Where is Zanzibar located?
This is the question I get every time I mention my African travels to the Spice Island.
I’ve spent almost 2 weeks in Zanzibar, and despite being the birthplace of Freddie Mercury, many don’t know where Zanzibar is.
So that is why I decided, to create a guide about the location of Zanzibar in Africa, and useful tips on how to get there. Find them below.
FIND BEST FLIGHTS TO ZANZIBAR:
• Skyscanner (I use it to find cheap flights)
BEST PLACES TO STAY IN ZANZIBAR:
• New Teddys on the Beach (I stayed here in Jambiani)
• The Loop Beach Resort (top location on Jambiani Beach)
• White Sands (top stay on Paje Beach)
• Makofi (I stayed here in Nungwi)
• Z Hotel (direct access to Nungwi Beach)
• Lost & Found (I stayed here in Stone Town)
• Shoki Shoki House (I stayed here in Stone Town)
TOP EXPERIENCES and TOURS IN ZANZIBAR:
• Stone Town walking tour (my favorite and A MUST DO!)
• Spice farm tour (I did this fun top-selling tour)
• Prison Island tour (I did this and met tortoises)
• Jozani Forest (I saw endangered monkeys on this tour)
• One-day safari from Zanzibar (top-rated tour!)
Zanzibar is a semi-autonomous part of Tanzania in East Africa.
It is an island archipelago off the coast of Tanzania in the Indian Ocean. The biggest island in the group, named Unguja, is what people usually refer to as Zanzibar.
Now, are you still trying to locate where Zanzibar Tanzania is?
Keep reading to learn where Zanzibar is on the map, how long is the flight to Zanzibar and other info on how to reach this slice of paradise.
for FUN and INTERESTING facts:
• Zanzibar Quiz: How well do you know Zanzibar?
• 23 Fun facts about Zanzibar you probably didn’t know
for ITINERARY idea:
• Zanzibar Itinerary: How to Spend 12 Days in Zanzibar
for Zanzibar TRAVEL PLANNING:
• Where is Zanzibar located and How to get there
• Is Zanzibar safe to visit? 15 Things to know
• 15 Best Things To Do in Stone Town Zanzibar
• WHAT ARE THE BEST BEACHES TO STAY IN ZANZIBAR
• ZANZIBAR COST OF TRAVEL AND DETAILED BUDGET BREAKDOWN
• Zanzibar Travel budget calculator: Estimate your expenses
for ACCOMMODATION suggestions:
• STAYING AT NEW TEDDY’S ON THE BEACH IN JAMBIANI, ZANZIBAR
• TOP 12 MOST AMAZING BEACH HOTELS IN JAMBIANI, ZANZIBAR
• 15 BEST PLACES TO STAY IN STONE TOWN, ZANZIBAR
for Zanzibar TRAVEL TIPS:
• HOW TO BARGAIN ON YOUR TRAVELS: 17 ESSENTIAL BARGAINING TIPS
• 73+ Essential Swahili Travel Phrases for Travelers to East Africa + Free Download
for CAPTION IDEAS:
• 115 BEST ZANZIBAR CAPTIONS FOR INSTAGRAM – CUTE AND WANDERLUST
• 107 FANTASTIC PALM TREE CAPTIONS FOR INSTAGRAM – LAVISH AND STRONG
• 77 EPIC COCONUT CAPTIONS AND COCONUT PUNS – TROPICAL COCONUT BONANZA
• 77 BEAUTIFUL PINEAPPLE CAPTIONS FOR INSTAGRAM – SWEET AND JUICY
for more TRAVEL IDEAS:
• Zanzibar vs Barbados: Which is better for your holiday?
Where is Zanzibar
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Zanzibar is located off the coast of mainland Tanzania in the Indian Ocean.
- It is an island archipelago, consisting of two main islands, Unguja and Pemba, along with smaller islands. Unguja is referred to as Zanzibar.
- Spice Island or Zanzibar just South of the Equator and has two distinct dry and wet seasons.
- You can easily visit Zanzibar after your safari in Tanzania or after the Mount Kilimanjaro hike.
- Zanzibar is easily accessible from the Middle East and Europe with direct flights from some major cities.
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Where is Zanzibar located
When trying to find Zanzibar on a map, you must first find Africa.
In Africa, look at the central part, around the equator, and search for Kenya and Tanzania on the mainland in East Africa.
Then you can look up for Zanzibar archipelago, located in the Indian Ocean, around 25-50 km (15-30 mi) off the coast of mainland Tanzania.
It is located roughly between 6° and 7° South of the Equator, and 39° and 40° East of the Prime Meridian. They are in the same time zone as Tanzania (GMT +3).
The total land area of Zanzibar is 2,643 km² (1,020 mi²). Palm-fringed shores, spice plantations, and tropical forests characterize the landscape.
The tropical climate makes Zanzibar a great destination to visit all year round.
