How Much Do Zanzibar Tours Cost?

Prices for Zanzibar tours vary more than most visitors expect. The same snorkeling trip can cost very different amounts depending on whether the boat is shared, where your hotel is and what is included. This guide explains what drives the price, so you can compare quotes properly.

What makes a tour cheaper or more expensive

Shared or private

This is the biggest difference. On a shared trip you join other travellers on the same boat or vehicle; on a private trip the guide, driver and boat are yours. Private trips cost more per person, especially for couples, but you set the pace and timing. Our tour pages always say which one you are booking: most of our land tours are private, while some sea trips, such as Safari Blue, use boats shared with other travellers.

Where your hotel is

Zanzibar is about 90 km from north to south. A tour that starts near your hotel needs a short transfer, while the same tour from the other end of the island needs a long drive. That is why many prices are quoted per area: a Stone Town tour from Nungwi costs more than the same tour from a Stone Town hotel.

Group size

A private boat or vehicle costs roughly the same whether two or six people use it, so the price per person drops as your group grows.

What is included

Before comparing two quotes, check these items:

• Hotel pickup and drop-off
• Entrance and conservation fees
• Lunch and drinks
• Snorkeling gear and life jackets
• A professional guide

A cheaper quote that leaves out fees and transfers can end up costing more on the day. Each of our tour pages lists exactly what is included and what is not.

Fees you will see on Zanzibar tours

Some costs are set by the government, not by tour operators:

• Mnemba conservation fee: $25 per adult and $10 per child for non-East African visitors, with children under five exempt. Ask whether your Mnemba trip includes it.
• Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park: an entrance fee applies, and part of it supports conservation and the communities around the forest. Our Jozani Forest tour says whether it is included.
• Mainland national parks: on a safari, park fees are a large share of the price. Non-resident adult day fees currently range from about $30 in Mikumi to about $83 in the Serengeti in high season, VAT included, plus a separate vehicle fee to drive into the Ngorongoro Crater. Fees can change at short notice.

Typical price ranges

To give you a rough idea of the market, shared snorkeling trips to Mnemba are widely advertised from about $30 to $45 per person, and shared Jozani Forest tours from about $40 per person. Private trips, longer days with lunch and tours from distant hotels cost more. Safaris from Zanzibar cost considerably more because of flights and park fees: a day safari by flight is a few hundred dollars per person, and multi-day safaris depend on the parks, the season and the lodges you choose.

Treat these figures as a guide only. Prices change with the season, fuel and fees, so always confirm the final price and what it includes before you pay.

Costs to budget before you arrive

• Visa: a Tanzanian tourist visa costs $50 for most nationalities and $100 for US citizens, who receive a multiple-entry visa. You can apply online or get it on arrival at Zanzibar airport.
• Zanzibar travel insurance: since October 2024 every foreign visitor to Zanzibar must buy the government’s inbound travel insurance, $44 per adult, valid for up to 92 days. Buy it online before you fly. Since 1 October 2026 the mainland has a similar requirement; check the latest rules if your trip includes both.
• Airport transfer: see our transfer prices, shown before you book.
• Tips: tipping guides, drivers and boat crews is customary and always appreciated.

How to get the best value

• Combine tours that are close together, such as Mnemba and Baraka in the north or the Southern Zanzibar day in the south.
• Book private trips if you are a group of four or more; the difference per person is often small.
• Consider a holiday package if you want transfers and several tours in one price.

How our prices work

Many of our tours show Price on request. That is because the price depends on your date, group size and pickup location, and we prefer to send you an exact quote rather than a starting price that changes later. Tap Price on request on any tour and a WhatsApp message with the tour name opens, ready to send.

Want a quote for your dates? Message us on WhatsApp at +255 773 963 024 or use our contact page.