Renting a car in Zanzibar is easier than most tourists expect, and it changes your trip completely.
With your own wheels, you can reach Nungwi before the crowds, stop at the spice farms outside Mahonda without a tour group, and drive back to Stone Town on your own schedule.
Cars start from $25 per day at Zanzibar Rentals, booking takes five minutes on WhatsApp, and the permit process is handled for you.
This guide covers everything you need to know before you arrive, including documents, permits, costs, road conditions, and what actually happens at a police checkpoint.
New to driving in Zanzibar? Read our complete guide on how to rent a car in Zanzibar.
Do You Actually Need a Car in Zanzibar?
Depends on what you want to do. If your plan is one beach, a couple of restaurant dinners, and a Stone Town half-day, taxis will do fine.
But if you want to explore the East Coast, reach quieter beaches near Matemwe or Bwejuu, or visit Jozani Forest without paying for a guided tour a car makes all the difference.
Public transport in Zanzibar (dala-dalas) is slow, unpredictable, and doesn't reach most tourist destinations.
Taxis work but add up quickly, especially if you're moving between areas each day. For stays of three days or more where you want to explore, a rental almost always makes financial and practical sense.
What Documents Do You Need?
Three things are required to legally rent and drive a car in Zanzibar:
- Your home country driving licence (original, not a photo)
- Your passport
- A Zanzibar temporary driving permit — arranged by the rental company
Note on international driving permits: Tanzania is not a signatory to international driving licence agreements, so technically an IDP is not legally required. In practice, your home licence is sufficient. The Zanzibar temporary permit (arranged by the rental company) is what police will actually ask to see.
The Zanzibar Driving Permit — How It Works
Every driver needs a local Zanzibar permit to drive legally on the island. It costs $10 and is valid for the duration of your rental.
Here's the thing: you don't queue for it. Zanzibar Rentals handles the paperwork for you as part of every self-drive rental.
After you confirm your booking via WhatsApp, send us a photo of your driving licence.
We submit your application, and your permit arrives as a PDF. Download it and save it to your phone.
At a police checkpoint, open the PDF, show it through the window, and you're good to go. The whole process takes less than 24 hours.
Checkpoint tip: Police checkpoints on Zanzibar are routine and not cause for concern. Officers wave most vehicles through. If you're stopped, stay calm, hand over your permit and licence, and they'll clear you in under two minutes. The checkpoint near the Uroa junction on the east coast road is the most common one tourists encounter.
How Much Does It Cost to Rent a Car in Zanzibar?
At Zanzibar Rentals, daily rates start from $25 and vary by vehicle:
| Vehicle | Daily rate | Weekly rate | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toyota RAV4 3-Door | $25/day | $150/week | Couples, solo travellers |
| Toyota RAV4 5-Door | $30/day | $180/week | Small families, groups of 4 |
| Suzuki Escudo | $30/day | $180/week | Budget-conscious, easy parking |
| Nissan Juke | $40/day | — | Comfortable city driving |
| Toyota Alphard | $60/day | — | Families, 7 passengers |
| Toyota Prado | $150/day | — | Luxury, off-road, long stays |
All rentals include full comprehensive insurance, unlimited mileage, and air conditioning. The $10 driving permit fee is separate and paid once per rental period, regardless of length.
What Are the Roads Like in Zanzibar?
Better than most guides will tell you. The main roads from Stone Town to Nungwi (65km, about 90 minutes) and from Stone Town to Paje (55km, about 75 minutes) are tarmac and in reasonable condition.
Secondary roads are a different story. The stretch approaching Matemwe beach turns sandy roughly 3km before you arrive, and the tracks down to some east coast beaches are rutted and uneven.
An SUV handles all of this without issue. The RAV4 is the most popular choice for a reason; it's comfortable on the main roads and capable enough for beach approaches.
One practical note: Zanzibar drives on the left. If you're coming from a right-hand-drive country (US, France, Germany), give yourself 15 to 20 minutes to settle in before joining busier roads near Stone Town.
What About Fuel?
Petrol stations are easy to find in the main towns. There's a reliable station on the Old Bagamoyo Road in Stone Town, and others in Nungwi, Paje, and Michamvi.
Most are open from early morning until late evening; a few run 24 hours.
Important: fuel stations in Zanzibar do not accept credit or debit cards. Bring Tanzanian Shillings (TZS) or USD cash. You can exchange money at the airport on arrival or at the forex bureaus in Stone Town. Budget roughly $30–$40 to fill a RAV4 from empty.
How to Book — Step by Step
Zanzibar Rentals uses WhatsApp for all bookings. Here's exactly how it works:
- Message us on WhatsApp at +255 775 900 001 with your arrival date, departure date, and preferred vehicle
- We confirm availability and send you the price, usually within 15 minutes
- Send a photo of your driving licence. We begin the permit application immediately
- Receive your Zanzibar driving permit PDF via WhatsApp or email before you fly
- Collect your car at Zanzibar Airport (ZNZ) or arrange hotel delivery
No forms, no credit card deposits, no queuing. One customer who booked a RAV4 last November messaged us at 11pm and had confirmation, pricing, and their permit within two hours.
Which Car Should You Choose?
Most tourists choose the Toyota RAV4 5-door, and it's the right call for most trips. It fits five passengers with luggage, handles every road on the island, and the $30/day rate is easy to split across a group.
Travelling as a couple or solo? The RAV4 3-door at $25/day is the best value on the island. If you have a family of six or seven, the Toyota Alphard is the only vehicle that gives everyone a comfortable seat with air conditioning.
For the Prado, you're paying for luxury and ground clearance. Worth it for a two-week stay or the rainy season (April to May), when some east coast tracks get genuinely challenging.
Browse the full fleet and check availability →
Frequently Asked Questions
No, your home country's driving licence is accepted by all rental companies in Zanzibar.
You will also need a local Zanzibar temporary permit, which costs $10 and is arranged by the rental company before your arrival.
Prices at Zanzibar Rentals start from $25 per day for a Toyota RAV4 3-door.
Weekly rates offer a savings of $150 for the same car for a full week.
Larger vehicles like the Toyota Alphard start from $60/day and the Toyota Prado from $150/day.
Yes, and it's recommended during peak season (July to October, December to January).
Zanzibar Rentals takes bookings via WhatsApp at +255 775 900 001.
Confirmation usually arrives within 15 minutes.
Zanzibar Rentals does not require a cash deposit.
You pay for your rental period and the $10 driving permit fee. No credit card hold is taken.
Yes, with basic awareness. Roads are driven on the left. Main roads are tarmac and well-maintained.
Secondary roads near beaches can be sandy or rutted, so an SUV is the practical choice.
Police checkpoints are routine carry your driving licence and your permit PDF on your phone.
Yes, Zanzibar Rentals offers hotel delivery across the island.
Message us on WhatsApp with your hotel name and arrival date and we'll arrange it.
Ready to explore Zanzibar at your own pace? Message Zanzibar Rentals on WhatsApp at +255 775 900 001 — we confirm availability within 15 minutes, handle your driving permit, and have your car ready at the airport when you land. Cars from $25/day, full insurance included.