Zanzibar Tours.

Travel Tips

Your Zanzibar Guide

Everything you want to know before your trip: the best time to travel, routes, costs and the little things that make a difference.

Golden sunset over the sea off Zanzibar with a dhow on the horizon – the dream of your own Zanzibar trip
The complete guide

Zanzibar Travel: the complete guide for your 2026 trip

Your complete Zanzibar guide: best time to visit, routes, costs, beaches, tours, food and all the practical tips – honestly explained by your local Haji.

Read the full Zanzibar guide→

Routes & Itineraries

Zanzibar Travel Guide

Secluded bay with turquoise water at Mtende in southern Zanzibar – a hidden gem away from the crowds

Zanzibar Secret Spots: 10 Hidden Gems Off the Crowds

Zanzibar secret spots from your local: hidden caves, secluded bays, sunset spots and places few package tourists know – with tips on the best time of day.

8 min read
Alley in Stone Town with a carved wooden door – one of Zanzibar's most important sights

Things to Do in Zanzibar: 12 Highlights You Must See

The top things to do in Zanzibar: Stone Town, Jozani Forest, Prison Island, The Rock, Nungwi and more – how much time you need and what is really worth it.

9 min read
Quiet beach with palm trees in Zanzibar – the question of where to stay

Where to Stay in Zanzibar? Regions Honestly Compared

Where to stay in Zanzibar: Stone Town, Nungwi, Kendwa, Paje, Jambiani or Matemwe? Which region suits you, airport distance and how to combine two places.

8 min read
Wide lagoon at low tide on Zanzibar's east coast near Paje

Zanzibar Tides: How to Plan Around Low and High Tide

Zanzibar tides explained: where the tidal range is big, when you can swim, which tours depend on the tides and how to read a tide table.

6 min read
Dhow at sunset off Nungwi in northern Zanzibar

Nungwi, Zanzibar: Beach, Tips & Excursions in the North

Nungwi in northern Zanzibar: swimming with hardly any tide worries, sunsets, dhow builders and turtles – plus getting there and the best excursions.

5 min read
Golden sunset on the beach at Kendwa in Zanzibar

Kendwa, Zanzibar: Dream Beach & Sunsets

Kendwa Beach in Zanzibar: wide white beach, swimming almost without low tide and the island's best sunsets. Who it suits, getting there, excursions.

5 min read
Turquoise lagoon and white beach in Paje on Zanzibar's southeast coast

Paje, Zanzibar: Lagoon, Kitesurfing & Relaxed Vibes

Paje on Zanzibar's southeast coast: turquoise lagoon, kitesurf hub, seaweed farms and a relaxed, young vibe. Tides, getting there and excursions.

5 min read
Quiet beach with palm trees in Jambiani on Zanzibar

Jambiani, Zanzibar: Quiet Fishing Village on the Lagoon

Jambiani on Zanzibar's southeast coast: long fishing village, turquoise lagoon, seaweed farms and real island life – tips, tides, getting there.

5 min read
Alley with a carved wooden door in Stone Town, Zanzibar

Stone Town, Zanzibar: Sights & Tips for the Old Town

Stone Town in Zanzibar: UNESCO old town, carved doors, markets, night market and history. The key sights, safety, clothing and how much time you need.

6 min read
Clear, shallow water on the east coast near Matemwe in Zanzibar

Matemwe, Zanzibar: Peace, Reef & Mnemba Atoll

Matemwe on Zanzibar's northeast coast: quiet beaches, sunrises and the nearby Mnemba Atoll for snorkelling. Tides, getting there and who Matemwe suits.

4 min read
Turquoise lagoon in Paje on a sunny January day in Zanzibar

Zanzibar in January: Weather, Sea & Tips (2027)

Zanzibar in January: hot, sunny, a 28 °C sea and much quieter than over Christmas. Weather data, tours, prices and tips from your local.

