Zanzibar Visa & Mandatory Travel Insurance: The Simple 2026 Guide
Planning a trip to Zanzibar? Before you dream about turquoise water and quad rides through the villages, check two things: your visa for Tanzania and Zanzibar's mandatory travel insurance. Here is everything you need, in simple words.
1. Do you need a visa?
Zanzibar is part of Tanzania, so you need a Tanzanian visa. Most travellers from Europe and North America need one, while some nationalities (for example several East African countries) are exempt.
E-visa (recommended): apply online on the official Tanzania Immigration website (eservices.immigration.go.tz) a few weeks before your trip.
Visa on arrival: available for many nationalities at Zanzibar airport (ZNZ), but the queue can be long after a full flight.
Price: a single-entry tourist visa usually costs US$50. US citizens pay US$100 for a multiple-entry visa.
Passport: valid at least 6 months after arrival, with blank pages.
2. Zanzibar's mandatory travel insurance
Since October 2024, every international visitor to Zanzibar must hold the official inbound travel insurance issued by the Zanzibar Insurance Corporation (ZIC). It costs about US$44 per person and covers a stay of up to 92 days. You buy it online before you fly (visitzanzibar.go.tz) and show the certificate on arrival.
This insurance comes in addition to your own travel insurance. We still recommend a good international policy that covers medical evacuation and water sports.
3. Other things to prepare
Yellow fever certificate: only required if you arrive from, or transit more than 12 hours through, a country with yellow fever risk (for example Kenya or Ethiopia).
Money: US dollars are widely accepted; bring clean notes printed after 2013. At our office you can pay cash, card or M-Pesa.
Coming by ferry from Dar es Salaam: the same checks are done at the port in Stone Town.
Rules can change, so always check the official websites a few weeks before you travel.
Ready for your holiday?
Once your papers are in order, the fun part begins. Our team picks you up for free in Nungwi, Kendwa and Jambiani. Book your quad tour, Mnemba snorkelling or private sunset dhow online and pay on site.
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