TRANSPORT OPTIONS
HOW TO GET AROUND ZANZIBAR
When travelling around Zanzibar you have three options: taxi, dala dala (local bus) and our shuttles
Taxi: Taxis give you maximum flexibility on departures times and choice of destination. If you want door-to-door convenience and you can afford the higher rates, then a private transfer is definitely the way to go! If you are a group then taxis can work out very reasonably priced. Street taxi fares vary hugely so you should ask around to get the best prices. Unfortunately, many Zanzibar taxi drivers make a habit of ripping off tourists, so you will usually need to haggle. Hopefully, Uber will reach Zanzibar one day, but in the meantime pre-booking taxis online with set rates is the best way to ensure fair prices!
Dala Dala: There are no official public buses operating on Zanzibar - instead there are privately owned minibuses (known as dala dalas). The buses don't run on set timetables, but instead, depart when they are full. It is not possible to prebook tickets - in fact you shouldn't pay anyone until you are on the bus and have already started your journey as this is often a scam (check out this guide on how to avoid some of the common dala dala scams). At some point during your journey, a conductor will come round and ask you for your fare. Make sure you are paying the same as the locals (roughly 2000tzs) as some conductors try to take advantage of tourists demanding many times the normal price. You will have to pay some extra for your bag and dala dalas are not really designed for large luggage, so bags usually end up on the roof, on your lap or upfront with the driver. Theft on the dala dalas can be an issue, so make sure that any valuables are either in a smaller bag (which you keep with you), or buried deep inside your main bag. It is normal to have three or four people sharing a two-person seat and don't be too surprised if you end up sharing the bus with some chickens - it is all part of the Africa experience! Dala dalas make frequent stops to pick up and drop off people from the side of the road, which makes them quite slow... Stone Town is the main dala dala hub and most journeys will go via Stone Town. Journeys from Stone town to Paje or Nungwi require just one dala dala, however, all other journeys will require changing vehicles. For example, if you wish to go from Nungwi to Jambiani you first need to get a dala dala to Stone Town, then another between the two bus terminals in Stone town, next catch a Stone Town to Paje bus and finally jump in a fourth dala dala going down the coast towards Jambiani!
Shuttle Bus: Our shuttles are a quick and convenient alternative to taxis and dala dalas. They are perfect for solo travellers or groups looking for an eco-friendly travel option. We use 6-seat minibuses, running at set departure times so there is no waiting around for a bus to fill up. You can book tickets online and everyone gets their own seat. All our vehicles have AC - which given Zanzibar's hot climate is a welcome addition! You get collected and dropped directly at your hotel. There is plenty of room for luggage and we take your bags free of charge. Finally, our shuttles go directly between the most popular tourist areas on the island, so there is no need to change vehicles!