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Zanzibar Travel Guide

A personalized travel guide for Zanzibar, tailored to your interests.

๐Ÿ“ Zanzibar, Tanzania

This route is optimized by LonelyRoad's traffic data and community feedback from solo travelers who have explored Zanzibar. All recommendations are verified by our community.

๐ŸŽฏ Suggested Activities

Curated activities based on LonelyRoad community recommendations

๐Ÿคฟ

Snorkeling at Mnemba Atoll

Crystal-clear waters with dolphins, turtles, and vibrant coral reefs. Perfect for underwater photography and marine life encounters.

Location: Northeast coast, Matemwe, Zanzibar
Best Time: Morning (8-11 AM)
Duration: 4-5 hours
Price: $$
๐Ÿ“ธ

Stone Town Photography Walk

Winding alleys, carved doors, and vibrant markets. Incredible architecture and street life for photography enthusiasts.

Location: Stone Town, Zanzibar City, Unguja
Best Time: Morning or late afternoon
Duration: 3-4 hours
Price: $
๐Ÿ’

Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park

Home to rare red colobus monkeys and mangrove forests. Great for nature photography and wildlife spotting on boardwalk trails.

Location: Pete-Jozani Road, Jozani, Zanzibar
Best Time: Morning (9-11 AM)
Duration: 2-3 hours
Price: $
๐Ÿช

Kitesurfing at Paje Beach

Perfect wind conditions and shallow lagoon. Lessons available for beginners, epic action shots guaranteed. Social beach vibe.

Location: Paje, Southeast Coast, Zanzibar
Best Time: Afternoon (12-5 PM)
Duration: 2-4 hours
Price: $$
โ›ต

Sunset Dhow Cruise

Traditional wooden sailboat at golden hour. Stunning photography opportunities, chill vibes, often includes snacks and music.

Location: Nungwi, North Coast, Zanzibar
Best Time: Sunset (5-7 PM)
Duration: 2 hours
Price: $$

๐ŸŽ‰ Events & Social Activities

Great places to meet other travelers in Zanzibar

๐ŸŒ•

Full Moon Party at Kendwa Rocks

Monthly beach party with fire dancers, DJs, and bonfires. Epic nightlife scene with travelers from around the world.

Location: Kendwa Beach, North Coast, Zanzibar
Best Time: Every full moon night
Price: $$
๐Ÿฆž

Forodhani Night Market

Legendary seafood BBQ market with fresh catches, Zanzibar pizza, and local street food. Vibrant atmosphere, budget-friendly eats.

Location: Mizingani Road, Stone Town, Zanzibar City
Best Time: Every evening from 6 PM
Price: $
๐ŸŒถ๏ธ

Spice Farm Tour

Interactive tours through clove, vanilla, and cinnamon plantations. Learn about Zanzibar's spice trade history, taste fresh fruits.

Location: Kinduni Village, Central Zanzibar
Best Time: Morning (9 AM-12 PM)
Price: $

๐Ÿจ Places to Stay

Recommended accommodations for solo travelers

Jambo Guest House

hostel

Social hostel in Stone Town with rooftop terrace, organized pub crawls, and mixed dorms. Perfect for meeting other solo travelers.

โญ 4.3/5๐Ÿ’ฐ $

๐Ÿ“ Funguni Street, Stone Town, Zanzibar City, P.O. Box 3784

Paje by Night

hostel

Beachfront hostel with bar, pool table, and kitesurfing crowd. Super social atmosphere, nightly gatherings, steps from the beach.

โญ 4.4/5๐Ÿ’ฐ $

๐Ÿ“ Paje Beach Road, Paje, Southeast Coast, Zanzibar

Amaan Bungalows

guesthouse

Budget-friendly beach bungalows in Nungwi with restaurant and dive center. Relaxed vibe, easy to meet people, great for solo adventurers.

โญ 4.2/5๐Ÿ’ฐ $

๐Ÿ“ Nungwi Beach Road, Nungwi, North Coast, Zanzibar

Mwanakwerekwe House

hostel

Boutique hostel in restored Stone Town building. Private rooms and dorms, rooftop views, cultural immersion in historic quarter.

