5 Things You Absolutely Need to Know Before Visiting Zanzibar

You’ve probably heard of the island of Zanzibar. Beyond that, most people know little to nothing. Unfortunately, knowing little to nothing is not a great way to plan a trip to Zanzibar—or anywhere else. That’s where I come in.

Before including it on my African itinerary in the summer of 2025, I did my research. And while a little research is always a good thing, in Zanzibar, the benefits were greater than usual. That’s because, for a place famous for its beaches, culture, and island-getaway vibe, it’s really quite different from most other destinations with a similar reputation. And if you’re not prepared, you’ll definitely be surprised and run the risk of some disappointment.

To spare you the trouble, I’ve compiled a list of five important tips to consider when visiting the island of Zanzibar. This will eliminate the surprises and prepare you for what can and should be a lovely experience.

1) You Will Need Mandatory Travel Insurance

Whether you have fair skies or storms ahead, mandatory travel insurance is not optional.

Even if you already have your own policy, all foreign travelers are required to purchase the government sponsored inbound trip insurance via the official website. Ostensibly this is to cover you in the event of unexpected misfortune while visiting, but in reality it’s more like a completely unsubtle excuse to charge you a visitor fee. To avoid long lines and complications at the airport, be sure to handle this before you arrive.

2) Visit Stone Town, But There’s No Reason To Stay There

Stone Town and its magnificent carved doors are a must-see in Zanzibar. There’s just no need to stay in town overnight

The UNESCO World Heritage Stone Town is a great place to explore, shop and take in the unique blend of African and Arabian influences. I highly recommend you spend at least half a day admiring its charm and highly decorative doors. But unless you’ve got to catch an early flight the next morning, there’s little incentive to stay there. The most popular and scenic beaches are all a 1.5 hour drive to either the north or southeast, so you’d be better off setting up your base of operations someplace else.

3) The Tides on the East Coast Are More Intense Than You Think

Enjoy the stunning waters of the Indian Ocean while they’re there

At most beach destinations, visitors are more interested in the bar menu than the tide tables—but not in Zanzibar. The beaches of the southeast, in particular, are susceptible to drastic variations in sea level depending on the time of day. During my time in the Paje Beach/Bwejuu area, the mornings brought gorgeous, nearly glowing, light-green seas, only for the water to disappear for a few hours later in the day, leaving behind a large mudflat stretching to the horizon.

I don’t say this to discourage a visit here. Just be sure to plan your beach time for the period of the day when the water shows up. And if the tides make you uncomfortable, choose Nungwi or Kendwa Beach in the north, which are far less affected.

4) A Car is the Most Cost Effective Way to Explore Zanzibar – But It Isn’t the Easiest

Driving around Zanzibar is not without its challenges

Distances between locations on Zanzibar are longer than they might seem on a map. From Stone Town to the Nungwi/Kendwa Beach area, it will take at least 1.5 hours of driving. To Paje Beach and the southeast, it might take a little longer. Considering the pricey nature of taxis and transfers, a rental car is definitely going to be an advantage when it comes to cost and freedom. But there are a few caveats.

First, many visitors will be driving on the opposite side of both the road and the car. After about five minutes, it’s not that big a deal, but it’s something to consider.

Second, the roads are primarily one lane in each direction, with arbitrary speed bumps and drastic changes in speed limits when passing through villages. Though the government has cracked down somewhat on speed traps, you may still encounter groups of police flagging down motorists—sometimes even when you’ve done nothing but drive along.

If they catch you speeding—and I mean even 1 km/h over the limit—they will inform you that you could face some hefty fees. However, they may be happy to “expedite” the situation for a certain number of dollars. If you weren’t speeding or violating the traffic code in any way, I found that simply standing my ground led to my being summarily dismissed once they saw that I wasn’t going to be frightened into paying a bribe. It’s annoying and a bit more stressful than the usual challenges of driving in Africa, but if you value your freedom, it’s still worth it.

5) Don’t Wait Until You’re Hungry to Order Food

The food in Zanzibar is great. The time it takes to arrive, not so much

Visitors to the Caribbean are familiar with the concept of “island time,” which is basically an excuse for even simple tasks to take longer than necessary. On Zanzibar, island time is elevated to a cultural rule; one that can be quite infuriating on an empty stomach.

Nowhere is this seen quite as clearly as at a restaurant. I found the food—particularly the seafood—to be quite tasty. But if you wait until you’re hungry to order, by the time it comes out, either you or your partner will be borderline hangry. Instead of enjoying your meal, you’ll be fighting resentment. So order your lunch before you think you’ll want it. Your hunger will have time to catch up.

Conclusion and Parting Thoughts

Unlike many beach destinations, Zanzibar isn’t built around tourism—tourism has been inserted around the lives and towns of the locals. If you’re finishing a safari in Tanzania or Kenya and want some beach time, by all means, Zanzibar can be a beautiful and relaxing way to end your trip. But if Zanzibar is your only destination, I would recommend going someplace easier. You can likely find much of the same appeal much closer to home.

