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Zanzibar Tourists Travel Information
Visas;
 All visitors to Zanzibar are required to have valid passports. Visas are also required for visitors who are not citizens of the commonwealth countries in order to enter Tanzania Zanzibar . At present visitors from Germany, Denmark, Norway, San Marino, Sweden, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Finland, Spain, Turkey and Uruguay do not require visas. However, since visa requirements may change, it is advisable for the visitors to check the current visa requirements through airlines, tour operators or Zanzibar Tourist Offices, Tanzania Embassies or High Commissions in their countries before coming, to avoid embarrassment. Visas normally take up to six weeks to process and are valid for up to a three month period. Those visitors with proper documents and who also possess onward or return tickets may be given visitor's passes free of charge on arrival at any Tanzania an point of entry.
During the three months period, the visitors' pass holders are not allowed to engage themselves in any form of work or business in the country without authority from the Principal Immigration officer.
Weather;
Zanzibar enjoys a tropical climate. It is hot and humid at the coast, temperate inland and very dry in the north and northeast parts of the country.
The average annual temperature for the coastal town of zanzibar (altitude 17 metres) is 30.30 Celsius maximum and 22.40 Celsius minimum,
There is plenty of sunshine all the year round and summer clothes are worn throughout the year. However,
The long rains occur from march to may and short rains from Septemer to November. The rainfall is sometimes heavy and when it does come it often falls in the afternoons and evenings. The hottest period is from February to March and coldest in June to July.
InTanzania the annual migration of wildlife between Serengeti National Park in Tanzania and Maasai Mara National Park in Kenya takes place between June and September. The migration of almost two million wildebeest, zebras and other species is nature's greatest spectacle on earth. The animal trek has been captured by filmmakers worldwide.
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Useful Tips;
Baggage
Baggage space on safari is restricted to one medium suitcase or holdall per person, plus hand baggage (private safaris where there are less than 7 persons in the vehicle are not subject to this restriction). Visitors to Treetops and the Ark are asked to take overnight bags only; suitcases can be left at the base hotel. Hotels will normally store baggage at no extra cost. Baggage can also be stored at Babu Tours & Safaris offices. A baggage weight restriction of 15 kg per person applies on air safaris. Where very small aircraft are used this maybe reduced to 10kg.
Currency
Hard currencies can be exchanged in cash or travellers cheques at banks all over the country, at forex bureaus in Nairobi and at most large hotels. US Dollars and Sterling Pounds are most acceptable and will cause the least delay. As a norm, always ask what commission and charges will be deducted first and prior to transaction. Banks are usually open from 9.00 am to 3.00 pm, Mondays through Fridays and from 9.00 am and 11.00 am on Saturdays.
Credit Cards
VISA, MASTERCARD and AMERICAN EXPRESS are widely accepted for tourist services. There's usually a 5% mark-up on top of the price as establishments are charged a fixed percentage of their transactions.
Health
Since rules concerning disease prevention change from time to time, a check should be made with the nearest Kenyan High Commission, Zanzibar Tourist Office or any airline flying scheduled services into Zanzibar. Malaria is endemic to most parts of Kenya and intending visitors should start taking anti-malarial tablets before departure and continue taking them for the prescribed time after their return. Insect repellents should be made use of after dusk and suitable cover up clothes should be worn in the evenings.
Drinking Water
Drinking water from the tap must be considered risky. Hotels and lodges usually furnish safe water in a thermos flask in guest rooms. Bottled mineral water is available in every hotel and supermarket.
Security
Normal precautions as in any other destination world-wide should be taken. Visitors are advised not to leave cash and valuables in their hotel rooms but to make use of safe deposit boxes and safes. One should never carry large sums in cash and women should keep a tight grip on handbags in crowds or busy streets. Jewellery snatching is quite common in city streets. As in all major cities walking alone or in small groups at night should be considered a hazard and avoided. Reliable taxis are available at all the principal hotels. Taking photographs at airports, near military installations, of policeman, the president, the national flag, the State House, state lodges, soldiers, prisons and prisoners etc., is prohibited. Before photographing local people, permission should be obtained and a fixed price agreed. Seek the assistance of your driver/guide in this matter.
Voltage
Both mains electricity and generated supply in lodges provide 240 volts AC 50 cycles. Most large hotels and some game lodges provide shaving points with 110 volts AC 50 cycles. Sockets are normally three pin and of the 'square' variety.
Tipping and Pooterage
Although hotels and lodges include a service charge, it is customary to tip porters, waiters, taxi drivers and safari drivers/guides.
Language
Kiswahili is the lingua franca while English is the official language.
Post and Telephones
Keeping in touch by mail and telephone is generally easy. Direct overseas dialling is possible from major centers and increasingly from remote places such as game lodges. Call home bureaus are in plenty in Nairobi as are the Cyber cafe for e-mail and Internet access.
BY AIR
The principal carrier to Zanzibar is Kenya Airways transit at Nairobi. Other carriers are Qatar Airline, Ethiopian Airline, Air India, South African Airways, British Airways and KLM stopping over Dar-es-Salaam, from where you can catch a ferry to Zanzibar. There are also a number of regularly chater flights from Europe travelling direct to Zanzibar.
If your air ticket takes you only to Dar-es-Salaam, local air carriers such as Coastal Travel, Zan Air, Precision Air, Tropical Air provide scheduled flights in small twin-engined to Zanzibar .
BY SEA
Regular ferries operate between Dar - Es Salaam, Zanzibar and Pemba. The services between Dar - es - Salaam and Zanzibar range from 75minutes to 90minutes and that of Pemba can take about 3 hours depending on wheather. Timetables and prices are displayed on boards outside each office. Alternatively you can get the detailed information from a local tour operator.
VISA PROCEDURES & CUSTOMS
All visitors require a valid passport and visa for the duration of their stay. Visa can be obtained from Tanzania Diplomatic Mission or alternatively at the entry points. The rate of the visa is currently 50 US $ OR 50 Euros. However it is advisable to check with your nearest Tanzanian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate prior to your travel for updated information.
The following services are taxed in Zanzibar:
An Airport tax of 50 US $ per ticket must be paid on departure. Keep small denomination ready as change might be limited sometimes. A tax of 5$ for every ticket for the person traveling through sea port
Opening and Shoppng Hours
Major stores, tourist services, offices and museums open from 8.00 am to 5.00 PM in large towns though offices often break for lunch. In rural areas and out in the bush small shops can be open at almost any hour. Souvenirs to take back home can include wood and soap stone sculptures and carvings, ciondos (sisal baskets), beadwork and tribal regalia, masks, textiles and gemstones set in unique jewellery pieces.
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