Your must-dos in Zanzibar are: exploring Stone Town, taking the spice tour, seeing the red colobus monkeys in Jozani Forest, swimming with turtles in Nungwi, and sailing on a traditional dhow.
Zanzibar is famous for its white sand beaches and turquoise waters, for being the birthplace of Freddie Mercury, and for its capital, Stone Town, a stone labyrinth declared a World Heritage Site. It's also famous for its spice plantations and impressive coral reefs.
The best times to visit are from June to October (the dry and cool season) and between January and February. Avoid April and May, as this is the rainy season and many hotels close for maintenance.
To enjoy the beaches and get to know the basics, we recommend at least 5 days. If you want to combine relaxation with cultural and nature day trips, the ideal length of stay is between 7 and 10 days.
U.S citizens require a multiple-entry visa to enter Zanzibar. It costs approximately 100USD and is valid for 12 months, however you can only stay for a maximum of 90 days. UK citizens require an e-Visa, which can be applied for online before traveling, or can be obtained at the airport upon arrival. It costs approximately 50USD and is valid for 90 days. If you are a citizen of a different country, we recommend checking whether or not you need a visa at the country's official government website before traveling. In all cases, your passport but have at least 6 months of validity left on it upon entry to Zanzibar.
If you're traveling directly from the U.S. or the UK, there are no mandatory vaccinations, although the yellow fever vaccine is recommended. However, if you have a layover of more than 12 hours in a country with a risk of transmission (such as Kenya or Ethiopia), you will be required to have a yellow fever vaccination certificate.
Yes, it's a very safe destination for tourists. As a tip, avoid walking on deserted beaches at night and always keep an eye on your belongings in Stone Town. As it is a predominantly Muslim culture, remember to dress respectfully (covering your shoulders and knees) when leaving hotel complexes.
Don't leave without trying the “Zanzibar pizza” (a very popular stuffed crepe found at night markets), octopus curry with coconut milk, and urojo soup. Food in Zanzibar is an explosion of flavors thanks to the island's cloves, cinnamon, and pepper.
Latest reviews
It was a unique experience! They picked us up from our hotel right on time, and we didn't have to wait long to board. The guide explained everything while taking us snorkeling, to the Mnemba sandbank, and to swim with dolphins. It's worth noting that he left the dolphins for last so as not to overwhelm them, as there were many boats and people. This was really positive for them, and we were able to enjoy them more! He also served us a tray full of delicious tropical fruits! Highly recommended!
The visit to the park was excellent, and guide Ernest and driver Raymon were exceptional. Guide Ernest shared his vast knowledge of wildlife with us. Thank you for the experience.
A delightful private excursion. Very comfortable on the small boat with lively music. The food was delicious and plentiful. The guides and captain were great. Hakuna Matata. The sandbank was really cool, and the prison island and giant tortoises were fascinating. I will definitely book future excursions with Civitatis.