Is Zanzibar Safe? My Honest Answer as Someone Who Lives Here

Short answer: yes, but…

Zanzibar is one of the places in Africa where tourists get around most comfortably. Its people are warm and hospitable; you'll hear “Karibu!” (welcome) dozens of times a day.

Serious incidents involving tourists are rare. What you might run into is mostly petty theft in crowded places or pushy vendors. In other words, being as careful as you would be in Istanbul is enough.

Traveling solo, traveling as a woman

I'm a woman living here and I feel safe. Many women have joined our group on their own; most of them were worried about exactly this, and on the way home they said “I wish I'd come sooner.”

Still, I have a few tips: don't walk alone on deserted beaches or in back alleys at night, don't accept “guiding” offers from strangers, and have your hotel or someone you trust arrange your taxi.

That's the best part of traveling in a group: there's always someone with you, and someone who knows the island from the inside (that's me) is always within reach.

Respecting the culture: clothing and behavior

Most of Zanzibar's people are Muslim and the island is fairly conservative. At the hotel and on the beach you can dress as you like; but in Stone Town and in the villages, choose clothes that cover your shoulders and knees. It's a sign of respect, and it'll make you more comfortable too.

During Ramadan, not eating or drinking in the street during the day is a kind courtesy. At hotels and tourist restaurants everything carries on as normal.

Ask before taking photos of people. This matters especially in the villages and on the Maasai visit; most of the time they smile and say “yes”.

Health: water, sun and mosquitoes

• Don't drink the tap water; bottled water is everywhere.
• The sun is very strong. High-SPF sunscreen, a hat and plenty of water throughout the day are a must.
• The malaria risk in Zanzibar is low but not zero. Use mosquito repellent in the evenings, and ask your doctor before you travel whether you need malaria tablets.
• There can be sea urchins in the water; water shoes are a lifesaver :)

The government's travel insurance is mandatory for everyone coming to Zanzibar. On top of that, I recommend getting your own travel health insurance.

The sea and the beaches

Tides in Zanzibar are very pronounced. Especially on the east coast, the sea can pull back hundreds of metres during the day. Witnessing this miracle with your own eyes is truly an incredible feeling. In the north (Kendwa), it isn't affected by the tides as much as other areas. That is true. But even in Nungwi and Kendwa, the water still recedes.

Ask for a life jacket on boat trips, and don't drift away from your group when snorkeling. On our tours, I choose the boats and crews myself.

Money, phones and daily life

• Cards are accepted at large hotels and most restaurants; keep some cash (Tanzanian shillings or dollars) for small shops and markets.
• Use banks or official exchange offices when changing money.
• For people on the beach and in the street who keep pushing tours, taxis or souvenirs (known on the island as “beach boys”), a polite “Hapana asante” (no, thank you) is enough.
• If you're thinking of bringing a drone, you need a permit in advance; drones without one can be confiscated at the airport.