Zanzibar Island Travel Forum

I can travel to zanibar for three weeks, my window is mid-October through mid-December. Can anyone tell me from experience if I'm better off arriving in mid October and staying through the first half of November, or the second half of November through the first half of December? Thanks for any advice!

Hi All,
Just wondering about your opinions on solo travel on Zanzibar. I'm considering going there for two weeks in November and Mafia Island for a third week. I've read posts in which people say they felt safe in groups, but haven't heard much about solo travelers. My budget is mid-range, I can afford a little more if safety is an issue. Any responses are appreciated!

Hi,
I am a 21 year old single female planning to go to Zanzibar by bus from Nairobi at the end of August. Can anybody tell me what bus line I should take. Also, where on the island would be best for me in terms of safety/ young people etc? Can you recommend budget accommodations for backpackers?
Thanks!

We are thinking of taking a 2 week vacation during Ramadan, will we find it easy to find restaurants open during the day and will alcohol be available during this time. We live in Morocco so understand there might be restrictions. If you are on the ground your input would be most valued...
Thanks
Sue

Hi,

My husband and I will be spending about 4-5 days in Zanzibar, right at the end of a month-long trip to East Africa. We will spend a couple of nights in Stone Town, and then plan to head over to the east coast to spend a couple of nights on the beach. But which beach???!! I understand that they are all stunning, but does anyone have a particular favorite? We are looking for something not completely isolated, but not really built up and touristy either. We don't want a resort, and would somewhere that offers the more cabin-like places on the beach. Any suggestion would be great! Thanks!

Am coming with wife and nine and half month daughter (makes a difference you know, each month! :-) ) to Zanzibar - aiming for 10th June to 20th June...

Suggestions please?

baby friendly hotels, rates, car hire if possible / required? things to do in these many days... not only stone town please... I love snorkeling and would not even mind a diving course, unless it is far far more expensive than Thailand, where I will be going later this year...

Anyways, any suggestions welcome! Specially from people living there! :-)

Asante sana!

Hi-anyone stayed or know ZA VILLA-north east coast of Zanzibar. We have booked the villa for a week in Sept and really looking forward to beach holiday. Any suggestions for places to visit other than stonetown. Very keen photographers.
Travelling from South Africa(east london)
Thanks

When is the main rainy season and when are the mangoes ripe?

Hello,

We are pretending to spend last 4 nights of our trip Tanzania, in Zanzibar. Does anyone know this place? Anyone can give us a litlle report on it? Concerning location, amenities, tranquility and beauty of the place, beach, food and service.
We are thinking about staying at one of the Suites. Any special comments?

Thanks,
Alex

My boyfrind and I are considering travelling to Zanibar after doing a safari in Kenya for our honeymoon. We'd be going late March/early April. I have heard that the rainy season starts in March. Is it worth going as we'd only be there for 4 nights?

Hello!

I am a Norwegian who plan to travel fram Zanzibar on April 14-16th fram Zanzibar. I would prefer to go by boat. What is the best way, Please?

Hi there,
I will have one day and one night on my trip to Dar Es Salam. Is it worth it for me to spend it on Zanzibar? My other option is to stay in Dar and take a one day trip somewhere.

Thanks.

Two friends and myself plan to arrive on May 30th and leave on 8th June (these are the only dates that fit and we have our heart set on ZNZ!). I have had mixed opinions on the weather, can anyone tell me if there is still a lot of rain or if we will be able to sun bathe every day?!
Many thanks!
Jenny

Hi there,

Im looking to go to Zanzibar in early April, but am worried about the long rainy season. I've spent time in the region before but not at this time of year. Does anyone know what I should expect?

Any advice would be fantastic.

Regards, Jon

Has anyone stayed at Nungwi Village Beach Resort towards the end of 2008. If so what was the resort like?

Hello

Myself and 2 girlriends are going to Zanzibar for 2 weeks over christmas.
We are interested in knowing about if there are hip and stylish upmarket cafes/bars in Stonetown that are fun and have interesting interior design. I would also like to know beach recommendations and any noteworthy beach restaurants/bars. We are not into package holiday types of places, nor are we into backpacker, rough places - yet we'd like to enjoy places that are a bit upmarket, but at the same time rustic, authentic, open air, and beautiful. And, since we are 3 females, aged 40, we dont want to hang out anywere that caters only for the honeymoon crowd either! Thanks for any traveller comments from those of you who have been to Zanzibar.

Hi, would like to hear from someone who has stayed here. What is the beach like and will you recommend it?
Thanks.

Hi everyone,

I am looking at booking accommodation in Zanzibar and I have been asked for up to 50% deposit, in cash!, when requesting a booking.

Is this common practice in Zanzibar and if so, has anyone had issues with this practice? I really don't feel comfortable doing this, but also don't want to turn up without any accommodation pre-booked.

Any information would be appreciated.

Spenno

My son and some friends will be spending a few days in Zanzibar over New Year. Any recommendations for affordable accommodation near the beach, preferably to the north of Zanzibar (e.g.Nungwi)?

Hi Everyone,

We are heading to Zanzibar in February and I am trying to pick a nice relaxing place to stay in Zanzibar, for not a great deal of money, but also not a budget hotel. We would like a pool and close to the beach.

Does anyone have any comments on Coral Rock Beach Bungalows or Blue Oyster?

AFTER READING THE STORY OF THE LADY TELLING ABOUT THEIR TROUBLE AT THEIR RESORT IN ZANZIBAR IN SEPTEMBER , I AM WONDERING IF ANY ONE ELSE HAS FELT THREATENED THERE? I AM GOING WITH MY KIDS IN JAN 2009 AND WOULD LIKE TO HEAR IF ANYONE ELSE HAS HAD THREATENING EXPERIENCES IN ZANZIBAR LATELY??? THANKS FOR YOUR HELP SANDRA

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.