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If you are planning your dream Zanzibar holiday, you surely want to enjoy the beauty of the island with a fun and stress-free experience. But have you ever asked yourself what you should keep in mind while in Zanzibar?
This article will take you through the top things that should or should not be done just to ensure the best experience ever:
1. Respect the Muslim religion
Minaret of Masjid Jibril (Gabriel mosque) in Stone town
You need to respect the local traditions, laws, customs, and religions at all times and be aware of your actions to ensure that they do not offend especially during the holy month of Ramadan or if you pay a visit in religious areas. This year, the holy month of Ramadan is expected to start on 23 April and finish on 23 May.
Almost ninety-eight percent of the Zanzibaris are Muslims therefore the ladies must cover their shoulders and their knees. Men should wear knee-length or long pants and t-shirts; we believe that one should respect the traditions of the people of the host country although this dress code does not apply in the coastal areas. You can wear normal beachwear if you are at the beach, although there should have been no nude or topless sunbathing for the ladies.
2. Beware of shells, horns, and ivory
Dramatic sunrise with a close-up of a colorful shell.
No matter what size – it is strictly prohibited to export shells! Curio shops will offer them to you, or just kids at the beach. Please do not buy them. All luggage items will be scanned at the airport before you even get to the check-in counter. You will have to pay heavy fines if you are caught with shells in your luggage at the airport.
Also, curio shops will try to sell you cow horns or any other animal parts, please only buy them if you receive an exportation permit from the Ministry of Agriculture; this applies to any animal part. The shop keepers will most probably tell you that there is no problem! It is a BIG problem if you are caught with any animal part in your luggage without the official exportation permit given.
Concerning ivory, one needs a cites permit. By saying that, no one should buy any ivory in any case. The population of elephants reached shockingly low levels in Tanzania because of ruthless poachers who kill elephants for their ivory. Our children’s children might not be able to see a live elephant anymore if people do not stop buying ivory. Zanzibar airport has x-ray machines. Every piece of luggage is thoroughly checked. Please do not take any chances to do something suspicious.
3. Don’t bring plastic
The plastic carrier bags are officially banned because of the increasing plastic issue on Zanzibar. Zip-lock bags are exempt since tourists usually take them back home with therefore kindly leave your plastic bags at home.
4. Adapt to the villagers
Walk through the villages because Zanzibaris are wonderful and hospitable people, super friendly, they smile with their eyes. Their dress code is a bit more relaxed than in Stone Town but please do not walk through the villages in a bikini! You will be greeted with plenty of “Jambo” which means hello while you walk through the village, please do reply “Jambo”! It would be rude not to reply.
5. Showing homosexuality in public
Unfortunately, homosexuality is a criminal offence, it is punished by imprisonment. If you see Zanzibar men walk holding hands it is a sign of friendship, not homosexuality – this only applies to the locals.
6. Take care of sea creatures
Do not pick up cone snails or cone shells at the beach. They are found on most of the beaches of the Indian Ocean. They look very pretty and are shaped like a geometric cone. They are venomous and capable of stinging humans having the effect of paralyzing the area around the sting. The sting of small cones is the same as that of a bee sting but the sting of a few of the larger species of tropical cone snails found at the reef can be very serious.
You have to watch out for the black sea urchins, spiky things that you do not want to step into because they are clearly visible at low tide so watch your step; wear special shoes.
Do not touch or even step on any corals if you go snorkeling to the coral reefs. Do not touch dolphins if you swim with them!
Leave sea turtles, starfish and other sea creatures in the sea! Some tour guides will tell you it does not harm them when you take them out of their natural habitat just to please you or for an extra tip from you. They actually have no idea that these creatures are harmed when they are taken out of the water therefore, stop them if they attempt to do that.
7. Avoid beach boys
You will meet beach boys who offer you anything from going snorkeling, selling handmade jewelry and some other helps. They are friendly guys and if you say no, they want to just have a chat, finding out who you are and where you come from. Most of them are really friendly except in more touristy areas like Nungwi/Kendwa whereby they can be quite pushy. In case you do not feel like chatting, just tell them. Do not pay a beach boy upfront for any tour or snorkeling.
8. Avoid Motorized Vehicles on the Beach
Motorized vehicles are prohibited on the beach although locals ignore this and usually get away with it but if you are caught riding a scooter or quad bike on the beach you will be fined heavily. Besides that, people go to beaches to relax and the sound of a scooter riding on the beach is most certainly annoying to them.
9. Don’t go on a jet ski
Some of the ruthless people brought jet skis to the island. These are prohibited! Jet skis destroy the environment and can disturb the peace and quiet that tourists crave for. Do not take any chances because if you are caught renting or riding a jet ski you will pay substantial fines as well.
10. Avoid drug abuse
Zanzibar has strict laws on drug use and those found in possession will be fined. There are severe penalties and prison sentences for drug trafficking.
11. Don’t give random stuff or candy to kids on the beach
Kids will ask you for sweets, pens for school, or a dollar. Please do not give them anything. They were taught by the tourists to beg, we try to stop this. Play with them if they invite you to play soccer. Speak English with the kids as much as possible; the English they learn at school is shocking! If you want to support local kids, bring notebooks, toys, pens, and pencils to community schools.
12. Carry your ID with you
Carry identification or a copy of your passport and visa/permit at all times. Police and immigration officials may request these documents at any reasonable time. If you are a resident or longer-term visitor you should consider carrying a certified copy of your passport and visa/permit with you.
Tanzanians are welcoming and well disposed towards tourists but you have to be sensitive to local culture. Drunkenness, loud or aggressive behavior, disrespect and foul languages especially towards older people will cause offense.
13. Never go back!
An increasing number of visitors fall in love with Zanzibar and want to buy land. Some locals will tell you there is no problem and that you can buy the land together with them since by law you must have a Zanzibar partner. The laws have changed; this is not true because all land on Zanzibar is owned by the Government. The locals only get a right of occupancy which they can sell but ownership remains with the government itself.
A last word…
All in all, being in Zanzibar is really enjoyable if you follow the above-mentioned tips. Zanzibar is the best place if you want somewhere intimate and tranquil, each area of this place has amazing things to offer, you will get to know some amazing places on this island from where you will never want to leave.
