While all effort are being
taken to ensure comfort to all visitors the following
tips, when considered, can even maximize the comfort
and avoid all the inconveniences that might happen
to the visitors.
Entry Requirements
All visitors entering Zanzibar
are required to have a valid passport and Visa.
Visas can be obtained from the Tanzania Diplomatic
Mission Abroad or alternatively at the point of
entry.
The rate of the Visa varies
according to the types, duration and nationality.
It is advisable to check this well in advance
in order to avoid inconveniences.
Health
and Safety
A valid International Yellow
Fever, Vaccination Certificate could be demanded
from visitors on arrival as precautionary public
health measure. Exemptions are made to travelers
coming on direct flight from non-endemic areas
such as Europe, North America, Australia, New
Zealand and some parts of the Middle East. For
these visitors, evidence of Yellow Fever Vaccination
is not mandatory.
Travelers who before coming
to Zanzibar intend to transit through endemic
areas even for a brief stay are strongly advised
to protect themselves with vaccination against
Yellow Fever at least two weeks prior to their
departure from their own home countries.
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Behaviours
All visitors to Zanzibar are
advised to observe the following:
- Swim suits and skimpy dresses
are restricted to hotels and resort premises.
Taking alcohol in the public may offend the
residents.
- Nudity is not acceptable
in public places including beach.
- Kissing in public or display
of affection is not customary to Zanzibar.
- Taking photographs of residents
without asking their permission is considered
offensive.
- Military and security sensitive
areas cannot be photographed.
Money, Currency and Exchange
- Tanzania currency is called
Shillingi (Tanzania shilling). Notes are in
the denomination of 200, 500,1000,5000 and 10,000,
shillings. Coins are order of 5, 10,20,50,100,200.
Money can only be changed in
the banks, bureaus and hotels . Exchange rate
varies from place to place and according to the
time. By December 1999, one USA dollar was changed
at 800 Tanzania shillings. Only few areas accept
credit cards and traveler cheques.
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Customs
The following items are regarded
as personal effect and are not charged any tax:
- 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars, I litre of wine
or sprit, 250mls of perfume. Some of the curio
or handicraft purchased in Zanzibar as souvenirs
may require tax and it is advisable to keep all
receipts.
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Tax
The following services are
taxed in Zanzibar:
- An Airport tax of US. $20
per ticket must be paid on departure. Keep small
denomination ready, as changes might be limited
sometimes.
- A tax of US$ 5 for every
ticket traveling through the see port.
A 15% of hotel levy for every used bed Check
the hotel tariffs and asks if hotel levy included.
- Local authorities may impose
other taxes in their areas for specific objectives.
In any way a receipt must be given whenever
payment is made
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Religion
Large proportion of residents
of Zanzibar are Islam and that is reflected in
all their lives. Mosques are sacred places and
usually no entry by non-Muslims. Photographing
of the mosque interior from the doorway is not
allowed during prayers.
During "Ramadhani"
the holy month (dates change) Muslims are fasting
from morning to evening and you may find it difficult
to find food during the daylight hours. However,
some specified restaurants are allowed to serve
the tourists. Get the advice from the Commission
for Tourism. You are requested not to eat, drink
or smoke in the public and day time during this
month.
In Zanzibar there are also
churches and temples. The Anglican Cathedral at
Mkunazini and Minara Miwili Church offer regular
services on Sundays and special days.
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By
Air
Gulf Air, Ethiopian Airline
and Kenya Airways are the only airlines providing
direct international connection on scheduled basis.
Other Airlines such as the Royal Dutch Airline
KLM, British Air, Swiss Air, Egypt Air, Air France,
Alliance Air, Aeroflot, Emirates Air, Royal Swazi,
Zambian Airways, Air Zimbabwe etc. fly to Dar
- Es - salaam, where you can join to Zanzibar
either by local airlines, or by sea. You can also
connect to Zanzibar by small local charters some
of which operate regular schedule services, Precision
Air, Air Zanzibar, Coastal Travel, Island Air
Services, Skyland Safaris and Travel.
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By
Sea
Ferries operate regularly between
Zanzibar and the rest of the East Africa ports;
these range from the hydrofoils, catamarans to
dhows (local boats). The fastest boat takes 75
minutes on a calm day. If you want to experience
the breezes of the Indian Ocean you choose from,
Sea Express, Sea Bus, Flying Horse, Sepideh, Kondo,
Kilimanjaro. Bookings can be made at the ports
in Dar - Es Salaam and Zanzibar and from travel
agents.
Click
here
for more information/enquiries and reservations.
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