Travel Information:Why go?
Everyone has heard of Zanzibar, but few know where it is. It could almost be fictitious, one of those mythical names that conjure up exotic spices, tropical fruit and magnificent Sultans Zanzibar consists of two larger islands - Unguja (the main one) and Pemba - as well as a dozen smaller ones. Further south is the archipelago of Mafia. All of them are ringed by dazzlingly white beaches, turquoise waters and colourful corals. Put on a mask and flippers and you have a ready-made aquatic safari - easily combined with a terrestrial safari by taking a short flight across the Indian Ocean to some of Africa’s best game parks. The Zanzibari people are friendly and colourful, their pace is unashamedly African, their seafood is top notch. The climate is hot and bright for 10 months of the year, and only a couple of time zones away from Europe. And there are some idyllic places to stay. Any Downsides? It’s one of the poorest countries in the world, so don’t expect much infrastructure. Outside the capital of Stone Town, there’s little sightseeing. Its remoteness and high tourist levies make it quite expensive. It’s often humid, and distinctly wet in April and May. You'll need to take anti-malarial precautions. Gay travellers beware - gay sex is now illegal. As with all African countries, you may encounter creepy crawlies, stinging fish, stomach bugs and other troublesome creatures. And you should be aware of the implications of travelling in a Muslim country, albeit not a hardline one measures should be take to respect the local cultures, and refrain from behaviors that may be deemed disrespectful. As of March 23rd, 2020 there are no availble commercial passenger flights arriving into Tanzania. We will notify when the flight opertations resume. Mandatory Quarantine Tourist entering Zanzibar from any country from 23rd March 2020 onwards must spend 14 days in mandatory quarantine, which 14 days start from the first day he/she enters in Tanzania. Should any individual in quarantine develop symptoms of cough, fever or shortness of breath they are to remain in quarantine and contact 190 to be undergo necessary medical tests. Visitors should contact 190 or email: info.zanzibartourism.go.tz should they require further information on these guidelines Coronavirus (COVID-19): what you need to do: Latest FCO advice |
When To Go
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Mid Jan – end Feb: dry, very hot and fairly quiet
March: cooler, occasional rain, quiet - considered best for diving April – May: very wet, cool, many hotels are closed June: progressively drier, hotels start opening July – Oct: dry, warm, lovely - but busy, especially in August Nov – mid Dec: unpredictable, with rain progressively likely Mid Dec – mid Jan: usually dry, warm, very busy Bear in mind that ‘cool’ and ‘dry’ are relative terms – it rarely drops below 25 Celsius and 50% humidity! Some people prefer to go in late June-July, in September-October, or, if you don’t mind the extra heat, in January-February. For the latest weather forecast click here: www.bbc.com/weather/148730 Public holidays: 1 Jan: New Year's Day 12 Jan: Zanzibar Revolution Day - commemorates overthrow of Sultan in 1963 5 Feb: CCM Day - foundation of major political party in 1977 Easter: Good Friday to Easter Monday is a holiday for the Christian population 26 April: Union Day - commemorates union with Tanganyika in 1964 1 May: Labour Day Variable: Maulidi (Mohammad's birthday) 7 July: Saba Saba (Peasants' Day) 8 August: Nane Nane (Farmers' Day) 9 Dec: Independence Day - from the British in 1963 25-26 Dec: Christmas & Boxing Day - low-key celebrations, but a busy period for the tourism industry Festivals: Festival of the Dhow Countries (late June - mid July) 3-week-long cultural festival (music, film, dance, poetry and theatre) in various Stone Town venues. 50 different musicians, from trad taarab and ngoma artists to reggae and electronic, including guitarist Mahfudh Ali Mahfudh from the Palm Beach Inn. 100 different films plus film and video workshops. Mwaka Kogwa (Shirazi New Year, 23 or 24 July) Lots of singing, dancing, drumming and general merriment (especially at Mukunduchi), including a playfight with banana stems, a ritual hut-burning by a witch-doctor, and a huge feast. Pemba bullfights (December-February) Unarmed matadors are chased by trained bulls to the wailing of a clarinet Ramadan (Dates vary - see below) The key event of the Moslem year, when everyone abstains from eating, drinking and smoking during daylight hours. Not an ideal time to be travelling around, but can provide great evenings of hospitality, improvised music and dance. The end of Ramadan is celebrated with the four-day festivites of Eid al-Fitr, the most important Moslem festival, starting when the new moon is sighted after a month’s daylight fasting. Click for dates of Ramadan: https://www.islamicfinder.org/special-islamic-days/ramadan-2020/ See www.ing.org for more Islamic holidays and dates. |