Either way, if your travels bring you to this tropical jewel in the Indian Ocean, considering the five tips I’ve listed above will help ensure that you aren’t surprised, disappointed, or needlessly hungry on your visit to Zanzibar.

For a video breakdown of where to stay on Zanzibar, watch this video:

And if you want to learn how to get the most out of your future trips—or even previous journeys—I warmly invite you to pick up a copy of my book, Wisdom in Your Carry-On. Featuring seven lessons from seven continents, it shares the important things travel teaches us and provides prompts to help you unlock the true value of your own travels.

The front of cover of the travel companion Wisdom in Your Carry-On

What to Expect from Driving the Transfagarasan Highway

It’s scenic. It’s iconic. It’s really hard to pronounce. But a drive down Romania’s famous Transfagarasan Highway is anything but forgettable.

During my visit to Romania in June 2026 I myself navigated this feather in any driver’s cap, but found very few useful details online. Hence this blog post that will provide you with some helpful insights on how to get the most out of your drive along what has been called “the best road in the world.”

Driving the Transfagarasan Highway from North to South

Considering that my base of operations was the town of Rasnov, my route took me from north to south. The turnoff from the highway between Sibiu and Brasov was surprisingly unassuming, with no particular landmark other than a gas station and small sign to indicate that one of Romania’s signature attractions was lying just down the road. The lovely Fagaras Mountains (from which the highway gets its name) seemed more of a backdrop than the destination.

The small town of Cirtisoara serves as the northern gateway to the famed Transfagarasan Highway

Once past the tiny hamlet of Cirtisoara, the road begins to wind through the densely forested foothills of the mountain. The density doesn’t allow for much in the way of views until you reach a certain altitude. However, at a particularly drastic bend in the road, there is a small cluster of shops, restaurants and even a hotel, which is your sign to pull over because there are some fantastic options lingering just out of sight.

Following the dirt road to its end will give you a lovely view of Balea Falls – a splash of white against the dark green backdrop of the forested valley. It is also here that you can access the lowest terminus of the Telecabina Lacul Balea–a cable car system that will take you up beyond the falls and across the iconic valley to the drive’s premier attraction, Lake Balea.

Tickets are sold one way, and can only be bought or sold at the top, which explains why you won’t find a ticket counter at the bottom. It’s a bit pricey, but the views are worth every penny. Even though you will still need to drive the portion of the highway that you’ll be soaring above, I cannot recommend the experience enough.

Balea Falls on your way up the cable car route

Lake Balea and the Highlight of the Drive

Lake Balea itself is little more than a mountain tarn at the top of a mountain pass. It’s surrounded by a few restaurants with views over its still waters that beautifully reflect patches of snow even in summer. Yet from this vantage point, you will enjoy one of the most incredible panoramas to be found anywhere in the country.

Lake Balea is a great place for reflection (pun intended), but don’t miss out on the view behind you.

Below, you will see a ribbon of pavement curving back and forth like a noodle dropped along the mountainside, with hairpin turns and seemingly impossible switchbacks. Gurgling rivers of white water are crisscrossed by a series of bridges as they cascade down the open valley swathed in green grass and wildflowers. The cable car stanchions provide a measure of scale to the scene as the lines stretch out towards the horizon. The whole thing looked to me like a Hot Wheels race car set from my childhood. All that was missing was the loop de loop.

Drone or no drone, the views from above are spectacular

From the Tunnel to the Lake

Once you’ve scraped your jaw up off the floor and returned back down the cable car for your drive up to the lake, the route continues through a long tunnel that empties out onto another valley replete with waterfalls, switchbacks and more incredible views. There are periodic turnoffs to admire sporadic art installations and majestic valleys that are well worth the delay.

The views just don’t quit on the Transfagarasan Highway

Eventually the road will re-enter the forest as you wind your way down the other side of the mountains. Here in particular you’ll want to be ready to stop at a moment’s notice when the highway’s resident bears emerge alongside the road.

No matter how cute or polite they may look, don’t feed the bears along the Transfagarasan Highway

Perhaps it was just the time of day (late afternoon) but in just a short segment we saw a total of 8 bears, most of which were just peacefully sitting on the shoulder as if people-watching were a spectator sport. I should mention that there are a multitude of signs warning people to stay in their cars and not to feed the bears, but the way they sat expectantly on the side of the road told me that these legitimate warnings must often go unheeded.

I was a good boy and took all my pictures from the safety of the car. But just a week later a news report would tell of a foolish motorcyclist who got mauled because he stopped to feed the deceptively docile bears. Save yourself the trauma and just stay in your car.

The last stretch – a winding road that hugged the irregular shoreline of Lake Vidraru – was long and didn’t offer up much in the way of views. During my visit the lake was clearly only half-full, with the previous waterline a distinct line across its sloping shores. A massive hydroelectric dam is situated at its southern end, along with a massive statue. At the very least you should take the opportunity to park to stretch your legs.

Beyond the lake, the scenery was much tamer and typical of Transylvania in general. Sadists can opt to stop off to climb the mega stairway to Poenari Castle – a ruined citadel with some admittedly amazing views. But other than that, your main goal at this point is making your way back to your accommodations, which will require winding roads through small towns no matter which way that might be.

