- Mkunazini Street, Stone Town, Urban/West Region, Zanzibar - Tanzania
Tanzanian Shilling (TZS; symbol TSh). Notes are in denominations of TSh10,000, 5000, 2,000, 1,000 and 500. Coins are in denominations of TSh200, 100, 50, 20 and 10 but these are worth very little and are rarely used. In Kiswahili, it is shilingi and written prices are often denoted with the symbol /=; i.e. 100/= is the same as TSh100.
Most top-end hotels, safari lodges, airlines and tour operators accept Visa and MasterCard (American Express and Diners Club less so), though a commission of 2-5% is usually charged. Budget hotels and most restaurants and shops do not accept credit cards, and they are rarely accepted for payment outside the main tourist areas.
Cash easily can be withdrawn from ATMs using Visa or MasterCard. Any sizeable town has at least one bank with an ATM, and there are ATMs at the larger airports. ATMs generally only dispense notes in increments of TSh 10,000 and these larger notes are often hard for people to change – hoard smaller change whenever possible to pay for taxi fares, snacks, souvenirs and the like.
May be cashed in some banks (try Barclays) or bureaux de change in Tanzania’s major cities and Zanzibar, but they are less common as they once used to be, attract a hefty commission and the process is time consuming. Additionally, some places may ask to see original purchase receipts for traveller’s cheques. If you are nervous about travelling with lots of hard cash, bring enough to get you started then use ATMs to withdraw local currency off a credit card.
Mon-Fri 0830-1530; Sat 0830-1300. Bureaux de change have longer hours and in the cities and in Stone Town on Zanzibar are open on Sundays.
The import and export of local currency is prohibited. The import of foreign currency is unlimited, subject to declaration. The export of foreign currency is limited to the amount declared on arrival.
US dollars, Pound sterling and Euros may be changed at banks and bureaux de change. However, US dollars are the best currency to take to Tanzania as it is widely accepted alongside TSh to pay for hotel bills, souvenirs and flights, and is needed to purchase visas on arrival and pay for park entry fees. Bring newer notes – because of the prevalence of forgery, many places (including banks and bureaux de change) do not accept US dollar bills printed before 2005. Large dollar bills (such as US$50 and US$100) command a better exchange rate than smaller ones. Ensure bills are not torn or damaged.
The following items may be imported into Tanzania by travellers over 17 without incurring customs duty:
Unlicensed firearms and ammunition. Plants and plant products require a phytosanitary certificate.
The export of gold, diamonds and tanzanite unless bought from a licensed jeweller is prohibited. Exporting souvenirs made from wildlife skins (this includes reptiles), shells and coral is forbidden.
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Great Tour Operator and Great Local Guide!
Very efficient tour operator. I booked the 8 days Zanzibar tour and everything was perfect. Since the beginning they were very efficient. They answer to all your questions within one day and they send all the information you need before departure. The tour was well organized, intensive because we only had 8 days but it really covered the most important places. My guide Ahmed was amazing, he explained a lot of things about the history and the culture of Zanzibar. he was always available for us and he helped to organize all the excursions during the free time. Definitely recommend them for a great time in Zanzibar.
Josh Hutcherson
Granville Island, Vancouver, Canada
The Best Way To See Zanzibar
We were on an 11-day tour of the Northern and Central/Urban part of Zanzibar with a group of 16. We could not have been happier. We were split into two groups each with a guide, Ali and Mohammed. But we were often together giving us two guides. They were wonderful, so knowledgeable, helpful and caring. They could not do enough for us. They were so open and honest about their lives we gained insights into Zanzibar we could never have had without them. They were also hilariously funny. We loved all our stops but would have liked to have spent another night in Kendwa. We would highly recommend the trip.
Lorraine Morisson
Buckinghamshire, London, United Kingdom
Immersive Holiday Experience
After years of wanting to go to Tanzania, I landed in Zanzibar and in the good company of Mohamed. My booking with Khamis was efficient and she was super pragmatic about how I should go about the trip. Being a solo traveller can be expensive and I appreciated that Khamis and Mohamed were aware of this and provided me with options that didn’t burn a hole in my pocket. There was a genuine interest in curating my days to what I wanted and as a result not only did I drink some yummy coffee, eat mangoes off a tree on a highway but also watch the strange art of selling homes in an open market.
Diantha Kalos
Duivendrecht, Amsterdam, Netherlands
Perfect For My Group!
Everything was outstanding. The tour system they have set up met my needs and exceeded them. Considering that I have been on all of the tours before, I will say that they are just different than the other tour companies. Ahmed was young, very intelligent and loved sharing his knowledge and the history of his beloved country. He is very interactive with his clients and that makes it so much easier for his clients to understand what he is saying and made it easier for them to remember what he says. Thank you for making my trip go so smoothly! I will be using The Mountain Tours and Safari again!
