wonderful holidays africa matamwe : zanzibar

useful information

climate                   

Zanzibar ’s weather is consistently hot throughout the year: around 30-35°C with a drop of only a few degrees at night-time. It is also humid with heavy rains during the two wet periods (April-mid June and November-early December). The sea is warm all year: normally a very comfortable 20-25°C though it may drop a few degrees in the long rains.

The kusi blows from the southwest from late March to November. Early April to mid May are usually very wet – it can rain for days on end - but dries up during June. After the rains (mid-June to October) comes a dry, relatively cool (25-30°C) period, which is ideal for holidays but consequently very busy, especially in August.

The kazkazi blows from the northeast from late November to March, and from around mid November to mid December it brings rains, though these are patchier and lighter than the April-May rains. From December to March the temperature rises to 35-40°C, making holidays feasible but uncomfortably hot.

If you have a free choice of when to travel, our advice is to go in late June-July, in September-October, or, if you don’t mind the extra heat, in January-February.

visas & entry requirements  

A tourist visa may be obtained on arrival at Zanzibar airport for US$50, payable in cash. Tourist visas last 3 months. You are advised to obtain one before travelling by applying at least a month ahead to your local embassy. All visitors also require proof of sufficient funds and should hold documentation for their return or onward journey. Passports should be valid for at least six months from date of entry. Those arriving from an infected country must hold a yellow fever vaccination certificate. Note: Passport and visa requirements are liable to change at short notice. Travellers are advised to check their entry requirements with their embassy or consulate.

health 

Travellers are advised to take medical advice at least three weeks before departure. Most visitors will need vaccinations for hepatitis A, typhoid, yellow fever, diphtheria, tetanus and polio. Those arriving from an infected country must hold a yellow fever vaccination certificate. There is a risk of malaria all year and you are strongly advised to take anti-malarial medication. Cholera outbreaks are common throughout the country and visitors are advised to drink bottled or sterilised water only. Visitors should also ensure they are up to date with immunisations against measles, mumps and rubella before travelling. Medical services are available in Dar-es-Salaam and other main towns, but facilities and supplies are limited; visitors with particular requirements should take their own medicines. Comprehensive medical insurance is advised.

Food hygiene is an issue, and you should observe a few simple rules. Wash your hands before eating. Drink mineral water rather than tap water. Check where your ice comes from, and whether your fruit juice is diluted. As for food, ‘cook it, peel it or forget it’; basically this means avoiding salads (unless you are sure they have been washed in mineral water), reheated food and meat or fish that you suspect may be stale.