Rafiki Adventures
Travel well
Practical notes to help you move through the islands with ease, confidence and respect.
Visa & entry
Many visitors can obtain a visa on arrival, but requirements depend on nationality. Check the current rules and make sure your passport has enough validity before you fly.
Getting around
Taxis, private transfers and local dala-dalas connect the island, and domestic flights and ferries link Zanzibar with Dar es Salaam, Pemba and the safari circuits.
Currency & money
The Tanzanian shilling is the local currency and US dollars are widely accepted for tours and hotels. Carry small notes for markets and village stalls.
Weather & seasons
The dry seasons — roughly June to October and December to February — are the most popular for beaches, diving and safari. Ramadhan and Eid dates move each year.
Safety first
Zanzibar is a relaxed destination. Use licensed operators for water sports and tours, listen to your skipper, and keep valuables in the hotel safe.
What to pack
Light clothing, a cover-up for Stone Town and villages, reef-safe sunscreen, comfortable walking shoes, a hat and a reusable water bottle.
Local customs
These are Muslim islands. Dress modestly away from the beach, ask before photographing people, and respect prayer times and Ramadhan fasting hours.
Health & wellbeing
Drink bottled or filtered water, take advice on malaria prophylaxis before travelling, and do not visit Jozani with cold or flu symptoms — the monkeys have no resistance.
Emergency contacts
Save your hotel and guide numbers on arrival, keep travel insurance details to hand, and note the nearest clinic or hospital for the coast you are staying on.