Packing list for Zanzibar, travel insurance for Zanzibar and taking your belongings

What to bring to Zanzibar: brief

To pack and check

• Documents and money: a passport valid for at least another 6 months. For many travelers, a Tanzanian e-visa or a visa on arrival is required. Since 2024, mandatory Zanzibar Inbound Travel Insurance also applies to many foreign visitors. Check the current terms and conditions before departure. The local currency is the Tanzanian shilling (TZS), but US dollars are accepted in many tourist areas. Bring recent dollar bills (issued from 2009).
• Clothing: light clothing for the tropical climate. Zanzibar is predominantly Muslim. Outside resorts and beaches, it is mandatory to cover shoulders and knees, especially in Stone Town and local villages.
• Shoes: flip-flops or sandals for the beach and villages. Water shoes are highly recommended due to coral, sea urchins, and sharp stones, especially at low tide. Comfortable sneakers or trail shoes are only necessary if you visit nature reserves or spice plantations. Care and hygiene: reef-friendly sunscreen with a high SPF.
• Packing and protection: a dry bag for boat trips and a rain cover for your backpack during the rainy season. Note: plastic bags are strictly prohibited.
• Insects and animals: a good mosquito repellent (preferably with DEET or picaridine).
• Medicines and travel first aid kit: a first aid kit with ORS, plasters, painkillers, something for insect bites, and remedies for diarrhea.
• Outdoors and handy items: sunglasses, cap or hat, reusable water bottle, and snorkel set.
• Technology and equipment: a universal adapter for Type G and sometimes Type D sockets.

To consider

• UV-protective swim shirt for snorkeling.
• Underwater camera or waterproof phone case.
• Quick-drying towel.
• A light scarf for mosque visits or sun protection.
• For simple guesthouses or longer stays, your own waterproof mosquito net without holes can be pleasant.
• A good dose of patience; "Pole pole" (take it easy) is more than a saying here; it is a way of life.

Are there mosquitoes in Zanzibar?

• Mosquitoes are found all over Zanzibar, all year round. They are most numerous during and immediately after the rainy seasons (approximately March-May and November-December).
• Mosquitoes can transmit malaria, dengue, and chikungunya. Although the risk of malaria in Zanzibar is lower than on the Tanzanian mainland, many health authorities still recommend good mosquito protection and, depending on your travel plans, possibly medication.
• More about protection against mosquitoes and insects or malaria.

Are there sandflies in Zanzibar?

• Yes, sandflies occur in significant numbers on some beaches and in mangrove areas.
• They are particularly active around sunrise and sunset and on windless days. And although you often do not notice the bite, it can cause itching for weeks.
• You may want to ask your accommodation if there are many sandflies locally; this varies considerably by beach. Your kit of mosquito repellents containing DEET or picaridine and protective clothing can offer a solution.
• More about sandflies and sand fleas.

Can you buy DEET, or other mosquito repellents, in Zanzibar?

• In Stone Town and the larger tourist areas, DEET and other mosquito repellents are available at pharmacies, supermarkets, and tourist shops.
• If you are going to smaller villages or remote beaches, it is wise to bring enough with you in advance.

Can you buy a joint or weed in Zanzibar, or bring it to Zanzibar?

• No. Tanzania has ruthlessly strict drug laws, and these apply to Zanzibar as well. There is absolute zero tolerance for all forms of drugs.
• There are sometimes beach boys, or local dealers, offering weed on the beaches. These are often undercover agents or police decoys.
• Checks are strict, and possession, use, sale, and import carry extremely heavy penalties, even for minimal quantities.