Zanzibar is a set of islands in Tanzania, located just off the coast of Dar es Salaam. That conveniently means there are loads of connections every day between Zanzibar’s airport and the rest of Tanzania. 

It might pop up on your radar because of its endless white-sand beaches, or maybe for the excellent kite surfing conditions, thanks to the Kaskazi & Kusi (north and south) winds that sweep the length of the main island. It’s also a popular place to wash away the stress of a bumpy safari on the mainland.

Even though the locals are predominantly Muslim, alcohol is permitted. That encourages laid-back beach town hangouts that attract visitors from all over, including other African countries. Accommodation is super affordable because of the low cost of living. 

Seven Jack’s Flight Club team members have visited Zanzibar, and we’ve stuffed this guide full of our top tips from experience, as well as from other members who have visited.

Visas 

Visas are pretty simple — while some nationals don’t require a visa for Tanzania (see the full list here), if you do need a visa, you will likely be able to apply for either: 

• A “visa on arrival” 
• An “e-visa” that you apply for before you arrive. We found it took 7–10 days to be approved, but don’t leave it until the last minute, especially in the high season. 

An ordinary visitor visa costs $50/£40/€47 for most nationalities, or $100 for US citizens (at the time of writing in May 2024).

You’ll also need to show your return ticket to the immigration officer when you arrive in Tanzania. 

The Tanzanian government recommends all visitors apply for an e-visa, rather than wait to get your visa once you arrive (since it’s not guaranteed you’ll be approved on arrival). But, some of our team found the online application to be a little confusing, and other tourists have reported a buggy website and uncertain visa timelines, and so prefer to wait for a visa on arrival if they can. 

FYI, if you’re travelling on a passport from this list, you must apply via an e-visa — you won’t be able to get a visa on arrival.

Vaccines and medication

Disclaimer: We aren't medical experts, so always check which medications and vaccines are recommended by your local healthcare service before travelling. Here are a few links to get you started: 

• UK: NHS Fit for Travel
• EU: Travel Advice for EU citizens
  
• USA: CDC Travelers' Health
• Canada: Canada.ca Travel Advice

We had the hepatitis, typhoid and DPT vaccines before we left, and stocked up on anti-diarrheal, anti-nausea, and anti-malarial tablets, anti-histamines and painkillers.

Other essentials

• Sunscreen and after sun lotion: You’ll need SPF 50+ to avoid nasty sunburn on these super sunny islands—we learned the hard way. 
• Mosquito repellent: A high-level DEET repellent (at least 50%)
  • Any higher % DEET typically only increases how long it’ll be effective for, rather than offering ‘better’ protection from biting insects. A 50% application should last you 10–12 hours.
  • FYI, when you wear sunscreen and DEET repellent together, it can limit the sun protection of your sunscreen, so give it 30 minutes after you’ve applied your sunscreen (or until it’s fully absorbed) before spraying your repellent. 
  • Find more anti-mosquito tips in the clothing section below

Pro tip: We found that local sunscreen was not as effective as sunscreen we brought from home, so it’s worth bringing more than you think you’ll need. 

• Travel insurance: there are hospitals and medical centers in Tanzania, but they may not be up to the same standard you’re used to at home. The cost of transportation to the hospital can also be expensive if you have to pay upfront.

Clothing

Bring loose-fitting clothes that you can layer. As you’d expect on a tropical island, it can go from blazing heat to a thunderstorm in a matter of minutes, so dress accordingly!  

Dressing modestly is important to Zanzibarians. As a tourist, you don’t have to follow any guidelines, but a good rule of thumb to avoid looks from locals is to wear loose-fitting outfits that cover your knees and shoulders. Swimwear at the beach is fine—locals are accustomed to it; just remember to also take a shawl to cover up once you leave the sand. This is a great guide for deciding what to wear.

Light-colored clothing (like white or khaki) isn’t attractive to mosquitos, so opt for those over dark colors like blue or black. Remember that mosquitos can’t bite through most fabric, so long-sleeves, long pants and proper shoes are best for keeping the bites at bay. 

FYI: All disposable plastic bags have been banned in Tanzania. This includes grocery store bags, packaging, and zip-lock bags (except for storing toiletries) and you could get a fine if you’re caught with one. Bring tote bags instead!

Mindset

Hakuna matata! What a wonderful phrase!

You’ll hear the expressions hakuna matata (‘no problem’) and pole pole (‘slow slow’) in Swahili a lot during your visit.

Locals have a relaxed and carefree attitude, and you’ll have a much better time if you just roll with it. Car broken down in the middle of nowhere? Hakuna matata. Dinner served 1.5 hrs after ordering? Pole pole. Preparing to embrace the focus on joy, gratitude, and living in the moment will be essential for anyone prone to stress on holiday.