About the Airport
Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (IATA: ZNZ, ICAO: HTZA) is Zanzibar's main gateway for both international and domestic air travel. Named after the first President of Zanzibar after the 1964 revolution, it sits roughly 6 km south of Stone Town, making it one of the more conveniently located island airports in the region.
The airport underwent significant expansion and renovation in the 2010s, adding a new international terminal that opened in 2016. It handles a mix of scheduled international flights, domestic connections, and seasonal European charter traffic — particularly during the Northern Hemisphere winter when direct charter flights from the UK, Germany, Italy, and Poland bring package tourists directly to the island. Runway length is sufficient for wide-body aircraft including the Boeing 787 and Airbus A330.
Arrival Process
Immigration: On arrival at ZNZ, you'll queue at the immigration hall for passport control. Officers check visas (e-visa approval letters are verified here), passport validity, and occasionally ask about your accommodation details. Have your e-visa approval letter ready — either printed or on your phone. The queue can be slow during simultaneous large-aircraft arrivals; arriving on a smaller domestic or regional flight typically means a shorter wait.
Zanzibar Travel Insurance: A separate desk before or at immigration checks for valid Zanzibar travel insurance. If you purchased it online before arriving, show your certificate. If you did not, you will be directed to purchase it at this point. Keep the certificate accessible — it is checked independently of your Tanzania visa.
Baggage claim: The baggage hall is compact. Carousels for international arrivals are clearly marked. Mishandled baggage is relatively common on the bush/charter routes from mainland airstrips — if your bag does not arrive, report it immediately at the baggage desk before leaving the hall.
Customs: Most tourists pass through the green (nothing to declare) channel without issue. The limit for duty-free goods follows Tanzania customs rules; large amounts of cash ($10,000 USD or equivalent) must be declared.
Yellow fever check: If your passport indicates travel from a yellow fever endemic country, or if your travel history suggests recent time in one, an official may ask to see your International Certificate of Vaccination (yellow card). Having it ready avoids delays.
Transfers to Resorts
Outside the arrivals hall, the pickup area can be busy and chaotic, particularly when multiple flights land within a short window. Registered operators hold signs with guests' names; unofficial touts also approach aggressively. If your hotel or tour operator arranged a transfer, look for your name sign and confirm the driver's name and vehicle registration before getting in.
If you have not pre-arranged a transfer, taxi drivers are available immediately outside the terminal. Negotiate the price before entering the vehicle — standard rates are:
- To Stone Town: $10–15
- To Paje or east coast beaches: $35–45
- To Nungwi or north coast: $35–50
- To Matemwe: $30–40
There are no metered taxis at ZNZ. Agree the price first, every time.
Shared transfers are often arranged through tour operators in advance and can halve the cost if you don't mind waiting for fellow passengers to arrive or making intermediate drop-offs.
Domestic Flights to the Mainland
Domestic connections are the most common use of ZNZ for safari-and-beach travellers. Key routes:
Dar es Salaam (DAR): Multiple daily departures, 20 minutes in the air. Operated by Precision Air, Air Tanzania, Coastal Aviation, and Auric Air. This is the most frequent and competitively priced route. Check-in closes 45 minutes before departure.
Kilimanjaro (JRO) / Arusha: Connections to the northern safari circuit, typically with a stop at Dar es Salaam or occasionally via Pemba. Total journey time is 1 hour 15 minutes to 2 hours depending on routing. Coastal Aviation and Auric Air are the main operators.
Safari airstrips (Serengeti, Selous, Ruaha): Coastal Aviation and Auric Air operate "bush flights" on small turboprop aircraft (Cessna Caravan, Grand Caravan) connecting Zanzibar to remote airstrips inside national parks. These flights may stop at Dar es Salaam, Arusha, or smaller hubs en route. Baggage is restricted to 15 kg soft-sided bags on most bush flights — strictly enforced.
Domestic departures use a separate part of the terminal. The domestic check-in hall is smaller and simpler. Security is standard.
Airport Facilities
The international terminal offers reasonable facilities given the airport's size:
- Departure lounge: Duty-free shop (alcohol, tobacco, perfume, local crafts), a café, and a restaurant. The food is average; if you're on an early departure, eat before you arrive.
- Currency exchange: A bureau de change operates in the arrivals hall and near departures. Rates are less favourable than Stone Town forex offices but useful for last-minute exchanges.
- ATM: An ATM is available in the departures area. It dispenses TZS only and has lower reliability than ATMs in town — do your banking before you get to the airport.
- Wi-Fi: Available in the terminal; connection quality is variable.
- SIM cards: Vodacom and Airtel SIM cards are available at the airport but at slightly inflated prices. Buying in Stone Town gives better deals and more time to set up.
- Baggage storage: Limited. Check with the ground handlers at the airport if you need to leave luggage between flights.
Tips for a Smooth Departure
Arrive at least 2 hours before an international departure and 1 hour before domestic. Security queues can build quickly when multiple flights depart within the same hour. The airport has one main security point for the international departures hall. Keep liquids under 100ml in a clear bag. Zanzibar departure formalities occasionally include a secondary luggage scan after check-in, so allow extra time.
Verify your departure terminal in advance if you are connecting from a domestic to an international flight on the same day — domestic and international check-in desks are in different parts of the building and signage between them is not always intuitive.