Ricardo Hurtado
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Perfect Vacation in Zanzibar
I can just describe this company with one word: PERFECT. Since the moment I decided to plan my vacation to Zanzibar I contacted Khamis via email and she gave me all the recommendations and planned my days. Khamis was responsable and always responded my questions in a timely manner. During my days in Zanzibar we had the most amazing time thanks to our tour guide, Ibrahim. He was always on time, he answered all our questions and explained everything with details. They exceeded all my expectations and we were very pleased. I will definitely recommend this company to anyone traveling to Zanzibar.
Harry Etheridge
Rybne, Kyiv, Ukraine
We’ve been working long enough to know what are some of your common questions before, during & after your Zanzibar trip. Have a look at some of the answers.
Here a brief overview of the most frequently asked questions on Zanzibar vacations. More detailed information on each subject can be found HERE.
To have a captivating and exceptional experience on Zanzibar Excursion/Holiday, tourists should schedule to stay a minimum of seven days. Meanwhile, you can decide to spend more days to have a fantastic and satisfying Zanzibar holiday/Excursion.
Notably, the citizens of the United States (US) and the United Kingdom need tourist visas. Likewise, European, Canadian, and Australian travelers will likewise require tourist visas for Tanzania.
Meanwhile, the tourist visas are obtainable on getting to Tanzania, although, the American, as well as British governments, urge travelers to apply prior to traveling. The single-entry tourist visa cost is $50 for British citizens (while it cost $40 for applying ahead of time) and the single-entry tourist visa cost is $100 USD for US residents. Moreover, tourists can obtain a cost is $100 for Multiple-entry visas for $100 USD. Ensure your visa is VALID for 6 months before the time to take off. However, tourist visas are needed by South African residents to visit Zanzibar Islands.
NOTE: The costs and visa requirements are be changed anytime, do make effort to visit the Tanzania Immigration website for more details.
Zanzibar is a semi-autonomous piece of the Assembled Republic of Tanzania. Accordingly, you don’t have to get independent visas for the territory Tanzania and Zanzibar Islands.
No, nutritious foods are available at an affordable price during your Zanzibar excursion. Base on your financial plan, you can spend as low as $5 every day on meals. While another individual can decide to order food that costs is $15. However, bottled water and drinks are accessible at affordable prices.
Indeed, Zanzibar is a phenomenal beach holiday destination. It is additionally an incredible worth for-cash destination that is loaded with character, rich history, and unforgettable experience. Ultimately, Zanzibar culture is vivid and intriguing. Admittedly, the old architecture is precious as well as the seashores are beautiful.
Individuals frequently ask us if Zanzibar holidays excursion/Trips are costly. The basic answer is NO. You can visit Zanzibar on a tight spending plan that suits you.
The worldwide flights to Tanzania are probably going to be the single greatest cost of a trip to the Zanzibar Islands. The most ideal approach to get a save money on your Zanzibar Island holiday is thus to watch out for flight specials to Tanzania and even flight arrangements directly to Zanzibar.
From Dar es Salaam on the terrain of Tanzania, you would then be able to take the reasonable ship or fly to Stone Town on Zanzibar’s fundamental island, Unguja.
On a strict financial plan, you can spend as low as $50 to $55 USD every day on a Zanzibar holiday/Trip. That is a quote dependent on basic, nitty-gritty convenience in lodgings and essential beach huts, and dinners at local cafés and food slow down.
Certainly YES. Zanzibar Islands is safe for tourists to travel for Excursions/Trips or holidays. Zanzibar is one of the safest African destinations. Indeed, the Zanzibar Archipelago is essential to consider for experience in Tanzania, which is quite possibly the most steady African nations. Tanzania is positioned as the most tranquil country in East Africa, indeed.
The local individuals are for the most part inviting and excited when they get to see tourists. On account of the truly flawless beaches, bright climate and rich culture Zanzibar is a well-known tourist destination. Thus, it includes all the fundamental tourism foundation for an agreeable and safe holiday. Numerous worldwide travelers make the most of their experience on the islands such a lot that they return consistently.
A legally Tour Operator Company incorporated in Zanzibar and operating in the entire Tanzania. We speak the language, understand the culture and know every inch of the land. With Our Team, you’ll get the most authentic experience. We introduce you to unexploited beaches and game spotting areas, the greatest parks, local bonfires. You’ll immerse yourself in the african life, get up close and personal with the culture, the locals, and the wilderness. You might get so comfortable you won’t ever want to leave!
08:00 AM – 06:30 PM
Monday – Sunday
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