Country Info | Read more
Flags are sourced from free platforms like flagpedia.net
Tanzania (Coast)
The Tanzania coast is a tropical paradise, home to the famous spice island of Zanzibar. You can wander through ancient stone streets or relax on perfect, white-sand beaches next to clear blue water. It is a warm, beautiful place with a rich mix of Swahili history.
* Affiliate links are marked with an asterisk (*). We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Photos without credits are sourced from free platforms like Unsplash and Pexels
Summary
Did you know?
Stone Town Mazes – Zanzibar's ancient capital features narrow, winding stone alleys where cars cannot fit and heavy wooden doors feature brass spikes.
Overview
Months
June, July, August, September, October, November, December, January, February
Vacation type
Beach, Couple, Family, Safari, Rainforest, Diving/Snorkeling
Expenses
0-50€, <100€, <150€, <200€, Over 200€
Temperature
25-30°C
Rainfall
0-50mm, 50-100mm, 100-150mm
Safety
Medium
Continent
Africa
Currency
Tanzanian shilling
Languages
Swahili, English
Currency Converter
When to visit
The best time to travel to the Tanzanian coast—including Dar es Salaam, the historic Swahili towns, and the Zanzibar Archipelago—is during the long dry season from June to October. During these months, the weather is relatively cool, the skies are clear, and ocean visibility for diving is excellent.
Another good window is the short dry season from January to February, which is much hotter and more humid but offers great beach weather before the heavy monsoon arrives. The "long rains" hit hard from March to May, causing many island resorts to close entirely, disrupting ferry schedules, and flooding coastal dirt roads.
-
Plan the whole vacation, including flights, transportation, hotels and tours with Expedia *
Climate Data
Peak Season: June to October (Cool Dry) / December to February (Hot Dry)
Average Sunny Hours per Day: 8 to 10 hours.
Rain Frequency: 3 to 6 days per month.
Rainy Hours per Day: 1 hour.
Intensity: Short, isolated coastal showers, mostly at night or early morning.
Duration: Fast-moving clouds leaving behind bright, clear, and sunny days.
Off-Peak Season: March to May (Long Rains Season)
Average Sunny Hours per Day: 4 to 6 hours.
Rain Frequency: 18 to 22 days per month.
Rainy Hours per Day: 3 to 6 hours.
Intensity: Heavy, torrential tropical downpours and strong coastal winds.
Duration: Rains can last for several hours and sometimes stretch into multi-day washouts, making ocean travel choppy and unpredictable.
Climate Chart
_edited_edited_edited_e.jpg)
Data Source: Global Historical Climatology Network
ClimateCharts.net
Weather, Crowds and Costs
Per one person
Tourist Season: June-October / December-February
Budget Vacation ($40-70/day)
Accommodation: $15-30/night (hostel beds in Stone Town, simple beachside bungalows).
Food: $10-15/day (street food at Forodhani Gardens, local canteens serving rice and beans).
Activities: $5-15/day (public beach access, exploring historic alleys on foot).
Transportation: $5-10/day (local dala-dala minibuses, cheap passenger ferries).
Other Costs: $5/day (bottled water, fresh coconuts).
Mid-Range Vacation ($100-200/day)
Accommodation: $60-120/night (comfortable air-conditioned boutique hotels in Stone Town, mid-tier beach lodges).
Food: $20-40/day (seafood restaurants, beachfront cafes).
Activities: $25-50/day (spice farm tours, guided historic walking tours, shared snorkeling trips).
Transportation: $15-30/day (shared tourist shuttles, reliable taxi rides).
Other Costs: $10/day (coffee, tips).
Luxury Vacation ($350-800+/day)
Accommodation: $200-500+/night (luxury beachfront resorts on private islands, restored Omani palaces).
Food: $70-150/day (premium seafood dining, private romantic beach dinners).
Activities: $80-200+/day (private dhow sailing charters, exclusive deep-sea fishing, PADI diving courses).
Transportation: $80-150/day (private airport transfers, short scenic domestic flights).
Other Costs: $30+/day (spa treatments, premium cocktails).
Off-Peak Season: March-May (Long Rains Season)
Budget Vacation ($30-55/day)
Accommodation: $10-25/night (discounted hostels and local guesthouses).
Food: $10-15/day (local markets, street stalls).
Activities: $5-10/day (indoor museums, free historical sites).
Transportation: $5-10/day (dala-dalas).
Other Costs: $5/day (rain gear).
Mid-Range Vacation ($70-130/day)
Accommodation: $40-80/night (discounted boutique hotels).
Food: $15-30/day (indoor dining at open restaurants).
Activities: $15-30/day (indoor cultural tours, cooking classes).
Transportation: $10-20/day (taxis during heavy rain).
Other Costs: $5/day (umbrellas, hot tea).
Luxury Vacation ($200-450+/day)
Accommodation: $120-250+/night (luxury resorts at steep low-season discounts).