Health:
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Cholera
This disease is a growing problem throughout Tanzania and should be taken seriously. Stay safe by being wary of what you eat and drink. Be sure to take decisive action by using a dehydration kit should you develop symptoms. Malaria Protecting yourself against malaria is an important step to keeping your body healthy while in Tanzania. This includes obtaining anti-malaria medication prior to your departure, using DEET repellents and sunscreens, wearing long-sleeved shirts and pants, and using netting at night while on your trip. Use sunscreen The sun can be extremely intense throughout Tanzania. Whether you are at the beach or trekking in the mountains, be sure to apply generous amounts of sunscreen, and reapply throughout the day. Keeping your skin safe is a top priority. Bring a large amount with you, as it is difficult to find and quite expensive on Zanzibar. Stay hydrated With hot temperatures, dehydration is common in Tanzania. Be sure to drink bottled water throughout the day to avoid falling victim to dehydration. Bottled water is readily available, but it is wise to bring a portable water canteen and buy big bottles to alleviate the increasing plastic bottle waste problem. For the latest health information check the CDC website here: http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/Tanzania Insurance Check in advance if your insurance plan will make payments directly to providers or reimburse you later for overseas health expenditures. Most doctors in Tanzania expect payment in cash. Hospitals There are a few modern local hospitals opening with the ability to treat most emergencies the newest being the Global Hospital in Stonetown: http://turkysgroup.co.tz/global_hospital_zanzibar.html There is also a new branch in Kiwengwa partnering with the Global hospital who has a pharmacy and ambulance service on the East Coast in Kiwengwa. www.kiwengwamedicalservice.com Ensure that your travel insurance will cover any emergency transport required to get you at least as far as Nairobi (Kenya), or (preferably) all the way home, by air and with a medical attendant if necessary. It’s worth taking out a temporary membership with the African Medical & Research Foundation (www.amref.org) or First Air Responder (www.firstairresponder.com). |
Entry Requirements for Tanzania:
Entry/Exit Requirements for Tanzania require travelers to have a valid passport and to obtain a visa. Although you can purchase a visa upon entry into Tanzania, in order to circumvent long lines and delays, it is suggested that you obtain your visa prior to your arrival.It is important to note that Tanzania has recently changed its stance on Yellow Fever vaccinations.
The Ministries of Health in Tanzania and Zanzibar changed their yellow fever policies in 2012. Yellow fever vaccination is required for all travelers from yellow fever endemic countries/regions. All individuals in transit for twelve (12) hours or more and/or who leave the immediate airport vicinity in a yellow fever endemic area are required to show proof of vaccination upon arrival in any port of debarkation here in Tanzania. Direct arrivals from non-endemic countries in Europe and North America are not required to show the certificate. Read more…Travelers should also note that a passport and visa are needed when entering and exiting Zanzibar. For the most up-to-date information on visa requirements for Tanzania, visit the Embassy of the United Republic of Tanzania. As always, understanding the requirements for entry and exit to Tanzania prior to your arrival will save you time, money, and stress.
Safety:
As in most countries, crime in these islands is gradually on the increase. Similarly, problems tend to occur with greater frequency in the cities and tourist heartlands than in the rural areas. Perhaps inevitably, the juxtaposition of relatively wealthy tourists and a high density of relatively poor local people causes envy and leads to the occasional crime. Zanzibar Town is notorious for opportunist pickpockets, and occasionally tourists do have bags and cameras snatched while walking around the narrow streets of the Old Town. There have also been robberies on some of the beaches around Zanzibar Town; it is better not to go there alone, especially at night. There are very few crime problems on Mafia Island – but then this is a small, rural island with a low population density. Theft from hotel rooms is unusual, though not unheard of. Most hotels have safes, where valuables can be stored, although reports of stuff disappearing from the safes of more basic budget hotels are not unknown. There have recently been 300 security cameras installed in Stone Town to increase safety measures.
