Beach town in Zanzibar, Tanzania
Nungwi
Zanzibar's northern tip with beaches that stay swimmable at all tides, easy sunsets and beach bars. Quiet outside the high season; can be pricey, with persistent touts and no real town infrastructure.
At a glance
- Safety3/5Take real precautionsDetails
- Monthly budget$1,060–1,810Comfortable, one person · TSh2.8M–4.8MDetails
- Value for money46/100Better value than 45% of places we coverDetails
- Best time to goJan–Feb, Jun–OctWarmest: Mar, 29°CDetails
- Internet41 MbpsFixed broadband, Tanzania medianDetails
- Tap waterNo, drink bottledDo not drink tap water.Details
- LGBTQ+1/5DangerousDetails
- Solo travel4/5English: common in tourist areasDetails
- Doctor's visit$15–38Private clinic, without insuranceDetails
- Getting aroundTaxi / lodge transferWalkable centerDetails
- Cash or cardMostly cashCash rules; a few ATMs and card machines at larger hotels.Details
Where to stay in Nungwi
Areas visitors base themselves in.
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Nungwi village | Local life, cheaper rooms and fishermen's dhow yards |
| Nungwi main beach | Beach bars, dive shops and nightlife |
| Kendwa | Calmer sand, sunset parties, short walk from Nungwi |
Apps that work in Nungwi
No ride-hailing apps work here; see the taxi note below.
- Maps: Google Maps
- Messaging: WhatsApp
- M-Pesa: Mobile money payments
- SGR tickets (TRC): Dar–Morogoro–Dodoma electric train
- Taxis: Ride apps rarely work this far north. Hire a trusted taxi through your lodge and agree the fare first.
Cash, cards and tipping
What to carry and how to pay. Money in Tanzania.
- Mostly cash Cash rules; a few ATMs and card machines at larger hotels. Bring enough shillings, and USD for tours.
- Currency: Shilling (TZS). US$1 ≈ TSh2,648.20 on 03 Oct 2026.
- ATMs: Use ATMs inside banks (CRDB, NMB, Stanbic) in towns; they sometimes run out of cash, and parks have none.
- Tipping: Tips are a big part of safari and Kilimanjaro crew pay; follow operator guidelines. Round up or add 10% in restaurants.
- Paying by phone: Register M-Pesa (Vodacom) or Airtel Money with your passport; tap-to-pay is limited outside upmarket places.
Before you go
Visa and entry
- Apply for the e-visa at visa.immigration.go.tz before travel; single-entry visas are also sold on arrival at main airports and borders.
- From October 2026 mainland arrivals need NIC inbound travel insurance (about US$44, up to 92 days); Zanzibar-first arrivals buy ZIC's policy instead.
- Show a return or onward ticket at the border. Plastic bags are confiscated on arrival.
Emergency numbers
All emergencies 112
Plugs
Type D, G · 230 V, 50 Hz. Do I need an adapter?
SIM and eSIM
Vodacom and Airtel kiosks at Dar es Salaam, Kilimanjaro and Zanzibar airports; passport and fingerprint registration required. Coverage in parks is patchy. eSIMs work for visitors.
More places in Tanzania
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Sources
Prices are SoloSquare estimates; climate, air, safety and visa figures come from the sources listed. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.