Zanzibar Intl Airport (ZNZ) Flights & Flight Status

Zanzibar Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (ZNZ) is the main gateway to this magical Tanzanian island where travellers come for beaches, culture, cuisine and history. This resort destination has a lot to explore and is the perfect pairing with a safari in Kenya’s Masai Mara or the Tanzanian Serengeti. Once known as Zanzibar Kisauni, the airport now has the official name of Abeid Amani Karume International Airport to honour the island’s first president.

Do not expect many amenities at this small airport, which punches way above its weight when it comes to international flights to various hubs. Here’s how to make the most of your time travelling through ZNZ, and there are some key hacks that could really make it better.

The new terminal

Recently, the airport opened a more modern terminal to replace the previous one. Flights are divided between a domestic terminal and international section, and both can be crowded during the late evening departure rush. Many flights to Europe and the Middle East are red-eye flights that mean travellers will spend a long and tiresome time waiting at the airport.

New for the airport is air conditioning in both the departure hall and arrival hall, as well as the ticketing counters. This was an uncomfortable problem for passengers (and staff) lifting heavy bags before the new airport opened given the region’s stiff humidity, and repeat visitors like myself are happy to see this upgrade.

There are now several jet bridges, which means no more needing to take a bus to reach the plane. Still, when the airport is busy, some flights require passengers to walk across the apron and board the plane via stairs. This can be quite uncomfortable in the hot sun, and I recommend bringing a hat as there can be a line to board the plane.

I am very impressed with the natural light and modern features of the new terminal with more bathrooms and comfortable seats. This terminal is much more efficient allowing travellers to check in, pass through security and reach their gate faster than before. New baggage carousels also make retrieving checked luggage easier.

Plentiful duty free and souvenir shops help pass the time while waiting for your flight. There are plenty of fast food and sit-down restaurants in the airport, and these are much better than what used to be there. There is also a nice collection of art on display at the airport.

New VIP lounges

The best news for premium cabin travellers and anyone with a Priority Pass card is that there are now three lounges at ZNZ. There are two in the domestic Terminal 2 and one in Terminal 3. Priority Pass is a perk that comes with many premium credit cards, but you can also pay for an annual membership.

If you have Priority Pass, one of the best hacks for ZNZ is knowing to pull it out after you land before deplaning. There is usually someone holding a sign showing the Priority Pass logo at the end of the jet bridge or bottom of the stairs.

They will take you to a private lounge, swipe your Priority Pass card and provide personal assistance to complete arrivals formalities like passport control in the lounge rather than having to wait in line. I wish more international airports offered this service so that you can enjoy a cold drink while waiting.

The Marhaba Lounge in Terminal 3 is for departing international passengers who have access when using Priority Pass or flying in a premium cabin out of the country. While hardly glamorous, it has light snacks and plenty of work tables to stay productive before your flight. It is also possible to pay for a day pass to the lounge.

The lounges here have a few free refreshments, but they also charge for more substantial food and most alcoholic drinks. You can often find better food options in the main terminal, at least on the international side.

The growing route network

Unlike other African airports, Zanzibar does not have a host of connections to other cities around the continent. That is because this is more of a leisure destination rather than a city with a lot of locally based traffic. The most frequent flights are to the capital Dar Es Salaam or nearby hubs like Addis Ababa, Johannesburg or Nairobi.

As such, many flights leave late at night as they continue onward to destinations in Europe and the Middle East. Another important point to consider is that many Zanzibar flights are not nonstop routes. Instead, they make a stop en route (most often in Dar Es Salaam).

While this sounds like a fine proposition when making the reservation, I beg to differ in the middle of the night when you fly for an hour and then stop in another Tanzanian airport where you sit for a couple of hours on the plane before making the longer journey to the next airport. These one-stop flights are common to Africa.

Flights to major hubs in Europe are the most common with connections via cities like Amsterdam, Istanbul and Zurich. The Middle Eastern hubs of Abu Dhabi, Doha and Dubai are also common destinations from Zanzibar, offering connections to cities around the world.

How to get to ZNZ airport

Uber operates its ridesharing services on Zanzibar, which is a popular way to get around the island and to the airport. Another common option is taking a taxi, but I advise agreeing on a price before taking the taxi. The most reliable option is to have your hotel or tour company organise a transfer on your behalf so you have someone waiting for you.

When you exit the airport, there will be a lot of people vying for your attention to offer their luggage assistance or transfer services. Some of these will overcharge you. Also, keep an eye out for eager porters who will try to help with bags in exchange for a tip. The commotion can be a bit overwhelming after landing bleary-eyed from a long flight.

Important tips for Zanzibar airport

Tanzania requires a tourist visa for most nationalities, and these can be completed online. By completing it electronically, travellers save a substantial amount of time without having to queue at the visa desk after landing. Otherwise, you can apply for a visa on arrival after landing, but be sure your passport is eligible to complete the formalities after you land.

Unfortunately, bribes at the airport are common, and check-in staff or security may claim that certain items in your luggage are not allowed. But, what they are really asking for is a tip. I had this happen when they said my carry-on bag was too big despite it being the same bag I take around the world onboard planes.

Security screening, in general, here is pretty slow and with only a few lines, it can take awhile to get through when many widebody flights are leaving at the same time. They often find reasons to conduct secondary searches by hand through your bag. Keep valuable items within view or locked away into protective pockets.

Other airport features

There is no hotel directly at the airport, and if you have an early morning flight, I recommend allowing plenty of time to reach the airport. The roads can be busy at times, especially if coming from Stone Town or driving through heavy rain in monsoon season.

I recommend the Golden Tulip hotel if you have an early flight thanks to its free shuttle service. It also has a swimming pool, which is refreshing after a long flight. This is the most Western style hotel near the runway, and I find the rooms to be inexpensive and modern.

The airport has a prayer room and luggage wrapping services if you want to secure your bags before checking them. This is especially common in Africa.

The bank-operated ATMs here are the best way to convert currency. The exchange desks usually charge a fee and may not have the best rate. Most hotels in Zanzibar accept credit cards, but if visiting local markets or shops, they will prefer cash. U.S. Dollars are often accepted, but not British Pounds.

Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the terminal, but the signal can be spotty. There are numerous SIM card shops in the arrival area of the airport. If your phone is unlocked, you can use these to communicate while on the island. By swapping out your existing SIM with a local one, you can make phone calls and access data without being charged a fortune.

The old terminal was not very mobility-friendly, but the new terminal has escalators, elevators and handicapped-equipped facilities. Another important consideration is that this is a predominantly Muslim island. Despite the heat, it is important to keep your attire in mind by not wearing skirts or shorts that are too short or revealing.