Zanzibar - any hints or tips?
Discussion
Wifey is looking at Zanzibar (The Residence Zanzibar).
It looks like it will be Emirates from Heathrow to ZNZ via Dubai. Economy or Business. Business is £12k extra, so Economy it is.
Dubai stop-over will be from 0020 to 0230 (Dubai Time) on the way out and 0415 to 0745 on the way back. Is it worth trying to get into the Dubai lounge for that short a while?
Is there any reason to get Emirates Skywards, other than getting $100 off the lounge ($600 down to $500)?
Should we apply for eVisas (or just get it done on arrival with the expected local taxes
) ?
I've had yellow fever jab, but my wife will need one. Where's the best place to have this done? Pharmacy or doctor's surgery?
Is there anything that we should think about booking as soon as we get there? We were thinking about a safari on the mainland, but we have no idea of the cost.
Are there any times that we should be avoiding, be that weather or other reasons? We are looking at September, but it could be any time.
Anything else?
It looks like it will be Emirates from Heathrow to ZNZ via Dubai. Economy or Business. Business is £12k extra, so Economy it is.
Dubai stop-over will be from 0020 to 0230 (Dubai Time) on the way out and 0415 to 0745 on the way back. Is it worth trying to get into the Dubai lounge for that short a while?
Is there any reason to get Emirates Skywards, other than getting $100 off the lounge ($600 down to $500)?
Should we apply for eVisas (or just get it done on arrival with the expected local taxes
) ?I've had yellow fever jab, but my wife will need one. Where's the best place to have this done? Pharmacy or doctor's surgery?
Is there anything that we should think about booking as soon as we get there? We were thinking about a safari on the mainland, but we have no idea of the cost.
Are there any times that we should be avoiding, be that weather or other reasons? We are looking at September, but it could be any time.
Anything else?
Puzzles said:
We did a safari plus Zanzibar last year and it was very enjoyable.
We paid for the visa/tax at the airport. I think they couldn’t do chip and pin or Apple Pay.
Thanks.We paid for the visa/tax at the airport. I think they couldn’t do chip and pin or Apple Pay.
How much were they? How did you pay? What currency did you use? The suggestions are USD.
Was the safari to Selous or Mikumi? Were you able to book at the hotel?
We stayed at the Residence last year for a week after a Safari on the mainland. It's a nice resort but in the nature of such places it's quite isolated in location, you'll need a cab to go anywhere outside.
The rest at the resort was welcome after the safari timetable but the resort was very quiet. We did evisas for both Tanzania and Kenya as our flight home went via Mombassa. We used Trailfinders and they booked the flights via KLM so we hopped via Amsterdam to Kilimanjaro on the way out and via Mombassa on the way back. They did the local flights too (they actually did everything, highly recommended). We flew business which added around 4k to the whole thing from memory. We got jabs at Boots, their travel clinic was good and we booked appointments in a local branch. We went at the end of August/Early September. We had a couple of biblical rain storms that lasted maybe 15 minutes and dried up very quickly apart fro m that the weather was great.
A couple of pictures:
Transport to get around the resort.
The rest at the resort was welcome after the safari timetable but the resort was very quiet. We did evisas for both Tanzania and Kenya as our flight home went via Mombassa. We used Trailfinders and they booked the flights via KLM so we hopped via Amsterdam to Kilimanjaro on the way out and via Mombassa on the way back. They did the local flights too (they actually did everything, highly recommended). We flew business which added around 4k to the whole thing from memory. We got jabs at Boots, their travel clinic was good and we booked appointments in a local branch. We went at the end of August/Early September. We had a couple of biblical rain storms that lasted maybe 15 minutes and dried up very quickly apart fro m that the weather was great.
A couple of pictures:
Transport to get around the resort.
Edited by ffc on Friday 12th July 14:12
ffc said:
We stayed at the Residence last year for a week after a Safari on the mainland. It's a nice resort but in the nature of such places it's quite isolated in location, you'll need a cab to go anywhere outside.
The rest at the resort was welcome after the safari timetable but the resort was very quiet. We did evisas for both Tanzania and Kenya as our flight home went via Mombassa. We used Trailfinders and they booked the flights via KLM so we hopped via Amsterdam to Kilimanjaro on the way out and via Mombassa on the way back. They did the local flights too (they actually did everything, highly recommended). We flew business which added around 4k to the whole thing from memory. We got jabs at Boots, their travel clinic was good and we booked appointments in a local branch. We went at the end of August/Early September. We had a couple of biblical rain storms that lasted maybe 15 minutes and dried up very quickly apart fro m that the weather was great.
