Fast Facts About Zanzibar
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| Fast facts | top | | Languages: | Swahili, English, Italian, Arabic | | Population: | 800,000 | | Capital city: | Stone Town (also known as Zanzibar Town) | | Currency: | Tanzanian Shilling | | People: | Native African, Arabic, and Indian | | President: | Amani Karume | | Government: | Republic | | Religion: | Muslim (95%), Christian and Hindu (5%) | | Climate: | Hot and humid | | Average Temp: | 25ºC (77ºF) | | Major Industries: | Tourism, Spice, and Fishing | | | | Accommodation | top | | Most tours will begin with a stay in Stone Town as this is where the international airport is located. Stone Town has a variety of accommodation ranging from budget bed and breakfast inns to extremely luxurious hotels. All accommodation featured in our packages have been tried and tested by ourselves, and we have a policy of "if we have not seen it, we will not put our guests in it". This means that all the accommodation featured on this website has been tried and tested by ourselves. The most popular resorts are located on the East Coast of Zanzibar, mainly in Kiwengwa and some very good accommodation is found on the northern tip in Nungwi. Nungwi is possibly the most "happening" place of Zanzibar with international backpackers frequenting this area due to it's cheap diving and budget accommodation. Accommodation guide | | | | Roads, trains and aeroplanes | top | | International access to Zanzibar is either via Zanzibar International Airport situated in Stone Town, or via the port also located in Stone Town. Direct flights to Zanzibar from South Africa are from Johannesburg International Airport with flights leaving on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday. The only direct carrier is Air Tanzania. Local transport is freely available at the airport and the port, but all charges are in US$. A daily ferry leaves from Zanzibar to Dar Es Salaam and vice versa. These ferries leave approximately every 4 hours, and the journey between the two ports should take about 2 to 3hours. Traveling around Zanzibar can be quite tricky if you do not know what you are doing. The local taxis are called "dala dalas" and can be quite intimidating if you are a first time traveler on these. The best alternative is to contact us and we will arrange all transfers for you. Visitors can also hire motor bikes and cars, but this is also not recommended as the roads are quite tricky to navigate, with many cyclists and motor cyclists driving all over the roads. If you do not have proper licenses, or you knock over a cyclist, the police are quick to arrest you. Pemba Island is only accessed by domestic flights from most Tanzanian domestic airports and from Zanzibar Airport and ferries. Flights leave to Pemba on a daily basis whilst ferries to Pemba leave the Zanzibar and Dar Es Salaam ports from Tues - Fri. | | | | Best time to go | top | July to October - during this period, there is little rain, the average temperature is 25ºC and the humidity is low. Light breezes at night provide some relief from the hot days. Not as many tourists as in January, so for somebody who likes a bit of privacy, it is ideal.
November to March - are good months although the short rains come at this time and it is VERY hot and humid. Added to this is the Muslim festival of Ramadhan in December/ January, which see Muslims fasting during the daytime for an entire month. This festival moves back a couple of days every year, so be sure to check here again if you plan on going to Zanzibar a couple of years down the line. Some local restaurants, bars and discos are closed during this period. All resort and accommodation entertainment is still open though. If you are planning to go to a resort, this is a fantastic time.
April to June - this is the quiet season. The long monsoon rains pour down. It does not rain the whole day every day, but you will have to remain indoors for some time when they come down. If you are on a budget trip, then this is the best time in terms of price unfortunately. Many resorts are closed though during this period, so you will have a smaller selection of places to stay. | | | | Climate | top | | Zanzibar is a few degrees south of the equator and enjoys a tropical climate that is largely dominated by the Indian Ocean monsoons. Average temperature in the summer months is 27ºC and in the winter months is 24ºC. It is very humid all year round, particularly in the summer monsoon rain period. April and May experience the highest rainfall with figures averaging at 249mm and July and August with the lowest averaging 60mm. |
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