In the print dialog pick “Save as PDF” to keep it on your phone. A5 makes a pocket booklet; A4 suits a desk printer.
Voykit pocket guide · Tanzania
Jambiani
Spend 2–3 days in Jambiani: beach, bike rides, Kuumbi Caves and a dhow fish trip; travel time from Stone Town about 1–1.5 h by dala dala.
Jambiani is a 6 km fishing village on Zanzibar’s southeast coast. Most activities are within walking or bike distance, so a short stay covers beach time, a cave visit and a local fishing trip.
- Country
- Tanzania
- Best months
- Jun–Oct, Dec–Feb
- Avoid
- Mar–May (rainier)
- Stay
- 2 nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- TZS
- Money
- Currency is the Tanzanian shilling (TZS). Tourism is still quoted in US dollars, but since 2025 the central bank requires local transactions to be priced and paid in shillings — check how your lodge bills; dollar notes older than 2013 or damaged are refused.
- Daily spend
- Budget TZS 30,000–45,000 excl. bed · Mid TZS 45,000–70,000 excl. bed · High TZS 70,000+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Vodacom, Airtel, Yas (Tigo) and Halotel sell SIMs at airports; registration takes fingerprints and a passport.
- Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance 112
- Plugs
- Types D, G · 230 V · 50 Hz · UK three-pin is most common; some older round-pin sockets.
- Tipping
- Safari guide: About US$15–25 per vehicle per day from the group — check.; Kilimanjaro crew: About 10–15% of the climb price, shared per a published scale — check your operator's guide.; Camp staff box: About US$10 per guest per day.; Restaurant: 5–10% where no service charge.
- Water
- Not drinkable from the tap; lodges provide filtered water.
- Toilets
- Western in hotels and lodges; long-drops at some gates and picnic sites; squat toilets at bus stops.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Coffee at a beach bar | TZS 2,000–3,500 |
| Seafood plate | TZS 5,000–8,000 |
| Bike rental (full day) | TZS 15,000 |
| Dala dala Stone Town → Jambiani | TZS 2,000 |
| Shuttle bus (pre‑booked) | $10 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- ZNZ · Abeid Amani Karume International Airport
- About 1 h by taxi or shuttle; dala dala via Stone Town takes 2–3 h
Typical fares
- Dala dala Stone Town → Jambiani (round trip)
- about TZS 2,000, 1–1.5 h (check)
- Bike rental per day
- about TZS 15,000
- Shuttle bus per person
- $10, pre‑booked
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
Walk or rent a bicycle (≈ TZS 15,000 per day). Dala dalas run the Stone Town‑Jambiani route (≈ TZS 2,000, 1–1.5 h). Shuttle buses can be booked for $10 per person.
See and do
Known for
- Kuumbi Caves
- Swahili Cave
- Beach and dhow fishing trips
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Kuumbi Caves | Bike or walk south along the beach, about 2 km (1.2 mi)Bike or walk south along the beach, about 1.2 mi (2 km) | ≈ 15 min walk or 5 min bike |
| Swahili Cave | Walk north 1.5 km (0.9 mi) along the coastWalk north 0.9 mi (1.5 km) along the coast | ≈ 10 min walk |
| Dhow fishing trip | Book through hotel or local operator, early morning departure from the beach | ≈ 30 min (including travel to launch point) |
Sleep
- Mango Beach House
- Small guesthouse with three rooms, personal service.
- Garden Beach Bungalows & Restaurant
- Beachfront bungalows, includes breakfast.
- Marashi Beach House
- Two rooms, ocean view, €25‑30 per night.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| How much does it cost? | Gani bei?gɑːni beɪ |
| I would like to rent a bike | Nataka kukodisha baiskelinataːka kʊkodiʃa baɪskeli |
| Where is the beach? | Pwani iko wapi?pʷani iːko wɑpi |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: 'Shikamoo' to elders, a handshake and small talk first; avoid: Rushing straight to business
- Hands: Right hand for eating, giving and receiving; avoid: Using the left hand
- Dress on Zanzibar: Cover shoulders and knees in town; avoid: Beachwear in Stone Town
- Photos: Ask first; pay agreed fees in Maasai bomas; avoid: Photographing women on Zanzibar without asking
- Affection: Keep it private; avoid: Kissing in public, especially on Zanzibar
- Pace: 'Pole pole' — slow down; avoid: Showing anger in public
Scams and watch-outs
- Dala dalas leave only when full; expect possible wait.
- Taxi from Stone Town costs around US$50; pre‑book to avoid haggling.
- Check cave entry fees (≈ USD 4) and bike condition before renting.
Jambiani is generally safe for tourists; keep valuables covered on the beach and use reputable transport operators.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Jambiani yet. Suggested stay: 2 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Kuumbi Caves
- Swahili Cave
- Beach and dhow fishing trips
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikivoyage: Jambiani, revision 5337090 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5337090
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Jambiani
Tafadhali nenda hapa
To this address, please
My hotel (write the name and address in the local script)
- Police, fire, ambulance112
US consulate in Dar es Salaam (check address).
Voykit · checked 2026-09
Printed from Voykit (/jambiani). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.