Zanzibar Budget Trips

Zanzibar Budget Trips : It is still feasible to travel on a budget to Zanzibar, despite the island being significantly more expensive compared to other African destination. Zanzibar has a reputation for being an expensive vacation spot, but once you get there, you might find this to be somewhat misleading. If you want to travel on a tight budget, you can skip most of the hyped-up activities and start living on $20 per day as soon as you arrive. If you collaborate and split the costs with other travelers, you could also significantly reduce your expenses.

Many people don’t think Zanzibar can be inexpensive. If money is tight, staying in Stone Town in particular might be a good idea. If you believe the content in travel brochures that promote honeymooner’s paradises, you will end up getting ripped off on everything, but if you look a little harder, you might find pretty affordable accommodations, with rooms starting at $12 per night and street food snacks at $2. Here is an estimate of what you should expect to spend in Zanzibar on a tight budget:

Budget travel to Zanzibar is possible, but you’ll need to be selective about where you go. Beginning in Stone Town, you’ll discover a variety of inexpensive guesthouses with straightforward double rooms and B&Bs.

Matemwe, northern Kiwengwa, Bwejuu, and Kizimkazi Mkunguni all have one or two good inexpensive guesthouses, but there aren’t many of them, so you might have to make do with accommodations further from the Zanzibar coast.

Although you can find some more reasonably priced guesthouses in Chake-Chake, Kilindoni, and Utende, Pemba and Mafia are not the best places to travel on a tight budget. However, you’ll probably have to spend a little bit more money to get the most out of these and the other smaller islands in the archipelago.

HOW DO I GET TO ZANZIBAR ON A BUDGET?

To begin with, you must board a plane bound for another country that will take you to Dar es Salaam, the capital of Tanzania. A small plane is the quickest and most convenient way to travel to and from Zanzibar. Although you may be able to negotiate a better price at the airport if you have the time and are flexible with dates and times, this costs $60 to $80 when purchased in advance.

Alternatively, you can take the $35 ferry if you really need to get to Zanzibar on a tight budget. You can take a local bus from outside Dar airport to the port, but be sure to check the ferry schedule because the last one departs in the late afternoon. Although their safety standards aren’t always the best, the 2-hour ferry ride is fairly comfortable.

HIGHLIGHTS OF BUDGET-FRIENDLY ZANZIBAR HOLIDAYS

Fortunately, lying on the beach is always free, and snorkeling equipment can be rented almost anywhere for a few dollars. Local dive trips start at $40 per person, and depending on where you go and how many people are in the boat, dhow excursions can cost anywhere from $30 to $80 per trip.

Zanzibar is a great place to begin scuba diving if you’ve never done it before. An introductory ‘Discover Scuba’ course that includes a pool dive, some theory, and a shallow sea dive to about 12m (39ft) costs $100. A full PADI certification costs around $500 per person.

Whatever you do, make sure to take a spice tour before leaving Zanzibar. Prices for these can be arranged in Stone Town and start at about $30 per person.

TRAVEL TIPS FOR BUDGET-FRIENDLY ZANZIBAR HOLIDAYS

If you intend to stay in Stone Town for a while, make reservations for a few nights of lodging in advance. This will give you a goal to work toward when you get there, but it won’t bind you if it ends up being less appealing. Once there, you can walk around the historic district and change to a more pleasant location if necessary. However, if you’re in town in July, when Stone Town is crowded with tourists for the Festival of the Dhow Countries, don’t try this.

The same approach can be used in Nungwi, Paje, and Jambiani, where there are many excellent low-cost lodging options nearby along the beach. There are huts and bungalows that only accept walk-in visitors and don’t even accept reservations in advance. There is always some risk, just like in Stone Town in July, and the busiest months are July through October along the northern and eastern coasts. If you’re concerned about availability, Jambiani is currently one of the more tranquil stretches of beach and a good place to start.

Because there are no places to withdraw money outside of Stone Town, Kiwengwa, and Chake Chake, be aware that the smaller, less expensive guesthouses almost always require cash. Officially, all lodging must be paid for in US dollars, though more and more budget hostels are also accepting euros and Tanzanian shillings. The best choice is to bring all of your cash, as you’ll get better exchange rates than if you do it on the islands. Use a private bureau de change in Stone Town if you do need to exchange money (a few shillings can be useful for smaller purchases like street food). Forex services are frequently offered by the larger hotels, but typically at much worse rates.

