Zanzibar Travel & Tour Guide FAQ

ZanGo is a Zanzibar travel and tour guide app that connects tourists with local guides and helps plan trips.

You can search and chat with verified Zanzibar tour guides directly inside the ZanGo app.

Yes. You must create an account to access guides, chat, and trip planning features.

No. Payments are handled directly between travelers and tour guides outside the app.

Yes. ZanGo includes safety features like pickup codes, trip sharing, and SOS support.

Yes, visitors require a visa (often available on arrival at the airport) and a yellow fever vaccination certificate is required if you are traveling from a yellow fever-endemic region

It depends on your travel style. The North Coast (Nungwi and Kendwa) offers calm, deep-blue waters perfect for swimming and snorkeling, plus vibrant beach parties and luxury resorts. Meanwhile, the East Coast (Paje, Jambiani, and Matemwe) is famous for powder-white sand, kite surfing, and breathtaking sunrises. Pro-tip: Split your stay! Sleep 2 nights in Nungwi and 2 nights in Paje to experience both.

Stay in Stone Town if you are a culture enthusiast, history buff, or foodie—it is packed with UNESCO heritage sites and spice markets. Stay in Nungwi if you want a pure tropical resort experience, with swimming pools, beach bars, and water sports. For the perfect Zanzibar holiday, book 2 nights in Stone Town for daytime exploration, and 3 nights in Nungwi/Kendwa to relax on the beach.

A 5-day, 4-night trip is the perfect sweet spot. It gives you enough time to explore Stone Town, take a spice tour, spend two days relaxing on a pristine beach, and fit in a safari excursion. For a truly luxurious experience, a week allows you to explore the remote islands and do deep-sea diving.

Yes, absolutely! While there are no big-game reserves directly on the island, you can book day trip safaris to Mikumi National Park or the Selous Game Reserve (which involves a short flight or ferry from Zanzibar to Dar es Salaam). For the ultimate bucket-list experience, book a 3-day Serengeti fly-in safari straight from Zanzibar.

Yes. As of late 2024/2025, the Zanzibar government has made inbound travel insurance mandatory for all tourists. This policy covers COVID-19, medical emergencies, evacuations, and trip interruptions. It is highly recommended to buy it before you fly to get the best rates. Ensure your policy covers emergency medical evacuation, as hospital facilities on the island are limited.

Zanzibar is generally very safe, but travelers should exercise standard precautions. The island has a predominantly Muslim culture; dress modestly (cover shoulders and knees) when walking through Stone Town or local villages to show respect. Always use official taxis (Dala-Dala) or app-based local taxi services at night, and avoid walking alone on remote beaches after dark. The people are famously warm and welcoming.

Yes, but only under certain conditions. You must present a valid Yellow Fever vaccination certificate if you are arriving from or transiting through a country with a risk of Yellow Fever (e.g., Kenya, Ethiopia, or parts of South America). If you are flying directly to Zanzibar from the US, Europe, or Asia, it is not required. However, it is always wise to carry your card just in case.

Yes, ATMs are available in Stone Town, Nungwi, and Paje, but they frequently run out of cash, have daily withdrawal limits (around $200-$300), and charge high foreign transaction fees. Hotels and high-end restaurants accept credit cards (Visa/Mastercard), but the local economy is overwhelmingly cash-based. Taxi drivers, spice tours, and local shops require Tanzanian Shillings (TZS).

Zanzibar offers a wide range of affordability. Budget Traveler: $50–$80 per day (Hostel stays, street food). Mid-Range Traveler: $150–$250 per day (3-star resorts, restaurant dining). Luxury Traveler: $400+ per day (5-star beachfront resorts, private drivers, fine dining). The biggest cost is your international flight to ZNZ ($500-$1,200 roundtrip from USA/Europe).

Yes, US Dollars are widely accepted in hotels, tour operators, and larger restaurants. However, the exchange rate they offer is often poor. To get the best value for your money, withdraw Tanzanian Shillings (TZS) from a local ATM or exchange your dollars at a Forex bureau in Stone Town. Carrying small denominations of USD is useful for emergencies, but always have TZS on hand for local markets and taxis.

1. Explore Stone Town. 2. Take a Spice Farm Tour. 3. Visit Prison Island (giant tortoises). 4. Safari Blue (dhow sailing). 5. Jozani Forest (Red Colobus monkeys). 6. Watch sunset in Nungwi/Kendwa. 7. Kitesurfing in Paje. 8. Diving at Mnemba Atoll. 9. Eat at The Rock Restaurant. 10. Forodhani Night Market (Zanzibar-style street food).

Absolutely 100% worth it. It is not just a walk through a garden; it is a full sensory immersion! Local farmers will show you how vanilla pods are cured, how cinnamon bark is harvested, and how nutmeg is dried. You will sample fresh tropical fruits and smell exotic oils. At $30–$50, it is one of the best-value cultural excursions on the island.

The Rock Restaurant is located in Michamvi, Pingwe (on the Eastern coast). Because it is a world-famous landmark, you absolutely must book a table in advance—sometimes weeks ahead for sunset dining. During low tide, you can walk safely over the sand to the restaurant. During high tide, a local boat shuttles you across the water. It is highly recommended for lunch, as the tide cycles are beautiful to watch.

Yes. Zanzibar is an official host city for the AFCON 2027 Pamoja tournament. The historic football event is co-hosted by Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda.

The tournament will take place from June 19 to July 18, 2027. Games will be played during Zanzibar's peak dry season.

Matches will be played at the upgraded Amaan Stadium (New Amaan Complex). Additional events will center around the new Zanzibar Fumba Stadium complex.

Stay in Stone Town for quick stadium access and nightlife. Choose Fumba to be near the new sports city, or Nungwi for beach resorts.

Fly directly into Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (ZNZ). Alternatively, take a 2-hour ferry from Dar es Salaam to Stone Town.

The 24th edition of Sauti za Busara will happen from March 19 to March 21, 2027 in Stone Town.

The 5th annual Z-Summit will take place from February 3 to February 5, 2027. It brings together global travel and hospitality operators.

Zanzibar's main tourist hubs are clearly spread out. Stone Town is the cultural heart on the west coast. Nungwi and Kendwa are the primary resort areas in the north. Paje, Jambiani, and Matemwe sit on the east coast, famous for kitesurfing and sunrise views. You can easily find interactive maps on the ZanGo app or at local hotels to navigate between these spots.

Yes, but it is an extremely rare and elusive subspecies declared functionally extinct in the 1990s. However, recent unconfirmed sightings and camera traps in the Jozani Forest area suggest they may still exist in tiny numbers. Tourists are unlikely to spot one, but the mystery makes it a fascinating part of local folklore.

Zuri Zanzibar is a highly rated luxury resort located on the eastern coast of the island, near Paje and Jambiani. It is famous for its stunning, contemporary Afro-Arabic architecture, massive infinity pool, and direct access to some of the best white-sand beaches in Zanzibar. It is a top choice for travelers seeking a high-end, romantic, or wellness-focused retreat.