No Visa is required for South African passport holders, most SADC countries don’t require a visa , all other passport holders can get a visa on arrival in Zanzibar

Summer temperatures range from 25°C/68°F to 35°C/86°F, from December to March. Winter temperatures range from 20°C/66°F to 25°C/77°F, from March to May. From June to October it gets very dry on the island with hot days and cool evenings. Late October through to mid December is pretty hot with small thunderstorms.

The unit of currency in Zanzibar is the Tanzanian shilling (Tsh). However preferred currency is USD

Zanzibar uses 220v, so you will need adapters if you are using a different voltage. Most hotels have adapters, but it is wise to bring your own, just in case.

All the major hotels and resorts provide internet connectivity. Smaller out of the way lodges may not be able to offer connectivity. But that the whole point of being on holiday anyway. To get away from “being connected” to reality. There are internet cafes in the town. The international country dialling code for Tanzania is +255 and the area code for Zanzibar is 24. The telephone system in Zanzibar is a little quirky, with mis-dials and broken connections. Mobile phones work in Zanzibar; with at least three service providers, and coverage is now complete across the main island of Unguja, but less reliable on Pemba.

NO yellow fever (injection ) certificate required for travel to Zanzibar after Tanzania was included on the World Health Organisation Low risk yellow fever countries list.

Swahili is the official language of Zanzibar but English is widely spoken throughout the island. Arabic is spoken as well.

Zanzibar offers a diverse range of activities for visitors, catering to various interests. Here are some popular things to do on the islands:
– Explore Stone Town.
– Visit Spice Plantations.
– Relax on the Beaches.
– Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park.
– Prison Island.
– Spice Tour and Histroical Site.
– Water Activities etc.

Personal effects and articles for personal consumption are duty free. A customs bond may be demanded from visitors bringing in video/filming equipment, radios, tape recorders and musical instruments to ensure the goods are re-exported. For visitors over sixteen, liquor (not exceeding one litre) and tobacco (not exceeding 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250g of tobacco) are tax free.

Zanzibar hosts just over 1,000 000 people on the Island. The population is 95% Black African people, with 5% being Asian, Arab and European. When walking through Stone Town remember that it is
very much a real community, where real people live and work and sensitivity should be shown to the local people.

Both Zanzibar and Tanzania are on GMT + 3.

The capital of Zanzibar is Stone Town, a place where the past and present has mixed very well. Stone Town is an interesting mix of East African, Arab, Indian, Persian and European conquerors, traders and seafarers. The city is filled with old buildings created in the different periods of time in Zanzibar. Being a small and busy island, the town does not provide the cleanest view, but it’s interesting to see the markets, harbour, and mosques, and to dine at a few restaurants.

Visa, Dinners and MasterCard are accepted at all upmarket hotels and lodges.

Zanzibar does not have any international banks. However, the local banks will readily exchange foreign currency. The banks are open from 9:00am to 16:00pm, Monday to Friday and closed on a Saturday and Sunday.

As in all other places in the world, at restaurants, the standard tipping is 10% of the bill. For lodge and hotel staff, it usually is 10 – 15%.

Zanzibar drives on the left. Be watchful for taxis and buses. You will need a valid International Driving License to rent a Car or
Scooter (Vespa). If you did not have time to obtain an International License you are obliged to purchase a Zanzibar Driving License
for Tsh3 000 per day. Always stop when passing Police Stations and only proceed when you receive a signal to do so. Be prepared
for random checks at Police road blocks where you will have to show the relevant paperwork. Always give way to Police Cars with
flashing lights, if in doubt pull off the road until they have passed by. Always check and locate the vehicle’s spare tyre and jack
before setting out.

It is essential that you take out holiday insurance to cover personal accident, emergency medical evacuation, and loss of baggage
and cancellation/curtailment of your trip as with anywhere else in the World.

Never leave money, traveller’s cheques, cameras, jewellery or other valuable items unattended in vehicles or in obvious places.
Make use of the hotel safes.

The main shopping area in Stone Town is Gizenga Street and Kenyatta Road which is lined with shops selling a wide selection of
locally made arts, crafts and clothing. Woodcarvers are famous for Zanzibar Doors and Zanzibar chests. Other worthwhile purchases
include the brightly coloured whimsical animals of Tinga Tinga Paintings, colourful printed Kanga cloths and kikoy’s, Coconut Shell
which is hand carved into pots, jewellery and mobiles. Zanzibar Spices will remind you of the Spice Islands back home in your
kitchen. Be prepared to bargain at the local markets and pay in Shillings. The more reputable shops that we recommend offer
comfortable shopping in air-conditioned environment, a high quality of goods and an opportunity to pay in forex i.e. USD or credit
card.