Zanzibar Abeid Amani Karume Airport (ZNZ) Guide 2026
Zanzibar Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (IATA: ZNZ, ICAO: HTZA) is the gateway to the exotic Spice Island of Zanzibar, one of Africa's most popular tropical destinations. Located 5 km south of Stone Town, the airport handles growing international and domestic traffic as Zanzibar's tourism industry booms. The airport was recently upgraded with a new international terminal to accommodate increasing visitor numbers drawn to Zanzibar's UNESCO-listed Stone Town, pristine beaches, and rich cultural heritage.
Airport Overview
| IATA Code | ZNZ |
| Location | Kisauni, Zanzibar |
| Distance to Stone Town | 5 km |
| Terminals | 2 (new international terminal + domestic) |
| Annual Passengers | ~1 million (growing rapidly) |
| Runways | 1 (2,462m) |
| Operator | Zanzibar Airports Authority |
| Elevation | 16 metres (54 ft) |
Getting There & Away
| Transport | Destination | Cost (USD) | Duration | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Taxi | Stone Town | $10-15 | 10-15 min | Fixed rate from taxi stand |
| Taxi | Nungwi Beach | $35-50 | 1-1.5 hours | North coast, best beaches |
| Taxi | Paje / Jambiani | $25-40 | 45-60 min | East coast, kitesurfing |
| Taxi | Kendwa | $30-45 | 1 hour | Party beach, no tide issues |
| Hotel Transfer | Various | $10-60 | Varies | Most resorts offer pickups |
Tip: Pre-arrange your hotel transfer. Taxis at Zanzibar Airport have fixed rates but can be more expensive than hotel-arranged transfers. Uber and Bolt have very limited availability in Zanzibar.
Terminal Facilities
New International Terminal
- Lounges: Pearl Lounge available ($25-30 per visit)
- Food & Drink: Cafe, restaurant, basic refreshments
- Shopping: Duty-free, Zanzibar spices, Tanzanite, local crafts
- WiFi: Free WiFi (basic speed)
- ATMs: PBZ, CRDB
- Currency Exchange: Forex bureau in arrivals
Domestic Terminal
- Small terminal for domestic flights to DAR, JRO, and safari destinations
- Basic waiting area with limited facilities
Immigration & Visa on Arrival
Zanzibar is part of Tanzania — the same visa rules apply:
- Visa on Arrival: $50 single entry (available at ZNZ)
- e-Visa: Apply at visa.immigration.go.tz before travel
- EAC Citizens: Visa-free entry
- Required: Passport (6+ months), return ticket, accommodation proof
- Yellow Fever: Certificate required if arriving from an endemic country
Queue Times: Immigration can take 20-45 minutes during peak arrivals. The new terminal has improved processing times. E-Visa holders are processed faster.
Currency Exchange & SIM Cards
Currency
- Forex Bureau: Available in arrivals hall
- ATMs: PBZ, CRDB dispense TSH; international cards accepted
- USD: Widely accepted in Zanzibar (hotels, tours, restaurants). Bring clean bills post-2006
- Tip: Most tourist services are priced in USD. TSH is needed for local shops, markets, dalla-dallas
SIM Cards
| Operator | SIM Cost | 1GB Data | Zanzibar Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vodacom | TSH 1,000 | TSH 1,000 | Best coverage, M-Pesa |
| Airtel | TSH 500 | TSH 1,000 | Good in Stone Town/beaches |
Airlines at Zanzibar
| Airline | Destinations | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Turkish Airlines | Istanbul | International |
| Qatar Airways | Doha | International |
| Oman Air | Muscat | International |
| Ethiopian Airlines | Addis Ababa | International |
| Kenya Airways | Nairobi | International |
| Precision Air | Dar es Salaam, Kilimanjaro | Domestic |
| Coastal Aviation | DAR, Selous, Mafia, Serengeti | Domestic |
| Auric Air | DAR, Arusha, Serengeti | Domestic |
Seasonal: European charter airlines (Condor, TUI, Eurowings Discover) operate direct flights during peak season (December-March, June-September).
Beach Guide from Airport
| Beach | Distance | Character | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nungwi | 60 km (1-1.5hr) | Lively, bars, restaurants | Swimming (minimal tide), nightlife |
| Kendwa | 55 km (1hr) | Relaxed, beautiful sand | Swimming, full moon parties |
| Paje | 35 km (45min) | Laid-back, kite culture | Kitesurfing, budget travellers |
| Jambiani | 40 km (50min) | Quiet, authentic village | Seaweed farming tours, peace |
| Matemwe | 45 km (1hr) | Remote, stunning | Snorkelling, luxury lodges |
| Michamvi | 30 km (40min) | Secluded peninsula | Boutique hotels, romance |
Accommodation Near the Airport
Stone Town (5 km)
- Park Hyatt Zanzibar — Waterfront, luxury, Stone Town views ($300-600/night)
- Emerson Spice Hotel — Restored merchant house, rooftop dining ($150-280/night)
- Lost & Found Hostel — Budget, great location, rooftop ($15-30/night)
Beach Resorts (30-60 km)
- Zuri Zanzibar — Kendwa, luxury all-inclusive ($350-700/night)
- Z Hotel — Nungwi, boutique beachfront ($150-300/night)
- Paje by Night — Paje, popular kite/backpackers ($20-40/night)
Tips for Travellers
Arrival Tips
- Pre-arrange hotel transfer — ride-hailing apps barely work in Zanzibar
- Zanzibar is warm and humid year-round (26-33°C)
- Dress modestly in Stone Town and villages — Zanzibar is predominantly Muslim
- USD is widely accepted; bring clean bills printed after 2006
Departure Tips
- Arrive 2-3 hours before international flights
- Buy Zanzibar spices (cloves, cinnamon, vanilla, nutmeg) at duty-free
- Tanzanite jewellery is available at competitive prices
Island Tips
- Zanzibar uses the same visa as mainland Tanzania — no separate entry required
- Check tide times for east coast beaches (Paje, Jambiani) — swimming is tide-dependent
- Nungwi and Kendwa have the least tidal variation for swimming
- Book spice tours, Stone Town tours, and Prison Island trips through your hotel
Frequently Asked Questions
Stone Town is only 5 km away. Taxis cost $10-15 (10-15 minutes). Most hotels offer transfers. The airport taxi stand has fixed rates displayed.
Nungwi is 60 km north (1-1.5 hours). Taxis cost $35-50. Most resorts offer airport transfers ($30-60). The road is paved. Book through your hotel for the best rate.
No, Zanzibar is part of Tanzania. The same Tanzania visa ($50 on arrival or e-Visa) applies. You do not need a separate Zanzibar visa. EAC citizens enter visa-free.
Yes, direct flights from Istanbul (Turkish Airlines), Doha (Qatar Airways), Muscat (Oman Air), Addis Ababa (Ethiopian Airlines), and Nairobi (Kenya Airways), plus seasonal European charters.
Nungwi and Kendwa (north) are best for swimming with minimal tidal issues. Paje (east) is great for kitesurfing. Jambiani and Matemwe offer quiet, authentic experiences. Each beach has its own character.