Zanzibar

The most popular time to travel to Zanzibar is during the dry season, from July to September. The archipelago's tropical climate is characterised by stable temperatures throughout the year, but the amount of rainfall varies considerably. The most precipitation is recorded between March and May, and to a lesser extent around November and December. Similar weather patterns prevail in mainland Tanzania. The temperatures usually stay between 21°C (70°F) and 33°C (91°F). It can be somewhat warmer under the influence of the seasonal northeast monsoon winds that blow day and night during the Zanzibar summer (November to March). The southwest monsoon winds blow in the Zanzibar winter (June to mid October) and bring slightly cooler temperatures.

Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (ZNZ) is located 7 km south of Zanzibar City, and serves several international airlines including Qatar, Oman Air and Ethiopian Airlines. However, most visitors fly into Dar es Salaam Airport (DAR), and take the ferry to Zanzibar, which takes ca. 1 hour 40 minutes (Kilimanjaro Fast Ferries, link below). Domestic flights between DAR and ZNZ are also available, and take 15 minutes.

Dala dalas — the minibus share taxis used for public transportation — are a cheap but not the fastest way to travel on the island, and you may not be allowed to board if you have bulky luggage with you. Darajani Bus Station is found on Creek Road.

Contact any of the providers below for a lift from/to the airport, or within the island. It is recommended to agree on the price beforehand.

Postal services are provided by Tanzania Posts Corporation. The gorgeous Shangani Post Office, also known as the Old Post Office, was designed by the British architect J.H. Sinclair in the Saracenic style. The building was inaugurated in 1906 and served as Zanzibar's main office until the end of the Sultanate of Zanzibar in 1964. The two-story building with a ground-level colonnade is a tourist attraction in itself. Send a postcard to your friends back home while you're there!

The biggest pharmacy is Shamshu & Sons Pharmacy (details below). Further addresses are Mwembeladu Pharmacy (near Felix Moumie Road), Royal Pharmacy (Nyerere Road south of Stone Town). The pharmacy in Nungwi is Izmir Pharmacy.

Dial code for Tanzania: +255 Area code for Dar es Salaam: 22 Zanzibar: 24

In Tanzania, the local current is 220–240V 50Hz. The sockets accept type D plugs — the three-pronged plugs with round pins common in Britain until 1940s. Power cuts and surges are becoming less common, but may still happen. It is best practice to unplug your devices when you are not using them. Also consider using a power adapter with a breaker for your more delicate electronics.