Food: $50-100/day (resort dining).
Activities: $50-120/day (spa days, private indoor cultural experiences).
Transportation: $40-80/day (private enclosed transfers).
Other Costs: $20/day (souvenirs, high-end crafts).
-
You can find accomendations that fit your trip and budget on Booking.com, Vrbo and Hotels.com
Best Regions to visit
Cities
1. Dar es Salaam
- The massive, bustling commercial capital of Tanzania. It serves as the primary transit hub and features lively markets, coastal promenades, and historic architecture.
2. Stone Town (Zanzibar City)
- The historic heart of Zanzibar. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site filled with a labyrinth of narrow alleyways, intricately carved wooden doors, and ancient Omani mansions.
3. Bagamoyo
- A quiet, atmospheric coastal town north of Dar es Salaam. It was once a major 19th-century trading port and features haunting ruins of its colonial and slave-trade past.
4. Pangani
- A sleepy, historic Swahili town further north along the coast, situated where the Pangani River meets the Indian Ocean, offering quiet beaches and ruined Omani forts.
Dar es Salaam
Did you know?
Sunken Ruins – Kilwa Kisiwani hides the crumbled stone palaces of an ancient medieval trading empire right on the Indian Ocean shore.
Islands
1. Zanzibar (Unguja)
- The main and most famous island of the archipelago, renowned for its pristine white-sand beaches, spice farms, and the historic Stone Town.
2. Pemba Island
- The quieter, greener sister island to the north of Unguja. It is famous for its deeply undulating hills, massive clove plantations, and world-class, uncrowded coral reef diving.
3. Mafia Island
- A remote, peaceful island south of Dar es Salaam. It is the center of Tanzania's largest marine park and is globally famous for swimming with whale sharks.
-
Find the perfect place to stay in any of these top cities and islands with Booking.com, Hotels.com and Vrbo – offering entire homes and apartments for a comfortable and private experience.
Zanzibar
Things to see
Natural Attractions
1. Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park
- The only national park on Zanzibar, featuring dense mahogany forests and serving as the last sanctuary for the rare, endemic red colobus monkey.
2. Saadani National Park
- Located on the mainland coast opposite Zanzibar, this is the only wildlife sanctuary in East Africa where the beach meets the bush, allowing you to see elephants wandering near the ocean.
3. Chumbe Island Coral Park
- A privately managed nature reserve on a small island near Stone Town, boasting one of the most spectacular, pristine, and shallow coral reefs in East Africa.
Historical and Cultural Sites
1. The House of Wonders (Beit al-Ajaib)
- A massive historic palace dominating the Stone Town waterfront, famous for being the first building in East Africa to have electricity and an elevator.
2. Old Fort of Zanzibar
- A heavy stone fortress built by Omani Arabs in the late 17th century to defend against the Portuguese, now housing an open-air amphitheater and artisan shops.
3. Kaole Ruins
- Located near Bagamoyo, these are the haunting coral-stone ruins of a 13th-century Swahili trading settlement, featuring ancient mosques and pillar tombs.
Unique Experiences
1. Swimming with Whale Sharks
- Traveling to Mafia Island between October and February to snorkel alongside massive, gentle whale sharks as they feed in the plankton-rich coastal waters.
2. Taking a Spice Tour
- Walking through rural agricultural farms in Zanzibar to see, smell, and taste how raw cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon, and vanilla are grown and harvested.
3. Sailing on a Traditional Dhow
- Boarding a handcrafted wooden Swahili sailing boat at sunset to cruise the Indian Ocean using the same ancient triangular sail designs used for centuries.
-
The best way to explore major cities and must-see attractions is by booking guided tours.* They offer convenience, local insights, and often save time when visiting popular sights.
Unique Accomondations/Foodspots
Accommodations
andBeyond Mnemba Island
Location: Mnemba Island, off the coast of Zanzibar, Tanzania Coast
An ultra-exclusive, private island beach paradise surrounded by a pristine coral atoll, offering rustic-chic beach bandas, absolute barefoot luxury, and world-class scuba diving and snorkeling.
Restaurants / Bars
The Beach Dining Pavilion
Location: Mnemba Island, Tanzania Coast
A romantic open-air dining experience set directly on powdery white sand under the African stars, celebrated for serving freshly caught Indian Ocean seafood and organic tropical island produce.
Tours to do
1. The Swahili Coast Historical Route
- Starting in the bustling markets of Dar es Salaam, driving north to explore the ruins of Bagamoyo, and continuing along the coast to the sleepy, historic river town of Pangani.
Best Time: July to October.
Average Cost: $400 – $700 per person
2. The Zanzibar Archipelago Hopper
- Spending days exploring the alleys of Stone Town and the beaches of northern Unguja, then taking a small scenic flight or ferry to the lush, remote diving reefs of Pemba Island.
Best Time: August to February (avoiding the heavy rains).