Thanks. Good to know that we can get jabs at the pharmacy.The rest at the resort was welcome after the safari timetable but the resort was very quiet. We did evisas for both Tanzania and Kenya as our flight home went via Mombassa. We used Trailfinders and they booked the flights via KLM so we hopped via Amsterdam to Kilimanjaro on the way out and via Mombassa on the way back. They did the local flights too (they actually did everything, highly recommended). We flew business which added around 4k to the whole thing from memory. We got jabs at Boots, their travel clinic was good and we booked appointments in a local branch. We went at the end of August/Early September. We had a couple of biblical rain storms that lasted maybe 15 minutes and dried up very quickly apart fro m that the weather was great.
I'm half-way through my eVisa and I'm getting to the parts that I could go wrong (addresses of locations, etc.). I think we will just pay the local "taxes" and get them there. We did that when we went to Sharm. A $30 visa cost $60
, but it is what it is 
.Good info about it being so isolated.
How did you pay for stuff while you were there?
Great place, but I tend to stay at more local style hotels where you walk outside and mingle with locals/eat at nearby restaurants instead of hiding in a resort which could be anywhere. Stone Town the capital is nice enough for 1 night, few hotels on the beach there. East Coast is my favourite. Nice new airport terminal too.
I rent a car, usually a tired old Rav4 or similar, quite fun (you need a local license/permit thingy which the rental company arranges for you). See how many police checkpoints you can get through without someone asking for chocolate :-)
Go for the evisa definitely.
I rent a car, usually a tired old Rav4 or similar, quite fun (you need a local license/permit thingy which the rental company arranges for you). See how many police checkpoints you can get through without someone asking for chocolate :-)
Go for the evisa definitely.
targarama said:
Great place, but I tend to stay at more local style hotels where you walk outside and mingle with locals/eat at nearby restaurants instead of hiding in a resort which could be anywhere. Stone Town the capital is nice enough for 1 night, few hotels on the beach there. East Coast is my favourite. Nice new airport terminal too.
I rent a car, usually a tired old Rav4 or similar, quite fun (you need a local license/permit thingy which the rental company arranges for you). See how many police checkpoints you can get through without someone asking for chocolate :-)
Go for the evisa definitely.
I'd love to do what you did, and it's how I would travel in Europe or N.America, but the "what could go wrong" scenarios are too unknown for me to chance it on a first visit to Africa I rent a car, usually a tired old Rav4 or similar, quite fun (you need a local license/permit thingy which the rental company arranges for you). See how many police checkpoints you can get through without someone asking for chocolate :-)
Go for the evisa definitely.
.How many times have you been? Is there any "must see" parts of the island? My wife is planning to visit Prison Island and Stone Town.
Did a week safari then a week in Zanzibar last year. That's the way I would do it if I ever went back as the Safari side of things is usually early morning starts and back for 3-4pm, usually bone shaking rides every day.
If you do opt for a Safari I would certainly recommend a camp in the desert for a few nights in a luxury tent/camp etc and if funds allow do a hot air balloon which puts a completely different perspective on things, we did this in the Serengeti, however that was a 3am start so out at night you see different animals in the wild and you see the sunrise over the desert.
As for Zanzibar, we stayed somewhere on the east side where seemingly most of the resorts are, we didn't bother with a car, taxi's are cheap if you book locally and not via the resort, they all use whatsapp, so really easy to book, they tend to hang around and wait for you if you are eating out etc also. We did a few tours including stone town which was well worth it, but we spent most of our time just chilling after the safari.
I'd recommend booking the rock restaurant also, for the experience.
If you do opt for a Safari I would certainly recommend a camp in the desert for a few nights in a luxury tent/camp etc and if funds allow do a hot air balloon which puts a completely different perspective on things, we did this in the Serengeti, however that was a 3am start so out at night you see different animals in the wild and you see the sunrise over the desert.
As for Zanzibar, we stayed somewhere on the east side where seemingly most of the resorts are, we didn't bother with a car, taxi's are cheap if you book locally and not via the resort, they all use whatsapp, so really easy to book, they tend to hang around and wait for you if you are eating out etc also. We did a few tours including stone town which was well worth it, but we spent most of our time just chilling after the safari.
I'd recommend booking the rock restaurant also, for the experience.
Freakuk said:
Did a week safari then a week in Zanzibar last year. That's the way I would do it if I ever went back as the Safari side of things is usually early morning starts and back for 3-4pm, usually bone shaking rides every day.
