A typical first trip here runs about $525 to $700 per person for 7 days at a mid-range style, before flights. Get your own number from the Budget Calculator.
- Pilau, rice cooked with spiced meat; the Zanzibari specialty
- Zanzibar pizza, street food wrap stuffed with meat, egg, and cheese
- Grilled octopus and fresh seafood at Zanzibar's Forodhani Night Market
- Ugali and nyama choma are common on the mainland (shared with Kenya)
- Spice Island: Zanzibar produces cloves, cinnamon, and black pepper used in all dishes
- Kilimanjaro, Africa's highest mountain; tens of thousands climb it annually
- Serengeti-Ngorongoro region, home to the largest lion population on Earth
- Zanzibar International Film Festival (July), East Africa's major cultural event
- Eid al-Fitr on Zanzibar, major Muslim celebration with communal feasting
Swahili is the national language; English is also widely used in business and tourism. Zanzibar has a distinct Swahili-Arab culture separate from the mainland.
Tanzanians are warm, patient, and welcoming to visitors.
- Dress modestly on Zanzibar, it is a predominantly Muslim island
- Tip safari guides generously, they are highly knowledgeable professionals
- Bargaining at markets is expected but be fair and kind about it
- Never leave food uneaten when hosted, it is wasteful and offensive
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Updates for Tanzania will appear here as they are published. Every update cites official sources, so you can plan on it.