09/09/2026
FLYING TO ZANZIBAR? THINGS WORTH PREPARING BEFORE YOU LEAVE HOME
The hotel is already booked, the flights are confirmed and the holiday is getting closer?
Great. Now it is worth going through the small things that can save a lot of stress on the day of your flight and when arriving in Zanzibar.
Here is the checklist we recommend going through before traveling:
1. PASSPORT
Check your passport validity well before your flight.
For a Tanzania visa application, the passport must be valid for at least 6 months and contain at least one unused visa page.
Do not wait until the last day to check this.
2. TANZANIA VISA
Zanzibar is part of Tanzania, so the visa is a Tanzania visa.
You can apply for a visa online through the official Tanzania Immigration website.
If you are planning both Zanzibar and a safari in mainland Tanzania, you do not need a separate visa for each.
3. ZANZIBAR’S MANDATORY INSURANCE
Visitors to Zanzibar currently have a mandatory travel-insurance requirement through Zanzibar’s official system.
It is important to arrange this before traveling and keep the confirmation on your phone.
We also recommend keeping another copy together with your other travel documents.
4. RETURN FLIGHT TICKET
Keep your return flight ticket or booking confirmation on your phone.
Tanzania Immigration states that visitors are required to show a return ticket when entering the country.
5. HOTEL CONFIRMATION
Keep your hotel booking confirmation somewhere easy to find on your phone.
It is advisable to have the hotel name, dates of stay and address or location.
6. AIRPORT TRANSFER
If possible, it is better to arrange your transfer before landing.
After a long flight, it is much more convenient to leave the airport knowing that someone is already waiting for you.
Make sure in advance that you have the driver’s or company’s name, telephone number and a clear meeting point.
7. MONEY
The local currency is the Tanzanian shilling, but US dollars are widely used in the tourism industry.
We recommend not relying on only one method of payment.
It is worth arriving with a combination of a credit card and cash and having a small amount available for your first expenses.
8. INTERNET AND PHONE
Most hotels have Wi-Fi, but it is not always advisable to depend on it alone.
If staying connected during the day is important to you, you can look into a local SIM or eSIM before traveling.
9. WEATHER
Do not look at the weather forecast two weeks before your flight and panic if it shows rain every day.
Zanzibar is a tropical island, and forecasts can show rain even when there are actually many hours of sunshine.
Of course, the season should be taken into consideration, but the daily forecast in an app does not always tell the whole story.
10. WHAT SHOULD YOU PACK?
We recommend bringing:
a. Light and comfortable clothing
b. Swimwear
c. Sunscreen
d. A hat
e. Comfortable shoes or sandals
f. Personal medication
g. Phone charger
h. A small bag for day trips
i. More respectful clothing for Stone Town and local villages
11. MEDICATION AND HEALTH
If you take regular medication, do not leave it only in checked luggage.
Keep important medication in your hand luggage in accordance with airline and travel regulations.
Regarding vaccinations, preventive medication or medical questions, it is advisable to consult a doctor or travel clinic before traveling.
12. ACTIVITIES
There is no need to fill your entire holiday with activities before you even arrive.
Choose the things that genuinely interest you and leave time to enjoy the hotel and beach as well.
If you are arriving during a busy period, traveling as a large group, or want a private excursion on a specific date, then it is worth planning in advance.
13. TIDES
If your hotel is on the east or southeast coast, it is useful to know the high- and low-tide times.
This will help you plan your beach time and marine activities better.
In Nungwi and Kendwa in the north, the effect is generally less significant for swimming.
14. KEEP ALL YOUR DOCUMENTS IN ONE PLACE
We recommend creating one folder on your phone containing:
a. A copy of your passport
b. Your visa or visa approval
c. Zanzibar mandatory-insurance confirmation
d. Flight tickets
e. Hotel confirmation
f. Airport-transfer details
g. Your personal travel insurance
That way, you do not have to start searching through WhatsApp, emails and screenshots for documents when you arrive.
15. ONE LAST THING BEFORE YOU FLY
Do not try to plan every hour of your holiday.
Zanzibar is one of those places where it is worth leaving some room for spontaneity.
Arrive prepared regarding documents and important matters, but also leave time to enjoy the beach, your hotel and the pace of the island.
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