Zanzibar Island Travel Forum

Hello,

We visited Zanzibar 15 years ago and are planning to go there next Feb. Due to extensive low tide it was not possible to swim between 10 am and 15 pm. This was on the south east cost. Can anybody advise if low tide is a problem also on the north east cost. If so, what do you recommend?

Is it possible to get your visa on entry at Zanzibar island?
I am flying direct from Johannesburg to Zanzibar (not via Dar).
Has anyone done this before?
I am getting mixed messages from the Tanzanian High Commission as well as from other travellers.
Thanks
Tanja

Hi,

Can anyone recommend a beach that is good for kite surfing on zanzibar?
Any nice, medium priced hotels ($40-80 dbl) that you can recommend?

Thanks!

Hi

I'm off to Zanzibar for 3 - 4 weeks at end of July. I am mainly going for the diving but am looking for help from fellow travellers regarding accommodation (preferably under $50USD per night) and other tips on worthwhile activities to do. Any help is appreciated

Clare

is it possible to pick up some bar work in zanzibar. nothing great just to keep my head above water.

cheers, rick

Hi guys, I'm off to Zanzibar in 2 weeks and staying in Paje - is there anywhere to rent a jeep/car in or around that area?

Thanks :) xxx

What percentage USD vs Shillings should we take? I know the hotels operate in USD, but what about the local shops, restaurants and markets?

We will be arriving end June. Will it still be raining in ZNZ?

Any ideas on where to rent a motorbike/scooter cheaply? (Not large expensive companies)

Is it absolutely necessary to take Malaria tablets? I lived in Thailand for 1 year without taking anything and still survived.

Thanks - any advice will help.
Tanja

Hi all. I'm going to Zanzibar for a week in August and would like to rent a car (a small 4wd). However, so far did not find much info on where to rent it. No info on the main tourist guides. No office of the main rent-a-car companies (hertz, avis etc.)
I've seen various posts of people who did it but they did not say where and how they rented.
Any info or tips would be very welcome.
Thanks much in advance.

Looking to do a month's volunteer work in Zanzibar but all the websites I have found seem to be charging high fees. Would rather get there under my own steam and sort my own accommodation so that all costs can be kept to a minimum and the rest of the budget can be donated to a worthwhile project. I have visited Zanzibar three times so would be able to plan the logistics myself. Would be interested in corresponding with anyone who has volunteered in Africa to hear their views.

Hi there

We're going to Zanzibar for a week in mid Sept after our safari and were wondering do we have to book accommodation in advance?

We;re thinking of spending 2 days in the Stone town then the rest of the time at the beach. Not sure where to go or where we'll want to stay and wondering is it the sort of place where you can just book as you go at that time of year? Like 1 or 2 days in advance

We're looking for middle end accommodation, not hostels, but not expensive resorts

Hi,

I am hoping to travel to Zanzibar from the UAE towards the end of June. Firstly is it safe for a young Brit woman travelling alone?

Secondly where is the best place or places to stay. I want a beach holiday, to chill out but also with some opportunities to meet people to have fun with. I would also like to explore a little & see something of the island.

Any tips & advice very much appreciated.
Cheers

Hi
Am I crazy to consider going on a week holiday to zanzibar in mid April? I want to be able to snorkel safely too...i don't mind a bit of rain, but don't want to have to sit in my room the whole time. Is there a better part of the island to be on during this season?
thanks

Hi all,

I'm going to the East Coast of Zanzibar in the first week of June. I understand it's very tidal, can anyone please tell me what time during the day the tide generally goes out? Thanks :)

Can anyone suggest a beach resort on Zanzibar that would be nice and safe for a single young American woman to spend a long weekend?

hello,
could anybody please tell me what the weather will be like end of april/may. i read in zanzibar.net that it is a rainy season. but what does that mean? raining all the time? few hours per day? is it worth going to zanzibar at all during this time of the year?
thanks in advance for your reply
Gintare

My fiance and I are planning on spending our 2 week honeymoon, the last 2 weeks of May, in Zanzibar.

But I've only just found out that it is monsoon season!! Could anyone let me know how bad I can expect it to be! I am terrified that my "one perfect holiday" is going to be completely rained out and flooded.

We are planning on spending 1 week at the La Gemma Del Est resort, does anyone know anything about it? And then 5 days at Breezes, again, anyone know about this place?? Then 1 day in Stonetown.