5 min read
Sunset on the beach of Kendwa in Zanzibar in February

Zanzibar in February: Weather, Ramadan 2027 & Tips

Zanzibar in February: the driest month of the short season, 32 °C and a 28 °C sea. What Ramadan from around 8 February 2027 means for your trip.

5 min read
Alleys of Stone Town in Zanzibar in March, at the time of the music festival

Zanzibar in March: Weather, Sauti za Busara & Tips

Zanzibar in March: transition to the rainy season, still lots of sun, a 29 °C sea and the Sauti za Busara music festival (19–21 March 2027). Worth it?

5 min read
Lush green rainforest in Jozani Forest in Zanzibar during the rainy season

Zanzibar in April: The Rainy Season, Honestly Explained

Zanzibar in April: main rainy season with around 385 mm of rain, but a 29 °C sea, empty beaches and off-season prices. Who April is still worth it for.

5 min read
Quiet, deserted beach in Zanzibar in May

Zanzibar in May: Weather, Prices & Is It Worth It?

Zanzibar in May: the rainy season fades out, the island is green, empty and cheap. Weather data, tours, tips and who May is really worth it for.

5 min read
Dhow on clear, turquoise water off Zanzibar in June

Zanzibar in June: Start of the Dry Season (Weather & Tips)

Zanzibar in June: the dry season begins, a pleasant 29 °C, clear visibility and no high season yet. Weather data, tours, festivals and tips from your local.

5 min read
Dhow under sail off Zanzibar in the sunny dry season in July

Zanzibar in July: High Season, Weather & Booking Tips

Zanzibar in July: dry, sunny, 28 °C, humpback whales and summer-holiday high season. When to book and how to avoid the crowds.

5 min read
Crystal-clear, turquoise water off Zanzibar in August

Zanzibar in August: Weather, Whales & Summer Holiday Tips

Zanzibar in August: the driest time, sunny, 29 °C, humpback whales and peak season. Weather data, tours, booking tips and quiet corners from your local.

5 min read
The Rock restaurant in the turquoise sea off Zanzibar in September

Zanzibar in September: Weather, Calm & Whale Season

Zanzibar in September: dry, sunny, 30 °C, the holidays are over and the humpback whales still here. Why September is one of the best months – with weather data.

5 min read
Group on the beach in Zanzibar at sunset in October

Zanzibar in October: Weather, Autumn Holidays & Tips

Zanzibar in October: warm, sunny, 31 °C and ideal for the autumn holidays. Weather data, tours, rain risk at the end of the month and tips from your local.

5 min read
Red colobus monkey in the green Jozani Forest in Zanzibar in November

Zanzibar in November: The Short Rains, Honestly Explained

Zanzibar in November: short rainy season with heavy showers, but 8 hours of sun, 31 °C and off-season prices. Is it worth it? Insights from your local.

5 min read
Glowing red sunset over the sea off Zanzibar in December

Zanzibar in December: Christmas & New Year on the Beach

Zanzibar in December: summer, 31 °C and a 28 °C sea. Christmas and New Year under palm trees – with weather data, high-season tips and booking deadlines.

5 min read
Traditional dhow on turquoise water off Zanzibar

Zanzibar or Maldives? The Honest Comparison

Zanzibar or the Maldives: beach, culture, costs, best time to travel and flights compared. Which island suits whom – honestly explained by your local.

6 min read
Sunset on the beach of Kendwa in Zanzibar

Zanzibar or Mauritius? The Honest Comparison

Zanzibar or Mauritius: beaches, culture, best time to travel, costs and entry compared. Which Indian Ocean island suits you – honestly explained.

6 min read
Colourful market in Zanzibar with spices and fruit

Zanzibar or Thailand? Beaches, Costs & Best Time

Zanzibar or Thailand: beaches, culture, food, costs, flight time and travel seasons compared. Which destination suits you – honestly explained by your local.

