Travel advisory · TanzaniaSome governments advise against travel to parts of Tanzania.The warnings cover only these areas: 10 km strip along the Mozambique border (Mtwara Region), 20 km strip along the Mozambique border (Mtwara Region), Islands and coastal area south of Kisiju, Mtwara Region, Tanzania–Mozambique border, Mtwara Region.Advice depends on your passport. Read your own government's advice before you book.Official advice
- 10 km strip along the Mozambique border (Mtwara Region) · avoid all travel · Canada, France
- 20 km strip along the Mozambique border (Mtwara Region) · avoid non-essential travel · New Zealand, UK
- Islands and coastal area south of Kisiju · avoid non-essential travel · Germany, New Zealand
- Mtwara Region · avoid non-essential travel · Spain, France
- Tanzania–Mozambique border, Mtwara Region · avoid non-essential travel · Germany, Italy, US
Also named by one government: Kagera Region (France), Kigoma Region (France), Lindi Region (France), Mtwara Region between A19 highway and Mozambique border (Canada), Ruvuma Region (France)
| Government | Advice | Updated | Read the advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom (FCDO) | No advice against the whole country (regional advisories) | – | Read the advice |
| United States (State Dept) | Exercise increased caution (regional advisories) | Oct 16, 2026 | Read the advice |
| Canada (Global Affairs) | Exercise a high degree of caution (regional advisories) | – | Read the advice |
| Germany (Auswärtiges Amt) | Besondere Vorsicht walten (Rest des Landes) (regional advisories) | Oct 30, 2026 | Read the advice |
| New Zealand (SafeTravel) | Exercise increased caution (regional advisories) | – | Read the advice |
| France (Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs) | Vigilance renforcée (reste du pays) (regional advisories) | – | Read the advice |
Checked daily from the governments' published advice; last checked Nov 2, 2026. RoamLedger summarises official advice; it is not advice from any government.
Zanzibar Archipelago
Zanzibar is a group of islands off mainland Tanzania, with beaches on Unguja and the old town of Stone Town.
We may earn a commission. It never decides our picks.
Zanzibar is an archipelago of islands in the Indian Ocean, off the coast of mainland Tanzania. Its islands are also called the Spice Islands, and the archipelago forms the semi-autonomous region of Zanzibar within the United Republic of Tanzania. Three islands have permanent human settlements: Unguja, also called Zanzibar Island and the largest; Pemba; and Mafia. Smaller islets, some uninhabited, surround them.
Unguja suits a first trip, since the main airport and Stone Town are there, and the beach areas are reached by taxi. Pemba and Mafia need separate travel between islands, so they suit travelers with more time. The drier months, roughly June to October and January to February, are the usual choice, while the long rains fall from March to May. Check ferry and flight times before you add a second island to the plan.
Zanzibar Archipelago in five
- Choose the right island: Unguja, Pemba or MafiaUnguja, also called Zanzibar Island, is the largest island and home to Stone Town. Pemba is the second largest, and Mafia belongs administratively to Tanzania's Pwani Region, so check which island your trip covers before you book.Zanzibar
- Get the visa or eVisa before you flyMany nationalities need a visa for Tanzania, and the same entry rules cover Zanzibar. Apply through the official Tanzania Immigration site and save the approval to your phone before you travel.Visas and entry
- Carry Tanzanian shillings for small paymentsKeep shillings in small notes for tips and short taxi rides, and check the money page before you travel.Money and costs
- Set up an eSIM before you landMobile data helps with ferry and flight times, maps and taxi bookings on the move. Install an eSIM at home so you can get online as soon as you arrive.Phones and eSIM
- Check that your insurance covers boat tripsTrips to the smaller islets and water sports on the coast are often done by small boats. Read the policy for boat travel and water activities before you book a day trip.Travel insurance
Neighborhoods
Stone Town
- Price band: $$
Zanzibar
Stone Town's carved doors and merchant houses give Zanzibar City its historic core. UNESCO has listed the old town as a World Heritage Site since 2000.
