Do You Need a Visa for Zanzibar? An Entry Guide for Turkish Citizens

Short answer: which passports need a visa?

Zanzibar is an island that belongs to Tanzania. So when you enter Zanzibar you get a Tanzanian visa; there's no separate “Zanzibar visa”.

• Ordinary (burgundy) Turkish passport: you need a visa. A single-entry tourist visa costs $50.
• Special (green), service (grey) and diplomatic (black) passports: thanks to an agreement between Türkiye and Tanzania, you can enter visa-free for up to 90 days in every 180.

Visa rules can change from time to time. I recommend checking the latest status with an official source before you travel; I always share up-to-date information with my guests too.

E-visa or visa on arrival?

You have two options: an online e-visa or a visa on arrival at Zanzibar airport. Both cost $50.

• E-visa: you apply on the official e-visa site of Tanzania's Immigration Department (visa.immigration.go.tz). You'll need your passport's photo page, a passport photo, your return ticket and your accommodation details. Approval can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks, so apply at least 3–4 weeks ahead.
• Visa on arrival: you fill in the form at the airport and pay the fee. If you're bringing cash dollars, make sure the notes are new series and in good condition.

Watch out for middleman sites: some of the sites that come up when you search “Tanzania visa” charge double for the same visa. The official fee is $50.

Mandatory Zanzibar travel insurance ($44)

Since October 2024, the government's travel insurance has been mandatory for all foreign tourists coming to Zanzibar. It's sold by the Zanzibar Insurance Corporation (ZIC); it costs $44 for adults and is valid for about 3 months.

Even if you have your own travel health insurance, you still need this one. You buy it online, you receive a QR code, and you show that code on entry. The price can differ for children; we check it together when you sign up.

Good to know: the visa ($50) and this insurance ($44) aren't included in the Afrika Rüyası package price, but I explain step by step how to get both.

Are vaccines required? The yellow fever rule

If you're flying in directly from Türkiye, there's no mandatory vaccine for entering Zanzibar.

The one case to watch is connecting flights: if you have a layover of more than 12 hours in a country with yellow fever risk (for example Ethiopia or Kenya), you'll be asked for a yellow fever vaccination card. The vaccine has to be given at least 10 days before you travel. Check your layover time when you book your ticket.

For which other vaccines you might want, the most reliable advice will come from your doctor or the Ministry of Health's travel health centers.

Your passport and the documents to bring

• Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from your arrival date and have at least two blank pages.
• Keep your return ticket and accommodation details with you (printed or on your phone).
• Your visa approval if you got an e-visa, and the QR code for your Zanzibar insurance.
• Some cash dollars: new series, untorn notes. Older series dollars aren't accepted in most places.

What to expect at the airport

When you land at Abeid Amani Karume Airport (ZNZ), you first go through passport control. Your fingerprints and photo are taken, and your visa and insurance documents are checked. If several planes have landed at once this part can take a while, so be patient :)

After you collect your bags, I meet you at the exit. Airport transfers are included for Afrika Rüyası guests, so there's no need to haggle with anyone the moment you land.