โญ 4.5/5๐Ÿ’ฐ $

๐Ÿ“ Mkunazini Street, Stone Town, Zanzibar City, P.O. Box 2542

โ˜• Cafes & Restaurants

Best spots to work, eat, and meet other travelers

Zanzibar Coffee House

cafe๐Ÿ“ถ WiFi Available๐Ÿ’ป Work-Friendly

Historic mansion with excellent Tanzanian coffee, strong WiFi, and air-conditioning. Perfect for digital nomads. Great breakfast menu.

โญ 4.6/5๐Ÿ’ฐ $$

Lukmaan Restaurant

restaurant

Local favorite with authentic Zanzibari cuisine. Budget-friendly, no WiFi but incredible biryani and seafood curries. Cultural experience.

โญ 4.5/5๐Ÿ’ฐ $

The Rock Restaurant

restaurant

Iconic restaurant on a rock in the ocean. Incredible photo opportunity, fresh seafood, accessible at low tide. Book ahead for sunset.

โญ 4.4/5๐Ÿ’ฐ $$$

Emerson Spice Tea House Restaurant

restaurant๐Ÿ“ถ WiFi Available๐Ÿ’ป Work-Friendly

Rooftop dining with panoramic Stone Town views. Romantic sunset spot, fusion cuisine, WiFi available. Great for photography and working.

โญ 4.5/5๐Ÿ’ฐ $$$

Archipelago Cafe

cafe๐Ÿ“ถ WiFi Available๐Ÿ’ป Work-Friendly

Beachfront cafe in Nungwi with reliable WiFi, smoothie bowls, and excellent espresso. Digital nomad friendly with power outlets and tables.

โญ 4.3/5๐Ÿ’ฐ $$

Mr Kahawa

cafe๐Ÿ“ถ WiFi Available๐Ÿ’ป Work-Friendly

Specialty coffee spot with strong WiFi and air-con. Popular with remote workers, quality beans, light meals. Multiple power outlets available.

โญ 4.4/5๐Ÿ’ฐ $

๐Ÿ’ก Local Tips

Insider advice from the LonelyRoad community

  • ๐Ÿ“ฑ Mobile Data & eSIM: Get data for Zanzibar with PikaSim - 0.5GB for 7 days costs $1.82 (other options: 0.1GB/7d for $1.36, 0.5GB/1d for $1.92). Privacy-focused, no account needed, instant activation. Get yours at https://pikasim.com/download-tanzania-esim-packages
  • Visa & Entry for Indian citizens: Indians can obtain a visa on arrival at Zanzibar airports for $50 USD (single entry, 90 days). Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your stay. Bring exact USD cash as card payments aren't always accepted. You'll need proof of return/onward ticket and accommodation booking. Yellow fever vaccination certificate required if arriving from endemic countries. Check Tanzania Immigration website for latest requirements before travel.
  • Zanzibar runs on island time - things move slowly. Book activities and restaurants ahead during peak season (July-August, December-February). WiFi can be unreliable outside Stone Town and major beach areas, so download offline maps and entertainment.
  • Bargaining is expected at markets and with taxi drivers - start at 50% of the asking price. For transport, agree on fares before getting in. Dalla dallas (local minibuses) are cheapest but crowded. Rent a scooter ($15-20/day) for freedom exploring, but roads can be rough.
  • Zanzibar is predominantly Muslim - dress modestly outside beach areas (cover shoulders and knees). Remove shoes before entering homes and mosques. Avoid public displays of affection. During Ramadan, eating/drinking publicly during daylight hours is disrespectful.
  • Stay in Paje or Nungwi for beach vibes and meeting other travelers - both have excellent hostel scenes and nightlife. Stone Town is best for culture and history but can feel touristy. Many solo travelers base themselves in Paje for the kitesurfing community.
  • Safety is generally good, but avoid walking alone late at night in Stone Town's narrow alleys. Keep valuables secure. Beach boys can be persistent with sales pitches - a firm 'hapana' (no) works. Don't buy drugs - penalties are severe. Tap water isn't safe - stick to bottled water.
  • Best SIM card is Vodacom or Airtel - get one at the airport ($5-10 with data). Data is cheap but coverage spotty outside main areas. Many cafes have WiFi but speeds vary. For reliable internet, stick to established cafes in Stone Town or coworking spaces in Paje.
๐Ÿ“ฑ

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