Flying to Zanzibar
Pay in instalments with PayJustNow, Float or Happy Pay. Totals include every fee.
Johannesburg (JNB)
about 4 hours · Non-stop or one stop
R 2 230 ×3
R 6 691 all in
Search+2
Cape Town (CPT)
about 6 hours · Usually one stop
R 3 020 ×3
R 9 059 all in
Per-payment figures are the all-in total divided by 3 and rounded. The number of payments and the schedule differ by partner — Happy Pay splits over 2 — and your own plan depends on that partner's approval. You see it in full before you confirm. Fares are the lowest seen for a sample date about six weeks out, not a quote; airline pricing moves constantly.
Best time to fly
Weather, crowds and fares move together in Zanzibar. These are the trade-offs.
June to October
The long dry season and the peak window — hot, sunny and reliably clear.
December to February
Short dry season. Hot and humid but generally sunny; busy over the festive period.
March to May
Long rains. Wettest and cheapest, with some places closing.
November
Short rains — usually brief afternoon showers rather than washouts, and good value.
Before you go
Malaria
Zanzibar is a malaria area. Take medical advice on prophylaxis before travelling, and use repellent in the evenings.
Dress
Zanzibar is predominantly Muslim. Beachwear is fine at resorts, but covering shoulders and knees in Stone Town and villages is expected.
Currency
Tanzanian shilling, with US dollars widely accepted for tourism. Bring newer dollar notes — older ones are often refused.
Tides
The east coast has a large tidal range. At low tide the sea can retreat a long way, which surprises first-time visitors.
About Zanzibar
Zanzibar is the beach half of an East African trip and often the whole of it: white sand, warm shallow water, and a spice-island history that shows up everywhere from the architecture to the food.
Stone Town is a UNESCO World Heritage site and worth two or three days on its own — a dense maze of carved doors, markets and Swahili-Omani buildings. The best beaches are on the east and north coasts, an hour or so away.
Getting in from the airport
Abeid Amani Karume International (ZNZ) is about 6 km from Stone Town, roughly 15 minutes. East and north coast beach hotels are 60 to 90 minutes away — arrange a transfer with your accommodation, as taxi pricing at the airport is inconsistent.
Entry requirements for South African passport holders
Tanzania, including Zanzibar, operates a visa system for most visitors, with electronic application in advance and visa-on-arrival available at some entry points. Arrangements for South African passport holders have varied — confirm the current requirement with the Tanzanian High Commission or your airline well before you travel, and note that Zanzibar has at times required proof of travel insurance.
Entry rules change. Confirm the current requirements with the destination's embassy or consulate before you travel — this page is a guide, not an authority.
Flying to Zanzibar, answered
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Last reviewed by Fly n Pay Later editorial team.