Currency and Banks:
The official currency in Tanzania is the Tanzania Schilling. Many places accept and prefer USD (hotels, shops etc). There are very few ATM machines around the island. There is no ATM at the airport. It is best to stop in Stonetown first to do your banking needs. There are several branches of Banks (Barclays, NBC Bank, Exim Bank) and others that have their own ATM machines. Please be advised the with drawl fee is quite high (can be $12 USD at places) and the amount of each with drawl is usually limited to $400 USD each time up to $1000 USD per day. Most hotels accept credit cards but some charge a 6% fee. The currency exchanges are mostly located in town and you will get the best rate if you exchange in advance at an exchange instead of the hotels or places in the beach areas. There is only 1 other ATM located now in Kiwengwa by the Kiwengwa Medical Clinic, and 1 in Makunduchi (20 minutes out of Jambiani) but cash may be limited in them.
Entry/Exit Requirements for Tanzania require travelers to have a valid passport and to obtain a visa. Although you can purchase a visa upon entry into Tanzania, in order to circumvent long lines and delays, it is suggested that you obtain your visa prior to your arrival.It is important to note that Tanzania has recently changed its stance on Yellow Fever vaccinations.
The Ministries of Health in Tanzania and Zanzibar changed their yellow fever policies in 2012. Yellow fever vaccination is required for all travelers from yellow fever endemic countries/regions. All individuals in transit for twelve (12) hours or more and/or who leave the immediate airport vicinity in a yellow fever endemic area are required to show proof of vaccination upon arrival in any port of debarkation here in Tanzania. Direct arrivals from non-endemic countries in Europe and North America are not required to show the certificate. Read more…Travelers should also note that a passport and visa are needed when entering and exiting Zanzibar. For the most up-to-date information on visa requirements for Tanzania, visit the Embassy of the United Republic of Tanzania. As always, understanding the requirements for entry and exit to Tanzania prior to your arrival will save you time, money, and stress.
Safety:
As in most countries, crime in these islands is gradually on the increase. Similarly, problems tend to occur with greater frequency in the cities and tourist heartlands than in the rural areas. Perhaps inevitably, the juxtaposition of relatively wealthy tourists and a high density of relatively poor local people causes envy and leads to the occasional crime. Zanzibar Town is notorious for opportunist pickpockets, and occasionally tourists do have bags and cameras snatched while walking around the narrow streets of the Old Town. There have also been robberies on some of the beaches around Zanzibar Town; it is better not to go there alone, especially at night. There are very few crime problems on Mafia Island – but then this is a small, rural island with a low population density. Theft from hotel rooms is unusual, though not unheard of. Most hotels have safes, where valuables can be stored, although reports of stuff disappearing from the safes of more basic budget hotels are not unknown. There have recently been 300 security cameras installed in Stone Town to increase safety measures.
Currency and Banks:
The official currency in Tanzania is the Tanzania Schilling. Many places accept and prefer USD (hotels, shops etc). There are very few ATM machines around the island. There is no ATM at the airport. It is best to stop in Stonetown first to do your banking needs. There are several branches of Banks (Barclays, NBC Bank, Exim Bank) and others that have their own ATM machines. Please be advised the with drawl fee is quite high (can be $12 USD at places) and the amount of each with drawl is usually limited to $400 USD each time up to $1000 USD per day. Most hotels accept credit cards but some charge a 6% fee. The currency exchanges are mostly located in town and you will get the best rate if you exchange in advance at an exchange instead of the hotels or places in the beach areas. There is only 1 other ATM located now in Kiwengwa by the Kiwengwa Medical Clinic, and 1 in Makunduchi (20 minutes out of Jambiani) but cash may be limited in them.