In Stone Town, expect to pay $10 to $15 for a dorm bed and $40 to $60 for a tidy double room. In Zanzibar, single rooms are uncommon, and you’ll frequently be charged the full price for a double. For a decent guesthouse on a fairly tight budget, you’re looking at spending around $50 per person per day sharing. Local food and simple drinks will cost you about $25 per day.

HOW DO I GET A TRANSFER FROM ZANZIBAR AIRPORT?

Stone Town, the country’s capital, is about a 30-minute drive from Zanzibar Airport. One choice is to take a taxi, which can run you $10–$15 (depending on how good you are at haggling). If you can group up with other travelers, the cost will be less.

 The most affordable choice is to board a Dala-Dala local bus. Although they are very simple to use, be prepared for crowded, warm conditions. Ask airport staff for directions (don’t ask the taxi drivers; they’ll tell you the buses aren’t running!) to the dala-dala stop, which is right outside the airport.

Dala-dala rides to Stone Town cost 300 TSH, or about $0.15. Since there are no designated stops along the route, they can drop you off anywhere, including the final stop at Darajani Market.

HOW TO TRAVEL AROUND ZANZIBAR ON A BUDGET?

Anyone visiting Zanzibar on a budget must become familiar with using data dalas. They make getting around the island affordable and simple. It takes roughly 1.5 hours to get from Stone Town to the northern beaches of Nungwi and Kendwa, which are both stunning and well worth a visit. The price is 2,000 TSH, or about $1. You will spend the most money on this trip.

 The dala-dala from Stone Town to the east side of the island costs 1,500 TSH, or about $0.75. Within Stone Town, all short trips cost 300 TSH, or about $0.15.

The dala-dalas are either converted trucks or minibuses with the backs open and everyone seated facing one another. If possible, choose a front-window seat for the most comfortable ride.

 In Stone Town, everything you’ll want to see is easily accessible on foot. Get a map or have Google Maps on your phone handy because it’s very easy to get lost in the city’s small, winding streets.

BEST AFFORDABLE ACCOMMODATION IN STONE TOWN?

Spend some time in Stone Town, the island’s capital, and then some time on the beach to get the full Zanzibar experience. You can easily see all the major attractions in Stone Town in a single day, but I advise adding an extra day so you can visit Prison Island, Nakupenda Sandbank, and a Spice Tour in addition.

 If you’re traveling to Zanzibar on a tight budget, ‘The Blue House’ on Airbnb is the best place to stay in Stone Town.  An average double room at The Blue House costs $18 per night for two people. Living with a welcoming local in the center of the town’s residential district will be your arrangement.

The home is spotless, roomy, and tastefully furnished. Additionally, Stone Town’s center can be reached on foot in just 10 minutes and in 2 minutes from Darajani Market. It is advisable to bring earplugs because of the early morning noise from the neighborhood and the mosques. Ask the dala-dala to drop you off at Kisiwandui School, which is directly across from the street where the house is located, if you arrive there from the airport (the owner will meet you there if you let him know in advance).

ZANZIBAR: BEST CHEAP ACCOMMODATION ON THE BEACH?

Stay at Kaure Sands Beach Lodge for the beach portion of your stay in Zanzibar, which costs $50 per night for two people sharing a double room with breakfast (low season). This has to be among the best beachfront lodging options for tourists on a tight budget visiting Zanzibar. Since there are fewer tourists at the beach, you can unwind without being bothered by the noise of vendors and bars playing music. All of the rooms are beachfront, so you can walk directly from your room onto the fine, white sand. It has a cozy sitting area.

For those looking to save money, there are some nearby restaurants (behind the lodge) that are only 5 minutes away by foot. Despite the fact that the portions are enormous, the hotel restaurant is a little expensive. From the lodge, you can arrange for all the major excursions, including dolphin watching, diving, and snorkeling. The calm waters and breeze make it a well-liked location for kiteboarding.

Alternative Budget Beach Accommodation

The most stunning but also most crowded beaches are those in the north—Nungwi, Kendwa, and (especially) Kendwa. There are numerous bars, restaurants, and nightlife options. As a result, prices are a little higher, and sellers and beach boys can be quite annoying.  There are some affordable and cozy options with a dash of luxury if you want to be close to the nightlife and cocktails, including:

• Varadero Zanzibar Hotel
• Daeli Apartment (highly recommended!)
• Dream of Kendwa Beach
• Kendwa Rocks Hotel

Look on Airbnb, where dorm rooms are available for as little as $10 per night, if you’re looking for even more affordable options.

WHAT ARE THE BEST BUDGET FOOD OPTIONS ON ZANZIBAR?