Any reasurrance, or advice is much appreciated!!

Hi,

I will be in Zanzibar around Christmas - New year 2007 and am heading straight to nungwi for the first few days. I am looking for fairly cheap and simple accommodation although can afford mid range stuff if i have to. I plan to use somewhere to sleep and leave my bags so i do not want all the luxuries.

What are the chances of me not being able to find anywhere to stay when i turn uo and if i book in advance does anyone know any good beach bungalow type places that are on the cheap side.

Any help is much appreciated.

Sean

recommendations for mid-priced 100-200 USD hotels on beach in nungwi perhaps one step down from Ras Nungwi hotel?Looked at paje,bwejuu but have been advised while beach is ultra photogenic the tide goes out for miles and there is broken coral to step on when the sea returns.I like to look at a beutiful beach but still want to be able to use it!!Thanks.Going next february so require air-con

Hi,

I'm looking to stay on Zanzibar during the summer and i've been trying to find info on Langilangi Beach Bungalows. Can anyone tell me anything about the place. I'm not fussed about great accommodation, but is it clean, on the beach, good food, friendly staff - on their website everything looks fine. Also I think I have to pay in the full amount in advance to a bank account - i'm a bit dubious about this. Any advice appreciated.

We are going to zanzibar dec 14 2007 -jan 3 2008 and are looking for cheap and good place to stay. North east cost whould be nice. 2 adult and 3 kids. Maybe a bungalow...Heard of jambo brothers..

Does anybody have a recomendation (adress, e-mail, phonenr)

/thanks, Ola

Hello.
My boyfriend and I are planning to go to Zanzibar and stay at the Matemwe Beach Village. Unfortunately we only have 7 nights, there so I would like to know if these hotel would be too far.. Has anyone stayed there?? Apparently the reviews are very good. My only concern is to be too far from the rest of the island!
Cheers!!!!

Erika

Hello all,

Due to arrive in Zanzibar on Friday morning. I know is the the long rain season but how is the weather looking at the moment? Does it tend to rain all day/ be overcast or just bursts of heavy rain followed by sunshine.

Thanks,

Chantal

Hi

I'm unexpetedly travelling to Zanzibar from Mumbai and would like to know whether I can obtain a tourist VISA at the airport on arrival. Can anyone please advise?

Thanks!

Emily

Hello All,

Heading over to Zanzibar on the 5th April. We have two nights booked in Stone Town (superb rate low season at the Zanzibar Palace Hotel) followed by 3 nights at Pongewe Beach (which I understand is very good for relaxing and quite romantic). We would like to spend the last 3/4 nights somewhere more sociable (a bit of chilled night life would be great and a chance to mix with some other people). Nungwe looks like a good place to hang out. Any advise on Nungew or alternative places to base ourselves or any accomodation. Accomodation does not have to be luxe but I like something with character (hate mainstream 5* business hotels) own bathroom, clean, friendly staff and on the beach! What a wish list.

Please let me know what you think!

Thanks,

Chantal
X

Hi! We are planning to go to Zanzibar in July. How is the weather like in that period? Problems with mosquitos? Better east coast or north/west coast?
Thanks

Hi there
Can anyone recommend a hotel suitable for kids aged 9 and 16? Possibly one that has a kids club and activities for teenagers?
Many thanks
Linsy

I'm planning on a few short R&R days somewhere in Zanzibar after a Kilimanjaro trek. I'll be travelling alone - anyone have a similar travel date?

i am arriving in zanzibar mid feb and im looking for a quiet place to stay that is good for swimming. does anyone have any hot tips. im not into flashy hotels, and just want somewhere for r and r.
any info would be much appreciated

i am planning to go to zanzibar feb/mar time. i would like some help on a beautiful QUIET beach with no seaweed and good swimming. i am not interested in big hotels and prefer to stay in a place near the beach with bathrooms attached and also clean!!
any suggestions would be greatly appreciated

i am keen to visit zanzibar for the first time. i am planning to go feb/march, but have had mixed reviews in guide books (rainy or seaweed season). i am wondering if this is a good time to go. i generally travel off peak as it suits me.
i would also appreciate any places to stay that are clean and reasonably priced where the beach is quiet and i can chill out with my husband without any annoyances.
and if anyone can help.....i am also interesed intaking a safari....i know i am cramming in a lot but it has to be done!!!
ANY SUGGESTIONS WOULD BE GRATEFULLY APPRECIATED!!