Tanzania Calm Update, Dar and Zanzibar Links Running

Published on Nov 9, 2025, 2:26 pm CST

5 min read

Key points

U.S. Embassy says Zanzibar is calm and ferries and shops are operating
International airports in Tanzania are open, with visible security and spot checks
Same-day ferry and flight plans should be reconfirmed due to occasional timetable changes
Add extra time for transfers between Julius Nyerere, the ferry terminal, and Stone Town

Impact

Airport Transfers: Allow added time for checkpoints and potential diversions in Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar
Same-Day Connections: Reconfirm both ferry and flight timetables the morning of travel and keep flexible buffers
Ticket Changes: Monitor airline and ferry operator advisories for waiver windows or adjusted sailings
On-the-Ground Safety: Carry ID, comply with instructions at checkpoints, and avoid large gatherings
Payments And Comms: Have offline copies of tickets and cash as backup in case of intermittent connectivity

Travel conditions across Tanzania have eased after post-election turbulence. The U.S. Embassy in Dar es Salaam reports that Zanzibar is calm and that shops and ferries are operating, while international airports across the country remain open. Travelers can continue with itineraries that include Dar es Salaam and Stone Town, with sensible buffers for security checkpoints and the usual day-of reconfirmation of ferries and flights.

What changed for travelers

Embassy guidance on November 5 stated that airports are operational and that Zanzibar commerce and ferry services are running. The same notice flagged continued movement restrictions in some areas, increased attention from security authorities, and reports of temporary detentions, which is why extra time at checkpoints remains prudent for airport and port transfers.

Latest developments

While major international outlets continue to document serious abuses tied to the October 29 election and its aftermath, day-to-day transport links in the Dar to Zanzibar corridor have largely resumed. This creates a split picture for travelers, where the macro political risk remains elevated, while the micro logistics of flying into Dar es Salaam or crossing to Stone Town are again workable with buffers and verification.

On the water, Azam Marine's booking engine is live and selling Dar es Salaam to Zanzibar tickets. Independent aggregators that track fast ferry timetables also show the familiar four daily sailings pattern, although exact times can vary, so same-day checks are essential.

In the air, local operators and regional carriers have been restoring normal schedules following the early November disruptions. Embassy language still urges travelers to confirm flights directly and to expect visible security. If you are connecting onward the same day, build a cushion.

Reconciling embassy guidance with media reports

The embassy assessment focuses on operational realities for U.S. citizens, noting open airports, calm conditions in Zanzibar, and functioning shops and ferries, paired with a warning about checkpoints and official scrutiny. International reporting, by contrast, emphasizes allegations of lethal crackdowns, curfews, and communications restrictions following the vote. Taken together, the message is not that risks are gone, but that travelers can proceed with care and with extra time, particularly when moving between airport, city, and port.

Airline and ferry advisories to watch

Check your airline's travel alerts page for timetable changes or waiver windows tied to the election period. Where formal waivers are not posted, agents may still offer same-day flexibility if a checkpoint delay jeopardizes a connection. For ferries, verify departures on the operator's site or booking engine, and consider an earlier crossing when pairing with an evening flight from Dar es Salaam. Azam Marine's booking portal remains the authoritative first stop for tickets, while aggregator timetable pages can help you see the day's pattern, then you should confirm the specific sailing you intend to take.

Transfer tips for Dar es Salaam and Stone Town

Dar es Salaam, Tanzania's main gateway, funnels most international arrivals through Julius Nyerere International Airport. If you plan to connect to the ferry the same day, allow added time for possible checkpoint queues on the approach roads, especially around morning and late-afternoon banks. Pre-arranged hotel or vetted car services can reduce friction at stops, and drivers will usually know current roadblocks and diversions. Keep printed or downloaded ferry tickets and boarding barcodes on your phone, along with passport and a second photo ID, since officers may request to see both during stops.

In Zanzibar, Abeid Amani Karume International serves Stone Town and the island resorts. If you are arriving by ferry, expect a straightforward walk from the terminal through immigration and customs formalities, followed by a short transfer into Stone Town or a longer resort run. Build a buffer in case of spot checks on the main arterial roads. As standard best practice in the region, carry some cash in Tanzanian shillings for contingencies and keep an offline map in case mobile data slows. For early morning ferries, do not wait outside the closed Dar es Salaam terminal in the pre-dawn hours, remain at the airport or a secure hotel lobby until the terminal opens.

Background

Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar are linked by frequent high-speed ferries, which normally run around four times per day with a crossing just under two hours, and by several short domestic flights. During the first days after the election, curfews, internet disruption, and security operations led to cancellations, long lines, and limited flight information. As those measures eased, core transport services resumed, with the caveat that checkpoint delays can still add uncertainty to ground segments. This is why today's guidance stresses buffers rather than cancellations.

Final thoughts

For itineraries that pair Dar es Salaam with Stone Town, the workable plan today is simple. Keep traveling, reconfirm day-of departures, and build extra time into every transfer. Zanzibar is calm and ferries and shops are operating, and Tanzania's airports are open, yet a visible security presence means patience and preparation will pay off.