The moment you land at Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (ZNZ), the island is yours. If you have a rental car waiting, you drive straight out of arrivals and onto the road.
No taxi negotiation, no waiting for a hotel transfer, no sharing a minibus with strangers. From the airport, Nungwi is 65km north, Paje is 60km east, and Stone Town is 9km away, about 15 minutes down a smooth tarmac road.
This guide covers every main route from ZNZ Airport, including exact distances, real drive times, road conditions, and what you will actually see along the way.
Zanzibar Airport — Quick Route Overview
| Destination | Distance from ZNZ | Drive time | Road condition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stone Town | 9 km | 15–20 mins | Smooth tarmac |
| Nungwi | 65 km | 90 mins | Tarmac all the way |
| Kendwa | 68 km | 95 mins | Tarmac + short sandy track |
| Paje | 60 km | 75 mins | Tarmac, smooth east coast road |
| Jambiani | 65 km | 80 mins | Tarmac, gentle coastal road |
| Matemwe | 55 km | 70 mins + sandy last 3km | Tarmac then sandy approach |
| Jozani Forest | 36 km | 45 mins | Smooth tarmac |
| Michamvi Peninsula | 68 km | 85 mins | Tarmac with some rough sections near the tip |
All times are for normal driving conditions in a standard SUV. Add 10–15 minutes during daytime in Stone Town due to traffic near the port area.
Zanzibar Airport to Stone Town: 9km, 15 Minutes
This is the easiest drive on the island. Leave the airport, turn left onto the main road heading south, and Stone Town appears in under 15 minutes.
The road is well-paved and clearly signed. You will pass the main petrol station on Old Bagamoyo Road worth stopping here on your first day to fill up with TZS cash before heading further afield. Fuel stations on the island do not accept credit or debit cards.
Parking in Stone Town: aim for the open car park near Forodhani Gardens on the seafront.
Do not try to drive into the medina's back streets; they are genuinely too narrow for most rental vehicles, and getting turned around wastes 30 frustrating minutes. Park at Forodhani and walk.
Zanzibar Airport to Nungwi: 65km, About 90 Minutes
The most popular drive on the island, and one of the best. From the airport, follow the signs toward Stone Town, then take the main north road through Bububu, Mahonda, and Mkokotoni.
The road is tarmac the entire way and is in good condition. You will pass through small villages with roadside fruit stalls, banana plantations, and the occasional school letting out at a relaxed pace, and it is genuinely enjoyable.
The last 5km into Nungwi narrows as you approach the beach. Speed bumps appear frequently near the village centre.
They are unmarked and come without warning. Keep your speed under 30km/h from Nungwi junction onward.
If you are heading to Kendwa, turn left off the Nungwi road about 3km before the beach. The track to Kendwa is sandy and about 1.5km long.
A RAV4 handles it without issue, but take it slowly on a first drive.
Airport to Paje: 60km, about 75 Minutes
The East Coast Drive is quieter than the North Road and arguably more scenic. From the airport, drive through Stone Town and pick up the central island road heading east toward Tunguu.
The road climbs slightly through clove and coconut plantations before descending toward the coast. You will smell the sea before you see it.
Paje itself is reached via a flat coastal road that runs south from the main east coast junction. The tarmac is smooth and the drive is straightforward.
One thing to watch: the east coast road has a police checkpoint near the Uroa junction.
Have your driving licence and Zanzibar permit PDF ready on your phone it is a brief stop, officers typically wave you through in under two minutes.
If you are continuing south to Jambiani, simply follow the coastal road for another 8km after Paje. The road stays tarmac, and the ocean views are worth the extra time.
Airport to Matemwe: 55km, About 70 Minutes
Matemwe is less visited than Nungwi and Paje, which is exactly why some people choose it.
The drive follows the north road toward Nungwi but branches right toward the northeast coast before reaching Mkokotoni. The tarmac ends roughly 3km before the beach and becomes a sandy track.
It is drivable in a standard SUV at low speed, stays on the main track, and avoids the softer sand on the verges.
Zanzibar Airport to Jozani Forest: 36km, About 45 Minutes
The shortest drive to a major destination outside Stone Town.
Take the south road from the airport through Pete and Tunguu. The road is smooth and well-maintained.
This is the same route that takes you to the East Coast if you continue past Jozani. The forest entrance is clearly signed on the left side of the road.
Arriving before 9 am gives you the best chance of seeing the red colobus monkeys before the tour groups arrive.
What to Know Before Your First Drive from ZNZ Airport
A few practical things that make the first drive easier:
- Drive on the left. Zanzibar follows left-hand traffic. If you are arriving from the US, France, Germany, or any right-hand-drive country, take 10 minutes in the airport car park to get comfortable before joining the main road.
- Speed limits: 50km/h in towns, 80km/h on open roads. Police with speed cameras are present on the main north and east roads.
- Fuel before you go far. Fill up at the Old Bagamoyo Road station in Stone Town. Cash only — bring Tanzanian Shillings or USD. Budget $30–40 to fill a RAV4.
- Google Maps works well. Download the offline Zanzibar map before you fly. Signal drops in some rural areas north of Mkokotoni.
- Your driving permit lives on your phone. When you book with Zanzibar Rentals airport car rental, we send your Zanzibar temporary permit as a PDF before you land. Save it to your phone's offline files you will not always have data at a checkpoint.
Need a car ready when you land? Browse the full fleet and available vehicles →
Frequently Asked Questions
Zanzibar Airport (ZNZ) is 65km from Nungwi. The drive takes approximately 90 minutes on tarmac road via the main north route through Stone Town and Mahonda. There are no ferry crossings or unpaved sections on this route.
Zanzibar Airport is approximately 60km from Paje on the east coast. The drive takes about 75 minutes via Stone Town and the central island road. The entire route is tarmac.
Stone Town is 9km from Zanzibar Airport — about 15 to 20 minutes by car. It is the closest main destination to ZNZ and the easiest first drive if you are new to the island.
Yes. The roads from ZNZ Airport to all main destinations are tarmac and clearly signed. The main things to remember are that Zanzibar drives on the left, speed bumps near villages are often unmarked, and fuel stations accept cash only. Most first-time visitors find driving in Zanzibar straightforward within the first hour.
Yes — a Zanzibar temporary driving permit is required. It costs $10 and is valid for the full rental period. Zanzibar Rentals arranges this for every customer before they land, so your permit PDF is ready on your phone when you collect the car at the airport.
For Nungwi, Paje, and Jambiani, all reachable on smooth tarmac, the Toyota RAV4 is the ideal choice for $25–$30/day.
For Matemwe or Kendwa, where the last stretch turns sandy, the RAV4 still handles it well at low speed. The Toyota Prado is only necessary if you plan serious off-road driving or are travelling in the rainy season.
Collecting your rental car at Zanzibar Airport? Message Zanzibar Rentals on WhatsApp at +255 775 900 001 we confirm your vehicle, sort the driving permit before you fly, and meet you at ZNZ arrivals. Cars from $25/day, full insurance included.
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