If you do opt for a Safari I would certainly recommend a camp in the desert for a few nights in a luxury tent/camp etc and if funds allow do a hot air balloon which puts a completely different perspective on things, we did this in the Serengeti, however that was a 3am start so out at night you see different animals in the wild and you see the sunrise over the desert.
As for Zanzibar, we stayed somewhere on the east side where seemingly most of the resorts are, we didn't bother with a car, taxi's are cheap if you book locally and not via the resort, they all use whatsapp, so really easy to book, they tend to hang around and wait for you if you are eating out etc also. We did a few tours including stone town which was well worth it, but we spent most of our time just chilling after the safari.
I'd recommend booking the rock restaurant also, for the experience.
The Rock Restaurant looks like it's worth a visit. If you do opt for a Safari I would certainly recommend a camp in the desert for a few nights in a luxury tent/camp etc and if funds allow do a hot air balloon which puts a completely different perspective on things, we did this in the Serengeti, however that was a 3am start so out at night you see different animals in the wild and you see the sunrise over the desert.
As for Zanzibar, we stayed somewhere on the east side where seemingly most of the resorts are, we didn't bother with a car, taxi's are cheap if you book locally and not via the resort, they all use whatsapp, so really easy to book, they tend to hang around and wait for you if you are eating out etc also. We did a few tours including stone town which was well worth it, but we spent most of our time just chilling after the safari.
I'd recommend booking the rock restaurant also, for the experience.
Good tip about booking taxis.
pingu393 said:
It looks like it will be Emirates from Heathrow to ZNZ via Dubai. Economy or Business. Business is £12k extra, so Economy it is.
Anything else?
Business Class x2 return London - Nairobi is currently £3307. Not sure who with. Connect from there to Zanzibar. Where did you get £12k extra from?Anything else?
popeyewhite said:
pingu393 said:
It looks like it will be Emirates from Heathrow to ZNZ via Dubai. Economy or Business. Business is £12k extra, so Economy it is.
Anything else?
Business Class x2 return London - Nairobi is currently £3307. Not sure who with. Connect from there to Zanzibar. Where did you get £12k extra from?Anything else?
We are still at the planning stage, so nothing is confirmed and everything is just estimates after a very quick google...
TUI seem to be the only ones doing an all-inclusive package to The Residence.
Most flights are Emirates Heathrow to Dubai, then Dubai to Zanzibar. Upgrade = £12k.
I've just been playing around with the website. If I chose the same flight times, but one day different, the upgrade can drop to as low as £3200 (£1.6k each), but the flights cost £700 more.
First time to Africa, definitely do the safari first followed by the beach - as you will welcome the rest.
I have done an organised one week safari a couple of times out of Arusha, visiting Lake Manyara, Ngorogoro and the Serengetti. Have also done the same route self-drive on a trip from Nairobi down to Cape Town. This is a good first time safari. If you time it right you can get to see the great migration.
Zanzibar - only been the once in the early 1990s - to the east coast, and there were very few hotels - everything was 1USD. Room - 1USD, meal - 1USD etc. so times have changed somewhat.
The organised trips were with Hayes & Jarvis - and they seem to have become very expensive.
Kenya Airways (my favourite African airline) fly into Arusha and back from Zanzibar - a random couple of weeks in Oct - £2000 economy, business £5500. For a safari out of Arusha, there are plenty of locally based operators, some/most could organise everything for you while in Tanzania - including the internal flight.
Cash - take USD - 50 or 100 notes, the smaller notes you get a crap rate of exchange. Also for 100 USD bills they need to be the latest issue or they may well not be accepted.
Yellow fever - Boots, we had to travel to one as not all of them do it. If you are going to take Malaria pills, Boots again (although I buy them from a pharmacy on arrival as here they are very expensive). Do not take Mefloquine/Lariam as it can have nasty side-effects - a friend went blind for a day when he took them.
I have done an organised one week safari a couple of times out of Arusha, visiting Lake Manyara, Ngorogoro and the Serengetti. Have also done the same route self-drive on a trip from Nairobi down to Cape Town. This is a good first time safari. If you time it right you can get to see the great migration.
Zanzibar - only been the once in the early 1990s - to the east coast, and there were very few hotels - everything was 1USD. Room - 1USD, meal - 1USD etc. so times have changed somewhat.
The organised trips were with Hayes & Jarvis - and they seem to have become very expensive.
Kenya Airways (my favourite African airline) fly into Arusha and back from Zanzibar - a random couple of weeks in Oct - £2000 economy, business £5500. For a safari out of Arusha, there are plenty of locally based operators, some/most could organise everything for you while in Tanzania - including the internal flight.
