Zanzibar is the dream pin on the map: a spice-scented island off Tanzania with talcum-soft sand, dhows on a glassy sea, and the labyrinth of Stone Town. The all-inclusives cluster along the north and east coasts, and it pairs perfectly with a mainland safari – beach to bush in one trip.
- Language
- Swahili & English
- English widely used in tourism
- Currency
- Tanzanian shilling (TZS)
- USD widely accepted
- Power
- 230V, Type G (UK-style) plugs – bring an adapter
- Driving
- On the left
- Main airport
- Zanzibar / Abeid Amani Karume
- ZNZ
Where Tanzania splits
The resort areas are not interchangeable. What each one is actually for.
The east coast
The long white-sand side facing the Indian Ocean: a shallow turquoise lagoon inside the reef, seaweed farmers working it at low water, and the biggest choice of resorts. Pick it for the postcard beach and for kitesurfing. The tide goes out a long way here, so the swimming window is not all day.
Start with The Palms Zanzibar, five-star.
North Zanzibar
The island's top corner, and the one place where the tide barely interrupts the swimming: deep water at the beach all day, sunset bars and boats out to the reef. Pick it for reliable swimming and the liveliest scene on Zanzibar. It is the busiest and most developed end of the island.
Start with Gold Zanzibar Beach House & Spa, five-star.
The south & west
The quieter end: dolphin boats out of Kizimkazi, kite beaches at Paje and Jambiani, and the west-coast bays within reach of Stone Town. Pick it for lower prices and far fewer hotels. The same big tides apply on the east-facing beaches, and the drive down takes a while.
Start with The Residence Zanzibar, five-star.
When to go to Tanzania
Climate normals for Zanzibar, and our verdict on each month.
| Measure | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average daily high | 89 degrees Fahrenheit | 90 degrees Fahrenheit | 90 degrees Fahrenheit | 87 degrees Fahrenheit | 84 degrees Fahrenheit | 84 degrees Fahrenheit | 83 degrees Fahrenheit | 83 degrees Fahrenheit | 84 degrees Fahrenheit | 86 degrees Fahrenheit | 88 degrees Fahrenheit | 89 degrees Fahrenheit |
| Rainfall | 3″ | 2.4″ | 5.9″ | 15.3″ | 7.8″ | 1.9″ | 1.1″ | 1.4″ | 2″ | 3.5″ | 8″ | 5.5″ |
| Verdict | Prime | Prime | Shoulder | Off-peak | Off-peak | Prime | Prime | Prime | Prime | Prime | Off-peak | Prime |
Sweet spot. June–October and December–February; rainy season runs Long rains mid-March–May (April is seriously wet), short rains November.
Storm risk. Too close to the equator for cyclones.
Figures are long-term climate normals for Zanzibar, good for planning. They are not a forecast.
Do you need a passport or visa for Tanzania?
U.S. citizens need a visa. The simplest route is the eVisa at the official immigration site before you travel; Americans are issued a multiple-entry tourist visa costing about $100. A passport valid six months with blank pages is required.
A visa on arrival is available at Zanzibar's airport, but it can mean queues – we'd apply online ahead. Verify current fees and rules on travel.state.gov.
Is Tanzania safe?
The U.S. State Department carries an elevated, country-wide advisory for Tanzania, citing crime, terrorism, unrest, and the targeting of LGB travelers (the current level is shown at the top of this guide). Zanzibar's tourist areas and Stone Town are generally lower-risk and heavily touristed.
Take it seriously without panicking: watch valuables, avoid demonstrations, use arranged transport at night, and read the full advisory on travel.state.gov before booking.
Currency and tipping
The Tanzanian shilling is local, but U.S. dollars are widely accepted at resorts and for tours – bring newer bills (2018 or later). Cards work at larger hotels; carry cash for markets and small vendors.
Tipping is expected: roughly 10% in restaurants, a few dollars a day for guides and drivers, and small notes for porters and housekeeping.
When to visit
The best weather is the long dry season, roughly June to October, plus a drier window in January and February – sunny, with calmer seas.
Avoid the 'long rains' from late March through May, when heavy downpours are common. The 'short rains' in November are lighter and more hit-or-miss.
Getting there & around
Fly into Abeid Amani Karume International (ZNZ), usually connecting through the Gulf, Europe, Nairobi or Dar es Salaam. Many travelers add a mainland safari via Kilimanjaro (JRO) first.
