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Travel Guide » Africa » Zanzibar
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Zanzibar
(Tanzania)


A sultry wind blows across a string of enticing islands.

Low in political coups and high in bliss-charged activities, the Zanzibar Archipelago is a mere hop, skip and a jump from the Tanzanian mainland. Its heady lure has tempted travellers, traders, slave-traders and colonists for centuries, and the archipelago continues to reflect this tumultuous past.


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Getting There
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To Do & See
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At a Glance
Getting Around:

There are no flights within the archipelago. Converted pick-ups or dalla-dallas (minibuses) link all major towns on Zanzibar Island, and it's easy to arrange car, moped or motorcycle rental. In general, prices are reasonable and there are few hassles, although breakdowns are fairly common, as are accidents. Considering how small the island is, it's often more straightforward, and not that much more expensive, just to work out a good deal with a taxi driver. You can hire a bicycle, if you're feeling energetic, or organise excursions around the island through a tour operator.

Pemba is a small island and getting around isn't too difficult if you have time up your sleeve and the virtue of patience. Bus drivers are usually willing to take you to destinations off the main routes for an additional fee. Otherwise, cars and motorbikes can be hired as on Zanzibar, and the entire island is great for cycling. There is no public transport on the smaller islands in the archipelago, although you may be able to find someone to rent a bike from.

Weather:

Along the coast the climate is tropical, with high humidity and temperatures averaging 25-29°C (77-84°F). From December to March, temperatures can exceed 30°C (86°F). Throughout most of the country there are two rainy seasons, with the 'long' rains (masika) drenching Zanzibar from mid-March to May, and the 'short' rains (mvuli) doing their best from November to January.

Dial in code(s):
City code:024
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