Flying to Zanzibar
Zanzibar's airport is Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (ZNZ), just outside Stone Town. It has direct and connecting international flights — often via hubs in the Middle East, Europe or East Africa — as well as frequent domestic flights. Routes and airlines change with the seasons, so check current schedules.
From the safari parks
After a safari, most guests fly straight to Zanzibar:
- From Arusha (ARK) or Kilimanjaro (JRO): regular domestic flights, usually around an hour to an hour and a half.
- From the Serengeti: light-aircraft flights from the park's airstrips, often with a stop on the way. Luggage limits are strict — around 15 kg in soft bags.
Several of our safaris end on Zanzibar, and others start from Zanzibar Airport — see Zanzibar beach holidays and safari and Zanzibar. We book the domestic flights for you as part of your trip.
By ferry from Dar es Salaam
Fast passenger ferries run several times a day between Dar es Salaam port and Stone Town, taking about two hours depending on the boat. Buy tickets from the ferry companies' official offices or websites rather than from touts at the port, and keep your passport handy: you show it on arrival in Zanzibar. The crossing can be rough on windy days.
Arriving
- Your Tanzania visa covers Zanzibar; on a direct international arrival you get your visa stamp here.
- Every visitor must have Zanzibar's mandatory travel insurance, bought before you arrive.
- See the full checklist in Zanzibar entry requirements.
Getting around the island
Distances are short — the drive from the airport to the northern beaches or the south-east coast takes around an hour, depending on the beach. The easiest way to travel is a pre-booked private transfer; we arrange these with your hotels. Taxis are available at the airport and in Stone Town (agree the fare before you set off). Local minibuses, called dala-dalas, are cheap but slow and crowded.
