Part one of this checklist covered flights, visas, insurance and money. Here is the rest: staying connected, getting around once you land, and what to pack.
Phone & Internet
Hotel Wi-Fi on this coast is battery-backed and fine for browsing and video calls, but if you want to navigate Stone Town, post photos in real time, or use data outside the hotel, a local SIM or an eSIM is worth having.
A physical SIM
Vodacom has the widest coverage on the island; Airtel, Tigo and Halotel are all workable options too. Buy one at the airport kiosks on arrival, or at an official operator store in Stone Town — bring your passport, since registration is required by law, and note that most shops prefer cash (TZS) for the SIM and top-ups. A SIM itself costs next to nothing; a weekly data bundle typically runs a few dollars.
An eSIM
If your phone supports one (recent iPhones, Pixels and Galaxy phones do), an eSIM from a provider like Airalo or Holafly can be activated before you fly, so you land with data already working. It usually costs a little more per gigabyte than a local physical SIM, and you will still want Wi-Fi to download the profile in the first place.
At Matlai, every room has a house phone with a local SIM and the butlers' numbers already saved, so you can reach yours free of charge at any time — useful even if your own phone stays in airplane mode for the whole trip.
Getting Around
Taxis here are not metered, so agree the fare before you get in. The hotel helps guests arrange transfers and tours through the local agencies it works with — say where you are staying and ask your butler, and it is taken care of; card payment is accepted through the transfer company's own machine. As a rough guide, an airport transfer to the east coast runs USD 60 for the car (up to six people); a short hop within Stone Town is a few dollars.
Self-driving is possible but requires a temporary Zanzibar driving permit on top of your home licence (most rental companies arrange this for a small fee), and driving is on the left. Roads away from the main routes can be unpaved, and night driving is best avoided. A scooter is a common choice around Paje and Nungwi, permit and helmet still required.
Dala-dalas — the local minibuses — are the cheapest way to get around and a genuinely local experience, though slow and not practical with much luggage.
What to Wear
Zanzibar is hot and humid year-round, and predominantly Muslim, so modest dress matters away from the beach: cover shoulders and knees in Stone Town, villages and markets. Pack light, breathable fabrics — linen and cotton work best — plus a hat and reef-safe sunscreen for the equatorial sun.
A light layer for breezier evenings, a packable rain jacket if you are travelling in the shoulder season, and insect repellent are all worth the space in the case. We provide beach towels, bags, reef shoes and snorkelling equipment for the stay, so none of that needs to come with you.
With that, the practical side of the trip is covered — see you on the beach.