Cash - take USD - 50 or 100 notes, the smaller notes you get a crap rate of exchange. Also for 100 USD bills they need to be the latest issue or they may well not be accepted.
Yellow fever - Boots, we had to travel to one as not all of them do it. If you are going to take Malaria pills, Boots again (although I buy them from a pharmacy on arrival as here they are very expensive). Do not take Mefloquine/Lariam as it can have nasty side-effects - a friend went blind for a day when he took them.
Flights and accomodation will be booked by noon. I'm just waiting for TUI to phone back. I tried booking last night, but the transaction went tits up. Apart from missing out on the 4% Quidco cashback, I think it's all sorted now.
Two adults. £14k for 15 nights all-inclusive Emirates business class. Late August to mid September. I don't think all-inclusive is necessary, but SWMBO wants it. My ears will probably be sore enough in the plane without the engines AND her whining.
Nationwide Flex Plus (£13.99pcm) with £57 upgrade to £7500pp cancellation insurance.
I just need to book parking at Gatwick, and that's the UK end sorted, apart from...
vaccinations
eVisas
get USD cash
Things to try to do before we get there...
book a safari as near the start of the holiday as possible
Two adults. £14k for 15 nights all-inclusive Emirates business class. Late August to mid September. I don't think all-inclusive is necessary, but SWMBO wants it. My ears will probably be sore enough in the plane without the engines AND her whining.
Nationwide Flex Plus (£13.99pcm) with £57 upgrade to £7500pp cancellation insurance.
I just need to book parking at Gatwick, and that's the UK end sorted, apart from...
vaccinations
eVisas
get USD cash
Things to try to do before we get there...
book a safari as near the start of the holiday as possible
Just another note, book a private safari if funds allow. We had the same driver/guide and obviously 4x4 the entire time, we could stop whenever and it was just us 2 (and guide) the whole time.
We saw plenty of other 4x4's crammed full of people vying for position to get there shots hanging out and over the top of the 4x4's
We saw plenty of other 4x4's crammed full of people vying for position to get there shots hanging out and over the top of the 4x4's
Freakuk said:
Just another note, book a private safari if funds allow. We had the same driver/guide and obviously 4x4 the entire time, we could stop whenever and it was just us 2 (and guide) the whole time.
We saw plenty of other 4x4's crammed full of people vying for position to get there shots hanging out and over the top of the 4x4's
any good websites or contacts for private safari?We saw plenty of other 4x4's crammed full of people vying for position to get there shots hanging out and over the top of the 4x4's
Freakuk said:
Just another note, book a private safari if funds allow. We had the same driver/guide and obviously 4x4 the entire time, we could stop whenever and it was just us 2 (and guide) the whole time.
We saw plenty of other 4x4's crammed full of people vying for position to get there shots hanging out and over the top of the 4x4's
We did a small group Safari. Same driver and six people and it was great.The other couples in the enlarged "Land cruiser" were great and really added to the fun. Obviously that can go wrong but we loved it. We saw plenty of other 4x4's crammed full of people vying for position to get there shots hanging out and over the top of the 4x4's
ffc said:
Freakuk said:
Just another note, book a private safari if funds allow. We had the same driver/guide and obviously 4x4 the entire time, we could stop whenever and it was just us 2 (and guide) the whole time.
We saw plenty of other 4x4's crammed full of people vying for position to get there shots hanging out and over the top of the 4x4's
We did a small group Safari. Same driver and six people and it was great.The other couples in the enlarged "Land cruiser" were great and really added to the fun. Obviously that can go wrong but we loved it. We saw plenty of other 4x4's crammed full of people vying for position to get there shots hanging out and over the top of the 4x4's
All flights are booked.
I was going to book the safari from here, but it won't take a very long delay for us to miss the DXB to ZNZ connection, so I think it would be better to book when we are there.
I've gone from "meh" to "yeah", and I'm really looking forward to it.
pingu393 said:
Freakuk said:
Just another note, book a private safari if funds allow. We had the same driver/guide and obviously 4x4 the entire time, we could stop whenever and it was just us 2 (and guide) the whole time.
We saw plenty of other 4x4's crammed full of people vying for position to get there shots hanging out and over the top of the 4x4's
any good websites or contacts for private safari?We saw plenty of other 4x4's crammed full of people vying for position to get there shots hanging out and over the top of the 4x4's
US dollars are king, they don't want their own currency.
We stayed in Mapenzi resort, back in 2004. Big white beaches where you get harangued by locals if you step outside. Endless urchins down to the reef.
