Zanzibar Car Rental: Driving Rules and Famous Tourist Destinations

The best way to enjoy the enchanting tropical paradise beauty of Zanzibar is to take a Zanzibar car rental service. Doing this will provide you with much more convenience, freedom, safety, privacy, and flexibility than public transport.

However, visiting this heavenly place by driving a rented car requires you to become familiar with the driving rules followed here. The better you stick to these rules, the more joyful your vacation will be. So, let’s learn about the driving regulations in this beautiful part of East Africa.

Besides that, you will also learn about the best season and famous tourist spots for a pleasurable Zanzibar vacation.

Driving Laws in Zanzibar Tourists Must Know

No matter how well you drive in your own country, every country has its own traffic and driving rules. Therefore, when you visit Tanzania for a Zanzibar trip, take the following driving rules into account and adhere to them when you drive the car there.

Driving Side

You have to drive on the left side of the road in Zanzibar. If you are not used to it, do some practice.

License

You must have a valid international driving permit (IDP) with your home country’s driving license. Remember that the IDP must match your local license for a Zanzibar car rental service.

Speed Limits

In Zanzibar, speed limits change according to the area. For example,

·        In rural areas, the speed limit is 80 km/h

·        Near schools and residential areas, the limit is 30 km/h

·        In urban areas, it’s 50 km/h

You must stick to these speed limits because police usually patrol roads and handle speed traps. Following the road speed rule will prevent accidents as well as hefty fines.

Signage

Some roads in Zanzibar are in poor condition. So, be prepared for potholes, loose gravel, and uneven surfaces, especially when driving away from urban areas by taking car rental services. Although formal road signs exist, they are not usually consistently placed, which requires you to be vigilant and ready for probable hazards.

Seatbelts

While driving, wearing seatbelts is a must for all passengers. If you don’t follow this rule, you have to pay fines. Moreover, if you are with children, use appropriate child safety seats to ensure their safety.

Alcohol Limits

Zanzibar has made very strict laws against drunk driving. The legal blood alcohol limit is 0.0%. So, don’t drink even a drop of wine. If you are found drunk while driving, it may lead to severe penalties. In fact, you may be jailed. It’s one of the most important things to know before applying for an Arusha car rental service or getting a rented vehicle in any part of Tanzania.

Parking Regulations

It’s hard to find a parking spot in famous tourist destinations. Some places have designated parking zones, where you can park your car. However, you can’t park where you find ‘No Parking’ signs. Doing so is illegal.

You should check for local signage and be aware of probable parking fees. When parking your car, ensure that it’s parked securely and away from public paths. It’s one of the major rules every tourist should know before taking Zanzibar car rental services.

 

Top 5 Tourist Destinations in Zanzibar

The Zanzibar beauty lies in pristine beaches, snorkeling spots, forests, etc. So, read the list below to become familiar with each of these destinations that contribute to the glorious charm of this Tanzanian part:

Stone Town

Stone Town is one of the most loved tourist destinations of the Zanzibar Islands.  Its historical facts interest tourists so much that they find visiting Zanzibar without seeing Stone Town incomplete. Some of the famous attractions in Stone Town are the House of Wonder, The Old Fort, the Former Slave Market, The Darajani Market, and the like.

Prison Island:

Prison Island is no less than heaven for Zanzibar visitors. Due to social media platforms, the popularity of this enchanting island is on the rise. In fact, tourists enjoy making videos by feeding and playing with giant tortoises.

These tortoises play an integral role in boosting the charm of this place. They have been on this island for a very long time. Originally, these tortoises were from the Seychelles islands, located 1807 KM away from Zanzibar.

Jozani Chwaka Bay National Forest

Jozani Chwaka Bay National Forest, which is simply called Jozani Forest. Although it’s not a forest where you can see elephants, giraffes, lions, etc. However, it’s the only place in the world where you can see a unique monkey species, known as the Red Colobus Monkey. You can find them only in Zanzibar forests. So, when you apply for a Zanzibar car rental service to see the African wildlife, don’t forget to visit this place.

Kendwa Beach

Visiting Zanzibar is worthless if you don’t explore the allure of Kendwa Beach, which is regarded as the best beach in Tanzania. In fact, during the sunset period, the charm of this beach is at the top. You can also indulge in many fun activities here, such as snorkeling, skydiving, a Quad bike tour, or swimming in the ocean.

Blue Lagoon Michamvi Pingwe

Do you want to know how it feels to be with hundreds of colorful fishes? If yes, then visit Blue Lagoon and indulge in an amazing snorkeling experience. This moment will be the most memorable one of your life. As a matter of fact, you will be able to explore the starfish, sea lions, and the like in the untouched corals of Lagoon.

No matter how stress-stricken you are, this joy will calm your nerves to the core.

Best Time to Visit Zanzibar

The ideal time for a trip to Zanzibar varies from tourist to tourist. To most beach lovers, the period between June and October is the ideal time to enjoy the warmth of Zanzibar. This time, the weather is dry, and it is best to spend time on warm and sunny days. Those who want to indulge in watersports find it the perfect time to raise their heartthrob for a rush of excitement.

From November to February, Zanzibar has light rains. However, these rains last only for a short period of time. During this period, the beauty of Zanzibar is at its zenith, providing tourists with the purest drop of relief from the hustle and bustle of their daily lives.

Between March and May, only a small number of tourists visit Zanzibar, as it’s Zanzibar’s rainy season. This time the weather is warm, but afternoon downpours lead to problematic situations, which is why many consider it the worst time for a Zanzibar excursion.

Conclusion

Before you get a rented car for your Tanzania visit through Zanzibar car rental services, become familiar with its driving rules. These regulations include zero tolerance for drunk driving, prohibition of parking cars in ‘No Parking’ areas, wearing seatbelts, adherence to speed limits, etc.