Does anyone have any advice on Zanzibar? What is the best way to get there - bus from Dar es Salaam? Does anyone recommend anywhere in particular to stay or go? Which currencies are commonly accepted - US dollars and TZ shillings? Is it easy to withdraw funds on the island? Any help with these questions would be most useful. I leave for Kenya on 1st August, then on to Tanzania and Zanzibar and don't return to miserable ole Blighty until 1st September. Kwahweri.

Sweetie you can't take the bus from Dar to Zanzibar unless they have paddles..

Zanzibar is a fabulous place. lived there with my parents. the best way is to go to Dar and take the Hydro-plane or the small commuter plane they have over to the island or if you are really adventurous they do have fishing dhows that will bring you over but it will take several hours and sometimes in certain areas the ocean can be very unpredictable.

The whole island has been built up with a lot of expensive hotels that cater to the tourists who like to have a luxurious vacatiion. there are many other places that are less but very nice some in old Stone Town..

Payment is TZ shillings and once you arrive on Zanzibar be prepared to have your bags thoroughly checked . (sometimes it doesn't hurt to have a 10US if you catch my drift)

The beaches are incredible, you can take a boat over to Prison Island which is lovely there are tortosies wandering around..it's peaceful. the big thing was to go to the harbour at night and drink sugar cane juice, fried octopus, banana chips..

Lots to see, the Sultans old palaces, the slave caves, listen why don't I just go with you and show you around. what the heck it's no bother really!!
I'll find more info and post it tonight...

Zanzibar is an island , you have to take a boat from Dar when I was there, almost a decade ago, there was a hoover craft like passenger service that ferried people back and forth.

then forex was changed at the various border point and hotels you could also do change currency at the market where the rates were much better.

When I was there it was a requirement for all foreigners to pay for services using hard currency and of course the non resident rates at hotels apply. Fortunately for us the locals told advised us to pass ourselves of as TZ inans thus paying local rates.

I am informed that the number of really good hotels has increased but when I was there I stayed at Bwawani which has since been sold of to the serena group or the sheraton I am not certain.

Zanzibar is a beautiful island with warm generous people, you are bound to have a good stay, be warned that it gets very hot in the afternoons and all business shuts down.

Ps When dealing with locals always start with a greeting ,before making an inquiry or even making a purchase it is considered rude not to do so. This also applies to Tz mainland

Yes, I realise in my excitement I wrote bus instead of boat, mimi ni mjinga! Thanks ever so much for the advice though. I can see myself staying there longer than the planned 4 nights. Is there much to do in Dar es Salaam that would justify a night out? Does any boat, no sorry, bus company that runs the Mombasa to Dar es salaam route come recommended?

Dar has changed alot so I'm not sure what you're looking for and age wise too. I know there are a few nightclubs, there's the Casino there are some nice Ocean Hotels oh if you could get to Bahari Beach or Kunduchi...beautiful places. Oh i want to be there.....are you sure you don't need a guide. i know we've had our on line tiffs but...


BAHARI BEACH HOTEL

travel tz

I'll get more info in a bit..

I think Akamba rune from msa to Zanzibar. Its @ an 8 hr journey.The roads have supposedly become very good - esp the Tz side. Kat, I have been trying to remember the name of the harbour place you mentioned.... just cant remember now. But thats really great. Try the egg chapatis and mishkakis there. If you do take the hovercraft, take a sick bag with you. On our way there, it was fine, however, on our way back, the sea was quite rough and apparently if one person gets sick it has a knock on effect on many people... As for Dar, there's quite alot of nightlife. I am sure you'll love Dar and Zanzi. Kat, he might need a couple og guides, in which case I dont mind the trip as well... Safari Njema.

zanzibar

If you go anywhere you have to go to Africa House and be there for sunset. sitting on the roof top patio watching the fishing dhows come in is so beautiful with the sun setting in the horizon. My step-dad and I would head out there on his piki piki almost like a night ritual as my mom was still someplace on the other side of the island working or Dar on business.
we'd sit have safari beer and just put our feet up on the rail and admire the beauty..below is a photo



it's incredible.. Stown Town is the first thing you have to see, the huge carved doors, the only Catholic Church St. Joseph's, The apothocary,many places to visit..

zanzibar

The Mombasa to Dar route has a couple of options - if you get your hands on the latest copy of Lonely Planet - Tanzania it has all the info you need about the Mombasa - Dar routes (basically by local bus, or by air-con 'Shuttle' - more expensive but more comforatble). It also has all the Dar-Zanzibar options, and also has a good section on Dar itself.

U must go to the spice farms!!! Incredible.

STOP it all sounds to nice.!!!!!...can I volunteer to be you porter as I have never been to either

maybe we should have a mambogani contigent accompanying Tory boy..

Karibu sana

What a GREAT place Zanzibar is, though I was a little sea sick on the 2 hour ferry back. I think I'll stick with the 5 hour meli pole pole in future! I loved Stone Town and the market had a unique feel to it with some fascinating spices and enormous fish for sale.

The people are also terrific but could someone confirm whether most Zanzibaris are perpetually stoned or just ultra laid back ? As expected, the locals were unfailingly helpful and I would go as far as saying that the touts - though given a lot of bad press - are no worse than in Kenya or anywhere else in Tanzania and don't deserve the bad reputation I had been led to believe.

It's sad that both the US and the UK Foreign Offices currently give what I believe are over-cautious travel warnings against going to Zanzibar. Fortunately, all the major beach destinations appeared not to be suffering and I thoroughly enjoyed my time in the small village of Jambiani. The beach all the way up to Paje is also excellent.

Many thanks for all the useful advice given. Zanzibar hakuna matata.

Glad you enjoyed Zanzibar... It is a fabulous place. Stone Town with all the little nooks & crannies in the streets. and the Silver craftsmen with their rings earrings necklaces...

It's really expanded the beaches fuller... many tourists...

I'm hoping to be there next year. Oh did you get to Africa House for a beer on the terrace?

Thanks for the number BTW it was helpful........

Aye. Africa House bei ghali sana. Sikutenge nezwa kwa pesa! We had to enjoy the sunset at less exclusive hang-outs.

Seriously...... wow. anyone was able to lumber up the long stairway sit at a small table or just lean your feet on the wall. Order a beer, relax relate and enjoy the warm breezes and sunsets ...hmmmmm sad to say things have changed.....