only 35 USD per day plus 10 USD for a temporary local license. For more information on renting a car, check out our How to Get Around section.
How to Get Around Zanzibar?
By Walk: If you are staying in Stone Town and want to explore the city, you can easily walk around to most places as they are mostly concentrated along the coastline. However, if you are planning to explore further inland, you are going to need a vehicle.
By Shuttle Bus: As mentioned in the previous section, you can get around Zanzibar with a shuttle bus operated by Zanzibus from the Old Fort. The bus runs between Stone Town, Nungwi, and Paje, the three most popular locations to stay on the island.
It costs between 15 - 20 EUR per person and takes about 1.5 - 2 hours to travel between these three places. This is a great option if you are traveling alone, but it can be quite pricey if you are a couple or more.
By Car: If you are more than one person, renting a car is actually more economical. I did this myself, and I was able to cover many places in one day. So if your time is quite limiting, renting a car and driving is the best way to go.
Kibabu Cars is my preferred car rental company in Zanzibar. I sent them an email a day before, and they arranged a car for me in less than an hour. It costs about 35 USD per day to rent a Toyota RAV4-3 SPECIAL car for 2 people, plus 10 USD for a temporary driving license, which you will need if you get pulled over by the police.
The car was in great condition, the aircon works great, although a little dusty, but given the state of roads here in Zanzibar, it is understandable. They dropped the car off in front of my hotel right on time and came to pick up the car on time as well. I had no trouble at all with Kibabu Cars, so if you want to rent a car, I highly recommend you give them a go.
To rent a car in Zanzibar, all you need is a copy of your international driving license, a car rental form to fill in, a 50% deposit, and that's it. Since I was already in Zanzibar and renting the next day, I didn't have to pay a deposit. I just paid the drop-off guy in full and off I went.
TIP #1: One important thing to keep in mind when driving in Zanzibar is that there is an island-wide speed limit of 60 km/hr (I know, ridiculous right?). The corrupt police will extort money from you using that rule if you exceed that number, even by a little bit. So, make sure you drive at 60 km/hr at all times.
There is always a group of corrupt police waiting for you in between Stone Town and Nungwi (along this road) and they will stop anyone who is driving more than 60 km/hr. If you get caught, as I did, they will ask for a bribe of a whopping 100 USD! Crazy! I negotiated down to 40 USD and they let us go. If you don't want to get robbed in broad daylight by the police, stick to 60 km/hr.
TIP #2: Do not trust the arrival time on Google Maps too much, as it doesn't factor in the 60 km/hr speed limit. Therefore, for a 1.5-hour drive on Google Maps, it is probably more like 2.25 hours in real life, considering traffic and slow trucks blocking the road.
How Many Days To Spend in Zanzibar?
Depending on how much you want to see and how long you want to relax on the beach in Zanzibar, you will likely spend around 4-6 nights in Zanzibar, with at least one full day in Stone Town and one full day by the beach. Below is a rough itinerary you can follow.
Day 1: Spend the first half of the day visiting Prison Island and the second half exploring the streets of Stone Town. Visit museums, street food markets, and end your first day with a performance at Dhow Music Academy.
Day 2: Rent a car and drive to Nungwi or Matemwe, or both, and find a nice, quiet beach to relax for a day. Visit tourist attractions around the area, such as Baraka Natural Aquarium and the Rock Restaurants, before ending the day.
Day 3: Go island-hopping and snorkeling in Matemwe, and spend another day relaxing by the beach.
Day 4: Head back to Stone Town, go to the airport, return the car, and fly back home.
How Much Money Do I Need For Zanzibar?
With the rough itinerary above, we can calculate approximately how much you will be spending in Zanzibar as follows:
Accommodation: For 4 nights, you can expect to pay around 230,300 TZS (100 USD) for accommodation.
Food: Food costs about 15,000 TZS (6.5 USD) on average in Zanzibar, so you can expect to pay around 90,000 TZS (40 USD) per person for 3 days, excluding breakfast, which is often included in your accommodation.
