Zanzibar Travel Guide

Index - click on topic of interest

Important to know

• Aviation Transport
• International Airports


• Religion & Dress-Code


• Visa Requirements


• Health Care
• Hospitals & Doctors
• Yellow Fever Vaccination

Recreation

• Water Sports
• Kite / Wind Surfing
• Scuba Diving

Zanzibar

2 large tropical islands with several smaller ones situated in the Indian Ocean, 25–50 kilometers off the coast of Tanzania. The 2 main islands are Unguja (the main island, referred to informally as Zanzibar) and Pemba.

The capital of Zanzibar, Zanzibar City is the commercial centre of the islands and is located on the island of Unguja. Its historic centre, known as Stone Town, is a World Heritage site and is claimed to be the only functioning historic town in East Africa.

Aviation Transport in Zanzibar

Main International Airports: Zanzibar International Airport

From whichever international destination you will be flying from, the only international airport "Kisauni Airport" on the islands and is situated 4 kms outside of Stone Town on the Island of Unguja. From here smaller internal flights can be taken to other islands or transfers via boat and car.

The airport is currently served on a daily basis from all major East African airports such as Kilimanjaro Airport, Arusha Airport, Dar es Salaam Airport in Tanzania as well as Mombasa Moi International and Nairobi's Jomo Kenyatta in Kenya.

Zanzibar is an attractive tourist destination therefore the airport has been developed to handle long haul international charter airlines as well as smaller international airlines such as Air Tanzania, Kenya Airways, Zan Air, Precision Air and Fly540.

For further information visit - www.zanzibar-airport.com

NB - When using local internal flights – African Luxury Villas recommend that ample time is given between international flights due to delays and ALL return flights via local airlines are re confirmed at least 48 hours before departure.

Religion and Dress Code

The population of Zanzibar is predominantly Muslim with strong religious and cultural traditions. Men and women should dress appropriately in public areas especially in villages or Stone Town. Shoulders and legs must be covered below the knees. Standard beachwear on the beach is accepted although nude or topless bathing is strictly not tolerated.

Public consumption of alcohol is not permissible except licensed businesses such as hotels, bars and some restaurants.

Mosques are religious and sacred places and are generally no entry to non-Muslims and local customs should respected.

VISA Requirements

Visas are required for most nationals and cost US$50 for single entry for 90 days. A visa can be obtained on entry before passport control and luggage collection, however we recommended one be obtained before arrival to avoid airport lengthy queues. Visa Application Forms are available online - http://www.test.tanzatrade.co.uk/images/stories/visa_form1.pdf

Standard Visa fees payable by cash to the Embassy of Tanzania.

Visa fees charges: 

Multiple entry: 100 USD 1 year and 200 USD for 2 years
Single entry: 50 USD /40 EURO

Visa payment can be settled in US Dollars, British Pounds or Euros.
For further information visit -

UK and Ireland
www.tanzaniahighcommission.co.uk

USA
http://www.embassy-worldwide.com/embassy/embassy-of-the-republic-of-tanzania-in-the-united-states-of-america/

Germany
www.tanzania-gov.de

Health Care

Useful information on Health Care

We recommend that you take a couple of minutes to read on vaccinations, malaria protection & prevention measures and much more on: www.Bushdrums.com
In case the situation arises, we suggest the following private Hospitals/Health care:

Hospitals and doctors

Zanzibar island's main public hospital is Mnazi Moja General Hospital situated south of Stone Town. The hospoital is a typical underfunded and poorly stocked 3rd world general hospital for instant emergencies however we recommend for serious cases, hospitals in Dar es Salaam or Mombasa, Kenya.

For general consultancy, contact your villas manager or for private clinics with foreign standard and better trained staff -
Zanzibar Medical and Diagnostic Centre
Tel: 024 223 1071
24hr emergency : 0777 750040 or 0777 413714

Zanzibar Medical Group
Tel: 024 2233134   

Yellow Fever Vaccination:

All persons travelling to Tanzania from countries that have Yellow Fever Endemic must produce a valid Yellow Fever Vaccination certificate.
Travellers who transit in Yellow Fever Endemic Areas, require to have a certificate if the transit period at the airport is 12 hrs or more.
Travellers who while on transit leave the airport in Yellow Fever Endemic countries must have a certificate on entry to Tanzania.
All visitors who travel from Yellow Fever Endemic Areas, by land or sea are required to have a Yellow Fever Certificate.

All Visitors from the following countries and/or countries that are required to have Yellow Fever Vaccination BEFORE travelling to Tanzania visit - wwwtanzaniahighcommission.co.uk

African Luxury Villas recommends you obtain personal travel insurance that covers your travel as well as medical expenses from your trusted Insurance Broker.

Water sports on the Zanzibarian Coast

Kitesurfing in Zanzibar

Located on Matemwe Beach opposite Mnemba Atol, which is world famous for its stunning, turquoise reef, Zanzikite offers beginners and advanced kite surfers alike a truly unique tropical kiting experience. Prevailing trade winds blowing across shore all year round on the island's northeast lagoon make for ideal kiting conditions, which is why Zanzibar is rapidly becoming a top destination for all tropical kiters. The Zanzikite team is led by kite master Chichi who has years of experience kiting on Matemwe's lagoon.

Zanzikite offers private lessons, with the full kit provided, for one or two person bookings. Advanced kiters can also rent kites from them.

Those who wish to do kite surfing during their vacation in Zanzibar, should consider staying at the Absolute Beachfront Bungalows run by the same owner and only a short walk on the beach to get to the Kite-Surfing Center.