Things to do in Zanzibar Archipelago
See all attractions in Zanzibar Archipelago
Need to know
- Currency
- Tanzanian shilling (TZS)
- Entry
- Visa needed by many nationalities; check the eVisa rules before you book
- Emergency
- Check local emergency numbers on arrival
- Tipping
- Tip guides and drivers for good service
- Time
- UTC+3, no daylight saving
Weather by month
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryDry, hot
- FebruaryDry, hot
- MarchLong rains
- AprilLong rains
- MayRains ending
- JuneDry season
- JulyDry season
- AugustDry, busy
- SeptemberDry season
- OctoberDry, shoulder
- NovemberShort rains
- DecemberHolidays, rains
Right now in Zanzibar Archipelago
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
26
- Feels like
- 31°
- Humidity
- 88%
- Wind
- 8 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 77%
Zanzibar Archipelago
01:43 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today30°25°77%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 77%.
- Wed30°25°63%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 63%.
- Thu31°25°57%Thursday: Drizzle. High 31°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 57%.
- Fri31°24°31%Friday: Drizzle. High 31°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 31%.
- Sat31°25°33%Saturday: Cloudy. High 31°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 33%.
- Sun32°25°47%Sunday: Partly cloudy. High 32°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 47%.
Updated 12:15 AM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 2,635 TZS
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Changuu (Prison Island)boat from Stone Town, check timesA small islet near Stone Town, one of the smaller islets around Unguja.
- Chumbe Islandboat from Unguja, check timesA small islet off Unguja, known for its reef and forest.
- Tumbatu Islandboat from Unguja, check timesA settled island off Unguja. Check boat times before you plan a visit.
Before you go to Zanzibar Archipelago
Rules for Zanzibar Archipelago, checked
- Many nationalities need a visa for Tanzania, which covers Zanzibar. Check the eVisa rules on the official Tanzania Immigration site before you book flights.
- Dress modestly in Stone Town and village areas: cover shoulders and knees, and change out of swimwear before you walk into town.
- Declare cash and goods on arrival if you carry more than the customs form allows; check Tanzania Revenue Authority guidance before you travel.
Plan around Zanzibar Archipelago
Zanzibar as part of the wider Tanzania trip, with mainland links
Read the guideZanzibar IslandUnguja, the largest island, and the historic Stone Town
Read the guideWhere to stayCompare guesthouses and hotels on the islands before you book
Read the guideGetting around the islandsFerries, flights, taxis and car hire between towns and islands
Read the guideVisas and entryVisa and eVisa rules to check before you book flights
Read the guideMoney and costsShillings, cash and card use on the islands
Read the guideZanzibar Archipelago FAQ
Is Zanzibar part of Tanzania?
Yes. Zanzibar is a semi-autonomous region of the United Republic of Tanzania, so Tanzanian entry rules and the shilling apply. Mafia Island belongs administratively to Tanzania's Pwani Region on the mainland.
Which island should I visit first?
Unguja suits a first visit, since it is the largest island and has Stone Town and the main airport. Pemba is the second largest and needs its own travel plan. Only Unguja, Pemba and Mafia have permanent settlements.
How do you get to Zanzibar?
By air to the airport on Unguja, or by ferry from the mainland. Check flight and ferry timetables with the operators before you book, since schedules change.
How many days do you need on Zanzibar?
Unguja fills a trip on its own. Pemba and Mafia each need extra travel time between islands, so add one only if your ferry or flight schedule allows it.
Is Stone Town worth a visit?
Yes, if you want to walk its narrow lanes, the old port and the markets. The main sights sit within walking distance of each other.
What are the small islands around Unguja?
Mnemba, Tumbatu and Uzi are settled islands off Unguja. Chumbe and Changuu are among the smaller islets. Some islets are uninhabited or used mainly by seabirds, so check before you book a boat trip.