On the island, resort transfers and taxis cover most needs – agree fares up front. Tanzania drives on the left.
What to do beyond the resort
Wander Stone Town's UNESCO alleys, tour a spice farm, and snorkel or dive the reefs off Mnemba Atoll. Sunset dhow cruises are a Zanzibar rite of passage.
Day trips reach Jozani Forest's red colobus monkeys, the sandbank at Nakupenda, and Prison Island's giant tortoises. The mainland's Serengeti and Ngorongoro are an easy add-on.
Good to know
Zanzibar is a semi-autonomous, majority-Muslim island. Resorts are relaxed, but off the property – in Stone Town and villages – dress modestly, covering shoulders and knees, and be discreet during Ramadan.
Power is 230V with UK-style Type G plugs. Malaria precautions apply; drink bottled water; a yellow fever certificate may be required if arriving from a risk country.
Getting to Tanzania
Indicative round-trip fares into Zanzibar (ZNZ) from the major US gateways, cheapest first. Tap through for live prices and dates.
| From | Airport | Round trip |
|---|---|---|
| Newark | EWR | $1562Cheapest |
| New York | JFK | $1596 |
| Miami | MIA | $1644 |
| Dallas | DFW | $1666 |
| Boston | BOS | $1781 |
| Atlanta | ATL | $1798 |
| Los Angeles | LAX | $1885 |
| Chicago | ORD | $2095 |
Where the Tanzania resorts are
15 resorts mapped stars are five-star properties
The best all-inclusive resorts in Tanzania
The Tanzania properties we would actually book. For the full numbered ranking, see the best all-inclusive resorts in Tanzania.
Where to stay in Tanzania
The resort areas we cover, and which properties sit in each.
The east coast
9The south & west
3Resort chains in Tanzania
The brands operating here. The ones we rank in full link through to the chain, what its plan really covers, and every resort of theirs we track.
Where these companies came from
Almost nobody in this category publishes it. Read oldest first and the list is a short history of how Tanzania came to look the way it does.
Tanzania, head to head
Price, flights, sand, food and safety, compared honestly.
Tanzania vs JamaicaMexicoDominican RepublicMaldivesGreeceSpainTurks & CaicosArubaBarbadosSt. LuciaItalyPortugalTurkeyAntiguaCuraçaoBrazilCosta RicaPhilippinesFrench PolynesiaMoroccoEgyptSouth AfricaMauritiusKenyaMozambiqueThailandIndonesiaMalaysiaPunta CanaCancúnRiviera MayaLos CabosPuerto VallartaMontego BayNegrilOcho RiosGuanacasteCreteBahiaBora BoraMalé AtollsRodney BayBarbados South CoastBarbados West CoastViti LevuVanua LevuCanary IslandsBalearic IslandsCosta del SolSharm el-SheikhHurghada & the Red Sea CoastBelekRhodesLara & AntalyaMaldives Outer AtollsCorfuHalkidikiKosSoufrière & South St. LuciaGrenadaFijiCroatiaU.S. Virgin IslandsSri LankaSeychellesBahamasChileArgentinaUnited States
Best-of lists for Tanzania
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a visa for Zanzibar / Tanzania?
Yes. U.S. citizens get a multiple-entry tourist visa, around $100, ideally via the official eVisa site before travel. Visa on arrival exists at Zanzibar's airport but can mean queues.
Is Zanzibar safe?
Tanzania carries an elevated, country-wide U.S. travel advisory. Zanzibar's tourist areas are generally lower-risk and well-touristed, but take precautions and read the current advisory on travel.state.gov.
What currency is used, and can I pay in dollars?
The Tanzanian shilling, but U.S. dollars are widely accepted at resorts and tours – bring newer bills (2018+). Carry some shillings for markets and small vendors.
Do I tip in Tanzania?
Yes – about 10% in restaurants, a few dollars a day for guides and drivers, and small notes for porters and housekeeping.
When is the best time to visit Zanzibar?
June to October (the long dry season) and January–February. Avoid the heavy 'long rains' from late March through May.
What should I wear off the resort?
Zanzibar is majority-Muslim, so cover shoulders and knees in Stone Town and villages. Resort areas are relaxed, but modest dress off-property is respectful.