Zanzibar - Before you come...

Today I want to give you some practical tips about your travel to Zanzibar... Something you should definitely know before coming!

Zanzibari history

First of all, some geographical and historical background can be useful. Maybe you know it, but in case you forgot... Zanzibar is a part of federation of Tanzania. Tanzania has emerged from 2 colonial states, British Zanzibar and German Tanganyika. Now look on the names of these 2 entities and you can see the origin of the word "Tanzania" - it is a combination of TANganyika and ZANzibar - as simple as that!

This island in the Indian Ocean belongs to Tanzania (federal entity). Area of ​​1658 km ². It is famous for its numerous plantations of coconut palm and eugenia. The capital of the island, and also the largest port is Zanzibar, with its historic center Stone Town. In 10th century it was colonized by the Arabs and the Persians. From the sixteenth to the seventeenth it belonged to Portugal, and then again came under Arab authority. In Zanzibar were held the biggest slaves fairs of the East cost of Africa. In 1832 by the order of Sultan Said al-Busaidi Sultanate's capital moved from Muscat to Zanzibar. In the nineteenth century, Great Britain took control of Zanzibar, but formally the local sultans ruled. In order to satisfy Germany's claims to the islands (Germany mastered Tanganyika at that time) United Kingdom gave the Germans the island of Heligoland in the North Sea and the Caprivi region. Since 1890 slavery is abolished on the islands. In 1964 the Republic of Zanzibar and Pemby was proclaimed and in 1964 with Tanganyika the United Republic of Tanzania was established. Zanzibar has a relatively high degree of autonomy, for example they elect their own presidents. In Zanzibar, Stone Town, was born leader of "Queen" - Freddie Mercury.

Visa

You will receive a residence visa at the airport upon arrival at Zanzibar. Residence visas - tourist and transit - cost about 75 dollars. Tanzania is a federation, which includes part of the mainland, the former Tanganyika (including the island of Mafia), and autonomous Zanzibar, the island of Pemba and Unguja. The visa is valid for the entire country. Foreigners, however, force the local passport control (no visa fees) and Customs when entering and when leaving the island of Zanzibar. The passport must be valid for at least three months from the date of entry. A condition of entry is to show a return ticket, or show by having sufficient funds to buy it and to cover the costs of travel (the amount required per day of stay is not specified). These amounts should be entered in the visa application. 

Time

Time in Zanzibar is GMT + 3

Currency

The local currency is the Tanzanian shilling (Tsh) 1 USD = 1200Tsh. You can also pay in dollars. In Zanzibar there are two ATMs, both in Stone Town. There are also sections where you can withdraw money from your credit card, such as Mtoni Marine Center (6% commission), not far from Stone Town. Most of the money changers and banks exchange traveler's checks. Credit cards are accepted only in the better restaurants and shops for tourists. Money can be exchanged without many problems. NOTE: old dollar banknotes with so-called "small heads" are not accepted! Get the best rates exchanging notes of $50 and $100, the lower-denomination banknotes get a slightly lower rate. It is good to have with you some dollars in low denominations for daily expenses. Tanzanians are far more likely to take the U.S. dollar than the Euro. 

U.S. dollar, Euro and other currencies can be exchanged without limitation to Tanzanian shillings in banks and legalized exchange offices. Do not use illegal street exchange offers. In many hotels, restaurants, travel agencies, shops, souvenirs, you can pay by credit card (charged 20% commission).

Internet access and telephone

Area code 255. Foreign mobile phones operate on the island without any problem (however, please confirm with your network operator). Local SIM card costs $ 5. Internet access is available in Stone Town and Nungwi in the complex Amana, the Baobab bungalows in the village in internet cafes.

Electricity

230 V / 50 Hz, but the outlet has 3 holes. Required is a 3-pin adapter. You will need a special plug-adapter, which can be bought at the airport.

Cuisine and food

Tanzanian cuisine is characterized by the large influence of neighboring countries, especially Kenya's kitchen. They are most visible in the realm of Moshi and Arusha. Local people usually eat Bantu roasted meat called here nyama choma, the Maasai prefer a diet rich in corn additives ugali. In Tanzania, drinks should be prepared with boiled water and one would rather avoid inserting ice for drinks because it can be prepared with unboiled water. Also, it is not recommended to drink coffee in cafes and restaurants, it is said to taste awful, because all the best coffees are reserved for export. The most popular beers produced by native breweries include serengeti and safari lager. There are no problems with the purchase of  stronger drinks, despite the fact that Tanzania is the Islamic country. The alcohol that you can try is certainly konyagi vodka which is combined with the carbonated beverage to swallow.

