Major city · Tanzania
Chake Chake
Spend 1–2 days in Chake Chake as a quick base on Pemba Island; one night in a budget hotel covers the town and nearby beaches.
Chake Chake is the main commercial and administrative hub on Pemba Island, close to the airport and surrounded by spice farms and mangrove coasts. The town is compact, walkable, and offers basic accommodation, making a short stay sufficient before heading to other island spots.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- TZS
- Best months
- Oct–Mar (dry season, cooler sea breezes)
- avoid Apr–Sep (heavy rains, higher humidity)
- Airport
- PMA
- Nights
- 1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 9Nine African countries on this site have no trip line bec…Carry the yellow fever certificate on every leg of a mult…
- Africa ↗When a route touches a yellow-fever country — even a transit of 12 hours or more — keep the original yellow card (ICVP) in your hand luggage; health desks and airlines can refuse boarding or entry without it.
- Africa ↗Nine African countries on this site have no trip line because governments advise against travel; several others have no-go regions. Read your government's advice for every country on the route before paying deposits.
- East Africa ↗Carry the yellow fever certificate on every leg of a multi-country trip: Uganda and Burundi check it for all arrivals, and a stop in Kenya or Ethiopia makes the next border ask for it.
- East Africa ↗Advice for Ethiopia, Somaliland, Eritrea, Somalia, South Sudan and the Congo border areas can change within days; read your government's page the week you fly and before every regional flight.
- East Africa ↗Price park, reserve and permit fees before comparing lodges: they are charged per person per day, often with VAT, and are fixed whatever bed you choose.
- Tanzania ↗Apply for the Tanzania e-visa only on the official immigration portal; Zanzibar and, from 1 October 2026, mainland Tanzania each require their own US$44 inbound insurance bought from the state insurer's site.
- Tanzania ↗Carry a yellow fever certificate if you arrive from or connect through a risk country such as Kenya or Ethiopia; see a travel clinic about malaria several weeks ahead.
- Tanzania ↗Plastic carrier bags are banned; leave shop and duty-free plastic bags behind before you arrive.
- Tanzania ↗Light aircraft between parks and to Zanzibar have strict baggage limits, usually soft-sided bags only and a low total weight (often around 15 kg); confirm the limit with your operator.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Chake Chake112 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Chake Chake, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Tanzanian shilling (TZS).Tanzania-wide
- SIM or eSIMVodacom, Airtel, Yas (Tigo) and Halotel sell SIMs at airports; registration takes fingerprints and a passport.Tanzania-wide
- Tap waterNot drinkable from the tap; lodges provide filtered water.Tanzania-wide
- TippingRestaurant: 5–10% where no service charge.Tanzania-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets D/G. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): fits · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Tanzania-wide
- SafetyPemba Island is generally safe for tourists; petty theft can occur in markets—keep valuables secure and avoid isolated beaches after dark.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern in hotels and lodges; long-drops at some gates and picnic sites; squat toilets at bus stops.Tanzania-wide
- Emergency numbers112 police / fire / ambulance · 114 fire only (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysGovernment offices close public holidays; on Zanzibar many local restaurants close by day in Ramadan.Tanzania-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportPMA Pemba Airport (Karume Airport) (≈10 min by taxi to town centre).
- Getting aroundWalk within town; taxis and local minibuses for longer trips; hire a car or arrange a driver for beach or plantation visits.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee (café)TZS 2,000–3,500
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi (5 km (3.1 mi))Taxi (3.1 mi (5 km))TZS 8,000–10,000
- Metro or bus rideMini‑bus town‑to‑beachTZS 5,000–7,000 per person
- Budget bedBudget double room (Hotel Archipelago), a night, per roomTZS 35,000
- Mid-range bedBudget double room (Hotel Archipelago), a night, per roomTZS 50,000
- High-end bedBudget double room (Hotel Archipelago), a night, per roomTZS 70,000
A day, not counting the bed: Budget TZS 30,000 · Mid TZS 50,000 · High TZS 80,000
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- PMA Pemba Airport (Karume Airport) (≈10 min by taxi to town centre)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Feb
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Mar
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Apr
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
May
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Jun
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Jul
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Aug
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Sep
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Oct
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Nov
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Dec
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Best: Oct–Mar. Avoid: Apr–Sep. Month by month →
Warmest Mar (31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)), coolest Jan (22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C) low), wettest Jul (20 rain days), driest Dec (5). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Chake Chake: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
8 rd
Feb
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
7 rd
Mar
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
6 rd
Apr
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
12 rd
May
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
15 rd
Jun
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
18 rd
Jul
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
20 rd
Aug
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
20 rd
Sep
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
15 rd
Oct
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
10 rd
Nov
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
6 rd
Dec
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
5 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Walk within town; taxis and local minibuses for longer trips; hire a car or arrange a driver for beach or plantation visits.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Wete
goDoor to door: ≈1 h
Minibus or hired car northward, about 45 min
Larger town with market and ferry to Zanzibar.
Mkoani
goDoor to door: ≈1 h 30 min
Minibus southward, about 1 h 15 min
Port town with ferry connections to mainland.
Ngezi Forest Reserve
cautionDoor to door: ≈1 h
Hire a 4WD eastward, 30 min drive
Check road conditions; guide recommended.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Hotel Archipelago
Basic rooms, air‑conditioning, near town centre; no alcohol served
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- TZS 30,000–45,000 excl. bed
- Mid
- TZS 45,000–70,000 excl. bed
Trip budget
| Budget double room (Hotel Archipelago)1 × 1 night × TZS 35,000 | TZS 35,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × TZS 30,000 | TZS 60,000 |
| Taxi airport → town centre (one way)2 × TZS 12,000 | TZS 24,000 |
| Minibus town‑to‑Wete round‑trip2 × TZS 8,000 | TZS 16,000 |
| eSIM data (7 days)2 × TZS 25,000 | TZS 50,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | TZS 18,500 |
| Trip total≈ TZS 101,800 per person per day, bed included | TZS 203,500 |
check
2026 estimate in TZS; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee (café) | TZS 2,000–3,500 |
| Fresh fruit juice | TZS 1,500–2,500 |
| Taxi (5 km) | TZS 8,000–10,000 |
| Mini‑bus town‑to‑beach | TZS 5,000–7,000 per person |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Mobile 3G/4G coverage is spotty; bring a SIM for the main network.
- ATMs are limited to NMB and Barclays; carry cash.
- Roads to remote beaches can be rough; use a 4WD if self‑driving.
Emergency numbers
- Police / fire / ambulance
- 112
- Fire only
- 114
Pocket card
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Chake ChakeChake Chake
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Emergency
- Police / fire / ambulance112
- Fire only114
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Pemba Airport → Chake Chake (taxi): about TZS 12,000–15,000
- Minibus Chake Chake → Wete: about TZS 8,000 per person
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Chake Chake. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Oct–Mar (dry season, cooler sea breezes) · avoid Apr–Sep (heavy rains, higher humidity) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 2 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport‑to‑town taxi contract (PMA → Chake Chake).
- Walking cluster around town centre, market, and waterfront.
- Vehicle hire for beach and plantation day trips.
Sources
Ask about Chake Chake
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