Have a look at the bottom map of where is Zanzibar located on the world map.
Zanzibar is an island archipelago consisting of several islands in the Zany Sea and the Indian Ocean.
The main island, Unguja, commonly referred to as Zanzibar Island is the largest among them. It covers approximately 1,666 km² (643 mi²) of land.
The second largest is Pemba Island with 985 km² (380 mi²) in land size.
It is one of the tropical island destinations in the Indian Ocean, besides Seychelles, Mauritius, and Maldives. Closeness to Tanzania means that you can combine tropical Zanzibar with Tanzanian safari.
Zanzibar has a population of around 1.9 million, influenced by Swahili, Arab, European, and Indian cultures, evident in its architecture, cuisine, and customs. Most of them live in Unguja.
Zanzibar general information
where is Barbados located
POPULATION
1.6 million (2021)
GOVERNMENT TYPE
Semi-autonomous part of Tanzania
CURRENCY
Tanzanian Schilling (TZS)
CAPITAL
Zanzibar City
MAIN RELIGION
Islam (99%)
COUNTRY CODE
+255
TIME ZONE
GMT +3
where is Barbados Island
How to get to Zanzibar
Despite its location in Africa, Zanzibar is a popular destination that is easy to reach.
There are two ways on how to get to Zanzibar, by plane or by ferry.
The main entry point is Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (ZNZ), previously known as Kisauni, in Zanzibar City. The airport is around 10 km (6 miles) or 15-20 minutes drive away from the UNESCO World Heritage site Stone Town.
Direct flights to Zanzibar are available from major African hubs like Nairobi and Johannesburg, from the Middle East, like Dubai and Qatar, and some European cities like Rome, Zurich, Frankfurt, and Istanbul.
Airlines flying to Zanzibar (ZNZ) directly are Qatar Airways, FlyDubai, Turkish Airlines, Safair, Neos, and Edelweiss Air.
I was flying to Zanzibar with Qatar Airways from Zagreb via Doha.
The shortest distance from Doha to Zanzibar is 3768 km (2342 mi). An expected flight time from Doha to Zanzibar is around 5 hours and 50 min.
Look at the map showing a list of destinations offering direct flights to Zanzibar.
Another popular entry point is Julius Nyerere International Airport (DAR) in Dar es Salaam, in mainland Tanzania.
Between Dar and Zanzibar is a short 20-minute flight, where you can choose between various airlines.
Dar es Salaam ferry to Zanzibar is another option if you travel to the island from Tanzania. The boat from Dar es Salaam to Zanzibar usually takes a bit less than 2h.
You can choose between Zan Fast Ferries and Azam Ferries. Tanzania to Zanzibar ferry prices for non-residents range from $35 to $60 USD for a one-way journey.
Ferry terminal is on the north of Stone Town, close to the Old Dispensary.
How to get to Zanzibar from USA and Canada
Flights to Zanzibar from the USA and Canada will require some planning, as there are currently no direct flights available.
The shortest route from the USA to Zanzibar Tanzania will include at least one stopover.
If possible, book a flight from one of the major hubs like New York, Miami, or Atlanta, with airlines offering connecting flights to Zanzibar.
The shortest distance from Zanzibar to USA (New York) is 12.402 km (7,706 mi), with the shortest flight duration around 16h. The best flight option from New York (JFK) to Zanzibar is with Kenya Airlines with a stopover in Nairobi, Kenya.
When flying from Los Angeles (LAX), Vancouver (YVR), Toronto (YYZ) Miami (MIA), or Atlanta (ATL) you will want to search for a connecting flight to a hub like Dubai, Doha, or Istanbul, and then continue to Zanzibar. Flight time for those is from 21h and up.
Alternatively, you could fly to a major European city like Frankfurt or Rome, and then connect to Zanzibar from there.
How to get to Zanzibar from Europe and UK
I was flying to Zanzibar from Zagreb via Doha with Qatar Airways.
To get to Zanzibar from Europe you can take a few direct flights from major airports like Frankfurt (FRA), Rome (FCO), and Zurich (ZRH). Flights are operated by Condor, Neos, and Edelweiss Air.
If you decide to fly from any other European or UK city, add at least one stopover through a major hub like Istanbul, Dubai, or Doha.
That is also what my Zanzibar flight itinerary looked like. I was flying QR from Zagreb (ZAG) to Doha (DOH).
My total travel time from Zagreb to Zanzibar was 15h 10min.
The flight duration from European cities and the UK will vary depending on the layovers and connecting flights, but it will generally take more than 12 hours.
For example, flight time to Zanzibar from London is around 12h 45min, for a distance of 7427 km (4615 mi), and 13h 30min from Manchester (MAN), with a distance 7680 km (4772 mi).
How to get to Zanzibar from Australia
Getting to Zanzibar from Australia involves a longer journey due to the distance, but it’s still very much achievable with a bit of travel planning.