Transportation: For transportation, I would recommend that you rent a car for 2 days to drive around the island, which should cost approximately 80 USD + 20 USD for gas. So, in total, it would be 230,300 TZS (100 USD) for transportation.
Activities: For activities, the prison island tour will cost about 15 USD, 5 USD for the Slave Trade Museum's entrance fee, 15,000 TZS (6.5 USD) for a local music performance show, and 10 USD for the Baraka Aquarium entrance fee, so in total, you will pay 84,059.50 TZS (36.5 USD) for activities here.
Total Budget for 3 days in Zanzibar: 636,779.50 TZS (276.5 USD)
Is it Safe in Zanzibar?
Zanzibari people are very friendly, and I felt quite safe walking around, even on the narrow pathways of Stone Town. At night, it was also not too sketchy, but I would recommend sticking to open areas at night, like the promenade, instead of the smaller pathways, as they can get very secluded.
You will often encounter many touters on the streets, but it shouldn't be too hard to ward them off. The problem you will have with these people will be at Forodhani Market, where they will swarm you whenever you walk past their food stall.
Do not fall into their traps, especially the seafood stalls here. They will try to scam you in all possible ways, like charging you 50 USD for 3 seafood sticks after you have eaten them. First, they will say that you can pick any and we can talk price later. Once you have eaten them, they will charge you an outrageous amount of money, and you can either negotiate or give in.
Do not eat the seafood stalls at Forodhani Market, that's the golden rule. Eat at places where they have clearly labeled prices on their menus and you shouldn't have any trouble with these scammers.
Also, if you are planning to rent a car and drive, make sure you stick to the 60 km/hr speed limit all the time. Otherwise, you will be flagged by corrupt police at one of the many checkpoints around the island, and you will have to bribe them, which will set you back more than 40 - 100 USD. They probably think we are made out of USD here in Africa.
As long as you avoid the seafood scammers and corrupt traffic police, there's nothing to worry about in Zanzibar. As long as you are aware of these bad characters before you go, you will have a great trip to Zanzibar.
Which tourist SIM card is best for Tanzania?
Update: If your phone supports eSIM, I highly recommend checking out Airalo, a global eSIM marketplace. It allows you to stay connected affordably while traveling in Zanzibar, Tanzania without having to switch out your physical SIM card.
Gone are the days when you needed to scramble to find a local SIM card at an airport upon arrival. You can purchase an eSIM before your arrival, and you'll be good to go. If your phone doesn't support eSIM, here is how you can get a local SIM card in Zanzibar, Tanzania:
There are three major carriers in Tanzania: Vodacom, Tigo, and Airtel. All of them have varying prices and coverage, with Vodacom having the most coverage and the price to match. Tigo is the second carrier, and Airtel is the third.
I personally used Vodacom bought from an official Vodacom shop in between Terminal 2 and 3 at Dar Es Salaam Airport, and it has worked wonders all over Tanzania, even at some of the camps on Kilimanjaro!
There are many data bundles you can choose from, ranging from 500 MB for 7 days at 3000 TZS to 50 GB for 30 days at 95,000 TZS. I purchased a 10 GB for 30 days at 35,000 TZS (15 USD), and I still had plenty of data remaining after 20 days in Tanzania.
For more information about Tanzania's local SIM card: Tanzania's Prepaid Data SIM Card.
Tips: To stay connected with people at home, be sure that you have a VPN, such as ProtonVPN, installed before traveling. It's FREE, and you can gain access to services that may be blocked in certain countries.
What to Pack for Zanzibar?
As you may already know, I am an advocate of light traveling, and indeed, packing light for a journey like this is a unique art form. Here are some packing tips for your upcoming trip to Zanzibar, Tanzania:
- Walking/Hiking Shoes: With all the walking and possible hiking during your travel, a comfortable pair of shoes is a must. I recommend the Timberland 3-Eye Classic Boat Shoes that are my go-to pair for long strolls and hikes.