Although the food section doesn’t open until later in the day, the Darajani market is the cheapest place to eat in Stone Town. Choose a table that appeals to you, and the “chef” will prepare a plate for you using the food they have prepared at home and brought with them that day.

 You should get used to eating rice if you’re traveling on a tight budget to Zanzibar. Thankfully, the rice is delicious, perfectly cooked, and made with coconut milk. The 500 TSH ($0.25) chapatis are delicious and filling. Rice, beans, and vegetables are always available as a vegetarian option for 1,500 TSH (about $0.75). The people are friendly, and the portions are generous.

Don’t forget to include water in your budget since you’ll need to buy it along the way. Visit a nearby store to purchase a 6-pack of 1.5-liter bottles for 4,500 TSH (about $2.25). They’ll probably try to charge you a higher tourist rate. If you’re ever unsure, just get in touch with a helpful local and find out the price before making a purchase.

Breakfast

Go to the fruit market and purchase a large fresh pineapple (4,000 TSH, about $2) or a mango (1,000 TSH, about $0.50) for breakfast and lunch. Small bakeries that sell pancakes, breads, donuts, and other small pastries made from fish or beans are scattered throughout the neighborhood. These all cost between 200 and 500 TSH ($0.10 and $0.25) each, which is extremely affordable.

Not To Miss Cuisine

Even though it is slightly more expensive, the night market in the Forodhani Gardens is definitely worthwhile. There, a variety of seafood is available. A famous Zanzibar pizza costs 3,000 TSH, or about $1.50, and a sugar cane beverage costs 2,000 TSH, or about $1.

The best restaurant in the Capital is House of Spices, where you can go when you want to get away from the local cuisine. You can savor incredible fusion dishes that combine the flavors of regional spices with an Italian twist while admiring the rooftop view. I highly suggest their resident fire oven-made smoked cheese pizza (18,500 TSH, or $9.25), as well as the mango and chocolate dessert (8,500 TSH, or $4.25).

TOP THINGS TO DO IN ZANZIBAR?

• Spend half a day exploring the winding streets of the old city to find shops and crafts.
• Take a day trip to Prison Island to see the giant tortoise and Nakupenda Sandbank for snorkeling and a BBQ lunch.
• In Stone Town’s night market, which is open every evening on the waterfront, try a Zanzibar pizza.
• Try a variety of flavors on Zanzibar’s renowned spice tour.
• Eat like a local in Stone Town’s Darajani Market, unlike the night market, where most tourists congregate. Darajani will give you a taste of authentic Zanzibar life.
• Visit the Slave Market Museum in Stone Town for a few hours.
• Visit Mnemba Atoll to snorkel or dive; however, be aware that boats and tourists have done considerable damage to the coral, so don’t expect too much from your water activities in Zanzibar.
• For kite surfing instruction, go to the island’s east side.
• For the most picturesque views of blue water and white sand on the island, spend a day at Kendwa Beach in the north.

HOW DO I GET THE CHEAPEST TOURS IN ZANZIBAR?

Large tour operators with high prices are present on the island and provide upscale tours. If you are visiting Zanzibar on a tight budget, however, you can go with a local and haggle for a cheaper deal on every activity.

It is important to keep in mind that you frequently have to choose between good snorkeling and good guiding. If you are participating in a larger activity, like scuba diving, you might want to consider the experience. Here’s how to save money on the below activities:

Prison Island and Nakupenda Beach

If you’re on a tight budget and visiting Zanzibar, this is a fantastic activity that is simple to do on the cheap. You can find all the “captains” looking for tourists to take out for the day at the beach area outside the Tembo Hotel. From 8 a.m. on, they will be there. The best course of action is to look for other travelers to pair up with. You can haggle for a better deal if there are more of you.

Snorkeling and Diving

Snorkeling is best done at Mnemba Atoll. The rest of the island’s locations are likely to be quiet unless the sea is calm. The beach boys will try to convince you otherwise, but do not believe them.

Diving is expensive; a double dive costs $110. Also, the best diving location is Mnemba. The closest location, Matemwe, is where you should go if you want these activities at a lower cost. You ought to be able to negotiate the best deal from there.

If you want to participate in several activities, find a “captain” you like and work out a deal with them. You can always cut things out to negotiate prices down. For instance, by adding food or cutting the trip down from three to two hours, request that transfers and snorkel equipment be included. Making friends is the best thing you can do despite all the activities, though. Share the cost between you to greatly reduce costs.