Planning a Nairobi Kenya Zanzibar road trip? Magnificent beaches, cosy coastal towns and a thriving foodie scene await you.
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Here are some suggested routes for your Nairobi Kenya Zanzibar road trip:
What's Covered in This Article
Nairobi Dar-es-Salaam (aka Dar) Zanzibar road trip
Drive from Nairobi to Dar through Arusha – Mla Ndizi and finally Dar; or take one of the buses such as Modern Coast, Tahmeed, etc, from Nairobi to Dar.
On the bus it will take you about 15 to 17 hours from Nairobi to Dar es Salaam through Namanga and set you back about $40 (4,000 Kenya Shillings).
The road from Nairobi to Dar es Salaam through Arusha is excellent.
From Dar, you can either take the Azam boat to Zanzibar or a flight from Dar to Zanzibar.
If you drove, you will either have to leave your car in Dar or wait for the ferry services from Azam – the one that carries cargo to Zanzibar. They are available at night.
While in Zanzibar, you can visit the different places easily using a taxi or the daladala depending on how adventurous you want to be. Just note that the cost of shipping your car from mainland Tanzania to Zanzibar will be equivalent of importing a car. And on your way out, you will be paying the equivalent again. So you have to take the said costs into consideration should you choose to cross with your car.
Nairobi Mombasa-Lungalunga-Tanga Zanzibar road trip
The other alternative for a doing a Kenya Nairobi Zanzibar road trip is to approach it via Mombasa Lunga lunga Tanga then take a ferry from Tanga to Zanzibar.
You can take the SGR, drive, or bus from Nairobi to Mombasa.
By road from Nairobi to Dar through Lungalunga takes about 12 hours.
Word has it that the Tanga -Zanzibar ferry is not very safe and is rather outdated. So best to just go upto DAR ES SALAAM and take the Dar-Zanzibar ferry called AZam Marines as it’s much safer, modern and faster.
Nairobi Voi Dar Zanzibar road trip
The third option for a Kenya Nairobi Zanzibar road trip is to use the boarder that leads to Voi then onwards to Nairobi.
If you take this alternative, do a stop over at Sarova Salt Lick hotel. It will be worth the experience.
Things to note/tips for the Nairobi Dar-es-Salaam Zanzibar road trip
- You will need a passport to cross over. If you don’t have one, you can get a temporary pass at the border
- If driving, get insurance at the border and also consider a 4WD car especially if you want to detour to other towns along the way.
- If driving, make sure to have a functional unexpired fire extinguisher, hazard life saver triangles, and an equipped first aid kit in your car.
- Stop at a zebra crossing usually on bumps even if there’s no pedestrian in sight.
- Speed limit is 50Kmph in most places, especially as you approach any town/shopping center, but drive at 30 Kmh.
- As you approach a town please slow to 20 Kmph.
- When you see a sign with the name of a town, as you enter the town or village, that is a sign to the start of the 50 zone. Tt the end of the town / village, there will be a sign with a red line crossing the name of the place. That signals the end of the 50 zone.
- Driving a car with a Kenyan number plate will get you seriously harassed by the Tanzanian police.
- Learn to be as polite as Tanzanians, just don’t deal with the Tanzanian police like you’re dealing with their Kenyan counterpart. It works magic.
- When pulled out Of the road be the first one to say shikamoo.
- If you can hire a Tanzanian car after crossing the border, the easier your life will be.
- You need yellow fever vaccination card/certificate.
- Carry your passport size photos and copies of all your other paperwork.
Sample Itinerary for Nairobi Dar Zanzibar Road Trip
Day 1: night in Moshi
6am: Depart Nairobi for Arusha.
12 noon to 5pm: Lunch in Arusha + rest of the afternoon. Visit the art gallery.
5pm: Leave Arusha for Moshi 80km away. Spend the first night in Moshi. If travel during high season, book your Hotel in Moshi early as Moshi is Mt. Kilimanjaro climbing base and gets full really quickly.
Day 2: night in Bagamoyo
6 am: Early morning start from Moshi to avoid the crazy Arusha Dar bus traffic. Great roads all the way, beautiful scenery. Use the new Bagamoyo road and spend the night in Bagamoyo.
Things to do in Bagamoyo, Tanzania:
- Visit the slave market in the morning. Rich 18th century history there (the chains will get you emotional).
- Visit the old town curio market for some great makonde craft and other souvenirs.
Day 3: night in Dar es Salaam
11 am: Leave for Dar which is only 50km away from Bagamoyo.
Spend the rest of the day in Dar and your night in Dar es Salaam as well.
Beware Dar is boiling hot, but beautiful all the same.
Day 4+: nights in Zanzibar
8am: Leave Dar for Zanzibar via Azam sea bus which takes about an hour. The boats are worth writing home about and very classy so no need shipping your car with you. Leave it at your Dar hotel.
Book first class boat for an extra-ordinary experience. It is an hour’s journey.
PS. On you way back from Zanzibar, consider spending a day in Arusha and enjoy this laid back town with lots to see in Arusha for a day.
How much does a road trip from Nairobi to Dar to Zanzibar cost?
From Nairobi to Dar via Dar Lux and similar buses ranges from $35 (KES 3,500) to $40 (KES 4,000).
Crossing over from Dar to Zanzibar by Azam boat starts from $25 (KES 2,500) depending on the class you take.
Have you done the road trip from Nairobi to Dar to Zanzibar? How was your experience? Share with our readers in the comments below.
