Zanzibar is an autonomous region off the coast of East Africa that is an insular part of Tanzania. The region is composed of the Zanzibar Archipelago, which includes a series of small islands as well as two larger islands, Unguja and Pemba. The capital, Zanzibar City, is located on Unguja Island and culminates in the historic center known as Stone Town, also known as Mji Mkongwe in the local language of Swahili. A series of microliths imply that this region has been inhabited by humans for over 20,000 years. The archipelago held a very important role in international trade from the 9th century on. Persian, Indian, and Arab traders would often stop by Zanzibar to buy African goods like gold, ambergris, and ivory from locals.
In 1498, Vasco de Gama made his way to Zanzibar, marking the beginning of European influence on the region. After that, Zanzibar would remain the possession of Portugal for nearly two centuries until the natives recruited Omani aristocrats to help them drive the Portuguese out. As a result of its colored history, Zanzibar is a unique and fascinating mix of cultures today. While the majority of locals today are Swahili, the culture of Zanzibar is completely different from anywhere else in the world. The region is also spotted with beautiful natural sites from beaches lined with coconut palms to dense evergreen forests. If you plan on making your way Zanzibar, the best way to make the most out of your time there is to hire a motorcycle and explore on your own time.
Here is everything you need to know about hiring a motorcycle in Zanzibar. Most things here can also be applied if you are renting a scooter as well. This guide includes:
- Whether or not it’s safe to hire a motorbike in Zanzibar
- Whether you need an international driving permit to hire a motorcycle in Zanzibar
- The best places to rent a motorbike in Zanzibar
- The cost of motorcycle rental in Zanzibar
- The best things to do in Zanzibar by motorbike
Is It Safe to Hire a Motorcycle in Zanzibar?
Self-driving around Zanzibar is a great way to get a sense of adventure and to see a lot of the sites around the islands in a timely manner. And, in general, driving on Unguja Island is exceptionally safe. However, there are a few things you should be aware of. First of all, if you’re driving outside of Stone Town, you should know that you may run into some roads that have less-than-great conditions. Additionally, you should always be on the lookout for pedestrians or animals that are crossing the roads.
You should also always make sure that your vehicle is parked in a well-lit and secure location. While Zanzibar generally doesn’t have very high crime rates, vehicle theft does still, occur from time to time and you don’t want to have to pay to replace a stolen vehicle on your vacation. You also need to be aware of the high frequency of police roadblocks in Zanzibar. You should never drink before driving and you should always have your proper driving paperwork when entering a police roadblock. The police in Zanzibar make very low wages and they may try to extort money from you if you don’t have the right paperwork.
Do You Need an International Driving Permit to Hire a Motorbike in Zanzibar?
Unlike many other countries, you are not required to obtain an international driving permit to hire a car, motorcycle, or motor scooter in Zanzibar. In fact, an international driving permit holds no weight whatsoever in the region. If you want to hire a motorbike in Zanzibar, you will have to obtain a driving permit that is unique to Zanzibar and can only be issued by the local government.
To obtain your Zanzibar driving permit, you can simply go to one of the rental shops around the area and show them your passport and your driver’s license from your home country. Once they have these two documents, they’ll take care of the rest of the paperwork for you and deliver your Zanzibar driving permit. In many ways, driving in Zanzibar is easier to do legally than in most other parts of the world.
Where Are the Best Places to Find Motorbike Hire in Zanzibar?
If you plan on flying into Abeid Amani Karume International Airport, the main airport serving the Zanzibar Archipelago on Unguja Island just outside of Zanzibar City, you should easily be able to find motorbike rental as soon as you step off the airplane. In fact, many of these services will allow you to rent a motorcycle at the airport and then drop it off in Stone Town or another part of the island if you want. However, if you don’t want to rent your motorcycle at the airport, there are plenty of other places around Zanzibar where you can find motorbike hire.
Of course, the most surefire place to find motorcycle hire on Unguja Island is in Zanzibar City, particularly around the Stone Town area. However, you should also have no problem finding rental shops in the coastal cities of Mombasa in the west, Paje in the east, and Nungwi on the northernmost point of the island.
What Is the Normal Cost of Motorcycle Hire in Zanzibar?
In general, most things in Zanzibar are more expensive than in other parts of Africa but less expensive when compared to parts of the world like the United States or Europe. In terms of hiring a vehicle, you can expect to pay around €22 per day if you want to hire a motor scooter, such as a Honda Click 150. For a dirtbike, such as a Honda XLR 125, you’re probably going to have to pay about €26 per day.
You can also get a proper street motorcycle, like a Royal Enfield Classic 350, for around €40 per day. And, if you’re traveling with someone else, you can even get a motorcycle with a sidecar for around €75 per day.
Regardless of which kind of vehicle you choose to go with, you should make sure that insurance and helmet rental are included in the stated rental price.
What Are the Best Things to Do in Zanzibar by Motorcycle?
Now that you’re aware of all of the essential information needed to hire a motorcycle in Zanzibar, here are some of the best places you can go on your rented wheels:
Nakupenda Beach Nature Reserve
If you’re planning on staying in Zanzibar, you need to spend at least a few hours on a beach. And arguably one of the best beaches in all of the Zanzibar Archipelago is Napukenda Beach Nature Reserve. Well, in fact, it’s more of an island than it is one single beach, but the entire island is composed of pristine white sand that’s surrounded by crystal-clear blue water. You can spend hours on the island sunbathing, swimming, or snorkeling around and looking at all of the stunning aquatic life.
On the island, you can see the remnants of an old prison building that was once used as a quarantine station for yellow fever cases. You can also often see giant tortoises, the progeny of four giant tortoises that were gifted from the governor of Seychelles in 1919. No, you can’t drive your rental motorcycle directly onto Nakupenda Beach; however, you can drive to one of the ports in Zanzibar City and catch a boat over there.
Stone Town
If you’re spending time on Unguja Island, you absolutely have to spend at least one day exploring Stone Town, the liveliest and most vibrant place on the entire island. Located in the heart of Zanzibar City, Stone Town offers a wide variety of restaurants, cultural experiences, and sightseeing areas. It’s often described as a melting pot because it incorporates the many different cultures that have influenced Zanzibar over its long history.
Among the best things to do in Stone Town is to visit the historic Old Fort that was built in 1699 by Omani Arabs. You should also check out Darajani Market where you can get some incredible food and smell the delectable locally grown spices. Finally, if you’re a fan of the band Queen, the birthplace of Freddy Mercury is also in the heart of Stone Town.
Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park
If you’re more of a fan of the forest than the beach, then Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park is the first place in Zanzibar that you should visit. It’s the only national park in Zanzibar and the best place in the world to see native populations of the Zanzibar red colobus, a type of monkey that can only be found in three forests in the Zanzibar Archipelago.
The park is also home to many other species of animals including bush babies, over 50 species of butterflies, and over 40 species of birds. And, if animals aren’t you’re particular interest, you can always enjoy looking at the plants and incredible views as you walk through the many hiking trails that lead through the park.
Zip Around Zanzibar on a Motorbike
If you’re planning a trip to Zanzibar, the best way to get around whatever island you plan on staying on is to hire a motorcycle and cruise around at your leisure. It’s safe, easy, and will give you a sense of adventure that you wouldn’t get by riding public transportation.
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