Tanzania Update: Zanzibar Calm, Ferries and Flights Run

Published on Nov 7, 2025, 2:34 pm CST

5 min read

Key points

U.S. Embassy says Zanzibar is calm with shops and ferries operating
Airports are open nationwide though schedules can change at short notice
Canada and the UK advise added time for checkpoints and controlled access
Dar-Zanzibar ferries are running on published or adjusted timetables
Travelers should verify same-day flight and ferry status before departing

Zanzibar, Tanzania, is reported calm, and ferries and shops are operating normally, according to a November 5 security update from the U.S. Embassy in Dar es Salaam. The embassy adds that international airports across Tanzania are operational, while urging travelers to confirm flights and expect a continued security presence. For visitors pairing Dar es Salaam with Zanzibar, this means plans can proceed, with sensible buffers for checkpoints and real-time schedule checks on the day of travel.

What changed

In the first days after the election, international media and foreign governments flagged cancellations and intermittent operations. Those warnings have since evolved into more nuanced guidance. The United States raised its overall advisory to Level 3, Reconsider Travel, on October 31, but its November 5 update clarifies that Zanzibar is calm and that ferries and airports are functioning, with the caveat to confirm flights and expect heightened police presence. The Government of Canada likewise notes that access to Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam can be controlled by checkpoints, that ferries are running on adjusted schedules, and that travelers should account for delays between the city and terminals. The UK's Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office echoes the need to allow time for movement restrictions and routine checks. Together, these updates reconcile early disruption reports with the present emphasis on orderly operations plus extra screening time.

Latest developments

As of November 6-7, the embassy continues to report Zanzibar as calm with ferries operating, while reminding foreign nationals that police may conduct identification checks. Canadian guidance still advises that airport access can be gated by security controls, especially at peak periods, and that ferries may keep adjusted timetables. Travelers should therefore treat same-day flight connections conservatively and consider arriving earlier than usual for both airport and ferry departures.

Airlines and ferries now

Major airports, including Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam and Abeid Amani Karume International Airport in Zanzibar, are open. Airlines have been restoring rotations, though some carriers have used short-notice schedule changes during the recovery. The U.S. advisory's "confirm your flight" language remains the practical baseline: use your airline's app for live status and gate changes, and opt into SMS alerts before you leave your hotel or lodge.

On the sea link, Azam Marine's Kilimanjaro Fast Ferries continue to sell Dar-Zanzibar seats through official channels, and public schedules show the typical morning, late-morning, midday, and late-afternoon patterns in both directions. Same-day tweaks are possible when security screening or harbor conditions slow boarding, so plan to be at the terminal earlier than usual and keep your booking reference handy for ID checks.

Getting between Dar es Salaam and Stone Town

Transfers run more smoothly when you control the variables. Between Dar es Salaam's airport and the ferry terminal, traffic choke points plus security posts can add time. Build a larger cushion than you would in a typical week, especially for afternoon sailings. If you are landing in Dar and aiming for the next boat to Zanzibar, avoid tight windows, pre-purchase ferry tickets from official outlets, and consider private, vetted transport to the port to keep handoffs simple. On arrival in Stone Town, expect normal terminal flow with routine checks and standard taxi and hotel transfers operating.

Background

Tanzania's advisory level increased to Level 3, Reconsider Travel, on October 31 due to unrest, crime, terrorism, and risks to LGBTQ+ travelers. Advisory levels describe general risk conditions countrywide, while day-to-day operating notes, like "airports are open" or "ferries are running," address current logistics. It is normal to see both at once, as authorities encourage caution while essential transport keeps moving. Travelers can safely hold both ideas by maintaining buffers, following local instructions, and verifying status before each leg.

Practical tips for today

Carry a physical copy of your itinerary, photo ID, and e-tickets in case mobile data is slow. Use official airline and ferry apps for boarding passes and alerts, then screenshot barcodes in advance. At DAR, leave additional time to pass any external checkpoint before check-in. At ZNZ, expect normal flows through departures and arrivals with visible security. For the sea link, follow terminal signage, arrive early for screening, and keep bags ready for inspection. If you plan a flight-to-ferry connection, choose the earlier flight, not the last, to leave margin for traffic and ID checks.

Final thoughts

The core message is steadying: Zanzibar is calm, ferries are operating, and airports are open, with routine checks the main source of friction. If you confirm your flights, buy ferry tickets through official channels, and pad transfers between Dar es Salaam and Stone Town, your trip can proceed with only modest adjustments.