Journal
Journal
Every guide, newest first — kept current from the island.
All guides — page 1 of 10
Guide · 2026-09-14Zanzibar Festivals and Events: Complete Calendar GuideZanzibar festivals: Sauti za Busara draws 23,000+ to Stone Town each February (19–21 March in 2027); ZIFF runs June/July; Mwaka Kogwa marks Shirazi New Year.Read →Guide · 2026-09-14Dar es Salaam to Zanzibar Ferry: Everything You Need to KnowAzam Marine and Zan Fast Ferries fares (USD 35–100), crossing times, both ferry terminals, booking tips, luggage rules, and the honest flight comparison.Read →Zanzibar · 2026-09-03Zanzibar Travel Tips 2026: What First-Time Visitors Need to KnowZanzibar travel tips for 2026: ZIC insurance (USD 44), eVisa, SIM card, dress code, tipping, tides, transport, money, health — from a year-round east coast resident.Read →Zanzibar · 2026-09-03Paje Zanzibar 2026: Kitesurfing, Tidal Lagoon, the Honest Village GuidePaje on Zanzibar's east coast is the island's kitesurfing hub: best wind months, top kite schools, how the tides work, and where to find cheap places to stay.Read →Zanzibar · 2026-09-03Michamvi Pingwe Zanzibar 2026: The Mchanga Sandbank and the Quietest CornerMichamvi Pingwe on Zanzibar's east coast: the Mchanga sandbank appears at low tide, how to time it, boutique hotels from USD 120, and why Tim lives here.Read →Zanzibar · 2026-09-03Kitesurfing in Zanzibar: The Honest Wind GuideWhen to kite Zanzibar, why Paje is the hub, how the low-tide lagoon works, and the real difference between learning and riding here. From the east coast.Read →Zanzibar · 2026-09-03Jambiani Zanzibar 2026: Seaweed Farms, Village Life, Quieter than PajeJambiani, Zanzibar's calmer alternative to Paje: Mwani Mamas seaweed tours, boutique hotels from USD 80, tidal logic, and why couples often pick it over Nungwi.Read →Zanzibar · 2026-09-03Where to Stay on Zanzibar's East Coast — Village-by-Village GuideHonest accommodation guide to Zanzibar's east coast — Michamvi Pingwe, Paje, Jambiani, Bwejuu — with village character, tidal trade-offs, and price ranges.Read →Zanzibar · 2026-09-03Zanzibar Budget Guide 2026: What a Holiday Really CostsWhat Zanzibar actually costs in 2026: mandatory fees (visa USD 50 + ZIC USD 44), hotel price tiers, activities, and when it's cheapest to visit each year.Read →Zanzibar · 2026-09-03Why the East Coast of Zanzibar (and the Truth About the Tides)An honest guide to Zanzibar's east coast — Paje, Jambiani, Michamvi Pingwe — versus the busy north, plus how the tides really work and why low tide is an…Read →Tanzania · 2026-09-03Tanzania Travel Insurance: What You Actually Need and WhyTanzania travel insurance must cover medical evacuation — AMREF Flying Doctors (USD 30/14 days) fills the gap. Divers need an add-on; ZIC's fee isn't enough.Read →Tanzania · 2026-09-03Tanzania Money: Cash, Cards & Daily CostsHow money works in Tanzania: when to use TZS vs USD, where cards and ATMs work, daily budgets, safari price bands and how much cash to actually carry.Read →Tanzania · 2026-08-23Tipping in Tanzania: Safari, Camp & KilimanjaroHow much to tip in Tanzania: driver-guides, camp staff and Kilimanjaro porters, with per-day USD ranges, when to hand it over and which currency to carry.Read →Tanzania · 2026-08-23Tanzania Entry Requirements: Visa, Passport, RulesTanzania visa, passport validity, eVisa vs visa-on-arrival, yellow-fever rule and Zanzibar insurance, explained plainly so you clear immigration without stress.Read →Tanzania · 2026-08-21Tanzania Park Fees Explained (2026 Guide)How Tanzania safari park fees actually work: per-park, per-24-hour rates for Serengeti, Ngorongoro and Tarangire, plus why your safari costs what it does.Read →Zanzibar · 2026-08-20Zanzibar 1-Week Itinerary 2026: 7 Days, 3 Bases, the Honest Day-by-Day PlanZanzibar 7-day itinerary 2026: Stone Town, Nungwi and Paje, 2 nights each — day-by-day plan with transfer times, activity prices, and a tidal warning.Read →Tanzania · 2026-07-29The Usambara Mountains and Lushoto: Tanzania's Cool-Climate Hill CountryThe Usambara Mountains near Lushoto: cool highland climate, endemic wildlife found nowhere else, German colonial history, and 3-4 day village-to-village treks.Read →Tanzania · 2026-07-29The TAZARA Railway: Tanzania's Epic Train Journey to ZambiaTAZARA runs 1,860 km from Dar es Salaam to Zambia in about 46 scheduled hours. Ticket classes, real fares, current schedules, and who this overland trip suits.Read →Tanzania · 2026-07-29Tanzania Southern Circuit: Nyerere, Ruaha, and MikumiTanzania's southern circuit covers Nyerere, Ruaha, and Mikumi — fewer visitors, lower Ruaha park fees at USD 35.40 versus Serengeti's USD 82.60.Read →Tanzania · 2026-07-29Saadani National Park: Where the Safari Meets the BeachSaadani is Tanzania's only national park with an Indian Ocean beach — 1,062 km² of wildlife, river, and coast, roughly 4 hours from Dar es Salaam. Honest guide.Read →Guide · 2026-07-29Tanzania Overland Travel: Buses, Ferries, and the TAZARA Railway — Practical GuideTanzania overland travel guide: the Dar-Zanzibar ferry takes 2 hours, express buses reach Arusha in 8-10 hours, and the TAZARA railway spans 1,860 km.Read →Guide · 2026-07-29Mwanza and Rubondo Island: Lake Victoria's Untouched Western CircuitMwanza is the gateway to Rubondo Island National Park: a 456.8 km² boat-only Lake Victoria park with reintroduced chimps, 40+ elephants, USD 35.40 entry fee.Read →Tanzania · 2026-07-29Moshi 2026: The Real Gateway Town for KilimanjaroMoshi sits 41 km and about 51 minutes from Kilimanjaro Airport — closer than Arusha. Where to stay before a climb, Materuni coffee tours, honest logistics.Read →Tanzania · 2026-07-29Climbing Kilimanjaro: Honest Planning GuideKilimanjaro routes, costs, park fees, altitude sickness, tipping, and best months — honest planning advice from someone who arranges this climb every season.Read →
