What to Pack for Your Zanzibar Trip
Planning a trip to Zanzibar? Packing right can make your trip much easier and more enjoyable. Zanzibar is warm, tropical, and culturally rich , so you’ll need clothing for the heat, swimwear for the beach, and respectful outfits for towns and villages. This guide covers what to pack for Zanzibar, with a list for clothing, travel essentials, health, and more.
Clothing: Lightweight and Modest
Zanzibar is hot and humid year-round. Dress for comfort, but keep in mind that it’s a conservative, mostly Muslim culture, so covering up in towns and villages is respectful and expected.
Must-pack clothes:
- Light cotton or linen shirts and pants
- Loose-fitting t-shirts and blouses
- Long skirts or dresses for women
- Shorts (longer styles are better outside of beach areas)
- Light scarf or shawl (women , for covering shoulders or head when needed)
- Swimsuits (but wear them only at the beach or pool)
- Flip-flops or sandals for the beach
- Comfortable walking shoes for tours and exploring
- Light jacket or sweater (for cool evenings or air-conditioned places)
- Hat or cap for sun protection
Toiletries & Health Items
- Sunscreen (reef-safe if snorkeling or diving)
- Insect repellent (important for evenings and forest visits)
- Hand sanitizer and wet wipes
- After-sun lotion or aloe vera
- Basic first-aid kit (plasters, painkillers, anti-diarrhea meds)
- Any prescription medications (with extra supply, just in case)
- Motion sickness pills (if you plan to take boat trips)
Travel Essentials
- Passport (with at least 6 months validity)
- Yellow Fever certificate (if coming from a country where it’s required)
- Travel insurance (highly recommended)
- Printed hotel bookings and flight details
- Visa or e-visa (depending on your nationality)
- Credit/debit cards (Visa is widely accepted, Mastercard less so)
- Cash in USD or Tanzanian Shillings (some areas don’t accept cards)
- Power bank (charging on the go)
- Universal travel adapter (Zanzibar uses UK-style plugs, Type G – 3 square pins)
- Waterproof phone pouch (great for beach and boat trips)
Optional but Useful Items
- Snorkel gear (some budget travelers prefer to bring their own)
- Waterproof dry bag (for beach days or boat rides)
- Travel guidebook or offline maps
- Lightweight backpack for day trips
- Reusable water bottle (with filter if you want to avoid plastic)
- Travel towel or quick-dry towel
What Not to Pack for Zanzibar
- Heavy clothes or jackets : it’s warm year-round
- Too many flashy or revealing clothes (outside the beach resorts)
- High heels : most roads are sandy, uneven, or cobbled
- Expensive jewelry : better to leave valuables at home
Beach Days vs. Town Days: What to Wear
| Activity | What to Wear |
|---|---|
| Beach or resort | Swimwear, sarong, flip-flops, sunglasses |
| Exploring Stone Town | Covered shoulders and knees, comfortable shoes |
| Spice farm or forest tour | Long sleeves, light pants, hat, walking shoes |
| Sunset cruise | Casual but neat – sundress, linen shirt, etc. |
Seasonal Packing Tips
- June: October (dry season): Pack light layers; it can be cool in the evenings.
- March: May (rainy season): Bring a light raincoat or umbrella, and quick-dry clothes.
Pack Smart for a Stress-Free Trip
Zanzibar is a beautiful, warm island, and packing light but smart will help you enjoy every moment. Respect local culture when dressing, stay sun-safe, and make sure to bring your essentials , especially health and travel documents.
