Things To Know Before You Go
Time
Local time is GMT +3. Finland and Zanzibar are in the same time zone.
Local time is GMT +3. Finland and Zanzibar are in the same time zone.
Climate
Zanzibar is laying on the warm Indian Ocean, 6 degrees from the Equator. The climate is reasonable with constant temperature of 21 – 33 Celsius degrees. However, this is subjected to the seasonal northeast monsoon winds, blowing day and night from November to March (the Zanzibar summer). The temperature is then about 26 – 34 Celsius degrees with humidity. The southwest monsoon winds blow from the beginning of June to mid October (the Zanzibar winter). Then the temperature is about 21 – 29 Celsius degrees. The rain season is rom April to the end of May, although one should expect shower any time throughout the year.
Zanzibar is laying on the warm Indian Ocean, 6 degrees from the Equator. The climate is reasonable with constant temperature of 21 – 33 Celsius degrees. However, this is subjected to the seasonal northeast monsoon winds, blowing day and night from November to March (the Zanzibar summer). The temperature is then about 26 – 34 Celsius degrees with humidity. The southwest monsoon winds blow from the beginning of June to mid October (the Zanzibar winter). Then the temperature is about 21 – 29 Celsius degrees. The rain season is rom April to the end of May, although one should expect shower any time throughout the year.
Visas and Immigration
All visitors to Zanzibar require a passport.
Passports must be valid for 6 months and have at least two clear pages.
Most nationalities also require a visa.
They are easily available on arrival at the airport and cost US$50 per passport, payable in US Dollar only.
Yellow fever certificate is an erratic requirement, occasionally the immigration officer may ask to see it, but more often than not they just stamp passports and collect the visa fee.
Please note there is a government departure tax of US$35 per person also payable in US Dollar.
So make sure you have US$85 per person in cash for visa and government departure tax.
Nationals of some countries do not require visas, so it is advisable to check with your nearest Tanzanian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate prior to visiting.
Tanzanian visas are issued by the Director of Immigration Services in Dar es Salam and by the Principal Immigration Officer of Zanzibar.
As well as Zanzibar International Airport there are currently three other points of entry into Tanzania from where visas can be obtained. They are at the Dar es Salam International Airport, Namanga Border on the road from Kenya into Tanzania and Kilimanjaro International Airport.
In mainland Tanzania, visas are granted on showing a return ticket from Tanzania. This ensures that the person has enough funds for making a return to his/her original country. A permit visa of three months is issued for tourists.
All visitors to Zanzibar require a passport.
Passports must be valid for 6 months and have at least two clear pages.
Most nationalities also require a visa.
They are easily available on arrival at the airport and cost US$50 per passport, payable in US Dollar only.
Yellow fever certificate is an erratic requirement, occasionally the immigration officer may ask to see it, but more often than not they just stamp passports and collect the visa fee.
Please note there is a government departure tax of US$35 per person also payable in US Dollar.
So make sure you have US$85 per person in cash for visa and government departure tax.
Nationals of some countries do not require visas, so it is advisable to check with your nearest Tanzanian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate prior to visiting.
Tanzanian visas are issued by the Director of Immigration Services in Dar es Salam and by the Principal Immigration Officer of Zanzibar.
As well as Zanzibar International Airport there are currently three other points of entry into Tanzania from where visas can be obtained. They are at the Dar es Salam International Airport, Namanga Border on the road from Kenya into Tanzania and Kilimanjaro International Airport.
In mainland Tanzania, visas are granted on showing a return ticket from Tanzania. This ensures that the person has enough funds for making a return to his/her original country. A permit visa of three months is issued for tourists.
Medical
You should take advice from your doctor. Visitors are required to show a yellow fever certificate before entering Zanzibar. Malaria is not common any more in Zanzibar but we advise a suitable course of prophylactics should be started before departure. Cover up after the sunset and use mosquito repellent on exposed skin. Sleep with a mosquito net or in an insect free room. HIV is a threat! Protection should be used. Drink bottled or well boiled water and make sure the seal is unbroken. Please ensure that you have comprehensive insurance to cover the unlikely event of serious accident.
You should take advice from your doctor. Visitors are required to show a yellow fever certificate before entering Zanzibar. Malaria is not common any more in Zanzibar but we advise a suitable course of prophylactics should be started before departure. Cover up after the sunset and use mosquito repellent on exposed skin. Sleep with a mosquito net or in an insect free room. HIV is a threat! Protection should be used. Drink bottled or well boiled water and make sure the seal is unbroken. Please ensure that you have comprehensive insurance to cover the unlikely event of serious accident.
Money
The local currency in Zanzibar is the Tanzanian Shilling (TSh). US dollar bank notes are also widely accepted as payment throughout the island. Credit cards such as Visa and MasterCard are accepted at large establishments. There are ATM cash machines in Zanzibar Town and in Chake Chake.
The local currency in Zanzibar is the Tanzanian Shilling (TSh). US dollar bank notes are also widely accepted as payment throughout the island. Credit cards such as Visa and MasterCard are accepted at large establishments. There are ATM cash machines in Zanzibar Town and in Chake Chake.
Electric current
The local current is 220- 240 VAC 50Hz. plug sockets take the three square pin British plugs. There are still occasional power cuts in Zanzibar, but it’s becoming less frequent. Visitors are advised not to leave expensive electrical appliance plugged in when not in use, due to occasional power surges.
The local current is 220- 240 VAC 50Hz. plug sockets take the three square pin British plugs. There are still occasional power cuts in Zanzibar, but it’s becoming less frequent. Visitors are advised not to leave expensive electrical appliance plugged in when not in use, due to occasional power surges.
Communication
While in Zanzibar Town you can make international calls from the post office. Royal Zanzibar has Wi-Fi internet within the hotel and there are a number of internet cafes all over Zanzibar.
While in Zanzibar Town you can make international calls from the post office. Royal Zanzibar has Wi-Fi internet within the hotel and there are a number of internet cafes all over Zanzibar.
What to pack
Clothes should be light, loose, washable and preferably made from natural fabrics, rubber flip-flops or sandals are excellent choice for wandering around the villages and town, but a sturdy pair of walking shoes will normally be needed for sightseeing or walking through the forest.
The tropical sun in Zanzibar is very strong, especially in midday. Sunscreen with high SPF and a shady hat are preferable, together with sun glasses.
Clothes should be light, loose, washable and preferably made from natural fabrics, rubber flip-flops or sandals are excellent choice for wandering around the villages and town, but a sturdy pair of walking shoes will normally be needed for sightseeing or walking through the forest.
The tropical sun in Zanzibar is very strong, especially in midday. Sunscreen with high SPF and a shady hat are preferable, together with sun glasses.
Dress
Modest dressing is appreciated by everyone in Zanzibar. Foreign standards do not apply everywhere, so some items which are standard in your home country might not be appreciated. Bikinis and minis are fine for the beach, but in the villages and towns, women should cover their shoulders and wear a skirt or trousers that reach below the knee. Likewise, men should not go shirtless and dress respectfully.
Modest dressing is appreciated by everyone in Zanzibar. Foreign standards do not apply everywhere, so some items which are standard in your home country might not be appreciated. Bikinis and minis are fine for the beach, but in the villages and towns, women should cover their shoulders and wear a skirt or trousers that reach below the knee. Likewise, men should not go shirtless and dress respectfully.
Photography
You can take photos in public areas but ask for permission before taking pictures of individual people or private houses.
You can take photos in public areas but ask for permission before taking pictures of individual people or private houses.