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36.9 km • ~37 mins

How to Get from Zanzibar Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (ZNZ) to Jozani Forest

Jozani Forest is 36.9 km south-east of Zanzibar Airport (ZNZ) on the main road towards Paje. Depending on transport, the trip takes about 37 minutes by car or roughly 1 hour 30 minutes by local dala-dala.

✓ Verified Oct 30, 2026 • 36.9 km road distance

Official Airport Taxi (Negotiated)

Fast
37 mins •24/7 at Arrivals
€18 - €28 (Per Vehicle)
Luggage: 2 Suitcases + Hand Luggage
How to take it step-by-step:
  1. Exit Arrivals and go to the official taxi rank outside the terminal; ignore touts inside.
  2. Agree the total fare in USD or TZS before loading luggage; fares are not metered.
  3. Ask for Jozani Forest (Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park) and confirm it is per car, not per person.
  4. Ride about 40 minutes; pay cash on arrival.

Bolt Ride-Hailing

App-Based
45 mins •When Drivers Available
App Fare (Check in Bolt)
Luggage: 1-2 Bags
How to take it step-by-step:
  1. Open Bolt after landing and set your destination to Jozani Forest entrance.
  2. Follow the pickup point shown in the app; drivers usually meet at arrivals.
  3. Confirm the fare in the app before starting the trip.
  4. Note: cars are often available at ZNZ, but less reliable for a return trip from the forest.

Local Dala-Dala Minibus (via Stone Town & Mwanakwerekwe)

Cheapest
90 mins •Daytime Only, Ask Locally
About €2 (Per Person)
Luggage: Not Suitable for Large Luggage
How to take it step-by-step:
  1. Exit the airport and walk to the main road outside; board a dala-dala heading to Stone Town / Darajani terminal.
  2. Get off at Darajani and make your way to Mwanakwerekwe terminal (south/east-coast dala-dala hub).
  3. At Mwanakwerekwe, board a dala-dala heading towards Paje/Jambiani and tell the conductor you are going to Jozani Forest.
  4. Pay cash in TZS; ask to be dropped at the Jozani Forest entrance gate on the main road.
  5. Walk the short access road to the national park ticket office.

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Tours & activities: Jozani Forest

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⚠️ Important Local Taxi & Arrival Tips

  • Ignore touts inside the terminal and outside Arrivals who offer 'special' taxis; use the official rank or a pre-booked driver.
  • Airport taxis are unmetered. Agree the total fare per car in USD or TZS before loading luggage, and do not accept a later switch to per-person pricing.
  • Do not buy the mandatory Zanzibar inbound travel insurance from anyone at the airport; purchase online at inbound.visitzanzibar.go.tz before travel.
  • Card payment is uncommon for taxis and dala-dalas; carry small USD or TZS cash and avoid poor-rate euro exchange offers.

Frequently Asked Questions

How far is Jozani Forest from Zanzibar Airport (ZNZ)?

The distance is about 36.9 km. A private car or taxi takes roughly 37 minutes without heavy traffic.

Is there a direct airport bus to Jozani Forest?

No, there is no airport shuttle or bus network on Zanzibar. You can use local dala-dalas via Stone Town and Mwanakwerekwe, then a Paje-bound minibus and ask to get off at the Jozani Forest gate.

What is the cheapest way to get from ZNZ to Jozani Forest?

The cheapest option is the local dala-dala; expect to pay about €2 per person in total. It is not recommended with large luggage and runs mainly during the day.

Can I pay for a taxi or dala-dala by card?

Card payment is uncommon. Taxis and dala-dalas typically accept cash in USD or Tanzanian shillings, so carry small notes.

Is it safe to travel from ZNZ to Jozani Forest at night?

Dala-dalas stop running by early evening. At night use a pre-booked private transfer or an airport taxi and expect higher fares after about 22:00.

Do I need Zanzibar inbound travel insurance for this trip?

Yes, all foreign visitors to Zanzibar must hold the mandatory USD 44 ZIC inbound insurance. Buy it online before travel and keep the digital certificate for arrival checks.