Zanzibar's specialty is fish and seafood, available everywhere, always fresh and varied. In Zanzibar, also known as the spice island, grows virtually everything that grew there before, and what has been traditionally imported over the centuries by traders from Minor Asia, India and Europe. A variety of herbs, roots and fruits is great, but availability of products depends on the season.

Prices

0.3 l bottle of water - 0.5 USD, 1.5 liter bottle of water - 0.8 liters, dinner at a restaurant: 40-80 USD, USD 1.5-2 beer, a bottle of South African wine about 16 - 12 USD, drink at the bar - a few dollars.

Weather and climate

Tanzania is located in the equatorial climate zone. On the coast and in the mountains it's humid climate, while the interior of the country, on a plateau, dry. The average annual total precipitation is as follows: 500-1000 mm on a plateau in the central part of the country, and 1000-2000 mm in the mountains and on the coast. Average monthly temperatures in October are 25 ° C (plateau), 28 ° C in January (coast).

Zanzibar boasts about its great weather all year round. High tourist season coincides with the period from June to September. Warmest and less crowded is between December and March. Low season is during the rainy season - from March to June.

Zanzibar is a typical tropical island. This means that the climate is hot and very humid. During the day, the air temperature often reaches 35 ° C. The average water temperature does not drop below 25 ° C, and often is 29-30 º C.

Medical care

Medical care, particularly in hospitals, is a very poor level. No ambulance. For emergencies in a remote area can be very expensive to call an ambulance flights from Nairobi (Kenya). To Kenya, South Africa or to Europe are sent (at your own expense) patients requiring urgent, complex operations. Standard medical visits and hospital day price vary. The National Health Service charges higher fees from foreigners for some services, particularly for more serious operations. A day in the hospital costs about 30 USD  (without tests, treatments and meals), medical advice and research  about 20 USD, routine testing about 10 USD, from 50 to 200 USD - specialized tests, from 200 to 2000 USD - major surgery, 50 USD - minor surgery. It is good to think about appropriate insurance.

Other useful tips

Tourists are expected to respect the local culture. Shorts, miniskirts, transparent dresses, beach wear beyond the beach, topless on the beach, can expose a tourist to the unpleasantness. Also, photographing and filming without asking permission may cause opposition from the local population. During the Muslim fasting (Ramadan), it is expected that tourists will not be ostentatiously eat in a day of food or drink in public places. In 2003, a ban on work during Ramadan and for venues serving tourists.

- it is recommended to use boiled water, even to brush your teeth. Table bottled water is readily available. Other beverages should also buy only bottled or canned. Do not drink juice offered in restaurants or in child street vendors. Do not eat unwashed raw vegetables and fruits.

- vaccination against hepatitis  is recommended. You should take anti-malarial tablets (before the arrival, stay and up to 10 days after returning). It is recommended to sleep in bed with mosquito net, as well as to use the sun cream

- there are no recognized international health insurance policy or policies. Hospitals need to cover the cost of the patient or his family. The travel package you have insurance, so that you can later seek reimbursement of medical expenses, medical care or possible travel to the other country, etc. You have to be prepared, however, that at the time of injury, you will need to cover the cost of their own personal funds.

- do not walk around in bathing suits at the village and town, because it can be taken as an insult to the local culture and traditions, strongly associated with Islam.

- do not walk alone at night after Stone Town.

- try to remain calm when things take longer than in Europe. An old Tanzanian  proverb says "Europeans have watches and Africans - time."

- use only licensed taxis state. They are marked TAXI.

- it is worth to order a meal before you get terribly hungry, because the waiting time can be surprisingly long

- avoid lonely walks and leaving hand luggage unattended on the beach.

- you can give out candy to the children, but the money encourage them to beg.

I hope that above mentioned pieces of advice will be helpful for every person planning his or hers journey to Zanzibar and informative for everyone interested.