Getting around the island of Zanzibar is relatively easy. As all the hotels and resorts offer airport transfers and transport to all the activities on offer throughout the island. However, being a third world country, you will not see expensive cars with all the mod-cons. That for instance, one expects to find in more developed European countries. Though the transport is comfortable, usually with air-conditioning and will get you to where you need to be.
For the more ambitious it is also possible to hire your own car for the duration or part of your holiday. It gives you some freedom to explore the island at your own pace. There are a few road rules that you will need to get accustomed to. For instance, hooting as you approaching a vehicle or bicycle you want to over take. Surely you will soon get the hang of it. Furthermore, everyone drives on the left, so you don’t need to relearn the road rules. Driving in Stone Town can be more of an experience. Equally to most African cities, the road rules become a bit blurry and you may need to dodge a few cows or donkeys on the road….
Another option is the dala. There are no official public buses in Zanzibar. Instead there are private minibuses (so-called dalas). These buses do not run according to fixed timetables, but leave when they are full. Booking tickets in advance is not possible. In fact, you should only pay once you are on the bus and the journey has already started. Paying in advance is often a scam. A conductor will come up to you at some point and ask you to buy your fare. Be sure to pay the same fare as the locals (around 2000tzs). Some conductors try to take advantage of tourists and charge many times the normal fare.
Certainly most of our clients prefer to use the transport on offer at the hotels and resorts they are staying at as this is easy and allows a person to really relax and just enjoy the treats of the island!
