Holiday to Zanzibar

When is the best time to visit Zanzibar?

Zanzibar has two dry seasons. The main dry season from June to October offers the best combination: 25 to 30 degrees, almost no rain, low humidity and excellent visibility for snorkelling and diving. July and August are the busiest and most expensive. September is the sweet spot: good weather, fewer tourists.

The short dry season from mid-December to mid-March is slightly warmer and more humid, but ideal for a winter sun holiday. Avoid the long rainy season in April and May (the "masika", with heavy daily downpours when many places close) and the short rainy season in November. A 10 to 14-day holiday is ideal to explore both Stone Town and the beaches.

The best beaches and places in Zanzibar

• Nungwi (north) Zanzibar's most popular beach: white sand, clear water and you can swim even at low tide thanks to the deeper seabed. A lively village with restaurants and bars. Easiest base for most tourists.
• Kendwa Just next to Nungwi but quieter. Famous for the monthly Full Moon Party and its sunsets, which colour the sky directly over the sea.
• Paje and Jambiani (east coast) Sweeping beaches with shallow water at low tide, ideal for kitesurfing (Paje has an international kite scene). Quieter and cheaper than the north.
• Stone Town The historic UNESCO heart of Zanzibar: Arab palaces, Swahili merchant houses, the avenue with iconic carved wooden doors and the Old Fort. An evening stroll along the waterfront at Forodhani Gardens is a must.
• Matemwe (northeast) Lush coral reefs just off the shore, perfect for snorkelling and diving. Quiet and unspoilt, for those wanting to avoid the crowds of Nungwi.

Top 5 activities and sights

• Exploring Stone Town (UNESCO) The historic town is free to explore. Highlights: the Old Fort (Ngome Kongwe, approx. $3 entry), the Former Slave Market at the Anglican Cathedral ($5), the David Livingstone room and the lively Darajani Market. Book a guide ($10 to 15 for 2 hours) for the best stories.
• Prison Island (Changuu Island) Visit the giant tortoises on this small island, 20 minutes from Stone Town by speedboat. Entry $4 to 15 per person depending on age; the boat transfer costs approx. $30 to 40 return. Combined tours including snorkelling and a guide start from $45 per person.
• Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park The only place in the world with the endemic Zanzibar red colobus monkey. A mandatory guide is included in the entry fee of $10 to 12. A walk through the mangrove forest costs slightly more but is well worth it.
• Snorkelling at Mnemba Atoll One of the best snorkelling sites in Africa, approx. 3 kilometres off the east coast. Coral gardens with turtles, dolphins and colourful fish. Half-day snorkelling trip $25 to 45 per person; Safari Blue (sailing, snorkelling and a seafood BBQ on a sandbank) $75 to 90 per person.
• Spice Tour Zanzibar is known as the Spice Island: cloves, nutmeg, pepper, cinnamon and vanilla have been grown here for centuries. A group tour lasts approx. 3 hours and costs $10 to 15; a private tour with transport $25 to 50. Includes tasting fresh spices and a fruit lunch.

Flights from the Netherlands to Zanzibar

KLM flies twice a week direct from Amsterdam Schiphol to Zanzibar (ZNZ) in approx. 9 hours flight time, making Zanzibar one of the direct African destinations from the Netherlands. This is the most comfortable and time-efficient option. Early-booked return tickets cost approx. 800 to 1,000 euros, in peak season (June to August) 1,000 to 1,200 euros or more.

Alternatives with a stopover:

• Turkish Airlines via Istanbul (IST) Total travel time approx. 11 to 13 hours. Often competitively priced.
• Emirates via Dubai (DXB) Approx. 12 to 14 hours total.
• Kenya Airways via Nairobi (NBO) Approx. 13 to 15 hours total. Good for a Kenya-Zanzibar combination.

For KLM, book at least 3 to 4 months ahead for the direct flight in the summer season. From Eindhoven, fly to Amsterdam first and connect from there.

Visa and entry requirements for Dutch citizens

Dutch citizens need a visa for Tanzania (including Zanzibar). The easiest option is the Tanzania e-visa at visa.immigration.go.tz:

• Single entry visa $50, valid 90 days from arrival. Processing time 3 to 10 business days; apply at least 2 weeks before departure.
• Multiple entry visa $100, valid 12 months. Worth considering if you are also visiting the mainland (Serengeti, Kilimanjaro).

New and mandatory since October 2024: the ZIC travel insurance (Zanzibar Insurance Corporation). Cost: $44 per adult, $22 per child (3 to 17 years). Valid for up to 92 days. Purchase via the Visit Zanzibar portal. Covers medical costs, evacuation and loss of documents. Checked on arrival alongside the visa. Buy this before you travel.

Getting around Zanzibar

The airport is close to Stone Town (approx. 15 to 20 minutes); a taxi costs $15 to 25. To the popular north (Nungwi), expect approx. $50 to 70 by taxi.

• Dala-dala Local minibus on fixed routes, $0.20 to 0.80 per ride. Good for the Stone Town - Paje - Jambiani (east coast) route. Departs when full, no fixed timetable.
• Scooter hire Approx. $20 to 30 per day, the best way to independently explore the island. A driving licence is required.
• Day hire with driver Approx. $50 to 80 per day, ideal for visiting multiple attractions in a day (Jozani, east coast, north).

What does a holiday to Zanzibar cost?

A budget guesthouse in Stone Town or Paje costs $40 to 60 per night. Mid-range beach hotels with a pool go for $80 to 150 per night. Luxury beach resorts $300 to 600+. Note: all accommodation charges a ZIC levy of $5 per person per night.

Insider tips for Zanzibar

• Forodhani Night Market in Stone Town Every evening after sunset, local vendors transform the Stone Town waterfront into a lively night market with fresh seafood, Zanzibar pizzas, sugarcane juice and local snacks, all for $1 to 3 per portion. Arrive around 18:30 for the best selection and eat here instead of at an expensive restaurant.
• Pay in Tanzanian Shilling (TZS) Outside hotels and tour operators, you pay cheaper in TZS. ATMs are scarce outside Stone Town; exchange enough cash on arrival at the airport or at the NBC Bank in Stone Town.
• Swim with dolphins at Kizimkazi In the early morning (before 07:30) dolphins are active off the coast at Kizimkazi in the south. Boat trips depart at first light and last approx. 2 hours ($15 to 30 per person for a shared boat). Choose a responsible operator that does not chase the dolphins.