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46.5 km • ~51 mins

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

Kiwengwa lies about 47 km north-east of ZNZ on Zanzibar's east coast. Depending on traffic, door-to-door rides take about 1 to 1.5 hours, while local dala-dalas via Stone Town can take 2 hours or more.

✓ Verified Oct 30, 2026 • 46.5 km road distance

Pre-Booked Private Transfer

Door-to-Door
60 mins •Pre-Booked / On Demand
€28 - €41 (Per Vehicle)
Luggage: Luggage Included
How to take it step-by-step:
  1. After passport control and luggage collection, exit through the Arrivals hall of Terminal 3.
  2. Look for your driver in the waiting area outside the exit, holding a sign with your name or hotel reservation.
  3. Confirm the total fare and currency with the driver before loading your bags into the vehicle.
  4. Ride the pre-booked car directly to your Kiwengwa accommodation using the main east-coast road.
  5. Ask the driver to drop you at the exact hotel entrance or beach access point.
Book Fixed-Price Transfer

Airport Taxi

Negotiate Fare
60 mins •On Demand at Arrivals
€28 - €41 (Per Vehicle, Negotiated)
Luggage: Space Negotiable
How to take it step-by-step:
  1. Exit the arrivals terminal and ignore touts inside; proceed to the waiting taxis just outside the Arrivals exit.
  2. Approach a driver and agree a total per-car fare in USD or TZS before any luggage is loaded.
  3. Confirm the vehicle can take all passengers and luggage; pay the agreed amount in cash at the end.
  4. The driver will follow the main road north-east towards Kiwengwa via the east-coast road.
  5. Ask to be dropped at your hotel or the nearest access point.

Dala-Dala via Stone Town / Darajani

Cheapest
120 mins •Daytime Only (See Timetable)
About €2 (Per Person, Cash TZS)
Luggage: Not Recommended With Large Bags
How to take it step-by-step:
  1. Walk from the arrivals terminal to the main road outside the airport compound (the dala-dalas do not enter the terminal forecourt).
  2. Board a dala-dala heading towards Stone Town / Darajani; pay the conductor in cash TZS.
  3. At Darajani terminal, walk to the northern departure area and find a dala-dala going to Kiwengwa or Matemwe.
  4. Tell the conductor you want Kiwengwa and pay the cross-island fare in cash TZS.
  5. Get off on the main road in Kiwengwa village; walk to your resort/beach entrance (not recommended with large luggage).

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⚠️ Important Local Taxi & Arrival Tips

  • Ignore touts inside the terminal who claim to be official taxi drivers; real taxis wait at the rank outside and no meters are used, so always agree the total fare before loading luggage.
  • Do not board dala-dalas with large suitcases or after dark; they are crowded and depart from the main road, not the terminal, making them a target for overcharging by helpers.
  • Bolt is not a reliable option for Kiwengwa; drivers are scarce outside Stone Town, so don't expect an app ride to the beach.
  • Your own travel insurance does not replace the mandatory Zanzibar inbound insurance; touts may offer to sell fake or inflated policies, so buy only from the official ZIC website or counter.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cheapest way to get from ZNZ to Kiwengwa?

The cheapest option is the local dala-dala minibuses, which cost about €2 per person in total. You must first reach Darajani in Stone Town and change to a Kiwengwa-bound dala-dala, but it is not suitable for luggage or night arrivals.

Is there a taxi app I can use from the airport to Kiwengwa?

Bolt operates in Zanzibar but drivers are scarce on the north-east coast, so it is not reliable for Kiwengwa. Pre-book a private transfer or take a negotiated airport taxi instead.

Do taxis at ZNZ accept card payments?

Card payment is uncommon; cash in US dollars or Tanzanian shillings is the norm. Confirm the currency and total fare with the driver before starting the trip.

How long does the drive from ZNZ to Kiwengwa take?

By pre-booked transfer or taxi, expect about 1 to 1.5 hours, though the road distance is 46.5 km and can be faster late at night with no traffic. Dala-dalas can take 2 hours or more with the change in Stone Town.

What is the best option for a family with luggage?

A pre-booked private transfer is the best for families: a fixed price, a driver waiting with a name sign, and enough space for suitcases. Airport taxis can work too, but agree the fare per car first.

Do I need to buy the Zanzibar inbound insurance before leaving the airport?

Yes, Zanzibar requires foreign visitors to have the ZIC inbound insurance, which you can buy online before travel or on arrival. Your own travel insurance does not replace it.

Nearby places

More transfers from Zanzibar Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (ZNZ)

Pongwe · 53.3 km Matemwe · 51.5 km Uroa · 34.4 km Mnemba Island boat trips (Matemwe beach) · 54.5 km Michamvi · 68.2 km Kendwa · 61.3 km Zanzibar Ferry Terminal (Malindi) · 11 km Forodhani Gardens · 11.7 km Stone Town · 10.1 km Nungwi · 63.2 km