5 Days Zanzibar Beach Tour

Yes, it is safe to travel to Zanzibar Islands. This is one of the safest African destinations, even for solo female travellers. The Zanzibar Archipelago is part of Tanzania, which is one of the most stable African countries. Tanzania is ranked as the most peaceful country in East Africa.

The local people are generally welcoming and laid-back. Thanks to the picture-perfect beaches, sunny weather and rich culture Zanzibar is a popular tourist destination. Thus, it features all the necessary tourism infrastructure for a comfortable and safe holiday. Many international travellers enjoy their time on the islands so much that they return time and again.

The only annoyance you are likely to encounter in Zanzibar is the Maasai hawkers pushing their wares, sometimes over-zealously. The best way to deal with these persistent salesmen is to firmly decline and not give them attention. If you feel harassed report the problem to your lodge or tour company so that they can assist.

Yes, Zanzibar is very safe for swimming. The Indian Ocean is warm and the waves tend to be small. Zanzibar is a popular destination for snorkelling and scuba diving.

Conditions do vary from beach to beach and season to season, but overall, many of Zanzibar’s beaches are ideal for swimming. Depending on the tides, there can sometimes be seaweed in the water, particularly along the East Coast. You may also encounter sea urchins in the rocky shallows (especially at low tide). Watch where you walk and wear booties (diving boots) to protect your feet.

There are reef sharks in Zanzibar which are harmless. Then at Mafia Island, you can swim with whale sharks. These sharks are endangered and safe to swim and dive with.  Lastly, great white sharks are occasionally spotted in the deep waters but there have been no shark attacks recorded.

Erring on the side of caution, the answer is no. Muggings and robberies do happen, especially in dark alleys at night. So, don’t walk around by yourself at night. Only take registered taxis or taxis recommended by trusted locals and friends. Alternatively, you can arrange an escort, to walk with you, to some hotels and restaurants.

The best time to go to Zanzibar is from mid-winter to spring or in mid-summer (Southern Hemisphere timing). These are Zanzibar’s dry seasons. The long dry season is over winter and spring and the short dry season is in mid-summer. Remember this is a tropical region which means the cooler temperatures of winter are still warm. So, you’ll still enjoy pleasant beach weather.

People often ask us if the Zanzibar holidays are expensive. The simple answer is no. You can visit Zanzibar on a budget. International flights to Tanzania are likely to be the single biggest expense of a trip to the Zanzibar Islands. The best way to save money on your Zanzibar Island holiday is thus to keep an eye out for flight specials to Tanzania and even flight deals to Zanzibar, direct. From Dar es Salaam on the mainland of Tanzania, you can then take the affordable ferry or fly to Stone Town on Zanzibar’s main island, Unguja.