We went on several excursions but they were quite pricy Blue Safari was very good - boats, coves, sandbars, snorkelling, dolphins and flying fish. Stonetown was average and shabby but the trip to Prison Island to see the giant tortoises is a must-do. We missed the Monkey Reserve trip but the resort booked us a minibus and driver and we went alone, at a fraction of the cost.
The locals hate the resorts which are owned by foreigners and the locals on the beach did their own "Blue Safari" at half the price. Several people took the risk and said it was very good. The guy doing them explained the money goes to locals, not foreign owners so had a valid point and walking down the beach to the local school highlighted local poverty (as did a young boy walking along the road carrying a skinned cattle skull on his head, blood dripping down). So resorts are designed to insulate you from reality.
We did hear that some motorbike rides along the beach had resulted in someone getting robbed at the other end, more a bag snatch than violence though.
We did rescue a green turtle that was destined for someone's dinner table, paid the guy 20 dollars to release it into the reef again.
Many did the Safari but we gave that a miss but it was reportedly good.
We stayed in Mapenzi resort, back in 2004. Big white beaches where you get harangued by locals if you step outside. Endless urchins down to the reef.
We went on several excursions but they were quite pricy Blue Safari was very good - boats, coves, sandbars, snorkelling, dolphins and flying fish. Stonetown was average and shabby but the trip to Prison Island to see the giant tortoises is a must-do. We missed the Monkey Reserve trip but the resort booked us a minibus and driver and we went alone, at a fraction of the cost.
The locals hate the resorts which are owned by foreigners and the locals on the beach did their own "Blue Safari" at half the price. Several people took the risk and said it was very good. The guy doing them explained the money goes to locals, not foreign owners so had a valid point and walking down the beach to the local school highlighted local poverty (as did a young boy walking along the road carrying a skinned cattle skull on his head, blood dripping down). So resorts are designed to insulate you from reality.
We did hear that some motorbike rides along the beach had resulted in someone getting robbed at the other end, more a bag snatch than violence though.
We did rescue a green turtle that was destined for someone's dinner table, paid the guy 20 dollars to release it into the reef again.
Many did the Safari but we gave that a miss but it was reportedly good.
LuS1fer said:
US dollars are king, they don't want their own currency.
We stayed in Mapenzi resort, back in 2004. Big white beaches where you get harangued by locals if you step outside. Endless urchins down to the reef.
We went on several excursions but they were quite pricy Blue Safari was very good - boats, coves, sandbars, snorkelling, dolphins and flying fish. Stonetown was average and shabby but the trip to Prison Island to see the giant tortoises is a must-do. We missed the Monkey Reserve trip but the resort booked us a minibus and driver and we went alone, at a fraction of the cost.
The locals hate the resorts which are owned by foreigners and the locals on the beach did their own "Blue Safari" at half the price. Several people took the risk and said it was very good. The guy doing them explained the money goes to locals, not foreign owners so had a valid point and walking down the beach to the local school highlighted local poverty (as did a young boy walking along the road carrying a skinned cattle skull on his head, blood dripping down). So resorts are designed to insulate you from reality.
We did hear that some motorbike rides along the beach had resulted in someone getting robbed at the other end, more a bag snatch than violence though.
We did rescue a green turtle that was destined for someone's dinner table, paid the guy 20 dollars to release it into the reef again.
Many did the Safari but we gave that a miss but it was reportedly good.
Good feedback. Thanks.We stayed in Mapenzi resort, back in 2004. Big white beaches where you get harangued by locals if you step outside. Endless urchins down to the reef.
We went on several excursions but they were quite pricy Blue Safari was very good - boats, coves, sandbars, snorkelling, dolphins and flying fish. Stonetown was average and shabby but the trip to Prison Island to see the giant tortoises is a must-do. We missed the Monkey Reserve trip but the resort booked us a minibus and driver and we went alone, at a fraction of the cost.
The locals hate the resorts which are owned by foreigners and the locals on the beach did their own "Blue Safari" at half the price. Several people took the risk and said it was very good. The guy doing them explained the money goes to locals, not foreign owners so had a valid point and walking down the beach to the local school highlighted local poverty (as did a young boy walking along the road carrying a skinned cattle skull on his head, blood dripping down). So resorts are designed to insulate you from reality.
We did hear that some motorbike rides along the beach had resulted in someone getting robbed at the other end, more a bag snatch than violence though.
We did rescue a green turtle that was destined for someone's dinner table, paid the guy 20 dollars to release it into the reef again.
Many did the Safari but we gave that a miss but it was reportedly good.
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