How much does a trip to Zanzibar cost from South Africa?
About R36 960 for 7 days, solo
Or R27 300 each for two people sharing a room. Saving for a trip a year from now means about R3 080 a month.
Estimates from Johannesburg, booked 3 to 6 months ahead, including a 20% buffer and the visa fee. Prices checked Sep 2026.
Join the waitlistSpice-island history in Stone Town's alleys, white-sand beaches on the east coast and some of the best-value beach holidays within reach of Johannesburg: direct flights, no visa.
Cost by trip length and style (solo)
| Length | Tourist | Blend | Niche |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 days | R29 520 | R30 330 | R30 330 |
| 7 days | R36 960 | R37 288 | R36 750 |
| 14 days | R63 000 | R61 639 | R59 220 |
Tourist covers the famous sights. Niche swaps them for places locals love, usually with cheaper stays but more travel between them. Blend mixes both. Two people sharing pay less each, because the room is split.
Where the money goes (7 days, Tourist, solo)
| Return flight from Johannesburg | R8 500 |
|---|---|
| Accommodation, 7 nights | R16 100 |
| Food, local transport and activities | R5 600 |
| 20% buffer for surprises | R6 040 |
| Visa and entry fees | R720 |
| Total | R36 960 |
Visa for South Africans
No visa needed No. South African passport holders don't need a visa for Zanzibar (Tanzania).
Buy Zanzibar's compulsory insurance (US$44) online before you fly.
Reconfirm before you book. This rule relies on secondary sources or changed recently. Check the official source.
When to go
| Best time | Jun–Oct and Dec–Feb |
|---|---|
| Cheapest time | Mar–May (long rains) |
| Currency | Tanzanian shilling (TSh); US dollars widely used |
Book 2 to 3 months out; June to October and the December holidays fill up first.
Know before you go
| Getting there | About 3.5 hours direct from Johannesburg (Airlink, FlySafair, Air Tanzania). |
|---|---|
| Health | Malaria area: ask a travel clinic about prophylaxis. No yellow fever certificate is needed to return to South Africa; Tanzania is off South Africa's list. |
| Money | Clean, recent US dollar notes are widely accepted; use shillings in markets. |
A 7-day plan that mixes both
- Day 1 Arrive, check in and find dinner nearby
- Day 2 Stone Town walking tour and the Old Fort
- Day 3 Jambiani village and its seaweed farms
- Day 4 Spice farm tour
- Day 5 Kite lesson in Paje
- Day 6 Nungwi beach and a dhow sunset cruise
- Day 7 Final morning, then fly home
The classics
- Stone Town walking tour and the Old Fort
- Spice farm tour
- Nungwi beach and a dhow sunset cruise
- Prison Island's giant tortoises
- Snorkel Mnemba Atoll
- Lunch at The Rock in Michamvi
- Jozani Forest's red colobus monkeys
- Forodhani Gardens night food market
Where locals go
- Jambiani village and its seaweed farms
- Kite lesson in Paje
- Kizimkazi dolphin coast with a responsible skipper
- Kayak Chwaka Bay's mangroves
- Stone Town rooftop dinner at sunset
- Fly to Pemba Island for wall diving
- Swahili cooking class with a local family
- Kendwa's beach at full moon
Hidden gems near Zanzibar
Pemba Island
Zanzibar's greener, quieter northern island: wall diving, clove plantations and very few visitors.
About R2 800 extra to get there
Jambiani
A long south-east village beach where seaweed farmers work the tidal flats, with guesthouses instead of big resorts.
Easy to reach
Ready to book?
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Quick answers
How much does a trip to Zanzibar cost from South Africa?
About R36 960 per person for 7 days travelling solo, or R27 300 each for two people sharing a room, booked 3 to 6 months ahead. That includes return flights from Johannesburg, mid-range accommodation, daily spending, the visa fee and a 20% buffer. These are estimates checked in Sep 2026.
Do South Africans need a visa for Zanzibar (Tanzania)?
No. South African passport holders don't need a visa for Zanzibar (Tanzania). Buy Zanzibar's compulsory insurance (US$44) online before you fly.
When is the best time to visit Zanzibar?
The best time is Jun–Oct and Dec–Feb. The cheapest time is usually Mar–May (long rains).
How long is the flight from Johannesburg?
About 3.5 hours direct from Johannesburg (Airlink, FlySafair, Air Tanzania).
Sources
Checked Sep 2026.