You’ll first need to fly from major Australian cities like Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, or Brisbane to a connecting hub in the Middle East, Asia or South Africa, Dubai, Singapore, or Johannesburg. From there, you can catch a connecting flight to Zanzibar.
The total travel time can vary but it will generally be more than 24h depending on layovers and connections.
The best flight routes to Zanzibar from Australia (Sydney) are with Emirates and have only one stopover in Dubai. The approximate flight time for that journey will be 25h 20min.
Other flight options include multiple airlines and multiple stopovers.
Most of them include at least two stopovers. The first one is in Asia via Bangkok (BKK) or Singapore (SIN) and the second one is in Addis Ababa (ADD) in Ethiopia. Those flights will usually take more than one day. You can book that flight with Qantas and Ethiopian Air.
Below you will find the best Zanzibar planning resources for your ultimate African getaway!
Zanzibar travel planning resources
Get ready to experience Zanzibar like never before!
I’m sharing a list of my trusted Zanzibar travel resources. From accommodations to tours, transport, WiFi, and more, I’ve got you covered.
Save both, time and money, by tapping into these expert recommendations.
Say goodbye to stress, and hello to savings and hassle-free Zanzibar holiday!
Don’t forget to pin the one you like more!
Where is Zanzibar located FAQs
Zanzibar is located in the Indian Ocean, just off the coast of mainland Tanzania, East Africa.
Zanzibar is not an island but an archipelago, which includes several islands, with Unguja (commonly referred to as Zanzibar Island) being the main island.
Zanzibar is not a sovereign country but rather a semi-autonomous region of Tanzania. It has its own government and enjoys a degree of self-governance, but it remains part of the United Republic of Tanzania.
The main airport in Zanzibar is called Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (ZNZ), which is located on Unguja Island, the largest island in the Zanzibar Archipelago.
It is situated approximately 6 kilometers (6.7 miles) south of Zanzibar City, the capital of Zanzibar, making it the primary entry point for travelers arriving by air.
Zanzibar is famous for its stunning beaches, vibrant markets, and historic Stone Town, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, offering visitors a unique blend of natural beauty, cultural richness, and historical significance. It is also the birthplace of Freddie Mercury or Farrokh Bulsara from Queen.
Yes and no.
Zanzibar is in Africa but is not a country. Zanzibar is a semi-autonomous region of Tanzania, situated in the eastern part of the African continent, in the Indian Ocean.
Yes, Zanzibar is generally safe to travel to.
Even though Zanzibar is safe to visit, travelers should take all standard safety precautions, dress modestly, use reputable transportation and tour providers, respect local customs, and avoid walking alone at night.
Zanzibar is perceived as a budget-friendly tropical destination.
Zanzibar is a budget tropical island and offers options to cater to all needs. Travel expenses can vary depending on your travel preferences and lifestyle. There are luxury resorts and high-end restaurants and on the other side are also more budget-friendly accommodations, eateries, and activities.
As of the latest available data, the population of Zanzibar is estimated to be around 1.6 million people.
Please note that population figures may vary slightly depending on the source and the time of data collection.
The currency used in Zanzibar is the Tanzanian Shilling (TZS). It is the official currency of both Zanzibar and mainland Tanzania.
While some businesses may accept major foreign currencies such as US dollars or euros, it is advisable to exchange your money for Tanzanian Shillings for better convenience and to avoid potential exchange rate discrepancies. Major credit and debit cards are also widely accepted in larger establishments, but it’s always a good idea to carry some local currency for smaller purchases and transactions.
Final thoughts on where is Zanzibar and how to get there
Zanzibar is a tropical island off the coast of Tanzania between the Zenj Sea and the Indian Ocean. It is an island archipelago with the main island Unguja, commonly referred to as Zanzibar.
With its tropical climate, UNESCO sites, and rich history, Zanzibar is an ideal destination for a perfect tropical getaway. The best time to visit is during the dry season from June to October, when the island welcomes tourists from all around the world.
The island is easily accessible from mainland Tanzania and can be reached by direct flights from the Middle East and Europe.
Coming to Zanzibar from the USA, Canada or Australia will add at least one stopover, through a major hub, to your flight itinerary.
That is why the best way to visit Zanzibar is to combine a Tanzania safari with a Zanzibar holiday for an unforgettable adventure in East Africa.
While Zanzibar or Spice Island is known for its rich history, the spice trade, and stunning beaches, have a look at why this African island is worth visiting, if Zanzibar is safe, things you can do there (besides learning about spices), fun facts, which are the best beaches in Zanzibar, and how it compares to Barbados and Seychelles.
➤ What you should read next
• 15 Best Places to Stay in Stone Town Zanzibar
• 15 Best hotels in Jambiani Zanzibar for a perfect holiday
• 15 Best Things To Do in Stone Town Zanzibar
• Zanzibar Itinerary: How to Spend 12 Days in Zanzibar
• Is Zanzibar safe to visit? 15 Things to know
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