- Breathable Shirts: Given the potential for hot weather, pack a few breathable shirts for your outdoor adventures.
- Shorts/Jeans: Anticipate lots of walking during your travels? Be sure to pack some breathable shorts and a pair of Levi's jeans for when the weather cools. For women, leggings are excellent for both hot and cold climates, so consider packing some as well.
- Outer Shell Jacket: An outer shell jacket is great for windy or rainy conditions. I highly recommend the Columbia Watertight Jacket (for women). It's lightweight, breathable, and even comes in a cool orange color.
- Microfiber Towel: A Microfiber towel is the ideal backpacker's towel due to its lightness, quick drying, and compressibility.
- Swim Suits: A swim trunk is a must-pack item if you are planning to visit Zanzibar, Tanzania in the summer, just in case there is a body of water you can jump in.
- Camera: You should also pack a good camera for your trip so that you can capture all the beautiful experiences you might have. I recommend the Sony a7R V camera together with the Sony 24-70mm f2.8 GM II lens, which is probably the highest-performance camera and lens combination you can get right now.
- Power Bank: Keep your electronics charged on the go with a 20,000+ mAh Power Bank.
- Water Bottle: The Hydro Flask Trail Water Bottle is a great insulated water bottle to have with you in cities or on hiking trails. It is lightweight and can keep your water cold or warm for more than 12 hours. It's a total game-changer.
- Universal Adapter: You'll need just one universal adapter to plug in your electronics in any country you visit.
- Packing Cubes: Packing Cubes will help you save space in your backpack and keep all your belongings organized.
- Daypack: The Langly Alpha Globetrotter is my go-to everyday camera backpack. It's large enough to carry all my travel gear, and it comes with plenty of slots and pouches. Plus, it's stylish as hell!
- Large Backpack: You will need a large backpack to carry all of your stuff. I recommend the Osprey Atmos AG 65L backpack. With excellent weight distribution and a lifetime guarantee, you can't go wrong with Osprey.
For more information on what I pack in my backpack for this trip, check out: My Packing List: 60 Travel Essentials.
Now that we have all the information we need, it's time to start planning your trip! Here are some resources to help you get going:
Are you planning to travel independently? Be sure to check out my guide on How To Plan A Backpacking Trip here.
Further Reading for Tanzania
I have plenty of articles to help you further with your trip planning for Tanzania. Here is a selection of articles you might find useful:
- Planning to visit Tanzania for the first time? Here are the 10 best things to do in Tanzania.
- Looking for a complete itinerary for Tanzania? Here is a 10-day to 2-week backpacking itinerary for Tanzania.
- Want to climb Mount Kilimanjaro and not sure where to start? Here is A Complete Hiking Guide To Kilimanjaro with all the information you need to hike Kilimanjaro successfully.
- If you plan to hike Kilimanjaro, you are going to have to know what to pack and what not to. Here's The Ultimate Packing List for the Kilimanjaro Hike.
- Serengeti is probably the best place in the world to go on a safari, and it is a must-do if you are in Tanzania. To start planning a safari trip to Serengeti, check out: A Complete Safari Guide To Serengeti, Tanzania.
- Stone Town is a historical town full of rich history and culture, and it is a place you shouldn’t miss when you are traveling to Zanzibar. Here are the 10 Best Things To Do In Stone Town, Zanzibar.
- To truly make the most of your trip to Zanzibar, you have to rent a car and drive to all the hidden gems on the island. Here is A Complete Guide to Renting a Car in Zanzibar.
- To see all articles about Tanzania, visit the Tanzania Travel Guide page.
- If you are planning an East Africa backpacking trip, make sure to check out all our East Africa Travel Guides.
- Looking for more travel guides for Africa? You can find more on my Africa Travel Guide page.
- For more of my travel guides, visit my Destinations page.
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links.