Zanzibar — a tropical island off Tanzania's coast with white sand beaches, a turquoise ocean and the historic Stone Town — has become one of the most popular winter destinations for Georgian travelers in recent years. While Europe shivers, Zanzibar's sea temperature never drops below 27°C. Let's see how to get there from Tbilisi and what to see once you land.
✈️ Flights from Tbilisi
- Seasonally (mainly November-March), tour operators offer direct charter flights — about 6-7 hours total
- Regular flights connect through Istanbul (Turkish Airlines), Doha (Qatar Airways) or Dubai (FlyDubai + Precision Air) — about 10-14 hours total
- Ticket price: $520-950 round trip, depending on the season and carrier
- Zanzibar Airport (ZNZ) is about 7 km from Stone Town
- Compare routes on the Travel365 price calendar
🛂 Visa and entry
Georgian citizens can get a Tanzania visa (Zanzibar is part of Tanzania) on arrival at the border, or apply online in advance via the e-Visa portal. The fee is about $50, valid for up to 90 days for tourism. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your arrival date.
You may be asked for a yellow fever vaccination certificate if you've been in another African country within the previous 6 months. Check the details in the vaccination certificate guide and on the official embassy page.
🏛️ Top attractions
- Stone Town: a UNESCO World Heritage old town of narrow lanes, carved wooden doors and a blend of Arab, Indian and European architecture
- Nungwi and Kendwa: white sand beaches on the island's north coast, with calm water and beautiful sunsets
- Prison Island (Changuu): home to giant tortoises, a 30-minute boat ride from Stone Town
- Jozani Forest: tropical forest home to the endemic red colobus monkey
- A spice tour: Zanzibar is known as the 'Spice Island' — vanilla, cinnamon and nutmeg grow here
💰 Budget
- Hotels: a mid-range 3★ runs $55-105/night || a beachfront resort $145-260/night
- Food: a local meal $5-9; a seafood dinner at a restaurant $15-25
- Transport: taxi from the airport to Stone Town $9-15; a dala-dala (shared minibus) $1-3
- Snorkeling and wildlife tours: $22-55 per person
🗓️ Best season and practical tips
The best time to visit is June-October (the dry, cooler season) and January-February (a short, warm window between the long rains). March-May is the main rainy season, when beach time is less comfortable.
The local currency is the Tanzanian shilling (TZS), though dollars are accepted almost everywhere. Activate an eSIM before you land so taxi and map apps work right away. Travel insurance matters even more on a long-haul destination like this.
In Stone Town, try the Forodhani Gardens night food market — seafood, Zanzibari pizza and fresh juices all in one place.
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