Average Cost: $800 – $1,500 per person
How to get around
1. Passenger Ferries
- The Azam Marine Kilimanjaro fast ferries are the most popular and reliable way to cross the channel between Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar, taking about two hours.
2. Domestic Aviation
- Small, reliable propeller planes operated by Coastal Aviation or Auric Air run frequent, short hopper flights connecting Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar, Pemba, and Mafia.
3. Dala-dalas
- Open-backed trucks or minibuses that serve as the main public transport on the islands. They are extremely cheap but often crowded and slow.
-
You can find great car rental deals for your vacation on Expedia *
Did you know?
Crab Islands – Changuu Island is packed with giant Aldabra tortoises that wander freely among historic stone prison ruins.
What to eat
1. Zanzibar Pizza
- A popular street food found in Forodhani Gardens. It is a thin dough filled with minced meat, egg, onions, and cheese, folded into a square and fried on a hot griddle until crispy.
2. Urojo (Zanzibar Mix)
- A tangy, bright yellow soup made with a flour and mango base, loaded with crispy fritters, boiled potatoes, skewers of meat, and topped with chili and tamarind sauce.
3. Pilau
- A highly spiced, aromatic rice dish cooked in a rich broth with cardamom, cloves, cinnamon, and cumin, usually served alongside goat, beef, or fresh coastal fish.
4. Mishkaki
- Skewered and grilled pieces of marinated beef or chicken. The meat is marinated in a blend of local spices, garlic, and ginger, then grilled over open charcoal on the street.
Zanzibar Pizza
Flights
Flight prices are approximate and vary by departure city, airline, and booking time. Check airlines or travel platforms for the latest details.
* Please note: All prices are rough estimates for orientation purposes only and may vary by region.
Main Airport: Julius Nyerere International Airport (DAR)
Flight Prices and Seasons:
From Europe
- Average Round-Trip Cost: €500 to €900.
- Cheapest Months: April to October.
- Peak Prices: December holidays and summer months (June to August).
From North America
- Average Round-Trip Cost: $700 to $1,200.
- Cheapest Months: April to October.
- Peak Prices: December holidays and summer months (June to August).
From Asia
- Average Round-Trip Cost: $400 to $800.
- Cheapest Months: April to October.
- Peak Prices: December holidays and summer months (June to August).
From Australia
- Average Round-Trip Cost: $500 to $900.
- Cheapest Months: April to October.
- Peak Prices: December holidays and summer months (June to August).
From Africa
- Average Round-Trip Cost: $300 to $600.
- Cheapest Months: April to October.
- Peak Prices: December holidays and summer months (June to August).
-
You can find the best flight deals with Skyscanner or plan the whole vacation, including flights, transportation, hotels and tours with Expedia *
Airport Location
Visa
1. Visa Requirement
- Citizens of the U.S., Canada, the U.K., and Australia need a visa to enter Tanzania.
2. Visa Application
- Travelers can apply for a Tanzania visa online via the e-visa system or obtain a visa on arrival (check specific eligibility).
3. Types of Visa
- Common visa types include a Tourist Visa: Valid for tourism, typically allowing stays of up to 90 days.
4. Processing Time
- E-visa applications are generally processed within 2 to 10 business days. On-arrival visas can be obtained upon entry.
5. Duration of Stay
- Tourist visas usually allow for stays of up to 90 days; extensions may be possible.
6. Health Requirements
- A yellow fever vaccination is required if traveling from an endemic area. Malaria prophylaxis is also recommended.
8. Proof of Funds
- Visitors may need to show proof of sufficient funds for their stay.
Important things to know
1. Payments
- The local currency is the Tanzanian Shilling (TZS). Credit cards are accepted in urban areas.
2. Tap Water
- Tap water is generally not safe to drink. Bottled water is recommended.
3. Electricity
- The voltage is 230V, and plug types D and G are used.
4. Tipping in Restaurants
- Tipping is customary, usually around 10%.
5. SIM Cards
- Local SIM cards are available from providers like Vodacom and Tigo.
6. Driving Side
- In Tanzania, people drive on the left side of the road.
Souveniers
1. Tanzanite Jewelry
- Tanzania is the exclusive home of Tanzanite, a rare gemstone. Tanzanite jewelry, including rings, necklaces, and earrings, is a beautiful and unique souvenir for those who appreciate fine gemstones.
2. Masai Beaded Jewelry
- The Maasai people are known for their stunning beaded jewelry, which is often colorful and intricately designed. Necklaces, bracelets, and earrings made from glass beads are perfect souvenirs.
3. Wooden Carvings
- Tanzanian artisans are skilled in creating wooden carvings, especially of animals like elephants, lions, and giraffes, which make for a memorable and culturally significant souvenir.
Masai Beaded Jewelry
Location
Reviews
You already visited this country? Share your experiences with others! Tell us what’s worth seeing, what to skip, the things you wish you knew before your trip, what surprised you, what do you wish you knew earlier? Leave a review and help others plan smarter. Thanks in advance! :))