6 min read
Freshly grilled seafood platter on Zanzibar beach

Food in Zanzibar: The Culinary Guide (2026)

What you must eat in Zanzibar: seafood, Zanzibar Pizza, Urojo, exotic fruits, and the Forodhani Night Market – plus tips on water & hygiene.

8 min read
Artfully carved Zanzibar door in a historic alley of Stone Town

Zanzibar: History & Culture – From Spice Trade to Today

The history of Zanzibar: spice trade, Sultanate of Oman, slave trade, the shortest war in the world, Freddie Mercury, and Stone Town as a UNESCO heritage site.

8 min read
A local in Zanzibar in turquoise waters – warm hospitality

Local Life in Zanzibar: Culture, Customs & Respect

What makes Zanzibar tick? Culture, religion, clothing, Ramadan, Swahili words, and small gestures of respect – so you can meet the island on equal terms.

7 min read
Turquoise, shallow water at a beach in Zanzibar

Zanzibar Beaches: Nungwi, Kendwa, Paje & Jambiani Compared

Which beach suits you? Nungwi, Kendwa, Paje, Jambiani, and the tranquil east in an honest comparison – with the most important factor of all: the tides.

8 min read
Sunny Zanzibar beach with blue sky, palm trees, and turquoise sea – best time to visit

Best Time to Visit Zanzibar: Month by Month (2026)

When is the best time to visit Zanzibar? Dry season, rainy season, and an honest monthly overview with weather, water temperature, and tips from your local guide.

7 min read
Colorful spice and fruit market in Stone Town – Prices and costs in Zanzibar

What Does a Trip to Zanzibar Cost? Cost Overview 2026

What does a trip to Zanzibar cost? Honest estimates for flights, accommodation, tours, transfers, food, and visa – plus example budgets from your local guide.

8 min read

Practical & Tips

Haji, a local guide in Zanzibar, smiling on the beach – a guide you can trust

Zanzibar Tours Reviews: How to Spot a Good Guide

Book Zanzibar tours without getting burned: real experiences, warning signs with beach sellers, fair prices and what to look for in a German-speaking guide.

8 min read
Beach in Zanzibar with sun and shallow water – expectation and reality

Zanzibar Expectation vs Reality: What Really Awaits You

Zanzibar expectation vs reality: low tide, beach sellers, seaweed, rainy season – honestly explained by your local, and why the trip is still worth it.

7 min read
Sunset over the sea off Zanzibar – ready for arrival

Zanzibar Entry Requirements 2026: Visa, Insurance & Costs

Entering Zanzibar in 2026: e-visa (US$50), compulsory insurance (US$44), passport and yellow fever – what Germans really need, step by step.

6 min read
Group of travellers relaxing at sunset in Zanzibar

Is Zanzibar Safe? Honest Answers from Your Local

Is Zanzibar dangerous? Crime, Stone Town at night, beaches, sea creatures, women travelling alone and current Foreign Office advice – honestly assessed.

7 min read
Traditional dhow on turquoise water off Zanzibar – booking an excursion

Booking Zanzibar Excursions: Tour Operator, Portal or Local?

Booking excursions in Zanzibar: via tour operator, booking portal, on the beach or with a local? Prices, group size and flexibility honestly compared.

7 min read
Dusk over the sea in Zanzibar – the hours when mosquito protection really matters

Malaria in Zanzibar: Risk, Protection & Prophylaxis

Is Zanzibar a malaria area? How high the risk really is, what prophylaxis is common and how to protect yourself – explained honestly, without panic.

8 min read
Peaceful palms with a hammock on a Zanzibar beach – travel relaxed and safe

Health & Medical Care in Zanzibar

Healthy travel to Zanzibar: Vaccinations, malaria, water, local care, and travel insurance overview. Note: does not replace medical advice.

7 min read
Turquoise water and sun in Zanzibar – ready for the journey

Zanzibar Travel Basics: Entry, Visa, Money & Safety

All the practicalities for your first Zanzibar trip: Visa, money, SIM card, arrival, electricity, and safety – compact and honestly explained.

8 min read