Zanzibar
Zanzibar travel advice: visa, insurance, vaccinations and safety
Three things need to be in order before you fly: your visa, the mandatory insurance and your vaccinations. Here is what you need to know, updated October 2026.
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In short: what to sort out before you go
Most visitors need a visa for Zanzibar, and the simplest option is an e-visa applied for in advance. All foreign tourists must also buy a separate entry insurance policy from the Zanzibar Insurance Corporation. It costs $44 for adults and is valid for up to 92 days. See a travel health clinic in good time, as malaria precautions are advised for Zanzibar too.
Once the paperwork is done: see the hotels we recommend, beach by beach. Our first choice is Zuri Zanzibar in Kendwa. Check availability and prices
Picolo has been to Zanzibar several times. The rules below were checked against official sources in October 2026.
Visa: apply for an e-visa before you travel
Zanzibar is part of Tanzania, so the same entry rules apply. British and most European travellers need a visa, and the usual route is an e-visa from the official Tanzanian immigration website. Your passport should be valid for at least six months after you leave, and you should have a return ticket.
Visas on arrival are possible, but airport queues can be long. Watch out for unofficial websites that charge extra for the same application.
The mandatory entry insurance
Since October 2024, Zanzibar has required foreign tourists to buy its own entry insurance. From 1 October 2026 the same applies on the mainland. It is on top of your own travel insurance, which you still need.
Who sells it: if Zanzibar is your first point of entry, you buy it from the Zanzibar Insurance Corporation (ZIC) through the government website visitzanzibar.go.tz. If you land on the mainland first, the mainland scheme applies.
Price and validity: $44 for adults, with a lower price for children. It is valid for up to 92 days.
Safari and beach: if you visit both the mainland and Zanzibar, you only need one policy.
The Norwegian embassy in Dar es Salaam, among others, advises buying the insurance before departure to avoid delays on arrival.
Vaccinations and malaria
Make sure your routine vaccinations are up to date, and ask a travel clinic about hepatitis A. Health authorities advise malaria precautions for Zanzibar, both bite avoidance and preventive tablets, even though the risk is lower than on the mainland. Book an appointment four to six weeks before you travel.
A yellow fever certificate may be required if you arrive from a country with yellow fever risk. That can include a long layover in such a country, for example Kenya or Ethiopia. Check the current requirements before you book your route.
The east coast
Palms, white sand and long beach walks at Dongwe on the east coast.
How safe is Zanzibar?
Most trips to Zanzibar go smoothly. The most common problem is petty theft. Keep valuables out of sight, use registered taxis in the evening and book excursions through your hotel or established operators.
On the beaches you will often meet young men selling boat trips and tours. A polite no is usually enough. Be aware of currents at low tide on the east coast, and swim where others swim.
Check the latest government travel advice for Tanzania before you go.
Dress and respect
Zanzibar is a Muslim society. Swimwear is fine at the hotel and on the beach, but in Stone Town and the villages you should cover shoulders and knees. Ask before photographing people. Ramadan falls in February and March in 2027. Avoid eating or drinking openly in the street during daylight hours.
Money and practicalities
Cash: US dollars are widely used in tourism. Bring new, undamaged notes, as older or worn notes are often refused.
Cards: most hotels take cards, but small shops and markets want cash.
Water: drink bottled water, and use it for brushing your teeth if in doubt.
Plastic bags: Tanzania has banned plastic bags. Do not pack them in your luggage.
Frequently asked questions about Zanzibar travel advice
Do I need a visa for Zanzibar?
Yes, most visitors do. Zanzibar follows Tanzania's rules, and an e-visa from the immigration authorities, arranged at home, saves you the airport queue.
How much is the Zanzibar insurance?
The entry insurance costs $44 per adult and covers a stay of up to three months. Children pay less, and you still need your normal travel insurance.
Do I need malaria tablets for Zanzibar?
Malaria precautions are advised for Zanzibar, even though the risk is lower than on the mainland. A travel clinic can advise which tablets suit you.
Is Zanzibar safe for tourists?
Most trips go well. Watch out for petty theft, use registered taxis in the evening and check the latest government travel advice for Tanzania before you go.
Can you drink the tap water in Zanzibar?
No, drink bottled water. Hotels usually provide it in the room, and many people use it for brushing their teeth too.