Additional Info on Enjoying Your Drive Along the Transfagarasan Highway

A few helpful tips will enable you to make the most of your drive down this epic road.

• First, schedule a full day for this excursion. The uninterrupted drive won’t take a full day, but the stops easily will
• Second, bring some snacks with you, as vendors are few and far between. This is especially important if you’re prone to getting hangry – this is not a road suited to road rage
• Carry along a power bank to keep your devices charged. If you use your phone as a camera, you will drain your battery with all the footage you’ll have no choice but to take
• As of June 2026, I had no issues running my drone both at Lake Balea and other opportune stops along the way. But even if you do bring a drone, I highly recommend the cable car excursion to experience the flight firsthand
• As I already mentioned: Do Not Feed the Bears!

Summary and Bonus Tip

There be curves ahead when driving the Transfagarasan Highway

A ride across the Transfagarasan Highway by car, motorcycle or bike will be a highlight not only of your trip to Romania, but likely your life as well. Even if you’re not staying in the vicinity, it is a road trip that is worth every effort to take. And if you enjoy a good drive, you’ll be hard-pressed to find its equal anywhere. For a brief video overview of both the Transfagarasan Highway and Transylvania in general, I invite you to watch my short video.

As for a bonus tip, much of the value we derive from travel stems from having the right mindset going in, and the necessary viewpoints when it’s over. I warmly invite you to find the keys to improving the meaning of your future travels and unlocking the value of your past journeys by reading my latest travel book Wisdom in Your Carry-On. For more details, enjoy the videos listed below.

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Have you driven the Transfagarasan Highway? Leave a comment about your experience.

What Travel Taught Me After Visiting Over 80 Countries

Introduction to the Explanation

After two decades as a travel writer and three as a travel addict, I came to a realization: The real value of travel isn’t found in what you see, taste, or photograph. It’s found in what you learn.

That’s the underlying inspiration behind my latest book Wisdom in Your Carry-On. In sharing the lessons learned from my own travels across all seven continents, I teach you how to see the lessons in yours.

The lessons learned from travel are not bound by geography. Rather, they can be applied wherever you go – even if that’s no further than your own town. Below you’ll find a few examples of what travel teaches us that can translate seamlessly into your own life and travels.

People Are People Everywhere

Not coincidentally, I chose to begin and end my book with lessons learned about the most important element in our lives: the people. In this first chapter, I share the universal truth that beyond the exterior differences in language, culture and costume, people are rarely as foreign as they may appear at first.

In fact, the most remarkable thing hasn’t been the differences. It’s how much we are all the same. For a visual expression of this thought, feel free to enjoy the video below.

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Your Best Experience Isn’t on Your Itinerary

By relating a humorous true story about an unexpected karaoke session in the Peruvian Andes, I share another profound truth that will enrich your future travels:

You can plan your trip. You can’t plan your best experience.

While itineraries and schedules are a helpful tool for getting the most out of your journeys, oftentimes the best experiences come unannounced. The key is being open for the opportunity you never saw coming, and being ready to seize it with both hands when it does.

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Awe is the Reward for Showing Up

On social media and in the world at large, travel is often reduced to a matter of highlights and checklists. And while there’s nothing wrong with that, pursuing such an approach deprives you of one of the most meaningful travel experiences: a sense of awe.

So much attention is given to what you’ll see, that travelers risk missing out on what you can feel. This chapter explores how, while your travels may begin when your body arrives, their meaning begins only once your heart is stirred.

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What surprised me most wasn’t that these lessons appeared in different countries. It was that they appeared everywhere. The destinations changed. The lessons remained.

Fill Your Own Carry-On

The above are just three of the seven lessons explored in the book. If these ideas resonate with you, I invite you to continue the journey.

Also included are a series of prompts designed to help you unlock the riches your travels have already brought you – even if you didn’t know they were there.

The truth is, the list of possible lessons is endless so long as you get out there. So why not travel with a companion that will not only show you what to look for, but how to look as well..

If you’ve ever returned home from a trip feeling changed but struggled to explain why, Wisdom in Your Carry-On was written for you.

The front of cover of the travel companion Wisdom in Your Carry-On

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Available now in paperback and ebook formats through Amazon, Apple Books, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, and other online retailers.

A Favor Before You Go…

Independent authors and publishers like myself strongly depend on reviews. If you’ve read Wisdom in Your Carry-On and liked it, even sharing just a sentence or two could really help me out. To make it easier for you, here are links to Amazon and Goodreads. Thanks for the support!

Book Announcement! Wisdom in Your Carry-On Release Date

I am so excited to release the final cover artwork and release date of my upcoming book Wisdom in Your Carry-On

The front cover of Wisdom in Your Carry-On

Coming May 19th, 2026

In May 2026 my reflective travel essays will become available to the public through all major online retailers. Whether you prefer a digital ebook or a traditional paperback in your hands, I warmly invite you to enjoy the stories accumulated over a lifetime of travel, and will show you how to extract the lessons from your own journeys.

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